Monday, October 31, 2011

E! rethinks Kardashian programming

What is the news that Kim Kardashian will probably be divorcing Basketball player Kris Humphries leaves E! in the quandary. Cabler, which has received numerous audiences and advertising dollars in featuring the lives in the Kardashian clan over time, is rethinking the actual way it will edit and market the next Kardashian series to create, "Kourtney and Kim Take NY." Second season of "Kourtney and Kim" is positioned to debut November. 27 as well as the cabler is thinking about when the skein ought to be re-edited. Following a wedding, Kardashian immediately headed to Gotham, where "NY" was shot. Footage shows there has been troubles inside the marriage, which made it only 72 days. It's difficult to convey when the divorce will damage the Kardashian brand -- both in the business and PR perspective -- and harm E!'s ratings continuing to move forward. The Two-part wedding special came 4.4 million audiences due to its March. 11 airing, and 4 million every day later for partner. That was a effective return, while not record-setting. E! is becoming also thinking about re-editing the wedding special, which has runs a lot of occasions in reruns. The Two-hour running time may be cut to at least one hour half an hour or possibly an hour or so. The lavish wedding was aided taken proper care of by E! those magazine. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

'Life' of the Party

New to DVD and Blu-Ray today is the fantastic drama "A Better Life." When it opened earlier this year, I had high praise for director Chris Weitz and star Demian Bichir, who I think delivers one of the finest performances of the year as an illegal immigrant looking to provide a positive future for his 14-year-old son. In an interview with Weitz, I praised the film and the director's steady hand with material that could have easily gone maudlin or condescending.Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the DVD release party for the film, hosted by Mary-Louise Parker at Culina. It took me a second to make the connection, but of course, Bichir played Parker's lover on the Showtime series "Weeds." Like anyone who loves great actors, I've long held Parker in high regard. But until I saw her in person that night, I had no idea how unbelievably stunning she is in person. She was also very gracious and affable, and went out of her way to thank us for coming. "I so appreciate your support of this movie," she told me. "It means so much that people get the word out about it. It's very special."So if you won't take my word for it, listen to Parker, and check out one of the best films--and performances--of the year.READ MORE ON BEHIND THE SCENES

Monday, October 24, 2011

Obamas High-Priced Hollywood Fundraisers Attract Major Stars & Celebrities & Money

2ND UPDATE, 12:25 AM: First there wasthe $35,800-per-person fundraising dinner tonight with Will Smith hosted by his Overbrook Entertainmentproducing partner and manager James Lassiter. Then President Obama headed over to the home of Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith for a somewhat lower-key event aimed at Latino supporters. He was introduced by Eva Longoria who said Obama “knows hes the president of all Americans” and that “we thank you for everything you’re doing.” Obama leaves townafter Tuesday’s Jay Leno taping. UPDATE (correcting misidentification), 8:01 p.m.: This evening’s Los Angelestraffic snarl at rush hour was just that much worse because President Barack Obama arrived atLAX on board Air Force Oneat 4:30 PM. He’s attending two Hollywood political fundraisers for the Democratic Party tonight, first at producer James Lassiter’smansion and then Melanie Griffith’s and Antonio Banderas’ home.Potus will bemaking a Tonight Show appearance with Jay Leno tomorrow before jetting out of town.According to the White House pool report,Obama first helicoptered to a landing zone in Brentwood and the motorcade made an “off-the-record” visit to Roscoes chicken and waffle house.The president ordered atthe counterfor himself (and nearby aides)the No. 9 Country Boy 3 wings with choice of waffle, potato salad or French fries ($8.90).He then started chatting with diners. I say who cares if you like Obama’s politics or not: he’s got good taste when it comes to LA’s favorite eats. Then the motorcade traveled to Hancock Park for the first fundraiser hosted by Lassiter, who is Will Smith’s production partner in Overbrook Entertainment which manages the entire Pinkett-Smith family. Here is the pool report written by the Los Angeles Times‘ Peter Nicholas: The President appeared at an intimate fund-raising dinner at the home of James and Mai Lassiter in LAs Hancock Park area. He spoke softly to guests sitting at four tables, 8-10 seats per table. Tickets cost $35,800 per person. Actor Will Smith, looking dapper in a three piece suit, stood near the back of the room and watched. Boston Celtics nemesis Magic Johnson sat at a table to the presidents right. Some quotes about the campaign. Ive said this before this election will not be as sexy as the first one, the president said. Back then it was still fresh and new. I didnt have any gray hair. Everybody loved the Hope posters and all that. This time its weve got to grind it out a little bit. Weve got to grind it out. But the cause is the same. And my passion is the same. And my commitment is the same. The president talked about his new mortgage refinance program. Consumers who refinance at lower rates would then have more money to shop, go to Wills movies and patronize Magics businesses. Smith and Johnson laughed appreciatively. Potus repeated a theme from past fund-raising appearances — that hes accomplished a lot, but needs a second term to finish the job. Weve made great progress but weve got so much more work to do, he said. Obviously in Washington, the politics that I think people are hoping for is not what theyre getting. Its still dysfunctional. Its still perversely partisan. Pool was ushered out after 10 minutes, as potus opened it up for questions. As we slithered out, potus asked if wed gotten any of the chicken from his earlier stop at Roscoes. Reuters Jeff Mason assured him that there was pizza waiting for us outside. Pool is holding contentedly near the Lassiters lighted backyard pool, enjoying a cool LA breeze and snacking on individual-size pizzas. Next stop was Antonio Banderas’ and Melanie Griffith’s home.Still waitingfor the White House pool report: FYI: I initially misidentified James Lassiter asDisney/Pixar’s John Lasseter. Mea culpa, this is what happens when I’ve been sick all night… I become a moron.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Jobs Biographer States Professional Regretted Postponing Cancer Surgery (Video)

Apple co-founder Jobs regretted his decision to keep off on pancreatic cancer surgery, based on the professional's biographer, Walter Isaacson.our editor recommendsSony Pictures in Discussions for Privileges to Jobs BiographyRelated Subjects•Steve Jobs The first kind controlling editor of your time states within an interview airing on an hour Sunday, "I have requested [Jobs why he did not have an operation then] and that he stated, 'I did not want my body system to become opened up...I did not desire to be violated for the reason that way.' PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths "So he anxiously waited nine several weeks, while his wife yet others advised him to get it done, prior to getting the operation." Rather than getting surgery after being identified using the cancer, Jobs made a decision to pursue alternative treatments, that they later lamented. Isaacson states, "I believe he type of felt when you ignore something, if you do not want something to exist, you could have magical thinking...we spoken relating to this a great deal. COMPLETE COVERAGE: Jobs "He desired to discuss it, how he regretted it....I believe he felt he must have been operated on sooner." Isaacson also discloses that Jobs later privately received cancer remedies while telling everybody he was healed. The an hour interview airs March. 23 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Related Subjects Jobs

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Taylor Quick on 'Speak Now' Follow-Up: 'I've Written 25 Tunes So Far'

Taylor Quick is really a busy lady.our editor recommendsTaylor Quick Launches Wonderstruck PerfumeAlbum review: Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now'Justin Bieber and Taylor Quick Co-Write Song Together PHOTOS: Taylor Quick Turns 21 At the time of her worldwide Speak Now tour and marketing the launch of her initial perfume, Quick can also be working hard on which is going to be her 4th studio album. The songstress spoke using the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, March. 18, while ending up in La fans who have been anxious to get hold of a bottle of her new scent, Wonderstruck. "I have written 25 tunes to date, therefore it is coming along very well,Inch Quick stated of her follow-up to 2010's Speak Now. "I have been writing a great deal, and I love to take 24 months to create a record. We are in the finish of the year one and that i have annually left to visit write." "It's searching excellent,Inch she added. PHOTOS: MTV VMAs: Finest Feuds According to Swift's three previous album releases, fans should likely expect a brand new offering in nov 2012. Her debut release, Taylor Quick, hit stores on March. 24, 2006. Her sophomore album, Courageous, adopted on November. 11, 2008, while Speak Now made its debut on March. 25, 2010. The 21-year-old is famous not just on her sincere and storied lyrics, but a signature style both off and on stage. It is not frequently that Quick parts together with her signature blonde curls (save for just one show-preventing appearance in the 2010 American Music Honours, where she first showed bangs along with a sleek, straight 'do), and often will she ever pursue a far more drastic change? "Yes, I've considered that on certain days," she confessed. "I consider either cutting bangs, or performing. However I don't believe I am ever gonna work drastically -- a minimum of not soon, because my publicist at this time is kind of twitching with fear." "I'd rather not shock people, that's never been the aim,Inch she added. "But it may be nice to mix things up every occasionally." PHOTOS: Teen Choice Honours Red-colored Carpet The singer's scent is on purchase now, selling at $49.50. The Elizabeth Arden scent features notes of fruit and floral, with a little "sweet indulgence." Quick is hardly the very first music performer to grow into the field of cosmetics, but she particularly credits Britney Warrior spears and Gwen Stefani as her inspiration for developing a truly "signature smell." Related Subjects Taylor Quick

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

'Shelter' vfx goes large around the small budget

"Take Shelter" star Michael Shannon watches storm clouds created by Hydraulx. Nichols For Rob Nichols, "Take Shelter" will be a leap of belief. His first pic, 2007's "Shotgun Tales," is created "very affordable," mentioned the writer-director. "I limited a few things i could allow myself to produce. But also for 'Shelter' I needed the mitts off and written large dream sequences." That was before Nichols guaranteed any gold gold coin for your film, his second, through which tornado-breeding storm clouds reflect the inside demons bedeviling Michael Shannon's character, a family group guy fighting to settle the debts while he spirals into mental illness. In limited release since Sept. 30, "Shelter" has cumed about $130,000 from 11 theaters. When the financing -- a scant $5 million, apparently -- became a member of together, Nichols needed to try and create large-movie effects around the shoestring. The key factor wound up being to partner with Greg and Colin Strause -- a.k.a. the Brothers and sisters Strause -- helmers and entrepreneurs of vfx shop Hydraulx, which transformed the skies of Ohio, where the pic was shot in mostly couch taters weather, with apocalyptic electrical storms and menacing flocks of untamed wild birds. "I obtained people males aboard just before the financing because I understood making an affordable indie movie, however i didn't learn how to produce a cheap visual-effects indie movie," mentioned Nichols. He finished shooting "Shelter" within this summer time 2010, and labored anxiously the comfort of year to obtain the film ready for Sundance, where it absolutely was nommed for your grand jury prize. "From August towards the month of the month of january it seems like several 2 days there's some monumental deadline: the outcomes moments, the submission cut, the best cut," he mentioned. The brand new the new sony Pictures Classics acquired "Shelter" just before the fest opened up up. Nichols lives in Austin where local boutique Stuck On On did publish-production, while using facility's Parke Gregg handling editing, DI and color correction. The process involved carefully up-to-date coordination between Stuck and Santa Monica-based Hydraulx for your sky effects. "We'd send them fundamental edits in the moments and so they world start their miracle," mentioned Gregg. "We'd then get comps to edit to our sequences, after which it send them the moments with notes after we modified them to ensure that they may make more changes on the finish. Data could shuttle 20 occasions." Additional collaboration happened between Stuck and Skywalker Appear in northern California, with Stuck's Lyman Sturdy fashioning the appear design. Publish supervisor Allison Turrell saved track of all the elements, with Nichols present with the process. The helmer, now within the native Arkansas filming "Grime," is reunited once again with Shannon, who stars alongside Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey. That is Nichols' third collaboration while using actor, whose attachment to "Shelter," along with the Hydraulx partnership, was part of the package that aided pull the financing into position. Too as with another bit of good timing for "Shelter," Nichols got Jessica Chastain to see opposite Shannon much like her career was getting rid of. "This wasn't lost on anybody," he mentioned. "We understood it absolutely was coming." Bookings & Signings WME signed edtors John Refoua ("Avatar") and Elisabet Ronaldsdottir ("Contraband") d.p.'s Karl Walter Lindenlaub ("Dolphin Tale") and Michael Weaver ("MotherhoodInch) line producers Michael Hissrich ("Shameless") and Bill Bannerman ("Breaking Beginning"). Agency reserved production designers Clark Hunter on Scott Walker's "Frozen Ground," Rob Mann on Ben Stiller's "The Important Thing Information on Walter Mitty," Elizabeth Mickle on Stuart Blumberg's "Appreciate Talking about" and Kirk Petruccelli on Roland Emmerich's "Singularity" d.p.'s Martin Ahlgren on USA pilot "Over/Under," Chunghoon Chung on Park Chan-wook's "Stoker" and Julian Clarke on Neill Blomkamp's "Elysium" editors Dana Congdon on Sarah Siegel-Magness' "Very Very Long Time Gone," Jonathan Corn on Justin Zackham's "The Wedding,In . Joe Hobeck on Showtime's "Homeland," Robert Komatsu on FX's "American Horror Story," Lisa Lassek on Joss Whedon's "The Avengers," Steve Mirkovich on Mario Van Peebles' "Red-colored-colored Sky" and Jeffrey Wolf on Leslye Headland's "Bachelorette." Vfx producer/supervisor Kurt Williams on "Walter Mitty" and 2nd unit director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon on Ben Affleck's "Argo." Contact Peter Caranicas at peter.caranicas@variety.com

Monday, October 10, 2011

Summit Acquires Rights To Norwegian Crime-Thriller Headhunters

Summit Entertainment has acquired English-language movie rights to the international bestselling crime thriller Headhunters, by Norwegian author Jo Nesb. The novel, recently published in the U.S. by Doubleday and a NY Times bestseller, chronicles the escapades of a high-living corporate headhunter who steals artwork from his rich clients to finance his expensive lifestyle. When a heist unexpectedly goes south, he discovers he’s in way over his head in a murderous scheme. Nesb’s eight crime novels featuring Detective Harry Hole have been translated into more than 40 languages. Erik Feig, Summit’s president of production, acquisitions SVP Michael Schaefer, and creative executive Jeyun Choi will oversee the project for the studio. Marianne Gray, Ole Sondberg, and Berna Levin are aboard as producers via Swedish production company Yellow Bird. Summit acquired the English-language rights from Yellow Bird, which already produced a hit Scandinavian film based on the novel.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Anim'est characters up in Bucharest

BUDAPEST -- The 6-year-old Anim'est Intl. Animation Film Festival, that has become East Europe's premier toonfest, opened up its doorways within the Romanian capital, Bucharest, Friday for 10-times of tests. Fest will screen 436 films to 150 industry professionals as well as an believed 22,000 local site visitors, who can decide on an eclectic line-up. The majority of the films are shorts, but you will find 27 features, including U.S. fare like "Rango," "Rio" and "Kung Fu Panda 2," and worldwide photos like France's "The Cat in Paris" and also the U.K.-France's "The Illusionist."The winning title within the fest's competition will get the Anim'est Trophy, and will also be shortlisted for Europe's top animation prize, the Cartoon d'Or, presented through the European Association of Animation Film.With 511 films tested at Anim'est 2010, the fest's shrinkage within the this past year might be an expression from the results of the financial crisis. But toon professionals condition the genre is fairing much better than most. Jan Naszewski, mind of Warsaw-based New Europe Film Sales, states the marketplace for children's cartoons is lowering, but interest in animation overall continues to be strong. "We have found there's always an industry for animation," Naszewski told Variety, particularly shorts, which increasingly more tv stations favor due to their programming flexibility. "For me personally like a distributor it's simpler to market animation than (fiction) features and documentaries." As well as in a global where worldwide co-productions have progressively get to be the norm, animation offers mix-cultural appeal. "Animation frequently has little dialogue, and it is simpler to dub," Naszewski stated. "It is a better fit for worldwide co-productions."Fest repetition Toma Peiu states the animation biz continues to be increased by technological developments and mix-fertilization using the VFX sector. "Animation covers a significantly larger range than in the past,Inch he stated. Fest systems March. 16. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Actor-kaira Pitt Apologizes for Rape Comment

On Tuesday, a few eyebrow-raising quotes from Vanity Fair's cover story interview using the Actor-kaira Pitt broke online. Furthermore to acknowledging he attended Scientology conferences when he was youthful (he managed to get happen since they paid out people $3 a session to go to), the actor spoke about his aversion to photo shoots, evaluating these to rape. "Well, you just appear as if you are now being raped in some manner. Raped ... It feels as if a kind of strange -- just strange," mentioned Depp. Following a Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network belittled Depp's comments, the actor released an apology. "I am truly sorry for problem anybody at all,In . Depp mentioned inside the statement. "I never made to. It absolutely was an unhealthy choice of words in my part to be able to explain a feeling ... I recognize there is no comparison and i am very regretful. To be able to correct my inadequate judgment, please accept my sincere apology." Depp can next be viewed in 'Rum Diary' on March. 28. The issue of Vanity Fair with Depp round the cover will hit newsstands soon. [via Fox News] [Photo: ELIOT PRESS/bauergriffinonline.com] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

'Simpsons' Money Fight: Biz Model not Sustainable, States Fox

NEW You are able to - News Corp.'s twentieth century Fox Television stated Tuesday that it may't manage to continue creating animated hit show The Simpsons under its current business design.our editor recommendsFox Intends Finish of 'Simpsons' if Voice Stars Don't Accept 45% Pay Cut (Report) "23 seasons in, The Simpsons is really as artistically vibrant as always and beloved by millions all over the world,Inch the Fox TV studio stated inside a statement. "We feel this brilliant series can and really should continue, but we can't produce future seasons under its current business model.Inch PHOTOS: Best and Worst TV Fathers: 'The Simpsons,' 'Modern Family' The statement added: "We're hopeful that people can achieve a contract using the voice cast that enables The Simpsons to take entertaining audiences with original episodes for several years in the future.Inch The organization, that has produced a mutli-billion franchise proper care of Simpsons T-t shirts, stamps, Dvd disks, game titles, amusement park rides along with a feature film, rejected to comment further. The Daily Animal had reported the TV studio it's searching for a 45 percent pay cut for voice talent, including Serta Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson, Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Cruz (Lisa) and Hank Azaria (Moe) and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders). The report stated studio professionals have threatened to finish the series, presently in the 23rd season, if your deal can't be arrived at. Pay has frequently been challenging around the lengthy-running show. The very first salary fight between your cast and Fox arrived the late the nineteen nineties once the network threatened to exchange the six primary stars with new talent. The problem was ultimately resolved, with stars being compensated roughly $125,000 per episode. Early in the year of 2004, the cast required their costs be elevated again. Once they stopped turning up at table reads, their salaries were elevated. In mid-2008, after several weeks of discussions that place the 20th season on hold, the Simpsons cast and also the studio arrived at the most recent four-year deal that saw the very best stars get compensated nearly $400,000 per episode. That can be a was less than an initially searched for $500,000, it had been up using their previous deal around $300,000 a chapter. While parting way using the series is not even close to ideal --particularly because of the series' capability to lure more youthful audiences and kickstart other choices which come after it-- the organization would still enjoy the Simpsons' capability to stay relevant in reruns. One of the appeals of the animated number of the Simpsons' quality is being able to play well in repeats, distribution as well as in streaming platforms. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects The Simpsons Fox Broadcasting Corporation

Yahoo beefs up original programming

Internet giant Yahoo features an array of eight new web show concentrating on women since it ramps up original programming -- brings total output to 34 shows either round the network or possibly in production. They'll be launched in the refurbished destination site referred to as Yahoo! Screen.Some shows are weekly, some daily. They range lengthy from three-to-a few minutes, to longer form. Two shows will be in-house productions from Yahoo Art galleries, others developed along with companies including Electus/Principato-Youthful Entertainment, FishBowl Worldwide Media, Prime Content and Warrior Poets. Inside a press briefing in NY Tuesday morning, Mickie Rosen, senior V . p . of Yahoo Media Network, presented the choice just like a slate, much like broadcast systems. She mentioned entrepreneurs manage to buy within the slate of shows. ''Original programming happens when we make our mark and accelerate our brand building,'' she mentioned.The completely new options include ''Reluctantly Healthy'' with Judy Greer (''The Descendants,'' ''Arrested Development'') about living healthy away from home, ''Let's Discuss Love'' with Niecy Nash of ''Reno 911'' and ''The Failure Club,'' situated by Morgan Spurlock (''Supersize Me''), about implementing the worry of failure to change your existence.In ''Your Pals Will not Ever Believe You'' with Ryan Rottman (Nickelodeon's ''Gigantic''), brief moments of random celebrity interaction are adopted hidden cameras and targets make an effort to convince their pals what just happened. ''Ultimate Proposal'' shows host Cameron Mathison (''All The Children,'' ''Good Morning America'') together with a team of experts helping males supply the ultimate marriage proposal. ''omg! NOW'' can be a celebrity fest with host Kristen Aldridge. ''Blue Ribbon Hunter,'' with food author Allison Fishman, offers a mixture of local flavor and cooking instruction at food festivals across America. And celebrity chef Fabio Viviani hosts their very own cooking program ''CHOW CIAO!'' ''This is next generation television, available anytime, anywhere, with something for everyone,'' Rosen mentioned.Despite turmoil inside the executive suite and constant gossips it's up available, Yahoo is clearly on the run. This Year's week, the business introduced a sweeping alliance with ABC News. Traders seem to love whatever they see. Yahoo shares were up in midday purchasing and selling Tuesday, beating the overall market. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com