MoPix News from WGBH- Feb 4

From: WGBH - Feb 4, 2005

If you received this message via a friend or a listserv and would like to learn about closed captioned and described films directly from the Media Access Group at WGBH, please subscribe at http://ncam.wgbh.org/mailinglist.html Showtimes are also available at www.mopix.org and at AOL Keyword MoPix. To make sure you continue to receive MoPix update e-mails optimally and in your inbox (not sent to bulk or junk folders), please add mary_watkins@wgbh.org to your address book or safe sender list.

MoPix News from WGBH- Feb 4

MOPIX UPDATE NOW SPLIT IN TWO
Due to the successful advocacy efforts of so many patrons with disabilities out there, as well as the commitment by the Hollywood studios to closed caption and describe films, and by theater chains which have installed MoPix systems (Rear Window Captioning and DVS Theatrical), the weekly update which listed MoPix news, films currently available and coming soon titles, and all the location and film time information grew too large and long for many of our e-mail systems. So, because we have information to share, and you have movies to enjoy, there are now two separate MoPix weekly e-mails:

1. MoPix News from WGBH - All the information you've come to rely on, announcements of new MoPix installations, the long list of films scheduled to be released throughout this year and into next with closed captions and descriptions, and the occasional related piece of access news.

2. MoPix Locations and Film Times - The cut to the chase route to what's playing at your local MoPix-equipped theaters. Check your in box for this message.

RAY ON DVD - ENHANCED WITH DVS
The Oscar-nominated film Ray, a biopic of the late, great Ray Charles, was released on DVD by Universal Studios Home Video this past Tuesday, Feb 1. We are proud to announce that a DVS enhanced version of the film is also available on DVD (for US and Canadian distribution only). You can purchase the disk, Ray "DVS Enhanced" at amazon.com. Here's the exact URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007IF19K/ref=ed_oe_dvd/103-1583493-0972634

Additional outlets, both online and brick and mortar stores, and an 800 number to facilitate purchase, will be announced very soon, please stay tuned. The film's star, Jamie Foxx and the director Taylor Hackford have been honored with the American Council of the Blind's Media Access Award for their efforts. Congratulations and thanks to all involved in making this happen, DVS on DVD is a much wanted feature and this film is a natural early step in the process of getting the description tracks created for feature film releases to migrate to DVD release.

2004 TOTALS
During the calendar year 2004, WGBH's Media Access Group closed captioned 76 feature films day and date for their debut in MoPix-equipped theaters. The total number of films that were described was 48. 2004 also saw the first film that was released with description only (no closed captions, the film was subtitled)... The Passion of the Christ Perhaps a future MoPix trivia question?

How does this compare with the previous year, 2003? In 2003, 67 films were closed captioned for their debut, and 38 were released with description. That's progress folks! And 2005? We predict another record number!

LOEWS TO EQUIP THEATERS IN NJ WITH REAR WINDOW CAPTIONING
As a result of a negotiated settlement with the attorney general of the state of New Jersey, Loews Cineplex will soon install a Rear Window Captioning system in each of its multiplexes in NJ (see list of theaters below under "New Jersey"). Similar negotiations with AMC Theatres, Clearview Theatres and National Amusements Theatres have already resulted in the installation of MoPix systems (both Rear Window and DVS Theatrical, which makes theaters and films accessible to blind and low vision patrons) in their NJ multiplexes. Loews has chosen to install only the captioning systems. If you would like to contact Loews headquarters, the address follows:

Travis Reid, President and CEO
Loews Cineplex Entertainment
711 5th Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10022

IMAX THEATERS WITH MOPIX
First-run theaters tend to get all the attention in the MoPix e-mail updates. Did you know that many IMAX or large format theaters also have MoPix equipment? If you live near, or are planning to visit one of these cities, check out a MoPixed large format film (full list of equipped theaters and accessible film titles can be found at www.mopix.org)

McWane Center IMAX Dome Theater, Birmingham, AL
California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
Laurence Phipps IMAX Theater, Denver, CO
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum/Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, Washington, DC
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History/Samuel Johnson IMAX Theater, Washington, DC
Museum of Science and Industry IMAX Dome Theater, Tampa, FL
Entergy IMAX Theater, New Orleans, LA
Museum of Science Mugar Omni Theater, Boston, MA
Science Museum of Minnesota William McKnight - 3M OmniTheater, St. Paul, MN
OmniMax Odyssey Theater and St Louis Science Center Omni Theater, St. Louis, MO
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Lockheed Martin Extreme DynaTheater IMAX, Albuquerque, NM
Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology Bristol IMAX Theater, Syracuse, NY
American Museum of Natural History IMAX Theater, New York, NY
Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, Chattanooga, TN
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum IMAX Theater, Austin, TX
Houston Museum of Science Wortham IMAX Theater, Houston, TX
The Science Place T.I. Founders IMAX Theater, Dallas, TX
Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History IMAX Theater, Ft. Worth, TX
Virginia Air & Space Museum Riverside IMAX Theater, Hampton, VA
Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, Dulles, VA
Virginia Marine Science Museum IMAX Theater, Virginia Beach, VA (RWC only)
Space and Science Foundation IMAX Theater, Edmonton Alberta Canada

NOW PLAYING
Available with closed captions using the Rear Window Captioning system, and audio descriptions utilizing the DVS Theatrical System.

The Wedding Date* starring Debra Messing (Will & Grace) and Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding) from Universal Pictures
(rated PG-13)
*This film will be available with closed captions and description in select theaters MoPix-equipped theaters in the U.S., and with closed captions only in select Canadian theaters equipped with MoPix systems.

Hide and Seek starring Robert DeNiro and Dakota Fanning from Twentieth Century Fox Films
(rated R)

Elektra starring Jennifer Garner (Alias) from Twentieth Century Fox Films
(rated PG-13)

In Good Company starring Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johansson and Topher Grace from Universal Pictures
(rated PG-13)

White Noise starring Michael Keaton from Universal Pictures (available with closed captions and descriptions at select MoPix-equipped theaters in the US only)
(rated PG-13)

Meet the Fockers starring Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand from Universal Pictures
(rated PG-13)

Phantom of the Opera from Warner Bros. Pictures
(rated PG-13)

Now playing with closed captions only (no descriptions are available for these films)

Boogeman starring Barry Watson and Lucy Lawless from Sony Pictures
(rated PG-13)

Are We There Yet? starring Ice Cube from Columbia Pictures
(rated PG)

Racing Stripes, an animated film featuring the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Frankie Muniz, Mandy Moore and Whoope Goldberg, from Warner Bros. Pictures
(rated PG)

Million Dollar Baby starring Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood and directed by Eastwood from Warner Bros. Pictures
(rated PG-13)

The Aviator starring Leoardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese from Miramax
(rated PG-13)

UPDATE ON MOPIX INSTALLATIONS

Connecticut - First MoPix Systems in the State
National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills, Manchester, CT - System to debut shortly
National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Orange - System to debut late Winter

Florida
AMC Woodlands Square 20, Oldsmar - System to debut shortly

Georgia
Consolidated Georgian 14, Newnan - System to debut shortly

Iowa - First MoPix System in the State
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Davenport - System to debut late Winter

Kentucky - First MoPix Systems in the State
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Stonybrook, Louisville - System to debut shortly
National Amusements Showcase Cinemas 16 de Lux, Okolona - System to debut late Winter

Massachusetts
Comcast 3D IMAX Theater, Jordan's Furniture, Reading - System to debut shortly
National Amusements Showcase Cinema West Springfield - System to debut late Winter
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Randolph - System to debut late Winter
National Amusements Blackstone Valley 14 Cinema de Lux, Millbury - System to debut late Winter
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Lowell - System to debut late Winter

Michigan - First MoPix Systems in the State
National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti - System to debut late Winter
National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Flint-West - System to debut late Winter

Missouri
AMC Independence 20, Independence - System to debut shortly
AMC West Olive 16, Creve Coeur - System to debut shortly

New Jersey
Loews Brick Plaza, Brick - Rear Window Captioning System to debut shortly (no description (DVS) system will be installed at this theater)
Loews Cherry Hill Theater, Cherry Hill - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews East Hanover 12 - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Menlo Park 12, Edison - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Jersey Gardens, Elizabeth - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Freehold Metroplex 14, Freehold - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Newport Centre 21, Jersey City - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Mountainside 10, Mountainside - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews New Brunswick, New Brunswick - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Route Seventeen 3, Paramus - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Ridgefield Park, Ridgefield Park - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Meadow Six, Secaucus - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Plaza 8, Secaucus - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Seacourt 10, Toms River - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)
Loews Wayne 14, Wayne - RWC System to debut shortly (no DVS)

New York
National Amusements City Center 15 Cinema DeLux, White Plains - System to debut shortly
National Amusements Island 16 Cinema de Lux, Holtsville - System to debut late Winter
National Amusements College Point Cinemas, Whitestone - System to debut late Winter

North Carolina
Consolidated Palladiumm 14, High Point - System to debut shortly
Consolidated Mayfaire 16, Wilmington - System to debut shortly

Ohio
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Springdale, Springdale - System to debut shortly
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Dayton South, West Carrollton - System to debut late Winter
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Western Hills, Cincinnati - System to debut late Winter

Rhode Island - First MoPix system in the State
National Amusements Showcase Cinema Warwick, Warwick - System to debut shortly

Virginia
National Amusements Fairfax Corner 14 Cinema de Lux, Fairfax - System to debut late Winter

MOPIX COMING SOON

* Hitch starring Will Smith from Sony Pictures (Feb 11) (cc dvs)
* New title! Pooh's Heffalump Movie from Buena Vista Pictures (Feb 11) (cc)
* Constantine starring Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz from Warner Bros. Pictures (Feb 18) (cc dvs)
* Because of Winn-Dixie from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Feb 18) (cc dvs)
* Man of the House starring Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Archer from Columbia Pictures (Feb 25) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Be Cool starring John Travolta and Uma Thurman from MGM (Mar 4) (cc dvs)
* Pacifier starring Vin Diesel from Buena Vista Pictures (Mar 4) (cc with dvs tbd)
* A Sound of Thunder from Warner Bros. Pictures (Mar 11) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Robots from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Mar 11) (cc dvs)
* The Ring 2, starring Naomi Watts from DreamWorks Pictures (Mar 18) (cc only)
* Guess Who starring Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher from Sony Pictures (Mar 25) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous from Warner Bros. Pictures (Mar 24) (cc with dvs to be determined)
* Beauty Shop from MGM (Mar 30) (cc dvs)
* The Cave from Sony Pictures (Apr 8) (cc only)
* Fever Pitch from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Apr 8) (cc dvs)
* Rebound from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Apr 15) (cc dvs)
* The Interpreter starring Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman from Universal Pictures (Apr 22) (cc dvs)
* New title! A Lot Like Love starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet from Buena Vista Pictures (Apr 22) (cc)
* Kingdom of Heaven starring Liam Neeson and Orlando Bloom from Twentieth Century Fox Films (May 6) (cc dvs)
* House of Wax from Warner Bros. Pictures (May 6) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Kicking and Screaming from Universal Pictures (May 13) (cc dvs)
* XXX: State of the Union from Sony Pictures (May 13) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith from Twentieth Century Fox Films (May 19) (cc dvs)
* Madagascar with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Schwimmer from DreamWorks Pictures (May 27) (cc with dvs tbd)
* American Gangster from Universal Pictures (Jun 3) (cc dvs)
* Lords of Dogtown from Sony Pictures (Jun 3) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants from Warner Bros. Pictures (Jun 3) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe from Universal Pictures (Jun 3) (cc dvs)
* Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo from Sony Pictures (Jun 10) (cc only)
* Mr. & Mrs. Smith starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Jun 10) (cc dvs)
* Batman Begins from Warner Bros. Pictures (Jun 17) (cc with dvs to be determined)
* Dukes of Hazzard from Warner Bros. Pictures (Jun 24) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Fun with Dick and Jane from Sony Pictures (Jun 24) (cc with dvs to be determined)
* Herbie: Fully Loaded starring Lindsay Lohan and Michael Keaton from Buena Visita Pictures (Jun 24) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Fantastic Four from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Jul 1) (cc dvs)
* Chicken Little, an animated film from Buena Vista Pictures (Jul 7) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Bewitched starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell from Sony Pictures (Jul 8) (cc with dvs tbd)
* The Skeleton Key from Universal Pictures (Jul 8) (cc dvs)
* Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp from Warner Bros. Pictures (Jul 15) (cc with dvs tbd)
* The Island starring Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson from DreamWorks Pictures (Jul 22) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Doom from Universal Pictures (Aug 5) (cc dvs)
* Must Love Dogs from Warner Bros. Pictures (Aug 5) (cc with dvs tbd)
* The Perfect Man from Universal Pictures (Aug 12) (cc dvs)
* 46 Year Old Virgin from Universal Pictures ((Aug 19) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Exorcism of Emily Rose from Sony Pictures (Sept 9) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Syriana from Warner Bros. Pictures (Sept 16) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Legend of Zorro, starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones from Columbia Pictures (Sept 23) (cc dvs)
* Stealth from Sony Pictures (Sept 23) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Tim Burton's Corpse Bride from Warner Bros. Pictures (Sept 23) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Oliver Twist from Sony Pictures (Sept 30) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Serenity from Universal Pictures (Sept 30) (cc dvs)
* New title! Class Action from Warner Bros. Pictures (Oct 7) (cc with dvs tbd)
* In Her Shoes from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Oct 7) (cc dvs)
* Wallace and Gromit Movie from DreamWorks Pictures (Oct 7) (cc with dvs tbd)
* The Fog from Sony Pictures (Oct 21) (cc with dvs tbd)
* George A. Romero's Land of the Dead from Universal Pictures (Oct 21) (cc dvs)
* Jarhead from Universal Pictues (Nov 11) (cc dvs)
* Rent from Sony Pictures (Nov 11) (cc dvs)
* Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire from Warner Bros. Pictures (Nov 18) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Walk the Line (a biography of Johnny Cash) starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon from Twentieth Century Fox Films (Nov 18) (cc dvs)
* Underworld 2 from Sony Pictures (Dec 9) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Memoirs of a Geisha from Sony Pictures (winter 2005) (cc with dvs tbd)
* King Kong from Universal Pictures (Dec 14) (cc dvs)
* The Producers starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Uma Thurman from Universal Pictures (Dec 21) (cc dvs)
* Rumor Has It from Warner Bros. Pictures (Dec 21) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Zathura from Sony Pictures (Dec 21) (cc with dvs to be determined)
* The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe from Buena Vista Pictures (Dec 23) (cc dvs)
* Nanny McPhee from Universal Pictures (TBD 2005 debut) (cc dvs)
* Annapolis starring James Franco from Buena Vista Pictures (tbd 2005 debut) (cc with dvs tbd)
* 4 Christmases from Sony Pictures (tbd 2005 debut) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Final War from Sony Pictures (TBD 2005 debut) (cc with dvs tbd)
* In the Pink from Sony Pictures (TBD 2005 debut) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Prom Night from Sony Pictures (TBD 2005 debut) (cc with dvs tbd)
* Cars, an animated film from Buena Vista Pictures and Pixar Entertainment (Finding Nemo, The Incredibles) with the voices of Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and Richard Petty (May '06) (cc with dvs tbd)

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CREDITS

Closed captioning and description of all films provided by the Media Access Group at WGBH, a nonprofit division of Boston public broadcaster WGBH. The Rear Window Captioning and DVS Theatrical systems were developed by WGBH to make feature films accessible the date films open in theaters nationwide— and during regular showtimes— to movie fans who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind or visually impaired.

For more information on the WGBH's Motion Picture Access (MoPix) efforts, including how to encourage a theater in your area to install the access systems, please visit www.mopix.org, e-mail access@wgbh.org or call 617 300-3400 v, 617 300-2489 TTY.

Thanks to AMC Theatres, CEC Theaters, Clearview Theaters, Consolidated Theaters, Crown Theatres, Douglas Theatre Company, Famous Players, Gateway Theaters, Loews Cineplex, Malco Theatres, Mann Theatres, and National Amusements Theatres, IMAX and OMNIMAX theatres, Disney themeparks, Busch Gardens Adventure Parks, SeaWorld, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/MIT the Hollywood studios and to all the movie fans out there.

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Media Access Group at WGBH
mary_watkins@wgbh.org
http://access.wgbh.org
125 Western Avenue
Boston, MA  02134
617 300-3700 v/fax, 617 300-2489 TTY

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