Kodak adds film stock for location shooting

Even while digital image capture is constantly on the become dominant in filmmaking, Eastman Kodak is pushing the limits of film. The organization has added a brand new daylight stock to the Vision 3 Film family. The brand new stock, Vision3 50D Color Negative Film 5203/7203, combines the business's advanced Vision 3 imaging technology right into a fine-grained, daylight-balanced film meant to give filmmakers more options and versatility for shooting on location. "This accessory for the Vision3 Film portfolio is made to give remarkable creative latitude to cinematographers employed in daylight conditions," stated Kim Snyder, prexy of entertainment imaging and Vice president, Eastman Kodak Co. "This new stock - the best-grained negative available on the market - offers a mix of unmatched resolution, reliability, and proven archival abilities."50D is really a low-speed film enhanced for taking images in natural or simulated daylight conditions. The brand new stock includes Vision3 technology developments, like Dye Adding Technology and sub-micron imaging sensors to be able to deliver extended highlight latitude - around two stops of more overexposure - in addition to better signal-to-noise performance, particularly in over- and under-exposure. Additionally, it offers enhanced color consistency within the entire exposure range, per Kodak, which added that all of these features provide cinematographers having the ability to shoot challenging high-contrast outside, and stick to the action into vibrant highlight moments without lack of image discrimination.Cinematographer Blake Evans ("The CenterInch), who examined the film, stated: "I needed to worry-test the contrast abilities of recent 50D stock, therefore we shot a couple of moments inside a high-contrast exterior situation that incorporated vibrant whites and shadows. I uncovered normally, and adopted the actors' faces because they moved in the sun in to the shadows. The negative was processed normally, so when I saw the footage as DVD dailies, I discovered the grain a small bit tight at nighttime foot from the shadows."That states a great deal, thinking about the 50D emulsion had been an excellent fine grain," he added. "This new 5203 stock dug deep in to the shadows and maintained neutral colors, particularly in your skin tones. There is also no biasing from the whites within the vibrant highlights."Vision 3 stocks also have shown obvious good things about the publish-production process, per Kodak, for the reason that remarkable ability to render finer-grain images in underexposed areas produces cleaner film-to-digital transfers. The emulsions also process light more effectively and record greater detail within the highlights, the organization added, which allows cinematographers as well as their colorists to extract more image information throughout digital publish-production without presenting items. Based on Kodak, 50D offers all of the necessary characteristics that permit one negative film to do well in film recorders, including its very fine grain, high definition, excellent latent image keeping and reciprocity qualities, in addition to a low-level of unwarranted crosstalk between your color channels."We realize that digital camera models are enhancing, however the industry holds film because the benchmark through which they are judged," states Snyder. "This new emulsion is yet another illustration of Kodak's dedication to filmmaking technology and continuing innovation." * * * Kodak also underscored its resolve for film by naming Benedict Salazar Olgado as person receiving this year's Kodak Fellowship in Film Upkeep, an award created promote and support generation x of preservationists and archivists in the market. Olgado gets to be a cash scholarship from Kodak that's given by AMIA (Association of Moving Image Archivists), additionally to some four-week summer time internship the coming year, organized by Professional-TEK, a Kodak company that works world-famous film and video upkeep vaults, and offers inspection and restoration management services. The internship includes an extensive agenda with training at Professional-TEK, Chace Audio by Luxurious, and FotoKem's digital and photochemical lab. Kodak started this program 12 years back, and 11 of history readers are actually employed in the area at such organizations because the Library of Congress, NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) and also the Academy of movement Picture Arts & Sciences. "We designed the Kodak Fellowship program to enhance the training that future preservationists and archivists receive," states Professional-TEK veep Ron Utley. "They gain contact with the, hands-on experience and also the chance to satisfy lots of people inside a thriving and passionate community. It's an effective way for Guys to judge next steps for his or her careers."A local from the Philippines, Olgado will get a masters degree in moving image archiving and upkeep from NYU's Tisch School from the Arts in May 2012. He acquired experience like a senior administrator in the Southeast Asia Off-shore Audiovisual Archive Association and done projects with UNESCO and also the Anthology Film Archives. His lengthy-term goal would be to become an energetic area of the worldwide upkeep community and safeguard audio-visual legacies. "This recognition states and fortifies my dedication like a budding audio-visual archivist," stated Olgado. "I am searching toward developing my abilities this summer time, and am honored to fit in with a roster of people who've gone onto become key gamers within the area." Contact Peter Caranicas at peter.caranicas@variety.com

Warner releases new Dark Dark night Increases images

Warner Siblings have launched a brand new batch of official stills in the Dark Dark night Increases, just just in case you were not already excited enough with this week's grand unveiling from the first full trailer.The brand new images provide a clearer impression of Batman's new weapon (not that we understand precisely what that gun is perfect for), in addition to showing the Dark Dark night back aboard the Batpod.Elsewhere, gleam new picture of Bane, by which Tom Sturdy will get another chance to demonstrate his recently stacked physique.We'd suppose will most likely be all of the the brand new marketing material for some time, although expect to determine the viral campaign click back to gear following the Christmas break.The Dark Dark night Increases is launched within the United kingdom on 20 This summer 2012. Meanwhile, we'll have to give that trailer another watch. Learned them back off by heart yet? We are getting there...

Director Don Sharp 1922-2011

Hammer stalwart dies, aged 89The director Don Sharp, whose extended career incorporated a string of Hammer classics, has died aged 89.Born in Tasmania, Sharp headed for England after the second world war, beginning around the film and television career that spanned 4 decades. He started by helping cover their acting roles like the Cruel Sea as well as the famous BBC radio sci-fi series Journey Into Space, but soon switched to writing and pointing.Following some domestic dramas, crime thrillers and teen rock'n'roll movies inside the fifties, he acquired his first job with Hammer on 1963's Hug In The Vampire, the studio's second work for balance a Dracula follow-up without Congressman Congressman Christopher Lee (or indeed Dracula). He did however get moving with Lee round the subsequent The Demon Ship Pirates and Rasputin The Mad Monk, and from Hammer, the pair also labored with round the initial few films inside the Fu Manchu series, just before the reins wound up to Jesus Franco.For television, he directed cases of Ghost Squad, The Avengers, The Champions and Hammer House Of Horror, which he'd further cinema accomplishments with Psychomania (George Sanders versus. satanic bikers!), Hennessy, Callan as well as the Robert Powell version in the Thirty-Nine Steps, having its infamously thrilling clock-dangling finale.Powell also starred in Sharp's final film, What Waits Below, in 1985, and Sharp's last pointing work for television was round the Barbara Taylor Bradford series An Action Of Will, in 1989.

Kasdan's 'Companion' to open Santa Barbara fest

'Darling Companion'Lawrence Kasdan's "Darling Companion" will open the 27th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Jan. 26 at the Arlington Theater. Sony Pictures Classics release stars Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard, Elizabeth Moss and Mark Duplass. "We are privileged to have the world premier of a Lawrence Kasdan film. Marking his return to directing after eight years, Darling Companion is a great choice to kick off the festival," said the fest's exec director Roger Durling. Fest, which runs through Feb. 5, will also feature a Lawrence Kasdan retrospective including "Body Heat" "The Big Chill" and "Grand Canyon" and a Q&A with the filmmaker. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Palestinian filmmakers long for home

Hiam Abbas filmed 'Inheritance' in Israel, with a creative team that spans the Middle East. NAZARETH -- Hany Abu-Assad, the director of "Paradise Now," the only film by a Palestinian filmmaker to receive an Oscar nod, is drinking tea at a cafe in the Israeli Arab town of Nazareth when he taps the table with his finger."This is Palestine," he says. "They can decide whatever they want," he adds, referring to international governments, "but I don't consider the Palestinian territories the only place Palestinians should live."That ever-contentious question of where exactly Palestine is located makes it as difficult to define a Palestinian film as it is to define a Palestinian person. The majority of Palestinian directors live in Europe, which is also where a great deal of their films find financing. The body of Palestinian films is estimated to number close to 800, but there are no cinemas in Gaza and only a handful of movie houses in the West Bank.Abu-Assad is Palestinian, but he was born in Israel and educated in the Netherlands, where he lived and worked until recently. "We are not a state," he says in his confident but imperfect English. "We are a case. We are struggling for equal rights, for equal citizenship, for our rights."One of the most successful Palestinian actresses of all time, Hiam Abbass, also draws a wide net around the boundaries of the term "Palestinian." Abbass, who appeared in "The Visitor" and "Munich," was also born in Israel. She has lived in Paris for the past 25 years."When we say 'Israeli Arab,' for me, it's almost like denying this other person that exists within me that I cannot help. It's there, it's my blood, my culture, my parents, it's my history," she says of her Palestinian heritage. To Abbass, for a movie to be Palestinian, it need only have a Palestinian point of view."Calling a movie Palestinian is just really giving an identity to the directors behind it," she says. "For me, it's almost like more of a cultural, political issue rather than about its production. Production always comes from somewhere else."Abbass recently wrapped her directorial debut, "Inheritance," which was filmed in Israel with a writing and production team that spans the Middle East.Despite the ever-shifting question of what "Palestinian" really means, one thing is clear: The nascent Palestinian film industry is growing, and fast.Until the late 1980s, Palestinian films consisted mostly of documentaries, made and distributed in Lebanon and Iraq. Things started to change in 1987, when Michel Khleifi's "Wedding in Galilee" picked up the Intl. Critics Prize at Cannes. Elia Suleiman's 1996 debut, "Chronicle of a Disappearance," was the first film from a Palestinian director to secure a U.S. distribution deal, and in the years that followed, Palestinian filmmaking picked up significantly.The Palestinian Ministry of Culture earned a major victory in 2002 when it convinced AMPAS to revamp the selection criterion for the foreign language Oscar after Suleiman's "Divine Intervention" was disqualified because no country could claim it.That move paved the way for the Oscar nod of "Paradise Now," which followed two childhood friends recruited to commit a suicide attack on Tel Aviv. Pic, which also nabbed the Golden Globe for foreign film, was released to international acclaim in 2005, just as the second intifada (Palestinian uprising) was coming to an end.That same year, moviegoers in the West Bank saw history made with the inauguration of the Al-Kasaba Film Festival, which screens films by and for Palestinians, unspooling pics in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus and Gaza City. In half of the cities, however, fest directors face the unique challenge of having to haul in their own projection equipment and screens because there are none on the ground.In 2008, Annemarie Jacir's "Salt of This Sea" took best screenplay at the Dubai Film Fest, while an international campaign saw the reopening of a long-defunct cinema in the Jenin refugee camp.There are now more than a dozen Palestinian film festivals around the world, from Chicago to London to Melbourne. However, there are still no Palestinian film schools, so most Palestinians interested in cinema go abroad. There is scant infrastructure to support film distribution. The Palestinian film industry remains as much in exile as its people."We are living in an age of crisscross immigration, and I think that maybe it's necessary to not base the idea of cinema -- national cinema -- on geography," says Suleiman, who now lives in France.Born in Nazareth, Suleiman makes many of his films with funding from Israel and European countries. He is quick to declare that Palestinian art transcends Palestinian politics."I doubt that (Palestinian film) does any good for national aspirations, simply because cinema is such a universal language, and its existence de facto is that it can crisscross borders and cross checkpoints. The fact that it does not stop at any sort of geographical boundary makes it an international language, and therefore is not only good for one people, but is good for all people," Suleiman says.If Abu-Assad, who recently returned to Nazareth after nearly 30 years in Holland, has anything to do with it, though, the Palestinian biz may find a foothold one day in Palestine."I really feel like there is space to push the Palestinian film industry to a better place," he says. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

9 Milestones in the Evolution of Kate Winslet

In this weekend’s Carnage, Kate Winslet plays an uptight investment banker who tries to broker a parental agreement concerning the damage done during a playground dispute between her son and another boy. So how did the British actress transform herself from a teenage murderer in her breakthrough role to a middle-aged NYer determined to settle her son’s stick fight? You can always trace a direct line through a few important roles to illustrate what led to an actor’s current success. As such, let’s look at nine pivotal performances that track the evolution of Kate Winslet. Dark Season (1991) Born into a family of working class actors, it wasn’t long before Winslet herself developed an interest in the arts and began studying drama at the age of 11. Five years later, Winslet won her first major professional acting role in BBC’s sci-fi series The Dark Season. Made up of just six episodes, the show followed a trio of teenagers (including Winslet’s Reet) as they attempted to save their school from a sinister gentleman posing as a computer dealer. Heavenly Creatures (1994) Three years later, Winslet made her film debut in Peter Jackson’s semi-biographical drama Heavenly Creatures. Winslet portrayed Juliet Hulme, a real-life teenager who in 1954, with the help of her best friend (played by Melanie Lynskey), killed her best friend’s mother. The critically-acclaimed drama (which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay) chronicled the girls’ intense friendship which bordered on obsession, hysteria and psychosis. The film also marked Winslet’s singing debut via an a cappella version of “Sono Andati” from La Bohme. For her performance, at the age of 19, she was named British Actress of the Year by the London Critics Circle. Sense and Sensibility (1995) Because Ang Lee reportedly did not enjoy Winslet’s work in Heavenly Creatures, the Sense and Sensibility director would only allow the British actress to audition for the minor role of Lucy Steele. However, as Wikipedia legend has it, Winslet pretended that she had been told the audition was for the meatier role of Marianne and proceeded to read for the middle Dashwood sister. Needless to say, Winslet won the part as the willful Dashwood as well as her first BAFTA and her first of six Academy Award nominations. Titanic (1997) Thanks to the exposure brought on by her work in Sense and Sensibility, James Cameron cast Winslet as Rose, the fictional socialite who falls for a drifter (Leonardo DiCaprio), in this epic romance about the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The film launched Winslet into sudden, unexpected Hollywood stardom when the film broke a series of records including highest grossing film at the time and earned a record-equaling eleven Academy Award wins. Titanic remains the highest-grossing film of Winslet’s career. Her work as young Rose also earned her a second Academy Award nomination. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Following the explosive success of Titanic, Winslet recoiled from the spotlight — reportedly passing on lead roles in Shakespeare in Love and Anna and the King to star in the smaller ’60s drama Hideous Kinky, the Jane Campion film Holy Smoke!, the Oscar-nominated period piece Quills and British biographical drama Iris. When Winslet finally returned to the Hollywood forefront, it was for a role unlike any others on her resume in the Michel Gondry-Charlie Kaufman collaboration Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For playing a brightly-tressed neurotic woman who elects to erase memories of her relationship with her ex (Jim Carrey) in this psychological sci-fi romance, Winslet won more glowing reviews. After an Oscar nomination for Iris, Winslet earned her fourth nod for Sunshine.

USA Network Moves Common Law Debut To Summer time

Just a little on the week after USA Network introduced a The month of january 26 premiere date for brand new series Common Law, the network has modified its plans, choosing to push the series’ debut to summer time. USA associates reported press and research feedback that referred to Common Law, which stars Michael Ealy and Warren Kole as a set of detectives instructed to attend couples counseling, like a true summer time action-comedy. That brought to USA’s decision to produce the show where it's had utmost success presenting new series — within the summer time. Of USA original series, only Whitened Collar (October) and Fairly Legal (The month of january) opened outdoors of USA’s sweet for starting new shows, summer time. USA won’t replace Common Law with another original within the Thursday 10 PM slot this midseason. Royal Pains and Whitened Collar will air their winter months as scheduled. USA will still perform a Common Law presentation in the approaching winter TCA Press Tour because the series is anticipated to produce at the begining of summer time.

Iger to steer Acad museum fund-raising

In the major move toward developing a motion-picture museum in La, Academy leader Tom Sherak introduced Wednesday that Wally Disney Co. leader and Boss Bob Iger assists as fund-raising chairman for your Academy Museum of Movies. Annette Bening and Tom Hanks will join as co-chairs. "The momentum remains building for just about any very very long time," Academy Boss Beginning Hudson noted, "together with the enthusiasm Bob, Annette and Tom all bring -- as well as the respect they are approved with the industry -- we've marked the beginning of a completely new chapter with this particular project." Sherak told Variety he must boost many of the funds needed in the year, though he declined to talk total dollars. Once the initial fundraising event is completed, the Academy will endow the museum with $50 million. He added the Academy had been approached with a couple of industry figures who would like to donate money for the project, lowering to title names. "We coping a constituency that desires to display around the world that which you do," Sherak mentioned. Even though org remains speaking of a museum for several years, prospecting Iger might be the very first real step since the Academy put its intentions of hold in 2008. "The conditions are still hard," Sherak mentioned. "I don't think it's as tough since it was. We don't have to raise anywhere near that which you required to raise in 2007, but can it be a wise choice? No it is not.Inch The Academy introduced a partnership while using La County Museum of Art in October to lease the prior May Co. building in a corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue for everybody since the movie museum's home. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Jason Aldean, Barbara Underwood Reign Supreme at Second Annual American Country Honours

Barbara Underwood Jason Aldean capped the 2nd annual American Country Honours, which broadcast on Fox live from Vegas Monday. He won six honours including artist of the season. "It has been a helluva year," Aldean stated. Barbara Underwood required home three guitar trophies in the show, broadcast live from Vegas."I've got an incredible 2012 planned for everyone," she told everyone else. "We are likely to have an enjoyable experience!Inch Take a look at red-colored carpet arrivals in the 2011 American Country Honours Toby Keith was named the artist from the decade and received a unique video summary of his performance of "Red-colored Solo Cup" from Stephen Colbert who - yes - elevated his red-colored solo cup to Urban. Browse the full listing of those who win: Artist of the season, Jason Aldean Male Artist of the season, Kaira Paisley Female Artist of the season, Barbara Underwood Breakthrough Artist of the season, Chris Youthful New Artist of the season, Scotty McCreery Album of the season, My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean Single of the season, "Voices," Chris Youthful Single of the season: Male, "My Kinda Party," Jason Aldean Single of the season: Female, "Mama's Song," Barbara Underwood Single of the season: Duo or Group, "Are You Currently Gonna Hug Me or otherwise,Inch Thompson Square Single of the season: New Artist, " Are You Currently Gonna Hug Me or otherwise,Inch Thompson Square Single of the season: Vocal Collaboration, "Not Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean Task. Kelly Clarkson Music Video of the season, "Who're You When I am Not Searching," Blake Shelton Music Video: Male, "Who're You When I am Not Searching," Blake Shelton Music Video: Female, "Mama's Song," Barbara Underwood Music Video: Duo or Group,"Not Wanna Stay," Jason Aldean Task. Kelly Clarkson Music Video: New Artist, "Are You Currently Gonna Hug Me or otherwise,Inch Thompson Square Touring Headline Act of the season, Jason Aldean Finest Hits Award, Alabama Artist from the Decade Award, Toby Keith

Robot Chicken Quartet Led By Seth Green Launches New Animation Studio

EXCLUSIVE: Stoopid Monkey Prods’ Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, creators/executive producers of Emmy-winning animated series Robot Chicken, have partnered with Buddy Systems’ John Harvatine IV and Eric Towner to launch Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, a stop-motion animation production facility for the quartet’s joint and individual animated projects, which will be produced under the new company’s banner. Additionally, the studio will host outside stop-motion animation projects. Stoopid Buddy Stoodios’ first productions will be the upcoming Season 6 of Adult Swim’s top-rated series Robot Chicken and the show’s tribute to the characters in the DC Comics universe. As a result, ShadowMachine Films, which had been co-producing Robot Chicken with Stoopid Monkey and handling physical production of the series, will no longer be involved in it. Robot Chicken‘s 100th episode airs January 15. Stoopid Monkey and Buddy Systems first collaborated earlier this year when they launched the YouTube live-action-meets-stop-motion animation show, Stoopid Monkey. Towner and Harvatine, repped by The Gotham Group, were animators on seasons 2 and 3 of Robot Chicken before leaving to found stop-motion production company Buddy System Studios four years ago. The company has had pilots set up at MTV Networks and Disney XD. UTA-repped Green and Senreich also serve as consultants on Lucasfilm’s animated Star Wars comedy series on the heels of their popular Star Wars-themed Robot Chicken specials, produce online reality show www.ControlTV.com and serve as executive producers on Adult Swim’s Titan Maximum.

'Tommy' Director Ken Russell Dead At 84

Questionable British director Ken Russell - most broadly known for your 1975 film Tommy died on Sunday at 84. Russells finest commercial success was his trippy adaptation in the Whos rock opera, starring Roger Daltrey since the title character. The film also featured Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner and Elton John. But theres much more to Russells extended and fascinating career than Tommy. Listed below are five particulars worth watching. 1. Russell trained just like a ballet dancer before used in film. 2. Inside the sixties he gained numerous documentaries about classical music composers for your BBC. 3. His 1971 film The Devils was heavily censored and banned outright in several places for pairing religious imagery with sex and violence. 4. He directed a young Hugh Grant inside the 1988 horror flick The Lair in the White-colored Earthworm. 5. In 2007, Russell came out inside the fifth season of Celebrity Government. He left the house of your accord after fighting along with his (now deceased) housemate, Jade Goody. Leave your opinions for Russell inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

Conan O'Brien to Play Himself in Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' (Exclusive Video)

Talk show host Conan O'Brien becomes the first celebrity to play himself on the improvisational comedy series Web Therapy, which stars Lisa Kudrow, when he seeks help from therapist Fiona Wallace in the first of a three-episode arc premiering Dec. 14 on LStudio.com. our editor recommendsLisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Bows Online in Canada'Web Therapy' EP and Star Dan Bucatinsky on How They Keep Viewers Rooting for FionaLisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' Sold in SyndicationShowtime picks up Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' The fourth season of Web Therapy kicked off last week with a story that stars Rosie O'Donnell as an editor at a book publisher handling Fiona's tell-all memoir. In that episode, Minnie Driver plays a B-movie actress who acquires rights to the book for a TV movie. [Watch the episode below.] The fourth season of Web Therapy is the longest yet, with 16 episodes in total. Last season there were 15 episodes. VIDEO: The Best Late Night Talk Show Viral Videos Other stars who will appear in the new season include Lily Tomlin (as the therapist's mother), Natasha Bedingfield and Dan Bucatinsky, an actor who is also Kudrow's producing partner. Kudrow and Bucatinsky created the series along with writer-director Don Roos for Is or Isn't Entertainment. Kudrow won a 2011 Webby award for best individual performance, and the show won best comedy longform series. The first season of 10 episodes aired on Showtime from July through October, marking a rare case where a series that went from the web to TV. On Showtime, it attracted an average of 359,000 viewers (from multiple runs) each week. VIDEO: 'Web Therapy' EP Dan Bucatinsky Previews Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow's Reunion Showtime is in negotiations to air more episodes of Web Therapy, but no deal is yet in place. In the fourth season, Fiona is building her online business and trying not to be distracted by her husband's political campaign. O'Donnell appears in the first four episodes in regards to her book, which is ghostwritten by her assistant (played by Bucatinsky). In his three episodes, O'Brien seeks help with his "anger issues," according to the producers. There have been stars on Web Therapy before, but they always played characters. O'Brien is the first to be himself. VIDEO: Conan O'Brien Returns to His Old 'Late Night' Studio in NY L Studios provides a broadband channel for original work from the worlds of art, culture, design, science, entertainment, architecture and more. It is owned by Lexus, the auto company. Content on the channel is produced and distributed by Diane Charles and Ron Qurashi of Intelligent Life Productions in collaboration with Team One Advertising for Lexus. Lisa Kudrow Conan O'Brien Rosie O'Donnell

Kenyan net turns up the drama

With a plot pulled from the headlines and a cast drawn from across the continent, a Kenyan skein is looking to push local dramatic series in a bold new direction. "Mali," which airs three times a week on private web NTV, is the first Kenyan drama to break from the traditional weekly format. The show's producers say it's an attempt to wean local audiences off the wildly popular Latin American telenovelas. "We are so in love with (the telenovelas), but we also have our own beautiful stories to tell," says Alison Ngibuini, the series' creator. The idea to shift to a soap-style, thrice-weekly format was prompted by the growing demand from viewers for local content. According to Sharleen Samat, program manager of NTV, which is co-producing the series, Kenyan broadcasters in the past few years have seen remarkable growth in such programming. The show is Kenya's most ambitious production to date, with NTV and Ngibuini inking a two-year, 326-episode deal. "Mali" launches amid signs of new life for Kenya's TV biz, with the nation preparing to move to digital in the next few years, while close to 40 broadcasting licenses have already been issued. With legislation on the table requiring Kenyan webs to air at least 40% local content, cash-strapped producers are hoping the flood of new channels will lead to fresh investment in local productions. n Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Clooney Can get Top Honors At Palm Springs Film Fest

First Launched: November 18, 2011 11:00 AM EST Credit: Getty Premium La, Calif. -- Caption George Clooney is smiles within the 2011 Film Independent Screening Series: The Descendants at Bing Theatre At LACMA in La on November 16, 2011George Clooney is adding another award to his collection. The Palm Springs Worldwide Film Festival can have the 50-year-old actor having its Chairmans Award within the month of the month of january. Festival chairman Harold Matzner mentioned Friday that Clooney can be a consummate actor, director, producer and film author (which has) proven that no discipline within the film marketplace is beyond his achieve. He mentioned Clooney continues to be honored for his performance inside the Descendants, in theaters Friday, too for writing, creating, pointing and starring inside the Ides of March, which opened up up lately. Past visitors in the Chairmans Award include Film Clip, Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman. Clooney has furthermore won an Academy Award and a pair of Golden Globes. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rising Star: New Women Mike M. Manley

First Launched: November 15, 2011 12:17 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Rising Star: Mike M. JohnsonAs televisions latest leading guy growing, New Women Mike M. Manley a great deal of products just one factor he certainly is not, is 14 years old. They just finally needed it well IMDB, Mike told Access Hollywood within a relaxation from filming his FOX hit comedy quantity of the erroneous birth year 1997 formerly around the movie website to begin dating ? which motivated concern in the slew of youthful women on Twitter. I merely believe it is so funny these 16-year-old ladies who watch New Girl they, so to speak, thought that strange guy while using beard was like, 14, he ongoing, getting fun. My whole career might be a much more interesting essentially was 14 and looked and socialized the means by that we act. Even without needing to function as the teenage strange guy while using beard, AccessHollywood.coms latest Rising Star has received greater than an amazing increase to his charming use role as Nick, New Women heartbroken underdog as well as the love interest-on-the-way of Zooey Deschanels Jess. But getting there's very hard task for your youngest child of basically one mother, who given and outfitted her brood by running what Mike referred to as, kind of junk shops throughout Chicago, and making stained glass home home windows for clients. By getting a painter for just about any mother, a teenage Mike fell hard the humanities too, however the love went in the different direction the improvisational comedy stage inside a famous Chicago club. Second City accustomed to carry out a free improv show late throughout the evening, then when I used to be noisy . secondary school, thats when [Chris] Farley was there and Tina Fey was there, and then we familiar with be capable of go watching these best, he appreciated fondly. I understood thats a few things i wanted, I merely didnt be aware of road to get it done, he added in the early dream. I usually aspired to do and act, it really made an appearance like [as large from the dream as], It may be really fun to go to the moon eventually. Undecided about his route, Mike headed West, well, further Area, for the College of Iowa. Throughout his couple of years just like a Hawkeye, just 230-odd miles from Chicago, Mike began his route to the moon after penning a primate-inspired theater work. I written a play of a guy who works inside a gorilla house, and also the main work would be to take care of the old celebrity gorilla. When that gorilla dies, his existence kind of falls apart and also the wife and pals are really weirded out because hes this devastated having a gorilla dying, Mike referred to. I written this play once i was at Iowa due to the fact it assisted me laugh, which i sent it to NYU which i experienced Tisch for dramatic writing. Ongoing his craft of writing in NY City, the very first 20-something hit happens too, undertaking while using Upright People Brigade (with Casey Wilson of Happy Being), a celebration that eventually aided lead him finally to Hollywood. While using undertaking bug an entire-blown virus, Mike quickly hit happens at LAs Second City, with Eric Edelstein, for self-composed sketch comedy, That Is My Friend, as well as the internet came calling too while he grew to become an associate from the type of Michael Cera in Derek Waters Drunk History (see Mike duel Michael Cera HERE:, and Derek & Simon, an online series featuring Large Bang Theorys Simon Helberg. Next, entrance doors started to start, landing the gifted funnyman roles on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tim Roths Mislead Me and movies like Russell Brands Lead Him To The Greek, as well as the Ashton Kutcher vehicle, Nsa, put together by New Girl creator Liz Meriwether. Shes so excellent and he or she works so desperately then when somebody cares much towards the top, it really makes everybodys job a great deal simpler, Mike mentioned of Liz, the woman who's now his full-time boss. Which ease proceeds, as New Girl was acquired for just about any full series run by FOX. Random people will walk by and Ill get yourself a point and theyll say, Hey guy, New Girl, and Ill go, Yeah. And theyll go, Nice! he jeered, recounting to get into how his existence is starting to change. It feels as if Im high-fiving a stranger. With elevated roles inside the just-released A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas as well as the 2012-due 21 Jump Street reboot, the right path is simply enhancing, something Mike mentioned is fun too for his wife, artist Erin Payne. Once we met, In my opinion I'd 400 dollars to my title together with a disgusting moustache I used to be trying to develop. The like her, its just really fun, he mentioned. In my opinion shes been experiencing the ride. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Walking Deads Jon Bernthal Joins Summits Snitch

Jon Bernthal, whose Shane character on AMCs The Walking Dead is on one twisted journey inside the shows second season, will join Dwayne Manley and Susan Sarandon in Snitch, the Ric Roman Waugh-directed action drama for Summit Entertainment that begins filming the following month in Louisiana. Manley plays a construction company owner who becomes a DEA snitch to reduce his boy’s prison sentence. Bernthal plays an ex-disadvantage laborer for your construction company who's forced by his boss to help connect him to have an undercover drug dealer. Bernthal, who was simply part of the cast of HBOs The Off-shoreline as well as the Roman Polanski-directed The Ghost Author, is repped by WME as well as the Burstein Company. The movies being co-funded by Exclusive Media, Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi.

War in the Dead

Somewhat Film Co., Rialto Intl., Lithuanian Film Art galleries and Media One Entertainment production. (Worldwide sales: Accelerator, Studio City.) Produced by Barr Potter, Ramunas Skikas. Executive producers, Alessandro Fracassi, Robbie Little. Co-producer, Marko Makilaakso, Joel Soisson. Directed by Marko Makilaakso. Script, Makilaakso, Barr B. Potter, in the story by Makilaakso.With: Andrew Tiernan, Mikko Leppilampi, Samuel Vauramo, Juoko Ahola, Jouko Ahola, Mark Wingett, Andreas Wilson, Antti Reini, Magdalena Gorska. (British dialogue)Finally premiering greater than four years after principal photography wrapped, "War in the Dead" turned up with time to see Toronto's During The Night fest alongside "Exit Humanity," another movie placing zombie action in the war time historic context. The slicker plus much more pricey of those two, Finn helmer Marko Makilaakso's British-language, Lithuania-shot bigscreen debut is muscular if your little one-dimensional, with little human interest or scariness to flavor what's basically one extended military shootout. Taken just like a straightforward actioner, it's pointing if unmemorable, with solid prospects for homevid sales in lots of areas. Theatrical exposure will probably be spotty. Prologue unveils Nazi "anti-dying" medical experiments completed on taken Russian soldiers early throughout World war ii. couple of years later, in 1941, allied Finn and American forces are saved to a pastime to get a rival bunker round the Finnish-Soviet border. First they are decimated having a Russian ambush (just before the U.S.S.R. switched in the tenuous Axis association to committed Allied allegiance) then youngsters are further reduced with a anxiety attack within the undead, flesh-hungry people with people experiments. With the half-hour point, only Yank officer Stone (Andrew Tiernan), Finn Laasko (Mikko Leppilampi) and Russian grunt Kolya (Samuel Vauramo) still fight the nonstop onslaught. Much machine gunning evolves, in order to and inside the abandoned secret Nazi project's undercover HQ. Protags' trigger-happy offensive against plenty of uniformed zombies (no matter the undead's superior speed, strength and resilience) helps to make the pic feel a great deal a lot more like a "Rambo" movie than as being a horror meller. It certainly doesn't cash if this involves atmosphere, dread or "boo!" moments, no matter the polished if undistinctive pictures and score. The testosterone-laden proceedings don't supply the competent thesps much chance to develop character, as well as the script (co-put together by Makilaakso with veteran producer Barr Potter) leaves the essential premise undeveloped beyond a thing that to keep numerous busy but interchangeable action sequences simply put, more plot may have aided. Fadeout signifies a need to setup "War in the Dead" as first inside an ongoing horror-combat action series a la "Underworld." Packaging-wise no less than, the conclusion product shows no manifestation of many production worries the pic allegedly experienced, including late changes of cast and funding.Camera (color), Hannu-Pekka Vitikainen editor, Michael J. Duthie music, Neal Acree, Joel Goldsmith production designer, Algis Garbaciauskas art company company directors, Darius Bastys, Kari Kankaanpaa, Audrius Dumikas set decorator, Daila Pranckenaite costume designer, Daiga Rybakoviene visual effects supervisor, Chad Goei assistant director, Boris Taskov casting, Donatas Simukauskas, Laura Munsterhelm. Examined on DVD, San Francisco Bay Area, November. 11, 2011. (In Toronto During The Night Film Festival.) Running time: 86 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Netflix, Lionsgate TV Closing Deal For Jenji Kohans Orange Might Be The Brand New Black Comedy

EXCLUSIVE: I have discovered that after extended discussions, Netflix is finalizing a deal with Lionsgate TV for just about any 13-episode straight-to-series order to Orange Might Be The Brand New Black, a comedy from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan. This marks the second original series for Netflix, which taken gave a 26-episode straight-to-series pickup to MRC’s David Fincher/Kevin Spacey drama House Of Cards. Kohan’s project falls under her wealthy overall deal with Lionsgate TV. Co-created and executive produced by Kohan and House co-executive producer Liz Friedman, it is founded on Piper Kermans memoir Orange Might Be The Brand New Black: My Year In the Womens Prison and involves women jail time. It tales nonprofit communications executive Kermans year-extended stint a minimum of security correctional facility in Danbury, Conn., stemming in the conviction on her behalf part in the drug smuggling and funds-washing plan she got twisted up in 10 years earlier just like a fresh college graduate. Netflix was already in operation with Lionsgate TV. In April, the streaming/DVD-by-mail giant signed a distinctive distribution deal with Lionsgate to stream as much as seven seasons in the art galleries acclaimed AMC drama Mad Males. The pact paved the means by which for other distribution-type handles Netflix, like the CW’s recent agreement that could fetch the network around $1 billion. Netflixs stock has already established a beating lately if you do problems, like the companys questionable decision to enhance the price of the combined streaming and DV- rental service by 60%, together with a disappointing 3Q earnings report.

The X Factor's Drew Defends Her Dress: I Expected Some Not to Like It

Drew Ryniewicz It takes something pretty special to draw a negative word from Paula Abdul, but Drew Ryniewicz's Wednesday night performance dress did just that. Abdul praised the 14-year-old X Factor contestant's rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You" before, in a rare moment, slamming her ensemble - a Punky Brewster-style mash-up of an evening gown that Ryniewicz wore with black feather earrings and rainbow hair. "That outfit took the seriousness away. Don't take fashion advice from Simon anymore," Abdul told her. Read our recap of Wednesday's episode of The X Factor But the singer says she has no regrets about the bold fashion statement she designed herself: "My song was so emotional and slow, and I wanted my dress to be fun," she told TVGuide.com after the show. "I expected some not to like it." Ryniewicz said she designed the dress to represent every aspect of her style. "It's a little bit of edginess with girlyness. The paint splatters are total teenager. I wanted this performance to say, I'm still a teenager, I'm not trying to be any older than I am." And, for the record, she says her mentor approved of her look. "Simon liked my dress. I was actually worried about that," Ryniewicz said. "Right before the show, he said, 'I like your dress, I want you to keep the dress,' and afterward he came up to me and said, 'I like the outfit, don't listen to Paula.'" Meanwhile, girl group LaKoda Rayne has stopped defending the prom dress debacle from last week. "I don't think we're ever going to go back to that individual colors, solid dress thing. We got some bad feedback about it and I think we've learned our lesson," Hayley Orrantia said. The singers backed it up by photo-shopping themselves on to the Teletubbies for their Twitter followers. "We weren't aware we were representing Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers ... all Saturday morning cartoons," the group's Paige Elizabeth said:

New Snow White & The Huntsman Art

Stop. Banner time...At this year's Comic-Con, we were treated to one of the more unusual panels for a big film courtesy of director Rupert Sanders and the stars of Snow White And The Huntsman. Unusual because the film hadn't actually started shooting at that point, and Sanders only had a proof-of-concept reel and some portraits of his actors, including Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron, to show off. Now everyone else can get more of an idea about the movie's imagery and tone as a new banner has arrived, courtesy of Collider.As we noted back in July, this Snow White is looking decidedly more like a Lord Of The Rings-style adventure, cross-spliced with just a touch of Alice In Wonderland.And from the looks of this new image, that's definitely the angle Sanders has gone for, with a much more proactive Snow (seen here with a blade at her side) seemingly blinded by a mysterious light shining in the woods. Hemsworth's Huntsman has little of Thor's look about him, opting for a grungy Aragorn-esque outfit and a steely gaze. Oh, and weird tree creature things that look like they hang out and play cards with the freaky forest of Evil Dead. Finally, we have Theron's evil Queen, all dark war scenes and flying ravens.{Snow White And The Huntsman banner}Not yet pictured: the re-imagined dwarfs being played the likes of Ian McShane, Nick Frost and Bob Hoskins, though that's probably because they'll be digitally tinkered with before we see anything of them. Sam Claflin's prince also doesn't get a look in. He's likely just off-camera looking royal.Snow White And The Huntsman will be out on June 1, 2012.

Hollywood Docket: Errol Morris Prosecuted Fox News Forms TV Academy Re-Ups General Counsel

GettyErrol Morris. Two new legal cases enhance the question of whether filmmakers put people inside a false light and violated the privileges for their title and likeness. Might more within our roundup of entertainment law news....our editor recommendsU.S. Documentary Filmmaker Errol Morris to provide BAFTA Film LectureMorrissey Takes 'Racism' Fight to U.K. Court An Or guy is suing Lionsgate within the Next 72 Hours, starring Russell Crowe, while he states he was portrayed four occasions for many seconds in multiple screen shots like a "criminal fugitive." The complaintant, Bilal Ahmed, states the film has broken his status, which buddies and affiliates immediately recognized him. He's no more comfortable putting on his hair on your face as portrayed within the movie for fear it might impair future gainful employment. He's suing makers from the film, which made $51 million, in excess of $a million. Joyce McKinney is suing documentary filmmaker Errol Morris for wrongly representing her within the film Tabloid as "crazy, a sex offender, an S&M prostitute, and/or perhaps a rapist." McKinney was active in the seventies with what's now referred to as "Mormon sex in chains situation" or even the "The situation from the Manacled Mother," the storyline of the missionary allegedly kidnapped by McKinney, the first kind Miss Wyoming. McKinney cooperated with Morris throughout the building of the film, giving a job interview. However, she states she thought Morris to become creating a Showtime series about paparazzi and was rather "unknowingly fooled" into speaking in regards to a "lengthy dead tabloid hoax." She's suing for unspecified damages. The Tv Academy has re-upped its outdoors general counsel Dixon Dern, that has offered for the reason that capacity in excess of 3 decades. A Texas condition court has refused Time Warner Cable's motion to possess a dispute with Viacom over CMT (New Bands Television) settled in NY, in which the two companies are fighting over streamed content on iPad applications. TWC states that CMT violated a joint venture partner agreement by leaving new bands, and Viacom thinks that TWC has breached anything by failing in the obligations to distribute the funnel and disturbing marketers. A Texas judge has recognized Viacom's arguments this dispute is unconnected using the debate over iPad streaming. Fox News has settled a suit with a NY digital photographer who prosecuted the network for airing a copyrighted work without permission. A photograph ofAssata Shakur was shownwithout plaintiffDelphine Fawundu Buford'sconsentduring The O'Reilly Factor. Fox News stated fair use, however the dispute continues to be under your own accord ignored following the parties found an undisclosed agreement. The NY Occasions and also the Huffington Publish are fighting on the blog title. The Gray Lady filed a trademark violation suit against America online, proprietors of HuffPo, for naming a raising a child blog,Parentlode, which allegedly apes the NYT's Motherlode. The writer from the HuffPo blog formerly was charge author from the NYT one. Morrissey will quickly attend a U.K. High Court going after a defamation claim against NME for representing him like a racist. A judge has determined the singer is creating a "seriousInch claim, and over the past weekend, Morrissey launched a extended statement explaining what went down at length.

Why YouTube Was Requested Yet Another Question in Viacom Appeal (Analysis)

The second Circuit Court of Appeals is presently weighing whether a federal judge wrongfully ignored Viacom's large copyright violation suit against YouTube. Recently, the parties contended their particular sides, but following the hearing came to the conclusion, the 3-judge panel had yet another question for YouTube.our editor recommendsDisney, YouTube to Partner on Original Video SeriesViacom, Google Prepare For Battle in Appeals Court Over YouTube Copyright Issues Will YouTube's Hollywood Experiment Repay?Information Corp's IGN, Shine Group Partner for YouTube Gaming Funnel START (Exclusive Q&A) The appeals court desires to know whether and just how the "warning sign understanding provision would apply" under YouTube's interpretation of copyright law. What's the warning sign understanding provision? Digital Millennium Copyright Act talks about conditions by which service companies have "safe harbor" from copyright liability. Virtually everybody concurs when an Web service provider like YouTube will get a takedown notice and responds expeditiously to get rid of infringing material, it's safe. But in which the parties disagree is within interpretation the sentence within the statute that discusses liability for ISPs when no takedown notices are sent, where an Web service provider doesn't have "actual understanding" of infringing material, however it can always be "conscious of details or conditions that infringing activity is obvious.Inch This is whats called the warning sign understanding provision. The question the second Circuit keeps asking in lots of forms: What obligations do ISPs genuinely have? Now, the idol judges have pointedly pressed YouTube for any direct response to the problem of copyright violation awareness beyond a takedown notice. It's a somewhat tricky question for YouTube because its lawyers have virtually stated it's nearly entirely the copyright holder's responsibility to see an Web service provider about infringing material. We are saying "nearly entirely" rather than "completely" because YouTube's lawyers can't pretend the warning sign understanding provision wasn't ever written. In hisresponseto the second Circuit, YouTube's lawyer Andrew Schapiro doesn't hypothesize a predicament in which the warning sign understanding provision is definitely triggered, but he's certainly comfortable speaking about if this isn't triggered: Anytime an Web service provider sees something which's under an apparent and particular violation Anytime an Web service provider sees somethingthat requires analysis This situation Does that leave any room for that warning sign understanding provision to become truly significant? You never know, but as Schapiro highlights, other courts (Veoh, MP3Tunes, etc.) now utilize this narrow interpretation. Viacom will are able to create a rebuttal and provide its logic behind why Congress were built with a obvious purpose when writing up this area of the DMCA. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Viacom YouTube

'Skyfall' Recruits 'Harry Potter' Actor, Ralph Fiennes Talks Bond

It didn't take long after last week's big press conference announcing the title and start of production of "Skyfall," the new James Bond film starring Daniel Craig, for even more news to start trickling in. Yesterday, the official Twitter feed for the superspy (@007) released the first official picture from the set: a non-earth-shattering snap of a clapperboard. Now, the production adds two more actresses to the already star-studded cast. Helen McCrory, perhaps better known as the villainous mother Narcissa Malfoy from the "Harry Potter" films, and Ola Repace, a Swedish actress, have joined the cast that includes Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris. It had been rumored for a few weeks that McCrory had been cast in the upcoming Sam Mendes-directed Bond film, but not until yesterday's Twitter announcement was she confirmed. One actor who was not present at the first press conference was Ralph Fiennes, who's character is one of several that we know the least about. Fiennes spoke with Matt Singer over at IFC about his upcoming directorial debut in "Coriolanus" and shared some small details about his mysterious role in "Skyfall." A self-professed Bond fan, Fiennes said that if you are anything like him, you won't be disappointed with "Skyfall." "If you're a Bond fan then you'll be happy," he said. "I can tell you that John Logan has written a fantastic screenplay and Sam Mendes is a class act. They're doing something quite special I think. I think they're going to be great for Bond." He also commented that the film would be filled with action, contradicting reports that Mendes planned to remove much of the usual Bond shenanigans. The Academy Award-nominated actor remained mum on just who his character is. When Singer asked if Fiennes would see any of the action himself, he got quiet. "I can't answer that question," Fiennes said. "I don't get laid, that's for sure." What do you think of the new cast members for "Skyfall," and what do you make of Fiennes secrecy? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Drafthouse Films ink multiplatform deal with Image

Danish comedy Clown is among several photos that Drafthouse Films has acquired to distribute within the U . s . States. Year-old Drafthouse Films has pacted with Image Entertainment inside an exclusive distribution deal for home video, digital, television and VOD. Deal marks one more development of Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse's intend to become lifestyle brand. The Alamo Drafhouse chain of theaters -- which rely on individual to individual and serving alcohol in the laidback setting -- has 10 locations which is searching to develop into La and NY soon. Drafthouse Films has acquired U . s . States rights to Michael Roskam's crime drama "Bullhead," Belgium's official candidate for your Oscar language film, and Mikkel Nogaard's Danish comedy "Clown." Drafthouse acquired U . s . States rights to "Comin at Ya! 3dInch in September carrying out a premiere in the restored film at Fantastic Fest. Drafthouse Films has hired James Emanuel Shapiro, former professional director of sales planning and purchases for Anchor Bay, since the company's new chief operating officer.

Adult-skewing game titles keep distribs happy

'Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis'Although this year's box office has dropped slightly in The country, falling .8% to $658.5 million through March. 16, indie B.O. share of the market elevated from 25% to 29% versus. 2010.That growth was mainly brought by mass audience distribs Aurum, DeAPlaneta and TriPictures, that have seen some success shrugging off U.S. studio domination."Spain's independents have embarked into bigger-budget buys," states Yolanda del Val, purchases mind at DeAPlaneta, which distributed "The King's Speech," the film that tops current 2011 indie charts with $13 million.Total box office is brought by Warner-distributed blockbuster "Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis." The 4th a part of Spaniard Santiago Segura's cop saga nabbed $27.8 million, along with a spectacular 4.2% share of the market. "Torrente 4" bested worldwide franchises for example "Pirates from the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" ($25.9 million), "Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" ($22.7 million) and "Rise from the Planet from the Apes" ($20.a million).But this season, Hollywood's domination continues to be partly eroded by arthouse/crossover distributor Alta Films.Benefiting from its stable relationship rich in-profile auteurs dealing with The spanish language companies, Alta obtained standout performances with Woodsy Allen's "Night time in Paris" ($11.4 million) and Spaniard Iciar Bollain's "The Rain" ($4.8 million).Abnormally fine September-October weather dinged up full-year B.O. anticipation. "I am upbeat about November to December try not to believe that we'll achieve 2010 figures," states Pau Brunet with BoxOffice.Hit recently by deficiencies in TV sales and illegal Internet movie downloads, local marketers will find some reason to smile because of burgeoning online services, including Netflix, that is because of bow in The country early the coming year.InchVOD continues to be an nascent market but marketers happen to be seeing that you have a future," states Juan Carlos Tous, Boss of Filmin, Spain's primary online portal for indie movies.VOD returns to have an indie film are growing monthly only represent around 10% of home theatre revenues, Tous adds."VOD revenues continue to be minor," states Jose Escola chairman of Barcelona-based distrib Emon.However, new VOD offers for example Wuaki.tv and Canal Plus Yomvi have clinched handles local marketers while Netflix has apparently approached almost all of them."The The spanish language market must adapt distribution home windows and prices. This is where Netflix is going to be a big help,Inch Tous states.Quantity of screens: 2,863Number of three dimensional screens: 690Top indie distribs and B.O. through March. 16: Aurum ($38.9 million) DeAPlaneta ($23.8 million) TriPictures ($23.a million)Top exhibition chains for indie films: Cines Renoir, Golem Cines, Yelmo CinesTypical minimum guarantee compensated: 4% of film budgetTop 5 indie films: "The King's Speech" ($13 million) "Night time in Paris" ($11.4 million) "Insidious" ($7.8 million) "Unlimited" ($5.six million)"Saw three dimensional" ($4.9 million)Approaching indie pick-ups: "Starbuck" (Vertigo Films) "The Inbetweeners" (Aurum Producciones) "Skylab" (Alta Films) "Monsieur Lazhar" (A Contracorriente Films) "Taken" (Golem Distribucion) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Are Icon U.K.'s big plans crashing?

Two years after Len Blavatnik's Access Industries bought Icon's U.K. distribution and foreign sales operations, with big plans to expand Icon around the world, all signs seem to indicate that Access's excitement with the film biz is cooling. The grand plans for Icon's global expansion have long been abandoned, while a strategic alliance announced a year ago with the Weinstein Co. has come to nothing. Now Blighty's film biz is abuzz with reports that Access is shopping Icon's U.K. library to potential buyers, following the distrib's recent weak performance. The possible sale of that library, which includes titles such as "Drive," "A Single Man" and "Precious," would leave Icon to simply focus on the foreign sales business. However, the company is also struggling to attract new projects for its international arm, with Access providing only limited support. Perhaps it's that the U.S.-based industrial group has bigger fish to fry. The company acquired Warner Music in May for $3.3 billion, and is now the favorite to snap up EMI's recorded music arm, which has been put on the block by Citigroup. Icon is a small concern by comparison, and Access seems unwilling to invest more cash or management time in growing the business. Access and Icon refuse to comment. But one insider confirms Access is open to offers for its U.K. distribution arm: "It's like one of those things you have that doesn't make a huge difference to you, and you want to sell but only if the price is right." Icon's U.K. arm looks set for its worst year at the box office since 2006. With a gross of 7.4 million ($11.8 million) so far, the company will be lucky to make half of its 2010 and 2009 box office takings, which sat at $26.3 million and $26.8 million, respectively. While Icon U.K.'s 2010 slate was peppered with some moderately successful releases, including "Edge of Darkness" ($5.9 million) and "A Single Man" ($5.1 million) there were a slew of misses as well, including Gurinder Chadha's "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" ($1.5 million) and "The Box," ($1.9 million). So far in 2011, only two pics have passed the 1 million ($1.5 million) mark: "Drive" ($4.1 million and counting) and "West Is West" ($4.3 million). Some rival distribs even say they were approached by Access as long as six months ago to assess the value of the U.K. library. Two years ago, under the direction of former PolyGram and UIP topper Stewart Till, the intention was to set up Icon as an international distribution network that could rival the likes of other major indies in the European market and further afield. The backing of Blavatnik, a Russian-American billionaire, coupled with Till's expertise signaled what seemed to be a big future for the company. Till kicked the tires of several distribs in Italy, Spain, France and Germany, but could not find suitable acquisitions at a realistic price. At the same time, a series of U.K. theatrical failings cooled the enthusiasm of Access for further expansion in the distribution business. A year ago, Access told Till to retreat back to Blighty and focus on fixing the U.K. operations and building up the foreign sales arm. However, this was not what Till, an advocate of the multiterritory distribution philosophy, wanted. So he moved from CEO to a part-time role as chairman, while Hugo Grumbar and Ian Dawson became joint managing directors, with Grumbar handling international sales and Dawson the U.K. operation. In January, Icon laid off 15% of its staff. In an effort to cut costs, certain pivotal roles were merged including head of home entertainment and head of marketing. Rumors were rife that Grumbar and Dawson were given a year to show results or the company would be shut down. Since then, Icon's international sales operation has handled pics such as "Coriolanus," which was sold to TWC in Berlin, Sundance hit "Project Nim" and the yet-to-be released Mel Gibson pic "How I Spent My Summer Vacation." Last year, before the American Film Market, Icon announced it was launching a new film financing alliance with the Weinstein Co. One year later, however, and the relationship has borne no fruit. Indeed, for the past year, Icon seems to have spent more time pulling out of deals than consummating them. Last week, Icon went into arbitration with River Road Entertainment, the producers of Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life," after cancelling a plan in April to distribute the pic in Blighty. The U.K. distribution company's most significant acquisition this year has been the low-budget horror pic "You're Next," which Icon pre-bought for a low-six figure sum from HanWay Films at Cannes. The horror-thriller was one of the buzz titles at Toronto this year, selling to more than 30 territories; Lionsgate snapped up U.S. rights in a low seven-figure deal. But Icon's U.K. release will follow the U.S. release, which isn't skedded until next year. "It's a crowded landscape here in the U.K.," says one source. "And Access don't seem to be giving Icon the backing and support they need to make themselves a formidable player. Perhaps it's a question of experience and infrastructure, but rumors are rife and people are hesitant to give them films because of that." Excerpted from the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 edition of weekly Variety. For the full version, go to Variety.com Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Octavia Spencer Cast in Diablo Cody's Directorial Debut

Octavia Spencer, riding high in the Help, has signed onto star alongside Julianne Hough and Russell Brand in Diablo Cody's directorial debut.our editor recommendsRussell Brand, Julianne Hough to Star in Diablo Cody's Directorial Debut PHOTOS: How 'The Help' Was Cast The Mandate project, which was once titled Lamb of God, follows a young conservative religious lady (Hough) who handles to get rid of her belief carrying out a plane crash, decides to go to Las vegas to reside in the presence of the sinner, and also on her journey finds her sometime ago to her belief. Brand plays her unlikely companion who helps her find herself. Spencer may have a card dealer who works within the same casino as Logo and desires to help her in their mission for sin. PHOTOS: Behind-the-Moments within the 15th Annual Hollywood Film Honours Cody, an Oscar champion for Juno, composed Jason Reitman's Youthful Adult, which Vital will release in December. Mason Novick is creating. Lionsgate is handling worldwide sales and may present the film within their American Film Market slate. The film is vulnerable to a spring 2012 start. Spencer is repped by WME and attorney Karl Austen. Related Subjects Russell Brand Julianne Hough Octavia Spencer

Tricky photos spend years on the way

'Albert Nobbs' would be a labor of affection for Glenn Close. 'Anonymous''A Harmful Method'Christopher Hampton started writing "A Harmful Method" in 1997 for twentieth century Fox like a vehicle for Jennifer Aniston to experience Sabina Spielrein, the Russian lady who came between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung throughout the first times of psychoanalysis.Roberts eventually made the decision to pass through, but convinced the studio release a the privileges to Hampton, who, hesitant to, because he puts it, "waste everything material," switched it right into a 2002 play entitled "The Speaking Cure." Director David Cronenberg browse the play soon after its London premiere and known as Hampton to request if he'd think it'd create a good movie.That is how 14 years after Hampton initially authored the script, "A Harmful Method" showed up in cinemas. A very long time, Hampton notes, although not an individual record. "Carrington," his directorial debut, required 18 years to create. His third film, "Imagining Argentina," needed 14 years."You just need to live a really very long time," Hampton states, laughing. "Eventually it'll beginning on somebody who the script that's been hanging out will make a great film."Knowing from the amount of lengthy-gestating passion projects coming in cinemas this fall, Hampton has not been the only person biding his time through false begins and financing fall-throughs. Roland Emmerich spent nearly ten years fine-tuning and championing author John Orloff's Shakespearean speculation "Anonymous." Steven Spielberg acquired the privileges to Herge's "Tintin" comics soon after the Belgian artist died in 1983. His adaptation of three from the tales, "The Adventures of Tintin," opens 12 ,. 28.And nearly 30 years after playing a lady passing herself like a guy to eke out a full time income in 1800s Ireland, Glenn Close has finally recognized her imagine getting "Albert Nobbs" towards the screen."That first day around the set, it had been very difficult to experience it all,Inch Close states. "I figured, 'If we'd quit, there'd be nobody here.' It had been this type of lengthy road."Any discussion of lengthy and winding streets could be incomplete without including contemplative auteur Terrence Malick, whose "Tree of Existence" opened up in spring in the Cannes Film Festival some 3 decades after it started its existence like a meditation around the roots from the cosmos. The publish-production on "Tree," which Malick shot in 2008, survived more than the expansion-to-release home windows for many movies.The reason why behind the delays for almost all these personal projects routinely have more related to financing than deep ideas. "Harmful Method" producer Jeremy Thomas needed a couple of years to locate money for that film once Hampton modified his script for Cronenberg. Close, that has producer and author credits to accompany her starring role in "Nobbs" lost the financing on her film nearly about ten years ago. She and producers Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn eventually found traders outdoors the, with Close kicking in a few of her own money to pay for the movie's $8 million budget."I define a completely independent movie like a movie that almost does not get made," Close states. "That's only the rule."Adds Hampton: "I must be philosophical concerning the fact the type of films that I love to write are the types of films which make people nervous to invest in. One out of three of my scripts can get made. And also the other two it's rarely related to quality. It is a completely random group of conditions each time.InchEven Emmerich, whose apocalyptic epics like "2012" and "Independence Day" have made billions worldwide, was impelled to shelve "Anonymous" in 2005 when, throughout pre-production, your budget expanded from $40 million to a lot more than $55 million."A film such as this includes a very narrow audience," Emmerich states of "Anonymous," an effects-laden costume drama that posits that Edward p Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, authored the whole shebang of Shakespeare. "I always aspired to allow it to be. I simply needed to look for a cheaper way."Emmerich discovered that way while making the $200 million-allocated disaster film "2012." Working the very first time having a camera, Emmerich came away knowing he could create first-rate bluescreen composites. Younger crowd noted advances in the manner computer effects artists could create photo-real conditions."That provided the courage to recreate a 16th-century London on the pc,Inch Emmerich states. Because of the technology and also the money saved shooting in Germany rather than England, "Anonymous" arrived at $25 million, he states.Not every labors of affection score with audiences and Academy voters. For each lengthy-gestating "Milk" and "Schindler's List," there is a "Frankie & Alice" that passes the wayside. But, regardless of the result, individuals active in the extended journeys to screen wouldn't trade the trip.States Close: "That cliche -- even when a couple view it and enjoy it, then it is worthwhile -- holds true. The procedure is fulfilling. It feeds the soul."Honours SEASON LAUNCH:Acad muzzles the clink and guzzle scene New rules redraw Oscar's picture, doc, toon races Tricky photos spend years on the way Fest test weeds out basically Oscar's best Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Adam Lambert Enlists Earth Rodgers for brand new Album (Video)

Earth Rodgers is everywhere nowadays, out of your local book shop, where the-launched memoir, Le Freak: An Upside Lower Story of Family, Disco, and Future,is really a hot item, towards the NY Occasions, to some NY City studio where he and Adam Lambert have found their groove.our editor recommendsMadonna's Early Diva Days, Riveting Tales of Disco, Drugs and 80s Excess Highlight Earth Rodgers' Memoir Adam Lamberts Second Album Slated for First Quarter Release The 2 happen to be buying and selling tweets for the days and today comes video from the The American Idol Show alum and also the guitar great and super-producer exercising a lick on the track possibly destined for Lambert's forthcoming second album -- although moderate in order to "safeguard the integrity from the song" (see clip below). But even when we do not understand what this passionate jam seems like, one factor we are able to deduce is the fact that a Rodgers-Lambert collaboration has got the makings of the special pairing. In the end, Rodgers has created probably the most seminal records from the seventies and eighties, including Diana Ross' Diana, Madonna's Just Like A Virgin, and Let us Dance by David Bowie, who's among Lambert's own idols. Q&A: RCA Records' Peter Edge and Tom Corson on Why the Label Cut down and it is Devote The new sony's Large Picture Indeed, Rodgers themself tweeted, "I truly wouldn't say it whether it weren't true-Working w Adam Lambert was probably the most organically perfect jams I've had since Bowie." Naturally, Lambert quickly retweeted the content and sentiment, writing, "how much of an amazing day." Together with his own band Chic, Rodgers introduced the disco hit "Le Freak" around the world, and then assisted Sister Sledge perform the same goes with "We're Family" and Diana Ross with "I am Being Released," an audio lesson Lambert can most definitely fall behind. Without doubt the 2 had plenty to gab about, with Rodgers' stupefying tales of eighties excess, masterfully chronicled in the new book. He's presently fighting cancer of the prostate but remains incredibly active, as his blog shows. For the truth that Lambert continues to be recording when he's because of to produce single the moment the following month, it states what RCA Records leader Tom Corson told The Hollywood Reporterin September, the album was moved back "since the creative process continues to be unfolding." The label mind did, however, promise that it might be in the very first quarter of 2012. Watch the in-the-studio clip below and browse much more about Rodgers' memoir here. Adam Lambert Madonna The American Idol Show David Bowie RCA Records Tom Corson Earth Rodgers

Is This the Best or Worst Movie Costume in History?

Over the weekend, thousands of cosplayers descended upon NY Comic Con. There were Darth Vaders, Spocks and even Mr. Ts. However, none of them were dressed as -- at least to our knowledge -- Luxo Jr. a.k.a. the Pixar lamp. Maybe that's because the one person who actually was dressed as Luxo Jr. was too busy shooting this clip, which shows a man (or woman -- we're not really sure) imitating the opening credits you see before each Pixar movie -- where Luxo jumps in front of the Pixar logo and takes the place of the "I." The person in the costume actually does a pretty good job of imitating it, but you can judge for yourself ahead. [The Daily What via Movieline] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Rio heaps awards on Brazilian western 'Matraga'

RIO P JANEIRO -- Vinicius Coimbra's debut feature "Matraga," a Brazilian western-styled drama, nabbed five kudos around the final evening from the thirteenth Rio p Janeiro Film Festival, which wrapped Tuesday. Pic, with different short story by Brazilian author Guimaraes Rosa, required the feature, actor (for Joao Miguel), supporting actor (Jose Wilker), special jury (Chico Anysio) and aud feature honours. The very first time within the Rio festival's history, exactly the same pic nabbed the jury and aud feature kudos. In another first, doc helmer Eduardo Coutinho nabbed the jury and aud feature doc Redeemers for "Tunes," a nostalgia-filled journey through local music. Eduardo Nunes' debut pic "Southwest," a black-and-whitened spiritual journey through Brazil's northeast, required the special jury, editing and Fipresci kudos. Karim Ainouz got the helmer kudo for "The Silver High cliff," while Odilon Rocha nabbed the film writer kudo for his "Prime Time Cleaning soap" telenovela star Camila Pitanga required the actress prize for Beto Brant and Renato Ciasca's "I'd Get the Worst News Out Of Your Beautiful Lips," Maria Luisa Mendonca won the supporting actress award for "Tomorrow Never Comes," and Jordana Berg copped the cinematography Redeemer for "Marcelo Yuka: Stick to the Signs." A lot more than 300 photos were tested in the fest, that also featured an active market section. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Report: Sandra Bullock Could Join Clint Eastwood at risk while using Curve

The other day, it absolutely was reported that Clint Eastwood was considering playing a ageing baseball scout who travels along with his daughter on one last recruiting trip in 'Trouble While using Curve.' Well, the newest rumor is always that Sandra Bullock may be cast since the daughter. According to Twitch, producers in the film are presently in talks while using Oscar-winning actress, who was simply last seen in 2009's 'The Blind Side.' Unsure yet on when 'Trouble While using Curve' will hit theaters. Bullock is seen next in this season's Oscar bate, 'Extremely Noisy and very Close,' slated for just about any Christmas release date. [via Twitch] [Photo: AFP/Getty Images] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Buffy Vet Emma Caulfield Heads to ABC's Not so long ago

Emma Caufield Emma Caulfield will guest-star within an approaching episode of ABC's magical drama Not so long ago, TVGuide.com has confirmed. Executive-created by Lost's Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the approaching series informs the storyline from the Evil Full (Lana Parrilla) casting a spell upon classic story book figures who reside in Storybrooke, Maine, and do not know their very own true details. Not so long ago Scoop: A Deadwood alum is visiting town Caulfield, who's most widely known on her role as Anya the ex-vengeance demon in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will have the Blind Witch from Hansel and Gretel. On Monday, the 38-year-old actress first tweeted concerning the role, that will mark a reunion with producer Liz Tigelaar, whom she labored with on Existence Unpredicted, with Buffy's Jane Espenson. Not so long ago, that also stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow Whitened and Jennifer Morrison as her daughter, debuts Sunday, March. 23 at 8/7c on ABC.

Lleju boards 'Stars'

LLeju Prods. originates aboard to invest in and co-produce the drama ''Stars'' alongside Storyland Pictures' Derrick Borte and Scott Lochmus. Lleju topper William Perkins made the announcement Monday.Borte will even direct ''Stars'' from the script by Jim Janosky. The script, that was around the 2005 Black List, follows a guy who establishes his birthday to commit suicide but his disregard for existence requires a turn when he meets a mysterious stranger who challenges his decision to die. Production is scheduled to begin the following month.Tim Hurwitz of Schreck Rose Dapello Adams and Hurwitz, LLP symbolized both sides in settling the offer.LLeju lately wrapped ''The Baytown Disco'' starring Billy Bob Thornton and Avoi Longoria. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

From Sid to Cirque, a boulevard of dreams

Whenever I see travelers wandering Hollywood Boulevard, I appear like stopping those to apologize.I realize they're around the mission of innocence: They are trying to find Hollywood. After they visit NY they visit Rockefeller Center or Occasions Square, when they wish to uncover L.A. they mind for your famous boulevard.Without any one informed them it may be a bummer.Here's what is the news, however: Hollywood Boulevard lately is showing distinct signs and signs and symptoms to become something aside from a social embarrassment. Sure, the freaks still make to make use of the photo-hungry travelers from Topeka, a number of the website site visitors are actually there to buy movie tickets or visit Madame Tussauds or get a foods in the Hollywood & Highland mall or, best, to look for the completely new Cirque du Soleil show within the Kodak. And there's a energy inside the crowd -- even a sense of celebration.There's undoubtedly relating to this -- the Cirque's "Iris" is vital for the transformation. Your Entire Day in the Locust has turned into a evening amount of time in the circus.Still, a tradition of oddity pervades the 'hood. Only in 20's Hollywood would entrepreneurs decide to call their new movie structure china after you have built a theater referred to as Egyptian, which itself started getting a Hispanic theme.Folks in those days assumed the dwelling lower the street, the Pantages, appeared to become named for just about any country, only to learn that it's promoter will be a guy named Alexander Pantages, who was simply billed with rape just before the grand opening. And merely in Hollywood would a theater forecourt gain fame must be tipsy star (Norma Talmadge) improperly needed a measure into wet concrete. (The The the spanish language language Colonial-designed El Capitan opened up up in 1926 to showcase live plays, but it is now operated by Disney.)The reinvention in the boulevard is really a bumpy ride over time. Grauman's Chinese was acquired in 1973 by an overextended exhibitor named Ted Mann, who rapidly re-referred to it as Mann's Chinese. Nevertheless the chain went into personal personal bankruptcy as well as the new entrepreneurs (Vital and Warner Bros.) then re-referred to it as Grauman's. Our prime-rise Hollywood & Highland mall opened up up soon after 9/11 and was something from the debacle (it's healthy now). The Kodak, named for a corporation that the other day denounced gossips of possible personal personal bankruptcy, was recognized having a extended-term Oscar deal however started losing major occasions for the Nokia downtown. It now happily houses the Cirque.Hollywood's problem is actually the Boulevard, like La itself, can be a sprawl searching for an idea. On people occasions once the boulevard is shut lower for just about any large event, like the Oscars, the region assumes a completely new existence. A quarrel may be made that traffic needs to be shut lower constantly, while using the Occasions Square model -- people come up with inside the Broadway bleachers seem to become obtaining a lasting party.While Occasions Square capitalizes on Shubert Alley as well as the aura in the theater, Hollywood Boulevard's mystique clearly originates from the flicks. China opened up up in 1927 getting a Cecil B. DeMille premiere ("The King of Nobleman") and premieres continue being its trademark. When Vital and Warner Bros. offered the theater recently to Elie Samaha and Don Kushner, there has been worries about its future.Samaha, however, demands large plans lie ahead. Some $2 million continues to be spent to embellish the big theater and raise the footprint area. A sizable party space upstairs referred to as Grauman Ballroom (after founder Sid Grauman) will goal to draw in publish-premiere occasions. You will notice a completely new Red-colored-colored Carpet Cafe and perhaps a golf iron to suit another screens in the complex. You will notice a substantial pitch to festivals like the AFI."We've 15,000 to twenty,000 people coming through the bradenton area around the summer's weekend which we should have a free of charge movie showing them and entertain them," states Samaha, a producer and property developer.Being mindful of this, Samaha and Kushner plan to make a vivid new documentary dramatizing a history of cinema, that might experience a completely new Imax screen upstairs within the Chinese. The Cinematheque remains controlling a similarly-designed documentary in the last 10 years within the Egyptian and may play in the completely new, greatly enhanced version.Once the new entrepreneurs in the Chinese regard themselves as showmen, they have an amazing role kind of showmanship nearby within the Kodak. The impresarios of Cirque were inspired to model their new show, "Iris" (make certain take advantage from the Quebec pronunciation, because the brings do), just like a tribute to moviedom much like they attached "Viva Elvis" to Las vegas.For your record, the $100 million extravaganza (getting a $263 top ticket) is fantastically crafted -- part movie tribute, part circus. Its efforts at comedy might be creaky nonetheless its gifted artists tumble and fly wealthy in energy, even on people many nights when the huge theater is simply half full.Even Cecil B. DeMille might have been proud. Contact Peter Bart at peter.bart@variety.com

NY Occasions Sells TV/Movie Database Baseline

The NY Occasions Company has offered itsBaseline unit to Project Hollywood LLC, the independently possessed company that's majority possessed by media and Internet entrepreneurs Laurie S. Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein. The pairpreviously founded the SyFy Channell and MovieTickets.com and presently own Hollywood.com, Spill.com, and Hollywood Wiretap.Baseline, situated in La,can be a leading online subscription database and research service for your movie and tv industries. Reviews mentioned The NY Timespaid an impressive $35 million toacquire Baseline StudioSystems in August 2006 from Hollywood Media Corp was runby exactly the same entrepreneurs who bought back now inside a cheaper cost, Silvers and Rubenstein.

Ethan Peck, Mimi Gianopulos to Star in 'Wine of Summer'

Getty ImagesEthan Peck and Mimi Gianopulos Ethan Peck and Mimi Gianopulos are starring inside the Wine of Summer season, an indie drama from first-time director Maria Matteoli. Elsa Pataky (Fast Five), Marcia Gay Harden (Whip It), Sonia Braga (TV's Alias) and Kelsey Chow (Group of Nobleman) are also made of the film, put together by Matteoli. The story follows an actress (Peck) who's fighting along with his craft while keeping focused on the play. In frustration, he travels towards the country searching for the plays' author, inadvertently getting together five people whose fates intertwine. Gianopulos plays the actor's nearest friend. Al Hayes and Scott David are coming up with the project, which began shooting now in Madrid, The nation. Peck, the grand boy of Gregory Peck, recently wrapped a co-starring role inside the Australian film Mine Games and you'll be seen in Andrew Niccol's sci-fi movie With Time, which opens October 28. For Gianopulos, the daughter of Fox chairman and Boss Jim Gianopulos, the role continues her burgeoning career in acting. Gianopulos is making her acting debut while using all-star ensemble comedy What You Should Expect When you're Expecting. Peck and Gianopulos are repped by ICM. Elsa Pataky Marcia Gay Harden

George Clooney's 'The Ides of March': What the Critics Are Saying

George Clooney does quadruple duty as star and director, as well as producer and co-screenwriter in the political drama The Ides of March. The film also stars Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei and Philip Seymour Hoffman.our editor recommendsGeorge Clooney Says He Won't Run For Office (Video)George Clooney Reveals How His Father Influenced 'Ides of March' The film, which premiered in August at the Venice International Film Festival and later played at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been well-received by critics. It scored 81% fresh reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. However, many major critics found themselves in the minority. The Hollywood Reporter's Deborah Young was not with the critical majority. She wrote, "Had writer/director George Clooney and his co-scripters Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon injected The Ides of March with the intimate political conviction that made Good Night, and Good Luck a critical standout and a frontrunner for liberal patrons, the exit polls would be more positive on this political thriller juggling idealism and corruption with fairly predictable results." PHOTOS: Actors Who Have Played Politicians The Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan wasn't a fan, either. He wrote, "The dialogue is smart and focused, and as a director Clooney has encouraged his cast to really tear into it. It's certainly involving to see the charismatic Gosling verbally spar with superb character actors like Hoffman and Giamatti. Still, even though all the supporting elements of a superior film are here, the actual plot that everything is at the service of is disappointing. The texture of reality and the sheen of fine craft disguise this for a while, but not forever." The Chicago Sun-Times' Roger Ebert wrote, "The movie really reveals no new information. Now that campaign managers shuffle between cable news shows and write their own books, few secrets stay in smoke-filled rooms (and besides, hardly anyone smokes anymore). There isn't the feeling, as there was with Primary Colors or Nixon, that we might be getting the inside story on actual candidates. The Ides of March is more about the nature of modern media politics, and younger players who are strangers to idealism. The movie's strength is in the acting." A.O. Scott wrote in the NY Times, "Somehow, the film is missing both adrenaline and gravity, notwithstanding some frantic early moments and a late swerve toward tragedy. It makes its points carefully and unimpeachably but does not bring much in the way of insight or risk. Powerful men often treat women as sexual playthings. Reporters do not always get things right. Politicians sometimes lie. If any of that sounds like news to you, then you may well find The Ides of March downright electrifying." Rolling Stone's Peter Travers wrote, "I've heard complaints that crushed idealism is hardly new in political drama. Point taken. But take more than a cursory look at The Ides of March and you'll realize that Clooney is hunting bigger game. He scratches the surface of each of his flawed characters to find out when they first put their souls on the market. What job doesn't that relate to, especially now, in economic crisis?" Related Topics George Clooney The Ides of March

Human Centipede II to get UK cinema release?

"This work was passed with no cuts made," says the ruling for The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) on the British Board of Film Classification website.We never thought we'd hear those words about about a film that has been using the phrase "Banned in the UK" to sell itself to other countries.It's only when you look a little deeper you realise it's not quite the Full Sequence, as the BBFC's remarks include the line: "Cut version. Pre-cut by company in line with DVD version."The version Bounty Films submitted on 6 June 2011 that was rated R ran at 86 minutes and 50 seconds, while the cut that has been passed as an 18 Certificate for film and DVD now runs at 84 minutes and 19 seconds.That's two minutes and 31 seconds the rest of the world is 'enjoying' and we're not!Oh well, at least we've still got access to the Human Centipede game. All the challenges of classic Centipede with the added fun of human ass-to-mouth action!

Jeffrey Godsick Named President Consumer Products For Fox

Veteran Fox film marketing executive Jeffrey Godsick is moving to 20th Century Fox Television where he has been named President, Fox Consumer Products. Godsick will oversees all of Foxs consumer products activities and staff, reporting to 20th TV chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden. The division’s current head, EVP, Consumer Products Robert Marick, will remain on board, reporting to Godsick. Jeffrey is a one of the most respected marketing executives in this industry, and we leapt at the chance to bring him on board to lead our consumer products division, Newman said. In his new position, Godsick will oversee the worldwide licensing of Fox’s portfolio of film and television properties across such platforms as interactive gaming, themed entertainment, television promotions, literary publishing and a wide array of consumer product categories. Based in Los Angeles, Godsick will manage both the Los Angeles and London offices. Godsick most recently served as Senior EVP marketing at Twentieth Century Foxs feature film division. He began his tenure at Fox in 1995 as SVP Publicity, and was upped to EVP of Marketing a few years later. He left the film studio in 2006 to become President of Fox-Walden and returned 2 years later. Over the years, Godsick has been involved in the studios campaigns for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: First Class, Rio, Avatar, theIce Age films, theStar Wars films, the original X-Men film trilogy, Moulin Rouge, andIndependence Day.

'Mission Impossible 4 Gets Imax Sneak Peek

TORONTO - Imax is giving Paramount Pictures' Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol a sneak peek preview from Friday, Dec. 16, ahead of a wide release on Dec. 21, 2011.our editor recommends'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol' Trailer Hits WebImax Pacts With Paramount Pictures for 2011 Release of 'Transformers,' 'Mission Impossible' The move marks the first early engagement for a domestic feature, according to Toronto-based Imax. Brad Bird's Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol stars Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton. Imax is also to include around 30 minutes of scenes shot with its proprietary cameras when it rolls out the fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. One featured Imax sequence includes a stunt performed by Cruise as he scaled the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai. "Brad Bird's Mission: Impossible will be among the highlights of the holiday movie season and we're very happy to share the film with audiences early in Imax," said Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures. Related Topics Tom Cruise International Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

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Iran bans Kahani's 'Horse'

LONDON -- In yet another sign that officials in Iran are attempting to put a muzzle on some of its independent filmmakers, Abdolreza Kahani's "Absolutely Tame Is a Horse" has been banned by the government, and prints of the pic are being prevented from leaving the country. Kahani's pic was due to world preem next week at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, where it was screening in the main competition for narrative features, but has subsequently been pulled from the program due to the ban. Pic was also skedded to screen in Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center at the end of October as part of its annual Festival of Films from Iran, but has also been forced to be pulled from the lineup. Pic, which stars Reza Attaran and Habib Rezai, was condemned by the Iranian government due to its depiction of police corruption in Iran. The story is set against the backdrop of one long night in Tehran, and tackles the police corruption subject as a jumping-off point. "It's sad when we can't show a good work as our mission is to highlight regional and international cinema," said Peter Scarlet, exec director of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. "It's an outstanding film that people won't get to see now." Scarlet said that no other pic will be slotted into the "Absolutely Tame Is a Horse's" place in competish. "A film festival is designed as a place for people from different cultures to exchange ideas and the work of one country to be seen in another," he said. "We're not passive recipients of films that people submit. We go and look for them, and when we find good films it's a pleasure, and one of our thrills it to hopefully find other audiences for that film. The fact that the world premiere of this film isn't happening, and by all accounts may not be shown anywhere, makes me very sad." A statement on the Gene Siskel Film Center website said: "The banning of several new films is only one aspect of a cruel crackdown on Iran's vulnerable film community, which has also resulted in the September 17 arrests of filmmakers Mohsen Shahrnazdar, Hadi Afarideh, Naser Safarian, Shahnam Bazdar, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb and Katayoun Shahabi." The six filmmakers were arrested by the Iranian government and charged with espionage for working with the BBC, and for allegedly portraying a negative view of Iran in their pics. Mirtahmasb co-directed underground pic "This Is Not a Film" with Jafar Panahi, a docu about Panahi's plight as he is confined to his apartment, pending an appeal against a six-year prison sentence, and 20-year ban from making films. Panahi is known for making pics critical of the Iranian government, such as "The Circle." Mirtahmasb managed to travel to the Cannes Film Festival in May for the preem of the docu, which was smuggled into Gaul on a USB stick hidden inside a cake. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

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TV Ratings: Jets-Ravens Game Powers NBC to Sunday Night Win

Larry French/Getty Images NBC won Sunday for the fourth consecutive week thanks to football. Sunday Night Football's Jets-Ravens game (in which the Ravens won, 34-17) rated a 12.7 in the key 18-49 demo. Total viewers will be available later. Ratings were down 11 percent from last year's week four game (Bears-Giants, 14.2), but up seven percent from 2009's week four game (Chargers-Steelers, 11.9). SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 4 GAMES: 2011 Jets-Ravens 12.7/20 2010 Bears-Giants 14.2/22 2009 Chargers-Steelers 11.9/19 2008 Eagles-Bears 12.3/20 2007 Eagles-Giants 10.8/17 2006 Seahawks-Bears 11.7/18 Last season, SNF was the No. 1 show for the 18 nights it aired. TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR RAVENS-JETS: 1. Baltimore, 38.8/56 2. New Orleans, 18.8/26 3. Las Vegas, 18.3/29 4. Richmond, 18.2/28 5. San Diego, 16.9/29 T6. Washington D.C., 15.9/26 T6. Indianapolis, 15.9/25 T6. Albuquerque, 15.9/23 9. Dayton, 15.8/23 10. Nashville, 15.7/23 11. NY, 15.4/24 CBS came in second place (10.1), followed by ABC (5.2) and Fox (3.7) for Sunday primetime. TV Ratings

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TV Rankings: With Playoff Drama, ESPN Scores Best Wednesday Evening Baseball Rankings Since '98

Take advantage of Carr/Getty Images Other family members . from the regular season using the final playoff place both in the American and National League on the line, ESPN's Wednesday Evening Baseball telecast had it is best rankings since 1998. STORY: ESPN Stretches 'Monday Evening Football' Deal Through 2021 Season The primary telecast featuring the Boston RedSox--attempting to push away a historic collapse--playingat the Baltimore Orioles recorded single.6 rating and a pair of.a million audiences.When that game finished at 12:05 a.m. ET, ESPN switched towards the NY Yankees in the Polk Bay Sun rays.Audiences caught Tampa's dramatic twelfth inning victory that place the Sun rays within the 2010 nfl playoffs.The finish from the Polk-NY game came a couple.8 rating and three.8 million audiences.ESPN2 demonstrated the Philadelphia Phillies in the Atlanta Braves, which skipped the 2010 nfl playoffs using its extra-inning loss.The overall game recorded b .9 rating and 1.a million audiences.ESPN's baseball rankings exclude local marketplaces (Boston for that Red-colored Sox game, Atlanta for that Braves) in which the team's local broadcaster carries the overall game rather than ESPN. Q&A: Fox Sports Chief Talks Dodgers TV Deal, National football league Coverage ESPN also saw a spike in website traffic, with Wednesday arriving because the greatest trafficked day's the 2011 Major league baseball regular season.Baseball content recorded 2.7 unique site visitors, a 56 percent increase over a typical regular season day. Wednesday night's rankings assigned a season that saw a general rise in viewership for ESPN's baseball telecasts.Rankings were for the growing season at 1.1 but audiences were up five percent from1.38 million to at least one.44 millionmillion and total homes rose 4 % from 1.093 million to at least one.125 million. ESPN