Wednesday, December 21, 2011

VIDEO: A Evening Time With'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, talks about opening every submission and what he desires to see in the headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, talks about what he wants from an actress in the general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and inadequate ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, talks about what he needs from an audition and customary mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer reduces the particular role from the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Grey Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer talks about casting "Saved" and many types of the misconceptions about just as one actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New you are able to city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars need to know before walking into an audition. (Part a few) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about concentrating on cleaning cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes the best way to give your better audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about concentrating on cleaning cleaning soap operas. Just have beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition to clean cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning cleaning soap opera Videos for your Back Stage News & Features section.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Forbes' 30 Under 30: Chloe Moretz, Jonah Hill, Jaden Cruz plus much more

In October, Moviefone selected our annual 25 Under 25, all of the up-and-coming, need-to-know stars and stars more youthful than 25. Today, Forbes released their 30 Under 30 in 12 different fields, including media, energy, property and entertainment. According to Forbes, the folks relating to this list "are individuals who aren't waiting to reinvent the earth,In . adding it had been develop "round the understanding of [Forbes'] site visitors as well as the finest minds in operation.In . So, which celebs made the cut? Shailene Woodley (20), Jaden Cruz (13), Chole Moretz (13), Jennifer Lawrence (21) and Jonah Hill (28) are available, similar to 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' director Sean Durkin (29) and 'Like Crazy' director Drake Doremus. You can examine the whole Forbes list here. [via Forbes] [Photo: Getty Images] People's Choice Honours: 25 Under 25 See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Par post czar Paul Haggar dies

Paul Haggar, who led theatrical post-production at Paramount from the 1970s until his 2005 retirement, died Dec. 7 of natural causes in Los Angeles. He was 83. During a career at Paramount that lasted 54 years, Haggar became one of the most well-known figures in the Hollywood post community, overseeing post on hundreds of films, including "Love Story," "Chinatown," "The Godfather," "Reds" and "Heaven Can Wait." A structure on the Par lot was refitted for editing work and named the Haggar Building in 1987. Haggar received the Hollywood Post Alliance's lifetime achievement award in 2009. At the time, HPA president Leon Silverman said, "For decades, the name Paul Haggar was synonymous with post-production. It is no exaggeration to say that Paul kept us all on our toes. He demanded the best and got it from his post-production team and his vendors. He was a master at balancing the creative and the business, as he was always a tenacious advocate of both the filmmaker's vision and the studio's needs." Haggar was born in Brooklyn, but his family moved to Los Angeles when he was young. He began his career in the Paramount mailroom and rose to apprentice editor and eventually to exec VP of post-production, a job in which he remained for more than 20 years. Haggar was notable for his charity fund-rasing work for organizations including the Vision Awards, which he chaired, American Heart Assn. charity Hollywood Has Heart. Survivors include four daughters and two sons. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Hugo & The Artist Lead Experts Choice Movie Award Nominations With 11 Each

Two movies coping with the first times of the film industry, Martin Scorcese’s Hugo from GK Films/Vital and also the black and whitened quiet The Artist in the Weinstein Company, both obtained a near-record 11 nominations each today within the Broadcast Film Experts Association’s 17th Annual Experts Choice Movie Honours. Both gained Best Picture, pointing and writingnods, together with a ton of technical nominations. In France They sensationTheArtist also obtained two major acting mentions for lead actor Jean Dujardin and supporting actress Berenice Bejo. As forScorsese,additionally to his creating and pointing nods for Hugo, hisGeorge Harrison: Residing In The Fabric World for Cinemax expires for feature documentary. And that he may also be finding the second annual Experts’ Choice Music+Film Award. The Experts Choice Movie Honours is going to be seen on The month of january 12, airing live in the Hollywood Palladium on VH1. The diverse listing of nominations launched today falls consistent with other experts groups in distributing the wealth, showing no slam-dunk leader with what remains an empty race and unpredictable selection of films. The first September releaseDrive were built with a remarkably strong showing with 8 nominations including picture and director (Nicolas Winding Refn) and acting nods for star Ryan Gosling and supporting actor Albert Brooks. The FilmDistrict noirish thriller is a critical favorite but was just a modest box office artist.DreamWorks’ smash hitAugust entry The Helpalso received 8 nominations. Additionally to some Best Picture jerk, 1 / 2 of the honors were within the acting groups including lead actress Viola Davis, supporting challengers Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain, andActing Ensemble. It had been a large day for that DreamWorks team and it is newdistributiondeal with Disney because they also nabbed 7 nominations fortheirChristmas opener War Equine –including two forSteven Spielberg. The director also received another jerk for his first animated film, The Adventures Of Tintin, which Vital has for domestic and The new sony for foreign.Fox Searchlight’s The Descendants, a Best Pic nominee, alsoreceived7 nods, including three for co-author, producer and director Alexander Payne and 2 for star George Clooney.His 20-year-old co-star Shailene Woodleycollected three, including supporting actress, youthful actor/actress, and acting ensemble member. Clooney were built with a hello being an actor but less because the author, producer and director of his other 2011 film, The Ides of March, which received only a single nomination because of its acting ensemble. Rounding the 10-film Best Picture category would be the Tree of Existence (5 noms), Night time In Paris (3 noms), Moneyball (3 noms including one for the best actor Kaira Pitt) and also the very late entry, Very Noisy and extremely Close. It had been likely the final film most of the experts saw but nonetheless handled four nods including director, script and youthful actor/actress for Thomas Horn. Its producer Scott Rudin seemed to be nominated within the picture category for Moneyball butfound little lovefor another of his late December releases, The Lady Using The Dragon Tattoo, which received nods just for editing and score. Two time CCMA champion Meryl Streep is in the running for the best actresswith her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher within the Iron Lady. She’s became a member of by former CCMA those who win Michelle Williams during my Week With Marilyn and Charlize Theron in Youthful Adult.The Assistance’s Davis, Tilda Swinton in We Have To Discuss Kevin, and newcomer Elizabeth Olsen in Martha Marcy May Marlene also made the cut. Although not Glenn Close, an expected nominee for Albert Nobbs. Additionally to Clooney, Pitt, Dujardin, and Gosling, the competitive best actor race found a place for Shame’s Michael Fassbender and J. Edgar’s Leonardo Di Caprio whose makeup job symbolized the only real other jerk for that Clint Eastwood biopic. Of note may be the supporting actor category that is top heavy with veterans Christopher Plummer, Nick Nolte, Albert Brooks, and Kenneth Branagh together with Youthful Adult’s Patton Oswalt.But there’s even the first recognition of the motion capture performance: Rise from the Planet from the Apes lead ape,Andy Serkis, based on an costly trade advertising campaign from twentieth century Fox. Within the supporting actress category, Bejo, Chastain, Spencer, and Woodley are became a member of by Shame’s Carey Mulligan and Mike and Molly’s recent Emmy champion Melissa McCarthy, further cementing the Bridesmaids star’s very large year. Also getting a great day was the triumphant screen return of Disney’sThe Muppets which nailed three of the5 song slots along with a bid for the best Comedy. The Experts Choice Movie Honours is going to be seen on The month of january 12, airing live in the Hollywood Palladiumon VH1. The business featuring its 250 experts (I'm a member)from round the country may be the biggest film experts org within the U.S. and considered a reasonably reliable predictor from the Oscars. Actually all acting those who win this past year first won in the CCMAs. But Best Picture and finest Director champion, The Social Networking, lost the Oscar towards the King’s Speech which won just for Colin Firth at CCMAs. Last Year the broadcast experts were the very first group to reward eventual dark equine Oscar winnerSandra Bullock for that Blind Side. This is actually the complete listing of nominees: BEST PICTURE The Artist The Descendants Drive Very Noisy & Incredibly Close The Assistance Hugo Night time in Paris Moneyball The Tree Of Existence War Equine BEST ACTOR George Clooney The Descendants Leonardo DiCaprio J. Edgar Jean Dujardin The Artist Michael Fassbender Shame Ryan Gosling Drive Kaira Pitt Moneyball BEST ACTRESS Viola Davis The Assistance Elizabeth Olsen Martha Marcy May Marlene Meryl Streep The Iron Lady Tilda Swinton We have to Discuss Kevin Charlize Theron Youthful Adult Michelle Williams My Week With Marilyn BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Kenneth Branagh My Week With Marilyn Albert Brooks Drive Nick Nolte Warrior Patton Oswalt Youthful Adult Christopher Plummer Beginners Andrew Serkis Rise from the Planet from the Apes BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Berenice Bejo The Artist Jessica Chastain The Assistance Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids Carey Mulligan Shame Octavia Spencer The Assistance Shailene Woodley The Descendants BEST Youthful ACTOR/ACTRESS Asa Butterfield Hugo Elle Fanning Super 8 Thomas Horn Very Noisy & Incredibly Close Ezra Burns We have to Discuss Kevin Saoirse Ronan Hanna Shailene Woodley The Descendants BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE The Artist Bridesmaids The Descendants The Assistance The Ides of March BEST DIRECTOR Stephen Daldry Very Noisy & Incredibly Close Michel Hazanavicius The Artist Alexander Payne The Descendants Nicolas Winding Refn Drive Martin Scorsese Hugo Steven Spielberg War Equine BEST ORIGINAL Script The Artist Michel Hazanavicius 50/50 Will Reiser Night time In Paris Woodsy Allen Mutually Beneficial Script by Tom McCarthy, Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni Youthful Adult Diablo Cody BEST Modified Script The Descendants Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash Very Noisy & Incredibly Close Eric Roth The Assistance Tate Taylor Hugo John Logan Moneyball Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY The Artist Guillaume Schiffman Drive Newton Thomas Sigel Hugo Robert Richardson The Tree of Existence Emmanuel Lubezki War Equine Janusz Kaminski BEST ART DIRECTION The Artist Production Designer: Laurence Bennett, Art Director: Gregory S. Hooper Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Production Designer: Stuart Craig, Set Decorator: Stephenie McMillan Hugo Production Designer: Dante Ferretti, Set Decorator: Francesca Lo Schiavo The Tree of Existence Production Designer: Jack Fisk, Art Director: David Crank War Equine Production Designer: Ron Carter, Set Decorator: Lee Sandales BEST EDITING The Artist Michel Hazanavicius and Anne-Sophie Bion Drive Matthew Newman The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall Hugo Thelma Schoonmaker War Equine Michael Kahn BEST COSTUME DESIGN The Artist Mark Bridges The Assistance Sharen Davis Hugo Sandy Powell Jane Eyre Michael OConnor My Week With Marilyn Jill Taylor BEST MAKEUP Albert Nobbs Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2 The Iron Lady J. Edgar My Week With Marilyn BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Hugo Rise from the Planet from the Apes Super 8 The Tree of Existence BEST Seem Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Hugo Super 8 The Tree of Existence War Equine BEST ANIMATED FEATURE The Adventures of Tintin Arthur Christmas Kung Fu Panda 2 Puss in Boots Rango BEST ACTION MOVIE Drive Fast Five Hanna Rise from the Planet from the Apes Super 8 BEST COMEDY Bridesmaids Crazy, Stupid, Love Horrible Bosses Night time in Paris The Muppets BEST Language FILM In Darkness Le Havre A Separation Your Skin My Home Is Where Will We Go Ahead Now BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Buck Cave of Forgotten Dreams George Harrison: Residing in the fabric World The First Page: Within the NY Occasions Project Nim Undefeated BEST SONG “Hello Hello” carried out by Elton John and RhiannaOrcreated by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Gnomeo & Juliet “Lifes a contented Song carried out by Jason Segel, Can Be and Walter/compiled by Bret McKenzie The Muppets The Living Proof carried out by Mary J. Blige/compiled by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman and Harvey Mason, Junior. The Assistance Guy or Muppet carried out by Jason Segel and Walter/compiled by Bret McKenzie The Muppets Pictures during my Mind carried out by Kermit and also the Muppets/compiled by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman The Muppets BEST SCORE The Artist Ludovic Bource Drive High cliff Martinez The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Hugo Howard Shoreline War Equine John Williams

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Edgar Wright Programs 35mm Fest of Movies He's Never Seen

After programming his favorite cult and classic films in two “Wright Stuff” slates at the New Beverly Cinema, Edgar Wright is returning this month with an unusual twist: For eight nights starting December 9, the Scott Pilgrim director will present double features of films he hasn’t seen. Last time he told you to “envy these virgins;” this time, he’s the virgin! It’s the ultimate game of cinematic catch-up that embraces the bashful truth about cinephilia; no matter how many of the greats you’ve seen, there’s always one (or two or a hundred) classics you have yet to check off the list. Wright’s guest programming fest, dubbed The Wright Stuff III: Movies Edgar Has Never Seen, will pack in eight consecutive nights of double features at the Los Angeles institution owned by Quentin Tarantino and run by Michael Torgan and Julia Marchese. (Marchese’s recent petition to save 35mm film is still seeking signatures; naturally, The Wright Stuff III will be screening 35mm prints.) Over at the fantastic blog Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule, Dennis Cozzalio caught up with Wright to discuss how he went about programming his slate of never-seen films: EW: How it started was, at first I e-mailed a bunch of directors, actors and writers, told them what I was doing and said, give me your top-10 must-sees. Some of those people gave me lists that were enormous. Bill Hader’s list and Daniel Waters’ list were in the hundreds. Quentin Tarantino and Judd Apatow and Joss Whedon all gave me top 10s. So did John Landis and Joe Dante — actually, Joe’s was longer than 10. Then I threw it open to people on my blog, and that produced another thousand suggestions. Then I started looking for little links between films. I had to leave so many out. There were some that were so close to being scheduled that didn’t make it, which was disappointing, but some were left off because they do play a lot. I wanted to go for films that don’t get as much exposure. On the dwindling availability of 35mm film prints and why, for his first viewing of these films, it was a must to see them on the big screen on film: EW: It’s a very bittersweet thing to discover that your chances to see some of these films on 35mm are kind of dwindling very fast. It’s one of the main reasons I like doing these seasons at the New Beverly — sharing the experience. There is nothing better than watching the movies with a crowd. As home theater gets better, people don’t necessarily think about going out to see them. When I first announced the schedule, one person on my blog commented, “But a lot of these are on DVD or Netflix Instant!” And I had to think, yeah, you kind of missed the point. I know that. I own a lot of them myself. But that’s not necessarily the way I want to see them, especially for the first time. Read Cozzalio’s full interview with Wright here and see the full line-up listed at the New Beverly’s website and in further detail on Wright’s blog. (My pick? December 12’s Umbrellas of Cherbourg — swoon! — paired with Chungking Express.) Screening films you’ve never seen before is a brilliant idea in many ways, the first being that it gives Wright the chance to see these selections projected on a proper screen, in glorious 35mm. The communal aspect is key, too; repertory cinemas have the ability to conjure a magical crackle in the air just from the quality of being there, let alone if it’s a great film being experienced for the first time with fellow movie lovers. But here’s what I love most about Wright’s never-seen films idea: In admitting he’s never seen these 18 films before — Edgar Wright, genre student, famous film-loving movie nerd, the man who’s poured more knowing references into his work than any director of his and most any generation, really — he’s made it OK to admit there are gaps in one’s breadth of film knowledge. Bragging rights aren’t important in the scheme of things; it’s sharing a love for film with others that makes the film community so vibrant. So here goes. Here’s one I’ve never seen: Sophie’s Choice. Phew! That was easier than I thought it’d be. Your turn!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Ralph Fiennes Talks Coriolanus: 'I'm Afraid the Lack of Hope In It Was Appealing to Me'

As befits one of the contemporary stage and screen’s more intense, challenging actors, Ralph Fiennes didn’t make his directorial debut easy on himself. His adaptation of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus (opening today in limited release) studies the vicissitudes of political pride, corruption and revenge — an unflinching stare into a familiar powder keg that looks and feels increasingly like an abyss. Also playing the title character, a warrior who returns heroically to “a place called Rome” only to be exiled by the downtrodden citizenry he reviles, Fiennes demonstrates a bracing sympathy with the Bard’s most cynical instincts. Yet in casting Vanessa Redgrave as his influential mother, Jessica Chastain as his long-suffering wife, Brian Cox as his blustery chief adviser and Gerard Butler as his mortal rival Tullus Aufidius, the first-time director has cut sharp, exquisite facets into this jewel of a cautionary tale, reflecting back to viewers the various sides of a society collapsing around them. Whether or not they’re entertained is almost irrelevant, though with Redgrave and Fiennes facing off in a narrative like this (adapted by screenwriter John Logan), it’s pretty hard not be. Fiennes spoke with Movieline recently about his fascination with the original piece, the upside of hopelessness, the necessity of risk, and the fine art of the very, very extreme close-up. Why Coriolanus? Conceptually, creatively — why now? [Long pause] It’s mostly very personal. There are two strands, I suppose. One is the actor — I played it on stage, and I felt very drawn to the confrontational nature of him and the piece. And maybe there’s a sort of anger involved about the continual dysfunction of society, and its continual patterns of political turnaround and endless, endless conflict. And the play and Coriolanus himself punch through that. I mean, I think the play is a tragedy, properly. But the sort of evisceration it leads to is… I feel like we’re always on track to these repeated eviscerations in how we are as a people — as humankind. I’m afraid the lack of hope in it was appealing to me. Wow! [Laughs] Because it was honest! That’s what I’m saying. Well, yeah. There is not one laugh in this entire movie. Not really. Well, there is if you like his sense of humor. But there’s something terrifying about it. It’s a very bleak piece, really. But I felt we’re living in these really bleak times. Is that generally a thematic appeal to you as an actor — and now as a director? Not always; it’s just this occasion. But I think that whole kind of “fuck you” anger and attitude of Coriolanus that sort of carves its way through everything is untenable. But it also has an appeal at the same time. There’s an ambivalence to it: “I am who I am, and I will not compromise.” He’s absurd and appealing in equal measure. But the tragedy is that he does — he does compromise. He says he doesn’t want to talk to the people, but he does, against his better nature. Twice he does it, and it explodes in his face. So I also find it very dramatically satisfying — for the same reason I guess some people find it unsatisfying. But I love how Shakespeare throws thee questions at us: Who are we with? Is Coriolanus the hero we were meant to follow? I think he is, but at the same time he’s a challenge to us. I love it that we’re challenged right at the front by who he is and what he says. I love the anger in it. I love it. It’s sort of searing. And then, finally, where it all leads to, is this umbilical nakedness between a mother and a son. It’s so painful: The one moment of enlightenment is going to be the cause of his death. But there’s this moment where he gives in. When I first saw the play, I found that scene extraordinary — that final scene. And I found it so moving. The humanity surges out of him; he says something like, “It’s very hard to make mine eyes sweat compassion.” But he’s full of compassion. His mother opens him up. And then he’s going to die for it. It costs him his life. It touches a nerve in me — this endless pain we’re all in the world, whether it’s drug wars in Mexico or journalists beaten up in Moscow, or Anna Politkovskaya shot in the lobby of her building. But this is a very mediated place called Rome. The journalists and videographers and talking heads featured in Coriolanus aren’t necessarily making things better. There’s an ongoing noise of news, isn’t there, in the world? I’d make a differentiation: There is the noise of corporate newsmaking, which I think is what you’re seeing in the film. In my head, they’re slightly different than the individual, whether they be a writer or a journalist or… Maybe I’m sounding confused, but wanting to make it came out a sort of frustration, maybe. So in a perverse way, Coriolanus appeals in a world of compromises — where there’s on betrayal after another. That’s why Aufidius looks at him and has that moment where he says, “What was it that made him? What was his fault?” And he meditates on it: “One fire drives out one fire; one nail, one nail / Rights by rights falter, strengths by strengths do fail.” I think we see that constant changearound of power through blood or betrayal or devious politics. It’s obviously such a personal project for you. Is that ever a threat as a filmmaker? To be too close, to be too involved or too connected to the source? On a deep level, you mean? Yes. Can you truly feel like you’re doing it justice, or that the risk is too great? I knew it was a huge risk. I knew just from the response of people when I was trying to pitch it. [Laughs] But the person who’s a key figure in giving it some kind of objectivity is John Logan, who sort of sensed what I was chasing. Which is something that I find it hard to define easily, but there’s a howl of pain at the center of this piece — this flashing of blades and knives, something frightening. I think everything has its own spirit. We all know why we enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream — it has a spirit, which, whatever the production is like, is this thing we all respond to. And I think why people often avert their gaze from Coriolanus is because it goes to a very, very frightening place. He is frightening; what happens is frightening. There’s literally an eviscerated body at the end of it. But I think that John, coming onboard, knew I wanted to get into that. He knew I wanted to go to that place. And he brought his great skill and eye to shaping it. If it hadn’t been for him, I probably wouldn’t be here, because I pitched to him, but he then wrote the screenplay, which was phenomenal. When you read his screenplay, you saw a film. You, as a reader, were aware of the emotional progression or a physical nuance inside a speech. He made you very, very present. I mean, we worked on it together. I had very strong ideas, and then he brought to the table his strong ideas. It is a fusion, but without his skill to kind of shape it as a written thing, I don’t know what I would have done. You now belong to a very, very elite class of actors who’ve directed themselves onscreen in Shakespeare adaptations — Olivier, Welles, Branagh… I’m sure there are a few others, but very few. What are the challenges, and how do you know when you’re ready to tackle that as a director? You never know you’re ready, but I can only speak for myself: I have one life, and this is what I really feel… I can’t get this thing out of my head. Any time along the way I could have lost confidence, or someone could have come along and said this is not going to work, but there were enough people who came onboard as it went along who kept the flame alive. But I never knew that I was ready. I just knew that I was prepared to fall on my sword, or whatever the appropriate expression may be. Your knife. My knife. Initially it could have been very incoherent as a piece. I feel, from the response I’m getting, that it has a coherence. But I don’t know. Did you look back at other adaptations to see how others had done it? Were you influenced by any Shakespeare adaptations for the screen? Yes. I liked the commitment to a specific world that Baz Luhrmann did in Romeo + Juliet. He embraced a very coherent world. I took a lot from that. Every location mattered to me. I fell in love with locations; they became like actors in the cast. They were really important to me. And then for performance, there’s a Peter Brook King Lear, which is very naturalistic in black-and-white — very austere performances that I kind of like. I didn’t want to mimic that exactly — that style — but I wanted it naturalistic. So there were those, and I tried to avoid — wherever I could — any overt theatricality, and just treat it like a political drama set today. The most striking thing to me in this film is its approach to the extreme close-up. There are so many obvious differences between the media of stage and screen, but the close-up is The Difference. No, it is. You’re right. This is the conversation I had with John Logan. What I love in films… I mean, look at Gary Oldman’s performance as Smiley (in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy). Have you seen it? Oh, yeah. He doesn’t say a lot; he’s just looking, blank. But the close-up means that I, the viewer, am fascinated by what shifts of thought are going on. What’s happening? I love that. It compounds the physicality of a performance. We see the body on stage, but we don’t see the face. But with Coriolanus, if you don’t buy the face, then you don’t buy the movie. Exactly. It was funny when we were shooting it — how I would shoot sort of from hips to shoulders. And it was valid, but very quickly in the scene, just talking to my producer and my script supervisor and this group of people around me whom was asking for an opinion, the consensus around me was that we had to get in. “You’ve got to get into the face.” And even in the longer scenes, even if it’s so-called “static,” then so be it. But it’s all happening here. [Staggers hands directly above and below his face.] Like in that middle scene where Vanessa is saying, “You must go back and talk to them,” I’m in her face. But I love her face. I think everyone does. Yeah! But how does she feel about that on set — knowing how close the camera is and the presence she has to bring to it? I think actors know generally that that’s where they play — in the close-up. That’s where you deliver. It can be intimidating, but… I mean, some actors sometimes choose to go, “Is it this? Is it this?” [Contorts face and laughs] You know? But Vanessa is not that sort of actor. She wants to feel that what she’s doing is truthful for her. She’s sensitive to what’s happening on camera, but she’s not the type of actor who goes and checks the monitor. Ever. Did you have that actor on set? Well, I had to do it! [Laughs] By definition. Sometimes. [Top photo: Getty Images] Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Methods to Nothing

A Kerbside Sights relieve a cool Iron Pictures presentation an Ambush Entertainment production. Produced by Amanda Marshall, Sim Sarna. Executive producer, Matthew Leutwyler. Directed, edited by Matthew Leutwyler. Script, Leutwyler, Gillian Vigman.With: Julie Benz, Dane Prepare, Greg Germann, Zack Gilford, Kali Hawk, Elizabeth Mitchell, Erik Palladino, Barbara Hershey, Miranda Bailey, Vincent Ventresca, Mark Kelly, Tony Denison, Aja Volkman.Carrying out a run of genre films and disappointing lit adaptation "The River Why," author-director Matthew Leutwyler is applicable with a factor personal with "Methods to Nothing." Stitching together a quilt of tales including disparate Angelenos inside the mode of "Magnolia" and "Short Cuts" and myriad other crisscrossers, this somber drama is well crafted and watchable but lacks the distinctive story content, style and standout performances being more than a serviceable reboot of familiar ideas. With comedian Dane Prepare toplining and moderate critical support likely, prospects are mild for 12 ,. 2 launch in 12 U.S. urban centers. Home-format potential looks more upbeat. The various strands circle around the highly marketed go to a recently disappeared 10-year-old suburban girl. Mom and dad requested a suspicious neighbor (Greg Germann), though audiences may also be introduced to question of a creepy schoolteacher (Mark Kelly) who obsesses inside the situation whenever he is not playing fantasy games online. Likewise living alone inside the teacher's apartment building can be a cop-in-training (Erik Palladino) dealing with their very own hidden issues. Prepare plays a counselor who's getting an affair getting an outrageous-child music artist (Aja Volkman, from band Nico Vega) while glumly tugging from his wife (Elizabeth Mitchell), who anxiously wants a youthful child. He's further soured with the inadequacy of his mother (Barbara Hershey), who still demands his father will return carrying out a decade's abandonment. Meanwhile, among his clients, a TV author (Kali Hawk), embarks around the tentative romance getting a appear specialist (Zach Gilford) while fighting the internalized racism she's developed from constantly being the lone African-American in their fortunate professional and social situations. Within the opposite finish in the spectrum, a unemployed retrieved alcoholic (Miranda Bailey) fights for custody of the children from the kids of the brother (Vincent Ventresca) who's braindead from the kind of accident she was associated with. Hatched throughout a time period of soul-searching the director experienced carrying out a divorce, these figures in crisis maintain interest around the fairly extended but well-paced narrative haul. Low-key tenor is sacrificed for just two climaxes that feel a tad conventional, one a violent conclusion for the kidnapping mystery, another a triumph-of-human-spirit episode together with a marathon. Cast encompassing numerous Leutwyler's regular collaborators is solid, though the truth is no principal figures is particularly absorbing, encouraging or three-dimensional. Pic's episodic character, selection of issues, and basically-modest impact may have best round the smallscreen, where its inadequate originality won't appear so conspicuous. Packaging is professional, even though upset handheld lensing applied by d.p. David Robert Manley feels inapt of those intimate dramatics.Camera (color, HD-to-35mm), David Robert Manley music, Craig Richey music supervisor, Michael Becker production designer, Joe Lemmon set decorator, Jennifer Lemmon costume designer, Keri Cruz appear, Eugene Thompson re-recording mixer, Jeremy Grody assistant director, Nick Touhey casting, Michael Testa, Serta Shaner. Examined on DVD, San Francisco Bay Area, November. 26, 2011. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 124 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Monday, November 21, 2011

'The Descendants' Clip: George Clooney Will get Fatherly with Youthful Daughter (VIDEO)

.publish-content img Lost in most this area-office gymnastics about 'Breaking Beginning Part 1' over the past weekend was the truth that 'The Descendants,' the George Clooney-brought dramedy in regards to a father reconnecting together with his youthful kids when confronted with a household tragedy, was an indie smash. Debuting in only 29 theaters, the Alexander Payne film required in $1.two million, great for tenth place along with a per-screen average of $42,138 -- roughly $8,000 more per-screen than 'Breaking Beginning.' 'The Descendants' has received rave reviews and appears poised to become among the greatest gamers throughout Oscar season, and that's why you need to become familiar with it now -- should you haven't become an opportunity to begin to see the film already. Above, watch Clooney calm his onscreen daughter lower by promising to obtain his other onscreen daughter back from soccer practice. What's which they say concerning the best laid plans of rodents and males? Starring Clooney, breakout star Shailene Woodley (the daughter Clooney's getting), Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard and Robert Forster, 'The Descendants' is within choose theaters now. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Law & Order: SVU's Natasha Lyonne Channels "Troublemaker" Past for Guest Role

Natasha Lyonne Natasha Lyonne is the first to confess she is not a saint. The actress, most broadly noted for films for instance American Cake, But I'm a Cheerleader and Slums of Beverly Slopes, may also be well-recognized for her personal struggles behind the digital camera, including her Driving under the influence in 2001 together with a 2006 stint inside a substance treatment facility. Lyonne states she's had the opportunity to make use of people latter encounters while playing someone inside a mental institution in Law & Order: SVU."I have got a really specific, type of public past once i was maybe really a troublemaker. You result in places with females who are identical character I play," Lyonne notifies TVGuide.com. Exclusive: SVU casts Detective Amaro's estranged wife In this week's episode (10/9c on NBC0, Lyonne plays a girl who was simply seen being sexually assaulted but - after a period of wrongly crying rape - declines anything happened. The role of Gia Eskas was written particularly for Lyonne as well as the actress states it's apparent why. "I've really met women like Gia. I'm fortunate they written this episode personally where I felt like I'm capable of make use of a couple of from the incredible children which i have met throughout my existence and continue to tell their story inside an honest way," she states. "Personally, there's an individual stake in letting youthful women understand that it's OK in truth regarding existence story prior to it being a shameful factor. It's very crucial that you me." Despite the fact that written content is serious, Lyonne also states she was attracted for the role because of the dark humor employed by Gia with the ordeal. "A number of these women are likely to live also to enjoy yourself also to make jokes. There's lots of humor involved. I believed that was most likely probably the most appealing part of this character," she states. "Coping through comedy can be a healing tool generally and you also really observe that many throughout these recovery cities." Watch full cases of Law & Order: SVU Humor is not just among Gia's most effective tools, it's also of Lyonne's. When asked for about her prior knowledge of SVU, the actress, who recently guest-starred on New Girl and you'll be noticed in next year's American Reunion, mentioned they has not only seen every single episode of every single edition of Law & Order -- like the short-were living Trial by Jury - but has grand intentions of her very own spin-off. "A whole separate spin-off that we would really desire to be on might be once they did one with Bebe Neuwirth, Criminal Intent's Vincent D'Onofrio, SVU's Richard Belzer and Ice-T, after which it I really could seriously recurring as Gia Eskas," she deadpans. "That could be an aspiration show." Watch a behind-the-moments have a look at Lyonne's SVU episode here:

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith

Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith By Gregg Kilday November 14, 2011 Photo by Getty Images James Earl Jones and Oprah Winfrey Emotions ran high at the third annual Governors Awards on Saturday night as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated the careers of actor James Earl Jones and make-up artist Dick Smith and then paid tribute to Oprah Winfrey, the recipient of its Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.Jones, who accepted his honor remotely, from a theater stage in London where he is currently appearing in "Driving Miss Daisy" opposite Vanessa Redgrave, said, "I am deeply honored, mighty grateful and" showing off a word he had learned in the U.K. "just plain gobsmacked."Smith, who was hailed as the godfather of make-up, was nearly overcome as he got out the words, "I have loved being a make-up artists so muchto have so much kindness given to meis just too muchI am so grateful."Winfrey, from her seat in the audience also wiped away a tear, as a young Barnard college student, Ayanna Hall, who had gone to school on a scholarship from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, testified about the impact that Winfrey has had on thousands of lives. Speaking from her heart rather than prepared remarks, Winfrey explained the guiding principle between her commitment to philanthropy, saying, "Your life matters. You matter. What you do matters."After a week in which the Academy first saw Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy drop out of producing and hosting the 84th Academy Awards, forcing the Academy to rush to quickly recruit Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal to save the show, the evening represented a reassuring return to tradition, even if this particular dinner, a non-televised dinner at which Academy governors mingle with Oscar hopefuls, is a relatively new invention.The program began with Darth Vadar, in a nod to Jones' signature vocal performance in "Star Wars," making his way through the grand ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center to the podium, where he removed his helmet only to reveal Academy president Tom Sherak beneath the mask.In the only public acknowledgement of the Oscar show near meltdown, Sherak began his remarks by asking, "How was your week?," to a round of laughter. He then quickly segued to the matters at hand. After calling out each of the honorees by name, he also took a moment to remember the producers Laura Ziskin, who died in June, and Gil Cates, who died Oct. 31. Both had produced Oscar shows Ziskin twice and Cates 14 times and, said Sherak, "to us, they were family" as he offered up a toast.The formal ceremony began with Mary J. Blige performing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King," for which Jones played the voice of Mafusa.Alec Baldwin kicked off the testimonials to Jones by reminding the crowd of the range of roles Jones has played, confessing "I wanted James Earl Jones's career that's what every actor wants" and also tossing in a pretty credible impersonation of Jones' deep bass voice. Glenn Close, admitting that watching Jones perform on stage in "Fences" reduced her to "a sobbing, stammering mess," said, "I just want to say thank you for what he has given me and all those who have been touched by his supreme artistry."Although Jones, 80, couldn't attend in person, his acceptance, filmed on the stage of the Wyndham Theatre after he'd completed a matinee performance, still had a spontaneous feel to it. After taking their bows, Redgrave asked the audience to stay in their seats for the presentation of the honorary Oscar, which former Academy president Sid Ganis, who was in the theater audience, had brought with him to London.Making a surprise appearance, Oscar winner Ben Kingsley walked out of the wings to hand the statuette to Jones. Delighted, Jones, said, "If an actor's nightmare is being on stage naked and not knowing your lines, what the heck do you call this? I have my clothes on, I know my words, and then out from the wings steps Sir Ben Kingsley and he hands me an Oscar! Frankly, what the heck else to call it but an actor's wet dream."The portion of the program devoted to Smith's work was introduced by Linda Blair, who was 13 when she starred in "The Exorcist." For that movie, Smith transformed her into a head-spinning demon. "For me, it was not as much fun as I think it was for Dick," she recalled fondly. "It was not a little girl's dream." But she explained how Smith worked hard to perfect the make-up demands of director William Friedkin, who insisted that Blair be recognizable beneath the effects. Writer, director and producer J. J. Abams, who included a nod to Smith in his recent film "Super 8," told of how as a movie-obsessed kid he'd written Smith a fan letter and how Smith sent back "an old, but clean tongue from 'The Exorcist,'" complete with instructions that Abrams should use peanut butter to stick it to his own tongue. The two struck up a correspondence that went on for years.Fellow make-up artist Rick Baker paid further testament to Smith, who received just one Oscar, for "Amadeus," during his career, saying not only did he invent "some new technique on basically every film he ever did" but then he also shared his inventions with his fellow make-up artists, circulating mimeographed notes that he scrupulously kept to describe his art.Prefacing his own remarks by saying "Please forgive me, my memory's not very good these days," Smith, 89, concluded, as his voice broke, "I will never forget tonight from the bottom of my heart."While a taped piece about Winfrey's career began with excerpts from her film performances in "The Color Purple" and "Beloved" and noted some of the movies she's had a hand in producing like "The Great Debaters" and "Precious," the focus was on her many philanthropic activities.First, though, producer Larry Gordonearned the biggest laughs of the night by recalling a party in Santa Barbara where he was amazed by Winfrey's ability to match him in downing tequila shots. "Oprah," he told her at the time, "you're a fking moose." The other guests were horrified, but the next morning, spotting him across the room, Winfrey defused the situation by throwing her arms open wide and proclaiming, "Baby, it's your fking moose!" "Congratulations my dearest, darling moose," he told her.John Travolta, one of Winfrey's long-standing friends, took credit for introducing Winfrey to tequila at his 50th birthday party, and added, "I would give you a second Oscar and that for your film acting because you are a damn good actress.It was left to Maria Shriver who has known Winfrey since they worked together at WJZ-TV in Baltimore in 1978 to laud Winfrey's generosity. "She's incredibly comfortable giving. She likes to give to her family, to her friends, to her community and to her country. She's always thinking how she can help others," Shriver said. "She's not good at one thing, she's really not good at sitting there accepting the love that so many people want to give her."When she did take the stage, Oprah, 57, credited Quincy Jones for seeing her on a TV talk show in Chicago and casting her in "The Color Purple," saying it was "the only reason I am here tonight.""I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, certainly not for doing what I believe is a part of my calling, a part of my being," she added. Speaking of her life's journey, she cited "The Help," explaining the movie told the story of both her grandmother and her mother, who both worked as maids.Given her background, she continued, "It's unimaginable that I would be standing before you, voted by the board of governors. So when I say thank you, the thank you comes from a place deeper even than I know, because it's not just from me, it's from everybody who made me possible." The Hollywood Reporter Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith By Gregg Kilday November 14, 2011 James Earl Jones and Oprah Winfrey PHOTO CREDIT Getty Images Emotions ran high at the third annual Governors Awards on Saturday night as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated the careers of actor James Earl Jones and make-up artist Dick Smith and then paid tribute to Oprah Winfrey, the recipient of its Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.Jones, who accepted his honor remotely, from a theater stage in London where he is currently appearing in "Driving Miss Daisy" opposite Vanessa Redgrave, said, "I am deeply honored, mighty grateful and" showing off a word he had learned in the U.K. "just plain gobsmacked."Smith, who was hailed as the godfather of make-up, was nearly overcome as he got out the words, "I have loved being a make-up artists so muchto have so much kindness given to meis just too muchI am so grateful."Winfrey, from her seat in the audience also wiped away a tear, as a young Barnard college student, Ayanna Hall, who had gone to school on a scholarship from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, testified about the impact that Winfrey has had on thousands of lives. Speaking from her heart rather than prepared remarks, Winfrey explained the guiding principle between her commitment to philanthropy, saying, "Your life matters. You matter. What you do matters."After a week in which the Academy first saw Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy drop out of producing and hosting the 84th Academy Awards, forcing the Academy to rush to quickly recruit Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal to save the show, the evening represented a reassuring return to tradition, even if this particular dinner, a non-televised dinner at which Academy governors mingle with Oscar hopefuls, is a relatively new invention.The program began with Darth Vadar, in a nod to Jones' signature vocal performance in "Star Wars," making his way through the grand ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center to the podium, where he removed his helmet only to reveal Academy president Tom Sherak beneath the mask.In the only public acknowledgement of the Oscar show near meltdown, Sherak began his remarks by asking, "How was your week?," to a round of laughter. He then quickly segued to the matters at hand. After calling out each of the honorees by name, he also took a moment to remember the producers Laura Ziskin, who died in June, and Gil Cates, who died Oct. 31. Both had produced Oscar shows Ziskin twice and Cates 14 times and, said Sherak, "to us, they were family" as he offered up a toast.The formal ceremony began with Mary J. Blige performing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King," for which Jones played the voice of Mafusa.Alec Baldwin kicked off the testimonials to Jones by reminding the crowd of the range of roles Jones has played, confessing "I wanted James Earl Jones's career that's what every actor wants" and also tossing in a pretty credible impersonation of Jones' deep bass voice. Glenn Close, admitting that watching Jones perform on stage in "Fences" reduced her to "a sobbing, stammering mess," said, "I just want to say thank you for what he has given me and all those who have been touched by his supreme artistry."Although Jones, 80, couldn't attend in person, his acceptance, filmed on the stage of the Wyndham Theatre after he'd completed a matinee performance, still had a spontaneous feel to it. After taking their bows, Redgrave asked the audience to stay in their seats for the presentation of the honorary Oscar, which former Academy president Sid Ganis, who was in the theater audience, had brought with him to London.Making a surprise appearance, Oscar winner Ben Kingsley walked out of the wings to hand the statuette to Jones. Delighted, Jones, said, "If an actor's nightmare is being on stage naked and not knowing your lines, what the heck do you call this? I have my clothes on, I know my words, and then out from the wings steps Sir Ben Kingsley and he hands me an Oscar! Frankly, what the heck else to call it but an actor's wet dream."The portion of the program devoted to Smith's work was introduced by Linda Blair, who was 13 when she starred in "The Exorcist." For that movie, Smith transformed her into a head-spinning demon. "For me, it was not as much fun as I think it was for Dick," she recalled fondly. "It was not a little girl's dream." But she explained how Smith worked hard to perfect the make-up demands of director William Friedkin, who insisted that Blair be recognizable beneath the effects. Writer, director and producer J. J. Abams, who included a nod to Smith in his recent film "Super 8," told of how as a movie-obsessed kid he'd written Smith a fan letter and how Smith sent back "an old, but clean tongue from 'The Exorcist,'" complete with instructions that Abrams should use peanut butter to stick it to his own tongue. The two struck up a correspondence that went on for years.Fellow make-up artist Rick Baker paid further testament to Smith, who received just one Oscar, for "Amadeus," during his career, saying not only did he invent "some new technique on basically every film he ever did" but then he also shared his inventions with his fellow make-up artists, circulating mimeographed notes that he scrupulously kept to describe his art.Prefacing his own remarks by saying "Please forgive me, my memory's not very good these days," Smith, 89, concluded, as his voice broke, "I will never forget tonight from the bottom of my heart."While a taped piece about Winfrey's career began with excerpts from her film performances in "The Color Purple" and "Beloved" and noted some of the movies she's had a hand in producing like "The Great Debaters" and "Precious," the focus was on her many philanthropic activities.First, though, producer Larry Gordonearned the biggest laughs of the night by recalling a party in Santa Barbara where he was amazed by Winfrey's ability to match him in downing tequila shots. "Oprah," he told her at the time, "you're a fking moose." The other guests were horrified, but the next morning, spotting him across the room, Winfrey defused the situation by throwing her arms open wide and proclaiming, "Baby, it's your fking moose!" "Congratulations my dearest, darling moose," he told her.John Travolta, one of Winfrey's long-standing friends, took credit for introducing Winfrey to tequila at his 50th birthday party, and added, "I would give you a second Oscar and that for your film acting because you are a damn good actress.It was left to Maria Shriver who has known Winfrey since they worked together at WJZ-TV in Baltimore in 1978 to laud Winfrey's generosity. "She's incredibly comfortable giving. She likes to give to her family, to her friends, to her community and to her country. She's always thinking how she can help others," Shriver said. "She's not good at one thing, she's really not good at sitting there accepting the love that so many people want to give her."When she did take the stage, Oprah, 57, credited Quincy Jones for seeing her on a TV talk show in Chicago and casting her in "The Color Purple," saying it was "the only reason I am here tonight.""I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, certainly not for doing what I believe is a part of my calling, a part of my being," she added. Speaking of her life's journey, she cited "The Help," explaining the movie told the story of both her grandmother and her mother, who both worked as maids.Given her background, she continued, "It's unimaginable that I would be standing before you, voted by the board of governors. So when I say thank you, the thank you comes from a place deeper even than I know, because it's not just from me, it's from everybody who made me possible." The Hollywood Reporter

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Not such a long time ago Tales: Cinderella's Trip to the Ball

Jessy Schram Not such a long time ago there's an unhappy girl who lost her father and was expected to accept her evil-stepmother and a pair of evil step-brothers and sisters until military services weapons glass slipper set her free. This Sunday's episode of Once will introduce Cinderella (Falling Skies' Jessy Schram). Inside the original Cinderella story, she was orphaned and left in their step-mother's care, where she was prone to wait upon her family until her fairy godmother switched her existence upside lower by turning her in to a beautiful princess so she could attend the ball where she'd meet her own Prince Charming. After drained within the stroke of evening time, the prince looked on her behalf using a glass slipper as well as the pair were living happily ever after. Exclusive: Not such a long time ago casts Lost's Emilie p Ravin as Belle On earth of Once, however, Cinderella doesn't have an identical luck. "You realize Cinderella is very kind and extremely sweet, but she's inside the unfortunate situation of having lost someone in their existence," Schram notifies TVGuide.com. "The Cinderella that you'll see can be a portrayal someone that's desperate to escape the issue that she's in. Because of that, some bad options are produced and she's stuck in a lot more unfortunate conditions. Though she's matured through her upbringing and being alone generally, she's naïve for the outer world." A pal of Snow White-colored (Ginnifer Goodwin) inside the fairytale world, Cinderella's Storybrooke counterpart, Ashley, may come to bond with Emma (Jennifer Morrison). In Storybrooke, Ashley remains constantly pregnant until Emma's arrival kick-started time inside the town's square. "Ashley's attempting to escape some bad options, and Mr. Gold [Robert Carlyle] is connected with this because everyone comprises a deal with him. Because of having a baby at this kind of youthful age, Emma sees plenty of herself in Ashley and he or she helps her and guides her Ashley evolves some balls because of Emma going to town." Not such a long time ago Tales: When Snow White-colored met her Prince Charming Ashley's problems with Mr. Gold are not only seen limited to Storybrooke, as Cinderella finds herself at odds along with his counterpart, Rumplestiltskin, inside the fairytale world. "Mr. Gold makes deals, Rumplestiltskin makes deals," Schram teases. "How Cinderella reaches the ball isn't necessarily how you might've appreciated it." How can she get through to the ball? Which will be clarified in Sunday's episode of Once at 8/7c on ABC. For the time being, hit should be genuine along with your ideas.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Sacha Baron Cohen shuts in on key 'Django' role

CohenSacha Baron Cohen is at final discussions to participate the cast of Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained." Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and Christoph Waltz also star. Story follows a slave-switched-fugitive hunter (Foxx) around the pursuit in order to save his wife from her sadistic slavemaster. In the last large parts being cast for your film, Baron Cohen would play Scotty, a gambler who buys Django's wife just like a female companion. Even though part is small, sources mentioned Tarantino was very particular on who he preferred to hear it, due to the character's importance for the story. The Weinstein Co. will release "Django Unchained" in your area and also the new the new sony Pictures will release the pic overseas. Stacey Sher, Pilar Savone and Reginald Hudlin will produce. Harvey Weinstein, Michael Shamberg and Jim Skotchdopole are professional creating. Production is predicted to acquire under strategies by early 2012 while using Weinstein Co. planning its Stateside release for 12 ,. 25, 2012. Baron Cohen is seen next in Paramount's "Hugo," which bows November. 23, then Par's "The Dictator," which opens next summer season. He's repped by WME. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Anderson Cooper's Daytime Talk Show Restored for just about any Second Season

Assault Gets worse Anderson Cooper's daytime endeavors have paid out off. Fox stations have restored the hourlong talk show Anderson for just about any second season, The Hollywood Reporter reviews. Furthermore, it'll move from WPIX in NY to WNYW, considered improving because its programming can be a better fit for your show's content. Time to recycle people potty jokes! Assault Gets worse to interview Gerard Depardieu "This is often a terrific evidence of these strong stations who, like us, see Anderson since the next early-fringe distribution franchise," mentioned Ken Werner, leader of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, on Wednesday. "Since its launch, the series has ongoing to build up and uncover its voice in a really competitive and fragmented landscape," added Werner. "We've great belief in Anderson with strong station partners, we're feeling we are well to be able to creating a valuable news lead-in." Cooper, added, "I am experiencing the daytime show greatly and am searching toward what's approaching next.Inch See the relaxation of current day news Getting single.4 rating in the recent week, amounts are actually respectable, otherwise stellar, for Anderson. Are you currently presently happy for further Anderson within your daytime?

Daniel Radcliffe Stalks New 'Woman In Black' Photo

Daniel Radcliffe's Arthur Kipps, from the upcoming supernatural chiller "The Woman in Black," made a recent appearance in a new still for his paranormal movie. This one finds the young lawyer storming the gates of the decrepit mansion he has been summoned to. Radcliffe investigates the dark secrets of a remote English village on February 3, 2012. There's plenty of other terror tales today, of course, so click past the jump for more of this week's "Horror Bites." No More 'Monsters,' 'Godzilla' Assaults New Writer The monster movie department is shuffling their cards this week. "Back to the Future" director Robert Zemeckis has dropped out of "Here There Be Monsters" the epic period story that finds real-life naval officer John Paul Jones battling sea monsters. Legendary Pictures is still looking for a new director, but the studio has found another writer for their upcoming "Godzilla" remake. Max Bornstein who's worked with the studio plenty before, most recently on the supernatural fantasy story "The Seventh Son" has taken over script duties from "Batman's" David Goyer for the Gareth Edwards ("Monsters") directed film. Hopefully we'll be able to learn more about Legendary's take on the Japanese classic, but we're pretty sure that audiences won't be seeing this one in 2012 as originally planned. The 'Paranormalists' Based on Syfy's 'Ghost Hunters' Whether you think it's fake or you're freaked out by the possibility of a haunting afterlife, Syfy's "Ghost Hunters" has made a killing by investigating paranormal locations throughout the U.S. and taking us along for the ride. Now, the popular TV series is the inspiration for Universal's upcoming supernatural flick, "Paranormalists." The project is a "loose" adaptation of the show and will be a found footage horror film, following a group of stoners who claim they are ghost hunters. After ripping off unsuspecting people everywhere, the gang realizes their newest investigation is the real deal: the house is actually haunted. "Monsters vs. Aliens" and "Shark Tale" director Rob Letterman is behind the new movie. Do you want to see a TAPS-like team on the big screen? MGM is Hungry for 'Killer Pizza' Studio MGM thinks we're overdue for a "Gremlins" or "Goonies" type monster movie, and their latest candidate should fit the bill. "Frozen" director Adam Green has scripted an adaptation of Greg Taylor's book about a teen pizza shop worker who realizes that his employer's biz is really just a front for a monster hunting enterprise. Hopefully the film has just the right amount of cheese. Since "Hatchet" director Adam Green is known to tackle his own scripts in the director's chair, does that make you any hungrier for a slice of pie? 'Lethal Weapon's' Danny Glover Gets Bitten by the Genre Bug Again Danny Glover trades his cop persona for that of a troubled mathematician in "Donovan's Echo." After an accident cost him his daughter and wife, Donovan (Glover) goes home where it all happened nearly 30 years later, but finds that history is haunting him. "Donovan risks everything to save an unsuspecting family from the same tragic fate." Glover appeared in "Saw," so he's not new to the genre. He'll star alongside Bruce Greenwood and Sonja Bennett for "Donovan's Echo," which has a new trailer. (We still kinda miss Glover as the oh so quotable Roger Murtaugh.) Darren Bousman's 'Mother's Day' Remake Gets Greeting Card from Anchor Bay "Repo!" director Darren Bousman's doomsday fright flick "11-11-11" is looming, but good news comes from Deadline that his remake of the Troma cult classic "Mother's Day" has been picked up by Anchor Bay for distribution. The movie is a re-telling of the 1980 low-budget gem about a terrifying family. Bousman's film will follow suit with "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle's" Rebecca De Mornay in the part of mommy dearest, who goads her sons into committing brutal acts of violence. If Bousman gets his way, will you be taking mum to see this one on her special day? Madman Sid Haig Will Hunt Witches for Rob Zombie Did you really think Rob Zombie would make a new movie and not invite his longtime cohort Sid Haig to join him? The possibility could always be there, but Zombie's collaborated with the scary star for years now. Confirmation recently came that the "House of 1000 Corpses" and "Devil's Rejects" creeper will appear in "Lords of Salem" playing Dean Magnus the other half of the witch-hunting duo being dubbed "The Brothers." The cast is full of genre heavy-hitters including Barbara Crampton, Meg Foster, and more. Haig is a welcome addition, of course. "Lords of Salem" follows a DJ crew who heed a mysterious call to the witchy city of Salem after a mysterious package arrives on their doorstep. When they show up, all hell breaks loose in the Halloween city. Tell us what you think of this week's Horror Bites in the comments and on Twitter!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Muppets As Oscar Hosts? Really?

With freshly pickedOscars producer John Grazernow searching for a number, among the first calls many people suggest he make would be to The Muppets. A Facebook pagehas beenadvocating for that Muppets to host the Oscarssince Feb 28th and nowappears to become attaining traction with today’sdeparture of Eddie Murphy.A number of Deadline commentsecho the sentiment. However The Muppets? Really? Disney is the owner of both Muppets and ABC, the network that broadcasts the Academy awards and merely ends up having a brand new movie starringJim Henson’s masterpieces delivering on November 23rd. Are you able to smell PR stunt?

THR Poll: Oscar Audiences Want Eddie Murphy as Host

Within the wake of Brett Ratner's sudden exit as Oscar producer, the question remains whether Eddie Murphy will fulfill his responsibilities as host from the 84th Oscars.our editor recommendsBrett Ratner Out as Oscar Show Producer (Exclusive)Eddie Murphy, Came Barrymore Top Listing of Overpaid ActorsBrett Ratner's Oscar Exit Sparks Passionate Responses Round the WebBrett Ratner, Allan Carr and also the Home That Unites the Disgraced Oscar Producers PHOTOS: Oscar Show Moments Murphy was employed to do the job by Ratner we have spent together on Universal's Tower Heist, launched a week ago. The Hollywood Reporter enlisted Penn Schoen Berland to gauge viewer interest with an paid survey of 550 honours show audiences age range 13 to 59 taken November. 6. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas Outcome was in comparison against an example of 450 audiences questioned after James Franco and Hathaway As Catwoman were introduced as hosts this year. STORY: Brett Ratner's 10 Offensive Quotes That Led to Oscar Trouble 72%: Honours show audiences who support Murphy as Oscar host Only 54 percent supported Franco/Hathaway this year A powerful 74 percent of honours show fans plan to watch Murphy, up from 66 percent for Franco/Hathaway Males and African People in america are more likely to look at 85%: Tower Heist moviegoers who support Murphy as Oscar host 91 percent of Tower Heist audiences intend to watch Murphy host Audiences say Murphy is going to be "fun," "entertaining" and "outrageousInch in comparison towards the 2011 hosts However they the show is going to be less "stylish" and "classy" Related Subjects Brett Ratner Eddie Murphy Academy awards 2012

Writers set for McG's 'Ivy League'

Tyro scribes Chris Shafer and Paul Vicknair have been tapped to adapt the Rolling Stone article "The Girl Who Conned the Ivy League," with McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision banner to produce the film. Amanda Seyfried is attached to star in the lead role -- the target of a nationwide manhunt after creating a fake ID and scamming her way into Columbia U. Sabrina Rubin Erdely's article on con artist Esther Reed appeared in Rolling Stone in June 2009. McG and Wonderland prexy of production Mary Viola will produce alongside Michael Nardelli. Financing of development will also come through Nardelli's Taggart Prods., with Pam Schachter set to co-produce. Shafer and Vicknair's spec screenplay "A Many Splintered Thing" was named one of the Nicholl's Fellowship finalists last month. They also recently sold the TV pilot "Girlfriend Season" to CBS, with Generate set to produce. McG is in post-production on "This Means War," and Wonderland Sound and Vision is developing "Dead Spy Running" for Warner Bros. Nardelli's credits include "Another Happy Day" and "The Giant Mechanical Man." Shafer and Vicknair are represented by UTA and Missy Malkin at Brillstein. Nardelli is repped by ICM. Erdely is repped by Paradigm. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Monday, November 7, 2011

Wrekin Hill, Row 1 grow 'Flowers'

Wrekin Hill Entertainment and Row 1 Prods. allow us north of manchester American distribution rights to Chinese director Zhang Yimou's "The Flowers of War," starring Christian Bale.Deal was introduced Monday within the American Film Market.The film remains selected as this year's official language entry for China within the Academy awards. Wrekin Hill will open the film in NY, La and San Francisco Bay Area in the finish of December and then expand through early 2012."Flowers" could have a large release in China on 12 ,. 16 following premieres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.With various script by Heng Liu, pic is modified from Geling Yan's historic novel "13 Flowers of Nanjing," set in the backdrop in the Rape of Nanking in 1937. Pic is produced and fully funded by Zhang Weiping under his New Pictures Film banner."The Flowers of War" is inspired by true existence occasions, and notifies a geniune story of hope, love and sacrifice.Bale plays a u . s . states trapped among the chaos of fight, as well as the ensuing occupation, takes shelter, grew to become an associate of by a number of innocent schoolgirls and 13 13 courtesans, likely to escape the problems happening outdoors the chapel walls.Pic is executive produced by David Linde, Chaoying Deng, and Bill Kong. Worldwide sales are addressed by FilmNation Entertainment.The sale was talked about by executive producers Linde and Deng along with attorney Stephen Saltzman of Loeb & Loeb regarding the filmmaker, Zhang Weiping, by Chris Ball and Rene Cogan regarding Wrekin Hill and Brandt Andersen regarding Row 1. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

ASCAP New Bands Honours: Kaira Paisley, Ben Hayslip, Allen Shamblin Win Large

Kaira Paisley's hit "At All Like MeInch was written to celebrate a boy whose arrival brought a guy to contemplate the advancement of his existence.our editor recommends'The Voice': Kaira Paisley, Pitbull, and Ne-Years old to do on Tuesday's ShowTaylor Quick, Blake Shelton Nominated to find the best CMA Award Paisley saw their own existence's progression displayed again November. 6 when he walked served by a couple of the very best honors throughout the 49th annual ASCAP New Bands Honours at Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Resort. PHOTOS: CMT 2011 Honours: Red-colored Carpet The first kind ASCAP intern was named the carrying out privileges organization's songwriter/artist of the season, and the independent posting company -- Ocean Gayle Music, co-founded with songwriter Chris DuBois and producer Frank Rogers -- also repeated because the country writer of the season. "It's an incredible feeling standing here tonight using the circle of existence which has kind of introduced me here," Paisley told the performers, authors and music professionals within the room. "Once we tour and set up video screens and shoot lasers over the crowd watching people get drunk and fall on their own faces, it never escapes me the whole reason we've got to that particular point is tunes." PHOTOS: The Billboard Music Honours Three of Paisley's tunes - "At All Like Me,Inch "Water" and "This Really Is New BandsInch - brought towards the songwriter/artist award, a trophy younger crowd received in 2004. Ocean Gayle was credited with individuals three game titles, plus "This," "Return Song" and "This Ain't Nothing" in gathering six of ASCAP's most carried out tunes of the season, a lot more than every other writer. "I'm still amazed because of it,Inch DuBois stated of Ocean Gayle's victory, "but we're not thinking about letting go from it. We're gonna attempt to hold onto it as being lengthy once we can." STORY: Taylor Quick, Lady Antebellum Among CMT's Artists of the season Ben Hayslip, who co-authored five of ASCAP's most carried out country tunes, required songwriter of the season, while Allen Shamblin's "The Home That Built Me" ongoing its honours-ceremony rein. "House" won ASCAP country song of the season, getting formerly received similar recognition in the New Bands Assn. and also the Academy of New Bands. "I'm amazed," Shamblin told his fellow songwriters. "I enter into this room, I browse around, I understand that which you've written, I understand what it really's set you back. I wish to appreciate all of the many years of inspiration." Hayslip's five honored game titles incorporated two Joe Nichols singles - "Gimmie That Girl" and "The Form I'm In" - as well as the Josh Turner-recorded "Throughout Me," Blake Shelton's "About Tonight" and Rodney Atkins' "Player's Daughter." STORY: Taylor Quick, Blake Shelton Nominated to find the best CMA Award Hayslip co-authored all of them with Dallas Davidson and/or Rhett Akins. The 3 have named themselves "the peach pickers" in recognition of the Georgia roots along with a devoted work ethic. There is a regular writing appointment on Wednesdays, and Hayslip bakes an effort to help keep all of individuals dates. "Appear every single day, even if you don't seem like it," he states, explaining his philosophy. "Who knows what God's organized for you personally on that day. In my opinion basically reached call [in sick], I don't feel great, there can be a No. 1 song on that table which i didn't go have that day." Americana act the Civil Wars gained the ASCAP Vanguard Award, as the ASCAP Global Impact Award - realizing multi-format hits -- visited Josh Kear for co-writing Lady Antebellum's "Need At This Point You,Inch that has accumulated a lot more than 5 million downloads. The ASCAP Golden Voice Award seemed to be given to New Bands Hall of Fame member Don Williams, famous for his shrewdness like a songwriter so that as a judge of others' material. VIDEO: Kaira Paisley and 'The Voice's' Blake Shelton Duet on 'Don't Drink water' Williams sang "In My Opinion In Your SoulInch and "Tulsa Time," a set of classics he acquired using their company authors, and that he was saluted by a number of contemporary hitmakers. Lee Ann Womack completed a sturdy version of "The almighty, I Really Hope This Very Day Is Nice,Inch while Keith Urban gave a sandy rendition of "We've Got A Great Fire Goin'," backed by Little Large Town's harmonies along with a surprise appearance by Dork Loggins, who written the song. The greatest surprise from the evening, however, would be a simple mash-up. The peach pickers carried out "Gimmie That Girl" with a brand new Orleans-inspired, three-piece horn section and wound up singing a couple of Don Williams' choruses - "The almighty, I Really Hope This Very Day Is NiceInch and "Tulsa Time" - on the top of one another. Chances are not the final surprise each week. The 2 competing carrying out privileges organizations, SESAC and Body mass index, offer their country honours November. 7 and November. 8. And also the CMA televises its 45th annual honours on ABC on November. 9. That ceremony is co-located by Barbara Underwood and ASCAP's former intern, Kaira Paisley. Related Subjects Kaira Paisley

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Myriad to distribute 'Common Man'

Myriad Pictures has signed with Asia Digital Entertainment to distribute action thriller "A Common Man" starring Ben Kingsley and Ben Cross.Myriad made the announcement Saturday at the American Film Market, where it's selling international markets. Pic recently completed production in Sri Lanka with Chandran Rutnam ("The Road From Elephant Pass") directing from his own script.Kingsley portrays a man who's planted five bombs in the politically-scarred city of Colombo that are set to explode unless four major terrorists are immediately released from prison. When he calls in his demands to the Deputy Inspector General of the Colombo Police Department (played by Cross), it sets in motion an ideological and deadly confrontation between the truth and duty.Myriad CEO Kirk D'Amico said early response to has been strong, noting, "Ben Kingsley is a very big star internationally and the film has the right components buyers look for - a big star with a lot of action.""A Common Man" was produced by Manohan Nanayakkara, B.S. Radha Krishnan and Chandran Rutnam. Executive producers are Paul Mason and Jon Sheinberg. Film's a production of Asia Digital Entertainment.Kingsley will be seen next in "Hugo" and "The Dictator." Cross recently appeared in "War Inc." Kingsley is represented by CAA and ITG. Cross is represented by manager Jeff Goldberg.The deal with Myriad Pictures was arranged by Jon Sheinberg of The Movie Machine and Paul Mason. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Friday, November 4, 2011

MPI to co-produce 'Here Comes the Devil'

MPI Media Group will co-produce Adrian Garcia Bogliano's thriller "Here Comes the Demon" with Salto p Further erectile dysfunction Films.Deal was introduced Friday within the American Film Market.The The the spanish language language-language movie will concentrate on a couple's children who wander off inside the caves of Tijuana. Shooting will occur on locations inside the Mexican city which is environs."Demon" might be the very first full-length feature from Salto p Further erectile dysfunction, Garcia Bogliano's new production company. His credits include Penumbra," "Cold Sweat," "Rooms for Travelers," "36 Steps" and "The Accursed."MPI which is Dark Sky subsidiary have produced "The Innkeepers," "Stake Land," "Hatchet II" as well as the approaching "Frankenstein's Military." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Warner Bros. Preparing 'Clash from the Leaders 3' (Exclusive)

Thanks to Warner Bros. "Clash from the Leaders" Leaders will clash for that third time, if Warner Bros. has its own way.our editor recommendsLiam Neeson: Back as Zeus in 'Clash from the Titans' SequelRosamund Pike in Discussions for 'Clash from the Titans' SequelSam Worthington Apologizes For 'Clash from the Titans' The studio, that is in publish-production with Legendary Pictures on Clash from the Leaders follow up Wrath from the Leaders, is developing the following installment from the tales inspired through the Greek misconceptions, despite the fact that Wrath does not open until March 30, 2012. VIDEOS: Top Ten Greatest Grossing Films of 2010 Serta Mazeau and David Leslie Manley, who co-authored Wrath's script with Steven Dark night as well as share story credit with Greg Berlanti, happen to be enlisted to build up and write cure for that threequel, which may continue the adventures of Perseus, performed by Mike Worthington. Associates state that Agenor, a partner-like character performed by Toby Kebbell, could also figure in to the new story, because the second movie leaves the doorway open for that character's return. The creating team behind Wrath, Tulsi Iwanyk and Polly Johnsen among it, would return for that new installment should it move forward as would Wrath Jonathan Liebesman, though no deals have been in place. Leaders, directed by Louis Leterrier, made $163 million locally along with a whopping $330 million overseas. Wrath again reunites not just Worthington but Liam Neeson, Rob Fiennes and Danny Huston as Greek gods, and throws in stars Edgar Ramirez, Rosamund Pike and Bill Nighy amongst others. Mazeau and Manley aren't a writing team but grew to become one for that Leaders movies. Both were well-loved by Warners: Mazeau, repped by CAA and Circle of Confusion, done The Expensive and Jonny Mission for that studio while Manley, repped by Paradigm, done 2009's The Oprhan and 2011's Red-colored Riding Hood. Email: Borys.Package@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Package Liam Neeson Mike Worthington Warner Bros. Rob Fiennes

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Muppets Stopped By WWE Raw on Monday Evening

Should you needed to choose a Muppet to assist win a WWE match, which can you opt for? Animal? Someone taller like Sweetums, Mike the Bald eagle or Thog? Well, forget these apparently the main one to select is Beaker. Despite his insistence on speaking in "mees," the orange-headed lab assistant is a nice awesome Muppet -- but we never expected him to create a good wrestling teammate. On Monday evening, to advertise the approaching 'Muppets' movie, he and also the relaxation from the cast stopped by 'WWE Raw,' where Beaker assisted Santino Marella win his match against Jack Swagger. Throughout your dream, Marella recognized a mysterious blue liquid shipped through the Muppet. It has to have sampled pretty nasty, since the wrestler spit it back up -- straight into Swagger's face, eventually leading to him to get rid of the match. On the top from the Beaker fight, there is lots of other Muppets buffoonery, including Gonzo being cajolled by Swagger and Dolph Ziggler, in addition to Miss Piggy striking on wrestler John Morrison. You should check out all of the highlights within the video below. Also, if you wish to request Miss Piggy or Kermit regarding their WWE cameos (or other things for your matter), mind HERE. [via America online TV] Which Muppet can you want in your corner inside a WWE fight?Mike the EagleThogAnimalKermitBobo the BearMiss PiggySweetumsVote Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Andy Rooney hospitalized

RooneyJust weeks after retiring from the regular spot on ''60 Minutes'' he'd occupied for more than 30 years, 92-year-old CBS newsman Andy Rooney has been hospitalized following complications from surgery. On Tuesday, CBS News Radio's White House correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted that ''Andy Rooney underwent minor surgery last week and suffered serious complications. He remains hospitalized.'' Knoller told followers that Rooney's condition was stable, but that CBS, ''at request of Rooney Family is making no other disclosures.'' Rooney's final ''60 Minutes'' broadcast was Oct 2. Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

AMC Renews Walking Dead For Season 3

After breaking cable rankings records using its second-season premiere, AMC’s zombie drama The Walking Dead continues to be rapidly compensated having a third-season pickup. “Today we're very happy to announce the dead shalllive once we proudlyrenew The Walking Dead fora third season on AMC and, globally, with this terrific partners at Fox Worldwide Channels,” AMC leader Charlie Collier stated.After starting its second season with 7.3 million total audiences and 4.8 million within the grown ups 18-49 demographic — probably the most ever for any fundamental cable premiere –The Walking Dead ended up only a little in Week 2 to six.7 million total audiences. The series is dependant on the comic series compiled by Robert Kirkman. Glen Mazzara can serve as the showrunner. Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and Frank Darabont, who left as showrunner half way through production on Season 2, are executive producers. Greg Nicotero is really a co-executive producer. Fox Worldwide Channels folded out its global launch forThe Walking Dead a few days ago, breaking pay-TV rankings records worldwide and drawing a lot more than ten million audiences in 122 nations for that season premiere.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Desplat named top composer at Ghent

DesplatFor the next year back to back, Alexandre Desplat was honored while using film composer of year kudo on the planet Soundtrack Honours on Saturday, the culmination in the 38th Ghent Film Festival in Belgium.The award is presented for just about any body at work over the prior year, too as with Desplat's situation, that incorporated his scores for "The King's Speech," "The Tree of Existence" and a pair of "Harry Potter" movies. Desplat, an Oscar nominee four of history five years, may also be in contention this year for his music in "The Ides of March" and "Carnage."Within a evening time devoted for the late publicist Ronni Chasen, her client Hendes Zimmer, received the first score award for "Beginning." Randy Newman won for original song, "We Belong Together," from "Toy Story 3," and Alex Heffes was given the invention of year kudo for "The Initial Grader" and "The Rite." A.R. Rahman was presented with everyone Choice Award for "127 Several hours." The Sabam Award for top Youthful European Composer visited Gabriel Heinrich. Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Sony's 'Moneyball' legging out popular

Adult-oriented photos like 'Moneyball' and '50/50' often keep auds.'Moneyball'The summer time blockbuster formula of saturation releases and quick 2010 nfl playoffs has given method to the fall's crop of adult-skewing films, made to go the length.Sony's Kaira Pitt starrer "Moneyball" and cancer dramedy "50/50," from Summit, saw the weekend's best holds one of the top ten, lower 27% and 25%, correspondingly. Both photos saw decent if unimpressive openings, but B.O. commentators recommended the films' durability given playability of past adult-skewing photos throughout this time around period.Having a domestic cume of $59 million through March. 19, "Moneyball" already has made a lot more than three occasions its opening ($19 million) after just four days. In comparison, Sony's "The Social Networking," which opened up with $23 million coupled with dropped 29% in the 4th frame, had cumed $73 million by this time around this past year. "The Social Networking" wound up with almost $97 million locally.Summit's "50/50," meanwhile, arrived at $25.six million by March. 19, a 3-occasions multiple to date, though its opening bar ($8.six million) was reduced than "Moneyball's" and also the film just three days of play.This past year, the distrib's sturdy adult offering "Red-colored" opened up with $21.8 million half way through its third frame, that film had yet to cume a similar three-occasions multiple. "Red-colored" ended up grossing an outstanding $90 million, however.The present trajectory of both "Moneyball" and "50/50," put into the playability of comparable past photos, ought to keep bizzers positive. But more fall adult fare will make B.O. conditions competitive. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

'Boardwalk Empire' Star Michael Pitt Signs With WME (Exclusive)

Cinemax Michael Pitt, star of Cinemax's Boardwalk Empire, has signed with WME for representation in many areas. On Boardwalk, Pitt plays James "Jimmy" Darmody, the protege ofEnoch "Nucky" Thompson (Steve Buscemi). Pitt'sfilm credits are the Village (2004), Murder by Amounts (2002) andFinding Forrester(2000). His television credits add a 15-episode stint on Dawson's Creek, and triggers Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Sufferers Unit. Pitt was formerly represented by UTA.He remains represented by managers at Untitled and Parseghian/Planco. Email: Daniel.Burns@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Boardwalk Empire

Friday, October 21, 2011

New Resistance Poster Online

Andrea Riseborough versus. NazisIn the kind of "let's sayInch likely to provide you with the wiggins, new film Resistance imagines what Britain may have been as with 1944 when the Nazis had switched back the D-Day invasion of Normandy and penetrated Blighty in exchange. And here, to ensure you get concept of what you are set for, may be the United kingdom quad for that film.The storyline concentrates on women within an isolated Welsh village in occupied GB who awaken one morning to locate their husbands gone. Dubious Nazi plan?Or possess the males all gone off and away to start fighting back? Whenever a German patrol marches directly into occupy the city and also the good deal get snowed in and also have to operate together to outlive, the problem will get a little more difficult.United kingdom QuadThe film stars up-and-come Brit star Andrea Riseborough, Enemy In The Gates' Tom Wlaschia and Michael Sheen. It's in line with the novel by OwenSheers and directed by newcomer Amit Gupta. Keep an eye out for this on November 25.

Fox Networks' Cable Channels May Go Dark on DirecTV

Fox Cable Networks, Direct TV Bad news for Sons of Anarchy fans: FX and the rest of Fox Networks' cable channels might be going dark for DirecTV subscribers, according to Entertainment Weekly. Fox said DirecTV sent the company a proposal on Thursday that said unless Fox agrees to their terms, DirecTV's 19 million subscribers will lose access to more than two dozen Fox cable channels including FX, National Geographic, and several regional sports networks beginning Nov. 1. Fox goes dark for Cablevision customers"They have given us no chance to respond before taking an unnecessarily aggressive posture and going public, a Fox spokesperson said. " It is disappointing that they have chosen bad faith tactics over meaningful negotiation. We have proposed to keep the Fox Networks on DirecTV for the same price, and on the same terms as they are currently carried while we attempt to work out a fair agreement. Unfortunately, DirecTV has decided that unless they get their way, they are going to pull the plug on their customers November 1." But according to DirecTV News Corp., which owns Fox Networks, is seeking a 40 percent increase in subscriber fees. "That's simply unfair andunwarranted," DirecTV CEO Mike White said. "We hope to resolve this situation before any action is taken, but we will do what's necessary to protect our customers from excessive and unwarranted fee increases." Fox said subscribers can get the latest on the negotiations at keepmynets.com.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Julian Barnes Wins Man Booker Prize, Major Sales Boost Expected

Author Julian Barnes took home Britain's Man Booker Prize for fiction on Tuesday, Reuters reports, after being on the shortlist three previous times. The 65-year-old writer was on the list in 1984 for Flaubert's Parrot, England, England in 1998 and in 2005 for Arthur and George. Barnes won for The Sense of an Ending, a 150-page book that was described as a novella by one reviewer. PHOTOS: 10 Biggest Book-to-Big Screen Adaptations of the Last 25 Years During Barnes' acceptance speech, he referenced Jorge Luis Borges, an author who never won the Nobel Prize for literature. "Borges, when asked, as he continually was, why he had never won the Nobel Prize, always used to reply that 'In Sweden there was a small cottage industry solely devoted to not giving Borges the Nobel Prize,' " he said, before adding later, "I wondered whether there wasn't perhaps some similar sister organization operating over here. So I am as much relieved as I am delighted to receive the 2011 Booker Prize." PHOTOS: Steven Spielberg's 'The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn' The win is expected to boost book sales for Barnes, whose book centers on an ordinary man Tony who learns that his memories are not as reliable as he once thought. Former British spy chief Stella Rimington, who oversaw the judges' panel this year, said of Barnes' book, "We thought that it was a book which, though short, was incredibly concentrated, and crammed into this very short space a great deal of information you don't get out of a first reading." She added, "It's one of those these books, a very readable book, if I may use that word, but readable not only once but twice and even three times." While Barnes' book may have been on the shorter side, it wasn't the shortest. Offshore, a 132-page book, by Penelope Fitzgerald holds that particular honor. Barnes is also the author of Metroland and played himself in Bridget Jones's Diary. Related Topics International

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Entertainment Coalition Creative America Ramping Up Efforts to Battle Piracy (Video)

More than 60,000 people -- many of them entertainment industry professionals -- have sent messages to their Congressman in the past week to support passage of the Protect IP Act, which is currently stalled in the U.S. Senate.our editor recommends CBS Hit With Major Lawsuit For Contributing To Piracy (Exclusive)'Big Fat Hollow Victory' for DISH in Satellite TV Piracy Battle'Hurt Locker' producer files massive antipiracy lawsuitFrench Assembly, Senate OK anti-piracy law The outpouring of support for the bill to stop foreign-based websites that illegally distribute copyrighted content such as American movies and TV shows is part of a grass-roots campaign being launched this week by Creative America, a coalition formed by the major studios, networks, labor unions and others to battle piracy of intellectual property. "Since Creative America was launched, it has produced a growing community of people deeply concerned about the effects that content theft is having on American jobs and creativity," said Mike Nugent, the Washington, D.C.-based executive director of Creative America. "Once people understand the scope and enormity of this problem, they want to take action." Not everyone supports Creative America or the Protect IP Act, including big technology companies like Google, Yahoo and TiVo, but they do agree there is a problem that needs solving. How big a problem? According to Creative America, these foreign websites generate about 146 million visits per day and 53 billion visits per year involving illegal distribution of more than 500,000 movies each day worldwide. Nugent announced that in addition to the original members of the group, which was formed in July -- including AFTRA, CBS, DGA, IATSE, SAG, Fox, Viacom, Disney and Warner Bros. -- it has now added the AFL-CIO, the Association of Talent Agents, the Copyright Alliance, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., FilmL.A., the National Association of Theatre Owners, the Producers Guild of America and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. The group also has launched a redesigned website at www.creativeamerica.org to provide info and a way to lobby Congress for the Protect IP Act and other legislation. More importantly, beginning Tuesday, many of the members will send representatives to studio commissaries, TV and movie sets. For instance, AFTRA spokesman Christopher de Haan said representatives will "be going to show sets, broadcast stations and other places, handing out information and having conversations." They will also be giving away branded materials like pens, T-shirts and one-sheets supporting the effort. AFTRA has already sent communications to their members and staff and soon will be posting videos supporting the effort. SAG has also posted a video on YouTube that features actor Clark Gregg talking about the campaign. There is no cost to sign up, but Creative America hopes these people will become their ambassadors in the battle against piracy at home and abroad. "This is an intensive campaign to bring our message to the entertainment community, its workers, vendors and others," Nugent said. "It will be grass-roots organizing in the old-fashioned way as well as online. We're approaching this as a political campaign, a kind of get-out-the-vote campaign, to make our voices heard in Washington." However, Nugent balks at being called a political organization and denies that they are a lobbying group. He says it just makes a button available on its website so people can reach out to Congress, and their member companies all lobby, but it does not. Nugent said the group has hired two kinds of outside consultants -- one that specializes in causes and mobilizing people for social action and the other who are experts in how to use social media to spread the message, as he puts it, "so it can grow virally through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and all the engines of social media." Since the effort was launched, the group, working with the Motion Picture Association of America and others, has worked to shut down websites that illegally distributed copyrighted content. What they have not been able to do is stop content that comes from web servers based in China, Europe or elsewhere outside the reach of American law. That is the point of Protect IP legislation. As Nugent explains it, once a site is identified, the group would go to the U.S. Justice Department, or to a judge, to seek a court order labeling it as an illegal site. That court order can then be used it to force payment processors like PayPal and Visa to stop processing their credit cards and payments. Next, the group will use the court order to go to advertising companies that serve ads online and stop them from advertising those sites or funneling money to them from ads. Then in the most controversial aspect of the effort, the bill would allow the copyright holders to go to companies like Time Warner and Comcast that supply Internet service to consumers and demand they block access to those illegal sites. "It's a bad thing because generally the security experts do not want anyone to tap into your Internet connection to block or manipulate your access to any site that you want to go to," said Markham Erickson, a Washington lawyer who is executive director of the Open Internet Coalition, which lists among its members Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo, Expedia, Bloomberg, TiVo, Facebook, HSN and even Sony Electronics -- although Sony Pictures Entertainment is a member of the Creative America coalition supporting the opposing viewpoint. "We're not opposed to legislation in addressing the problem," Erickson said. "But we have serious concerns about the bill that has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now to be considered by the full Senate." Erickson said the existing Digital Millennium Copyright Act already covers the same territory and can take care most instances of illegal material being distributed. Nugent said that is true, but that the DMCA acts after the fact and takes a long time to use to get satisfaction. The new bill would be more of preventive measure. At present the Protect IP act is stalled because of opposition from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who has said that while he shares the goals of the proposed act, "I am not willing to muzzle speech and stifle innovation and economic growth to achieve this objective." Creative America said a similar bill will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in a matter of days. Nugent insisted that there is no first amendment issue and that it would not stall innovation. "There is no privacy right that allows you access to an illegal website," he said. "We won't know what any individual is doing. We're not going to view their habits. We won't know if they go to a certain site. All were doing is blocking the identifying information from this other site." Erickson said that the technology problems this bill would create could be dealt with if the backers had worked with Internet engineers and companies. He said the Internet service providers don't believe they should be forced into the role of policeman on the web, which may not even be possible with new security software being rolled out to deal with potential hacking. Nugent insisted that they are not making these private companies their police force. "They are just being asked to honor a court order to stop supporting the distribution of stolen content," Nugent said. "They already do it with porn. They stop malicious spam. They would block someone extorting money. They do it when it suits their network interests, so they should be able to do it here as well." Related Topics SAG Google Clark Gregg Yahoo Amazon.com MPAA

Alter ego of the Moving Stone

Bill Wyman exhibits his "Second Character." LONDON -- If Bill Wyman, the Moving Stones' bass player for 3 decades, had not been a rock star he will be a digital photographer.Wyman, who's almost 75, was much in evidence Thursday in the opening from the first London exhibition of his photography. Titled "Second Character" and held in the Rove Gallery, the "button snaps," as Wyman calls them, document the Stones' existence on the highway, in testing as well as in performance.You will find photographs of other stars, too. There's a powerful John Lennon, a dreamy Jerry Hall as well as an especially soulful portrait from the great bluesman John Lee Hooker."Which was drawn in just a little club in Saffron Walden, Kent, in March 1969," recalls Wyman. "I had been waiting in the wings and anxiously waited for the best moment to find the light. It's John Lee being themself, humble but happy with what he was doing." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com