Disney wanted to make 'Million Dollar Baby Arm' but could not get PG rating

The studio was forced to change the tragic ending already filmed and drop 'Baby' from title to lose the PG-13 rating given by the MPAA. "Also, the title would have been confusing to audiences," said one Disney executive. "It's not a film about pitchers with tiny arms."

Smithsonian apologizes for 'being way too pushy' during unsuccessful negotiations to acquire one of Roger Ebert's thumbs

At the movies: Pirate-side has strong showing over weekend

The new movie Pirate-side made a strong showing at the box office over the weekend. Pulling in $15 million placed the Paramount film in the second slot for top grossing films on its opening weekend. The film stars Sandra Bullock as herself, as she responds to a British ban. The apocalyptic film 2012 netted $23 million, as viewers lined up to see John Cusack save the world.

From the Pirate-side trailer: "Based on a true story. In 2002 Great Britain banned Sandra Bullock from the country because of Ms Congeniality and Speed 2: Cruise Control. When the banishment was announced the actress shot back the only way she knew how ... she began to make movies from a ship just off the southern English coast. Bullock plays herself in this heartfelt story about an American actress getting back at the British government. 'They don't like my movies? I'll broadcast a new movie every week into that fog-covered country. Drop anchor and start that camera. We're about to go starboard side.' From the people who brought you The Net and Two if by Sea and from the assistant director of Waterworld comes ... Pirate-side. Rated PG-13 multiple references to Bullock films."

Jetties: What are they and what do they want with us?

The critically acclaimed new film Jetties:What are they and what do they want with us? is Earl Hoffman's latest documentary sensation. Hoffman has directed numerous films including 2003's Drawbridges:Do we need them? and the 1998 Vineland Film Festival's Best Documentary winner Lighthouses: Do they need to be that high?.

In Jetties:What are they and what do they want with us? Hoffman looks to answer two basic questions.

"Really, I was looking to find out what jetties are and what do they want with us," said Hoffman from his home in North Wildwood, NJ. "I was really looking mostly at New Jersey's jetties and my findings were pretty interesting."

The award-winning filmmaker, who did not want to give too much information about his latest film, concentrates most of his work in the Garden State and can often be seen in small town coffee shops or speaking to regular folks while out and about.

"I love how he talks to regular folks, ya know ... like me," said Dan Thompson, of Toms River, NJ, a fan of Hoffman.

Jetties are a fixture along New Jersey's coastline from Cape May in the south to Sandy Hook in the north. The great poet Walt Whitman called the state's rock formations "the thinning hair of the coast I must boast."

Critics from all over the state are praising the film:

"If you like jetties and you are curious as to what they are exactly and what they are doing on this planet then this film is a must."—Millville Sun Times

"I didn't know jetties could do that."—Hoboken Ledger

"I will always fish from a jetty again."—Parsippany Times

"Riveting! I had know idea jetties wanted that with us."—Atlantic City Daily News

CGI? Not for Valkyrie

On December 25, Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise opened in theaters across the country. The movie, based on a true story, details the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler towards the end of World War II.

In the movie, Colonel Stauffenberg, played by Cruise, loses his hand during a surprise attack by the Allies while in North Africa. Although the actor briefly contemplated actually amputating his hand for the role, co-stars convinced Cruise that computer-generated imagery (CGI) was the more responsible choice. CGI would be used to remove the hand.

"I asked him what would happen if he played a role in the future where he needed both hands. After some thought he shook his head in agreement," said co-star, Bill Nighy.

However, CGI can add thousands of dollars to the production of a major motion picture. Directors and actors often forget this fact as budgets for Hollywood films seem limitless.

A production assistant on the set of Valkyrie came up with a cost-saving idea to give the appearance that Cruise's hand was missing: lengthen the sleeve of his jackets and shirts.

Director Bryan Singer called the idea brilliant.

"In every post-battle scene Tom is wearing a uniform jacket in which the sleeve on the right arm hangs low enough to cover his hand. It really makes the audience think his hand is missing."

Though the right sleeve is six inches longer than the left it is virtually impossible to determine this while in the theater.

"Audiences would really have to be looking for it to notice it," said Cruise.

Movie Review: "Into the Wild"

After watching this intense and moving story I could not help but think of one movie: "The Goonies." The similarities between the two films are astounding. I could not confirm reports that director Sean Penn actually considered calling the movie "The Goonies 2." "Into the Wild" was missing a Chunk-type character(pictured), but other than that it was remarkable. The fact that gold and jewels play such a prominent role in both of the films was simply genius. Another similarity: both movies are also based on fact. Which made me curious as to why The Goonies left all of the gold and jewels behind. I mean it was all right there for them to take. If I ever met the famous gang that is the one question I would present. But if I had two questions the other would be: What would have been your explanation to people when you tried to change the gold and jewels into cash? People would have been asking lots of questions as to where all the treasure came from.