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Sony cancels Dec 25 U.S. release of 'The Interview' after threats

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So, this is what it's come to? Giving up to online terrorists? I, for one, will go see the movie regardless of so-called 'risk enhancement' and despite the fact it's not all that good, according to critics. Give in and you give up - a spineless reaction to madness.

28 ( +29 / -1 )

This is deeply worrying, fear to make movies, fear to draw cartoons, fear to make comment on dogma and ideology.

We are heading to troubling times where the extreme political and religious fringes are having more effect on every day life.

Comedy, satire, questions, comments should be part of our free expression.

31 ( +31 / -0 )

Too bad Sony caved in. Isn't this setting a dangerous precedent?

26 ( +27 / -1 )

I'm a little torn about this whole saga. While I am 100% against hackers attempting to decided for the rest of us what can and can't be shown in cinemas, I do think it's kind of bad taste making a movie about assassinating a country's leader. Could you imagine the outcry over a movie depicting an attempt to assassinate the U.S. president? Oh, hang on... the way politics are over there, it'd probably be quite popular in some quarters.

Anyway, despite any question of taste, it is only a movie. If the cinemas decide they don't want to show, fine. They reject poor quality movies all the time. But for a group of hackers (or anyone) to threaten strife to try and blackmail companies to not show a movie is unacceptable.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

In the past DPRK has shown itself willing and capable of espionage and terrorism around the world, including the very recent kidnapping and escape of a DPRK student in Europe (http://time.com/3611817/north-korea-paris-abduction/, his father was an aide to Kim Jong-Il's uncle and was purged as the uncle was).

They don't even need to have a network in USA, DPRK is nominally impoverished but at the top levels they still have huge levels of resources at their command, plenty to fund third-party attacks in US.

Lead actors of the movie have cancelled their recent PR events, don't think they'd do that without credible threats against them.

And wasn't the theater chain that owned the theater in the Aurora shootings sued, just for getting hit by a random gunman over which they had no control? Should all theaters have private SWAT teams on hand?

If a theater chain goes ahead and shows this movie and gets hit, is Sony going to pick up all costs for them including lawsuits? Think a theater chain should risk multiple multi-million dollar lawsuits vs the popcorn-and-soda money Sony will permit them to make from showing the movie in their theater?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Yeah it was in bad taste but the leadership of NK is the most craven and tasteless going. I guess I'll have to buy it on DVD.

It's a pity Sony caved but in the lawsuit happy USA anything is possible. One nut job with a grudge is all it would take. But after this maybe somebody should hack the pachinko parlors? Just sayin'....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I do think it's kind of bad taste making a movie about assassinating a country's leader. Could you imagine the outcry over a movie depicting an attempt to assassinate the U.S. president? Oh, hang on... the way politics are over there, it'd probably be quite popular in some quarters.

It was already done with Bush. Who cares, it's art and art should be free speech. You shouldn't silence it, if you don't like it, don't watch it. Who is N. Korea to dictate what we can watch or what we can't. No country or person should be denied to express themselves through art and Sony is making a huge mistake with this decision.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Sony made the wrong decision to give in

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I'm really ticked that this movie got cancelled. As another poster already said, this is a horrible precedent for freedom. Sony should have the "testosterone" (pardon the inadequate phrasing) to push this movie through. Goodness, how much have they already sunk into this movie? How many millions? Why not pay for an insurance policy to cover any lawsuits and the security for the theaters on the first week of release? As a movie goer, I would pay for my share. I would sign a waiver.

This is definitely a cultural aspect for me, but freedom should never back down from these kinds of threats. This is BULL!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I love you Sony but disappointed in you as well. You caved in to the demands of a little troll country. Could careless about the movie but the principle is that you gave into demands that dictate how you act. You are bigger than giving into this garbage.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It's a shame it was canceled BUT, just suppose something terrible happened at movie theater and people were injured or worse. Wouldn't that be more of a public relations nightmare for Sony than the cancellation? Remember, this is business not a government.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Post warnings about the threats everywhere possible, then show the movie. Call them, "Freedom from Tyrannic Little Mumfs", viewings. Add in that you attend at your own risk.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sony Japan caves

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Sony Japan, rolling over for 'terrorists'. So now the terrorists can get whatever they want if they attack this nation or nations where Sony is present.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

It was done somewhat before with the remake of "Red Dawn" when the studio (not sure which one) changed the enemy from China to NK. There was no outcry then since it showed NK taking it to the USA, the same with one of those White House take over movies where the main villan was from NK.

FBI is going to release a report that does point back to NK. I say if that is the case, time for the US to stop all aid to NK. Obviously if they have the people and skills who can hack into an industrial network, even though the majority of the people can't get internet access, then they don't need help with growing food or feeding their own people. Let them do it themselves since they now have the technical know-how to do things like this.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public"

But you went along with it! You enabled its success! It wouldn't have hurt your company if you'd thumbed your nose at it.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Freedom of expression is being threatened. Given in the terrorist is not solving the problem. Other forms of threatening will be increased.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Disgraceful, Sony. Try showing some backbone for a change.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The top five theater chains bowed out, with around 1200 theaters, total, that leaves around 200 theaters in the next top five chains, but that's assuming none of those bow out as well.

Sony should release on a few screens around the country just to make a point? Give it up to the bootleggers with their camcorders instead of going for on-demand?

Rank Circuit Headquarters Screens Sites

1 Regal Entertainment Group Knoxville,TN 7,318 574; 2 AMC Entertainment Inc Kansas City, MO 4,988 344; 3 Cinemark Theatres Plano, TX 4,434 332; 4 Carmike Cinemas, Inc. Columbus, GA 2,904 276; 5 Cineplex Entertainment Toronto, ON 1,672 136; 6 Marcus Theatres Milwaukee, WI 687 55; 7 Harkins Theatres Phoenix, AZ 440 31; 8 National Amusements Dedham, MA 423 32; 9 B&B Theatres Liberty, MO 408 50; 10 Bow Tie Cinemas Ridgefield, CT 388 63;

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

CNN is just reporting that US intelligence are saying that NK is indeed behind the attack.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The terrorists win.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The darkness just grew a little blacker, drew a little closer. Not good.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Lots of assassination movies. Even at least a couple with GW Bush as target (Death of a President, 2006, and American Dreamz, 2006).

The Manchurian Candidate was released in 1962! With 2004 Denzel Washington remake!

The Day of the Jackal (1963, vs Pres. Charles de Gaulle of France) and Zoolander (2001, vs. president of Malaysia) are a couple of other relatively famous ones.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassinations_in_fiction

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Giving in to threats?

Or did the threats wake the Sony execs up to the fact that a movie showing the assassination of a living, sitting leader was a really stupid thing to do?

So many people rush in to support anything because some other person got angry about it. Well, why not ask yourself first if the person has a good reason to be angry?

Well, has any other movie been made featuring the assassination of any body else's sitting leader? Not that I know of. And if there was, those people would be rather teed off. And for good reason.

And can you think of any other method of protest that would have seen the anger about this recognized? You think a gentle worded letter would have done it? I don't.

I think everyone should forget about the hackers and threats and go to the source. That scene never should have been included. And I say that telling you straight up that I hate Kim Jong and I would wish him assassinated except for concern somebody worse might fill his shoes, such as one of those fanatical looking generals they got.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Not a good day for freedom of speech. Caving into an "invisible hand" that apparently has links to one of the most ruthlessly oppressive regimes in the world carries with it the stench of appeasement. It didn't help Chamberlain way back when, and it doesn't help human rights now.

On a lighter note, however, having seen the trailers for this movie over on You Tube, the content appears rather cringe worthy. Indeed, perhaps there is an argument for sending Franco and Rogen to Pyongyang in the interests of good taste.

Finally, on the issue of raising assassination as a topic in movies, given that Bazza Obama has agreed to normalize relations with the Commies in Cuba, I would say that the odds of some nut job hatching a conspiracy to do away with the world's most famous "closet Muslim" have just shortened considerably.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It was already done with Bush. Who cares, it's art and art should be free speech. You shouldn't silence it, if you don't like it, don't watch it. Who is N. Korea to dictate what we can watch or what we can't. No country or person should be denied to express themselves through art and Sony is making a huge mistake with this decision.

bass -- for once I 100% agree with you. There have been numerous movies made up supposed plots to kill the U.S. President -- it's called free speech/artistic license. I will be hard pressed before I decide to spend money next time to see a Sony movie. It will have to be something truly outstanding.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Bill Maher just posted this comment: "Is that all it takes - an anonymous threat and the numbers 911 - to throw free expression under the bus? And btw the movie is one of the funniest I've seen in a long time."

I will definitely be watching this once it is released online.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Sony is wrong, wrong, wrong.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I don't watch many kill-the-country's-leader films, but isn't there a bit of a difference between a comedy that portrays the leader as a buffoon and makes him the butt of a string of tasteless jokes, and an action film that portrays the leader as a fearless action man who defeats the Bad Guys through his powers of leadership, love of family and general Good-Guyness?

The Harrison Ford one (can't remember the title) comes to mind - what national leader would object to being portrayed as Harrison Ford, defeating the bad guys and saving the Free World one-handed?

I'm sure NK would not object to a film in which the Dear Leader defeats the running dogs of decadent capitalism and turns the world into a shining example of glorious communism filled with adoring citizens singing his praises.

Doubt that you'd get Harrison Ford to play the lead, mind.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Sensato: Bill Maher just posted this comment: "Is that all it takes - an anonymous threat and the numbers 911 - to throw free expression under the bus? ..."

DPRK could spend a couple of hundred thousand or million to make good on their threats, and they've got it, so why not?

Maher going to pony up the funds for Sony and the theaters if things go pear-shaped?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This is more than just a terrorist threat that forced Sony Entertainment to postpone the showing of The Interview.

We are all forgetting one thing: the Korean War is technically not over, with only a truce agreement signed in 1953 that ended armed conflict but did not end the war. As such, both North and South Korea are always on a higher state of military alert, wary that one wrong provocation could result in a renewal of hostilities very quickly. Given North Korea's erratic diplomatic behavior, especially since Kim Il-sung died 20 years ago, the showing of The Interview could be viewed by the North Korean government as a direct provocation, and the North Koreans could lash out in renewed Korean War that could cause a huge number of casualties in the Korean Peninsula, with Japan being directly targeted by North Korea also (the North Koreans may launch a medium-range ballistic missile armed with a nuclear warhead at a military target in Japan like the naval base at Sasebo or the big military airfield at Komatsu near Kanazawa).

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I guess next they will target Netflix and other online streaming sources that will have the video on demand. Only thing this will do is move the film to "cult status" and it will build up a following at midnight movies.

"Team America - World Police" had Kim Jong-Il as the villian. I don't remember the NK's having an issue with it. But it was a puppet movie and had much adult comment, so I am not sure why they didn't protest that movie then.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Call me Thinking out of the box, but If Sony will lose millions of dollars for cancelling this release but already all the actors got paid, its OK!!

Think of how much money , Sony and its associates got money from suing people downloading music online, I remember they sued an 62 year old lady , because her 9 year old grand daughter downloaded a song on Napster,hundreds of thousands and so on.

I pay like everyone else, but just saying

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If only this were all viral marketing by Sony, it would be legendary genius. Alas, it is the pathetic, weak decision it seems to be.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There have been numerous movies made up supposed plots to kill the U.S. President

But not featuring the actual assassination of the current sitting U.S. president directly named in the film.

Knowing what sort of outrage this will produce, merely for sake of a laugh or even perhaps just to enjoy the outrage itself, is as much an abuse of the freedom of speech as yelling "fire" in a crowded theater when there is no fire.

The freedom of speech is very dear to me. Seeing people using it so brazenly for no just purpose I can only see as abuse of the right. The freedom of speech is very dear to me. And when people use it in a controversial manner, they better be damned seriously using it for an important purpose, and not just using it to use it. I see no purpose here.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

I don't watch many kill-the-country's-leader films

Well then you shouldn't assume they're all like the one you happen to have seen. The British film Death of a President is about an assassination where the president doesn't save the world and isn't played by Harrison Ford.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

North Korea wins again! Is the US that whimpy? An attack in a US theater is a perfect excuse to invade N. Korea and get rid of that dictatorship. Then they can be subject to the dictatorship of the 1%ers, just like the rest of us. As they say, "1%ers of the world, unite!"

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

The freedom of speech is very dear to me. Seeing people using it so brazenly for no just purpose I can only see as abuse of the right. The freedom of speech is very dear to me. And when people use it in a controversial manner, they better be damned seriously using it for an important purpose, and not just using it to use it. I see no purpose here.

Jake -- nonsense. Come down off your high horse. Entertainment, whether you find it acceptable to your taste or not, is a very legitimate "purpose". Did you ever watch the annual "White House Correspondent's Dinner"? It is basically a roast of the sitting President by a well-known comedian and then the President basically ripping everybody himself -- members of the press, members of Congress, etc. And a lot of what is said is very "controversial". But that is what makes the belief in free speech so great -- the old "if you can't take it, don't dish it out". All this incident proves is that Kim has a very thin skin to go along with his rapidly-expanding waist. It's OK for the NK media, which we know is state-contolled to make racist remarks about Obama, but not for Sony to produce a fictional comedy -- right?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

It's a SONY !!! So What ???

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Capitulation!

Great Leader Kim Yong Un: 1 Sony: 0

Who would have thunk?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Now these guys will believe they can dictate what movies the studios can and can't release. Sony just doesn't know how damned stupid it was caving in to this. Just release it on DVD/Blu-ray for free or something to make it up for freedom of "artistic" license.

It really wasn't my kind of movie either, but when a foreign government can pressure a private corporation not even located on their soil to cancel a film not even made for their country with threats of violence on foreign soil where said film is release.... As an American I'm pissed. But it was also the idiot theaters pissing in their pants. If NK even had the gall to attempt an attack on US soil regardless, the US government would absolutely love to eliminate the regime cos it gives them an excuse to strike and then turn over what's left to SK.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

G.O.P stands for guardians (gangs) of Pyongyang. As expected, N.Korea is behind the hacking to preserve the false demigod image of dear leader. The terrorists now can blackmail and coerce the freedom of speech as in N.Korea. Sony puts business, money, and liability before freedom of expression, and that is a shame. It would be better for Sony to release this film free on line for the world to see, and that eventually will be available in N.Korea via underground.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The cowardly president of Sony, Kazuo Hirai, has already meddled in the content of the film, trying to tone it down. Now it seems he has lost all his backbone and pulled the film entirely.

Tell North Korea to get stuffed and release the film.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It must have been a difficult call for Sony. Look at it this way. Right now, everyone on JT is castigating Sony for the decision. But suppose they had released the film on schedule, and there were an attack on a theater, killing hundreds of people. I'll bet my bank account that the same people posting against Sony would then be posting messages blaming Sony for not heeding the threats, as would the media and relatives of any victims.

It's not just Sony that backed down. The U.S. theater chains for the first to back off.

1 ( +2 / -2 )

I am with Jake Lonergan on this one. This is not only a plot on assassination of an actual living person, this is the actual murder of an actual living leader of a country (granted not a pleasant one). However I doubt SONY would have financed the same movie let's say about the assassination of President Obama or PM Abe for example and have that same movie released on... Xmas Day.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Sony you morons! Although it looks as though they were forced into this decision by the cowardly cinema chains.. What an absolute disgrace

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And Sony makes computers. You would think that they know something about hacking, but I guess they are clueless. Glad I stopped using Sony computers years ago.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

All we need is a bigger threat of terrorism if they don't cancel the cancellation, seeing how Sony is so responsive to feedback.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What Brainiac and Raymond says.

Yes, it's a blow against freedom of speech. I don't like it either.

I was thinking Sony can produce some DVDs dubbed/subtitled in Korean (Norhern dialect) but I guess not many citizens own players to watch them.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'm not an apologist for the scum hackers, but SONY needs to take a look at SONY. They've been big time hacked too many times and this time it really came back and bit them where the sun don't shine.

They've lost a lot of credibility on this one. Good luck in their crisis management because the fall out from this is going to last a long time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And Sony makes computers. You would think that they know something about hacking, but I guess they are clueless. Glad I stopped using Sony computers years ago.

Ignoring the fact that they are getting out of computers (they've already decided to sell - or maybe even sold - their Vaio unit), hacking is a software issue, and Sony makes hardware.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

So disappointed. This movie looked like the perfect hilarious mindless trash I needed to escape for a while over the holiday season. I was looking forward to it. On a darker level though - this sets a dangerous precedent for any other Kim Dick or Harry wanting to protest anything they don't like.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

CrazyJoeDEC. 18, 2014 - 08:13AM JST Too bad Sony caved in. Isn't this setting a dangerous precedent?

No, it isn't setting a precedent, because this decision isn't being made in a court of law where precedents are set. It's a business decision being made by a private business. The fact that Sony capitulated creates zero pressure for any future businesses in the same situation to capitulate.

But we should probably expect future businesses to follow suit. While I disagree with Sony's decision, I find the Internet outrage a bit bemusing. It was a business decision. Fear that there could be a terrorist attack could keep people who want to watch movies (not just this movie, there would have been more than one Sony picture trying to make money over Christmas), which would have reduced revenues regardless of if a terrorist attack actually happened. Sony did what nearly all private businesses do- when made to choose between principles and profit, they chose profit. We've been seeing this happen for decades and decades, why are we pretending to be surprised?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

This is what happens when Japan takes over a foreign company - giving in

-3 ( +3 / -5 )

Christopher GlenDEC. 18, 2014 - 01:04PM JST This is what happens when Japan takes over a foreign company - giving in

Sony cancelled the showing in response to American theater chains choosing not to show the movie. Americans knuckled under to the terrorists first, and Sony just followed along when it became clear there was no profit in going forward. Sony being a Japanese company has got nothing to do with it.

1 ( +5 / -5 )

Why is Sony getting all of the hate for this? I'll agree that, unless there was hard evidence supporting an attack, Sony is empowering the hackers and letting down free speech. But Amercan owned theaters cancelled first. They deserve some of the blame as well.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The British film Death of a President is about an assassination where the president doesn't save the world and isn't played by Harrison Ford.

And is the president in that film portrayed as a buffoon, and are his assassins portrayed as the good guys?

Just the fact that it dealt with the death of a president had American politicians frothing at the mouth - I think it's despicable, I think it's absolutely outrageous. (Hillary Clinton) I find this shocking, I find it disturbing (Republican spokesman) an appalling way to treat the head of state of another country (Republicans Abroad magazine)

The difference, of course, is that the people who didn't like Death of a President didn't start hacking computers and making death threats against Channel 4.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I don't have the time to look up the sequence of events, but I bet Sony could have let some art house cinema or some other small theater chain go ahead. AMC is Chinese owned so I don't consider them reflective of America, either. The decision to withdraw it completely was pure cowardice on the part of Sony and I bet it started with their CEO.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I don't support the hackers' methodology, whether they do or don't come from North Korea, but they ARE trying to point out a problem and we're missing it.

Freedom of expression doesn't mean freedom from consequences.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@MissingCylonModel And we should be happy to send those consequences right back to Pyongyang if they should so much as sneak into a theater without paying.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Looks like it might not be released in any format whatsoever:

<>http://deadline.com/2014/12/sony-hack-the-interview-release-vod-1201328791/ <>http://deadline.com/2014/12/sony-scraps-the-interview-1201328639/

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Ha ha - its up to 96% "want to see it" on Rotten Tomatoes despite a 50% critics score. When I get to see it I'm going belly laugh at every lame joke on principle.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Those of us who know Japan, the complex relationship between Japan and North Korea, and the fact there are over 500,000 Korean nationals living in Japan, will understand that Sony Japan ordered this cancellation, against the views of Sony USA.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The Oscars on Feb. 22 will be full of N. Korea and Kim jokes, or not?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A loss for democracy but a win for the "Seventh Art".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

On Tuesday, lawyers filed two class action lawsuits against Sony Pictures in Los Angeles.

Perhaps the lawyers were behind the hacking?

I would have been interested in watching the movie, but after hearing that scenes were edited, and theatres have backed out of showing it, I won't bother. Sony has been, and continues to be a disappointment.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

'World Police' should Replace ‘The Interview’ at all Theater`s for now

2 ( +2 / -0 )

SONY, I believe you have done the right thing. The safety of Americans at the theater is more important than profit.

My hats off to you.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Sorry I should have said this:

‘Team America: World Police’ should Replace ‘The Interview’ at all Theater`s for now

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Not sure why so many people are blaming Sony here.the major theatres had already said they wouldn't show it, I'm not sure what kind of release would be possible now. It is definitely disturbing that the North Korean hackers won here.

The whole thing is very disturbing. Just by publishing the embarassing mails, the media helped assist the North Korean hacker's intentions to cause harm to someone ridiculing their despotic government. They are juicy revelations so I can't completely blame them for seeking a fast buck that way. Sadly, the most powerful tool terrorists have is a media without morals.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The decision to cancel the screenings was probably a financial one, after all if all the big cinema chains refuse to show the film than Sony will be losing a lot of cash. Where's the profit when only several hundred screens show the film instead of several thousand?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Donkusai, what are you talking about??? Air Force One is just one in a long list.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Jake Lonergan Yes, you won. I guess you and North Korea are now deciding for the rest of us.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I believe that it was a mistake for Sony to cancel the movie under the threat of terror. This sets a dangerous precedent for future releases.

Kim Jong "Won".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think this has nothing to do with Sony protecting the American people and movie theaters. The hackers said a big leak was coming Christmas Day if the movie was released. Who knows what the hackers got a hold of but it could have more racist e-mails, leaks of extra marital affairs, or even smack talk on celebrities which could be detrimental to the company.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Shallots I decided nothing for no one. This was already decided a long time ago, and this movie is breaking that universally accepted decision. And now that attention has been brought to it, Sony is deciding based on old norms. I just so happen to agree with that decision, and those norms.

There is no need to characterize this as knuckling under except to be accusatory. Threats or no threats, this movie is wrong and deserves to be curbed.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I think that despite "The Interview" is rated as a bad movie by the critics it will achieve a considerable box office success because of all this ruckus. Kim Jong Un et caterva acting as the best pitchmen money couldn't buy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's all about liability. If the movie theaters refuse to show this movie due to liability issues, what can Sony do? Afterall America is the land of lawyers and law suits. If the movie was shown and something happened, the avalanche of law suits would most likely cripple Sony financially if not bankrupt. All things considered, it was a prudent move.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Everyone seems to be blaming Sony specifically, but would any other movie company have acted differently? I don't think so. Sony had no choice since the major theater chains refused to show the movie. But, really, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. It was a "no win" situation the hackers presented Sony with. If they had tried to go ahead and people were hurt = big trouble. If they cancel the whole thing = big trouble. They've already got big trouble from all the personal information released - emails, employee salaries & health records, SSNs, etc. Sony is just basically screwed whichever way they go. The bigger picture is that other terrorist groups will see this as an effective tool to use even more in the future. Why blow yourself up when you can cause more damage where it really hurts, economically, and make an even bigger impact?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Too bad, with all these news, I want to watch it even though I had no intention of watching it before.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Pudgy One must be pissed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

One merit to Sony in USA. Now American people knows Sony in USA that has many classic TV programs are not Sony Electronics in New Jersery. In Calif, it does not make electronic products. Just movies and upgrading TV series. Pld mpvies and TV programs that ate to be damped out if it were mot SONY Pictures creating many channels.

Now it is investigatting if internal actions or not. CNN reported.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

dctokyo2002: ‘Team America: World Police’ should Replace ‘The Interview’ at all Theater`s for now

http://reason.com/blog/2014/12/17/texas-theater-will-show-team-america-in

As Sony's release of the North Korea–mocking comedy The Interview falls apart in the face of terrorist threats, one movie theater has found a way to give Pyongyang the finger:

After Sony canceled the release of the North Korea assassination comedy The Interview, a Texas theater said it would swap the film with Paramount's 2004 film Team America: World Police for one free screening. ... at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's Dallas/Fort Worth location ...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

After this news, /sony;s stock eent up, CNN news It was 2 yen when Sony's last quarter was loss again, I don;t know how much but many investers are buying Sony stocks after SONY Pictures cancelled.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That was quick.

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/movies/article/Alamo-Drafthouse-replaces-The-Interview-with-5965547.php

Alamo Drafthouse cancels 'Team America' showing

... "Due to to circumstances beyond our control, the TEAM AMERICA 12/27 screening has been cancelled. We apologize & will provide refunds today." ...

... Buzzfeed is reporting that Paramount Pictures has ordered all theaters to cancel "Team America' screenings. ...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SONY checked this movie was not included in holiday movie pre-eating? American like movies with cute actors. Sorry but he is too chubby and not cute/ so movie prewdiction critics ignored.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sorry but he is too chubby and not cute/ so movie prewdiction critics ignored.

I guess you are not in the target demographic :).

It's the holidays, people have more time to go to movies.

College kids home on break need to have excuse to get out of the house. etc etc

People looking for comedy.

If people like dumb handsome guys they could still go see "The Interview" for James Franco, if Sony hadn't wimped out.

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SONY cancelled to show "Interview".

@turbo:I am in demographic area of TV and Movie critics.

Near to nickname of World City of Entertainment, We get movie info from critics earlier than other places in USA

There are more than 400 channels here and we get info easily. Many are SONY owned channels.

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one movie theater has found a way to give Pyongyang the finger:

Because its so important to give people the finger. For the sake of peace on Earth I guess.

So many strong demands for the fostering of hate. Then wondering why they are hated.

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I guess Al Quadi will call up Clint Eastwood and let him know that since he was behind the movie "American Sniper" that he can expect something bad to happen to him.

What I don't get is where is the US Govt, in all of this. Sony Pictures, an American company was attacked by a foreign power at a loss of up to $200 million as some are saying, so where is the reponse from the US government? What happens next time if they attack Boeing, or some other company by some foreign country.

Sony Pictures is guilty of probably making a bad movie, but they have been known to do that from time to time. But not a word from the US Gov on some government attacking a US company, or from the UN either. I remember a time when some rebels would attack a Banana plantation in Central America and the Marines were sent in. Now a company on US soil is damaged, and no US Gov out in front telling NK they had better back off.

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@Alpha:

SONY Pictured id not am Americcan company. It is one of subsidiary of Sony Japan . '

Sony is not US Compamy. It is one of many Japan Inc in USA

USA Govt do not bother Hollywood. Freedom lf whatever.
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@ toshiko:

Yes is not a US company you are correct but Sony Pictures in CA is a US subsidary. They employ US employees and are subject to US laws.

The US government is not bothering Hollywood. Freedom of speech in the US allows you to speak out yes, but more importantly it does not allow the government to stop you from speaking, unless you are going to cause a riot or a disturbance.

No freedom of speech rights were denied here. Sony can still release the movie, only that NK or the group affiliated with it said that they would strike out. They did not stop them, only their concerns about what may happen if they did stop them.

Also, back in the 80's when oil tankers were being targeted in the Persian Gulf, many of them were from Japan and other nations but what the the US did to escort them was to have them temporarily fly the US flag so that if they were attacked, the US Navy would be there to defend them.

The US government has the obligation to ensure that commerce can be done, and this case is not a matter of free speech but of free commerce.

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If you want to invest ito SONY Pictures in stock, You have to buy Sony stock. It was down to 2 yen but now Sony stock is quite up. On Sony's stock holders meeting, th company report you can learn result of Sny Electronics USA and alsdo SONY Pictures. SONY Picture employ American people. So does Toyota USA in Tennesee, Trexas, Nissan In USA, So does a whole bunch if Jaoan Inc,

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SONY Picture just stated iit will not release on Dec 25. It did not state bout DVD and/or Blue Ray packages in stores. Maybe Walmart and movie DVD/BlueRay versions maybe able to sell. It will not sell as many as Avengers but sell pretty well, I think.

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