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

'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

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:

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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