Aussie comedy takes aim at Age critic Jim Schembri (again)

Stephan Elliott, director of new Australian film A Few Best Men — which opened last week with the most successful box office figures of any Australian comedy over the past decade — used his podium at the inaugural AACTA awards to launch into a bitter spray against The Age critic Jim Schembri, who described the film as “unreleasable”. The A Few Best Men marketing team have taken their anti-Schembri crusade a step further, with this snide advertisement in The Age:

They quoted many a favourable review — but they were all sourced from random users on Facebook, not exactly a respected source of critical inquiry. Schembri was not the only person who savaged A Few Best Men. However, he began his review describing Elliott’s previous film as a “classy triumph”, and the director as “worthy of so much better”, which makes Elliott’s claims that Schembri personally attacked him not just unsubstantiated, but bizarre. — Luke Buckmaster

ACMA to probe 7.30 Clarke and Dawe sketch

“A satirical segment by John Clarke and Brian Dawe on 7:30 is to be investigated by the media watchdog for allegedly vilifying Christians.” — TV Tonight

Editor reshuffle at ACP Magazines

“Nine Entertainment Co’s ACP Magazines has reshuffled the editor pack at weeklies NW and Woman’s Day. It was announced this morning that Corrine Barraclough will take over as editor of gossip weekly NW from Lisa Sinclair, who is joining Woman’s Day as executive editor.” — The Australian

Times facing police investigation over alleged hacking

“The Times is facing a police investigation over claims that it hacked the email of an anonymous blogger in order to expose his identity.” — journalism.co.uk

Fourth-quarter profit declined 12.2% at NYT

“The New York Times Company reported on Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit declined 12.2 percent as rising subscription and digital advertising revenue at its largest newspapers could not offset the continued drop-off in print advertising.” — The New York Times

Facebook IPO gives Winklevoss twins $300m

“The Winklevoss twins have been blasted by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, portrayed as pompous sore losers by Hollywood, and described as “assholes” by a former US Treasury secretary. But it looks like they are about to have the last laugh; a laugh perhaps worth $300m.” — The Guardian

Tumblr hires an editor-in-chief

“The blogging platform told The New York Times Thursday it brought on Chris Mohney, formerly Senior Vice President of content at BlackBook Media, to serve in the newly created role of editor-in-chief.” — Mashable