Director Don Sharp dies at 90

Don Sharp, an Australia-born film director who was brought in to revive Hammer Films' sagging horror franchise in the mid-1960s -- and succeeded -- despite having no experience in the genre, died Dec. 14 in Cornwall, England. He was 90.Though the names most closely associated with Hammer are Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, it was director Terence Fisher who shaped the Gothic horror films that starred those actors. Fisher had directed films like "Horror of Dracula" and "The Revenge of Frankenstein" in the late 1950s, but the company lost its confidence in the helmer when his 1962 entry "The Phantom of the Opera," later considered a cult classic, failed both at the box office and with critics.Sharp had done his first directing work on children's shows; had directed family films "The Stolen Airliner" and "The Adventures of Hal 5" and the first English rock 'n roll movie, "The Golden Disc"; had written the screenplays for several movies; and had even acted in a few. When he came aboard at Hammer, he was assigned first to "The Kiss of the Vampire." Sharp, who had recently done some work in British television, hired TV actors, and despite the fact that Lee and Cushing were nowhere to be found, the inexpensive but stylish film was a B.O. winner and a favorite to this day. Memorably grandiose scenes included a sequence depicting a sumptuous ball. For Hammer, Sharp also directed "The Devil-Ship Pirates" and "Rasputin: The Mad Monk," the latter with Lee; for other companies, he made several films similar to his Hammer efforts: "Witchcraft," with Lon Chaney Jr., and "The Face of Fu Manchu" and "The Brides of Fu Manchu," both with Lee.Sharp directed several episodes of classic British spy series "The Avengers" in the late 1960s and later directed thrillers including "Callan," a bigscreen adaptation of the noted British series starring Edward Woodward; "Hennessy," starring Rod Steiger and Lee Remick; a 1978 remake of "The Thirty-Nine Steps"; and the 1979 Alistair MacLean adaptation "Bear Island," starring Donald Sutherland, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Widmark and Lee.In the 1980s he made the film "What Waits Below" but worked mostly in TV, directed the miniseries "A Woman of Substance," based on a novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford.Donald Herman Sharp was born in Tasmania and served in the Australian Air Force beginning in 1941. After the war, he performed onstage and on radio and then moved to England in 1949. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Melanie Amaro On Winning The X Factor

First Released: December 23, 2011 2:24 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium Caption Melanie Amaro works onstage at FOXs The X Factor Best Three Live Show Show in Hollywood, Calif. on December 21, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Melanie Amaro required home the grand prize Thursday evening on FOXs The X Factor, something which still felt unreal when Access Hollywood swept up using the singer following her large win. Personally i think fantastic. It hasnt struck me yet, however i guarantee it'll struck me soon, she told Access on Thursday evening after scoring the large prize a $5 million recording contract. It feels so surreal. Its like Im fantasizing. I seem like Im inside a dream a sweet, sweet dream! The 19-year-old singer from Sunrise, Fla., also invested some time by way of thanking all her fans. Thankfully I'd a lot of supporters supporting me. I really like everyone. Many thanks for voting and putting me within this position. I really like all of you so greatly, she gushed. Its so great to understand that everybody is supporting me at this time and theyre so happy for me personally, which makes me feel amazing! Melanie who had been mentored by Simon Cowell stated as soon as when host Steve Johnson introduced she'd won your competition left her stunned. I had been so without words. I had been overcome. I did not understand what to express cause that simply introduced me to a record high, she remembered. What exactly will the 19-year-old singer use the prize money? Its $5 million! she stated. This means that Ill have the ability to get whatever Ive ever wanted and have the ability to help my mother with whatever she needs assist with Im so happy. And what might her approaching album seem like? I believe Im likely to keep that the secret for at this time. Surprise everybody, she stated having a smile. Access also spoke towards the mentors/idol judges on Thursday, who all thought America first got it right and selected the very best contestant to win your competition. She deserved it. This means a great deal to her, Simon, who put her in your competition after initially getting rid of her in early stages, told Access. My dear God, America first got it right. You couldnt request in excess of that in your first show. The best result. Paula Abdul agreed, saying, Melanie will have huge success. And That I love the underdog story. Such a story. Simon refused her a place within the live models All of us agreed this is one thing we must rectify and remedy and she or he returned. Shes been a front runner in the get-go. It has been amazing. L.A. Reid also agreed with America and the fellow idol judges. The best person won. America first got it right. Simon really did a fantastic job with Melanie. She's a jewel. She's the gift and guess what happens? I couldnt be more happy on her, he told Access. Nicole Scherzinger, whose contestant Josh Krajcik arrived second, seemed to be happy for Melanies win and felt like several three from the runners up an organization that incorporated Chris Rene were those who win. The one which was designed to win, won. You realize? Everything happens for any reason as well as for me Josh won. Chris Rene won. So Im really happy. Im very grateful and Im so happy for Melanie, she stated. AH Nation Poll: Did the best person win The X Factor? Election HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Harrison Ford Searching for 'Ender's Game'

Harrison Ford is coming back to space. According to Variety, the grizzled action hero is positioned to see the grizzled military officer Colonel Hyrum Graff inside the approaching adaptation of 'Ender's Game' opposite youngsters Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin and Asa Butterfield ('Hugo'). Using the popular 1985 novel by Orson Scott Card, the story follows Ender (Butterfield), a genius student, who's employed with the government to get rid of an alien race known to as Buggers. Ford's Graff can be a military officer who trains recruits within an academy that Ender attends. Gavin Hood, most broadly known for your critical bust 'X-Males Roots: Wolverine,' will direct. Clearly that Hood credit doesn't bode well for 'Ender's Game,' nor does Ford's recent adventures with extra terrestrial activity ('Cowboys & Aliens'). Hey, no less than using aliens won't completely blindside us, unlike it did because the the archaeology of gortyn of gortyn-designed movie Ford starred in in 2008. Ahem. 'Ender's Game' is positioned for just about any March 15, 2013 release date. [via Variety] [Photo: FilmMagic] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Difficulties For Five More Bonds?

Producer Michael G Wilson hopes soThat appear you hear might be the craignotbond loons flagellating themselves utilizing their Corgi Lotus Esprits. Extended-term Bond producer Michael G Wilson just mentioned he hopes Difficulties will break Roger Moore's record for your longest incumbent becoming 007."I'd love Daniel to exceed Roger's record and do eight pictures," Wilson told Individuals. "Daniel's been an entire pleasure to get along with as they takes the role so seriously. There's no another passionate about creating these films work than him. He's a filmmaker's dream. Lots of people have mentioned Daniel's been their favourite Bond since Sean Connery which i can not argue together. He's doing an admirable job.In . That other appear frequency greater is Roger Moore raising his eyebrow.If you don't think it's much if this involves news being told the producer is keeping his star sweet, Wilson provides some slight new apple round the tonal direction that Skyfall will probably be taking. "The director Mike Mendes and Daniel go to some '60s feel. It's more 'Sean'," states Wilson. "In my opinion that's exactly what the fans wanted. There's an enchanting Goldfinger feel ­surrounding everything. It's all regulated controlled thrilling. I am unable to watch out for people to start to see the movie. Filming's going perfectly up to now."Wilson states the extended Craig future is a factor he'll be speaking about while using actor when Skyfall systems. Just what you think? Is it possible to imagine Craig still playing Bond in 2022? Give to us your opinions inside the comments below...Skyfall is going on October 26, 2012.

CBS rolls to weekly ratings victory

Freshman powerhouse 2 Broke Girls performed impressively for CBS when it anchored Monday for the first time. The finale of "Survivor," original episodes of most of its hit shows and a sizable NFL overrun on Sunday lifted CBS to one of the most dominant ratings victories of the season. With many of the top shows on the competition preempted or airing in repeat, the Eye claimed seven of the week's top 10 programs in adults 18-49 -- as well as the top five scripted skeins. CBS wraps fall tied with Fox for the lead among adults 18-49 while holding comfortable leads in its strongest categories -- adults 25-54 and total viewers. While CBS is up slightly across the board, Fox is the only net to improve by double-digit percentages. Looking at the week of Dec. 12-18, Nielsen estimates that CBS averaged a 2.8 rating/8 share in adults 18-49 during primetime, comfortably ahead of NBC (2.0/6) and Fox (1.9/5), with ABC and Univision (both 1.3/4) well behind. CBS also cruised in adults 25-54 (3.8/9 to 2.5/6 for runner-up NBC) and total viewers, where its 11.4 million was nearly as much as the next two nets combined (6.2 million for NBC, 5.6 million for Fox). Highlights for CBS included "2 Broke Girls" (4.2/11 in 18-49, 12.50m), which still performed very well despite airing a half-hour earlier than usual (in place of "How I Met Your Mother"). The net also won in the 9 o'clock hour with "Two and a Half Men" (4.7/11, 14.88m) and "Mike and Molly" (4.0/9, 12.77m). "NCIS" (3.6/10, 19.13m), "Criminal Minds" (3.4/9, 12.88m) and "Person of Interest" (2.8/8, 12.93m) were among the Eye's timeslot-winning dramas, with the last drawing its largest audience since its premiere. And Sunday, following a hugely rated NFL game, "60 Minutes" surged (4.0/11, 18.47m), and "Survivor" (4.0/10, 13.07m) wrapped on par with the show's spring conclusion and down a bit vs. last year's fall finale. NBC was paced by "Sunday Night Football" (6.1/15, 16.58m), though the Baltimore-San Diego match was one of the franchise's least-watched of the season. The net also was boosted by the return of "Fear Factor" (3.5/8, 8.52m), which significantly improved its Monday timeslot and became the net's second strongest entertainment series telecast of the fall in 18-49. Fox was led by Wednesday's episode of "The X Factor" (3.4/10, 10.79m), though the new comedy that followed it, "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" (1.8/5, 5.06m), took a hit in its second week. Net fared better with its Tuesday rookie comedy "New Girl" (3.3/9, 6.82m), again building on its demo lead-in from "Glee" (3.0/8, 7.13m). And ABC, which didn't air any original scripted programs, had a very quiet week, seeing its best numbers from Wednesday spec "Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011" (2.3/6, 8.39m), though the annual event continues to see its popularity wane. ESPN's "Monday Night Football" was below average (3.7/10 in 18-49, 9.88m for St. Louis-Seattle) but was easily the top cable draw of the week. Top entertainment series among young adults were A&E's "Storage Wars" (2.3/6, 5.20m) and "Storage Wars: Texas" (2.1/6, 4.68m), Discovery's "Gold Rush" (2.1/7, 5.38m), History's "Pawn Stars" (2.1/6, 5.23m) and MTV's "Teen Mom" (2.0/5, 3.42m). Other than "MNF," the most-watched cablecast of the week was Fox News Channel's coverage of the Republican Presidential Debate on Thursday (6.71 million). It drew more viewers than ABC News' "The Year With Katie Couric" special that aired on the same night (5.54m). And on the pay cable side, Showtime was pleased with the numbers for its Sunday finales of "Dexter" (2.23 million) and "Homeland" (1.71m). When you add in a second showing that night, "Homeland's" audience (2.1 million) was the largest to date for the first-season finale of a Showtime series (Daily Variety, Dec. 20). Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Real-Life Rudy Accused of Screwing Investors Out of $11 Million

It’s a sad day for fans of the inspiring sports classic Rudy. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, perhaps the most famous collegiate football underdog of all time — on whom the title character in David Anspaugh’s 1993 film was based — has been charged by the SEC for a pump-and-dump scheme that earned him over $10 million in profits for a Rudy-branded sports drink. According to a press release from the SEC (via The Observer): The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Daniel Ruettiger and 12 other participants in a scheme to deceive investors into buying stock in his sports drink company. Ruettiger is widely known for having inspired the 1993 motion picture “Rudy.” According to the SEC’s complaint filed in federal court in Las Vegas, Ruettiger founded Rudy Nutrition to compete with Gatorade in the sports drink market. Rudy Nutrition produced and sold modest amounts of a sports drink called “Rudy” with the tagline “Dream Big! Never Quit!” However, the company primarily served as a vehicle for a pump-and-dump scheme that occurred in 2008 and generated more than $11 million in illicit profits. Movie Rudy, as played by Sean Astin, would have never approved of this. For an extensive write-up of the Rudy case, see Foster Kamer’s brilliant report, which features Ruettiger as the Financial Criminal of the Day. Rudy Can Fail: Sports Legend Rudy Ruettiger Charged by SEC for Pump and Dump Scheme Worth $11M [The Observer]

'Jack The Giant Killer' Trailer Rises The Beanstalk

Hollywood loves its remakes, and favorite anecdotes would be the simplest money of. What child or adult in the usa is not acquainted with the storyline of Jack and also the beanstalk, even when they are not obvious around the specifics? On the other hand, the specifics could be largely invented according to whatever tired parent is telling the storyline to his kid: you will find some beans, a beanstalk, some titans along with a guy named Jack who fights them or attempts to, a minimum of. In connection with this, "Jack the Giant Killer" looks wholly familiar. A clip opens with Nicholas Hoult because the titular Jack, palming a fistful of miracle beans while a significant guy informs him to become careful. Well, you are aware how it is going: the beans fall in certain soil and water, then skyrocket up 1000's of ft in to the sky, transporting Jack's house and also the princess from the realm by using it. To win her back, Jack must climb in to the air and navigate the field of the titans without getting squashed. A war breaks out, obviously, and a lot of flaming trees get thrown with the air (danger!). The way the titans resided within the clouds defies all conventional rules of the rules of aerodynamics, but hey, it is a movie about cloud titans. We'll ignore it. "Giant Killer," directed by Bryan Singer, also stars Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Ewan McGregor and Bill Nighy. It'll emerge next June, which means you know where this really is going: "Avengers" crossover. Yep, it'll finish with Thor landing within the clouds, swinging his large hammer and promising, "I only say thee nay!" to a lot of confused titans. CAN'T WAIT! Inform us that which you think about the "Jack the Giant Killer" trailer within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

The 11 Most Gleefully Nasty Reviews of the season: From 'The Artist' to 'Jack & Jill'

Covering the film industry as a living is much more than fun (it's FUN!), but you will find some issues. Particularly, that for each great movie (like 'Young Adult,' out now) there is a tremendous dog (like 'New Year's Eve,' also out now). For film experts -- who are able to frequently see a lot more than 100 films inside a given year -- which means its not all review will probably be positive. Actually, some experts appear to enjoy writing a wonderfully crafted slam -- and who are able to blame them, really? Ahead, the 11 most gleefully nasty reviews of 2011, in the surprising ('The Artist') towards the surreal ('Jack & Jill'). 11 Gleefully Nasty Reviews from 2011 Honorable Mention: 'Sucker Punch''The Artist''The Hangover Part II''Green Lantern''The Change-Up''Something Lent''Zookeeper''New Year's Eve''Big Momma's House: Like Father, Like Boy''Abduction''Jack & Jill''Bucky Larson: Born to become a Star' See All Moviefone Art galleries » For additional on the very best of 2011, visit AOL's Better of 2011. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

The Nate Berkus Show Ending After Second Season

Nate Berkus The Nate Berkus Show goes from the air following the show finishes its second season, Broadcasting & Cable reviews. Located by regular The famous host oprah guest Nate Berkus, the syndicated talk show first showed this year, following a cancellation from the Bonnie Search Show. Although it opened to some 1.1 household rating, the greatest for any new talk show at that time, the viewership wasn't enough to help keep the show alive. Browse the relaxation of present day news "After consideration, we now have made the decision the Nate Berkus Show won't return for any third season within the fall," producers The new sony Pictures Television and Harpo Galleries stated inside a joint statement. "We're grateful for that effort and heart that Nate, [executive producer] Corin Nelson as well as their entire team have put in to the show, and we are very happy with what they have shipped." Added Berkus: "I am incredibly happy with my diligent and gifted staff, and happy with the show we could produce every single day.Inch Are you going to miss Nate Berkus and also the show?

M. Evening Shyamalan Joins Twitter: What's The Twist?

Better late than never? Possibly advised by his kids, M. Evening Shyamalan has finally taken a chair round the Twitter train (hes now on Facebook, too). His first tweet, on November 25th, will be a characteristic homage to his childhood hero: I used to be 13 years old once i tried to call Steven Spielberg. I made my mother call and pretend she was my assistant. He didn't take my call. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, we provide you with an amount of bold predictions: 5 ways M. Evening Shyamalan will reinvent Twitter. 1. Every tweet features a feel and look by Bruce Willis, Joaquin Phoenix or Bryce Dallas Howard. 2. Every tweet might have one or more game-changing twist. 3. Every tweet will contain ignore or under 106 figures (dont bother counting figures inside the above tweet this reinvention, like the others here, may come you need to simply believe). 4. Every TwitPic will probably be shot around Philadelphia and may have a cameo by Evening themselves. 5. His initial few tweets will probably be brilliant and well-received, nonetheless they will rapidly be chided with the public as nearly nonsensical disappointments. However, we're feeling he can keep tweeting until he redeems themselves and recaptures the miracle that made him great. Will you follow M. Evening Shyamalan on Twitter? Reveal what you consider inside the comments section and also on -- you suspected it -- Twitter!

Three . 5 (Seh-o-nim)

An Iranian Independents production. (Worldwide sales: Iranian Independents, Tehran.) Created by Mohammad-Reza Sharafodin, Seyed Amir Seyedzadeh. Directed, compiled by Naghi Nemati.With: Samaneh Vafaiezadeh, Shooka Karimi, Negar Hassanzadeh, Mehdi Poormoosa.Naghi Nemati's "Three . 5Inch begins off in an instant -- in other words, three bangs along with a troubled lady having a gun running a condo. It grabs the interest, that the pic still does despite moments when its narration and editing feel inadvertently confusing. The helmer ("Individuals Three") keeps interest high is really a credit to his intriguing figures and also the three terrific stars playing vigorously independent-minded criminals on leave, waiting to become smuggled from the country. Pic's subterranean yet professional feel and naturally critical undertake Iran most likely preclude home play, yet fests happen to be welcoming. The first blast happens inside a expensive-forward which the rest of the film works toward. The shooter is Hanieh (Samaneh Vafaiezadeh), the earliest and many mature of three buddies in contact with smugglers close to the Azerbaijan border. Another two, Banafsheh (Shooka Karimi) and Homa (Negar Hassanzadeh), are strong-willed and abrasive Homa's swagger would not be unnatural around the roads of NY. The 3 take presctiption a brief furlough from prison, determined not to return. Everything doesn't go as planned. Hanieh privately cancels their appointment using the human traffickers, though this part remains unclear plus they have a conference with Nader (Mehdi Poormoosa) close to the frontier. The crossing is postponed when a few of the smugglers get caught, and additional complications arise when Hanieh unwillingly discloses she's pregnant. Production notes say she discovers she's Aids-positive too, though this detail is not apparent within the film. This narrative confusion regrettably infects a great deal from the plot, and you will find occasions when audiences may question if you will find temporal changes (aside from the very first scene, you will find not). Hanieh looks like it's a physician and also the other two are mediterranean students, though this might be a smokescreen for his or her jailbird status the point is, the reason behind their jail time isn't revealed. Without initial shooting, Nemati conveys an understated feeling of impending disaster that does much to help keep viewer attention taut. Pic unquestionably goes towards the new school of Iranian cinema, one which eschews metaphors or simple tales and rather falls in to the nitty-gritty of the society precariously at odds with itself. Duplicity, aggression and callous envy would be the key points of the world, which accumulates around the most nihilistic aspects of classic noir and refracts them with the particularly unyielding turmoil from the Iranian condition. "Three . 5Inch consists of all this, and even when the plot is not always obvious, the critique is unshakable. The 3 leads, all unknown to Western auds, are equally strong, from Vafaiezadeh's preoccupied distress to Karimi and Hassanzadeh's hard-edged cockiness. When the government bodies allow them to, this trio is going far within the thesping world. Handheld lensing is consistent with the pic's indie character.Camera (color, HD), Roozbeh Rayga editors, Mahmoud Ghafari, Nemati production designer, Nemati seem, Hassan Shabankareh, Pooya Payvar. Examined at Turin Film Festival (competing), November. 27, 2011. (Also in Busan Film Festival -- A Window on Asian Cinema Warsaw Film Festival -- competing AFI Film Festival -- Breakthrough. Running time: 79 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

An Authentic-Existence Walter White-colored? Boston Professor Billed with Controlling a Meth Lab

Bryan Cranston Breaking Bad's plot echoed in the situation investigated by suburban Boston government physiques. Irina Kristy, a 74-year-old college professor, and her 29-year-old boy are actually billed with controlling a meth lab using their home in Somerville, about 500 foot from City Hall, in line with the Boston Globe. They face charges of distribution of meth, conspiracy to violate the drug law and drug breach in the school zone. Watch full cases of Breaking Bad inside our Movie Guide Round the AMC series, Walter White-colored, carried out by three-time Emmy champion Bryan Cranston, can be a secondary school chemistry teacher who begins to organize and then sell meth after he's recognized with cancer. Kristy, which has trained math more than 2 decades at two different Boston-area schools, will probably be arraigned 12 ,. 21. Her boy, which has already pleaded guilty for the charges, arrives in the court on 12 ,. 20.

'War Horse' World Premiere Draws New England A-Listers (But, Alas, No Horses!)

Scott FeinbergCeline Buckens and Jeremy Irvine Steven Spielberg's epic adaptation from the novel and Broadway play War Equine had its world premiere Sunday evening at Lincoln subsequently Center's Avery Hall, just ft where the theatrical production is ongoing its blockbuster run. Spielberg was available prior to the film introducing the huge most of the film's large ensemble, such as the film's three large up-and-comers, 21-year-old Englishman Jeremy Irvine, 21-year-old German David Kross and 15-year-old Frenchwoman Celine Buckens, in addition to veterans David Thewlis (who also stars within the Lady) and Emily Watson (who had been two times nominated for top actress Oscar within the the nineteen nineties). Regretfully, Spielberg noted, the 18 horses that performed the title character "Joey" -- the real star from the film -- were not able to go to.our editor recommends'The Artist,' 'War Horse' Among Challengers Nominated for Satellite Awards'War Horse': The building of Steven Spielberg's WWI EpicFEINBERG FORECAST: 'War Horse' Screens, 'Hugo' Surges, 'The Artist' Remains Steady'War Horse' Star Jeremy Irvine to experience Youthful Colin Firth in 'The Railway Man' (Exclusive) A multitude of notable east-coasters stuck around following the film for any lavish buffet dinner (throughout which composer John Williams' flourishing War Equine score -- the most recent in the exclusive 40-year collaboration with Spielberg, who never uses another composer -- was performed on the loop). Among individuals attending: Very Noisy and extremely Close director Stephen Daldry (who directed Kross within the 2008 film The Readers), Martha Marcy May Marlene star Elizabeth Olsen, NBC Nightly News anchor John Williams, actor Tony Danza, actor Stephen Lang (Avatar and also the Spielberg-executive created Television show Terra Nova), 2002 best actor Oscar champion Adrien Brody, 1947 best supporting actress Oscar champion Celeste Holm, two-time Oscar nominated actress Sylvia Miles and celebrated singer/movie-dubber Marni Nixon. PHOTOS: The building of Steven Spielberg's 'War Equine' I talked extensively concerning the film with many of the aforementioned visitors over dinner and dessert. The most typical responses (spoiler alert): Several moments from the film -- like other Spielberg films which involve war, including and particularly Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998) -- are extremely disturbing that some audiences needed to close this article, particularly the scene where the equine becomes entangled in barbed wire while running through no-guy's land (producer Kathleen Kennedy explained throughout a Q&A which i moderated on Saturday with most of the film's below-the-line contributing factors that it hadn't been actual wire, the equine never was vulnerable to injuries, as well as an animal-privileges repetition was always on set). Several moments from the film -- like other Spielberg films that conspicuously feature children, including E.T. (1982) -- are psychologically effective enough to maneuver the gruffest of males to tears, specially the scene where a temporarily-blinded Albert is reunited with Joey, along with the film's final scene by which Albert and Joey go back to Albert's family farm following the war and Albert is accepted by his parents. (Spielberg may be the master at yanking in the heartstrings, and something of his trademark styles is parents and kids growing to simply accept each other.) PHOTOS: Steven Spielberg on Set A few of the acting is a little stilted -- Irvine, making his giant screen debut, is a little stiff Buckens, though lovely, includes a scene having a single tear that's a little much and also the youthful actor who plays Albert's friend and states on several occasions "Well, give you credit,Inch is greater than a little grating. Williams' score, while beautiful, is sort of "derivative" and used an excessive amount of to steer audiences' emotionals. PHOTOS: 23 Honours Challengers Featuring Creatures So far as War Equine's best picture Oscar prospects, nobody explained they intend to place the film within the top just right their nomination ballot, but all appeared quite sure that it appears somewhere -- generally fairly top- onto it. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The building of Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse' Steven Spielberg War Equine

Records Show Christie Brinkley Owes $531K In Taxes

First Published: December 3, 2011 10:33 AM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Christie Brinkley attends the Broadway opening night of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical at the Palace Theatre in NY City on March 20, 2011Records show supermodel Christie Brinkley owes $531,000 in back taxes, and the IRS has filed a lien against her. The Daily News of NY reports that the tax lien was filed Nov. 21 on a mansion in Bridgehampton on NYs Long Island, where she lives. A spokeswoman for Brinkley says the star was surprised to hear the lien had been filed. Spokeswoman Claire Mercuri says: Christie Brinkley has instructed her team to resolve the matter immediately. Brinkley was once married to Billy Joel. She made her Broadway debut this year playing Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hollywood hard-wired for hype and hoopla

If you have been strange tribal traditions at this time around around of the season. One annual tradition might be the content with the annoyed media member who wags a finger at honours campaigns, shocked, shocked in the concept individuals are trying to purchase an award. I buy it. Some find campaigning distasteful -- scientists don't take out ads inside the Colonial Journal of medication, promoting "for that consideration in many groups" for your Nobel Prize. However, showbiz ain't medicine. Am I meant for campaigning? Clearly! Am I being impartial? Definitely not! A number of Variety's earnings arises from these campaigns.Just one can act as objective. Marketing is an element of Hollywood's DNA. Fox didn't launch "Avatar" quietly, saying, "Gee, I am hoping people realize the film is opening now.Inch They promoted the hell from this, but got results. Selling is an element of every single film, TV series, album, vidgame or online project. It's the Hollywood way which is the American way. Do not take my word with this. This really is really the description in a single of the most popular authors on the whole process of selecting Academy awards: "Technically, they are selected, however , they are not made a decision through whatever artistic and critical understanding Hollywood could affect possess. They are ballyhooed, pressed, screamed, screamed, too as with every way propagandized to the awareness in the voters so continuously, inside the days just before the ultimate balloting, that everything except the golden aura in the box office is forgotten."That essay, referred to as "Oscar Evening in Hollywood," was put together by Raymond Chandler in 1950 for your British film magazine Sight and Appear. Yes, 61 in the past campaigning and many types of the lamenting about crassness are as old as Oscar itself. Campaigns have two goals: to goad voters into going to a movie to be able to help help remind them why they loved it. AMPAS people don't have time to see every movie, and campaigns basically say, "Ensure the truth is this film prior to deciding to election." Special tests, trade ads and screeners happen to be around for age groups. So gets the meet-and-greet-the-competitors technique, nevertheless it has greatly elevated formerly few years. It'll be interesting to determine if campaigns change over the following few years, because couple of years ago, Mo'nique and Christoph Waltz underlined the reality that might be no rules.Mo'nique was working, and her absence round the kudos circuit increased to become host to pride: I'm not going to woo voters, permit them to election on merit. And he or she won!Waltz was around, but he didn't give anybody-to-one interviews. Which he won!In contrast, the "Hurt Locker" team that year, as well as the "King's Speech" team a year ago, were fixtures round the honours circuit. And so they won! Campaign strategists watch each other and imitate success, as well as the non-appearance of individuals individuals who win defied the typical understanding. Did the hands-shaking really really make a difference? I don't believe Tom Hooper won because he's intelligent and enjoyable (though he's both). For me people selected for him given that they loved his work. About 10 years ago, campaigners got the same mixed message: "The Pianist's" Adrien Brody was everywhere, which he won. Director Roman Polanski was nowhere to look, which he won. Why bother campaigning? Strategists desire to show they're investing a lot time regarding their clients. Clients see rivals investing a lot some time and think, "Uh-oh, I better do that too." And, most significantly, nobody desires to take risks. The PricewaterhouseCoopers people are resolutely mother about past Oscar results. But Ernst & Youthful partner Andy Purchase last August confirmed for the L.A. Occasions that in many major Emmy groups formerly 10 years that "it's been one ballot" that determined the individuals who win.The lesson from your civics class was true: Each election matters.So competitors, strategists, professionals and agents use every technique possible searching for that elusive single election making the primary difference.Am I scripting this column to drum up ads? No, honours budgets were set a really very long time ago, which isn't prone to change that. Will I wish to safeguard the Academy together with other honours groups? No, they're doing fine without me. However bristle within the "you can buy an award" articles because I resent the thought of "people Hollywood heathens have been in it again!" Each day I am surprised about the venality and stupidity of some showbiz people. And every day I am impressed having a couple of folks' intelligence, sensitivity and kindness. Basically, show folk are human, not sub-human.But a few things i really resent is people accepting the typical understanding. In the event you say something frequently enough, people need it fact, as well as the usual cliches -- "it's just a recognition contest" and "he simply bought his award" -- are actually repeated frequently, many individuals accept it. Too for lazy media people, it's a saucier story than: "Honours voters election utilizing their conscience!"In my opinion most voters are sincere. I don't believe that, inside the good status for honours, anybody ever mentioned, "I didn't such as this film, however love the ads as well as the party was great, and so i am prone to election with this.Inch Do not request me, request Raymond Chandler.Because 1950 essay, he involves an amazing conclusion: "All this is great democracy from the sort. We elect Congressmen and Presidents in the identical, filter systems stars, cameramen, authors, and many types of the comfort of individuals who've associated with your building of images? Once we permit noise, bally-hoo, and bad theater to influence us in selecting a individuals who're to use the country, how come we resist the identical approaches to selecting a meritorious achievement inside the film business?"Strangely enough, in just about any political election, bloggers will lament a bad tone in the campaigning or perhaps the amounts spent, but handful of really question whether it's appropriate to campaign. So let me discover basically have this straight: It's OK to campaign for your presidency in the U.S., but Oscar ought to be held with a greater standard?So, my greatly beloved entertainment-journalist co-employees: Keep in mind you'll most likely often hear something plenty of occasions, but that doesn't mean the simple truth is. And, incidentally, I'm told that people do campaign for Nobel Honours, frequently much more shamelessly in comparison to film biz. That's reassuring, I guess. Contact Timothy M. Gray at tim.gray@variety.com

Tracey Gold Recounts Past Battles With Eating Disorder Ahead Of Starving Secrets Premiere

First Published: December 2, 2011 1:45 PM EST Credit: Lifetime LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Tracey Gold in Lifetimes Starving SecretsTracey Gold grew up on television on Growing Pains, and when she put a few extra pounds on her frame while the family show was still on the air, it helped lead to her own well-publicized battle with anorexia. I had never worried about my weight and all of a sudden, I kind of put on the freshman 15 without going to college and they said, You have to go on a diet and lose some weight. So I went on a diet and lost some weight and what happened was I got all these compliments and accolades and it really kind of messed with my head, Tracey, whose new series, Starving Secrets with Tracey Gold, premieres tonight on Lifetime at 10 PM ET/PT, told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Fridays Access Hollywood Live. It spun out of control and I didnt know how to get out of it. Tracey said she was about 79 pounds at her lowest weight, and it took her own drive and determination to turn her situation around. It was a long, long road. I had intensive treatment, she said. When Kit asked if there was a defining moment that set Tracey on the path to recovery, the actress said there were a few. I had the moment where I had to leave the show to be hospitalized, where I was like, This is really serious, I need to really get help. And I found help, Tracey said. But then, eight months later, I was still dropping weight Then I had a moment of clarity of like, I dont wanna be sick anymore. Im sick and tired of being sick. I wanna be healthy, I wanna be married, I wanna have kids. Nobody can do it for you, it has to be inside of you, Tracey said. Now, the actress and mom is putting her experience to good use with Starving Secrets, her series for Lifetime, which sees her serve as a role model and educator for others embroiled in their own eating disorder battles. What I wanna do with this show is kind of shed some light on it and not make it such a secret, she said of the impetus to put the show on Lifetime. I want to make it so people open up the conversation and talk about it and understand eating disorders come in lots of forms and its not exactly what you think it looks like. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tintin Passes $200M International; Will U.S. Audiences Board The Bandwagon?

Steven Spielbergs The Adventures Of Tintin has been winging through the world on its way to U.S. theaters since late October and has just flown to a $207 million international cume. Sony Pictures Releasing International and Paramount Pictures International are sharing most distrib duties abroad ahead of Paramounts North American release on December 21, four days before Spielbergs other Oscar hopeful, War Horse, goes out on Christmas Day. Tintin began its run in Belgium, the native land of the comics creator Herg, where its now taken $8.7 million. In neighboring France, the film jolted the box office in October with the best opening of any film this year, selling over 3 million tickets to leap ahead of the Harry Potter finale. Its cume there is $51.8 million. Sony has the pic in both territories. The UK and Ireland have also been big contributors to the effort for Paramount where the film now boasts a $24.3 million cume after falling just 24% in its 5th frame. Paramount also has China, where Tintin opened last weekend and just added $3 million for a $14.5 million total. Overall, the tally currently stands at $161.5 million for Sony and $45.5 million for Par releases across more than 50 territories. Given Tintins huge popularity outside America, its no surprise that the film has been tearing up the box office — nor is it a surprise the powers that be would want to capitalize on that popularity to build buzz as Tintin draws closer to U.S. shores. Im hardly the first to say it, but itll be interesting to see whether Spielbergs name alone will make up for any lack of awareness of the boy reporter and his dog Snowy for Stateside moviegoers. Personally, I tend to equate Tintin to football, another worldwide phenomenon that has traditionally eluded Americans. Some savvy soccer-playing pre-teens I know in the States recall seeing the Tintin previews recently but arent yet clamoring to see the film. So can Spielberg give Tintin the same kick in the pants that David Beckham and Landon Donovan have recently given soccer for some? Rotten Tomatoes today lists Tintin with 85% of about 20,000 users wanting to see the movie and 86% of 44 reviews skewing positive. Meanwhile, Tintin mania of another sort continued at an auction this weekend in Paris. Over 850 Tintin-related objets dart, paintings and books brought in more than $2.4 million on Saturday. A drawing of a battle scene from the original Unicorn comic had an estimated price tag of about 40,000 euros before going for more than four times that.

Netflix Antitrust Suit Tossed By Judge

Jin Lee/Bloomberg/Getty Images A federal judge in California has overlooked a category action against Netflix that alleged the web movie store hadstruck an illegal"market allocation" agreement with Walmart. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton handed Netflix a victory on summary judgment, finding the litigants couldn't show any collusive agreement.our editor recommendsNetflix Ex-CFO Works well with Venture Firm Associated with Company's Debt DealNetflix's Stock Drops as Company Alerts of Loss for 2012Netflix Stock Drops Below Year Low After Company Sells $200 Million in Bonds Accusations of Illegal Netflix-Walmart Agreement Lead To Both Funds And Coming TrialNetflix Makes Lionsgate U.K. Streaming Deal Official Experts: CW-Hulu Deal Will Further Strengthen Network's Primary Point Here After Recent Netflix Agreement The dismissal cuts short an attempt that was tentatively scheduled for that month of the month of january. The litigants introduced their states federal court this past year, pointing to have an agreement made between Netflix and Walmart four years earlier. PHOTOS: Netflix's 10 Most Leased Movies ever In those days, Blockbuster had just became a member of the DVD online rental market and gossips circulated that Amazon . com . com would soon perform same. Netflix approached Walmart in the purported effort to prevent the perceived Amazon . com . com threat. At first, the talks went nowhere, however Walmart made a decision to exit the DVD rental business. In 2005, the two companies showed up in an offer around the so-referred to as "Promotion Agreement," whereby existing Walmart DVD rental clients might be moved on to Netflix. Amazon . com . com didn't jump to the DVD business, and Blockbuster later flopped, leading eight individuals to guide a category action suit that alleged that antitrust behavior between Netflix and Walmart had introduced to greater prices. The litigants thought that damages might depend on $654 million. However, Judge Hamilton has limited an attempt that was scheduled to featureNetflix CEOReed Hastingsas well as former top media professionals from Amazon . com . com, Walmart and Blockbuster. She ruled the litigants simply couldn't demonstrate that the "Promotion Agreement" was illegal. In line with the decision: "The Promotion Agreement on its face uncovers an agreement by each side to try mix-marketing efforts regarding each other's complementary online DVD rental and customers services, thinking about Walmart's independent decision to exit the DVD rental market. Aside from the agreement particularly acknowledge the 'independent character of Walmart's decision to exit the trade, nevertheless it additionally particularly states that Walmart costs nothing to re-enter in the same market. Under these conditions, legal court cannot agree the agreement on its face reflects a blatant agreement to eliminate Walmart within the online DVD rental market like a type of market allocation." The course litigants cost nothing to appeal your final decision, but meanwhile, they won't leave empty-handed. Walmart made an unbiased decision about this past year to remain instead of trading money on lawyers. Searching back, due to the judge's decision yesterday, Walmart seems to own developed a $27.25 million error. That's the quantity that Walmart decided to spend to have the ability to avoid these types action fight. The retail giant can't even claim they can have saved much in legal costs. Walmart first showed up in a really complicated settlement while using litigants in December 2010that incorporated a pay-out range (between $29 million and $40 million regarding the amount of claims), that incorporated a sub-class of clients who leased Digital video disks online from Blockbuster, together with a provision where Wal-Mart had the legal right to "blow-out" the entire settlement in case your substantial a part of potential class people chosen-in the deal. The judge didn't similar to this deal greatly, and Netflix objected too, leading to seven several days of ongoing revisions before one last settlement was showed up at.Most considerably, the pay-out increased being fixed and Blockbuster class everyone was removed. In September, a judge fortunate the settlement, leading to an e-mail from litigants' lawyers about yesterday to numerous Netflix clients, letting them know in the settlement. Per the agreement,all thosewho leased Digital video disks from Netflix anytime between May 19, 2005 and September 2, 2011 possess the opportunity to assert a little from the $27.25 million pot as gift cards or cash. Initially, Walmart's settlement was belittled by clients who worried they were only getting pennies round the dollar of potential damages. The aggrieved people noted the category action suit lawyers would collect one fourth from the settlement fund, or nearly $7 million, in addition to be returned around $1.7 million in legal costs. Now, that remaining money looks a noticable difference on nothing. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Netflix

Weinstein Co. circles 'War from the Buttons'

The Weinstein Clients are settling to get Christophe Barratier's recent French pic "War from the Buttons."Pic, created by La Petite Reine and Studio 37, is dependant on Louis Pergaud's 1912 novel. Story focuses on two rival gangs of youngsters from neighboring French towns who wage a cruel play-war against one another. "Buttons" was 1 of 2 projects according to Pergaud's tome launched in France this season. Another version directed by Yann Samuell unspooled in September -- exactly the same month because the Barratier-helmed pic. Barratier helmed "The Chorus" in 2004, which continued to become major box office hit in Gaul and beyond. Miramax launched "Chorus" when TWC's Bob and Harvey Weinstein still went the banner. The siblings also labored with production company La Petite Reine, on Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist," which TWC bows Friday. Sales company Wild Bunch repped both that pic in addition to Barratier's "Buttons." Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Access Exclusive: Inside Katy Perrys Cosmic AMA Rehearsals

First Released: November 19, 2011 4:39 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Katie Perry works on stage throughout a concert within the Rock in Rio Festival on September 23,2011 in Rio p Janeiro, BrazilLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- When Katy Perry takes happens at Sundays American Music Honours in La, its likely to be truly an out-of-this-world experience. Access Hollywood has solely found that Katy is going to be carrying out an acoustic version of her song, The One Which Got Away. Not simply will Katy supply the vocals, but spend be also playing your guitar herself, a resource has revealed to gain access to. She sounds fantastic, the origin told Access having seen Katys AMA testing. [She's revealing her talent like a music performer. For happens, Katy will work inside a cosmic setting on the circular platform in the heart of happens, the origin added. The set is going to be filled with laser effects along with a silver screen behind her full of asteroids and stars. Besides her performance, Katy can also be up for 3 honours on Sunday, including Artist of the season. The 39th annual American Music Honours is going to be held on Sunday, November. 20 in the Nokia Theatre in La. It'll air live at 8 PM on ABC. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Oscar Shake-up: Hollywood Weighs In on New Host Billy Crystal, Producer Brian Grazer

Many in Hollywood are applauding the Academy's move to hire Billy Crystal and Brian Grazer as host and producer, respectively, of this year's Oscar telecast.our editor recommendsThe Scene: After Rough Week, Governors Awards Ceremony Gives Academy Reason to Celebrate The Ceremony: Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith in Emotional EveningBilly Crystal's 5 Best Oscar Hosting Moments (Video)Brian Grazer: 5 Things to Know About Brett Ratners Oscar ReplacementBrett Ratner Breaks Twitter Silence Following Oscars ExitHow Much Will Eddie Murphy's Oscar Exit Hurt His Career? (Analysis)Related Topics•Oscars 2012•Billy Crystal The news of their hiring came last week after Brett Ratner departed Tuesday as producer amid a slew of controversial and offensive comments -- including saying that "rehearsals are for fags." Host Eddie Murphy, who is on the big screen in Ratner's latest movie,Tower Heist, announced his own departure the following day. The news instantly led to speculation that Crystal -- an eight-time Oscar host -- would be tapped to step into the hosting role once again. Crystal has been praised for his hosting work on the show in the past, but many critics called him and Grazer "safe" choices compared with the producer-host duo of Ratner and Murphy, which was seemingly intended to be more edgy and lure younger viewers. PHOTOS: Oscar Hosts Through the Years The Academy wasted no time in announcing Grazer as the new producer on Wednesday, followed by Crystal's announcement the next day. Academy president Tom Sherak quipped about the week's events at Saturday night's Governors Awards honoring Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith in Los Angeles. Dressed in a Darth Vadar costume (in reference to the character Jones voiced in the Star Wars movies), Sherak asked the audience, "How was your week?" But many in Hollywood were praising the Academy for their choices over the weekend, including Amy Adams, a three-time Oscar nominee. When asked by The Hollywood Reporter at the movie's premiere Saturday in Hollywood if she had any advice for Crystal, she replied: "It's Billy Crystal. He knows what he's doing." Director Adam Shankman (Rock of Ages, Hairspray), who previously produced the Oscar telecast, also praised the Academy. PHOTOS: Oscar Show Moments "Lesson learned," he told the Los Angeles Times. "They handled it well, made really smart choices." Don Mischer, who was set to produce the show with Ratner and now will work alongside Grazer, said he can't wait to work with Crystal. "I think it will be a great moment when Billy walks on stage ... something of a homecoming," he told the Times, adding that Ratner "felt really bad" about what transpired. "He's his own worst enemy." Some of the Academy's board of governors also were pleased with the organization's action to fill the vacancies in a timely manner. "It was an amazing week," Marvin Levy told the Times. "I'm very happy with the outcome, and I think the majority of the academy is too. I'm also happy with how they handled it. We have a problem. Let's fix it. Done. Moving on." Another governor who asked to remain anonymous praised Crystal, telling the NY Times that the actor is a "mensch" at the Governors Awards. According to the Times, the governor "pretty much spoke for the room." PHOTOS: Oscar Legends on Oscar Meanwhile, THR also spoke to Casey Stone -- who composed the music for Ratner's Tower Heist -- at the premiere of his most recent effort, The Muppets. Stone said he was "completely surprised by the whole thing" and came to Ratner's defense. Ratner "always likes to be funny and push things a little bit," he said. "I think he just made a big mistake with that one. He's honestly the least homophobic person I know." Stone, who admitted he hadn't spoken with Ratner since the new broke, added that Crystal and Grazer are smart choices to replace Murphy and Ratner. "I think [the telecast] is going to be great," he said. "They obviously went with a little bit of a safe choice. That isn't a bad thing considering the situation they're in." Adams' Muppets co-star Kristen Schaal echoed that sentiment. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas Crystal "does a good job and he's really funny," she told THR on the red carpet. "I think sometimes everybody sort of gives the Oscars a hard time. I think no matter what happens, the snark police are going to come out, so I hope he has a snark police shield. I love the Oscars, and I don't know why we have to be so picky about them." She also has a suggestion for the new producers: "I would love them to have Stalter and Waldorf [the Muppets characters who sat in the balcony and criticized all the ongoings] up in the balcony picking on the winners." Related Topics Adam Shankman Amy Adams Billy Crystal Brett Ratner Brian Grazer Eddie Murphy Oscars Red Carpet Oscars 2012 The Muppets

Josh Lawson In Warner Bros Dog Fight

EXCLUSIVE: Australian actor Josh Lawson has been cast in Warner Bros’ Dog Fight, the Jay Roach-directed comedy that stars Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis and begins shooting this month. Dylan McDermott also recently joined up, as did reportedly Jason Sudeikis. The plot revolves around a political candidate (Galifianakis), and Lawson will play his brother; the script originally called for two brothers, but the roles were combined after Lawson’s table read. Lawson starred in the Aussie improv show Thank God You’re Here and is set to appear in the Don Cheadle-starring Showtime series House Of Lies that premieres in January. He’s repped by UTA, Management 360 and Lisa Mann Creative Management in Australia.

Let George Clooney Tell You About His First Orgasm

Plenty of men and women may still consider George Clooney to be the sexiest man alive. But even those fans might be a little grossed out when they read the Descendants star’s account of his first orgasm — which also happens to be his first orgasm involving a rope. Proceed with caution. To promote the upcoming Alexander Payne drama The Descendants, Clooney agreed to participate in a Rolling Stone cover story for which he overshared the following tidbit: Clooney reveals that that while he lost his virginity at the age of 16 (“young, very young, too young”), he had his first orgasm when he was much younger. “I believe it was while climbing a rope when I was six or seven years old,” he says. “I mean, nothing came out, but all the other elements were there. I remember getting to the top of the rope, hanging off the rope, and going, “Oh, my God, this feels great!” Shiver. Not quite as skin-crawling of a revelation as Brett Ratner’s bedroom anecdotes, but still a little too TMI. The Descendants arrives in theaters November 16. · George Clooney Talks Sex, Politics and Fame [RollingStone]

Hammond: Oscars Post-Ratner What Now?

The Brett Ratner situation is a sad mess all around. Sad for Ratner, sad for the Oscar show which he was to co-produce, and sad for the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. The Academy in the past has weathered its share of nightmares surrounding the show. But never something quite like this.In 1967 an AFTRA strike nearly KO’d the telecast until the walkout was settled just 3 hours before showtime. Similarly a WGA strike in 2008 was threateninguntil it was settled a few days before the airdate. In 1968 the show was nearly cancelled after Martin Luther King’s assasination butpostponed for two days instead. In 1981, the Oscars was delayed a day after President Reagan was shot. As for participants, actors have refused to accept the statuette for a myriad reasons, and winners have gone to political extremes in their speeches, but the Ratner situation is a new one for the AMPAS. Ratner was an unorthodox choice to produce the Oscars, but he was paired with veteran Don Mischer who did the show last year with Bruce Cohen. Mischer also has vast experience, producing the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and the Emmys andPresidential inaugurations. Since Gil Catessoloed in 2008, the Academy has brought on producing duosincluding Bill Condon and Larry Mark in 2009, then Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic in 2010. The Academy likely willlook to replace Ratner with someone who can hit the ground running. Butfinding an available and experienced producerwon’t be easy onsuch short notice. It’s hard enough findingthe right producer in the best of circumstances, not the worst of circumstances like this is. Of course the Academy could just let Mischer handle the show on his own as he has done countless times and won countless Emmys for his efforts. But last year’s show was not critically well-received particularly for its choice of hosts, Anne Hathaway and James Franco and Mischer is also the director and that takes a lot of prep away from producing chores. Of course the natural choice would have been to turn to the unflappableman that produced a record 14 Oscarcasts, Gil Cates but his sudden death last week provides new irony and yet another reason why he will be so missed. Another two-time producer of the show who could quickly step in , Laura Ziskin , also died this year. Academy President Tom Sherak could turn to his friend and former business colleague Joe Roth who has experience since he producedthe show a few years ago, or they could look outside the usual suspects. No matter what happens Mischer will be the glue that holds it all together. I got the opportunity to work with him last year when I wrote the Governors Awards show and he is simply the best at what he does. No worries. The mechanics of the Oscars will still be in good hands. The staffing of the show was well under way and Ratner was shaking things up, even changing talent bookersand hiring Melissa Watkins Trueblood over 38 year Oscar booking veteran Danette Herman who is now just a consultant. The writing staff is also all new and since many of them are Ratner cronies they aren’t likely to stay on board. That’s not a huge problem since the Academy hasn’t officially announced the team yet, but that may be good news for Bruce Vilanche who didn’t appear to be one of them but now could get a reprieve as Oscar showexperience of any kindwould be a big plus. Host Eddie Murphy also has his writers attached and they will stay — IF Eddie stays. Murphy, a co-star of Tower Heist, has been on many talk shows lately saying how he is looking forward to hosting the Oscars and also giving props to Ratner who talked him into the gig. There is some media speculation that now that Ratner is gone , Eddie will also take a walk. I see that as highly unlikely and I also don’t think Ratner himself would let that happen. Ratner’s exit caused a big ripple in the industry where he is well known but Murphy’s exit would be a high profile PR nightmare creating a scenario where the show looks like it has been thrown into completechaos, at least to the general public who may not know Ratner but definitely know Eddie. Murphy’s no dummy. Just like Brad Pitt stayed on with Moneyball after his good friend Steven Soderbergh bolted just before production began , so will Murphy. After the story broke yesterday there was one comment to Mike Fleming’s piece that caught my eye. It was from an Academy member who imploredhis Academy to slow down and stop trying to become the “People’s Choice Oscar Show” and go back to the class it had when Gil Cates was the producer. Stability is something the Academy needs right now. All the talk about moving the Oscars up a month to the end of January in order to trump the other awards showsis not what’s needed. Just imagine what a panic would be on if they had done that for this year. The thing that will save the Oscars in the eyes of the public is nothing more than a good show and some good movies, not when it airs or whether its hip, young and different. If there’s a silver lining in any of this mess it may be that the Academy will put all of its focus and energy now on doing just that. Finally, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel with Brett Ratner for this year’s TCM Classic Movie Film Festival in April. He was exceptionally bright ,informed and showed himself to be very savvy, a real movie fan. I think he would have done a great show. I know he had great ideas for it. Despitehis really bad judgementand stupid actions this week, I am sorry we won’t get the chance to see what he might have done.

Spring/Fall Not Going Forward At HBO

EXCLUSIVE: HBO has passed on the half-hour comedy pilot Spring/Fall. Set in New York City against the backdrop of the fashion world, the project centered on the dysfunctional partnership between Margo (Tea Leoni) and Eden (Hope Davis), two women with different approaches to career, family and friendship. Kate Robin wrote the pilot, which was directed by Jake Kasdan, with R.J. Cutler executive producing alongside Leoni and Robin. Since doing Spring/Fall together, Robin and Kasdan have teamed for a new project, a female-driven drama, which sold to Fox last month with penalty. Meanwhile, Leoni has already been approached for new pilot lead roles.

'Harry Potter' And The MTV Movies Live-Blog

As previously announced here on the blog, we're celebrating the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" on DVD and Blu-ray this Friday with the most obsessive and wonderfully nuts way we could think of: watching all eight movies in sequence in a single day. Thanks to the good people at Warner Bros. I've got all of them here, ready to go. It's roughly twenty hours of magic, so there's no time to waste. Let's get to it! Year One: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001), Running Time: 2:32 5:20am: Oh my it's early. But I realize that it's actually an hour earlier than I thought. Never before has daylight savings time worked so fortuitously in my favor. Score. 5:25am: We're off and running with the Chris Columbus-directed first film. If one could say Professor Dumbledore ever looked young, this is it. 5:28am: Oh yeah, the Dursleys. I hate the Dursleys. 5:29am: We get our first look at Daniel Radcliffe, who appears to weigh about 90 pounds, including his ill-fitting outfit. One certainly could not see "Equus" coming here. 5:31am: First bit of accidental magic at the zoo, and the foreshadowing of Parseltongue. Happy birthday indeed, Dudley. 5:35am First real magic as the Durleys' house is swarmed with thousands of copies of Harry's Hogwarts invite. It always seemed illogical to me that Mr. Dursley didn't want Harry to leave to go to school. Like, doesn't he hate Harry and want to be rid of him? His later threats to keep Harry out of Hogwarts as punishment seem oddly misplaced. 5:38am: World, meet Rubeus Hagrid. 5:30am: "You're a wizard, Harry!" 5:40am: Cauldron shopping and our first look at the magical world. 5:43am: Oh, that Professor Quirrell seems nice. 5:45am: First real special effects shot as Hagrid and Harry open up the brick wall to Diagon Alley. By today's standards it looks a little flat. At the time this flick was visually ground-breaking. I recall seeing the first trailer a decade ago and thinking "wow, this movie is going to make a billion dollars." If you add up both foreign and domestic gross, it comes to $974,755,371. Partial credit, then. 5:48am: The Sorcerer's Stone is very briefly revealed. Commonly known fact among "Potter" fans: In England it's called the Philosopher's stone. Less-known fact: In France it's called the large delicious hunk of roquefort cheese. 5:50am: OK, not really. First lie of the live-blog. 5:52am: The wand chooses Harry and Olivander makes first reference to the Dark Lord. I always felt a connection to big V. Can't wait for his return in movie #4. 5:56am: Hey its the Weasleys! Don't worry, Ginny, you'll matter in a few years. 5:58am: Chocolate frog. Love. 6:00am: Emma Watson sighting. She's sporting the kind of hairstyle many 11-year-old girls grow up to regret. Sadly, most other girls don't have motion picture evidence to live down. Still, she turned out all right. 6:03am: Momentarily get distracted by my Facebook for the first time. Meantime, we've arrived at Hogwarts. 6:04am: Tiny Malfoy wants to be friends with Harry. That would have been interesting. 6:06am: Original Dumbledore, the late Richard Harris welcomes us to school and the sorting ceremony begins. 6:08am: Did anything good ever come out of Hufflepuff? Twitter punchlines don't count. 6:10am: As Harry is sorted into Gryffindor, I check the time for the first time. We're at 46 minutes. It's going to be a long day. 6:11am: Nearly Headless Nick! Where'd he go in the later movies? John Cleese was great in this role, small though it was. 6:18am: Missed some first class / first broomstick lessons there when I snuck off to the men's room. But hey, it's like the theater. The show must keep going. 6:22am: First Malfoy/Potter broomstick battle. And we're playing Quidditch in 3....2....1..... 6:25am: Sweeping shot of the moving staircase. Still remember seeing that for the first time. Killer shot. 6:27am: First magical creature: The children discover Fluffly, the three-headed dog guarding the Sorcerer's Stone. 6:28am: Wood teaches Harry to play Quidditch. Wood has both the best accent and the best name in the movie. 6:32am: Halloween feast. Quirrell bursts in and panics everyone about a troll in the dungeon. I trust him. He seems nice, with no ulterior motives whatsoever. 6:35am: The children battle the troll in the girls' washroom. Brilliant. 6:38am: Snape finally says something. Alan Rickman was the best casting in the entire series. And that's not just my opinion. You agreed in the Harry Potter World Cup! 6:41am: We're playing Quidditch! I often thought Quidditch was the great failing of the movies. They could have done so much more with it, even if the game's rules are so illogical. I think we get the most in this first movie though. 6:45am: Snape's first questionable action at the Quidditch match. Was he jinxing Harry or trying to save him? I'll keep watching to find out. 6:50am: Christmas at Hogwarts! Wow, I'd totally forgotten the Invisibility Cloak comes in this early. 6:53am: Filch nearly busts Harry in the library restricted section. Does that guy ever sleep? Or do ... anything else? Speaking of which, we've been at this for 90 minutes and I haven't eaten anything. Accio breakfast! 7:05am: First dragon! Baby Norwegian Ridgeback. 7:10am: Kinda sorta Voldemort sighting in the dark woods, as Quirrell dines on Unicorn blood. He looks more like a Dementor at this point. Scary. 7:15am: First caffeinated beverage (mine): Hot green tea. Pumpkin juice was not available. 7:25am: Giant Wizard's Chess! It's your moment, Ron! 7:31am: Quirrell is revealed as the villain, not Snape as the children thought. And his turban is removed to reveal.... 7:33am: The Dark Lord! He lives! I never doubted you, my lord. What is thy bidding? 7:37am: Harry melts Quirrell with his bare hands. "You have chosen...poorly." No. Wait, wrong movie. 7:41am: All is well as Harry recovers, Dumbledore ties up loose ends in the story and eats a gross Bernie Bott's every flavor bean. 7:43am: End of year feast and the awarding of the House Cup. With their formal pointy black Wizard hats, the children look like garden gnomes. Especially Malfoy. 7:45am: Dumbledore totally fixes the House Cup by awarding 170 points to Gryffindor for no reason. Other than they totally saved the day and defeated the most powerful evil wizard ever. 7:47am: Hagrid swoops in and makes the end of the movie a tear-jerker with photos of his parents. Which is then totally balanced by his encouragement of magical threats towards Dudley. Which I endorse! 7:48am: Hey that's a wrap for movie number one. Seven more to go. On to year two! >>> Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

an hour Icon Andy Rooney Dies At 92

First Released: November 5, 2011 1:24 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images Caption Andy Rooney in the last regular appearance on 60 MinutesNY, N.Y. -- Andy Rooney so dreaded your day he needed to finish his signature an hour commentaries about lifes small and big absurdities he stored going until he was 92 years of age. Even so, he stated he wasnt retiring. Authors never retire. But his existence following the finish of the Couple of Minutes With Andy Rooney was short: He died Friday evening, based on CBS, merely a month after delivering his 1,097th and final public commentary. Rooney choose to go towards the hospital to have an undisclosed surgery, but major complications developed and that he never retrieved. Andy always stated he desired to work before the day he died, and that he handled to get it done, save the final couple of days within the hospital, stated his an hour friend, correspondent Steve Kroft. Rooney spoken on an hour by what was in news reports, and the opinions from time to time got him in danger. But he only agreed to be as prone to discuss that old clothes in the closet, why airline travel had become uncomfortable and why banks required to have important-sounding names. Rooney won among his four Emmy Honours for any piece on whether there is a genuine Mrs. Cruz who made Mrs. Smiths Pies. Because it switched out, there is no Mrs. Cruz. I clearly possess a knack for making paper what many people have thought and didnt realize they thought, Rooney once stated. Plus they say, Hey, yeah! Plus they like this. Searching for new things to punctuate its weekly broadcast, an hour broadcast its first Rooney commentary on This summer 2, 1978. He were not impressed with individuals who keep an eye on the number of people die in vehicle accidents on vacation weekends. Actually, he stated, the 4th of This summer is among the most secure weekends of the season to become going somewhere. A lot more than 30 years later, he was railing about how exactly uncomfortable airline travel had become. Allows create a statement towards the air carriers just to have their attention, he stated. Well choose a week the coming year and well all agree to not go anywhere for 7 days. At the begining of 2009, because he was going to turn 90, Rooney looked ahead to Leader Barack Obamas approaching inauguration with a glance at past inaugurations. He told audiences that Calvin Coolidges 1925 promising-in was the first one to be broadcast on radio, adding, That might have been probably the most interesting factor Coolidge ever did. Words cannot adequately express Andys contribution to everything about journalism and also the impact he earned like a friend along with a friend upon everyone at CBS, stated Leslie Moonves, CBS Corp. leader and Boss. Shaun Fager, CBS News chairman and an hour executive producer, stated its tough to imagine not getting Andyaround. He loved his existence and that he resided it by himself terms. We'll miss him greatly. an hour will finish its broadcast Sunday having a tribute to Rooney by veteran correspondent Morley Safer. For his final essay, Rooney stated that hed live a existence luckier than most. If only I possibly could do that forever. I cant, though, he stated. He stated he most likely hadnt stated anything on an hour that many of his audiences didnt know or hadnt thought. Thats such a author does, he stated. A authors job is in truth. In keeping with his periodic crotchety character, though, he were not impressed with being famous or bothered by fans. His last desire in fans: If you notice him inside a restaurant, just allow him to eat his dinner. Rooney would be a freelance author in 1949 when he experienced CBS radio star Arthur Godfrey within an elevator and using the bluntness huge numbers of people discovered later told him his show can use better writing. Godfrey hired him by 1953, when he gone to live in TV, Rooney was his only author. He authored for CBS Garry Moore throughout the first sixties before settling right into a partnership with Harry Reasoner at CBS News. Given challenging to create on any subject, he authored An Essay on Doorways in 1964, and ongoing with contemplations on bridges, chairs and ladies. The very best work I ever did, Rooney stated. But nobody knows I'm able to get it done or ever made it happen. Nobody recognizes that Im a author and producer. They believe Im this person on tv. He grew to become such an element of the culture that comic Joe Piscopo satirized Rooneys squeaky voice using the refrain, Have you ever Rooney never began some of his essays this way. For several years, an hour improbably was typically the most popular program on tv along with a dose of Rooney was what individuals found expect for any knowing smile around the evening before they needed to return to work. Rooney left CBS in 1970 if this declined to air his angry essay concerning the Vietnam War. He continued TV the very first time, reading through the essay on PBS and winning a Authors Guild of America award for this. He came back to CBS 3 years later like a author and producer of special offers. Notable included in this was the 1975 Mr. Rooney Would go to Washington, whose lighthearted but serious take a look at government won him a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. His words sometimes arrived Rooney in serious trouble. CBS suspended him for 3 several weeks in 1990 to make racist remarks within an interview, that they refused. Rooney, who had been arrested in Florida whilst in the Military within the nineteen forties for declining to depart a chair among shades of black on the bus, was hurt deeply through the control of racism. Gay privileges groups were mad, throughout the Helps epidemic, when Rooney pointed out homosexual unions in saying most of the affilictions which kill us are self-caused. Indians protested when Rooney recommended Indigenous Peoples who made money from casinos werent doing enough to assist their very own people. The Connected Press learned the possibility of making Rooneys cranky side. In 1996, AP Television Author Frazier Moore authored a column recommending the time had come for Rooney to depart the broadcast. On Rooneys next an hour appearance, he asked individuals who could not agree to create their opinions known. The AP switchboard was flooded by some 7,000 telephone calls and numerous postcards were delivered to the AP mail room. Your piece helped me mad, Rooney told Moore 2 yrs later. Among my major weak points Im vindictive. I have no idea why that's. Even just in petty things during my existence I am inclined to strike back. Its much more enjoyable a sensation than feeling threatened. He was among televisions couple of voices to strongly oppose the war in Iraq following the George W. Rose bush administration released it in 2002. After nov Baghdad in April 2003, he stated he was chastened byits quick fall but didnt regret his an hour commentaries. Im ready of feeling secure enough to ensure that I'm able to say things i think is appropriate and when a lot of people think its wrong which i get fired, well, Ive got enough to consume, Rooney stated at that time. Andrew Aitken Rooney was created on Jan. 14, 1919, in Albany, N.Y., and labored like a copy boy around the Albany Knickerbocker News during senior high school. College at Colgate College was cut short by The Second World War, when Rooney labored for Stars and Stripes. With another former Stars and Stripes staffer, Oram C. Hutton, Rooney authored four books concerning the war. They incorporated the 1947 book, Their Conquerors Peace: A Study towards the American Stockholders, recording offenses from the Spanish people by taking up forces. Rooney and the wife, Marguerite, were married for 62 years before she died of heart failure in 2004. They'd four children and resided in NY, with houses in Norwalk, Conn., and upstate NY. Daughter Emily Rooney is really a former executive producer of Basic steps World News Tonight. John would be a longtime ABC News correspondent, Ellen a digital photographer and Martha Fishel is chief from the public service division from the U.S. National Library of drugs. Services is going to be private, and it is anticipated CBS News holds a public memorial later, John Rooney stated Saturday. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Gabourey Sidibe on Tease with Eddie Murphy and Doing Whatever Sherrrd Like

Helena Bonham Carter features a penchant for playing oddball figures, and he or she sure finds one inch her next project: Carter is positioned to see Miss Havisham inside the approaching adaptation of 'Great Anticipation.' For people people who haven't see the book, Miss Havisham can be a spinster who sits in their mansion day and evening wearing the wedding dress she was created to got married in before her fiance left her within the altar. This describes why Carter looks so kooky inside the first photos within the film, which you can examine out below. This version in the Charles Dickens classic also stars Take advantage of Fiennes, meaning 'Great Expectations' is really a small-'Harry Potter' reunion for that almighty Voldemort and Bellatrix LeStrange. 'Great Expectations' is presently searching for an fall 2012 release date inside the Uk the film remains hunting for a U.S. distributor. [via Deadline] [Photos: Lionsgate Uk] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Brett Ratner 'Banged' Olivia Munn, and Other Stories You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Friday! Also in Today’s edition of The Broadsheet: Darren Aronofsky to team with Lou Reed and Metallica… the hits keep on coming for Hilary Swank… Melissa McCarthy looks ahead… Errol Morris gets sued… and more. · Remember that bit from Olivia Munn’s memoir about the nameless director — rumored to be Brett Ratner — who confronted her with his underendowed penis in one hand and a jumbo shrimp in the other? Turns out it was Ratner, but… Uh, take it away, Brett: “I used to date Olivia Munn, I’ll be honest with everyone here,” Ratner said Thursday on Attack of the Show. “But when she was ‘Lisa.’ She wasn’t Asian back then. She was hanging out on my set of After the Sunset, I banged her a few times, but I forgot her. Because she changed her name. I didn’t know it was the same person, and so when she auditioned for me for a TV show, I forgot her, she got pissed off, and so she made up all these stories about me eating shrimp and masturbating in my trailer. And she talked about my shortcomings.” Great. Glad we got that cleared up. [AOTS via Gawker] · Ugh. Time for a shower. Quickly though: Darren Aronofsky will direct the “music” video for Lou Reed and Metallica’s “Iced Honey,” from the artists’ new collaboration LuLu. It will be available to watch on mute by the end of the month. [Press Release] · Not such a good week for Hilary Swank, whose attendance at the birthday party of Chechen despot Ramzan Kadyrov has cost her one fired manager, a trail of agent roadkill and now her publicist. She reportedly parted ways with 42West over differences in how to handle the controversy; no word on which of the parties had the thwarted idea to handle it, you know, correctly. [EW] · Melissa McCarthy has options these days, but I’m kind of hoping she teams with The Help director Tate Taylor on Tammy. McCarthy wrote and would lead the “hard R” comedy about “a woman who gets laid off from her fast-food job and finds her husband is cheating, and chucks her life to take a road trip of self-discovery with her foul-mouthed diabetic grandmother.” Jacki Weaver for the grandmother! Just throwing that out there. [Deadline] · The subject of Errol Morris’s wild documentary Tabloid is making good on her threats of the last few months: Joyce McKinney is suing the Oscar-winner, his producer and distributor, alleging everything from defamation to misrepresentation to fraud and beyond. [Deadline] · Good news for fans of Sean Durkin and Martha Marcy May Marlene, which should be, like, everyone: The filmmaker and his Borderline Films partners Antonio Campos and Josh Mond have officially signed a first-look deal with MMMM distributor Fox Searchlight. Congrats! [Press release]

South america: Indies use local photos

'Bruna Surfistinha'With the collapse from the homevideo DVD market, local indie distribs are progressively embracing the distribution of Brazilian photos to be able to pay the bills.The entire B.O. in South america arrived at 1.1 billion real ($627 million) within the The month of january-September period, up 19% in the same period this past year. But indie distribs possess a small slice of the market that's centered by Hollywood.Meanwhile, last year the us government released the Sector Fund incentive, and among its aims to stimulate local indie distribs to distribute Brazilian photos. Within the 2009-11 time period, indie distribs have obtained $34.7 million to purchase equity in local photos and distribute them."Nov the DVD market symbolized a significant blow for that distribution of independent films in South america," states Marcio Fraccaroli, general director of local indie distrib Paris Filmes. "Because the galleries rule the theatrical market, we needed to seek a choice to outlive. Because of the Sector Fund, we discovered that option within the distribution of Brazilian films."All top three indies photos this year are Brazilian and were written by local people: "P pernas professional ar" (Upside Lower), handled collectively by Downtown/Paris distribution "Cilada.com," distribbed collectively by Downtown/Paris/RioFilme and "Bruna Surfistinha" handled collectively by Imagem/RioFilme.Regardless of the unfavorable market, it's still easy to make a nice income using the distribution of foreign indie photos in South america. For example, Paris, which since 2007 comes with an output cope with Summit Entertainment, has are making money in the three payments from the "Twilight" films. General director Marcio Fraccaroli states Paris Filmes will open "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning -- Part 1" November. 18 on 1,100 screens here -- the biggest theatrical release ever in South america. Film seemed to be partly shot in South america."We intend to sell over 7 million tickets making 'Breaking Dawn' the film using the greatest B.O. this season in South america. However the 'Twilight Saga' is actually the best within this market," Fraccaroli states.Meanwhile, several local production companies released Nossa, an indie distrib by having an alternative business design, in October. Nossa will give you distribution services for any fixed fee, and producers will need to cover P&A costs. But, when the release is effective, producer will pocket the majority of increases. Under this model, producer holds pics' privileges with other home windows.Nossa was produced by helmer Jose Padilha, in line with the highly effective distribution of "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" this year, when Padilha's Zazen shingle hired vet distributor professional Marco Aurelio Marcondes release a the pic, which grew to become greatest-grossing Brazilian pic ever.Quantity of screens: 2,314Number of three dimensional screens: 467Top indie distribs and B.O. with the first 1 / 2 of 2011: Imagem ($38.4 million) Paris ($20.5 million) Downtown/Paris joint distribution ($15.8 million) Playarte ($6.7 million) Imovision ($3 million)Typical gross split for theatrical between distribs and exhibs: 50/50Top exhibition chains for indie films: Espaco p Cinema screens all kinds of photos, but concentrates on foreign and native indie photos. It's Brazil's fifth biggest exhibitor, and it has 21 plexes with 90 screens, which signifies 4% from the country's screens. Grupo Estacao has nine multiplexes with 24 screens in Rio.5 Best indie films: "P pernas professional ar" (Upside Lower), Downtown/Paris ($17.9 million) "Cilada.com," Downtown/Paris/RioFilme ($16.a million) "Bruna Surfistinha," Imagem/RioFilme ($11.4 million) "Gnomeo and Juliet," Imagem ($7.8 million) "Season from the Witch," Imagem ($7.7 million)Approaching indie pick-ups: "Underneath the Hawthorn Tree" (Serendip Filmes/ Art Films): "Sarah's Key" (Imagem) "The Great Physician" (Playarte) "Late Bloomers" (Serendip Filmes/Art Films) "Your Skin My Home IsInch (Paris) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Michel Hazanavicius, the Artist Behind 'The Artist,' Around the Great Crowd-Pleaser (Video)

Michel Hazanavicius isn't the simplest title to express, however it's among individuals hard ones that you ought to really take time to learn... and fast. In the end, Hazanavicius authored and directed The Artist, the black-and-whitened quiet movie which has, against all odds, become probably the most serious challengers -- and also the greatest crowd-pleaser -- of the honours season. Indeed, it's quite entirely possible that the 44-year-old Frenchman -- who's strikingly tall and handsome, and whom I mistook for any superstar initially when i first saw him in the Telluride Film Festival in September -- could find yourself with not just a handful of Academy Award nominations but a statuette or two come Oscar evening.our editor recommends'The Artist' Official Poster Hits the Web'The Artist' Accumulates Another Audience Award in the Chicago Film Festival In the last two several weeks since i have first saw The Artist in Telluride -- it opened in May at Cannes, in which the Weinstein Company rapidly selected up -- I've had the pleasure of talking with Hazanavicius on numerous occasions, frequently about our shared passion for classic (and quiet) movies. We videotaped among individuals conversations several days ago, despite the fact that the noise within the room combined with Hazanavicius's quiet speaking voice pressure you to definitely listen just a little harder than most interviews, I believe that it is content (including periodic cameos through the Artist star/prankster Jean Dujardin -- see 3:11, 3:35, and particularly 3:47) merits your time and effort. You are able to decide upon yourself by checking it towards the top of this publish! Once we discuss... Hazanavicius fell deeply in love with movies like a kid, but his journey to being a filmmaker themself was slow and incremental. He labored being an intern on the film set, then composed gags French comedies, then authored and directed some shorts, after which, inside a typically funny and mischevious move, come up with a movie using clips from well-known Hollywood productions, only named with crazy French dialogue, which grew to become a viral Internet sensation in France and assisted to place him into the spotlight. His greatest profile films, just before The Artist, were OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006) and OSS 117: Lost in Rio (2009), two payments inside a French film franchise built around a Mission Impossible-like character, only comedy. The star from the films, who had been already on-board before Hazanvicius, was in france they TV star -- who'd soon be a huge French superstar, too -- Dujardin. Dujardin would be a large fan of Hazanavicius's viral film, and also the two quiet but funny compatriots grew to become fast buddies. PHOTOS: Toronto Film Festival: 13 Films to understand It had been following the first before the 2nd OSS film it first happened to Hazanavicius he'd like to create a black-and-whitened quiet movie. It had been a concept that will have appeared crazy to many people, although not to him -- "I don't judge others and that i don't judge myself" -- despite the fact that he understood that seeing the concept through "would be very hardInch and require creative freedom and partners who have been just like eccentric and courageous as themself. He arrived at to a producer who had been keen on his work coupled with formerly told him he will make "any movie" with him, known as his bluff, and was very gratified to locate he had meant what he stated. Two several weeks later, he'd written a complete "scenario" -- not really a "script," as it is, in the end, a quiet movie -- and started putting the different bits of the development together. STORY: 'The Artist' Wins Audience Award at Hamptons Worldwide Film Festival Hazanavicius states he authored The Artist with a couple in your mind from the beginning: Berenice Bejo, his lovely wife, for that female lead, and Dujardin for that male lead. Even though he understood that Bejo would agree to get it done, he states he never was certain Dujardin would, too. "Berenice is definitely an actress -- people know her in France, but she's not really a large star," he describes. "But Jean is an extremely huge star in France -- he's enjoy George Clooney." Fortunately, both stars registered for that project, regardless -- or possibly because -- from the unique challenges it would involve, including: needing to act inside a style that neither had ever employed before (which precious couple of other stars had employed in the last 80-plus years), understanding how to tapdance in a high end (body doubles were unthinkable since Hazanavicius was adamant that full-body shots be utilized), and shooting the film in only 35 days (on Hollywood studio backlots not even close to their houses). STORY: 'The Artist': The Not-So-Quiet Entry The Weinstein Company's technique to assist the Artist overcome modern moviegoers' natural prejudice against black-and-whitened and quiet movies is to show the film at just about any film festival which will get it just before its November 23 release date -- including individuals in Cannes (where Dujardin won best actor), Telluride, Toronto, NY, San Sebastian (where it won the crowd award), Hamptons (where it won another audience award), Chicago (where it won another audience award), Savannah, etc. -- and allow the public run its publicity campaign on their behalf. So far, the program appears to become working, as audience after audience walks into Hazanavicius's film with low anticipation, simply to let it rest getting been amazed and raring to inform others to take a look. Heading into November, situations are certainly searching for for that Artist -- but for the artist. As Hazanavicius states, "It's a very nice story." The Artist Michel Hazanavicius

Eddie Murphy talks the 2012 Oscars

According to an interview with director Brett Ratner, when he agreed to produce the Oscars he knew that he needed a comedian and his top choice was Eddie Murphy.And while there are often water works when the awards are dished out, Ratner might not be prepared for what his Tower Heist star has in store."I think it's so funny that people think I'm perfect for this. I'm going to be horrendous. I'm going to be the worst host ever," Murphy jokingly told Entertainment Tonight while discussing the 84th Academy Awards in 2012."I'm going to wear a powder sky blue tuxedo and at the end of the evening I'm going to urinate on myself in front of a billion people."Ratner has revealed that many of the ideas for the Oscar ceremony are dictated by what's nominated, but said he's also coming up with a lot of ideas beforehand.Might be an idea to have some towels on standby.

Breaking Beginning Exclusive: Dont Take Too Lengthy Mrs. Cullen

First Released: October 25, 2011 5:30 PM EDT Credit: Summit Entertainment Caption Billy Burke and Taylor Lautner within the Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part 1LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It didnt take Edward and Bella too lengthy to get accustomed to married existence! Access Hollywood has first showed a brand new scene from Breaking Beginning Part 1 on Tuesday, which shows bride and groom Edward (Taylor Lautner) and Bella (Billy Burke) settling directly into their first evening as couple. Within the scene, Edward carries his bride-to-be within the threshold upon coming towards the couples remote honeymoon destination. Is totally necessary? a taken-off-her-ft Bella gushes. I'm nothing otherwise traditional, Edward replies, before setting his wife lower within their suite. The pair then shares a romantic moment before Edward indicates they get a go swimming. That sounds nice, an appreciation-struck Bella smiles, before adding I possibly could make use of a couple of human minutes. Dont take too lengthy Mrs. Cullen, Edward quips. Click The Link to look into the full scene! The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1 hits theaters on November 18. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

COLA Honours those who win introduced

Location managers for The new sony Pictures' "Moneyball" and Fox skein "House M.D." required home trophies in the 2011 California On Location Honours in the Millennium Biltmore hotel in La on Sunday. The Kaira Pitt starrer, which shot at a number of Golden Condition locations -- including Lengthy Beach, La and Concord -- produced two awards: someone to location manager S. Todd Christensen for location professional of the season, studio feature, an additional to Christensen and the staff for location team of the season, studio feature. "House" location manager Nancy Haecker won the kudo as location professional of the season, TV episodic. The COLA Honours recognition industryites and public employees for excellence throughout on-location filming in California. Honorees include location pros and public authorities who facilitate shooting. The prize for location professional, indie feature, visited location manager Caleb Duffy for "The Artist," shot largely in La. Other prizewinners were the place teams behind NBC's "The Big EventInch and indie feature "Large Sur," Louis p Fontanes for any Jim Beam commercial and production shingle Furlined for any Chevrolet place. "Top Gear" producer Sun Never Sets Prods. required home the trophy for production company of the season, reality. Additional honors visited Michael Dinh and Steve Senet from the L.A. Dept. of Transportation, Craig Lane from the U.S. Coast Guard, several employees from the L.A. County Sheriff's office, and Teamsters John Brown and Mike Soleau. The COLAs are held collectively by enabling org FilmL.A. and Film Liaisons in California State-wide, a connection of film offices. Nominees are selected by film commissioners, production executives and fellow location pros. Contact Peter Caranicas at peter.caranicas@variety.com

Healthy Hollywood: Fab Food Friday Billy Bushs Decade-Themed Bash!

First Published: October 14, 2011 10:52 AM EDT Credit: Access Hollywood NY, N.Y. -- Caption Celebrity party planner Mark Addison unveils his special birthday cake he designed for Billy Bush on Access Hollywood Live on October 13, 2011Happy Birthday, Billy Bush! Access Hollywoods host turned the big 4 0. Congratulations youve never looked better! To honor his milestone year, uber-creative celebrity party planner, Mark Addison, surprised Billy on Access Hollywood Live with an incredible decade-themed birthday celebration. Mark spotlighted each of the decades in Billys life with food, decor, music, and drinks from each era. Its a fabulous way to personalize the occasion and really honor that special person in your life, reveals Mark. Mark shared with Healthy Hollywood tips to putting together your own decades party. Tips For Decades Party: #1: When creating a decades party, you may choose one decade to focus on or encompass the decades of your choice into one event. You can build the event from segment to the other in even time segments, allowing guests to enjoy the eras one by one. You may also set up stations throughout the event with different food, music, games, and entertainment from each decade. #2: When creating the menu, come up with creative new ways to serve your food. Take an old time classic, like meat loaf and mashed potatoes, and turn it into bite sized passed hors doeuvre by altering the recipe to make a mini treat. #3: Create a playlist with your favorite songs from each decade to play during the party. Make copies of the playlist and burn them to CDs to hand out to guests as a party favor. #4: Be sure to research what was popular during the time period and feature those items during the party. Try to reinvent them in creative and purposeful ways. For example during the 80s Astro Pop candy was very popular. You can make a cocktail that was inspired by this classic sweet treat. Recipe: Astro Pop Cocktail Ingredients: 1 oz. Absolut Raspberri vodka 1 oz. sweet and sour mix ½ oz. grenadine syrup ½ oz. Blue Curacao liqueur Add vodka and sour mix into tumbler with ice to chill. Shake ingredients and pour in a large shot glass. Use Grenadine and allow to sink to the bottom of the glass. Allow Blue Curacao to sink to the middle of the glass. (It will sit on top if powered slowly down inside of glass). The finished product will be red, blue, then white from the bottom to the top. #5: Be sure when sending an invitation to your guests that the invitation reads that it is a theme party. Encourage people to dress in the appropriate clothing for that decade. You can customize, print, and send invitations from websites such as www.zazzle.com. #6: Create a multi-tier celebratory cake, dedicating each tier to a corresponding decade. The cake from Billys 40th Birthday Party was created using Wilton products, found at www.wilton.com. Wilton offers excellent products easy cake decorating such as edible paper, pre-colored fondants, candy molds and melts, and decorative figurines. For more information on Mark and his extraordinary party ideas, head to www.eventstyle.com Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.