Thursday, October 27, 2011

Harsh Reality: Grimm Premiere To Handle Game 7 Around The World Series

Uh-Oh: Grimm & Chuck Premieres May Face Game 7 Around The World Series It absolutely was entirely possible that came into being when Game 6 around the world series was postponed because of bad weather, shifting the diary for the relaxation from the 2 games having a day. Still, since no World Series had opted to 7 games in two decades, the probabilities were against baseball disturbing the tomorrow’s premiere of NBC’s new series Grimm. Nevertheless the Cardinals’ stunning eleventh inning victory tonight was not so great for NBC which will hold the series premiere of Grimm as well as the final season premiere of Chuck not in support of Mlb’s championship game. Can’t NBC catch a relaxation once this fall?!

Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller in Predicts Make 'Sex Tape'

Frequent collaborators Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller may be once again joining up, this time around around for just about any Columbia Pictures comedy titled Sex Tape.our editor recommends'Saturday Evening Live' sets Emma Stone, Charlie Day and Jason Segel as November hostsKermit as Mogul, Farting Fozzie Bear: How Disney's Muppets Movie Has Purists Rattled and shook and shook VIDEO: 'Muppets': Full Trailer in the Jason Segel-Could Be Film Surfaces The actor and director will be in predicts star and direct, correspondingly, inside the comedy, the studio acquired just like a spec put together by Kate Angelo in June. The duo are needed to obtain offers every single day now and prone to enter discussions. Escape Artists is creating. VIDEO: 'The Muppets' at D23: Jason Segel Talks about Their Comedy Influence The logline concerns a young, happily couple which get a evening taken off their kids and judge to enhance their existence by considering creating a sex tape. After they awaken the following morning they identify the tape missing and really should uncover who needed it and the way to be back. Andrea Giannetti and Adam Milano are controlling for your studio. Segel starred in and written Negelecting Sarah Marshall, which Stoller directed. The Two written the arrival Disney musical comedy The Muppets together too. Related Subjects Jason Segel Columbia Pictures

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Lindsay Lohan Back At Morgue

First Released: October 26, 2011 12:35 PM EDT Credit: Getty Premium La, Calif. -- Caption Lindsay Lohan sometimes appears in the Poor Courthouse after her probation was suspended in La on October 19, 2011Lindsay Lohan has returned at work on the La County Morgue. The actress repetition and Assistant Chief Coroner Erectile dysfunction Winter both confirmed to gain access to Hollywood that Lindsay came back on her second day's community service. Following the modern change, the headline-making 25-year-old actress may have carried out the 16 hrs of community service she was purchased to accomplish before she seems before Judge Stephanie Sautner again on November 2. On Monday, the actress was captured pics of in the Playboy Mansion, where she apparently posed for any spread within the mens magazine. Lindsays mother, Dina, told X17, The photo shoot went well. A resource formerly told Access Hollywood Lindsay was set to pose nude for that mens magazine. As formerly reported on AccessHollywood.com, Lindsay was averted in the morgue a week ago after coming late on Thursday. She came back on Friday early. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Chaz Bono Goes Home Throughout 'Dancing Using the Stars' Week 5 Results

ABC The growing season of surprises is well behind Dwts, since many fans most likely predicted a few days 6 results. Yes, Maksim Chmerkovskiy's comments throughout Monday's show might have sent Hope Solo packing, they also most likely captivated his considerable fanbase. UPDATE:Cher Responds to Boy Chaz Bono's 'Dancing Using the Stars' Elimination Which left Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer, who couldn't overcome days of low scores. The pair appeared to handle results well, with Chaz saying he desired to show America "another type of guy," but after Monday's show, Lacey stated she felt the scoring and also the comments within the season have been unfair. STORY: Maksim Chmerkovskiy's Fellow Pros Respond to his 'Dancing Using the Stars' Tirade "The distasteful words... It's unnecessary. It's rude," she stated. "I'm not going too speak poorly of the professions or the things they've completed in their careers, however they don't have any business saying things that they are doing. This can be a dance competition, not really a faves competition." Chaz didn't go ahead and take harsh critiques far better. After Monday's show, he discontinued on Bruno Tonioli's weight-centric comments within the confessional. (The judge had in comparison him to some penguin as well as an Ewok in recent days.) PHOTOS: 'Dancing Using the Stars' Season 13: Rehearsals It's needed to see anybody go this far along within the competition, however the particularly sour note of the exit causes it to be even harder. Did the idol judges mix a line within their critiques of Chaz? And did the correct one go back home? RELATED: PHOTOS: 'Dancing Using the Stars' Season 13 Cast Official Photos 'Dancing Using the Stars' Premiere: 5 Memorable Moments TV REVIEW: 'Dancing Using the Stars' Season 13 Premiere ABC Chaz Bono Dwts Dwts the outcomes Show

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Front Line (Gojijeon)

A Showbox/Mediaplex presentation of a TPS Co. production in association with A-Po Films. (International sales: Showbox/Mediaplex, Seoul.) Produced by Lee Woo-jung, Kim Hyun-cheol. Executive producer, You Jeong-hoon. Directed by Jang Hoon. Screenplay, Park Sang-yeon.With: Shin Ha-kyun, Ko Soo, Lee Je-hoon, Ryu Seung-soo, Ko Chang-seok, David Lee, Ryoo Seung-yong, Kim Ok-vin, Cho Jin-woong. (Korean, English dialogue)Although it doesn't offer a new chapter for the war-is-hell playbook, "The Front Line" is a solid if overlong chronicle of a South Korean unit slogging it out near the 38th parallel during the 1950-53 conflict. Engaging auds emotionally with strong characters and bittersweet scenes of enemies fraternizing from a distance, South Korea's foreign-language Oscar submission has become one of the year's biggest domestic hits, with 2.95 million admissions since its July 20 release, and won the top prize at the national Golden Bell awards. Offshore theatrical exposure appears unlikely, but the pic's high-quality action footage bodes well for ancillary. Setting is January 1953, two years after armistice negotiations commenced. Assigned to investigate the possible murder of an officer by one of his own men and flush out a suspected communist mole, army intelligence officer Kang Eun-pyo (Shin Ha-kyun) is dispatched to Alligator Unit, which is now under the command of morphine-addicted Shin Il-yeong (Lee Je-hoon). A ragged squad that lacks discipline and has taken to wearing enemy uniforms to keep warm, Alligator includes burly joker Yang Hyo-sam (Ko Chang-seok), petrified teenager Nam Sung-sik (David Lee) and Kim Su-hyeok (Ko Soo), an old friend of Kang's whose outspoken comments about army brass mark him as the potential traitor. The senselessness of war is symbolized by Alligator Unit's mission to capture Aerok Hill, a small peak on the 38th parallel that's changed hands with monotonous regularity since hostilities commenced. Endlessly occupying then retreating from the same piece of land, Alligator and a like-minded group of North Koreans have established a hidden mailbox on Aerok Hill where gifts are exchanged and letters from Northern soldiers to loved ones in the South are collected and delivered without any sense of wrongdoing. These connections between writers and readers of the letters form a solid emotional core, but the tension surrounding Kang's putative mission soon fizzles, and the pic's message about the horror of it all becomes labored after yet another assault on Aerok Hill. Supplying partial compensation, suspense-wise, are sudden appearances by a deadly North Korean sniper played by the film's sole female cast member, Kim Ok-vin. Credit scripter Park Sang-yeon and helmer Jang Hoon for not indulging in any saber rattling. Given more than just token screen time, North Korean characters including disfigured commander Oh Gi-yeong (Ryu Seung-soo) come across as being just as tired of the fighting as their South Korean counterparts. Thesping is fine, with no macho posturing in sight. Shin is charismatic as the officer whose sense of duty is thrown off balance by the stark reality he encounters at Aerok Hill, and Lee Je-hoon is memorable as the young commander who has gone to hell and back in the line of duty. Visuals by d.p. Kim Woo-hyung subtly shift from gritty in battle sequences to clean but never glossy in quieter moments. The rest of the technical package is topnotch.Camera (color, HD), Kim Woo-hyung; editors, Kim Sang-beom, Kim Jae-beom; music, Jang Young-gyu, Dalparan; production designer, Ryu Seong-hie; costume designer, Cho Sang-kyung; sound (Dolby Digital), Jeong Gwang-ho; visual effects supervisors, Jeong Seong-jin, Heo Dong-hyeok; visual effects, Digital Idea. Reviewed at Busan Film Festival (Korean Cinema Today), Oct. 13, 2011. (Also in Vancouver, Hawaii film festivals.) Running time: 133 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Friday, October 21, 2011

Matt's Self-help guide to Weekend TV: Premieres of Not such a long time ago, Boss plus much more!

Lana Parrilla, Jennifer Morrison Once is not enough. Another look, or possibly another episode, is important to convince a skeptic the show might be worth going for a chance on. Therefore it is with ABC's dazzling but dauntingly precious Not such a long time ago (Sunday, 8/7c), that when I used to be considering it for Fall Preview left me wondering: "Is ambitiously whimsical fantasia the next Pushing Daisies cult fave or perhaps the next Eastwick insta-flop? (Either in situation, it will be a continuing climb to happily ever after.) It may be better to like whether or not this weren't so convoluted and cheesy."However ABC made another episode (the next, airing November. 6) designed for review, which i started to find myself enchanted and beguiled, ready to relax with elevated parts of the fractured mythic. First, though, you have to digest the premise, as well as the overstuffed and sometimes over ripe pilot is a lot to swallow. We start in the lavishly made fairy-tale land where Snow White-colored (Large Love's Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming wrangle by getting an Evil Full (Lana Parrilla), who interrupts their wedding while using commitment of the curse. Mentioned curse arrives much like Snow handles to deliver her newborn daughter Emma using a magical portal in to the world. Years pass, as well as the grown Emma (House's arch Jennifer Morrison), now a loner from the fugitive hunter, is enlisted having a boy to hasten for the isolated burg of Storybrooke, Maine, where time is frozen and many types of typically the most popular figures of legend live in insufficient understanding from the fabled roots. The boy thinks Emma can change back curse, however she must face the town mayor (Parrilla again), who's presented to saying things like, "I'll destroy you whether it's the ultimate factor I really do.Inch (Has she checked out Revenge? Can they have Televisions in Storybrooke?)"Seriously?" Emma remarks having a couple of frequency, that's understandable. I used to be initially deflated by all the heavy-handed whimsy, however began to think about Once a bit more seriously upon sampling the arrival third episode. It cleverly weaves Lost-like flashbacks - the show's designers are Lost vets, plus it shows - taking us to Snow's colorful past just like a frisky bandit, carried out off against her modern-day search for the Someone Particularly she doesn't know is her Prince Charming (in addition to their meet-cute within the enchanted forest truly is charming). There's gorgeous fun available here, and i'm cautiously positive that ABC's persistence in stalling the premiere until monthly into the season, coupled with heavy and smart promotion, takes care of, no less than initially. It may be unfortunate with this particular book being closed too soon.Want more fall TV news? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!The weekend's other large premiere, Starz's dark and dreary Boss (Friday, 10/9c), is among people shows I saved wanting would improve or maybe more interesting the higher I seen. No such luck. These acer notebook computers noticably for giving Kelsey Grammer (Frasier who?) a fantastically meaty dramatic workout. A worldwide removed the sitcom debacle of Hank, his new TV venture is not any laughing matter - which becomes shateringly apparent within the opening moments after we watch Chicago mayor Tom Kane brought to earth, though hardly humbled, with the not so great that he's battling by having an irreversible degenerative brain disease. Ain't we have got fun.Grammer clearly relishes the tragic size this juicy role. He's part cagey and callous Godfather while he wields energy from his literal bully pulpit, sooner or later taking an alderman with the ear and humiliating him as being a naughty child. He's also part Shakespearean Lear, raging against fate, his personal and professional misfortunes as well as the cynical tides of political chicanery. "Throughout my kingdom, many of us are whores," he declares to two actual ladies in the evening that are doing items you only see on pay cable. (The sexual content frequently feels gratuitously applied, possibly from some acknowledgment that otherwise Boss is a pretty drab affair.)Grammer brings a amazing vitality and morally queasy gravity for the role, while he grooms a handsome but randy idealist (Rob Hephner) for your governor's race while hiding the extent of his physical worries from his cronies, his co-employees (Kathleen Robertson and Martin Donovan, both excellent) and also the steely Lady MacBoss from the estranged wife (the terrific Connie Nielsen).Just like a character study, Boss is intriguing, well-socialized and fantastically crafted (Gus Van Sant directed the pilot), using the tips of high-finish premium cable. But ultimately, it becomes an simpler show to admire rather than recommend. Preachy and self-important (plus a by-the-amounts newspaper subplot), it's also glum, plodding and chilly for the bone. Inside the first four several hours of the initial eight-hour run, I am unable to say I used to be ever truly amazed at the familiar political and sordid personal intrigues, or terribly compelled to determine which continues next. But Starz has restored the show for just about any second season - discuss hubris - so there's the required time with this to earn our election.More highlights within the TV weekend:FridayPick in the evening: Jewel Jam Twenty (PBS, 9/8c, check local agendas), a celebration in the influential rock-band on its 20th anniversary by filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous), a u . s . states Masters presentation airing incorporated within the PBS Arts Fall Festival.Guest-star alert: It's a Buffy reunion round the CW's Supernatural (9/8c) as Charisma Contractor, the first sort Cordelia, plays a witch who removes her anger on her behalf account philandering husband (James Marsters, forever Spike) by leading to harm to residents from the small town. ... CBS' A Gifted Guy (8/7c) can get an ER vibe when Eriq La Salle site visitors as Evan Morris, an awareness neuro-shrink Michael woos to participate his practice. Evan's nickname is "E-Mo," just like "emo," making them the switch side in the gruff Dr. Peter Benton. (This can be a reunion of sorts, as Gifted Man's executive producer Neal Baer handled similar duties for quite some time on ER.) Sadly, the stunt casting is regarded as the interesting factor relevant for this routine episode, which signifies the show continues to have not determined an equilibrium involving the medical as well as the mystical (embodied having a too-coy Jennifer Ehle as Michael's nagging ghost ex-wife).Just what else is on? ... Oprah's Lifeclass (OWN, 8/7c) develops to two several hours on Fridays effective now, while using second hour an energetic online/on-air discussion while using Filled with Talk herself. Almost comprises to ensure that there being ignore cases of The famous host the famous host oprah Behind the curtain. ... On ABC's 20/20 (10/9c), Chris Cuomo interviews Stephanie Madoff Mack, widow in the well-known Bernie Madoff's boy Mark, who committed suicide inside the wake in the financial scandal. ... Did this week's tragic story of wildlife roaming an Ohio town offer you bad dreams or nightmares? You may be everyone else for Animal Planet's My Extreme Animal Fear (10/9c), a completely new series through which mental health specialist Dr. Robin Zasio subjects people to five times of intensive "exposure therapy" to tackle their fears - of bots and bugs, pit bulls and snakes, which is week's episode.SATURDAYPick in the evening: The baseball action in the world Series moves to Texas since the Rangers host the Cardinals, each with one win for their title. Saturday's game begins on Fox at 7:30/ET, and Sunday's (following football) at 8/ET.Seeing ghosts is becoming awfully trendy - on American Horror Story, The Vampire Journals and almost non-stop on BBC America's haunted-asylum series Bedlam (9/8c). This week's episode involves a very bad and extremely creepy toy that can getting an innocent youthful girl. Jed can provide relief! ... For just about any more family-friendly haunting, Hallmark Funnel presents a completely new movie, Oliver's Ghost (9/8c), through which an 11-year-old boy discovers they can contact the cranky ghost (Martin Mull) who once possessed his family's home inside the and surrounding and surrounding suburbs.Where's The Worst Place to become Gay? Logo design design launches its beCAUSE Documents quantity of documentaries getting a movie (8/7c) asking that question within the title, and reacting into it by utilizing freely gay artist Scott Mills to Uganda, where homosexuality is criminalized and where he encounters virulent bigotry in every single a part of society.SUNDAYPick in the evening: Episode a few AMC's blockbuster zombie thriller The Walking Dead (9/8c). Despite this show's unsparing standards, last week's episode ended around the shocking note, while using accidental shooting inside the forest of little Carl Grimes. The frantic aftermath introduces new figures into the fold since the action moves for the extended-anticipated farmhouse of Hershel (the fantastic character actor Scott Wilson). Occasions build to another harrowing cliffhanger. This series just doesn't let up.Lots of class functions to choose from on Sunday: Showtime's breakout newcomer hit Homeland (10/9c), through which Brody's erratic behavior begins to tarnish his returning-hero image HBO's Boardwalk Empire (9/8c), where there's no brotherly love from the combative Nucky and Eli, and Richard Harrow's solitary trip into the forest takes an unforeseen turn CBS' The Truly Amazing Wife (9/8c), with Dylan Baker reprising his tasty guest turn since the smarmy killer Colin Sweeney, whom Alicia unwillingly enlists to testify after her key witness commits suicide. ... The second of three wonderful Situation Histories movies on Masterpiece Mystery! (PBS, 9/8c, check local agendas), good novel One Good Turn, finds Jason Isaacs' private agent Jackson Brodie engaging in over his mind when he tries to retrieve a drowning victim within the sea after which it starts monitoring her identity. Webs don't get much more twisted in comparison to those tales.The theme of belief, perverted otherwise, in this season of Dexter (Showtime, 9/8c) continues to be hammered home non-stop, to the level of monotony. But Dexter has justification to require now, when adorable little Harrison becomes ill. Meanwhile, the Miami cops utilize it of Considered to decipher the newest terrible four-horsemen tableau, the task from the fiend they dub the "Doomsday Killer."Possibly just a little star energy can provide ABC's diminishing newcomer series Pan Am (10:01/9:01c) some lift inside the ratings. ER's Goran Visnjic begins a guest arc just like a dashing passenger in order to Monte Carlo who catches the interest of both Kate and Maggie. But his participation in Kate's latest CIA mission muddies the Riviera waters.Just what else is on? ... ABC launches a completely new game show, Big Mind Game, in daytime (4/3c). The premise: a team of six - inside the premiere, middle-school teachers - includes a minute to resolve questions requiring logic expecting a $millions of payday. After each right answer, they have to decide all if you should fold or continue. ... Who a lot better than Dirty Jobs' Mike Rowe to host an instalment of Discovery's Curiosity (9/8c) titled "World's Filthiest Guy," revealing the apparently numerous microscopic microbes living in your body. ... Nick News With Linda Ellerbee explores the disturbing trend of babies getting cosmetic surgery in the special titled Minor Changes (Nickelodeon, 9/8c). Kids, don't attempt this in your house.Indication as much as TV Guide Magazine now!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

MTV Announces Dates for VMA and Movie Honours

Britney Warrior spears and Madonna It's several months away, but MTV just introduced the dates for next year's MTV Movie and Video Music Honours.The MTV Movie Honours will occur June 3, live from La, and also the VMAs Sept. 9, though a number city has not yet been selected.This season, the VMAs drawn in 12.44 million audiences - the biggest audience since 1993's VMAs.Take a look at five in our favorite Movie Award and VMA moments!VMAs, 1992, Howard Stern: FartmanMovie Honours, 1999, Jim Carrey: A Really Strange Acceptance SpeechMovie Honours, 2001, Jimmy Fallon: The OpeningVMAs, 2003, Britney Warrior spears and Madonna: The KissVMAs, 2009, Kanye: Imma Allow You To Finish

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Minnie Driver Signs Talent Deal With ABC

EXCLUSIVE: Minnie Driver has signed a talent deal with ABC to star in the half-hour a treadmill-hour work with the network specific for next fall. The sale is created in the competitive situation, since the actress appeared to become attacked with an NBC pilot. The 2009 season, Driver toplined CBS drama pilot Hail Mary. Driver, repped by CAA and Untitled, formerly starred on FXs The Riches and recurred on NBCs Will & Sophistication. She acquired an Oscar nomination permanently Will Hunting plus an Emmy nom for your Riches.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

IMDB Prosecuted for $a million for Revealing Actress's Age

The Web Movie Database (IMDb) may be the film industry’s encyclopedia of information for filmmakers and stars, supplying an abundance of details about the films, past and offer, and those who make sure they are (or desire to). But was the IMDb within the wrong if this released the legal chronilogical age of an actress/IMDb Professional user — and did that act warrant the $a million suit she’s now progressing in the website? The Hollywood Reporter has got the legal scoop: The lady, who's stated to become of Asian descent, states within the complaint filed in federal court in Dallas that they registered for that professional version of Internet Movie Database in 2008. Soon after that, she observed the legal date of her birth was for auction on her public profile. The complaintant thinks the site could obtain her information because in registering to iMDb Professional, she was needed to provide detailed personal and charge card information.Affixing a time to her title was harmful, she states.“If the first is perceived as being ‘over-the-hill,’ i.e. approaching 40, it's extremely difficult to have an up-and-coming actress, like the Complaintant, to obtain are she's considered to tight on of the ‘upside’ therefore casting company directors, producers, company directors, agents/managers, etc. don't offer her exactly the same possibilities, no matter her appearance and talent,” the complaint states. Well, yeah — if IMDb Professional drawn her age from her charge card information and published it, that’s a biggie. Your investment ageism and sexism component that might have forfeit her work whatsoever, it appears just like a glaring privacy breach. The un named lady is suing for “breach of contract, fraud, and breach of privacy” with damages in the quantity of $a million, and it is seeking a constraint order from the website. Actress Sues IMDb for $a million for Revealing Her Age [THR]

Monday, October 17, 2011

Livingston to retire from Fox distrib'n

Bert Livingston, twentieth century Fox senior Vice president and co-general sales director for domestic distribution, will retire the following month after 29 years using the studio. "My existence at Last Century Fox continues to be the finest," Livingston stated inside a statement. "The studio continues to be just like a second family in my experience. I really like e-commerce. But I am in a reason for my existence where Let me hang out with my spouse and youngsters, perform some traveling and merely relax." Livingston offered like a branch manager in Detroit, The city of jacksonville and Dallas for Fox before becoming Midwestern division manager in 1989. He later offered as Southern division manager, then Western division manager, prior to being named co-general sales director in 2004. "Last Century Fox wouldn't be the organization it's today if Bert had not made the decision to really make it his business home," stated Bruce Snyder, Fox's domestic distribution prexy, within the statement. Livingston started his career in 1975 at Brotman & Sherman Cinemas in Chicago, before shifting to studio distribution. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

L.A. Occasions: McDonalds TV Readies Launch

McDonald’s is preparing the rollout of McDonald’s TV, the most recent and perhaps greatest relocate in-store systems. The first push is forecasted to achieve 18 million-20 million audiences per month in the pilot Southern and Central California market — which makes it among the biggest daytime audiences in the area. The L.A. Occasions is confirming that Mark Burnett’s Vimby digital production outfit, BBC America and native KABC-TV Eyewitness News will give you content towards the network, which is personalized to precise towns and can include local news and entertainment features. A rollout brought by ChannelPort Communications is anticpated to be up in 800 restaurants in the area soon a effective launch here probably can lead to a countrywide push. “The intention would be to catch and engage the client, after which enhance their experience,” Leland Edmondson, founding father of ChannelPort, told the Occasions. “The McDonald’s customer is everybody, and that we want to not be passive audiences but to become active and participatory with this particular network.” The network already is going through trial runs in La, North Park and Vegas, the Occasions stated. Dining areas feature two HD screens which cover the majority of the restaurant, with “quiet zones” readily available for individuals who don’t need to see or hear the funnel. Programming can look inside a one-hour cycle of “pods” lasting 20-22 minutes and can include segments on senior high school and college local sports athletes local moms juggling home existence with careers in sports a music report and Burnett’s Vimby, covering fashion, art, music, evening existence, lifestyle and culture news.

Zachary Quinto Comes Out, and 5 Other Stories You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Monday! Also in today’s edition of The Broadsheet: The fairy-tale flick renaissance spawns a Pinocchio prequel… Not even Transformers 3 could help Hasbro hit its mark… A requiem for Sue Mengers… Celeb backlash over Occupy Wall Street… and more. · As obliquely cited here yesterday, Zachary Quinto has confirmed what anyone who follows him with any regularity had deduced long ago: He’s gay. He pegged the announcement to gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer’s bullying and subsequent suicide, writing on his Web site, “In light of Jamey’s death, it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.” Not for nothing, Quinto also has Margin Call, a movie that he co-produced, opening in theaters Friday. [NYM, ZacharyQuinto.com] · Don’t look now, but Fox has added the Pinocchio prequel The Three Misfortunes of Geppetto to its development slate. The studio bought Michael Vukadinovich’s script about the puppetmaker who “endures a life of misfortune, war and adventure all to be with Julia Moon, his true love,” reportedly for Shawn Levy to direct. It could face competition from either a Pinocchio project Tim Burton may direct at Warners, or the apocalypse, whichever comes first. [Deadline] · I wish people like the late power agent Sue Mengers didn’t have to die for Nikki Finke to write so evocatively and movingly about them: “Her plump white flesh still draped in a sea of caftans and mumus, eyes framed in huge tinted glasses, with a soft breathy voice and the mouth of a stevedore, taking hits from an always lit joint, the 5’-2 1/2” inch Mengers was the exact opposite of the stereotypical image of a Hollywood agent, not the cigar-chomping salesman nor the smooth-talking sleek-dressed tenpercenter.” An epic, absolute must-read. [Deadline] · You’ve heard about the celebrities dropping by the Occupy Wall Street protests. In the spirit of equal time, now hear the kneejerk right-wing response. [Big Hollywood] · Speaking of which, here’s reason alone to occupy Wall Street: “Hasbro 3Q earnings were lighter than Wall Street expected, in spite of a healthy upturn from its entertainment and licensing segment which benefited from Paramount’s Transformers: Dark Of The Moon and a onetime payment from Universal Studios.” What a disappointment! Make more money, Hasbro, sheesh. [Deadline] · What’s shakin’ with North Korea? Oh, not much, just trying to figure out why so many observers in the West could be so critical of the country’s growing relationship with Russia. Let them be, already! Kim Jong Il really needs this one, you guys. [38 North] [Photo: Getty Images]

Sunday, October 16, 2011

First Night

A Britannia Films release of a Renaissance Films presentation of a Cosi production. (International sales: SC Films Intl., London.) Produced by Stephen Evans, Selwyn Roberts, John Spiers. Executive producers, Stuart Stradling, Simon Crowe, Rodney Payne. Co-producers, Jonathan Evans, Alan Latham, Romilly Evans. Directed by Christopher Menaul. Screenplay, Menaul, Jeremy Sams, from an idea by Stephen Evans, John Mortimer.With: Richard E. Grant, Sarah Brightman, Mia Maestro, Julian Ovenden, Oliver Dimsdale, Susannah Fielding, Nigel Lindsay, Tessa Peake-Jones, Laura Power, Hugh Ross, Stanley Townsend, Jack Walker, Emma WilliamsOpera lovers, a potentially large demographic, are targeted by "First Night," a frothy English country-house romp that throws in hefty portions of Mozart. As a cast and crew gather to rehearse "Cosi fan tutte" at the palatial retreat of a rich industrialist, the ensuing romantic mischief creakily echoes the opera's own plot. Neither fish nor fowl, this eccentric item looks likely to turn off moviegoers resistant to the upscale art form while failing to satisfy opera's true devotees. Its probable fate is an early curtain call in cinemas before taking a few bows in ancillary. Sir Adam Drummond (Richard E. Grant) harbors an unlikely ambition: to perform the Don Alfonso role in Mozart's famous comic opera. To indulge this whim, he assembles a whole company at his home, where the professional production will be staged in front of an invited audience. Adam bets cocky singer Tom (Julian Ovenden) that Tom won't manage to bed Italian soprano Nicoletta (Mia Maestro) before first night. Despite the best efforts of disapproving conductor Celia (Sarah Brightman) to sabotage Tom's chances, true love flourishes before the inevitable exposure of the wager spins things in a different direction. Effortful shenanigans involve a woodland tryst, a misplaced cell phone, a case of vintage brandy and a dog called Baskerville. Veteran TV helmer Christopher Menaul (who directed the 2002 miniseries "The Forsyte Saga") and co-writer Jeremy Sams (legit hit "Chitty the Musical") throw in a subplot involving the housekeeper's son (Jack Walker) having his horizons broadened by the colorful visitors, and another in which the opera's director (Oliver Dimsdale) realizes he truly desires one of his leading men (Nigel Lindsay), not the leading lady (Emma Williams) with whom he shares a bed. Given the pic's mustiness, lines like, "The critics are coming they'll murder us," seem to be recklessly tempting fate. On the plus side, the operatic singing, supplied by trained professionals, is artfully lip-synched, but for the uninitiated, there's truly a startling amount of octave-straddling yelping. Lavish production coin has been expended on lensing in Milan, Shepperton Studios and Scotland's pretty Manderson House; the result is an appropriately photogenic guilty pleasure for location-porn aficionados. It's a pity that a similar ambition was not applied to the cast, as many of the actors give performances in line with their low profile here. At least toplined Brightman, albeit a stilted screen presence, may entice some of the auds that recently flocked to a special 25th anniversary celebration of "The Phantom of the Opera," beamed digitally to 250 packed cinemas in Blighty. Pic represents a return to full producing for Stephen Evans, whose credits include "The Wings of the Dove," two Kenneth Branagh-helmed Shakespeares and "The Madness of King George."Camera (Deluxe color) Tim Palmer; editor, St. John O'Rorke; music, Wolfgang Mozart, adapted by James Morgan, Juliette Pochin; music supervisor, Morgan; production designer, Stuart Walker; art director, Diane Dancklefsen; set decorator, Neesh Ruben; costume designer, Phoebe De Gaye; sound designer (Dolby Digital), Colin Chapman; supervising sound editor, Chapman; re-recording mixers, Graham Daniel, Adam Daniel; choreography, Kathleen Mackie; visual effects supervisor, Simon Kilroe; assistant director, Sean Guest; second unit director, Selwyn Roberts; casting, Celestia Fox. Reviewed on DVD, London, Oct. 14, 2011. Running time: 116 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Friday, October 14, 2011

'Drive' Star Is The Coen Brothers' New Leading Man

Though Oscar Isaac might not have been one of the top-billed actors in Nicolas Winding Refn's critical hit "Drive," his performance as a man just out of prison trying to do right by his family definitely got the attention of a couple big name Hollywood directors. Deadline is reporting that Isaac has landed the much-sought-after lead role in the Coen brothers' latest film, "Inside Llewyn Davis." The flick focuses on the early folk music scene in the 60s in Greenwich Village, and its lead characters are loosely based on the lives of Dave Van Ronk and Tom Paxton. Shooting is slated to start early next year in NY. Check out the rest of today's casting news after the jump! Tom Savini Reteaming With Quentin Tarantino Fans might remember Tom Savini as the memorable character "Sex Machine" -- the biker with a machine-gun crotch -- in the Quentin Tarantino-penned "From Dusk 'Till Dawn." Now the two are reteaming in Tarantino's upcoming drama "Django Unchained." The Coventry Telegraph has learned that Savini will star alongside M.C. Gainey in the flick as one of the Brittle brothers. "Now You See" Dave Franco In New Summit Flick Dave Franco, the charming younger brother of James Franco, has had a great year in Hollywood this past year thanks to roles in "Fright Night," "21 Jump Street" and the upcoming flick "Warm Bodies." Now Deadline has learned that Franco has reteamed with Summit Entertainment to star in the drama "Now You See Me." The heist drama will see the actor play one of the Four Horsemen, a group of illusionists who pull off capers during their performances. The flick also stars Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman and Isla Fisher. "Taken 2" Gets Its Villain "Taken 2" will be keeping its villains in the family, according to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter. The news outlet has learned that Rade Serbedzija of "Batman Begins" and "Snatch" fame has landed the role of the bad guy in the upcoming Liam Neeson-starring sequel. He will play Murad, the father of the kidnapper who was slain at the end of "Taken." He takes Neeson and Famke Fanssen's characters hostage, and their daughter -- played by Maggie Grace -- is enlisted to help rescue them. "Taken 2" hits theaters on October 5, 2012. Shortlist Released For "A Good Day To Die Hard" Now that "Die Hard 5" has a release date (February 14 2013) and an official title ("A Good Day To Die Hard"), director John Moore can finally cast the son of Bruce Willis's character John McClane. Variety got their hands on a shortlist of actors being looked at for the part. Apparently "Breaking Dad's" Aaron Paul, "There Will Be Blood's" Paul Dano, "Heroes'" Milo Ventimiglia and "3:10 to Yuma's" Ben Foster will all test for the role. Fox is also interested in Paul Walker for the role, but he isn't expected to test for it. Tell us your thoughts on today's Casting Call in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Discovery Communications Names JB Perrette Chief Digital Officer

NY - Discovery Communications said Monday that it has hired former NBCUniversal executive Jean-Briac "JB" Perrette as chief digital officer, effective Oct. 17. Perrette was most recently president, digital and affiliate distribution and content distribution strategy for NBCUniversal where he also had a leadership role at online video joint venture Hulu. He will now be reunited with Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav, a former NBCUniversal executive, to whom he will report. The appointment is a sign that Discovery is looking to further grow its digital business and revenue. "I look forward to expanding Discovery's presence in the digital space, finding new opportunities to earn value for its robust content and driving viewer engagement on all screens," Perrette said. "JB is one of the top digital strategists in the media industry today and joins Discovery at an important time in our growth and development," said Zaslav. "We look forward to JB's leadership in taking Discovery to the next level of growth as we continue focusing on creating value, deepening engagement with more viewer sampling of our brands, and monetizing our 25-year programming library across an increasing number of digital distribution platforms." Perrette will lead the company's digital strategy, including Discovery's U.S. Web sites, such as Discovery.com, TLC.com and HowStuffWorks.com, digital operations and programming group and digital distribution efforts with non-traditional affiliates, such as Apple, Netflix and Amazon.He will also be responsible for Discovery Commerce, including licensing and home entertainment. Monthly video streams across Discovery's U.S. sites are up 83 percent to 126 million this year, and the sites average more than 50 million monthly unique visitors, the company said. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics NBCUniversal Discovery Communications

Thursday, October 6, 2011

ROLL CALL: Is Drew Barrymore Looking To Marry?

First Published: October 6, 2011 1:32 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images Caption Drew Barrymore and art consultant Will Kopelman attend Chanels benefit dinner for the Natural Resources Defense Councils Ocean Initiative at the home of Ron & Kelly Meyer in Malibu, Calif. on June 4, 2011 LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Do We Hear Wedding Bells?: Is Drew Barrymore, 37, looking to marry boyfriend Will Kopelman? According to Us Weekly, the actress wants to get hitched with the 34-year-old art consultant. [She] is yearning to get married and have kids, a mag source claimed. Hes madly in love and knows shes The One, but he just needs a bit more time. The source goes on to claim that Drew is also looking to expand her family, saying, I could see her getting pregnant before they get married! Moving On!: Just a day after her split from Leonardo DiCaprio was announced, Blake Lively was spotted in NY City on Wednesday looking radiant as always. She had her tarot cards read at a pre-Halloween event at the Renaissance Hotel. Check out the newly single, Blake HERE! Moving On With A New Man: Kelsey Grammer has remarried since splitting with Camille Grammer and now the Bravo star has jumped back into the dating pool. According to People, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star is casually dating attorney Dimitri Charalambopoulos, and shes reportedly introduced him to some of her fellow Real Housewives. No word if any of them can pronounce or spell his last name. Check out Camille and Dimitri, HERE! Tom Cruise Dance Battle!: Tom Cruise, a wedding guest and a dance challenge! The actor was called out during a wedding reception over the weekend in Palm Springs, Calif., and Tom stepped up to the thrown dance gauntlet! Check out the actor busting a move including an almost-split and the worm HERE! - By Jesse Spero Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'War Horse': Latest Trailer Heavy on Orchestration, Heartstring Tugging (Video)

Out Christmas Day, War Equine is Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List director Steven Spielberg's latest undertake the tolls of war. The latest trailer for that drama grows on earlier versions with increased narrative and moments from the equine, Joey, around the front lines, and connecting together with his owner Albert before England participates the very first World War. A clip opens using the equine Joey running through battlefields and jumping over foxholes. Flashbacks cut to Joey's first encounter with Albert as well as their romps with the lush British countryside. PHOTOS: Steven Spielberg on Set Following the equine is conscripted/offered, a soldier informs Albert, "I'll promise which i'll take care of him and when I'm able to, I'll return him for your care." Albert sparks to war themself, transporting a drawing of Joey anywhere he goes. One common thread between this broadened trailer and earlier versions may be the inclusion of the older guy adoring the equine, "Are you able to imagine flying on the war and also you know you cant ever look lower. You need to look forward or else you'll never go back home.Inch STORY: 'War Equine' Poster Revealed Dramatic orchestrations by John Williams and shots of stars, including Emily Watson, indicate that Spielberg is going to be tugging heartstrings together with his adaptation from the Michael Morpurgo novel. Steven Spielberg War Equine

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Universal to Offer 'Tower Heist' on Early VOD for $59.99

Upping the stakes dramatically, Universal and parent company Comcast will make Brett Ratner's star-packed action comedy Tower Heist available on premium VOD for $59.99 just three weeks after the movie opens in theaters on Nov. 4.our editor recommendsEddie Murphy Will 'Deliver' as Oscars Host, Say Show Producers (Q&A)Eddie Murphy's Oscar Gig: What Viewers and the Industry Are Saying'Tower Heist' Director Brett Ratner Apologizes for Epilepsy Joke in Movie's Trailer (Video) PHOTOS: The Biggest Failed Jokes at the Oscars Labeled a test, Tower Hesist, starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy and Matthew Broderick, will be offered to roughly 500,000 Comcast digital subsribers in Portland and Atlanta. The move, however, could irk theater owners, who are opposed to shrinking the theatrical window to even 60 days, but Universal insiders say film studio chairman Adam Fogelson tried to ward off any opposition by informing exhibitors that such a test was forthcoming. VIDEO: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy in 'Tower Heist' Trailer "The first of its kind, this experiment will allow the two companies to sample consumer appetite for this film in this window at this price while allowing the film to achieve its full potential at the box office," a Universal spokesperson said. Earlier this year, exhibitors threatened to change their trailer policies when Warner Bros., Fox, Sony and Universal launched a test premium VOD service on DirecTV, offering titles including Unknown and Just Go With It 60 days after their theatrical release for $29.99. The test wasn't considered successful. Behind the scenes, studio executives questioned whether 60 days was too long of a time period. Universal said other "other experiments are being contemplated by the two companies to give a rounder picture of what kind of a PVOD experience is the most attractive to consumers." The $59.99 test was first reported by The Los Angeles Times. Related Topics Brett Ratner Eddie Murphy Universal Pictures Ben Stiller

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