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Scorsese says all his future movies will be 3-D
Martin Scorsese says he has become so enamored with 3-D filmmaking that he expects to use the technology in all his future projects.
Scorsese told a crowd of theater owners at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday that he wishes his landmark films “Raging Bull” and “Taxi Driver” had been three-dimensional.
Scorsese spoke at a filmmaking panel alongside director Ang Lee, who won an Oscar in 2006 for “Brokeback Mountain.”
Scorsese and Lee are among a growing group of prominent directors who claim 3-D technology is the future of filmmaking.
Scorsese says 3-D films transport fans into another world, allowing them to feel a stronger connection to the story and actors on screen.
Scorsese’s first 3-D movie, “Hugo,” won several technical Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
US unemployment aid requests near 3-month high
The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits remained stuck near a three-month high last week, a sign that hiring has likely slowed since winter.
The Labor Department says weekly applications dipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 388,000. That’s little changed from the previous week’s figure, which was the highest since Jan. 7.
The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose to 381,750, also the highest in three months.
Applications jumped sharply three weeks ago, a sign that employers had stepped up layoffs and added fewer jobs. Economists said the increase might have been inflated by temporary layoffs during the spring holidays, when many school employees are laid off.
But applications haven’t dropped back since then. The increase follows a report earlier this month that showed hiring slowed in March.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Official: Secret Service probing another trip
A Secret Service official says the agency is investigating news reports of other trips in which agents allegedly engaged the services of prostitutes while traveling abroad in advance of the president.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing investigations, said the agency is trying to determine whether the reports are accurate.
Seattle station KIRO-TV on Wednesday reported allegations that during a trip last year to El Salvador agents engaged in activities similar to conduct in a prostitution scandal that emerged after a presidential trip to Colombia.
The report came hours after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told lawmakers that what happened in Colombia was an isolated incident and that it would surprise her if there were a broader problem.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Jordan’s Bobcats could become NBA’s worst ever
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest NBA player ever, is poised to become the owner of the worst team in league history.
His Charlotte Bobcats have one more shot to avoid the title.
They are teetering on the verge of the worst winning percentage (.106) ever and could clinch the dubious distinction with a loss Thursday night at home to the New York Knicks in the lockout-shortened regular-season finale for both teams.
Charlotte’s record-setting futility would eclipse the mark set by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers. They finished with a .110 winning percentage and a 9-73 record in a full regular season.
Jordan won six NBA championships, but Charlotte (7-58) has become a laughingstock.
Guard D.J. Augustin says “many people are laughing at us … but we take it very seriously.”
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Rose, Lin top NBA’s jersey sales
Move over, Kobe and LeBron: Only Derrick Rose could top Linsanity when it came to jersey sales over the past year.
The league’s reigning MVP has the top-selling jersey at the NBA Store and nbastore.com since April 2011, the NBA says Thursday. Knicks guard Jeremy Lin was No. 2, despite his merchandise not even being available until his stunning breakthrough in February.
Bryant was third and James fourth, unusually low spots for two of the NBA’s biggest superstars. Bryant had been No. 1 six times and James twice since 2001.
Carmelo Anthony rounded out the top five, helping the Knicks finish second in team merchandise sales. The Bulls were No. 1 for the first time since April 2001.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
