The Disney film, "The Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience," was a dud at the box office earlier this year; "Jonas," a new Disney Channel comedy, is a ratings disappointment. One of the group’s managers says: "We are transitioning to a slightly older audience." (Iwantmedia 5/26, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/arts/music/25jonas.html  5/25)

Film flops threaten to leave Disney in last place at the box office among its Hollywood peers for the second-straight year, as movies featuring television stars Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers disappoint. Also: Indie filmmakers fear Disney will dump its Miramax Films unit. (Iwantmedia 5/18, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aXbZJx0NdNz4 5/18)

The Wall Street Journal reports that Blockbuster‘s first-quarter revenue shrank nearly 20% to $1.12 billion and earnings dropped 39%. Blockbuster said few strong movies were available for rental during the quarter, but big titles, including “Watchmen,” will be out soon. The Wall Street Journal (5/15)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the movie studio controlled by Providence Equity Partners and TPG, is in talks to restructure $3.7 billion in debt. The studio says it aims to stay independent. (Iwantmedia 5/15, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aAkQCXqtlHvg 5/14)

If Hollywood mogul David Geffen ends up acquiring the New York Times, he would convert it into a nonprofit institution, confidantes say. Geffen regards the newspaper as a national treasure meriting preservation into perpetuity. Still, "David would hope the newspaper makes a profit." (Iwantmedia 5/13, http://www.newsweek.com/id/196997  5/13)

Sumner Redstone’s National Amusements has received a first round of bids for its theater chains, with bidders offering enough to help the company pay off its debts. Also: Redstone is being sued by Midway Games creditors over claims the video-game maker was hurt by his stake sale. (Iwantmedia 5/13, http://www.reuters.com/article/americasPrivateEquityNews/idUSTRE54B7ED20090512  5/12)

IMAX and AMC may have some damage control to do here. Bloggers, Diggers and tweeters are passing around a posting by Parks and Recreation co-star Aziz Ansari calling for a boycott of the companies, claiming that the exhibitors are selling an inferior bill of goods. Aziz complains that he paid $5 extra to see Star Trek on an IMAX-branded screen at an AMC multiplex in Burbank, only to discover that the screen size was a fraction of the size of the traditional 76 x 97 feet IMAX screen. The two companies teamed last year to begin offering cheaper co-branded screens in multiple AMC locations. (Cynopsis 5/13)

Blockbuster, the movie-rental company that was once the only game in town, now finds itself scurrying for market share against a number of competitors on a variety of fronts, including online and in vending machines, according to this report. The once-dominant player in the video space reports its quarterly earnings on Thursday. The Wall Street Journal (5/11)

The new "Star Trek" film, from Viacom’s Paramount Pictures, opened with $72.5 million in ticket sales, the best debut in the 11-movie franchise. The debut may pave the way for still more "Star Trek" films. The media giant is likely to reap additional revenue from spin-off consumer products. (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aNsNjedi7cp4  5/10)

The new "Star Trek" film from Viacom’s Paramount Pictures is forecast to rake in more than $70 million its opening weekend. A hit could offer new opportunities for merchandising. The studio promoted the film through the Internet, mobile phones and other non-traditional media. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aLesMe8OgzQ8 5/8)

News Corp.’s 20th Century Fox is signing up Oliver Stone to direct a sequel to his 1987 hit “Wall Street.” Michael Douglas will reprise his role as Gordon Gekko, in a “timely story ripped from today’s headlines.” (Iwantmedia 4/29, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090428/ap_en_mo/us_people_michael_douglas 4/28)

As I watch the morning news filled with swine flu warnings and the recent toddler’s death, it’s nice to see something which warms the cockles of my heart.  Gordon Gekko is back but looking at this picture below, I’m pretty sure the technology will be a bit newer.  Prepare for an uptick in gel sales at a pharmacy near you.

C