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Hollywood Reacts To Philip Seymour Hoffman's Shocking Death

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Philip Seymour was found dead in his West Village apartment this weekend of an apparent drug overdose.

Hoffman's Hollywood colleagues have taken to social media to express their condolences.

Gwyneth Paltrow posted this throwback photo to Instagram:

"Ischia 1998, post dinner, post shooting...Philip was a true genius. #philipseymourhoffman"

"Philip Seymour Hoffman -- he was the best of the best -- seems impossible that he's gone." 

Others in the industry who worked closely with Hoffman have also released statements.

Ken Howard, SAG-AFTRA president
“He was an extraordinary actor with tremendous range and the gift of fully and deeply realizing his amazing characters in films from Magnolia and Capote toCharlie Wilson’s War and Doubt. He was such a great talent and his loss is just deeply sad. On behalf of his fellow actors and all members of SAG-AFTRA, our condolences go out to his family and friends.”

George Clooney, "The Ides Of March" co-star
“There are no words. It’s just terrible.”

Francis Lawrence, Suzanne Collins, Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik, Jennifer Lawrence, on behalf of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" cast and crew
“Words cannot convey the devastating loss we are all feeling right now. Philip was a wonderful person and an exceptional talent, and our hearts are breaking. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family.” 

Anton Corbijn, "A Most Wanted Man" director
“Hearing that Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away came as much as a shock to me as to anyone else I’d imagine. We spent some time together only 2 weeks ago and he seemed in a good place despite some issues he had to deal with. He was not only the most gifted actor I ever worked with (and judging by the legacy he leaves behind I am certain I share this with most if not all directors who were fortunate enough to work with him), he had also become an incredibly inspiring and supportive friend. I am so terribly sad as I find it impossible to comprehend what happened today and to collect my thoughts properly. I have to think about Mimi and the children and I wish them much strength coping with the loss of this truly great man as a father and partner.”

Labyrinth Theater Company
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our beloved friend, Company Member, and former Artistic Director, Philip Seymour Hoffman. His contributions to the Labyrinth family as an artist and mentor are immeasurable. We join everyone in mourning the passing of one of the great lights of our generation.”

SEE ALSO: Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead

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Hoffman's Death Could Be Linked To A Deadly Heroin Mix Sweeping The Northeast

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Philip Seymour Hoffman

People are wondering if the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman by apparent drug overdose was linked to a dangerous form of heroin that is spreading through the Northeast.

Hoffman, a known addict, was found dead in his New York apartment with a hypodermic needle reportedly in his arm around bags of marked "Ace of Hearts" and "Ace of Spades."

Those types of heroin are often laced with fentanyl, an opiate used by cancer patients and a mixture blamed for dozens of deaths in recent weeks.

Police are "looking at if (Hoffman) had the bad batch going around," an unnamed source told Fox News.

Fentanyl-laced heroin killed 22 people in Pennsylvania last week. Maryland, New York, and Ohio have also seen surges of overdoses linked to the deadly drug in the past year, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Police and health officials have also been watching a new strain of fentanyl-laced heroin that has shown up in different parts of the U.S. This specific derivative of fentanyl, called "acetyl fentanyl," has been linked to dozens of overdose deaths in the past several months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans about the acetyl fentanyl trend in August.

Ten acetyl fentanyl overdoses in Rhode Island last year were the first documented cases of the synthetic opioid showing up in illegal drugs, and more possible cases have popped up in other states since the CDC issued its initial warning. Cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania and Louisiana, and authorities in Massachusetts are worried that some recent overdose deaths there are linked to the deadly synthetic.

Acetyl fentanyl is a man-made version of the painkiller fentanyl and isn't available on the prescription market. The CDC notes that it's up to five times more potent than heroin.

People who are buying drugs laced with acetyl fentanyl might have no idea that they're not getting what's marketed to them, increasing the chance of overdose and death.

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Here's What Will Happen To 'Hunger Games' And Philip Seymour Hoffman's Other Unfinished Films

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Philip Seymour Hoffman Hunger Games Catching FirePhilip Seymour was found dead in his West Village apartment this weekend of an apparent drug overdose.

As his Hollywood colleagues mourn the actor's loss, many are still left wondering what happens to Hoffman's many projects he had in the works.

Hoffman had a fairly hefty role in "The Hunger Games" franchise, having just been introduced as game master Plutarch Heavensbee in November's super successful "Catching Fire," which earned nearly $860 million at the box office.

At the time of his death, Hoffman was just finishing up shooting on "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," but Lionsgate says his passing won't affect either film's Nov. 21, 2014 and Nov. 20, 2015 release date.

According to Lionsgate, the majority of Hoffman’s scenes had been completed, with just seven days left to shoot on “Mockingjay — Part 2.”

"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" cast and crew released a joint statement saying, “Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation. We’re very fortunate that he graced our ‘Hunger Games’ family. Losing him in his prime is a tragedy, and we send  our deepest condolences to Philip’s family.”

Meanwhile, Variety reports "Hoffman was also attached to direct the Prohibition era drama “Ezekiel Moss,” which Exclusive Media was set to start selling at the European Film Market in Berlin" but due to the circumstances, "the company released a statement saying it will not be presenting the film to buyers, 'while producers explore the next steps for the film.'"

But with five projects currently in the works, Hoffman had an additional two in the can.

Thriller “A Most Wanted Man,” co-starring Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright, is scheduled for an August release, while IFC has yet to finalize release plans for “God’s Pocket,” which Hoffman promoted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

The project most affected by Hoffman's untimely passing is his upcoming Showtime series “Happyish.”

"The comedy-drama about a disheartened advertising man was built largely around the actor and had shot only one episode, the pilot," reports The Wrap. "Showtime will now have to choose between recasting the role and abandoning the project.

As of Sunday, the network had yet to make any decisions on the future of the show, which did not have a premiere date set. The episodes after the pilot were in the process of being written, reports The Wrap.

“It took us a while to get to Philip Seymour Hoffman,” Showtime president David Nevins said when announcing the show last month, adding that it was “totally worth it.”

SEE ALSO: Hollywood Reacts To Philip Seymour Hoffman's Shocking Death

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Appearing On 'Shark Tank' Got Video App Cycloramic 100,000 Downloads In An Hour

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Cycloramic Shark Tank Bruno Francois

Bruno François, the creator of hands-free video app Cycloramic, went on "Shark Tank" seeking $90,000 in exchange for 5% of his company. What he got was much, much better.

Within an hour of his segment airing on ABC's hit pitch show on Friday, Francois's app was downloaded more than 100,000 times. The two versions of Cycloramic vaulted from No. 800 and No. 220 in the App Store to No. 2 and No. 1, respectively. In that first hour, the company made roughly $200,000.

"I never would have imagined the impact that 'Shark Tank' had on the downloads and the website," François told Business Insider in an email.

The sudden spike in demand and sales that Cycloramic saw immediately after its segment ran isn't rare for businesses that appear on the show. It's a phenomenon that experts are increasingly terming the "Shark Tank effect." Some estimate that a slot on the show could be worth as much as $4 million to $5 million in free marketing exposure, particularly if the finicky Sharks take a liking to the product.

That certainly was the case for François, who landed an offer from all five of the show's celebrity investors. His iPhone video app uses the device's vibrations to spin the phone in a circle — allowing users to take 360-degree videos, hands free. Cycloramic also has a sister app that lets iPhone users take hands-free selfies.

shark tank cycloramic appAt one point during the negotiations, Dallas Maverick's owner Mark Cuban offered up $1 million. François rejected that offer because it was "too much equity to give up," but negotiated a $500,000 deal with Cuban that gave his company a $3 million valuation.

The "Shark Tank" effect may be worth the effort, but it is hard won. François says he first auditioned for "Shark Tank" in April of last year after a five-hour wait outside the Fox Theater in Atlanta. After hearing nothing for months, he was invited to Los Angeles over the summer to do a last trial pitch to the producers and then finally tape his segment.

Even after all that, though, François had no guarantee that his footage or Cycloramic would ever make it on the air. "I was going to be notified if the show would air three weeks before the show time," he told Business Insider. "I was not even guaranteed, and it is independent of whether or not you make a deal."

All his time could have gone to waste. But instead, François won the "Shark Tank" lottery and secured air time. And the evidence of his success is clear.

Cycloramic Shark Tank Bruno Francois 

SEE ALSO: 4 Incredibly Successful Companies That Didn't Get A Deal On 'Shark Tank'

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Philip Seymour Hoffman's 5 Best Films

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Hollywood is rocked by the shocking death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. 

The 46-year-old actor was found dead in his NYC apartment of an "apparent drug overdose," according to The New York Post. 

While actors and friends have reacted with a mix of emotionswe remember some of the actor’s best performances including his four Oscar nominations.

5. “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007) 
charlie wilson's war philip seymour hoffman

Hoffman beat out Tom Hanks for an Oscar nomination for his take on swear-heavy CIA agent Gust Avrakotos in the political drama. 

4. "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" (2007) 

philip seymour hoffman before the devil knows youre deadAlong with Ethan Hawke, the actor starred as a man who robs his own parents, leading to the death of his mom and a blood trail of more bodies in his wake. Despite all that, we still found a way to relate to his character who is desperately trying to cover his tracks. 

3. “The Master” (2012) 
the master philip seymour hoffmanThe Weinstein Company film placed Hoffman as Lancaster Dodd, the leader of a cult religious following called “The Cause.” Hoffman’s performance easily secured an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor. 

2. “Doubt” (2008) 

philip seymour hoffman doubtThe actor’s portrayal of a priest’s relationship with an altar boy walked the line between whether Hoffman’s character was innocent or guilty perfectly. It resulted in his second Best Supporting Actor nomination. 

1. “Capote” (2005) 

Based on Gerald Clarke's "Capote," Hoffman’s take on the eccentric gay writer won him his sole Oscar for Best Actor.

Watch a clip of the actor in "Capote" below:

SEE ALSO: What will happen to Hoffman's unfinished films

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DirecTV Hosted The Most Expensive Super Bowl Party In History

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Jay Z BeyonceThis Saturday's DirecTV pre-Super Bowl bash dubbed “Super Saturday Night” had everything — a performance by Jay Z complete with surprise Beyoncé cameo, DJ Tiesto, a top-shelf open bar, gourmet food, and tons of celebrity guests.

With Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul McCartney, and Jamie Foxx among the 6,000 attendees in the specially constructed 88,000-square-foot stadium at Pier 40 in Manhattan, Page Six reports that the evening's grand total made it the most expensive Super Bowl party in history.

While the exact cost isn't known, Jay Z, Beyoncé, and Tiesto alone commanded more than $2 million to perform at the party, notes Page Six, adding that "The enormous cost of the event was offset by sponsorship from Mark Cuban’s Axs TV and Bank of America."

Earlier on Saturday, DirecTV held their annual “Beach Bowl,” where athletes competed against celebrities in a flag football match. Tons of sand from Virginia was shipped into the heated, custom-built stadium for the star-studded event.

Watch Beyoncé surprise party-goers by joining Jay Z on-stage during his performance:

Other A-list party-goers included Mark Cuban, Macklemore, Barbara and Jenna Bush, Spike Lee, Hayden Panettiere, Tom Arnold, Kate Upton with her on-again boyfriend Justin Verlander, and Lindsay Vonn.

Here's the party scene from Saturday night at Pier 40, complete with chandeliers, dancers, and an open bar.DirecTV Super Bowl party

Olympic skier Lindsay Vonn put down her crutches to pose solo on the red carpet before the party.Lindsay Vonn

Models Chanel Iman and Ireland Baldwin were in attendance.Chanel Iman and Ireland Baldwin

Kate Upton went public with her on-again baseball boyfriend Justin Verlander. The couple partied with Stephen Rannazzisi, Jamie Foxx, and his daughter Corinne Bishop.Justin Verlander Kate Upton super bowl party

Mark Cuban, whose Axs TV co-sponsored the event, hung out with Tim Tebow.Tim Tebow and Mark Cuban

Director Spike Lee seemed intrigued by the scenery.Spike Lee Super Bowl Party

"Extra" host and sports fan Maria Menounos was there.Maria Menounos

And Jamie Foxx hung out with Tom Arnold. Jamie Foxx and Tom Arnold

SEE ALSO: Here's Why Bruno Mars Was Not Being Paid To Perform During The Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Everything You Need To Know About The Return Of '24' To Fox

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kiefer sutherland 24 live another day

Fox quietly dropped a series of brief mysterious commercials throughout the Super Bowl Sunday night. 

The four ads culminated in a first-look preview at the return of “24” to the network.  

Earlier this year, “24” executive producer David Fury confirmed the show’s return 

The series will see Kiefer Sutherland reprise his popular role of Jack Bauer in what is expected to be a 12-episode miniseries.  

“24” ran on Fox for 8 seasons, ending in 2010. 

If you’re excited for the return of Bauer to Fox, here’s everything you need to know about “24: Live Another Day.” 

Is this a series reboot? 

No. It will be a mini-series following the events of the series’ finale with Kiefer Sutherland returning as titular character Jack Bauer. 

Who will star in the mini-series? 

Other than Sutherland, here are the actors who will return to the show: 

Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe O’Brian
mary lynn rajskub chloe o'brian 24 live another day
William Devane as James Heller 
William devane 24 live another dayKim Raver as Audrey Raines
audrey raines 24Among those joining the cast will be Benjamin Bratt, Yvonne Strahovski (“Chuck”), and Tate Donovan (“Damages”). 

What will it be about? 

The miniseries will follow Bauer as a fugitive on the run in England.

Here’s the official synopsis from Fox: 

“Now an exile, he nevertheless is willing to risk his life and freedom to avert yet another global disaster. Tracking Jack are CIA head STEVE HARRIS (Benjamin Bratt, “Law & Order”); CIA agent KATE MORGAN (Yvonne Strahovski, “Dexter”), who is both resourceful and ruthless; JORDAN REED (Giles Matthey, “Jobs”), a smart and sophisticated CIA computer tech; and ERIK RITTER (Gbenga Akinnagbe, “The Wire”), a sharp, strong and arrogant field operative. Calling the shots is JAMES HELLER (William Devane, “The Dark Knight Rises”), now President of the United States. Heller is flanked by his Chief of Staff MARK BOUDREAU (Tate Donovan, “Damages”), who is married to Heller’s daughter – Jack’s former flame, AUDREY (Kim Raver, “Revolution”). Meanwhile, a hardened CHLOE O’BRIAN (Mary Lynn Rajskub, “Firewall”), Bauer’s CTU confidante, is now working underground with high-profile hacker ADRIAN CROSS (Michael Wincott, “The Crow”). Guest stars on 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY include Golden Globe Award winner Judy Davis (“Life with Judy Garland”) and Golden Globe Award nominee Stephen Fry (“Alice in Wonderland,” BONES). The harrowing day will have Jack attempting to thwart an unthinkable terrorist attack that could change the world forever.” 

Will it have the same feel as the original series? 

It should. The original "24" team consisting of executive producer Howard Gordon, co-creator Robert Cochran, director Jon Cassar, and producers Evan Katz, Manny Coto, David Fury, and Brian Grazer are reuniting to work on "Live Another Day." The series will also utilize the familiar split-screen format. 

When will it air on Fox? 

“Live Another Day” will premiere Monday, May 5 at 9 p.m. 

SEE ALSO: Check out the Super Bowl teasers for "24: Live Another Day"

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Critics Claim TV Is Dying, But The Super BowI Ratings Prove It Still Has A Pulse

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Pete Carroll

Last night, the shutout by Seattle over Denver and the rousing but uneventful half-time performances of Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers provided one of the most tame Super Bowl games viewers have seen in years.

Critics have claimed that TV is dying thanks to cord-cutting services like Netflix and Hulu, but there's one aspect of Super Bowl XLVIII that could quash these declarations:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, an average of 111.5 million viewers tuned in to watch Peyton Manning and his crew duke it out against Seattle. That's up 3 million from last year's Super Bowl, which averaged 108.4 million viewers.

Variety writes that this makes Superbowl XLVIII the most watched TV show in U.S. history and these statistics emphasize the power of live television.

The New York Times' David Carr writes that when it comes to an extravaganza like the Super Bowl, watching it live holds special power that can't compare with watching it on a DVR. He says:

At a time of atomization in which we all end up down the hobbit holes of our special interests, big, live television fulfills a need to have something, anything, in common. You can go on Twitter on any given night to discuss the second episode of the third season of “Girls” with your like-minded pals, but if you want to talk about something that your boss, your mother, your cabdriver and your bartender all have an opinion on, this week it will probably include the words “Peyton Manning” and some cliché about what can happen on any given Sunday.

Most of us were scouring social media last night for any snarky tweets or sarcastic status updates about Peyton missing his mark on a pass. TV still has the power to unify us around these spectacles. In age age where information is abundant and we have countless choices to view content, it's still impressive that we gravitate towards our social media accounts to talk about what that happened on television which is supposedly outdated.

Live events is the one area that TV has over Netflix. Reed Hastings can mock HBO and brag about 44 million subscribers but this is where Netflix ambitious expansion plan is going to falter.

Streaming services can give us what we want on demand but nothing beats the thrill of sharing in a collected moment at the same time. T.V. isn't dying, it just has a faint pulse.

SEE ALSO: Netflix CEO Confesses He Tried To Sell The Company To Blockbuster...But Blockbuster Wasn't Interested

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Super Bowl XLVIII Is The Most-Watched TV Event In History With 111.5 Million Viewers

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Super Bowl

It's official: Super Bowl XLVIII is the most-watched TV event in history, with 111.5 million people tuning in to see the Seattle Seahawks dominate the Denver Broncos.

Despite a fairly boring game and "utterly forgettable" halftime show featuring Bruno Mars, host network Fox says that "even in the closing minutes, the rating was only 5% lower than it was for the entire game.

The previous record holders for most-watched events in U.S. TV history were 2012′s Super Bowl, seen by 111.3 million, and the 2010 game, with 111 million viewers.

The game was also the most-viewed live stream ever for a single sports event.

Interest in the game, the first Super Bowl ever played in an outdoor, cold-weather location, and the nation’s No. 1 media market, was unprecedented, according to Fox's press release.

SEE ALSO: Bruno Mars's Halftime Show Was Utterly Forgettable

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There Is Only One Show That Is Consistently Able To Compete With The Super Bowl

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mary downton abbey

It seems silly for any show to go up against the big game on Super Bowl Sunday.

However, while a record-breaking 111.5 million tuned in to watch the biggest football game of the year, there's one show that has consistently been able to bring a large viewership — to PBS.

For the third year in a row, "Downton Abbey" has been the second highest-rated show after the Super Bowl.

The BBC series, now in its fourth season, grabbed 8.2 million viewers.

That's a huge increase from previous years. 

Last year, the show had an audience of 6.6 million. In 2012, 4 million tuned into the series 

While 8 million may not sound like much, if you take a look at every other network that isn't FOX Super Bowl Sunday, the number is pretty significant. The only show on a competing network that comes close is CBS' NCIS.

Via TVbythenumbers:

super bowl ratings

PBS promoted "Downton Abbey" on Twitter using the hashtag #DramaBowlPBS.

10.2 million tuned in to watch the US season 4 premiere.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about the return of "24" to Fox

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This Movie About Plane Crashes Uses No Special Effects — And It's Absolutely Gripping

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charlie victor romeo movie still

Last month, I finally got around to watching "Flight," the Robert Zemeckis film starring Denzel Washington as the pilot who amazingly (and drunkenly) flips an airliner upside down to stop an uncontrolled dive and save nearly everyone on board.

The computer-generated crash is harrowing, but not as compelling as the second plane disaster movie I saw that week: "Charlie Victor Romeo," which recreates six plane crashes from the past 30 years.

In the movie, engines blow due to bird strikes. Hydraulics fail. Planes crash into the ocean and into mountains.

For a movie presenting such spectacular events, it's remarkably simple. There are no special effects (it is shot in 3D; more on that in a minute). Actors play multiple roles. All you see is the interior of the cockpit, populated by pilots and crew members (plus the occasional shot of the mouth of an air traffic controller).

The dialogue is pulled directly from Cockpit Voice Recorders (thus the film's name, pilot speak for C-V-R), edited slightly for clarity.

The idea, the filmmakers Robert Berger and Patrick Daniels told Business Insider, was to depict real drama. What you're watching, Daniels said, is people dealing with incredibly difficult situations.

"The simplicity of the film serves the content," Berger said, adding that fancy special effects would distract from the human experience of watching people struggle with dangerous situations.

Charlie Victor RomeoThat goes for the dialogue, too. Terms and abbreviations familiar to pilots will go right over the heads of the audience. Berger and Daniels aren't worried about their refusal to dumb down the content. "There's a lot to learn from context," Berger said, adding that the public is smarter than most films give them credit for.

Daniels compared the experience to watching an opera in Italian. "Even if you don't understand every term, there's a poetry and musicality to the text." Viewers pick up what's happening from the tone and faces of the actors. "People don't need things explained to them all the time," Daniels said.

The choice to film in 3D, they said, was not a "gimmick," but an affordable way to make the audience feel closer to the actors. I didn't think it added much, partly because in the small theater, I was already quite close to the screen.

While "Charlie Victor Romeo" will appeal more to aviation geeks and professionals than the average movie-goer, Berger and Daniels have made an absorbing film. They prove you don't need simplified dialogue, bombastic special effects, or star actors to engage the audience.

The drama — made all the more real by the knowledge that the dialogue is accurate — is in watching people try to save their lives and those of their passengers.

"Charlie Victor Romeo" is playing at Film Forum in New York City until February 11.

SEE ALSO: Unmasked TSA Blogger: We 'Gawked' At The Body Scans Of Fat Passengers

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Disney Set To Lay Off Hundreds In Interactive Unit

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toy story 3 garbage incinerator

Disney will lay off hundreds of workers in its interactive gaming unit this week, according to multiple reports 

Variety reports the cuts will come from Playdom which the Mouse House purchased in 2010 for $563 million. 

The news comes ahead Of Disney's Q1 earnings report Wednesday.  

As a whole, Disney Interactive has nearly 3,000 employees. 

Disney’s Interactive sector has been troubled with a series of layoff in recent years. 

Last year, Disney laid off 150 staff members from Lucasfilm's video game division LucasArts. Disney acquired the company December 2012 from a $4 billion deal with George Lucas. 

In 2012, 50 jobs were cut from Interactive during a restructuring period. 

In November, Jimmy Pitaro took over as the president of Disney Interactive.  

As the sector has tried to gain profitability it has seen the successful launch of video game “Infinity.” The combination game and purchasable figurines brought in $16 million operating income during the end of the company’s fiscal year. 

The cuts are expected to come following Disney’s Q1 announcement Wednesday.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about the return of "24" to Fox

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Why Heroin Relapse Often Ends In Death

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Philip Seymour Hoffman Oscar

Philip Seymour Hoffman's death on Sunday, from what media outlets are calling an apparent heroin overdose, was a tragedy by all accounts. It was also — like the fatal overdose of Cory Monteith— a shock. He was 46.

While Hoffman had been open about past struggles with addiction and even briefly checked into rehab last year, he told 60 Minutes in 2006 that he had been sober since he was 22.

If it seems like fatal heroin overdoses often happen during a relapse, it's because they do.

The medical examiner has yet to release a report on Hoffman's death, so we can't know for sure whether the underlying cause was an excess of heroin, a dangerous new form of heroin, the combination of heroin with alcohol, or something else entirely.

But when addicts stop doing heroin for a while — for years or even just days — and then return to it, they are often killed by amounts they could previously withstand. The hypothesis is that their tolerance has diminished.

In 1998, a team of Italian researchers published a small but important study in The Lancet to investigate this question. People overdose with vastly different levels of heroin in their blood, and the researchers wanted to figure out why a dose of heroin is sometimes fatal and sometimes not.

Opioids like heroin linger in human hair for months after they've left the bloodstream, so the researchers analyzed the hair of people who had died from a heroin overdose and compared it to the hair of current users, former addicts, and a control group.

Most fatal heroin overdoses, they found, occurred in people with lower levels of drugs in their hair than in that of current (living) users. Further, they added, "most individuals who died from heroin overdose had virtually abstained from heroin during the 4 months preceding death."

Their conclusion? The risk of opioid overdose was higher after periods of sobriety, likely due to lowered tolerance or a lack of tolerance from irregular use. (Regular heroin use is obviously not safe either.)

Other studies have confirmed this result, finding that the risk of overdose is especially high soon after release from prison or from a detox program.

One reason a relapse involving heroin is especially risky is because of how heroin itself works — and why it can be fatal. The NIH explains:

When it enters the brain, heroin is converted back into morphine, which binds to molecules on cells known as opioid receptors. These receptors are located in many areas of the brain (and in the body), especially those involved in the perception of pain and in reward. Opioid receptors are also located in the brain stem, which controls automatic processes critical for life, such as blood pressure, arousal, and respiration. Heroin overdoses frequently involve a suppression of breathing, which can be fatal.

In long term users or people who have recently reduced their dosage, "the dose required to produce euphoria may approach the lethal dose," notes a report from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.

Part of the problem is that people can maintain a high tolerance for the euphoric effects of heroin, even when their tolerance for the drug's effect on breathing is diminished.

Previously heavy users who have quit and then relapsed may be especially at risk for misjudging how much is too much for their lowered tolerance. If they were once heavy users, relapsers may be accustomed to injecting an amount that is now fatal for them.

Drug overdose, including from prescription medications, is now the number one cause of injury death in the country, and heroin use has been rising sharply: There were 373,000 users in the U.S. in 2007 and 669,000 in 2012.

This surge in heroin use and overdose could be related to the increasing abuse of prescription medications like Oxycontin, which is an opioid. Changes the FDA has made to the drug make it harder to inhale and inject, which can lead addicts to experiment with other drugs to get the high they are used to. Other prescription opioid abusers turn to heroin because it is cheaper and sometimes more accessible.

SEE ALSO: Hoffman's Death Could Be Linked To A Deadly Heroin Mix Sweeping The Northeast

DON'T MISS: OxyContin Abusers Switched To Heroin After Pills Were Reformulated

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Woody Allen, Cate Blanchett, And Alec Baldwin Respond After Being Called Out In Dylan Farrow Allegations

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Woody Allen

Woody Allen's estranged 28-year-old daughter, Dylan Farrow, wrote an open letter this weekend regarding allegations that her famous, adoptive father molested her when she was just 7 years old.

At the end of the essay that detailed her alleged sexual abuse, the now-married Dylan questions Allen and his A-list friends:

What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett? Louis CK? Alec Baldwin? What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?

Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

Allen has finally responded to Dylan's open letter, published in Nicholas Kristof's New York Times column on Saturday.

"Mr. Allen has read the article and found it untrue and disgraceful. He will be responding very soon," a rep for Allen tells The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.

The statement continued, “At the time, a thorough investigation was conducted by court appointed independent experts. The experts concluded there was no credible evidence of molestation;  that Dylan Farrow had an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality; and that Dylan Farrow had likely been coached by her mother Mia Farrow. No charges were ever filed.”

Blue Jasmine Cate Blanchett Alec Baldwin

On Saturday night at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, the director's "Blue Jasmine" star Cate Blanchett — who is up for an Oscar for her role in Allen's film  briefly addressed the allegations.

"It's obviously been a long and painful situation for the family and I hope they find some resolution and peace," she said.

Fellow "Blue Jasmine" star Alec Baldwin tweeted  and later deleted — "What the f&@% is wrong w u that u think we all need to b commenting on this family's personal struggle?" he responded to someone asking whether Baldwin owes Dylan an apology. 

To another, the actor wrote: "So you know who's guilty? Who's lying? You, personally, know that?"

He also Tweeted: "You are mistaken if you think there is a place for me, or any outsider, in this family's issue." 

The rest of Hollywood is being "uncomfortably silent" on the matter.

SEE ALSO: Dylan Farrow Details Alleged Sexual Abuse At The Hands Of Woody Allen

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15 'Game Of Thrones' Photos That Hint At Season 4 Storyline

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Missandei daenerys game of thrones season 4

"Game of Thrones" returns to TV April 6. 

While that feels like a lifetime away now, HBO released a bunch of new images from the series giving a first look at season 4. 

The photos are full of hints at what to expect when the show makes its return this spring.

We still don't get a look at Daenerys' dragons, but we do get to see a new, clean-cut Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) fresh from his return to King's Landing along with an older-looking King Joffrey.

The last time we saw Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), the slaves of Yunkai had accepted her as their "mother."



Daenerys had taken Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) as her servant.



She also met captain of the Stormcrows, Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman, “World War Z”). Expect him to become an important character moving forward.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
    






Woody Allen's Attorney Says Dylan Farrow Is 'A Pawn' Of Her Mother In New 'Today' Show Interview

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Woody Allen Attorney Today Show

Following Dylan Farrow's open essay alleging her father Woody Allen sexually abused her as a young girl, the 78-year-old filmmaker is finally speaking out via his attorney, Elkan Abramowitz.

Abramowitz appeared on the "Today" show this morning, denying decades-old molestation allegations.

"His reaction is one of overwhelming sadness because of what has happened to Dylan," Abramowitz said. "She was a pawn in a huge fight between him and Mia Farrow years ago, and the idea that she was molested was implanted in her by her mother. That memory is never going to go away. So the fact that she says this now, that it happened 20 years ago, is totally understandable." 

When asked about why Dylan – now 28, married, and living in Florida under a different name – would lie, Abramowitz replied: "In my view, she's not lying. I think she truly believes this happened. That's what the vice of this is. When you implant a story in a fragile 7-year-old's mind, it stays there forever. It never goes away." 

As for why the allegations have resurfaced lately, Abramowitz feels "it's a continuation of Mia Farrow's desire to hurt Woody Allen and Woody Allen is now riding fairly high, he got the Golden Globes Lifetime Achievement Award and I believe it revived the anger she has towards him."

Abramowitz also made sure to note that an investigation in the early '90s by Yale-New Haven Hospital concluded no sexual abuse had taken place. 

Asked if Allen wants to press legal charges himself, Abramowitz replied: "Woody Allen is not interested in suing anybody for defamation. He was determined not to have molested his daughter 20 years ago. The case is over. There is no case. The fact that it is being brought up now is suspect. The timing is suspect." 

Watch the revealing new "Today" show interview below:

Here's Allen's attorney's main point simplified: "It's a continuation of Mia Farrow's desire to hurt Woody Allen."

SEE ALSO: Woody Allen, Cate Blanchett, And Alec Baldwin Respond After Being Called Out In Dylan Farrow Allegations

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Netflix Is Raising $400 Million So It Can Start Making Even More Original Shows Like 'House of Cards'

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netflix kevin spacey

Netflix announced today it would raise $400 million selling senior notes through 2024.

The funds acquired from this offering would help it expand overseas and make more investments in creating original content, according to Variety.

As it continues to compete with premium cable networks like HBO and Showtime, it's important for Netflix to continue to heavily invest in original programming.

Netflix ended 2013 on a high note with 44 million subscribers and critical acclaim for original programming like "House of Cards" and "Orange Is The New Black."

This year, Netflix earned its first Oscar nomination with "The Square," a documentary about the revolution in Egypt. 

SEE ALSO: Critics Claim TV Is Dying, But The Super Bowl Ratings Prove It Still Has A Pulse

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Woody Allen's Attorney Says Dylan Farrow Is 'A Pawn' Of Her Mother In New 'Today' Show Interview

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0

Woody Allen Attorney Today Show

Following Dylan Farrow's open essay alleging her father Woody Allen sexually abused her as a young girl, the 78-year-old filmmaker is finally speaking out via his attorney, Elkan Abramowitz.

Abramowitz appeared on the "Today" show this morning, denying decades-old molestation allegations.

"His reaction is one of overwhelming sadness because of what has happened to Dylan," Abramowitz said. "She was a pawn in a huge fight between him and Mia Farrow years ago, and the idea that she was molested was implanted in her by her mother. That memory is never going to go away. So the fact that she says this now, that it happened 20 years ago, is totally understandable." 

When asked about why Dylan – now 28, married, and living in Florida under a different name – would lie, Abramowitz replied: "In my view, she's not lying. I think she truly believes this happened. That's what the vice of this is. When you implant a story in a fragile 7-year-old's mind, it stays there forever. It never goes away." 

As for why the allegations have resurfaced lately, Abramowitz feels "it's a continuation of Mia Farrow's desire to hurt Woody Allen and Woody Allen is now riding fairly high, he got the Golden Globes Lifetime Achievement Award and I believe it revived the anger she has towards him."

Abramowitz also made sure to note that an investigation in the early '90s by Yale-New Haven Hospital concluded no sexual abuse had taken place. 

Asked if Allen wants to press legal charges himself, Abramowitz replied: "Woody Allen is not interested in suing anybody for defamation. He was determined not to have molested his daughter 20 years ago. The case is over. There is no case. The fact that it is being brought up now is suspect. The timing is suspect." 

Watch the revealing new "Today" show interview below:

Here's Allen's attorney's main point simplified: "It's a continuation of Mia Farrow's desire to hurt Woody Allen."

SEE ALSO: Woody Allen, Cate Blanchett, And Alec Baldwin Respond After Being Called Out In Dylan Farrow Allegations

Join the conversation about this story »


    






Vanity Fair Finally Decided To Put More People Of Color On The Hollywood Issue Cover

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Vanity Fair's much-hyped annual "Hollywood Issue" is notorious for including few, if any, people of color on its covers  but this year is different.

2014's special issue of the magazine, shot by Annie Leibovitz, features a whopping six black actors of the 12 total cover stars.

In addition to usual suspects Julia Roberts and George Clooney, the cover also showcases relative newbies Lupita Nyong’o ("12 Years a Slave"), Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave"), Michael B. Jordan ("Fruitvale Station"), Naomie Harris ("Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"), Chadwick Boseman ("42") and longtime actor Idris Elba ("Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom").

Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

In comparison, last year's 2013 cover featured just three people  Ben Affleck, Emma Stone, and Bradley Cooper  but all white.

Inside the issue, 9-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis [top right] was featured for her breakout role in "Beasts of the Southern Wild." Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

But years past were even worse. Out of 11 women featured on 2012's cover, just two were women of color.Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

2011 showcased 14 of Hollywood's top talents  but just one black male.Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

2010's cover was ALL young, white women.Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

The roots of white covers go way back. 2004— mainly white.Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

Nice work, 1998 Djimon Hounsou was the sole black male.

Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

1997  no better.Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

Angela Bassett represented for all black actors in the inaugural 1995 issue.Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue

SEE ALSO: 21 Movies You Need To See In 2014

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