HDTV Has Social Calling: Hollywood Post Alliance Tech Retreat Report, February 2004

Technology Retreat Report
By
Todd Mitchell

 

LA QUINTA, FEBRUARY 5, 2004 -  This week HDTV Magazine is on assignment at the La Quinta Resort near Palm Springs at the Tech Retreat, the annual Hollywood Post Alliance gathering of the best and brightest in the field of bleeding edge mostly high definition digital video and cinema. The Tech Retreat is hosted by "Monday Memo" Mark Schubin and is held every February in Palm Springs.

The meeting was opened today by HPA President Leon Silverman with a tribute to the late Michael Brinkman of Panasonic Broadcasting, one of the pioneers of HDTV, who died last year. In his memory the HPA has set up the Michael Brinkman Scholarship and Mentoring Fund. Those wishing to contribute will find details at the hpaonline website.

Next up came the Broadcasters Panel, where the non-intentional, not planned and not rehearsed exposure of the (not authentic) anatomical appendage at last Sunday's SuperBowl was still the buzz. Senior VP Bob Ross of CBS revealed that the network had been prepared to mute out any offending language during the MTV half-time show with a paid staffer's finger poised on the button, but that JJ's antics would now require a whole new standard of readiness. For Sunday's upcoming Grammy Awards CBS will now time delay both audio and video by up to five minutes to prevent any further offending of American sensibilities, not to mention the potentially hefty FCC fines that are not unlikely to come down during an election year. Mike Strein of ABC also indicated that they will do likewise for the February 29th Academy Awards broadcast.

Lots of good news on the HDTV programming front. Fox confirmed their 720p roll-out plans for the fall season, but would not commit to a 2004 roll-out of HD NFL. However, the 2005 SuperBowl will be a Fox broadcast and I would be surprised if it isn't a 720p production. NBC will be broadcasting its first NASCAR race soon and hopefully the Olympics as well (perhaps in part on Bravo HD).

 

The two network HD heavyweights, CBS and ABC, will both continue their coverage of live events in 2004. ABC recently was the HD pool broadcaster for the State of the Union speech. Look for a significant expansion in ABC and ESPN live sports presentations this year, particularly NBA, NHL, and MLB. Even more sports is on the way for CBS as well with further integration of live 5.1 Dolby Digital audio. CBS is also hoping to soon be using the first 1080p60 slow motion cameras from Sony!

Jerry Butler of PBS discussed their current transition from HD Demo Channel to a full (looped) 24 hour schedule not unlike that of Discovery HD Theater. PBS has a fair amount of HD programming "in the can" and even more SD widescreen content which is now looking a great deal better with the recent addition of a new generation of upconverters.

Not much news here from DirecTV, although it is no secret that between available bandwidth, compression algorithms, and modulation schemes something is going to have to give if many more HDTV channels are to be added. There was also no indication that the corporate hostility toward the IEEE1394 firewire interface would be changing anytime soon, cable plug and play agreement notwithstanding. IE: Don't look for firewire ported DirecTV HD TIVOs anytime soon.

Sean Wargo of the CEA confirmed what Dale has been preaching here for several years. HDTV is becoming a monster consumer electronic product with extremely robust sales figures forecast for the next several years. This will be fueled in particular when cable and satellite coverage of local HD becomes commonplace. Sales of flat panel displays in particular are growing rapidly with prices continuing to plummet.

Our next report will look at some of the new technologies on display here at The Tech Retreat, including the NFL in HD 3D...

We thank Todd for his excellent reporting on our behalf.

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Advertise your new HDTV services and products in the HDTV Magazine and reach your audience without fail.

 

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

No Description Available.

10:00Pm ET/9:00 C
Without a Trace

"The Line"
The team searches for a female ex-cop-turned-bounty hunter who vanishes after being shot at in front of a bail jumperÂ’s home.
 

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DAYTONA 500 IN HDTV ON NBC WHERE AVAILABLE ON FEBRUARY 15TH, BIG EVENT FOR HDTV!!

9:59PM ET/8:59 C

ER
et Carter"
Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) makes the mistake of bringing his wide-eyed girlfriend Kem (guest star Thandie Newton, "Mission: Impossible 2") to observe the emergency room where she makes an impact -- wanted or not -- almost everywhere she wanders, ranging from an AIDS ward to the classroom and even in an unsanctioned ridealong with the paramedics. The complex Dr. Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) has a hard night and questions his abilities as he treats a variety of patients, including a young sledder who breaks his back in the snow and a elderly man with fluid in his lung. Meanwhile, Dr. Gallant (Sharif Atkins) accompanies the paramedics and is almost shot in a violent domestic dispute where he befriends a frightened boy, and Dr. Weaver (Laura Innes) dedicates a new center to Dr. Romano's memory that has everyone buzzing. Alex Kingston, Goran Visnjic, Maura Tierney, Sherry Stringfield, Parminder Nagra and Linda Cardellini also star.

11:34PM ET/10:34 C
 

Tonight's Guests

Queen Latifah

Jason Batema

Lyle Lovett

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6:00AM ET/5:00 C
Land of the Giants

Spectacular look at the giant redwoods of northern California, the world's tallest trees.

6:30AM ET/5:30 C
Bridge Dwellers: The Bats of Austin

The largest urban bat colony in the world calls Texas their home from May to November each year. See what brought them to this bridge and how the city came to embrace the little wonders.

7:00AM ET/6:00 C
Wild Secrets

Ocean Sunfish: Between Two Worlds - Throughout history the ocean sunfish has fascinated seafarers. Sailors rarely saw these gentle giants which occasionally appeared to be sunbathing near the surface of the ocean. But new research shows that sunfish are deep sea divers. The secret life of the sunfish is about to be revealed.

7:30AM ET/6:30 C
Tracks Ahead

Road Railers - Tracks Ahead will look in on an updated version of some freight hauling technology that has been around for a while, visit the Tennessee Valley railroad, and look at an amazing layout and collection of vintage toy trains.

8:00AM ET/7:00 C
Weekend Explorer

Wales - Tour this scenic country from a base in historic Conwy, a town that sits within the protective walls of a majestic Medieval castle. Horseback ride a mountain that overlooks the scenic Irish Sea, hike in a national park with wild goats and a bizarre looking type of seal, and visit a local woolen mill that takes wool from the sheep's back all the way to tweed blazers.

8:30AM ET/7:30 C
Bass Champs

1st Annual Bass Champs President Fish Off - The Presidents Face Off! Bass Champs President Chad Potts and Vice President Jeff Welch fish for Bass Champs bragging rights.

9:00AM ET/8:00 C
Higher Definition

Pop-culture writer/host Robert Wilonsky talks and shoots a few hoops with actor Mark Wahlberg of The Italian Job, writer/director Neil LaBute sits down with us for an interesting chat about the making of his new film The Shape of Things. Plus, previews of what's coming soon in HDNet entertainment.

9:30AM ET/8:30 C
Across America

This week on Across America: when you just can't quit - rugby for the over-45 set. And beer lovers follow the trail of foam to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival.

10:00AM ET/9:00 C
Designing America

Cinemark Movie Theatre - The owners of Cinemark Movie Theatres takes us on tour of their home. And you won't believe their media room! In "How Do You Do" we talk tool talk and a Lagniappe that's all about the bath. "The Finishing Touch" focuses on faux painting by artist Mary Mohr.

10:30AM ET/9:30 C
2004 CES Insiders

Heavyweights of the cable, satellite and high-definition (HD) content worlds convened to share their thoughts on HDTV content and delivery during the Industry Insider Series roundtable discussion from CES 2004.

11:30AM ET/10:30 C
Square Pegs

The Stepanowicz Papers - Lauren is head over heels in love, but the unlikely object of her teenaged infatuation could innocently be setting her up for a crushing romantic fall.

12:00PM ET/11:00 C
HDNet World Report

Iraq: Psychological Operations to Help the Peace - HDNet World Report travels to Iraq where American and Coalition forces use more than muscle to help restore the nation. "Psyops" are an ever-increasing part of the Coalition's efforts to restore order in Iraq.

12:30PM ET/11:30 C
HDNet World Report

Siberia: A Tale of Two Soviet Cities - HDNet World Report cameras travel to two cities in the former Soviet Union to see first-hand how freedom has changed them. And, most importantly how their people have adjusted to new capitalist attitudes.

1:00PM ET/12:00 C
True Music

The sounds of Sparta, Oleander and Authority Zero along with their views and thoughts, this week on True Music.

1:30PM ET/12:30 C
Hogan's Heroes

Hot Money - Hogan sets out to destroy counterfeiting equipment and a Nazi plan to flood the world markets with phony Allied currency.

2:00PM ET/1:00 C
The Fugitive

Miles To Go - While hunting for the One-Armed Man in Maine, Kimble is taken hostage by a man, who accidentally killed a logging foreman, and his sister.

3:00PM ET/2:00 C
Presidio Med

Suffer Unto Me The Children - During one long night, Harriet and Jules are overloaded with patients delivering premature babies in need of emergency care. A woman pregnant with triplets suffers the death of one of the babies, causing the surviving two to be born early with heart and lung complications. While Harriet is busy with that case, an inexperienced obstetrics resident must oversee a birth for the first time.

4:00PM ET/3:00 C
NHL Hockey

Atlanta @ Boston
Special Encore Presentation

6:30PM ET/5:30 C
True Music

This week's True Music episode is made up of bands with unusual names! Taking charge of the soulful rock category is the talented Nayroc, sister of the famed Eryka Badu. Playing the latest alternative rock (with a UK feel) is the band OHNO. And finally, True Music host Katie Daryl will be introducing Stoney LaRue and his country/southern rock tunes to you.

7:00PM ET/6:00 C
Hollywood HD

"Miracle" Hockey Event with the 1980 US Hockey team and the stars who portray them in the movie. Chef to the stars Wolfgang Puck shares his menu for the Academy Awards. Plus, Oscar winner Michael Caine signs a three-picture deal for the new Batman.

7:30PM ET/6:30 C
HDNet World Report

Siberia: A Tale of Two Soviet Cities - HDNet World Report cameras travel to two cities in the former Soviet Union to see first-hand how freedom has changed them. And, most importantly how their people have adjusted to new capitalist attitudes.

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Equal Justice

Without Prejudice

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
Forensic Factor Premiere

Murder Weapons - The killer shoots his business partner in the chest, an act of murder that he's been planning for weeks. He places another gun in his victim's hand, and calmly call the police. He'll explain that they had a violent altercation about money- weapons were drawn. It was self-defense. But new forensic tools will reveal the truth.

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
Forensic Factor

New Forensic Tools - A crowed street on a hot summer's day. Amid dozens of bystanders, a man is shot dead at close range. Unfortunately, no one can recall a single detail about the killer. Ballistic forensics reveal nothing. Just a few years ago, the case would have been closed as unsolved. But today, a new wave of forensic gadgets can help catch the murderer.

11:00PM ET/10:00 C
Equal Justice

Without Prejudice

12:00AM ET/11:00 C
Forensic Factor

Murder Weapons - The killer shoots his business partner in the chest, an act of murder that he's been planning for weeks. He places another gun in his victim's hand, and calmly call the police. He'll explain that they had a violent altercation about money- weapons were drawn. It was self-defense. But new forensic tools will reveal the truth.

1:00AM ET/12:00 C
Forensic Factor

New Forensic Tools - A crowed street on a hot summer's day. Amid dozens of bystanders, a man is shot dead at close range. Unfortunately, no one can recall a single detail about the killer. Ballistic forensics reveal nothing. Just a few years ago, the case would have been closed as unsolved. But today, a new wave of forensic gadgets can help catch the murderer.

2:00AM ET/1:00 C
An American In Canada

A Kiss is Just A Kiss - Judy pressures Jake to re-sign his contract while Jake secretly awaits a job offer from Dateline. Dennis prepares for his 'humanitarian mission' to Cuba by buying a fridge for his foster chick.

2:30AM ET/1:30 C
Snowology 101

The evolution of freestyle skiing. From the 70's, 80's to the Free Ride movement of today. Exciting 4-man Snowcross, Big Air, Slopestyle and Big Mountain competitions from Vail, Colorado, Snowbird, Utah, Kirkwood, California and Whistler, British Columbia. Hosted by Uncle E.

3:00AM ET/2:00 C
HDNet This Month

February 2004 - Take a look at HDNet's weekly schedule with segments from the HDNet World Report, Across America, the NHL on HDNet, a new season of An American In Canada, the premiere of Odyssey 5, and exclusive high definition concerts from chart topping artists. HDNet This Month also gives you a sneak peak at the films you can see this month on HDNet Movies. HDNet is television like you've never seen before.

4:00AM ET/3:00 C
New York on the Edge

Shock Art - New York's leading performance artists challenge viewers to take a fresh look at culture.

4:30AM ET/3:30 C
Thieves

The Long Con - Johnny and Rita find themselves in the middle of a black market horse-breeding operation. Each becomes paranoid that the other has stolen a valuable vial. Recurring guest star Tone Loc appears as Agent Al Trundel.

5:30AM ET/4:30 C
A Caribbean Workout 2003

In Sugar Hill, Barbados overlooking the Caribbean Sea features Pilates
 

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7:30AM ET/6:30 C
Her Alibi

PG - 1:34
Cast: Tom Selleck, Paulina Porizkova, William Daniels Director: Charlie Peters
While seeking inspiration for his latest novel, a successful writer becomes an alibi to a Romanian immigrant accused of murder.

9:15AM ET/8:15 C
The Shawshank Redemption

R - 2:22
Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton Director: Frank Darabont
Film based on a Stephen King story about a young banker, who is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, and sentenced to life in prison.

11:45AM ET/10:45 C
The First Deadly Sin

R - 1:52
Cast: Frank Sinatra, Faye Dunaway, David Dukes Director: Brian G. Hutton
A police detective on the verge of retirement takes on a brutal serial killer case.

1:30PM ET/12:30 C
Night Moves

R - 1:38
Cast: Gene Hackman, Melanie Griffith, James Woods Director: Arthur Penn
A has-been actress hires a down-on-his luck detective to find her kidnapped daughter.

3:30PM ET/2:30 C
Power

R - 1:51
Cast: Richard Gere, Juli Christie, Gene Hackman Director: Sidney Lumet
A political media consultant investigates the mystery surrounding his new client who is running for Senator.

5:30PM ET/4:30 C
The Shawshank Redemption

R - 2:22
Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton Director: Frank Darabont
Film based on a Stephen King story about a young banker, who is wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, and sentenced to life in prison.

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Freebie and the Bean

R - 1:53
Cast: Alan Arkin, James Caan, Loretta Swit Director: Richard Rush
Two San Francisco police detectives relentlessly pursue a mob boss.

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
Get Carter

R - 1:52
Cast: Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, Britt Ekland Director: Mike Hodges
A gangster violently pursues his brother's murderer.

12:00AM ET/11:00 C
Freebie and the Bean

R - 1:53
Cast: Alan Arkin, James Caan, Loretta Swit Director: Richard Rush
Two San Francisco police detectives relentlessly pursue a mob boss.

2:00AM ET/1:00 C
Get Carter

R - 1:52
Cast: Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, Britt Ekland Director: Mike Hodges
A gangster violently pursues his brother's murderer.

4:00AM ET/3:00 C
To Kill A Priest

R - 1:57
Cast: Ed Harris, Christopher Lambert, Cherie Lunghi Director: Agnieszka Holland
A young priest speaks out against his church and is killed for it.
 

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by Peter H. Putman, CTS

This year’s running of CES was, above all, a celebration of thinness. Everywhere you looked, you saw walls, racks, tiles, frames, and cavalcades of flat-panel TVs. Plasma and LCD monitors and TVs simply took over the buzz at the show, aided immeasurably by demonstrations of 70”, 71”, 75”, 76”, and 80” plasma monitors, and an array of LCD monitor and TV products in sizes to 57”.

Perhaps not coincidentally, CES 2004 also witnessed and explosion of HDTV as both a “brand” and unique service that is rapidly gaining cache with consumers. You can get your HDTV fix many ways now – off-air, through cable, or over satellite. (Or by all three “pipes”, if you wish and have enough $$$.) There are even several HD-DVD formats lurking in the shadows, waiting for their long-promised debuts later this year and in 2005.

LGÂ’s 76-inch 1080p plasma monitor turned a lot of headsÂ…

As if the field of manufacturers isnÂ’t crowded enough, two brand names from the past were resurrected at CES to hawk LCD, plasma, and microdisplay RPTVs. Peripherals such as hard drive recorders (TiVo and otherwise) are also stepping into the HTV arena, and plenty of folks were showing HDTV signals ported around the home via wireless 802.11g (5 GHz) links.

The Federal Communications Commission is partly to blame for this explosion of product. The first of several DTV-compliant mandates pops up on July 1 of this year, when manufacturers are required to deliver TVs featuring screen sizes of 36 inches or larger with integrated (built-in) terrestrial digital (ATSC) tuners. Many of the new big-screen sets shown at CES went the FCC one better by including digital cable tuners for unencrypted QAM signals.

After sifting through a barrage of press releases and press kits, I did find some unique products and news at the show. Here are some of the highlights. [CONTINUED ON ROAM CONSULTING  WEB PAGE ]

 

7:30AM ET/6:30 C
Don't Give Up The Ship

TVG Time: 88  
Jerry Lewis stars in this 1959 comedy classic as a Naval officer who can't recall what he did with a destroyer he commanded during World War II, but never turned in. Taken before a Navy board on his wedding night, Lewis stumbles and bumbles while trying to remember what happened with the ship--which he has to pay for if it isn't found! Dina Merrill, Diana Spencer and Mickey Shaughnessy add to the laughs. Produced by Hal Wallis (Casablanca) and directed by Norman Taurog (Best Director Oscar(R)-winner for 1931's Skippy). "One of Lewis' all-time best" (Leonard Maltin's 2003 Movie & Video Guide).

9:00AM ET/8:00 C
Formula 51

R Time: 92  
Samuel L. Jackson concocts a formula for laughs in this comedy about a disgraced kilt-wearing chemist who creates a powerful drug that places him in the crosshairs of cops and criminals alike. More than 30 years after a pot bust cost him a pharmaceutical career, Elmo McElroy (Jackson) has honed his craft by designing drugs for a decrepit kingpin named Lizard. Elmo's valuable new creation--a drug 51 times more potent than crack--leads him to try selling the formula on his own, but Lizard has other ideas forcing the crafty chemist on the run from crazed skinheads, corrupt cops and a gorgeous assassin. Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer, Sean Pertwee and Ricky Tomlinson co-star. Directed by Ronny Yu.

10:30AM ET/9:30 C
The Client

PG13 Time: 120  
Before a Mafia lawyer kills himself, he tells an 11-year-old boy the burial place of a murdered U.S. Senator. Now everybody's after the boy: the cops, the press, the FBI, a grandstanding federal prosecutor--and the Mob. All he's got to protect him are his own quick wits and tough lawyer Susan Sarandon. Brad Renfro, Mary-Louise Parker, Anthony LaPaglia, Anthony Edwards and Ossie Davis co-star in this adaptation of John Grisham's best-seller. "Taut entertainment that never loses steam...a terrifically made thriller" (Hollywood Reporter).

12:35PM ET/11:35 C
Collateral Damage

R Time: 108  
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as an L.A. fireman who undertakes a mission of revenge against the terrorist who killed his wife and son in this action epic. Gordy Brewer (Schwarzenegger) is a simple fire-fighting family man who loses everything in the fiery flash of a madman's bomb. But Gordy doesn't spend time mourning his loss--he heads to Columbia as a vigilante determined to bring the Columbian madman responsible to violent justice. Elias Koteas, Francesca Neri, Cliff Curtis, John Leguizamo and John Turturro co-star. Directed by Andrew Davis (The Fugitive).

2:30PM ET/1:30 C
Robocop

R Time: 102  
Motown gets the ultimate law enforcer in a crime-riddled future when scientists use a murdered cop's body to create an unstoppable cyborg crime fighter. Director Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi cult classic stars Peter Weller as Murphy, a member of Detroit's finest until his murder lands his remains inside a metal shell. Robocop is a huge success in stopping crime...until Murphy's human memories begin to invade his computerized brain and lead him on a bloody mission of revenge. With Nancy Allen (Dressed to Kill), Ronny Cox (Deliverance), Kurtwood Smith (TV's That 70s Show) and Miguel Ferrer (Traffic).

4:15PM ET/3:15 C
Addicted To Love

R Time: 100  
In this romantic screwball comedy, revenge is not only delectably sweet--it's deliriously funny. Sam is a small-town astronomer whose girlfriend has stars in her eyes for somebody else. Maggie's a New York photographer whose love life has suddenly gone out of focus. He's been dumped; she's been ditched. When these two jilted lovers join forces to get even with their exes... all's fair in love and war! With Meg Ryan, Matthew Broderick and Kelly Preston.

6:00PM ET/5:00 C
Mission: Impossible

PG13 Time: 110  
Your mission-should you choose to accept it-is to go along with Tom Cruise on "the wildest movie ride of the year" (New York Times). He plays super-agent Ethan Hunt, accused of betraying his agency and selling top-secret information to the highest bidder. Racing from one tight spot to another, he fights to prove his innocence...and to uncover the "mole" who threatens the C.I.A.'s efforts in Eastern Europe.

8:00PM ET/7:00 C
Natural Born Killers

R Time: 118  
An outlaw couple blast their way across the country--and into media superstardom--in director Oliver Stone's violent, over-the-top look at violence and the media in America. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis play Mickey and Mallory, who kill for the fun of it...and for the notoriety it brings them. Robert Downey Jr. plays a tabloid TV show host, who's only too willing to make stars out of the young killers. With Tommy Lee Jones and Rodney Dangerfield. "Quite possibly the most hallucinatory and anarchic picture made at a major Hollywood studio in at least 20 years...Oliver Stone's most exciting work to date" (Variety).

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
True Lies

R Time: 140  
To Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife and daughter, he's a boring computer salesman. To sidekick Tom Arnold and everyone else, he's a top international spy. What happens when his two lives collide? Jamie Lee Curtis co-stars in this "furiously inventive, thrill-packed movie" (New York Times) as the wife who discovers that she doesn't know her husband at all...but really likes the one she's just discovered! With Tia Carrere (Wayne's World), Bill Paxton, Art Malik and Charlton Heston.

12:20AM ET/11:20 C
Seduction Of Maxine

TVMA Time: 85  
An actress on the verge of stardom gets involved with a hunky bodyguard amidst the erotic turmoil around her involving her agent, her assistant and a celebrity stalker. Stacy Noel, P. Adam Walsh, Tera Patrick and Scarlet Johansing star in this steamy thriller from director Madison Monroe.

1:45AM ET/12:45 C
Formula 51

R Time: 92  
Samuel L. Jackson concocts a formula for laughs in this comedy about a disgraced kilt-wearing chemist who creates a powerful drug that places him in the crosshairs of cops and criminals alike. More than 30 years after a pot bust cost him a pharmaceutical career, Elmo McElroy (Jackson) has honed his craft by designing drugs for a decrepit kingpin named Lizard. Elmo's valuable new creation--a drug 51 times more potent than crack--leads him to try selling the formula on his own, but Lizard has other ideas forcing the crafty chemist on the run from crazed skinheads, corrupt cops and a gorgeous assassin. Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer, Sean Pertwee and Ricky Tomlinson co-star. Directed by Ronny Yu.

3:20AM ET/2:20 C
The Mangler 2

R Time: 96  
A teenage girl downloads a bloodthirsty terror in this harrowing horror film. Watched over in school by a state-of-the-art security system designed by her father, the rebellious Jo decides to put a crimp in the program by introducing a virus. The system takes on a life of its own--with help from the school's obsessed headmaster--and begins a series of brutal executions that leave Jo as the only one who can stop it. With Chelse Swain, Philippe Bergeron, Dexter Bell, David Christensen, Jeff Doucette, Daniella Evangelista, Miles Meadows, Will Sanderson and Lance Henriksen. Directed by Michael Hamilton-Wright.

5:00AM ET/4:00 C
Beyond The Limit

R Time: 103  
Doctor Richard Gere confronts the mysterious labyrinth of Argentinian bureaucracy as he searches for his missing father. Michael Caine co-stars in this gripping drama of political intrigue and sizzling romance based on Graham Greene's best-seller The Honorary Consul.
 

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6:00AM ET/5:00 C
All I Want For Christmas

PG13 Time: 101  
Santa Claus really has his work cut out for him in this warmhearted family comedy. The O'Fallon kids don't want toys or video games. All they want is for their divorced parents to get back together! With Leslie Nielsen as Santa.

7:30AM ET/6:30 C
The Scout

PG13 Time:101
When his latest pitching find falls apart on the mound, New York Yankees scout Albert Brooks is packed off to Mexico. There he stumbles on a genuine phenomenon, a fireball-throwing, switch-hitting dream come true that he sells to the Yanks for a cool $55 million. There's only one catch: management wants a shrink's affidavit that the kid is sane...and Brooks isn't so sure he can pass! With Dianne Wiest and George Steinbrenner as himself.

9:15AM ET/8:15 C
Cool Runnings

PG Time: 98  
An Olympic bobsled team from Jamaica? An absurd concept--based on a true story! When a runner thwarted in his quest for Olympic glory learns about a disgraced Olympian bobsledder living in his midst, he recruits three other local athletes and convinces the former star to coach them for the biggest competition of all in this "highly entertaining" (Variety) family film. With Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba and John Candy. Directed by Jon Turtletaub, story by Lynn Siefert & Michael Ritchie, screenplay by Lynn Siefert, Tommy Swerdlow & Michael Goldberg.

11:00AM ET/10:00 C
The Tuxedo

PG13 Time: 98  
Jackie Chan takes dressing for success to a comical new level in this action-comedy about a hapless cab driver who dons a high-tech tuxedo that transforms its wearer into a martial arts master. Jimmy Tong (Chan) is the easy-going cabbie whose job chauffeuring a wealthy secret agent takes a hilarious turn when the man is injured and Jimmy is forced to put on the battle-ready threads in an effort to stop an arch-villain with plans to control the world's water supply. Jennifer Love Hewitt co-stars as a sexy, straight-laced scientist who thinks Jimmy is the real secret agent. Also with Jason Isaacs, Debi Mazar and Peter Stormare. Directed by Kevin Donovan.

1:00PM ET/12:00 C
Ocean's Eleven

PG13 Time: 116  
George Clooney stars as a recently paroled crook whose plan to pull off the ultimate Las Vegas heist has an underlying motive in this stylish remake from director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic). Based on the 1960 Rat Pack classic, the film stars Clooney as Danny Ocean, a suave criminal who leaves prison with a single plan: to rob three casinos in one night. With the help of his old buddy Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Ocean assembles the perfect team to pull the job off, but they don't know that his plan includes getting his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) back from the owner of one of the casinos! With Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould and Carl Reiner.

3:30PM ET/2:30 C
Three Men And A Little Lady

PG Time: 103  
Hapless bachelors Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg leave the diapers behind in this fun-filled sequel to Three Men and a Baby that finds the trio trying to stop now-five-year-old Mary's mother from marrying a devious cad. Nancy Travis co-stars. Directed by Emile Ardolino.

5:15PM ET/4:15 C
Cool Runnings

PG Time: 98  
An Olympic bobsled team from Jamaica? An absurd concept--based on a true story! When a runner thwarted in his quest for Olympic glory learns about a disgraced Olympian bobsledder living in his midst, he recruits three other local athletes and convinces the former star to coach them for the biggest competition of all in this "highly entertaining" (Variety) family film. With Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba and John Candy. Directed by Jon Turtletaub, story by Lynn Siefert & Michael Ritchie, screenplay by Lynn Siefert, Tommy Swerdlow & Michael Goldberg.

9:00PM ET/8:00 C
Ocean's Eleven

PG13 Time: 116  
George Clooney stars as a recently paroled crook whose plan to pull off the ultimate Las Vegas heist has an underlying motive in this stylish remake from director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic). Based on the 1960 Rat Pack classic, the film stars Clooney as Danny Ocean, a suave criminal who leaves prison with a single plan: to rob three casinos in one night. With the help of his old buddy Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Ocean assembles the perfect team to pull the job off, but they don't know that his plan includes getting his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) back from the owner of one of the casinos! With Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould and Carl Reiner.

12:00AM ET/11:00 C
Inside The NFL 2003-2004 22

TVPG Time: 58  
The Inside the NFL team--Cris Carter, Cris Collinsworth, Bob Costas and Dan Marino--take a post-game look at Super Bowl XXXVIII in the season's final edition of this Emmy(R)-winning football series. As usual, this show will provide all the coverage of the Super Bowl, including hard-hitting features, in-depth interviews and profiles, and exclusive NFL Films highlights of all the action. Now airing every Wednesday at 10 PM/9C. "Simply the best football show on TV" (Sports Illustrated).

1:00AM ET/12:00 C
Ghost Ship

R Time: 90  
The crew of a salvage boat thinks their ship has finally come in after they claim an abandoned ocean liner in international waters--until they discover it's a floating house of horrors! On board the empty vessel, the salvagers discover a treasure trove of gold, but strange visions begin to plague them, and when their own boat is mysteriously destroyed, they find themselves stranded on the open sea with the bloodthirsty spirits of a bygone era. Gabriel Byrne, Julianna Margulies (TV's E.R.), Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington and Isaiah Washington star. Directed by Steve Beck.

2:35AM ET/1:35 C
Tombstone

R Time: 129  
The legendary story of Wyatt Earp's famed gunfight at the O.K. Corral is given the deluxe treatment in this "ambitious, bloody" (Hollywood Reporter) western directed by George P. Cosmatos. Kurt Russell stars as Wyatt, a former marshal who has turned in his badge and moved to the hoppin' town of Tombstone, Arizona to begin a business venture with his two brothers. But his hope for a peaceful existence quickly ends, thanks to a lawless gang of criminals led by the evil Johnny Ringo. Joined by his drunken, sickly, gambling-mad pal Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), Wyatt gets back into the business of upholding the law, thus setting up the epic gun battle that made history. The huge ensemble cast includes Michael Biehn, Powers Boothe, Robert Burke, Dana Delany, Sam Elliott, Stephen Lang, Joanna Pacula, Bill Paxton, Jason Priestley, Michael Rooker, Jon Tenney, Billy Zane, Charlton Heston, and with narration by Robert Mitchum.

4:50AM ET/3:50 C

PG13 Time: 98  
Jackie Chan takes dressing for success to a comical new level in this action-comedy about a hapless cab driver who dons a high-tech tuxedo that transforms its wearer into a martial arts master. Jimmy Tong (Chan) is the easy-going cabbie whose job chauffeuring a wealthy secret agent takes a hilarious turn when the man is injured and Jimmy is forced to put on the battle-ready threads in an effort to stop an arch-villain with plans to control the world's water supply. Jennifer Love Hewitt co-stars as a sexy, straight-laced scientist who thinks Jimmy is the real secret agent. Also with Jason Isaacs, Debi Mazar and Peter Stormare. Directed by Kevin Donovan.
 

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11:45AM ET/10:45 C
Festival in Cannes

WIDESCREEN OAR UPCONV
Stereo / CCAP
PG13 1h 41m
Dazzling Mediterranean vistas frame this wry and acerbic tale of cinema art versus mass-market commerce from Henry Jaglom. A legendary European screen star (Anouk Aimee) becomes the decisive player in a face-off pitting an actress-turned-independent filmmaker (Greta Scacchi) against a high-powered Hollywood producer (Ron Silver), both of whom are trying to put together deals for prospective film projects at the Cannes Film Festival. "A giddy comic fantasy, full of romance, chicanery and beguiling, sophisticated players" - "Los Angeles Times."

1:30PM ET/12:30 C
Ghost World

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
R 1h 52m
Disaffected teens Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) find it easy to mock their perky, clueless peers, but harder to decide on a path in life following high school graduation. While Rebecca takes a responsible job and hunts for an apartment, Enid is forced into a hysterically lame art class and starts a fumbling relationship with Seymour (Steve Buscemi), an eccentric memorabilia collector. A hilarious, witty underground hit from director Terry Zwigoff ("Crumb") based on the acclaimed comic book.

6:30PM ET/5:30 C
The Color Of Money

WIDESCREEN OAR UPCONV
Stereo
R 2h 0m
Director Martin Scorsese's acclaimed, long-awaited sequel to "The Hustler" stars Oscar winner Paul Newman as Fast Eddie Felson, whose once-cocksure bravado has been replaced by life's harsh realities. That is, until he discovers a brash pool prodigy (Tom Cruise) whom he mentors all the way to a championship. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, John Turturro, Bill Cobbs and Forest Whitaker costar.

8:30PM ET/7:30 C
Beverly Hills Ninja

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
PG13 1h 29m
Chris Farley chops and socks his way through various misadventures as a Japanese-raised orphan who believes that he's the Great White Ninja. Nicollette Sheridan and Robin Shou costar in this martial-arts comedy.

10:00PM ET/9:00 C
The Little Mermaid

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
TV14 - SLD 45m
In the third season premiere, Chris disregards Mona's advice about an extra $20 he accidentally receives at the bank, leading to her disappearance from her lair.

12:25AM ET/11:25 C
Threesome

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Stereo / CCAP
R 1h 34m
A computer error assigns college students Alex (Lara Flynn Boyle), Stuart (Stephen Baldwin) and Eddy (Josh Charles) to the same dorm room, resulting in an unusual triangle of love, friendship and sex. Alexis Arquette and Martha Gehman costar in this witty adult comedy.

5:00AM ET/4:00 C
Beverly Hills Ninja

WIDESCREEN OAR HDTV
Dolby Digital 5.1 / CCAP
PG13 1h 29m
Chris Farley chops and socks his way through various misadventures as a Japanese-raised orphan who believes that he's the Great White Ninja. Nicollette Sheridan and Robin Shou costar in this martial-arts comedy.
 

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