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Sony Cancels Theatrical Release for ‘The Interview’ on Christmas

Whoever hacked sony now also controls part of the US govt.

That's why uncle sammy is balling over this--because sony has bagged several Congressional pols. and so whoever has sony by the balls now has those same pols by the balls.

Whoever successfully hacks Exxon will control the entire US govt.
 
Really.

Who on Earth gives a crap whether a company does or does not release a film?

The film release fiasco is just a distraction--it's a ridiculously childish, stupid film anyway--typical output from a corporate media conglomerate's anus.

The meat of the hack is the threat to sony's confidential data--namely, their political ties.

That's why the feds are planning to spend $800 billion+ of taxpayer money to find the culprit. The american people and their interests are unimportant.
 
From The Globe and Mail:

The comedy on the fictional assassination of North Korea’s leader is “desperately unfunny” and would have flopped overseas if it had not been cancelled, according to leaked e-mails of international executives of Sony Pictures.

‘The Interview’ is ‘desperately unfunny,’ Sony execs’ leaked e-mails say - The Globe and Mail

What this says is that the people responsible for selecting films for development had little idea what they're doing, at least in a marketing sense (and possibly at all stages of the development process). In an effectively run organization, feedback on market viability is collected before a product is produced and rolled out, not as a roll out is imminent. Effectively run firms do not seek to be stuck with high sunk costs. They seek to minimize cost exposure. If the film did not "translate" overseas and if overseas sales were going to be critical, why weren't the appropriate adjustments made before the film was completed? Small international focus groups could have "tested" the viability of the movie well before full production even commenced.

Given some of the childish e-mails that were made public in the wake of the hacking issue and now this latest information, it's plausible that the hacking issue is a lesser problem for Sony Entertainment than its own internal operations (judgment, marketing methodology, professionalism, etc.).
 
I wished that I lived in Denmark. When some cartoonist had a cartoon of Mohammed the Danes did nothing. They understood that the cartoonist had a right to do what he did and the newspaper had a right to print it and if people objected it was on them but would not affect Danish freedoms.
Holger Dansk lives on.
 
I suspect that it is because of the theaters that are refusing to show the movie and Sony not wanting to risk getting most of the blame if any attacks happen.


N. Korea is not going to attack any theaters. That would not be a terrorist attack but an "act of war".


N. Korea has never attacked the US.


This is all smoke and mirrors for something larger or a publicity stunt.
 
That's not really true. The possibility that NOK hackers could hack into Sony computers again and release movies which have yet to go into cinemas is far more threatening than anything an executive has said. If only 4-5 big ticket movies are released, it means billions in lost revenue from both licensing deals and box office revenue. That's what Sony is worried about more than anything else and it is probably what keeps them from releasing this movie. Either way, they're losing money though. If they release the film, they risk another attack. One that could damage their pockets. If they don't release it, they lose about 80 million. Right now, it's a numbers game and Sony execs are trying to figure out whether the 80 million they spent (and whatever it is going to make back) are worth risking billions in lost revenue from a cyberattack.



I wonder if we are being prepped for the next war:

DIA: North Korea Planned Attacks on US Nuclear Plants | Washington Free Beacon



I can see what you are saying, I don't know it's a good point.
 
The US govt. is not a credible source. . .

https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/iraq_wmd/Iraq_Oct_2002.htm

As for computer security, the IP address of a hacker can easily be cloaked w/a proxy server or made anonymous behind any Wi-Fi device.

When you progress beyond the Limbaugh "believe-my-government" stage of your intellectual development, you will understand these things.




wait wait wait, are you suggesting that limbaugh is of the position one should "believe-thier-government"?
 
actually you have the right idea

North Korea it would seem wants to limit the distribution and dissemination of this film

Since SONY has now written off the movie.....no choice

If i were in the boardroom of SONY. i would give the movie to amazon, netflix, and every other distribution source available

Absolutely no! There are several reasons.

1) Netflix is only in a handful of countries.
2) iTunes sucks and requires far too many strings to get working. High price hardware or buggy software.
3) Amazon does not have online distribution of content in most countries it operates in..
4) Google Play is an option but even here it is not in every country.
5) It is inviting attacks on these distributors and if they can hit Sony, then they can easily lay Apple or Netflix down. Amazon might be more difficult and Google will certainly be very difficult.

That is why using the torrent system is so great. It is decentralized, and open, so to attack all viewers who are also distributors, you need to attack everyone which is impossible. There is no central distribution server. Why do you think Wikileaks was released on torrents sites.. because they knew that once there, it is damn hard to stop.
 
wait wait wait, are you suggesting that limbaugh is of the position one should "believe-thier-government"?

For conservatives, credibility of sources, in order of precedence is. . .

1) Rush Limbaugh
2) FoxNews media pundits
3) US govt.
4) Experts (professors, researchers, etc.)
 
To Rev's point about this likely being more about Sony being worried about suffering additional leaks as opposed to being truly worried about peoples "safety"

Apparently the hackers sent a new letter to Sony (INFO HERE).

"It's very wise that you have made the decision to cancel the release of The Interview. It will be very useful for you," CNN reports the message as reading. The email concludes, "We will ensure the security of your data unless you make additional trouble."

"Now we want you never let the movie released, distributed or leaked in any form of, for instance, DVD or piracy," the message reportedly says. It also says, "And we want everything related to the movie, including its trailers, as well as its full version down from any website hosting them immediately."

Note the gist of the email is not "don't release it in any fashion or we'll hurt PEOPLE"...it's "don't release it in any fashion or we'll leak stuff".

Will Sony continue to capitulate by sticking with it's plan to shelve this thing completely, while trying to follow the new demands to pull down things like trailers immedietely?

I'm truly shocked that terrorists who got their way are now making more demands. Who would've imagined that.
 
This is being taken way too seriously

You might think so, but I'm not so sure. Now that the precedent has been set, what's the next cyber-terrorist target?

I agree with those of the opinion that it should be released to the public domain, for YouTube to host (should they be willing to do so), and / or release for free on DVDs.

The proper response to censorship is overwhelming it with more free expression, it's that what's always being said around here?

Ahh, well, caught up to my own post, and see that Sony's on the firing line for this to never be seen, or more damaging internal documents and data would be released into the Internet wilds. No wonder they aren't doing anything.
 
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Absolutely no! There are several reasons.

1) Netflix is only in a handful of countries.
2) iTunes sucks and requires far too many strings to get working. High price hardware or buggy software.
3) Amazon does not have online distribution of content in most countries it operates in..
4) Google Play is an option but even here it is not in every country.
5) It is inviting attacks on these distributors and if they can hit Sony, then they can easily lay Apple or Netflix down. Amazon might be more difficult and Google will certainly be very difficult.

That is why using the torrent system is so great. It is decentralized, and open, so to attack all viewers who are also distributors, you need to attack everyone which is impossible. There is no central distribution server. Why do you think Wikileaks was released on torrents sites.. because they knew that once there, it is damn hard to stop.

Very good points. Even better than a YouTube release would be free and public torrent - it's not possible for NK to attack everyone in a torrent mesh network, just way too many of them - if it gets that far.
 
For conservatives, credibility of sources, in order of precedence is. . .

1) Rush Limbaugh
2) FoxNews media pundits
3) US govt.
4) Experts (professors, researchers, etc.)




I'll ask you again.


wait wait wait, are you suggesting that limbaugh is of the position one should "believe-their-government"?



Please a direct answer.
 
Maybe someone already brought this up, I'm not sure. I didn't read the whole thread, but....

What if Sony is just taking advantage of an opportunity for free publicity?

Think about it. They make a mediocre movie, and all the hype and kerfluffle happens, and suddenly everyone has heard of "The Interview." Moreover, everyone has an opinion about it without having even seen it, or at least an opinion on whether it should have been released.

Then, they belatedly release it. The result? Everyone wants to see it. Sony makes ten times what they would have made had NK simply kept quiet about it.

I'm not sure, you understand, it's just speculation on my part, but this could be a giant and quite successful publicity stunt.
 
Maybe someone already brought this up, I'm not sure. I didn't read the whole thread, but....

What if Sony is just taking advantage of an opportunity for free publicity?

Think about it. They make a mediocre movie, and all the hype and kerfluffle happens, and suddenly everyone has heard of "The Interview." Moreover, everyone has an opinion about it without having even seen it, or at least an opinion on whether it should have been released.

Then, they belatedly release it. The result? Everyone wants to see it. Sony makes ten times what they would have made had NK simply kept quiet about it.

I'm not sure, you understand, it's just speculation on my part, but this could be a giant and quite successful publicity stunt.

The whole thing is so ridiculous, part of me believes there is no movie - it's a gag. Wtf is wrong with people... "ooooh, Kim Jong Ass is gonna git us!!11!!" Seriously?
 
"Now we want you never let the movie released, distributed or leaked in any form of, for instance, DVD or --->piracy<---,"
Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that Sony has had the ability to prevent Piracy for all these years and has just been allowing their Playstation games and films to be stolen! Wow these hackers knew something we didn't.


"And we want everything related to the movie, including its trailers, as well as its full version down from any website hosting them immediately."
Youtube may or may not comply but I'm pretty sure the film is already available in the shadier parts of the internet anyways.

I'm beginning to think more and more that this is bull****. Sony claimed that "Anonymous" hacked their gaming systems all those years back, something that many people found to be highly unlikely. The demand to end "piracy" is just too much. I was already suspicious about this whole thing but now I'm sure Sony is lying about something.
 
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George Clooney on Hollywood's Cowardice - Mike Fleming, Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: As it begins to dawn on everyone in Hollywood the reality that Sony Pictures was the victim of a cyberterrorist act perpetrated by a hostile foreign nation on American soil, questions will be asked about how and why it happened, ending with Sony cancelling the theatrical release of the satirical comedy The Interview because of its depiction of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. One of those issues will be this: Why didn’t anybody speak out while Sony Pictures chiefs Amy Pascal and Michael Lynton were embarrassed by emails served up by the media, bolstering the credibility of hackers for when they attached as a cover letter to Lynton’s emails a threat to blow up theaters if The Interview was released?
Related Sony Hack: A Timeline


George Clooney has the answer. The most powerful people in Hollywood were so fearful to place themselves in the cross hairs of hackers that they all refused to sign a simple petition of support that Clooney and his agent, CAA’s Bryan Lourd, circulated to the top people in film, TV, records and other areas. Not a single person would sign. Here, Clooney discusses the petition and how it is just part of many frightening ramifications that we are all just coming to grips with. . . .
 
George Clooney on Hollywood's Cowardice - Mike Fleming, Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: As it begins to dawn on everyone in Hollywood the reality that Sony Pictures was the victim of a cyberterrorist act perpetrated by a hostile foreign nation on American soil, questions will be asked about how and why it happened, ending with Sony cancelling the theatrical release of the satirical comedy The Interview because of its depiction of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. One of those issues will be this: Why didn’t anybody speak out while Sony Pictures chiefs Amy Pascal and Michael Lynton were embarrassed by emails served up by the media, bolstering the credibility of hackers for when they attached as a cover letter to Lynton’s emails a threat to blow up theaters if The Interview was released?
Related Sony Hack: A Timeline


George Clooney has the answer. The most powerful people in Hollywood were so fearful to place themselves in the cross hairs of hackers that they all refused to sign a simple petition of support that Clooney and his agent, CAA’s Bryan Lourd, circulated to the top people in film, TV, records and other areas. Not a single person would sign. Here, Clooney discusses the petition and how it is just part of many frightening ramifications that we are all just coming to grips with. . . .

Sorry, I don't buy Clooney's account. There were willing artists, as a number of prominent Hollywood artists publicly condemned Sony's pulling the film. It would be inconceivable that they would do so before the media and on Twitter, yet not sign a petition taking similar positions. It probably wasn't circulated widely.

Celebrities criticize decision to pull 'The Interview' - CNN.com
 
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The important thing is Clooney making the claim.

Clooney's likely trying to help Sony evade the consequences of its capitulation. After all, Clooney is contractually committed to Sony and has much to lose if the Sony Entertainment reputation is damaged. Clooney is acting rationally in his own best interests. That doesn't change the reality that there were almost certainly artists who would have signed the petition had they been asked.

http://deadline.com/2009/06/george-clooney-exits-warner-bros-for-sony-9742/

George Clooney Attacks Hedge Fund Billionaire Dan Loeb - Forbes
 
Clooney's likely trying to help Sony evade the consequences of its capitulation. After all, Clooney is contractually committed to Sony and has much to lose if the Sony Entertainment reputation is damaged. Clooney is acting rationally in his own best interests. That doesn't change the reality that there were almost certainly artists who would have signed the petition had they been asked.

George Clooney Exits Warner Bros For Sony | Deadline

George Clooney Attacks Hedge Fund Billionaire Dan Loeb - Forbes

I don't see how Clooney's action helps Sony.
 
I don't see how Clooney's action helps Sony.

It doesn't. His hope was that perhaps he could alleviate some of the pressure from Sony. But the story has gained saturation coverage, so that isn't possible. The same holds true with respect to Sony's bid to change the narrative of what happened after the President called Sony's capitulation a "mistake."

CNN reported:

In Friday's CNN interview, Lynton went on to say that Sony had not "caved" to the hackers.

"We have not given in. And we have not backed down. We have always had every desire to have the American public see this movie," Lynton said.


Sony exec fires back at President Obama - Dec. 19, 2014

Of course, that narrative is not accurate. From an earlier BBC report:

What's surprised some is why Sony pulled the film completely. It has confirmed there are no further release plans, including on DVD or a VOD launch - which would have helped recoup The Interview's estimated $42m (£27.5m) budget.

BBC News - The Interview: Sony shelves worldwide release

One of the first and most important rules in crisis management is to tell the truth. What would have been acceptable would have been acknowledgement that Sony had acted hastily in a panic and then moved to correct its error. Trying to invent a narrative that it never had intended to cancel the film won't be viable given how widely the hacking incident and Sony's response have been covered. Instead, such attempts will further damage Sony's credibility.
 
Sorry, I don't buy Clooney's account. There were willing artists, as a number of prominent Hollywood artists publicly condemned Sony's pulling the film. It would be inconceivable that they would do so before the media and on Twitter, yet not sign a petition taking similar positions. It probably wasn't circulated widely.

Celebrities criticize decision to pull 'The Interview' - CNN.com

Greetings, donsutherland1. :2wave:

And if they show it on Youtube as many are suggesting, will hackers launch a cyber attack that could shut down our grid, and hence the internet? Too much here that doesn't make sense unless there's a larger agenda in mind. Why should Kim jong un of North Korea care what movies are shown in America's theatres, and who are they to tell us what we can or cannot do? I also find it odd that all this crap is happening now, in the lull right before the new Congress is sworn in. Too convenient,,,, :bs:
 
Greetings, donsutherland1. :2wave:

And if they show it on Youtube as many are suggesting, will hackers launch a cyber attack that could shut down our grid, and hence the internet? Too much here that doesn't make sense unless there's a larger agenda in mind. Why should Kim jong un of North Korea care what movies are shown in America's theatres, and who are they to tell us what we can or cannot do? I also find it odd that all this crap is happening now, in the lull right before the new Congress is sworn in. Too convenient,,,, :bs:

More than likely, they would release some more data on Sony. I suspect that will happen in any case, as capitulation signals weakness. It doesn't provide incentives for respect.
 
The only way to have decent security is for the NSA to control everyone's network, and fortunately, that will never happen.
 
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