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J2 Communications
J2 Communications was a media production and distribution company that operated from 1986 to 2002. The company is best known for its unsteady stewardship of '' National Lampoon'' magazine and all its related properties through the 1990s. History Media production/distribution The company was founded in 1986 by James P. Jimirro, who had previously been the founding president of the Disney Channel and then a CBS executive. At one point in the late 1980s, J2 Communications distributed ITC Entertainment titles on VHS; it also distributed '' Dorf'', a comedy series starring Tim Conway. According to a 1999 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, National Lampoon In 1990, J2 Communications bought '' National Lampoon'' magazine and all its related properties (including the science fiction and fantasy comics magazine '' Heavy Metal'') from then-owners Daniel Grodnik and Tim Matheson, who had acquired the properties in a hostile takeover in 1989. As part of the dea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dan Laikin
Daniel S. Laikin is an American business executive. He was chief operating officer and chief executive officer of National Lampoon, Inc. from 2002 to 2008. Laikin was co-chairman of Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...-based real estate development company Biltmore Homes, Inc., until 2000. He also was a managing partner of technology investment firm Four Leaf Partners, LLC. In 2001, Laikin's group moved to buy a majority stake in J2 Communications Inc., the owner of the moribund '' National Lampoon'' properties. From 2002 forward they built media businesses around the brand, becoming active in film, television, radio, and print, as well as building the largest Internet-based comedy network in the world. Laikin was the largest shareholder of National Lampoon ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Loaded Weapon 1
''National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1'' (also known simply as '' Loaded Weapon 1'') is a 1993 American parody film directed and co-written by Gene Quintano, and starring Emilio Estevez, Samuel L. Jackson, Kathy Ireland, Frank McRae, Tim Curry and William Shatner. The film mainly spoofs the first three ''Lethal Weapon'' films, as well as several others including '' Basic Instinct, Commando'', ''Die Hard'', '' Dirty Harry'', '' Rambo'', '' The Silence of the Lambs'', ''Wayne's World'', '' 48 Hrs.'' and TV series such as '' CHiPs''. ''Loaded Weapon 1'' was released on February 5, 1993. Plot In Los Angeles, Billie York is murdered by a man known as Mr Jigsaw because she possesses a microfilm containing a recipe that can turn cocaine into cookies. Her former partner, Wes Luger, who is about to retire, is assigned the case by the reluctant captain Doyle, who dismisses it as a suicide but gives Luger the case. The catch is that Luger will have to be partnered with Jack Colt, a burn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Film Production Companies Of The United States
A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, since the 1930s, synchronized with sound and (less commonly) other sensory stimulations. Etymology and alternative terms The name "film" originally referred to the thin layer of photochemical emulsion on the celluloid strip that used to be the actual medium for recording and displaying motion pictures. Many other terms exist for an individual motion-picture, including "picture", "picture show", "moving picture", "photoplay", and "flick". The most common term in the United States is "movie", while in Europe, "film" is preferred. Archaic terms include "animated pictures" and "animated photography". "Flick" is, in general a slang term, first recorded in 1926. It originates in the verb flicker, owing to the flickering appearance of early films. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1986 Establishments
The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles. ** Spain and Portugal enter the European Community, which becomes the European Union in 1993. * January 11 – The Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, Gateway Bridge in Brisbane, Australia, at this time the world's longest prestressed concrete free-cantilever bridge, is opened. * January 13–January 24, 24 – South Yemen Civil War. * January 20 – The United Kingdom and France announce plans to construct the Channel Tunnel. * January 24 – The Voyager 2 space probe makes its first encounter with Uranus. * January 25 – Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Army Rebel group takes over Uganda after leading a Ugandan Bush War, five-year guerrilla war in which up to half a million people are believed to have been killed. They will later use January 26 as the official date ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News (originally Bloomberg Business News) is an international news agency headquartered in New York City and a division of Bloomberg L.P. Content produced by Bloomberg News is disseminated through Bloomberg Terminals, Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, '' Bloomberg Businessweek'', '' Bloomberg Markets'', Bloomberg.com, and Bloomberg's mobile platforms. Since 2015, John Micklethwait has been editor-in-chief. History Bloomberg News was founded by Michael Bloomberg and Matthew Winkler in 1990 to deliver financial news reporting to Bloomberg Terminal subscribers. The agency was established in 1990 with a team of six people. Winkler was first editor-in-chief. In 2010, Bloomberg News included more than 2,300 editors and reporters in 72 countries and 146 news bureaus worldwide. Beginnings (1990–1995) Bloomberg Business News was created to expand the services offered through the terminals. According to Matthew Winkler, then a writer for ''The Wall Street Jo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Hughes (filmmaker)
John Wilden Hughes Jr. (February 18, 1950 – August 6, 2009) was an American filmmaker and producer. He is best known for writing, producing, and directing such films as ''Sixteen Candles'', ''The Breakfast Club'', ''Weird Science (film), Weird Science'', ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'', ''Planes, Trains and Automobiles'', and ''Uncle Buck'', and writing ''Pretty in Pink'' and ''Home Alone''. Most of Hughes's works were set in Chicago. His films often combine slapstick comedy with heartfelt moments. Actors whose careers Hughes helped launch include John Candy, Molly Ringwald, Matthew Broderick, Anthony Michael Hall, and Macaulay Culkin. Hughes has since been considered an icon defining the 1980s with his coming-of-age stories, capturing the teenage experience and shaping the teen movie genre. Early life and education Hughes was born on February 18, 1950, in Lansing, Michigan, to Marion Crawford, who volunteered in charity work, and John Wilden Hughes, who worked in sales. He wa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Lampoon's Vacation (film Series)
''National Lampoon's Vacation'' film series is a comedy film series initially based on John Hughes' short story "Vacation '58" that was originally published by '' National Lampoon'' magazine. The series is distributed by Warner Bros. and consists of five main films, two of which are not sponsored by ''National Lampoon'', and one spin-off. In recent years, the series has been the inspiration for various advertising campaigns featuring some of the original cast members. The series portrays the misadventures of the Griswold family, and in particular family patriarch (and lead character) Clark Griswold - whose well meaning attempts to provide his family and children with the perfect vacation continually go awry in spectacular fashion, landing them in the middle of various disasters and strangely embarrassing predicaments. Films Original series ''National Lampoon's Vacation'' (1983) ''National Lampoon's European Vacation'' (1985) ''National Lampoon's European Vacation'' was direct ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vegas Vacation
''Vegas Vacation'' is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Stephen Kessler in his feature directorial debut. It is the fourth installment in '' National Lampoon''’s ''Vacation'' film series, and was written by Elisa Bell, based on a story by Bell and Bob Ducsay. The film stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Wayne Newton, Ethan Embry, and Wallace Shawn. It tells the story of Clark Griswold taking his family to Las Vegas to renew his vows to Ellen as the series' usual hilarity occurs. The film opened at #4 at the box office and grossed over $36.4 million domestically. ''Vegas Vacation'' is the first theatrical ''Vacation'' film not to carry the ''National Lampoon'' label or a screenwriting credit from John Hughes. Also, this is the final film released before ''National Lampoon'' magazine folded. This was also the last ''Vacation'' movie to be released until New Line Cinema, a production company of Warner Bros., produced a standalone sequel that was released 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jake's Booty Call
''Jake's Booty Call'' (also known as ''National Lampoon Presents Jake's Booty Call'') is a 2003 American animated adventure sex comedy film written and co-directed by Romp.com founder Eric Eisner. Background ''Booty Call'' is a series of 33 multiplot Flash animation games created by Julian Max Metter, and originally hosted at Romp.com. In these games the player has to follow the main character, Jake, around and help him on his mission to have sex with various women he sees. Usually, the aim is to get him to have sex with one woman; however, a few episodes require more than one to complete. Film ''Jake's Booty Call'' is based on the Flash series. The screenplay was written by director Eric Eisner (who co-directed the film with J. Chad Hammes), and voice-acting was provided by Jay Lerner and Julian Max Metter. The film was developed by "Romp Studios", taking the name of the website, and has the curious accolade of being the first film ever to be created entirely in Macromedia F ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blackball (film)
''Blackball (also known as National Lampoon's Blackball)'' is a 2003 British sports comedy film based on the game of lawn bowls. The screenplay was written by Tim Firth and the film was directed by Mel Smith. The film features James Cromwell as a master bowls player and Paul Kaye as a naturally talented player who have differing social backgrounds; they are placed together by Vince Vaughn to play for England against Australia. Its fictional plot is based on the bowls player Griff Sanders, who was also referred to as "The Bad Boy of Bowls". Background In addition to the main character being modelled after Griff Sanders, the film also spoofs Bjørge Lillelien's infamous commentary from Norway's 2–1 defeat of England at football in 1981. This theme was first riffed by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner on their TV show '' Fantasy Football League'', and the other commentator for the match was Angus Loughran, who played 'Statto' on ''Fantasy Football''. ''Blackball'' was filmed on t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Repli-Kate
''Repli-Kate'' is a 2002 American sex comedy film from National Lampoon, directed by Frank Longo and starring Ali Landry, James Roday Rodriguez, Desmond Askew and Eugene Levy. Plot Max Fleming is a graduate student who has developed a powerful cloning machine for the egotistical Dr. Jonas. Jonas steals all the credit and leaves Max to toil in obscurity. One day, Max meets Kate Carson, a young and beautiful magazine reporter preparing a story on the cloning research at the university. During the interview, Kate accidentally cuts herself, and a few drops of her blood mingle with one of the cloning samples. Later that night, Max runs a test of the machine, and to his surprise he ends up with a replicant of Kate, which he names Repli-Kate. Repli-Kate is fully adult (being exactly the same age the original Kate is), but she has no knowledge. Max and his roommate Henry thus set out to educate her, but with a male perspective. They want to turn her into the perfect woman: the beer- ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
