Best Family Movies of 2011: From 'The Muppets' to 'Harry Potter,' the very best 11 in '11

At least, it had not been difficult to choose the very best family films of the season 2011 offered up a remarkably decent quantity of worthier-than-usual animated and kid-friendly movies. Usually, many of these are firmly in the household genre with PG or G rankings, with two notable (but essential to include) exceptions. Listed here are our 11 favorite family movies of '11 the entire family -- as well as the youthful in mind -- can also enjoy. Best Family Films of 2011 <strong>11. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/dolphin-tale/52009/primary">'Dolphin Tale'</a></strong><strong>10.<a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/kung-fu-panda-2/38095/primary"> 'Kung Fu Panda 2'</a></strong><strong>9. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/winnie-the-pooh/51435/primary">'Winnie the Pooh'</a></strong><strong>8. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/puss-in-boots/38097/primary">'Puss In Boots'</a></strong><strong>7. 'The Adventures of Tintin' </strong><strong>6. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/arthur-christmas/38972/primary">'Arthur Christmas'</a></strong><strong>5. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/war-equine/10037190/primary">'War Equine'</a></strong><strong>4. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/rango/35373/primary">'Rango'</a></strong><strong>3. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/the-muppets/1390395/primary">'The Muppets'</strong></a><strong>2. <a href="http://world wide web.moviefone.com/movie/hugo-cabret/10035988/primary">'Hugo'</strong></a><strong>1. 'Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows: Part II'</strong> See All Moviefone Art galleries » [Top photo: Disney Warner Bros. Disney] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

American Idol's David Archuleta Planning Mormon Mission, Puts Singing on Hold

David Archuleta American Idol runner-up David Archuleta is about to go on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Associated Press reports. The 20-year-old singer made the announcement Monday during a Christmas concert in downtown Salt Lake City. Coinciding with the mission, he will be taking a break from his music career. Watch videos of David Archuleta Church spokesman Eric Hawkins confirmed Archuletta's plans to the AP but declined to reveal where the singer will serve. Watch the announcement here, in which Archuleta says he's not giving up music entirely:

Jos Angel Santana, James Franco's Former NYU Professor, Says He Was Fired After Bad Grade

This time last year -- when James Franco was James Francoing his way all over the Internet and you couldn't make one mouse-click without stumbling onto a story about his latest art project, movie, term paper, short film, 'General Hospital' appearance or Oscar-hosting duties -- it was revealed that while enrolled in an NYU acting class, Franco received a D-grade. The irony! Well, it seems that the professor who taught Franco in 'Directing the Actor II' was subsequently fired -- and he's about as happy with that outcome as you were with 'Your Highness.' (CHEAP SHOT!) Jose Angel Santana has filed a lawsuit against NYU after losing his job, perhaps in part -- he claims -- because of the bad grade he gave Franco. "The school has bent over backwards to create a Franco-friendly environment, that's for sure," Santana told the NY Post. "The university has done everything in its power to curry favor with James Franco." This fall, Franco taught his own class at NYU. "In my opinion, they've turned the NYU graduate film degree into swag for James Franco's purposes," Santana said, "a possession, something you can buy." Santana says he gave Franco the poor grade because of excessive absences; the star missed 12 out of 14 classes in his quest for a master's degree in fine arts. In the complaint, which Roger Friedman at Hollywood411 claims to have, Santana blames racial discrimination as a major reason for being fired, and states that "another professor, Jay Anania, also the brother of the late Elizabeth Edwards, had it in for him." Anania wrote and directed the 2010 film 'William Vincent,' which featured Franco. Last year, Franco -- who was famously photographed asleep while attending a lecture at Columbia University in NY -- said he was OK with people underestimating his commitment to academia. "If they want to paint the picture of the stoner going to school, it's kind of OK with me because it actually takes a lot of pressure off," he told Movieline. "If that's the way they want to depict me, it's fine. Because my schoolwork isn't a performance. I'm going there because I'm getting so much out of it and I'm getting to work with all of my favorite writers or professors. So if that's how they want to depict it, it's not taking away from why I'm there. And it takes pressure off. So you kind of have to roll with it." Franco's representatives have not yet responded to Moviefone's request for comment regarding the lawsuit. [via NYP] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Work of Art's Lola on Jerry's Guilt, Her Deal with Kymia and What Went Lower while using Sucklord

Factor of beauty, Lola Heading to the final judgment on Wednesday's Factor of beauty, Lola Thompson, the mischievous and provocative artist whose mother dated Al Pacino for just about any decade, thought her conceptual portrait of the couple of historian-fanatics stood a real shot at making the best 3. As well as the episode, indeed, colored the idol idol judges as requiring to produce a tough call although evaluating the portraits of people located in the village of Cold Spring, N.Y. Nobody stuck to be exceptional or possibly an overall total flop. "It felt such as this. I don't think anybody really understood what can happen," Thompson, 24, mentioned. "I used to be certainly surprised. I used to be type of wanting and thinking maybe I'd achieve the finale. So, it absolutely was really sad after i didn't.Inch Thompson, who states she's presently being a nanny for "two gorgeous youthful women," spoken with TVGuide.com about giving judge Jerry Saltz (unintentional) grief over her elimination, why it came out she put Dusty beneath the bus, and also the real factor between her and Kymia. Plus: Her final word round the Sucklord. Jerry is completely beside themselves with guilt! He feels as if eliminating you'd be an enormous mistake. What must you say relating to this? Lola Thompson: Getting an chance to satisfy and consult with Jerry is probably the reasons I desired to accomplish the show to start with. I'm really flattered by various nice encouraging things he's developed in his recaps about me. It's slightly frustrating that the couple of occasions now he's mentioned, "Oh, searching back, I really thought Lola's piece was great,"[or] "searching back, she should have won the job.In . If perhaps he may have found that insight throughout your competitors. I really, wanted the chance to invest a couple of several days just making artwork. But yeah, I believed his recap actually was funny. I understood in those days that firemen together with a loyal and sentimental work like [Sara's] was likely to be difficult to deal with. I like that Jerry recognized that. Work of Art's Dusty on why Jerry was wrong and becoming their very own short shorts Just like a viewer, it absolutely was surprising that will help you break lower throughout your critique. Had you been surprised you responded by doing this? Thompson: I used to be somewhat embarrassed seeing myself cry. Clearly, there has been a number of other regions of the critique where In my opinion I used to be safeguarding myself more coherently than that moment. However, you realize, the whole experience actually was hard. It absolutely was really emotional. There's a good deal at risk money-wise and work-wise, in addition to just psychologically. With this stage, you've just put a great deal energy and lots of yourself inside it, which i certainly got defensive when Jerry referred to as me defensive [Laughs]. I kind of wish I'd not divided, but exactlty what can you do? This is the way i had been feeling, and... I'm not so effective in controlling my feelings. Furthermore you spoke out when the idol idol judges mentioned they loved the chocolate was falling from Dusty's piece, which came out unintentional on his part. Thompson: The strange factor about watching the show is always that there's a great deal discussion in many in the critiques from a lot of us. Everyone really took part in most out of the critiques. There's plenty of peer-to-peer critique and commentary. It definitely is removed as me being bitchy and like I'm attacking him, nevertheless it wasn't such as this. I had been obtaining a conversation, and a lot of questions were elevated throughout everyone's critiques. They were talking about this part of Dusty's piece a great deal, and you also know, his aesthetic is super neat and just what he makes is really well-built, and so i thought it had been valid to question if the actual fact it absolutely was failing was intentional or else, and what meaning. It was not a person attack on him. How will you go through the means by that you've been referred to around the program? You gaze to own been known as since the household troublemaker, although a playful one. Thompson: It's been strange watching it! It's surreal to check out myself on television and clearly you'll find some moments where If perhaps I really could use a while and tell myself to seal up. I used to be just trying in truth in regards to the experience I used to be getting. I'd no filter. I wasn't trying to become super careful of anyone's feelings - which i do not believe very most of us we're doing that. In my opinion everyone at certain points belittled each other but they maybe shown a little much more of me doing that than these. Work of Art's Michelle which went wrong, the Kymia debate and why poop is actually an optimistic factor Was there really bad blood stream between you together with Kymia? Thompson: There has been a couple of moments of hysteria. The stakes were over the top, and that i have mentioned many occasions that we felt very competitive towards her because she's smart together with a great artist. But we're still pals. We really love each other. For people, it certainly didn't feel as tense and dramatic and catty since it looks on television. And that means you two resolved the sticker problem following a street art challenge? Thompson: That was done only at that episode. Nothing really moved over. I mentioned sorry inside the critique, I mentioned sorry in your house. However mentioned sorry although standing since it is street art, but marking can be a legitimate kind of street art plus it was part of the idea of my piece. But yeah, I apologized for doing harm to her feelings after which it absolutely was done, i had been totally awesome, which we're still. I consult with her frequently. I'm speaking about maybe she actually was effective in hiding her feelings and was independently despising me the entire time, however felt like i had been pals. Jerry has written that he's really loved the pieces you earn which entail sketches coupled with text, however i am curious to know how you describe your individual artistic aesthetic. Thompson: Hmm, in truth I'm still trying to find that out. In my opinion that transporting this out show was a good chance to produce things while using freedom of just just as one artist and not being this sort or that. I'm certainly considering using text - I write a good deal, Someone said a good deal, but the idea of writing is a part of my work, whether inside the title or putting the writing inside the work. However I am the first one to express my tasks are altering. I'm just beginning. Work of Art's The Sucklord the way the children challenge destroyed him Which was your chosen piece? Thompson: I love the primary one I created for the NY Occasions challenge, enter in the Libyan rebels, i truly loved the piece I created for the pop art challenge. I wasn't inside the top or perhaps the bottom therefore i didn't get plenty of feedback about it, however made every one of these toy cell phones and iPads and apple apple ipods and many types of fraxel remedies as well as the title was "We're Live Streaming while using Ancestors and forefathers of Tutankhamen Why I'm So Alone?" or something like that like this such as this... I believed that piece actually was whimsical and funny and I've been exploring making projects based on that same idea. What else are you currently presently concentrating on now? What's next to suit your needs? Thompson: I'm still fighting to balance my artistic existence getting employment where I make money. I have less than merged people two areas of my existence yet. Since the show, I've been trying to create work and supply myself permission to experiment and take risks very much the same that we did around the program, that's very difficult. It's harder throughout my everyday existence to throw myself available and fail completely. How will you go through the ultimate 3? Thompson: In my opinion they all are smart artists but a lot of us that have been inside the Final 5 should remain in the best 3. I don't think anybody was undeserving. I certainly want it to be me instead of whoever else, however understood that Youthful might be inside the Final 3. He's super smart and extremely calculating - which i signify within the simplest way. There's absolutely no way he wasn't can make it. I used to be happy he did. I'm excited to look for the things all of them do afterwards but, yeah, I'm certainly jealous. I'd be remiss not to request: Are you currently presently inside the Sucklord? Maybe it had been ever a genuine factor? Thompson: [Sighs] Yes, I'm still pining away for your Sucklord [Laughs]. No, I'm totally inside the Sucklord. He's a great guy, I love him. Sadly, I am unable to consult with him any more because his girlfriend is very jealous but very angry at whatever flirtation we'd. Nevertheless it was pretty harmless. Hopefully he keeps doing his Suck-y factor.

'The Artist' tops with Las Vegas crix

"The Artist" continues its winning ways among critics' circles as the Las Vegas Film Critics Society 2011 bestows its highest honor on the silent pic. In addition to winning the Sierra for best picture, the Michel Hazanavicius flick also took home wins for best actor for Jean Dujardin, best score for Ludovic Bource, costume design for Mark Bridges and art design for Gregory S. Hooper. In the other acting categories, Michelle Williams won best actress for her turn as Norma Jean in "My Week with Marilyn," while Albert Brooks ("Drive") and Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids") rounded out the supporting nods. Brooks was also honored with the org's William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award. Nicholas Winding Refn won for best helmer for "Drive."The LVFCS is made up of selected print, television and internet film critics in the Las Vegas area. Contact Erin Maxwell at erin.maxwell@variety.com

'Young Adult' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals

Garry Marshall's star-packed ensemble pic New Year's Eve opens this weekend at the domestic box office and is widely expected to wrest the No. 1 spot from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, which has dominated the box office for three weeks.our editor recommendsYoung Adult: Film ReviewNew Year's Eve: Film ReviewTinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Venice Film ReviewBox Office Report: 'Twilight' Leads Second Slowest Weekend of 2011 With $16.9 Mil Early and mid-December are always sluggish at the domestic box office, and New Year's Eve is only expected to open in the low $20 million range, far less than the $72 million bow of Marshall's Valentine's Day over the four-day Valentine's Day/President's Day weekend in 2010. PHOTOS: 'New Year's Eve' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals New Line and Warner Bros., however, expect the $50 million film to have a strong multiple and play through New Year's Day, since it's the only holiday romantic comedy. The pic's cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Lea Michele, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Hilary Swank and Seth Meyers. Also opening nationwide is David Gordon Green's R-rated comedy The Sitter, starring Jonah Hill in his first starring vehicle. The 20th Century Fox pic is tracking to open in the $9 million to $11 million range, although some think it could skew slightly higher. The Sitter, which cost under $25 million to produce, is tracking strongest among younger males, who have been notoriously absent from the multiplex in recent months. PHOTOS: 'New Year's Eve' Film Stills In the film, Hill plays a college student on suspension who is prodded into babysitting the kids next door. Things go askew when he takes them for a wild ride across NY City after being promised sex with his girlfriend. Michael De Luca produced the comedy. Martin Scorsese's 3D family friendly film Hugo continues its roll out this weekend, expanding its theater count from 1,840 to 2,600. Through Wednesday, Hugo's domestic gross was $26.8 million. Hugo is among a slew of awards contenders positioning themselves as The Hollywood Foreign Press Association prepares to announce Golden Globe nominations on Dec. 15, preceded a day early by SAG nominations. On Saturday, 20th Century Fox will hold sneaks of Cameron Crowe's Christmas film We Bought a Zoo, starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson in hundreds of theaters across the country. The pic, which also snuck over Thanksgiving weekend in a bid to build buzz, opens Dec. 23. Specialty pics opening this weeked that hope to ride the wave of awards attention include British espionage pic Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, based on John Le Carre's bestselling book and starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy. Directed by Thomas Alfredson from an adapted screenplay by Peter Straughan and the late Bridget O'Connor, Tinker Tailor was produced by Working Title and StudioCanal. Tinker Tailor has already done strong business in the U.K., where it opened in mid-September and has grossed nearly $22 million to date. In the U.S., Focus Features opens the critically acclaimed film in four theaters in Los Angeles and NY. Paramount opens Charlize Theron starrer Young Adult -- which reteams director Jason Reitman with Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody -- in eight theaters NY, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Minneapolis, where Cody got her start as a stripper. A number of other platform pics will continue to expand this weekend as awards season heats up, including Fox Searchlight's The Descendants, which adds 300 theaters to its run for a total locaiton count of 874. The Alexander Payne-directed film has grossed a stellar $19 million to date. Searchlight's Shame, hoping to overcome the stigma associated with the NC-17 rating, adds 11 theaters to its run for a total count of 21. Directed by Steve McQueen and headlining Michael Fassbender, Shame opened last weekend to strong numbers despite the rating. The Weinstein Co. expands awards darling The Artist, which played in six theaters in Los Angeles, NY and San Francisco last weekend, into an additional 10 theaters. Madonna's W.E., from the Weinstein Co., and Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay's edgy indie film We Need to Talk About Kevin, starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly, both begin one-week award qualifying runs this weekend in Los Angeles. Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired U.S. rights to We Need to Talk About Kevin out of the Cannes Film Festival in May. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Biggest Box Office Bombs Related Topics Box Office New Year's Eve Young Adult Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Hugo The Sitter

ITV Confirms Simon Cowell Returning To Boost Britains Got Talent

Deadline contributor Tim Adler files this international report: Simon Cowell will return as one of the judges on next years Britains Got Talent, ITV boss Adam Crozier has confirmed. The X Factor impresario will resume his seat on the talent show following the recent exits of judges David Hasselhof and Michael McIntyre. Speaking to press this afternoon in London, the ITV boss also hinted that ITV Studios may be in the market to buy an American production company, pointing out that the US is the second-liveliest market for independent TV producers apart from the UK. For now though, Crozier is concentrating on wiping out the 612 million worth of debt he inherited by year-end. When you inherit something that isnt working, the worst thing you can do is start bolting things on, he said. The ex-UK postal service CEO was self-deprecating about the size of the task facing him in turning ITV around. Group turnover rose 4% to 1.5 billion over the first 9 months of the year. If this was a school report, I would summarize it as, good solid progress but plenty more needs to be done, he said. Were about one third of the way to where we need to get to. Regarding Cowell, Crozier ruled out flying him in next fall to perform a rescue mission on The X Factor which is losing out to BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing (aka Dancing With The Stars in the US) almost every Saturday night. Crozier shrugged off mutterings that British audiences are finally tiring of The X Factor, which is in its 8th season. X Factor is still the most watched television show when you combine the Saturday and Sunday viewing figures, he said. He was keen to talk up the success of ITVs in-house production division, ITV Studios (which is seen by observers as a millstone round ITVs neck because the broadcaster has to keep commissioning ITV Studios rather than throw open the commissioning process completely for independent producers). So far, ITV Studios has increased its share of all shows commissioned this year to 55% compared to 47% in 2010. Half of those shows have been sold overseas including the Titanic miniseries airing on ABC that’s gone to 57 territories. Titanic is a very good example of how we work now, Crozier said. The program was in profit before we started making it.

Yahoo Shutters Four Entertainment Blogs

Disney and Pixar's 2009 animated film Up featured a colorful home with a lot of character The house was so inspiring to some that they build a replication of it.our editor recommends15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore PosseAnimated, Documentary and Foreign: 3 Key Oscar Categories Analyzed The Utah home has been bought by two Disney fans, Clinton and Lynette Hamblin of Petaluma, CA, completing their long search for a home that had similarities to the one in the movie. PHOTOS: 15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore Posse The couple had been looking mainly in California for a home that had either a colorful exterior or a bright blue kitchen like the one in the film. They then learned about the home in the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman, Utah, that was built based on the film. The home, which was officially recognized by Disney as the Up house, had a $400,000 price tag on it. "We just love the message of the movie - adventure is out there," Lynette Hamblin told The Salt Lake Tribune. STORY: Hollywood Studios Accused of Pushing Liberal Agenda Through Children's Films The home in Up is basically another star of the film. It is the home of Carl and Ellie Frederickson after they get married and as they navigate the trails and triumps of their lives together. After Ellie dies, Carl becomes a curmudgeonly hermit, spending most of his time alone in the colorful home until he sets out on an accidental adventure with a young member of the "Wilderness Explorers." Adam Bangerter built the Utah home, telling The AP that he chose to replicate the movie home because it played such a memorable role in the film. "It illustrates what homeownership really is, and it's not an investment. It's part of the American dream to have a house to care for, to improve and to make part of your family," Bangerter said. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore Posse Related Topics Pixar

Judd Hirsch to star in 'Robin'

Producers of "The Red-colored Robin" have drawn on Judd Hirsch, Ryan O'Nan, C.S. Lee, Jaime Ray Newman, Caroline Lagerfelt and Frederick Lyle Taylor to star within the mental thriller. Film writer Michael Z. Wechsler will direct and convey. Professional producers are Jonathan Sanger, Ron Porras, Shawn Singh and Wendy Herst, with Terry Keefe co-creating. O'Nan, who starred in "The Brooklyn Siblings Beat the very best,Inch will have the adopted adult boy of Hirsch's character -- a famous mental health specialist concentrating in trauma who had been rumored to possess done some private work with the CIA throughout the Cold War. A household reunion around the psychiatrist's dying mattress spirals into chaos once the father's charged with implementing his large group of children for that reasons of dark experiments in your mind control. O'Nan also lately starred in "Self employed" and it is set to shoot "The Frozen Ground" and "The Iceman." "The Red-colored Robin" starts production outdoors Philadelphia a few days ago. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

How 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Ellen Pompeo, HBO's Sue Naegle Help Foster Kids at Thanksgiving

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmemberLisa Vanderpump --the British transplant who owns, with her husband,Ken Todd, Villa Blanca in the Golden Triangle and Sur restaurant in West Hollywood -- has over the past two months rolled out Sur Lounge in an adjacent address.our editor recommends'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Premiere: What Critics Say'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Season 2 Premiere Up 42% From Last Year'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Premiere: Cast Members Discuss Russell Armstrong Suicide on 'Today' (Video)'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Premiere: First 10 Confrontations of Season 2 "We're right in the middle of what I call the Pink Triangle, with Cecconi's, which is rather straight, on one end, and [perennial gay bar] the Abbey further up Robertson on the other," she says. VIDEO: Emmy Reality Roundtable The couple has a long history of running nightlife venues like Lupo and Mai Tai back in London, but this is their first local after-dark effort now that they are based in L.A. "It's easier in London because of the foot traffic," Vanderpump admits. "You just create a beautiful space and people will see it and stop in." As usual, Vanderpump handled the décor herself, unleashing her signature multicultural-glamour-explosion style that results in bejeweled European chandeliers sharing space with massive Asian religious sculpture. STORY: 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills': Keep your Friend's Friends Close "I took a bit from here, a bit from there," she says."There are some industrial elements mixed with little velvet mushroom stools that I had made. Huge, extra-long leather Chesterfields. Lots of plants. Things I've bought during my travels and brought in. I was looking for an eclectic feeling. Is it Vietnamese? Balinese? French? I wanted you to not be able to put your finger on it." When the 2,500-square-foot space came up for sale, Vanderpump says that she and Todd knew they had to have it. More 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Coverage on THR "If I missed it and someone else got it I would've regretted it," she says. "[The venture] is not a risk. Even in this market, it's a given." Her crowd, she claims, has already come calling: "Agents, fashion aficionados, Miley Cyrus. It's a hotbed. I knew it would be." 612 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.855.0880, surlounge.com Related Topics Miley Cyrus The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Dining Lisa Vanderpump

CW Buys Treasure Hunter Drama, Couples Comedy

The CW is joining the treasure hunt trend this development season with Golddigger. The project, from Bill Haber’s Ostar Prods., centers on a young female treasure hunter who tracks down artifacts for a variety of mysterious and interesting clients. Lauren Horowitz is writing, with Haber and Stephanie Germain executive producing. With Golddigger, the CW is putting a young female twist on a genre that has been pretty hot this pitch season. NBC bought an untitled adventure drama from John Glenn. Described as Da Vinci Code meets National Treasure, it centers on a young NYPD beat cop who, along with his family and friends, embarks upon the greatest treasure hunt in history. NBC also is developing an updated version of the 1984 action-adventure romantic comedy film Romancing the Stone, whose plot kicked off with a romance writer played by Kathleen Turner receiving a treasure map. Mark Friedman is writing. And in another book adaptation, ABC recently bought the Michael Seitzman-penned The Seven Wonders, a treasure hunt show in the spirit of Raiders of the Lost Arc and National Treasure based on the Jack West Jr. series of adventure books by Australian author Matthew Reilly. Swordfighting, whose deal is still being finalized, is part of new CW president Mark Pedowitz’s efforts to re-introduce comedy series on the network with sellected few half-hour projects his team has put in development this season. Written by Ben McMillan and Josh Greenbaum, Swordfighting revolves around two young couples who have been best friends and neighbors for years and whose friendship is put to the test when when the two wives reveal they’ve fallen in love (with each other). Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are executive producing the project, which will be produced by CBS TV Studios.

Hugh Grant's Family 'Hounded' After He Spoke Out About Phone-Hacking

LONDON - The mother of Hugh Grant'sbaby daughter was hounded and threatened by the press because the actor has spoken out on phone-hacking, the Leveson Inquiry heard Wednesday.our editor recommendsHugh Grant Becomes A FatherHugh Grant Joins 'Cloud Atlas' Cast Alongside Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess and Ben WhishawHugh Grant To Be Given Alleged Phone-Hacking Police Investigation PapersHow Hugh Grant Helped Expose News Corp.'s Phone-Hacking Scandal The wide-ranging Judicial Inquiry into British press standards and intrusion - launched in the wake of the News of The World phone-hacking scandal - heard that the harassment was direct retribution for Grant's decision to speak out against phone-hacking in a public campaign. The claim was made by David SherborneQC, the barrister representing a large number of phone-hacking victims at the Inquiry. His clients include Grant, the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, the parents of murdered toddler Madeline McCannand motorsports boss Max Mosley. Sherborne told the inquiry that he had had to apply for an injunction to protect the woman, who had sustained "a campaign of appalling harassment" and has "received threats because of the fact that the father of her child has spoken out against the press." The harassment included abusive calls Sherborne said, though he did not claim to know who the calls were from. "..Whilst Mr Grant was appearing on Question Time, discussing the closure of the News of the World, Rupert Murdoch and press standards generally, she received a barrage of telephone calls ... when she finally answered she was threatened in the most menacing terms, terms which should reverberate around this Inquiry: 'Tell Hugh Grant he must shut the fuck up.'" Outlining a further litany of incidences of press harassment from a whole range of British newspapers - not just the News of The World - Sherborne told the inquiry that he believed press behaviour was partly responsible for the suicide attempt of singer Charlotte Church's mother. The singer's mother took an overdose after lurid details of her husband's affair were exposed. And he said that his client Max Mosley - whose sexual tryst was exposed by the News of The World- believed that his son's suicide was in part because of the effect of exposure on his family. Earlier, the Inquiry heard from Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger that News Corporation's power and influence had been a force of intimidation in British life. "Did people, both internally and externally, feel a fear of News International? Was its influence across many aspects of British political and cultural life simply too dominant? How did News Corp leverage its commercial, political, journalistic and (as we now know) outsourced criminal muscle?" he asked. The Leveson Inquiry has heard opening statements from various participants in its first week of hearings and will hear from Hugh Grant, JK Rowling,Max Mosley, Charlotte Churchand Steve Cooganfrom next week. A second phase of the Inquiry will focus directly on criminal revelations at the News of The World, hearing evidence from, among others, Rebekah Brooks and James Murdoch. Earlier the inquiry heard from Neil Garnham QC, representing the Metropolitan Police, that it "could not be assumed" that all 28 names found in the notebooks of investigator Glenn Mulcairewere those of News of The World staff. "Some of them probably are. For many others it's impossible, at least thus far, to say if they were or not." News International's lawyer Rhodri DaviesQC had told the Inquiry on Tuesday that the number was disputed. Related Topics International Hugh Grant Phone Hacking Scandal

Is Fincher's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Too Extreme for Oscars?

Over at Entertainment Weekly, David Fincher plays coy joking about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Oscar chances. [Some spoilers follow, though they’ll come as no surprise to those familiar with Stieg Larsson’s book or Niels Arden Oplev’s 2009 film adaptation.] How likely is is that the Academy will be so turned off by the extremes seen in Fincher’s film that they’d pass it over come nomination day? Mild spoilers follow; excerpt from EW: “There’s too much anal rape in this movie” to get nominated, he says, half-jokingly. “I think we’re very safe.” Over at Awards Daily, Sasha Stone concurs, less jokingly, zeroing in on the idea that films with anal sex may get nominated, but they have a harder time winning. “He’s right, you can’t win. The internet is a Greek chorus that monitors and judges ALL behavior.” True; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is very, very rapey. It’s the rapiest film to come along in a long time, especially given the high profile and awards season positioning that Fincher’s production and recent Oscar cred carries with it. But those violations are also unavoidable and key to the plot and larger themes, and hopefully Fincher’s stayed true to the extreme, semi-unbearable nature of said events in Larsson’s tale; without having to endure (and avenge) them, a key character wouldn’t be complete. As one counterpoint to the rule, Brokeback Mountain won Oscars including Best Director and Screenplay, though Best Picture that year went to Crash. Dragon Tattoo, however, is far more difficult material then most. It’s not your average feelgood mainstream tale, by a long shot, and one driven by the ugliness of men. (Its original title, translated from Swedish: Men Who Hate Women.) So maybe Fincher’s right. And judging from his cautiously pessimistic comment, maybe he’d just playing the Oscar game safe, hoping to be pleasantly surprised by Academy voters. [Awards Daily, EW]

Disney Acquires Mom Blogger Platform Babble Media

NY - The Walt Disney Co. said Monday that it has acquired Babble Media, an online parenting platform featuring more than 200 influential mom bloggers. Disney described Babble as the "premier blogging platform for a new generation of connected parents," highlighting that it covers such topics as pregnancy, child care, health, food, family activities as well as lifestyle topics such as home, fashion and family products. Financial terms of the deal, first reported by AllThingsD, weren't disclosed. Babble is a NY-based start-up launched in 2006. It will remain headquartered in NY, Disney said. Co-founders Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman will join the Disney Interactive Media Group unit. Disney Interactive will infuse its moms and family evergreen content into Babble, the company said. "Parents' relationships with Disney are founded in stories, and Disney's best stories are about families," said Brooke Chaffin, senior vp of moms and family, Disney Interactive Media Group, in a statement. "We believe that Babble and Disney can harness the power of storytelling to inform, entertain and empower parents everywhere. With more than 3.9 million mom blogs in the U.S. alone, Disney Interactive recognizes and values the important and powerful role moms have taken on in new media." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics The Walt Disney Company

Pipeline full for Mr. 'Deeds'

Tyler Perry (with Cicely Tyson around the group of 2006 film 'Madea's Family Reunion') intends to to produce new Madea film in 2012 although not before his next onscreen appearance.Tyler Perry's fans have lengthy viewed the multihyphenate pull an outfit over his 6-feet-5 frame and perform as Madea, the grandmother together with her great amount of opinions.However in the approaching several weeks, Perry's fans will are able to determine him like a leading guy.First, Perry will star because the romantic lead in the own film, "Good Deeds," slated for release February. 24. Perry authored the film and meant to cast another person to star."I had been looking for another person to experience the role, but all the stars I needed used to do other movies, and so i made the decision I needed to get it done myself," he states. " 'Good Deeds' is really a total departure for me personally: It comes down to a man looking for his way through existence. It is the nearest in my experience that individuals have seen.InchPerry spent August and September in Cleveland and Detroit, shooting "I, Alex Mix," modified in the best-selling books by James Patterson. Perry is going to be playing the title role, which Morgan Freeman initially made famous within the films "Hug the Women" and "Along Came a Spider." No release date continues to be set yet.Most stars discuss their lengthy days allocated to set, but starring inside a film was absolutely nothing to Perry."It had been just like a vacation, really," he states. "I'd a lot down-time on set which i wound up writing two movies."Individuals movies are in early stages, but Perry states another Madea movie is going to be being released the coming year, although he isn't sure when and that he has not entitled it yet.On tv, Perry has two series, "House of Payne" and "Satisfy the Browns," on The best spinner's as well as in broadcast distribution.Another one -- "For Better or Worse," in line with the hit movie "Why Did I Got Married?" -- is in route using its 10-episode test to air on The best spinner's this month.Perry also offers lengthy stated he want to start their own network, similar to uncle and mentor, The famous host oprah Winfrey, has been doing with OWN. Lionsgate, which can serve as Perry's distribution partner, backs the concept.In August, Lionsgate Boss Jon Feltheimer pointed out within an earnings call that this type of network, possibly to become known as Tyler TV, was in early works. Perry verifies that but additionally states a real launch is really a ways off yet."I am moving cautiously towards a network," states Perry. "I am doing that deliberately because I wish to make certain it is the right fit. You will find huge numbers of people who've supported me through the years who're longing for this."Tyler Perry's 'House of Payne' 200th Episode:'Payne' yields pleasure for Perry, The best spinner's Perry's wager on themself takes care of handsomely Charitable organisation no rarity Pipeline full for Mr. 'Deeds' Areu is appropriate-hands guy inside Perry's empire 'Payne' cast reflects on the top reminiscences Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Haywire' is AFI's 'secret' pick

Steven Soderbergh's revenge-thriller "Haywire" has been tapped as the "secret screening" at the AFI Fest -- two months prior to its domestic launch by Relativity. Pic will be screened at 9:30 pm Sunday at the Chinese. "Haywire," Soderbergh's 25th film, stars Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Michael Angarano, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton and mixed martial arts star Gina Carano in the lead role as a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Daisy-Cinergy shows AFM 'Money'

Daisy-Cinergy Entertainment is repping Korean helmer Im Sang-soo's "Taste of Money," which has just started lensing.Described by the helmer as an extended edition of "The Housemaid," which unspooled in Cannes competition last year, Im's erotic suspense drama can be compared to a Korean "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Pic revolves around desire, sex and murder in a wealthy family, including a middle-aged heiress, her private male secretary and a Filipino housemaid.Daisy-Cinergy Entertainment has launched an international sales team at the AFM this year. The company has acquired a significant slate, including "Pompeii 3D."It started local film production and distribution in 2009 and released South Korean box office hits including "Goodbye Mom."Besides "Taste of Money," the sales team also represents titles including helmer Hur Jin-ho's period drama "Last Princess of Korea." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Thessaloniki opens among Greek turmoil

'The Descendants'The Thessaloniki Film Festival starts today like a vacation in a holiday in greece wrestles having its decision to just accept an $18 billion bailout within the EU rather than go under and face expulsion within the eurozone. No matter the economical turmoil, the fest is always that rare local phenom -- a cultural event getting the next guaranteed for an additional couple of years by EU funding. Carrying out a year beneath the leadership of prexy Dimitri Eipides, Thessaloniki remains completely sleek while not with techniques that website site visitors might find, according to him. Still offers honours different from 10,000 ($13,800) to $41,200. Fest opens with Alexander Payne's family drama, George Clooney starrer "The Descendants," and occasions will unspool in Thessaloniki's harbor arts space, a location now being reclaimed from years of disuse. It possesses a new Open Horizons section praising indie photos. It provides Iranian exile Amir Naderi's "Cut," of a Japanese filmmaker trying to create his next movie fellow Iranian Mohammad Rasoulof's "Goodbye" and helmer Dorota Kedzierzawska's Polish/Japanese "Tomorrow Will Improve,Inch three Russian immigrant children. Photos by Gaul's Bruno Dumont, Mathieu Kassovitz and Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne plus options from Russia's Alexander Sokurov and Andrey Zvyagintsev and Spain's Montxo Armendriz complete the section. Site visitors prone to draw crowds include company company directors Payne, Ole Christian Madsen and Ulrich Seidl plus roundtables on comparative production in Israel, Romania along with a vacation in a holiday in greece. Agora market and Crossroads co-production forum can have rising Greek talent. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Will Ferrell Comedy 'Casa p mi Padre' Acquired By Pantelion Films

Christopher Polk/Getty Images Pantelion Films has acquired U.S. rights to Casa p mi Padre, the NALA Films and Gary Sanchez Productions comedy starring Will Ferrell. The business plans a March 16 release. PHOTOS: 'SNL' Stars Salute Kennedy Center Honoree Will Ferrell Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Genesis Rodriguez, Efren Ramirez, Adrian Martinez, Pedro Armendáriz Junior. and Nick Offerman also star inside the The the spanish language language-language film, directed byMatt Piedmont. An homage for the telenovela, Padre concentrates on a Mexican ranchman who'll get confused getting a nearby drug our god and also the brother's girlfriend their father's ranch dangles inside the balance. STORY: Will Ferrell being Granted Mark Twain Prize for American Humor "We can not create a better vehicle thanCasa p mi Padreto demonstrate what sort of The the spanish language language language film can attract a comprehensive mainstream audience," mentioned Pantelion Boss Paul Presburger. "We are enthusiastic about joining forces with NALA Films relating to this project and believe Will, Matt and Andrew have proven when it is funny, most of us laugh inside the same language." Along with Lionsgate and Grupo Televisa,Pantelion Films focuses on delivering entertainment for Hispanic audiences.NALA Films funded the project. Will Ferrell

Collaborators

A National Theater presentation from the play by 50 percent operates by John Hodge. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Mikhail Bulgakov - Alex JenningsJoseph Stalin - Simon Russell BealeVladimir - Mark AddyYelena - Jacqueline DefferaryGrigory - William PostlethwaiteVassily - Patrick GodfreySergei - Pierce ReidDoctor - Nick SampsonPraskovya - Maggie ServiceYou're a effective playwright however, your work continues to be suspended due to your country's dictator. Nevertheless the stop will probably be lifted in the event you write a play formally adoring mentioned dictator. What now ?? This is actually the real-existence dilemma faced by Mikhail Bulgakov (Alex Jennings) and Stalin (Simon Russell Beale) recreated by John Hodge's new play "Collaborators." Nicholas Hytner's satirical production goes overboard attempting to become zany, but despite two terrific central performances, the play feels over-extended. That is no formulaic "When X Met Y" -Place your individual real-existence names -- trotting out a historic feud via expository-heavy dialogue. The opening make that apparent, a boldy comic nightmare sequence with Stalin bursting using a wardrobe in the blast of appear and smoke to terrorize Bulgakov. Rather, we watch Bulgakov among his higgledy-piggledy household fighting in straitened conditions. Everything changes while using feared knock round the door: The Soviet Secret Service, introduced with the leather-covered Vladimir (amusingly bumptious Mark Addy), makes him the "offer" that, in most probability, he cannot refuse. Faced using the job of writing "Youthful Stalin" within monthly for your man's sixtieth birthday, Bulgakov draws a clear until unforeseen help involves the type of Stalin themselves. The 2nd truly will be a fan -- he saw Bulgakov's "The White-colored Guard" 15 occasions. Hodge runs with this particular, inventing the concept that Stalin is entranced by the idea of cooperating. Subsequent moments between each of them sweating around the hot typewriter are deftly intercut while using changing fortunes inside the outdoors lives of Bulgakov and also the threatened artistic circle. Not remarkably, Hodge is covering what continues when artists ally themselves too carefully with repressive energy. How can you don't let yourself be bought off? Is it possible to remain pristine? Where does necessary compromise finish and dangerous collusion begin? Bulgakov's descent from principle to pragmatism and beyond -- he and Stalin swap roles and Bulgakov starts signing condition orders -- is charted with exquisite detail by Jennings. He seems to age physically throughout his character's ordeal. Worry, initially flicked away with intellectual disdain, progressively infects and corrupts his body since the situation he thought he commanded slips inexorably from his grasp. He's matched up track of a masterly Russell Beale. It's a brilliant little bit of disguise, and not really inside the literal sense although his hairpiece and costume lend him an uncanny resemblance. No shrieking despot, his regionally outlined Stalin leads to as gently childlike, a blunt but quietly spoken honest innocent with only flashes of contorted fear. Only very late on does Russell Beale allow audiences to find out quite how canny his Stalin is, getting hidden frighteningly tricky energy beneath a "who me?" exterior. Sadly, the down sides from the moments isn't matched up up elsewhere. As Bulgakov's wife, plaintive Jacqueline Defferary has little to accomplish but look progressively dismayed and a lot of the other figures are essentially functional. Hytner's intentionally over-vibrant staging uses every possible trick to disguise this. Composer George Fenton dresses up moments with perky, spoof-Shostakovich underscoring and designer Bob Crowley transforms the region in to a traverse stage, a substantially moved, Soviet Constructivist-style path in red-colored-colored and grey which comically screams non-naturalism. This gives full flower for the absurdist elements, eliciting cleverly exaggerated small roles and blackly comic entrances and exits. It helps to make the stars look awkward and self-conscious. In dinner-table moments, cast people cannot move their chairs in so tight a squeeze. The expansion stresses Hodge's intended headlong hurry of Bulgakov's fall. It's odd, therefore, it offers an unearned intermission which saps the second act of hysteria. Trimming would remove a couple of from the more schematic elements and would create continuous flow to mask the conceptual defects.Sets and costumes, Bob Crowley lighting, Jon Clark appear, Paul Arditti music, George Fenton production stage manager, David Marsland. Opened up up, examined November. 1, 2011. Running time: 2 Several hours, 30 MIN.With Sarah Annis, Marcus Cunningham, Michael Jenn, Jess Murphy, Perri Snowdon. Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

'Boots' bow kicks DWA stock cost

'Puss in Boots'Life can be hard for any stand-alone studio. Shares of DreamWorks Animation skidded lower Monday after "Puss in Boots" completed $34 million its opening weekend, topping the domestic box office but falling lacking anticipation and fueling a trickle of discontent on Wall Street. Shares fell 7.8% to shut at $18.55. Experts who follow the organization were searching for a mid-to-high $40 million showing for that "Shrek" spinoff along with a couple of trimmed their 2011 earnings estimations. " 'Puss in Boots' will require an extended tail," stated Anthony DiClemente of Barclay's Capital, who now figures the pic will gross $145 million -- $20 million under he'd anticipated. "Puss" was DreamWorks Animation's cheapest opening since "Flushed Away" in 2006 at $19 million. DWA capped Jeffrey Katzenberg stated a week ago the hope was for "Puss" to top the present $33.six million opening weekend record for Halloween. "Anything beyond that adopts the win column," Katzenberg stated then. The pic just squashed by. DreamWorks Animation creates films about every six several weeks -- "Kung Fu Panda 2" was out last May, next is "Madagascar 3" in June -- and in contrast to other galleries which are relatively small areas of giant media conlgoms, DWA does not produce other companies to defend it, making its stock prone to the B.O. takings of every release. Traders in Viacom, News Corp., Time Warner and Disney tend to pay attention to cable systems. Merely a truly massive dud around the downside, or perhaps a "Titanic" around the upside, can move the stock. Viacom shares, for instance, barely budged the Monday after Paramount's blazing success with low-budget "Paranormal Activity 3." A freak snow storm within the Northeast might have damped the "Puss" opening. If that's the case, DiClemente stated, good person to person could push the pic to higher-than-expected ticket sales. But he's also expecting "Madagascar 3" to drag in under the 2nd pic did ($590 worldwide), because of competive demands within the CGI market and slowing down three dimensional trends. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

New 'Arthur Christmas' Clip: Take Gift Wrapping to the Extreme

.post-content img {display:none;} Halloween isn't here yet, but that doesn't mean you can't start thinking about Christmas. The stockings hung by the chimney with care; the gifts carefully wrapped underneath a beautiful Christmas tree. It's that latter holiday accoutrement which is the focus of this new exclusive clip from 'Arthur Christmas,' where Santa Claus's youngest son tries to use some newfound technology for a secret mission. If only wrapping gifts was this fun. From Aardman Animation Studios -- the folks who brought you 'Wallace & Grommit' -- 'Arthur Christmas' arrives in theaters on Nov. 23. Check back to Moviefone for more content from this sure-to-be stellar family adventure. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Telecinco, Mod join Castellitto's 'World'

MADRID -- A couple of Spain's most ambitious film production companies, Telecinco Cinema and Mod Prods., took minority equity stakes in Bosnian war drama "Venuto al mondo" (In to the World), which stars Penelope Cruz and it is helmed by Italo thesp Sergio Castellitto. "World" informs the storyline of the single mom who returns to Sarajevo together with her teenage boy to manage yesteryear she distributed to her late husband. Film adjusts exactly the same entitled best-selling novel by Castellitto's scribe-actress wife Margaret Mazzantini. The Italia-The country co-production also teams Italian clothes Medusa Film, Alien Produzioni and Picomedia. Beyond Cruz, pic's worldwide cast is brought by Emile Hirsch ("Killer Joe") and Anglo-Gallic star Jane Birkin. Lensing began August in Sarajevo and ongoing around the Croatian coast. Now filming in Rome, it'll subsequently visit Bosnia. Telecinco Cinema, the film production arm of The spanish language broadcasting group Mediaset Espana, and Fernando Bovaira's Mod will lead cast plus some key tech talent plus co-financing. Pic will be prepared for theatrical release by fall 2012. Wild Bunch handles "World's" worldwide sales privileges and can release "World" in France. Medusa will distribute the film in Italia. Castellitto, among Italy's most highly-regarded as thesps, already directed Cruz within the drama "Don't Move," which gained her the 2004 David di Donatello award on her lead performance. Telecinco and Mod already joined last year on Alejandro Amenabar's historic drama "Agora," toplining Rachel Weisz. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

For The Consideration: The Changing Role of Screeners within the Honours Race (Analysis)

An abbreviated version want to know , first made an appearance within the March. 28 problem from the Hollywood Reporter. For filmmakers, whose primary goal should be to make art, an effective way for any movie to appear is around the giant screen. However for honours strategists, whose main work would be to deliver nominations and wins in the Academy, experts, guilds, other honours-meting out organizations, in whatever way of reaching voters -- a number of whom live not even close to the development screening modems of La and NY and/or are extremely busy or frail to get at many tests -- is going to do. A little of history Galleries happen to be offering voters an alternate approach to seeing their films -- namely, "screeners" -- because the late eighties, when proper honours "campaigns" first grew to become commonplace. These copies of the films -- that have been first mailed to voters on VHS, after which DVD, and today often even Blu-Ray -- may cost galleries 100s of 1000's of dollars to create and distribute -- often even millions, based on the number of voting physiques they would like to send these phones. (You will find roughly 6,500 people from the Academy and 98,000 people from the Screen Stars Guild, to cite but a couple of them.) But to individuals who see great prestige and profit within the reflection of honours statuettes -- particularly the most coveted of, the Oscar -- it's regarded as as money wisely spent. PHOTOS: Backstage in the 83rd Oscars Indeed, screeners have assisted to level the playing area, meaning that voters no more have excuse why they are able to't see -- and for that reason "consider" -- a movie for honours. Weather, work, and other things might once have precluded them from creating a screening are actually non-issues, given that they are now able to pop a movie into an entertainment console anywhere and anytime that's convenient on their behalf. Even though some voters still see and election for just probably the most over-blown films every year -- or, even worse, don't discover their whereabouts and/or invite relatives or assistants to complete their ballots -- most make use of the convenience and find yourself seeing and rewarding lots of little movies they otherwise might possibly not have. Many industry experts think that acting Academy awards would not happen to be granted to Roberto Benigni for Existence Is Beautiful (1998), Hilary Swank for Boys Don't Cry (1999), Marcia Gay Harden for Pollock (2000) or Halle Berry for Monster's Ball (2001) had voters not seen them on screeners. Furthermore, they argue, the shocking best picture win of Crash over Brokeback Mountain (both 2005) is most likely directly attributable that Lionsgate required the then-unparalleled, "really, really costly" step -- later replicated by Little Miss Sunshine (2006) and Black Swan (2010) on the way to best picture nods that belongs to them -- of delivering a screener to each single person in SAG, resulting in a best ensemble win there along with a rush of familiarity and recognition among stars (who represent the biggest branch from the Academy) before Oscar voting closed. ANALYSIS: Exactly what the New Oscar Campaign Rules Mean for Honours Season Over the last years, however, two conflicting demands have come to light: there's more competition than in the past to obtain films seen by voters, but there's also more concern than in the past about safeguarding individuals films from being leaked before their commercial releases to everyone. In age the web, film "piracy" -- as with, the illegal replication and distribution of films -- has turned into a significant problem, and one that will cost you a studio massive levels of money in the box-office. Because the sources with a minimum of a couple of such leaks happen to be recognized as honours voters who either deliberately or carelessly permitted their screeners to get involved with the incorrect hands, galleries happen to be instructed to seek alternative and safer methods for getting their films in to the right hands. That -- in addition to a desire for the Academy to embrace today's technology and promote eco-friendly-awareness -- brought for an announcement recently which has literally transformed the guidelines of the overall game. To The Race 1 2 3 next last Academy awards 2012

The new sony Names Studio Park After John Calley

CULVER CITY, CA October 19, 2011 The new sony Pictures Entertainment today revealed the naming of John Calley Park in recognition from the late, former Chairman from the studio it had been introduced by chairman and chief executive officer Michael Lynton and co-chairman Amy Pascal in a dedication ceremony attended by studio employees. The recently-named park is situated in the heart of the galleries historic 44 acre lot and works as a central gathering place for workers and site visitors. Speaking at the dedication, Pascal stated: John arrived like a steadying center of gravity for that studio. He gave most of us what we should required to come together like a company as well as gave us an infusion of existence along with a sense of togetherness the studio was without before. When Michael and that i considered building this park, we wanted that it is a gathering spot for everyone. When John died, it appeared an ideal title to refer to it as. Lynton added: Many of us are best because of Johns years about this lot, and also the world is best because of the wonderful entertainment he left in his considerable wake. It's with great recognition that people dedicate this park to John Calley.

Ivana Chubbuck on Discovery Through the Craft

Ivana Chubbuck on Discovery Through the Craft October 19, 2011 Actors have the unique obligation in their work to not only find the truth of the character, but to make that character's journey one that empowers and creates revelation for the actor and therefore the audience. When I break down a script with an actor, I always keep this in mind. This inspires growth not only in the character but in the actor as well. It's important to find that primal constant that all human beings can relate tono matter their religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, geography, age, or genderand to make choices that create universality.Beyonc Knowles played Etta James in the film "Cadillac Records." Etta was a heroin addict, and her skin color made it difficult to succeed in a white man's world. But she did cross over from an urban African-American audience and became internationally successful. Firstly, when we dug into the character, we had to look at Beyonc playing an addict, as she has never taken drugs in her life. Truth is, Beyonc barely drinks. She had no touchstone for that mentality. So why someone needs to take heroin became the first question we had to answer.Opiates are taken to kill pain, both physically and emotionally. They also help one feel capable of coping in difficult situations. Though ultimately a destructive drug, heroin initially gives one a sense that everything is manageable. We had to find where in Beyonc's life she felt emotional pain and helplessness dire enough to create a craving for a drug such as heroin. We found her personal triggers and then took a fraction of her feelings of helplessness and pain and expanded and magnified it until it motivated the need to take the drug. When acting drugged out (or drunk), it's essential to first find the need to take the drug, then the behaviors and organic feelings resulting from the drug will make sense to the actor and establish a more accurate depiction. (I have exercises in my book, "The Power of the Actor," to create organic highs for drugs and alcohol, so you're really feeling it, not just acting it out.)Understanding her own helplessness also provided Beyonc with Etta's need to changeto become someone empowered, someone who won't let life's traumas lead to self-destruction but who'll use them to fuel the struggle to overcome. That's a path that everyone can relate to. And an audience wants to watch the journey of a winner, not someone who has accepted defeat. As Beyonc has said, "We always try to find the strength and heroism of a character, no matter how much a victim that character seems to be on the page."Through exploring a character like Etta James, Beyonc saw the need to empower not only a black woman's journey, but women in general. Throughout history, the role of women has often been made secondary to that of men. Beyonc told me that she used the work we did for Etta to bring substance to her music and lyrics, to give them the depth of our need to rejoice in our strengths as women. Because playing Etta James made it so clear how necessary it was. This has become a consistent theme in Beyonc's music the last few years, as heard in "Single Ladies," "Just Stand Up," and "Run the World (Girls)."In "Hustle & Flow," Terrence Howard and I discovered that we could transcend the "pimp/ho" scenario by making his relationship with his prostitutes that of a father taking care of his children. All the things he does with and for them are the actions of a father who loves his children enough to want them to become effective and happy adults. Even when the character is abusive, we saw it as "tough love." His wanting to be a rap star was about making them proud of him, as any parent wants of his offspring. In this way, we made the film about family and the importance of it. We took a story that on the page was relatable only to a small section of people and made it universally accessible.In looking at "Pineapple Express," James Franco and I found that it wasn't a "stoner" movie at all, but a movie about a lonely man who uses marijuana as a common thread with others, a way to bond. A "bromance" was formed. James is a renaissance man who explores daily through all art forms, and through this movie he came to discover that humor, and the depth that humor is born from, is essential in the arts.Sometimes the work bleeds into your life and creates a personal discovery. In my work with Halle Berry on "Monster's Ball," we scored so deeply the reality of having a childand then the profound loss of the childthat Halle realized how much she truly wanted to be a mother. And then came her daughter, Nahla.It's hard to think of Eva Mendes without thinking how sexy she is. But when I first met her in my classes, she could be described more as a Catholic schoolgirl than a seductress. Through our work and her breakthrough in class doing a scene from "The Seven Year Itch," she came to this realization: "Sexuality is a very compelling component that makes people respond in a larger way than if the driving force of the character is solely emotional or intellectual. When both Ivana and I break down a role that I'm doing, we always make sure that all the human elements are thereemotional, spiritual, intellectual, and sexual. It works together to create one full person."In working with Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz for the past six years on "Bones," I helped them realize that "Bones" should not be looked at as a procedural crime-of-the-week show, but rather it's about two people falling in love. I've also helped them to recognize that each crime facilitates the growth of their relationship, and whatever the subject of the crime, it is fodder to grow and add richness to their love. The sexual connection and the humor are a part of their attachment. It is crucial to understand that relationships are successful not because two people have great "feelings talks" but because they have fun with one another. That is key to a person wanting to be with someone. In this way, an audience ends up rooting for their union. Bottom line: Creating a relationship is premier in an actor's script analysis. The plot enables and accelerates the relationship.All forms of art should allow for discovery. For the actor, writer, and director, the choices they make should cover ground that supports revelation for the character, the actor playing the role, and the audience.Ivana Chubbuck is an acting coach and the founder and director of the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Her students have also included Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pine, Terrence Howard, Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Djimon Hounsou, America Ferrera, Kate Bosworth, Ian Somerhalder, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Charlize Theron. She has also worked with Jim Carrey, Jessica Alba, Radha Mitchell, Carrie-Anne Moss, Garry Shandling, Jessica Biel, Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh, Judith Light, Amy Smart, Marcia Cross, Jared Leto, David Spade, Matthew Perry, Ali Larter, and Gerard Butler. Her book, "The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique," has been adopted for use as a textbook in many colleges and universities internationally, as well as being translated into a number of languages around the world. Ivana has also taught at the Juilliard School in New York. Ivana Chubbuck on Discovery Through the Craft October 19, 2011 Actors have the unique obligation in their work to not only find the truth of the character, but to make that character's journey one that empowers and creates revelation for the actor and therefore the audience. When I break down a script with an actor, I always keep this in mind. This inspires growth not only in the character but in the actor as well. It's important to find that primal constant that all human beings can relate tono matter their religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, geography, age, or genderand to make choices that create universality.Beyonc Knowles played Etta James in the film "Cadillac Records." Etta was a heroin addict, and her skin color made it difficult to succeed in a white man's world. But she did cross over from an urban African-American audience and became internationally successful. Firstly, when we dug into the character, we had to look at Beyonc playing an addict, as she has never taken drugs in her life. Truth is, Beyonc barely drinks. She had no touchstone for that mentality. So why someone needs to take heroin became the first question we had to answer.Opiates are taken to kill pain, both physically and emotionally. They also help one feel capable of coping in difficult situations. Though ultimately a destructive drug, heroin initially gives one a sense that everything is manageable. We had to find where in Beyonc's life she felt emotional pain and helplessness dire enough to create a craving for a drug such as heroin. We found her personal triggers and then took a fraction of her feelings of helplessness and pain and expanded and magnified it until it motivated the need to take the drug. When acting drugged out (or drunk), it's essential to first find the need to take the drug, then the behaviors and organic feelings resulting from the drug will make sense to the actor and establish a more accurate depiction. (I have exercises in my book, "The Power of the Actor," to create organic highs for drugs and alcohol, so you're really feeling it, not just acting it out.)Understanding her own helplessness also provided Beyonc with Etta's need to changeto become someone empowered, someone who won't let life's traumas lead to self-destruction but who'll use them to fuel the struggle to overcome. That's a path that everyone can relate to. And an audience wants to watch the journey of a winner, not someone who has accepted defeat. As Beyonc has said, "We always try to find the strength and heroism of a character, no matter how much a victim that character seems to be on the page."Through exploring a character like Etta James, Beyonc saw the need to empower not only a black woman's journey, but women in general. Throughout history, the role of women has often been made secondary to that of men. Beyonc told me that she used the work we did for Etta to bring substance to her music and lyrics, to give them the depth of our need to rejoice in our strengths as women. Because playing Etta James made it so clear how necessary it was. This has become a consistent theme in Beyonc's music the last few years, as heard in "Single Ladies," "Just Stand Up," and "Run the World (Girls)."In "Hustle & Flow," Terrence Howard and I discovered that we could transcend the "pimp/ho" scenario by making his relationship with his prostitutes that of a father taking care of his children. All the things he does with and for them are the actions of a father who loves his children enough to want them to become effective and happy adults. Even when the character is abusive, we saw it as "tough love." His wanting to be a rap star was about making them proud of him, as any parent wants of his offspring. In this way, we made the film about family and the importance of it. We took a story that on the page was relatable only to a small section of people and made it universally accessible.In looking at "Pineapple Express," James Franco and I found that it wasn't a "stoner" movie at all, but a movie about a lonely man who uses marijuana as a common thread with others, a way to bond. A "bromance" was formed. James is a renaissance man who explores daily through all art forms, and through this movie he came to discover that humor, and the depth that humor is born from, is essential in the arts.Sometimes the work bleeds into your life and creates a personal discovery. In my work with Halle Berry on "Monster's Ball," we scored so deeply the reality of having a childand then the profound loss of the childthat Halle realized how much she truly wanted to be a mother. And then came her daughter, Nahla.It's hard to think of Eva Mendes without thinking how sexy she is. But when I first met her in my classes, she could be described more as a Catholic schoolgirl than a seductress. Through our work and her breakthrough in class doing a scene from "The Seven Year Itch," she came to this realization: "Sexuality is a very compelling component that makes people respond in a larger way than if the driving force of the character is solely emotional or intellectual. When both Ivana and I break down a role that I'm doing, we always make sure that all the human elements are thereemotional, spiritual, intellectual, and sexual. It works together to create one full person."In working with Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz for the past six years on "Bones," I helped them realize that "Bones" should not be looked at as a procedural crime-of-the-week show, but rather it's about two people falling in love. I've also helped them to recognize that each crime facilitates the growth of their relationship, and whatever the subject of the crime, it is fodder to grow and add richness to their love. The sexual connection and the humor are a part of their attachment. It is crucial to understand that relationships are successful not because two people have great "feelings talks" but because they have fun with one another. That is key to a person wanting to be with someone. In this way, an audience ends up rooting for their union. Bottom line: Creating a relationship is premier in an actor's script analysis. The plot enables and accelerates the relationship.All forms of art should allow for discovery. For the actor, writer, and director, the choices they make should cover ground that supports revelation for the character, the actor playing the role, and the audience.Ivana Chubbuck is an acting coach and the founder and director of the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Her students have also included Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pine, Terrence Howard, Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Djimon Hounsou, America Ferrera, Kate Bosworth, Ian Somerhalder, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Charlize Theron. She has also worked with Jim Carrey, Jessica Alba, Radha Mitchell, Carrie-Anne Moss, Garry Shandling, Jessica Biel, Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh, Judith Light, Amy Smart, Marcia Cross, Jared Leto, David Spade, Matthew Perry, Ali Larter, and Gerard Butler. Her book, "The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique," has been adopted for use as a textbook in many colleges and universities internationally, as well as being translated into a number of languages around the world. Ivana has also taught at the Juilliard School in NY.

ROLL CALL: Lindsay Lohans Repetition Responds To Head lines About Actress Teeth

First Released: October 14, 2011 2:38 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images Caption Lindsay Lohan attends the Saints Row: The 3rd Sneak Look premiere at SupperClub La in La on October 12, 2011 La, Calif. -- Your Everyday Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Grill-gate!: Lindsay Lohan is making head lines again, although not for top reasons. Photos appeared on Thursday revealing her less-than-pearly whitened teeth, and her repetition is reacting well, kind of. Lindsay is broadly recognized among the most breathtaking women in the world, and it is regularly searched for-after by a few of the top photography enthusiasts on the planet to look on covers of magazines around the world, the repetition stated inside a statement to gain access to Hollywood. Adding, You will find so much more important issues the media should talk about, for example being homeless, insufficient funding for public education and relations between America and it is allies. So, chew on that America! Kim Goes Undercover: Weren't accustomed to seeing Kim Kardashian all hidden, however when in Dubai, you do what most of the local people do. Browse the reality star like youve never witnessed her before, HERE! Pippa Watch!: A week ago, the Royal-adjacent Pippa Middleton stunned inside a red-colored dress having a plunging neck-line in a charitable organisation event and last evening, the mobile phone industry's most sexy sister to some princess impressed inside a a smaller amount revealing gown. Take a look at Pippas latest look a floral look by Project D HERE! Cavills Steel!: Since its Friday, we couldnt give you a lot of celebs using their clothes on, so rather we provide you with Guy of Steel star Henry Cavill revealing precisely how super and macho he's. Enjoy shirtless Henry around the group of his Electricity comic movie in Vancouver, HERE! -By Jesse Spero Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Michael Douglas & Matt Damons Liberace Bio Headed To Cinemax

First Launched: October 11, 2011 3:30 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Michael Douglas attends the Broadway opening evening of Full of the Booth Theatre, New you are able to city, on April 19, 2011HBO states Michael Douglas takes for the keyboard due to its approaching biopic of legendary pianist Liberace. Behind the Candelabra will probably be directed by Steven Soderbergh. It will star Matt Damon as Scott Thorson, the greater youthful live-in lover in the flamboyant artist, being carried out by Douglas. Cinemax made the announcement Tuesday. Jerry Weintraub (Oceans Eleven, Twelve, 13) is executive producer. The movies title means trademark candelabra always taking up Liberaces grand pianowhen he completed. He appeared to become recognized for his crazy costumes and extravagant jewelry. The 67-year-old Douglas has recently fought against throat cancer, but last The month of the month of january he introduced his tumor disappeared and predicted he'd beaten the problem. Behind the Candelabra is scheduled to begin production next summer season. No airdate was introduced. (Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed) Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The new sony taps Asbury for 'Pooch'

The new sony Pictures Animation has drawn on veteran animation author-director Kelly Asbury to pen "Pooch Coffee shop," a CG-animated feature according to Paul Gilligan's popular syndicated comic strip of the identical title.Story follows Poncho, a cheese-loving, squirrel-fearing, toilet-consuming mutt who joins his canine buddies in the Pooch Caf, a neighborhood hangout where dogs could be dogs and compare notes on such weighty issues as staying away from baths, zebra-flavored kibble, and the making of a huge catapult that to hurl all of the world's felines in to the sun.Gil Netter, Bridget McMeel and John Glynn will professional produce "Pooch Coffee shop.""Kelly's wit and motion picture sensibility pairs wonderfully using the irreverent figures and wry comedy within the "Pooch Caf" comic strip," stated SPA's production prexy Michelle Raimo-Kouyate. "We have been searching for something related to Kelly, which would be a right diamond necklace.InchAsbury lately directed and co-authored "Gnomeo and Juliet," which required in additional than $189 million worldwide. He formerly co-directed "Spirit: Stallion from the Cimarron" and "Shrek 2," the greatest-grossing animated film in U.S. box office history. Over his 27-year career in animation, Asbury has offered in a number of creative capabilities on such Hollywood hits as "Shrek," "Toy Story," "Beauty and also the Animal," "The Small Mermaid" and "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas." Younger crowd provided character voices for "Gnomeo and Juliet," "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the 3rd.InchThe new sony Pictures Animation most lately launched "The Smurfs," that has made over $519 million worldwide.Asbury is repped by UTA and Nancy Newhouse-Porter at Newhouse/Porter/Hubbard. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

NHL holds digital options

Being launched in the lost 2004-05 lockout season, the NHL needed thinking how fans were interacting with the league."We'd you can not depend on anybody else who inform you the tales from the products had happened the evening before inside the NHL," describes John Collins, chief operating officer in the NHL. "You had been not receiving that from your local news and you also weren't configuring it from 'SportsCenter.' There's a sizable void there, and in order to we'd change that was once we as long as, once we offered the fan because way."That meant changing the league in the certification model to as being a media company, creating and disseminating its content right to fans and creating options for entrepreneurs concurrently.Property such as the NHL Network, providing you with detailed highlights and news additionally to reside games, has converted into an invaluable resource that can take proper care of for your league in multiple ways, states Tim Leiweke, prexy and Boss of AEG Worldwide together with a high La Nobleman professional."It provides an opportunity to use a funnel that individuals own that not merely will considerably increase in value and be an excellent resource it is the 30 entrepreneurs, it serves the demand hockey enthusiasts have inside the U.S. every single day,In . according to him.Electronic options for instance video content on NHL.com, the web game-streaming subscription service "NHL GameCenter Live" and mobile content have become rapidly. NHL.com reviews average monthly unique site site visitors elevated 30% this season-11 inside the previous season, while subs to "GameCenter" rose 37%.Leiweke states the Nobleman proven the NHL's persistence for digital media, leading to they having a complete staff and beat author to create in-depth news and video access that fans weren't getting from our media. That's brought to LAKings.com recording an incredible number of unique site site visitors monthly.InchI believe that's directly tied into the fact the NHL has control of its future, which is trading lots of assets toward making certain NHL.com has great original unique content and is probably the best sites for hockey," according to him.Collins states the league's media sales-talking about deal with NBC, that the Peacock will handle ad sales for individuals platforms -- from mobile an online-based to broadcasts on the web -- produces a lot more chance of the league."(NBC is) prone to market about $2 billion cost of ad sales this year, while using Olympics as well as the Super Bowl and Sunday Evening Football," Collins states of NBC. "We wish the NHL being situated alongside people marquee characteristics."Digital media has extended the NHL's achieve within the Atlantic towards the growing number of fans in Europe. The Nobleman started this season playing an exhibit match in Hamburg, Germany, and may open the conventional season with games in the NY Rangers in Stockholm as well as the Zoysia Sabres in Berlin.Leiweke states the league is doing a fantastic job in taking charge of the logo design and developing media techniques that will still build its number of fans in Europe.Collins states there's still plenty of work being done round the media side, nevertheless the NHL is satisfied using its success up to now."In the market perspective, seeing the audience of fans grow as well as the occasions become bigger, specifically the Stanley Cup, In my opinion our sport is well situated inside the digital age," according to him.NHL SEASON PREVIEW 2011NBC deal boosts NHL's game NHL holds digital options Winter Classic a completely new outdoors tradition Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

R.I.P. Ernest R. Aceti

The Organization company directors Guild introduced today thatretired TV broadcast network sports director and DGA Lifetime Achievement recipient Ernest R. Aceti has died. This really is really the statement by DGA Leader Taylor Hackford: We are saddened to hear in the passing of Ernest R. Aceti, beloved DGA member as well as the ninth people receiving the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Direction. Joe received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, capping work that by all measures placed him inside the pantheon of sports direction. Present typically in the seminal sporting occasions since the late sixties, Joe labored for individuals four major systems on a variety of major sporting event including: the 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1992 Olympic games the 1990, 1991 and 1992 World Series and numerous Playoff Series World Figure Skating Championship from 1983-1990 the U.S Open Tennis Tournament from 1984-87 Basketball and NCAA basketball Nfl and collegiate football Major League and Collegiate baseball and 10 years of pointing ABC’s Wide Arena of Sports having a couple of 300 shows since the matching director. With 80 major boxing matches to his credit, Joe appeared to become the guiding on the job broadcasts of the couple of from the all-time finest bouts, including: Ali versus. Frazier also called The Thrilla in Manila Ali versus. Spinks II Cooney versus. Holmes and Hearns versus. Duran. By all accounts, Joe will be a kind and devoted teacher and mentor to numerous he met in route. After Joe was introduced as people receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Direction in 2006, he told us, In my opinion Accustomed to perform a congrats, however the one factor Im most pleased with is always that I possibly could be very convenient of youthful people throughout my career. Ive never been afraid to feed which I realize which cleaning it once a being fair and kind to people. My partner features a saying, You can't be described as a teacher and not be kind. In my opinion shes right.

CBS Orders Full Season of two Broke Women

Kat Dennings, Jesse Behrs CBS has bought an entire-season pickup of two Broke Women, TVGuide.com has confirmed.Fall TV: Start to see the 17 stars as well as sturdy . eyes relating to this yearThe comedy about two fighting NY waitresses (Kat Dennings and Jesse Behrs) airs at 8:30/7:30c on Mondays - immediately preceding the resurgent Ashton Kutcher-introduced two and a half Males. Now, it sustained its status since the season's most broadly used new sitcom, getting in 11.37 million people together with a 4.4 rating among 18-to-49-year-olds (versus. the last week's 11.58 million/4.5).NBC orders Up With The Evening and Whitney, cancels Playboy ClubIt's been a flourishing week for executive producer Whitney Cummings - her eponymous NBC sitcom also had been acquired for just about any full season.

Cronenberg On Eastern Promises 2

And The Fly 3!A Dangerous Method is about to premiere at the NY Film Festival; Cosmopolis is in the can; and there have been various rumours in recent months about what else David Cronenberg may have in development. "Sometimes on IMDb you see you're doing three movies you've never even heard of," he told Shock. Thankfully, he's happy to clarify.There were odd rumblings some time ago of Cronenberg remaking his own version of The Fly. Not strictly true, says the director, but not exactly false either. "Yeah, that was a thing," he says. "It's not exactly a remake; it's sort of a sequel, kinda. I've written a script of that but I don't know if it's going to really happen. That has to do with Fox..."He definitely isn't making Timecrimes, the English-language version of Nacho Vigalondo's sci-fi thriller: "They proposed it to me and I turned it down, and then suddenly it was on the 'net like I'm doing it! I think it was the director of the Spanish version that was responsible for saying I'm doing it, but I never was."But a sequel to 2007's Eastern Promises definitely is on the cards, albeit not quite as an immediate prospect. "It's possible," says Cronenberg carefully. "Steve Knight wrote it, and he's now writing a second draft, and Focus are interested, so we'll see..."More naked Viggo violence? Something to erase the memory of The Fly II? Or would you rather Cronenberg shocked with the new rather than revisiting the old? A Dangerous Method is out in the UK in February, followed by Cosmopolis some time later in the year.Of the Don Delillo adaptation (which stars Robert Pattinson) Cronenberg enthuses, "It's very cinematic. Well, it is and it isn't. Most of the movie takes place inside a limo. Some people would say that's not cinematic, but I say it is!"

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Paul W.S. Anderson talks Resident Evil 5

Director Paul W.S. Anderson starts shooting Resident Evil: Retribution in a week's time so he had plenty to say about the project during an interview with Collider. "We're bringing in the Las Plagas parasite, which I love because it allows the undead to basically run around, ride motorbikes and shoot machine guns, which no one's done before," he said.Anderson also explained how one action sequence would be lifted from the game, albeit with a change of vehicle."There's a great action sequence which we've been inspired by from the fifth game, which is where the characters are driving in a Hummer through the desert and they're being chased by zombies shooting machine guns on motorbikes. We've taken that and we've kind of run with it. We're not gonna use a Hummer this time we're gonna use a Rolls Royce Phantom, cause no one's ever done a car chase with a Rolls Royce Phantom before. And I've discovered why, because it's really, really expensive."He also explained the thinking behind the introduction of new characters from the games into the film."[The new characters] is something that's kind of come out of Milla [Jovovich] and I talking to fans, feeling the characters that people wanted to come in. [We chose] three of those that seem to be the fan-favourites that we'd never touched on: Leon Kennedy, Ada Wong, and Barry Burton," Anderson said."We really went out of our way to get people who looked as much like their characters as possible from the game. This actor Johann Urb, who I'm very excited to be working with, not only is he a really good actor but he looks like Leon Kennedy. I mean you put photographs of them side-by-side, it's almost like he was manufactured by Capcom."Check out the full interview below...

Foreign shingles mine U.S. talent

Endemol acquired rights to 'Hot in Cleveland,' starring Betty White-colored, incorporated in the foray into U.S. scripted TV.Anglo-Nederlander Endemol developed 'Hell on Wheels,' which agreed to AMC inside the U.S.LONDON -- TV creatives in La are actually seeking focus on the broadcast and cable systems for any very long time, there's however now another way to obtain jobs designed for them: foreign production and distribution companies. And so they don't even have to relocate. Yesteryear handful of several days have observed numerous foreign shingles creating methods in L.A., using the aim of inking handles U.S. showrunners, and developing and creating scripted TV skeins for your U.S. broadcast and cable systems, too for worldwide customers. The stakes are lucrative: there's a sizable curiosity about U.S. drama inside the worldwide marketplace -- essential underscored having a Digital TV Research think that puts the requirement for imported drama series on European channels a year ago at $6 billion, a few of which was provided with the U.S. majors. Now, foreign companies need a bigger slice in the cake.One new ex-pat is Gallic movie studio Gaumont, which setup its British-language TV production arm, Gaumont Intl.Television, in L.A. lately.Proceeding the shingle is Boss Katie O'Connell, former professional V . p . of drama programming for NBC Entertainment, and formerly professional V . p . of development and current programming at Imagine Entertainment.For Gaumont, the L.A. office might be the first stage inside an worldwide growth strategy."Gaumont was searching to broaden its portfolio, together with may well step ended up being to enter British-language television," O'Connell states. "They wish to be an international company."For O'Connell, the walls involving the TV industries of numerous nations are increasingly being divided, but it is still vital to possess a U.S. deal to have the ability to compete inside the U.S. market, though, overseas companies must first release look at your grip in the Hollywood art galleries.The look of the world posse is definitely an positive development for individuals in the L.A. creative community, O'Connell states."(The world players) are trying to find approaches doing things, also to adopt different kinds which will make sense on their behalf also as (for) the tv community generally. This really is really healthy for your television business, as it is getting into additional competition, and giving stars, authors and producers options to research the worldwide marketplace and finish up some of it,Inch she states. Gaumont will probably be offering two skeins within the Mipcom TV market: 13-episode thriller series "Hannibal," put together by Bryan Bigger ("Pushing Daisies"), who'll professional produce with Martha P Laurentiis and "Madame Tussaud," a six-part historic miniseries composed by Michael Hirst ("The Tudors"). But O'Connell is realistic in regards to the scope of Gaumont's methods."We are not really considered an enormous-volume company. One factor that individuals really take great pride in does numerous projects, and very handcrafting them (for)industry,Inch she states.Another recent immigrant is Anglo-Nederlander TV company Endemol. Already a substantial player inside the reality space with shows like "Government,Inch the business began feeling its way across the scripted landscape by acquiring foreign rights to U.S.-produced shows like "Hot in Cleveland," "Happily Divorced" and "Leverage."Then it made a decision to move up river toward the creative source, as the saying goes, with the development of Western series "Hell on Wheels," co-produced with Canada's eOne Television, and agreed to AMC. (EOne itself opened up up up shop in La in 2008, introduced by Boss John Morayniss.)In August, Endemol produced its own L.A.-based scripted TV studio operation, Endemol Art galleries, that's headed by Boss Philippe Maigret. He highlights that in worldwide areas too as with the U.S., the quantity of shops that air drama series grows, which channels need original series to differentiate themselves in the crowded marketplace. For instance, the quantity of scripted TV series premiering on cable channels inside the U.S. has tripled formerly 10 years near to 100 a year ago, according to him. "There's clearly essential for U.S. TV programming (within the U.S. and overseas) the global distributor must consider,Inch Maigret states. But another key incentive for foreign companies to use the U.S. production customers are to nab product to provide their worldwide distribution methods. "If drama series are of a good importance with a company, you will need to secure your pipeline and develop internally numerous people assets that will fuel growth," Maigret states, and control of the ancillary rights. The foreign-possessed L.A. shingles can partner utilizing their sister production companies overseas -- in Endemol's situation, including Southern Star australia wide and Tiger Consider the U.K. -- using the idea to evolve scripted formats that originated from overseas to be able to co-produce original series for your U.S. market.The key factor to entree into the U.S. industry for these foreign players is always to develop associations with U.S. authors, company company directors and stars, also to supply the items which result from people associations to U.S. cablers."It's greatly about super-serving American talent as well as the American cable systems to be more prepared to utilize us than their traditional partners," Maigret states. Meaning championing a project the art galleries aren't pursuing -- possibly one considered too questionable or too harmful.Endemol is a lot more ready to share rights with talent and cablers in comparison to Hollywood art galleries are, states Maigret, though he adds that he's careful about engaging in a tournament while using heavyweights."We're not able to go in person while using major art galleries. They are bigger and possess more assets than all of us do,Inch according to him. "Therefore we should be smart about who we align with, and just what the the plans are. We are very open and extremely flexible -- this is actually the message that we have been talking about while using community inside the U.S."One of the foreign pioneers in La is Jane Tranter, the first sort controller of fiction at U.K. pubcaster the BBC, who now heads BBC Worldwide Prods., an L.A.-based shingle put into The month of the month of january 2009. Tranter states the main advantage of like a producer in La rather than London might be the numerous shops that will commission quality scripted series in the united states. "There is a premium cable playground to go in, the essential cable playground to go in, as well as the network arena," she states. "That doesn't imply that certain project fits all, nevertheless it suggests that you will have a development strategy with a broad and eclectic flavor in it, and chances are you'll uncover a home for something somewhere." Tranter adds that American license pricing is usually greater in comparison towards the U.K., despite the fact that deal terms and rights positions are better inside the U.K. Nevertheless the benefits don't all sit back around the domestic side in the equation. By joining up by getting a skilled foreign producer like the BBC, U.S. broadcast and cable systems can take advantage of their understanding in the worldwide market, and just how it may take full advantage of cheaper locations worldwide and access soft money, just like Ireland or perhaps the Czech Republic.In addition, Tranter notes a bigger interest among U.S. TV audiences in period and fantasy series that are not only a couple of U.S. locations, plus they are better to shoot abroad. BBC Worldwide Prods.' slate of 24 projects being developed or greenlit, such as the an italian man , capital-set "I, Claudius" (destined for Cinemax) and sci-fi adventure series "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (Starz!), reflect that alteration of taste.The key factor to delivering high-quality drama in L.A. as elsewhere, Tranter states, is at skilled matchmaking."The very best decision created inside a drama is putting the very best author while using right project, and subsequently best decision is selecting the very best broadcaster for the project," she states. "In this modern context, we won't constantly be trying to find one broadcaster, we are capable of being trying to find several."Tranter, though, is realistic in regards to the limits from the products a foreign-possessed shingle like hers is capable of doing on U.S. shores."I don't think that a few things i do occasion to end up being the mainstream stuff of yank television," she's states. "What myself and perhaps a couple of from the others offers are something that's slightly left of center for many different tv producers.Inch Contact Leo Barraclough at leo.barraclough@variety.com