Monday, October 31, 2011

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

Sunday, October 23, 2011

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

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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.

Monday, October 10, 2011

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

Friday, October 7, 2011

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!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

'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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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

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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Monday, October 3, 2011

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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