25 Stuff You Did not Learn About 'Straw Dogs'

You'd don't know in the way earlier this September's 'Straw Dogs' opened up and closed with the little fanfare it would be a remake of the movie whose unflinching depiction of graphic violence produced a debate which has never fully abated. Nor would you will know the initial 'Straw Dogs' (launched exactly 4 decades ago, on December 29, 1971) would be a landmark film that gave Dustin Hoffman among his meatiest roles, designed a star of Susan George, hard Mike Peckinpah's status (fairly or otherwise) as Hollywood's most macho and bloodthirsty director, and affected numerous filmmakers who adopted (most particularly, Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright, who put on their 'Straw Dogs' fandom on the masturbator sleeves). As well known as 'Straw Dogs' is at its day, you might not be aware of story behind the building of the film -- an account of mismatched enthusiasts, alcohol, rage, and bloodshed that appeared to echo what wound up on screen. 1. The movie's title develops from a passage within the Tao Te Ching. It refers back to the Chinese ceremonial objects utilized in sacrifices after which delicately thrown away. Within the 2011 remake, the protagonist makes obvious the example between your disposable canines and also the males within the town. 2. The film took it's origin from novel 'The Siege of Trencher's Farm' (1969) by Gordon Williams. Apart from different character names, you will find numerous key plot variations. Within the book, the pair possess a daughter, there is no rape, and also the attackers aren't wiped out but seriously hurt and left alive to manage charges. 3. 'Straw Dogs' was Peckinpah's first movie that wasn't a Western. The director had obtained in 1969 with 'The Wild Bunch,' a revisionist Western whose excessively bloody finale had totally changed the way in which violence was described on the watch's screen. But he'd be a pariah in Hollywood together with his follow-up, the gentler 'Ballad of Cable Hogue,' which he'd run 19 days over schedule and $3 million over budget, simply to begin to see the film flop in the box office. The director felt forced to create a change and operate in England. "I am just like a good whore," Peckinpah stated at that time. "Time passes where I am started." 4. Peckinpah modified the novel together with film writer David Zelag Goodman, a current Oscar nominee for his script for 'Lovers along with other Strangers' (1970). Peckinpah's rewrite of Goodman's script was informed by his reading through of Robert Ardrey's books 'African Genesis,' 'The Social Contract,' and also the Territorial Imperative,' drawing from their store the concept that guy is intuitively a carnivore who's vulnerable to turf wars. It had been also informed through the real-world violence from the Vietnam War and also the Kent Condition shootings. At the start of the film, youthful wife Amy criticizes math wizzard David for running campus existence (and, it's implied, faculty and students involved in anti-war protests) as well as for declining to consider a stand, but through the finish from the film, he'll have to have a stand and defend his home. 5. For that role of David, the filmmakers considered Love Bridges, Stacy Keach, Jack Nicholson, Jesse Sutherland, and (most oddly enough) Sidney Poitier, before 'Midnight Cowboy' star Dustin Hoffman agreed to accept part. 6. Up for Amy were such youthful British stars as Judy Geeson, Jacqueline Bisset, Diana Rigg, Helen Mirren, Charlotte now Rampling, and Hayley Mills, before 20-year-old Susan George, an old child actress, arrived the role. 7. Peckinpah wanted Richard Harris to experience Charlie Venner, Amy's ex-boyfriend-switched-rapist. The role eventually visited Irish TV actor Del Henney. 8. Cast as village idiot Henry Niles, whom the pair first injures after which safeguards, David Warner had old themself like a character actor. He'd co-starred because the villain in 'Tom Jones' (1963) coupled with performed a preacher in Peckinpah's previous movie, 'The Ballad of Cable Hogue.' 9. The film was shot within the ancient Cornish village of St. Buryan, whose most well-known resident (then and today) is spy novelist John Le Carré. 10. Shooting the scene where Hoffman's newcomer first visits the pub, Peckinpah wasn't obtaining the hostile, suspicious reaction he wanted in the stars playing the local people. So he did another consume that they had Hoffman enter without any pants on. That have been effective. 11. Peckinpah used alcohol to bond using the stars playing the violent villagers. The stars would are often into brawls throughout one testing, T.P. McKenna (who performed the main) broke his arm inside a fight and needed to put on a sling through the shoot. Ken Hutchison (who performed Scutt, the 2nd rapist) cut his arm while smashing some bar glasses George needed to take him towards the hospital. Another time, Peckinpah and Hutchison spent the pre-beginning hrs consuming tequila in the shoreline inside a winter lue-sky. 12. Consequently of this incident, the director came lower with pneumonia, and producer Daniel Melnick (who had opposed alerts from others in Hollywood that Peckinpah's consuming made him an hard to rely on hire) was instructed to close lower the film for any couple of days until Peckinpah decided to dry up. Peckinpah did not continue the wagon, but he reduce his consuming and could finish the film with speed and clearness. The shoot went 5 days over schedule -- almost no time whatsoever, in comparison with a of Peckinpah's other overruns. 'Straw Dogs' (1971) - Trailer 13. The film's most questionable sequence comes when Venner rapes ex-girlfriend Amy, then holds her lower while Scutt does exactly the same. Experts thought Amy appeared to savor the assault (climax obvious later in flashbacks how traumatized she's) which the film appeared to celebrate, or at best exploit, violence against women. Actually, the succession as Peckinpah desired to shoot it could have been much more graphic, but George spoken him from it, effective him the complicated play of feelings on her behalf face was all he required to show. 14. Area of the debate within the rape had related to the editing essential to generate the film an R rating. By trimming probably the most terrible moments in the scene, the resulting sequence appeared to eroticize the rape making it seem like Amy was experiencing the attack. So contended the British Board of Film Classification, which initially banned the film's home video release within the U.K. when it was initially provided on VHS back in 1984. The BBFC's remarks supported the discharge from the uncut version on DVD in 2002. 15. Protecting the rape sequence, Peckinpah recommended the film was a method to exercise personal devils over their own violent temper and four unsuccessful partnerships (three of these towards the same lady). "Inside a film, you lay yourself too much, whomever you're. The main one nice factor is the fact that my very own problems appear to involve others too,Inch he stated. "'Straw Dogs' is all about a man who discovers a couple of nasty secrets about themself, about his marriage, about where he's, concerning the world around him ... It comes down to the violence within many of us. The violence that is reflecting around the political condition around the globe today." He didn't deny the cathartic effect from the scene but added it does not allow the viewer free for their own voyeurism. "Someone may go through an unusual sick exultation in the violence," Peckinpah stated, "but he should then request themself, 'What is happening during my heart?'" 16. Actually, some experts thought the film too keen on violence overall, calling it sadistic, as though it endorsed David's descent into savagery. (Pauline Kael known as it "the very first American film that's a fascist thing of beauty.Inch) Peckinpah was adamant he wasn't promoting violence, basically exploring it. Indeed, he thought, you could look at David the villain, not only for his violent behavior, however for not directly invoking (through his refusal to do something) all of the terror fond of the pair to begin with. He described, That does not mean that violence is the reason why a guy a guy. I am stating that when violence comes, you cannot run from this. You need to recognize it is true character, in yourself too as with others, and endure it. Should you run, you are dead or you will too be. 17. The film arrived on the scene at any given time, just 3 years following the finish from the Production Code, when movies appeared to become pushing new limitations within the portrayal of violence. Launched around the same time frame were 'The French Connection,' 'Dirty Harry,' and 'A Clockwork Orange' (whose director, Stanley Kubrick, seemed to be keen on Robert Ardrey's books). Still, 'Straw Dogs' appeared to stick out in a test preview screening, another from the audience left in revulsion. 18. Peckinpah adopted the film by having an about-face, likely to focus on rodeo tale 'Junior Bonner' within days of wrapping 'Straw Dogs.' The reduced-key Steve McQueen picture did not deliver the loop the star's fans expected, and also the film flopped. Peckinpah complained, "I designed a film where nobody got shot, and nobody visited view it.Inch After that, he came back towards the violent movies which had made his status, making films like 'The Getaway,' 'Pat Garrett and Billy the little one,A and 'Bring Me the Mind of Alfredo Garcia.' He ongoing making thoughtful, idiosyncratic action films for an additional decade, until his dying back in 1984 at 59. 19. Peckinpah met crew member Joie Gould around the group of 'Straw Dogs.' They married in April 1972, throughout the shoot of 'The Getaway,' but his alcoholism and abusive behavior demonstrated an excessive amount of on her, and also the marriage ended after just four several weeks. 20. After 'Straw Dogs,' Monty Python memorably parodied Peckinpah's fondness for extreme bloodletting and slow-motion dying moments inside a sketch known as 'Sam Peckinpah's Salad Days.' The very gory sketch gained the BBC some complaints from disgusted 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' audiences, but Peckinpah themself apparently thought it was amusing. 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' - 'Sam Peckinpah's Salad Days' (NSFW) 21. Today, it's difficult to assume the usually cerebral, nerdy Dustin Hoffman like a guy of action, but there is a period of time within the '70s where he performed several such roles -- not only 'Straw Dogs' but additionally 'Little Large Guy,' 'Papillon,' and 'Marathon Guy.' He'd go onto win Academy awards for his regular-guy role in 'Kramer versus. Kramer' and the autistic genius in 'Rain Guy,' but he did have yet another action role (kind of) in 1995's 'Outbreak,' made as he was 58, by which he performed a military epidemiologist who lots of jumping and running from aircraft. 22. George continued to experience similarly provocative roles such seventies features as 'Dirty Mary Crazy Larry' and 'Mandingo.' She remains active like a producer along with a character actress. 23. Warner performed a supportive character for Peckinpah again in 1977's 'Cross of Iron.' Otherwise, he's ongoing to focus on villainous roles, including memorable turns in 'Time After Time' (1978), 'Time Bandits' (1981), 'Tron' (1982), and 'Titanic' (1997). 24. Colin Weiland, who performed the vicar, continued to win an Oscar because the film writer of 1981's 'Chariots of Fire.' 25. David Goodman continued to create such memorable films as 'Logan's Run' and 'The Eyes of Laura Mars.' He would be a script physician on another movie including a killed housepet along with a couple inside a country home who're trapped with a crazed attacker, 'Fatal Attraction.' Actually, he stated it had been his concept that Glenn Close's character needs to be wiped out in the finish. He died at 81 on September 26, 2011, under two days following the discharge of the remake of 'Straw Dogs.' [Photos: MGM] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman

VIDEO: Top Chef's First Champion Harold Makes His Favorite Holiday Hangover Dish

Harold Dieterle The holidays might be visiting a detailed, but we have got an ideal recipe to combat that New Year's Eve hangover. Within the video below, Harold Dieterle, the initial champion of Top Chef, prepares his favorite hangover recipe: Cornflake crusted French toast drenched in egg nog having a rum raisin walnut syrup. For additional within our Holiday Eats series mind here.

Mike Ryan's Ten Favorite Movies From 2011

The other day -- while saddled with flu-like signs and signs and symptoms -- I made all of the eleven movies from 2011 which i didn't particularly enjoy. Fortunately, it's a new week, and my flu-like signs and signs and symptoms go away. (I'm prone to live!) In celebration of my second lease on existence (cheap I'm presently on vacation inside the Area and -- even though I had been elevated here -- I did not remember exactly how nice people are it's contagious) here's all of the my ten favorite movies from 2011. 10.) 'Warrior' I am not interested in MMA. "Kimbo Slice": That's my work for balance naming an Martial artist without searching. It may be correct because I desired to appear that up at concerning the time 'Warrior' was released. I am unable to title another. Nobody saw 'Warrior,' that's somewhat surprising because I'm of the perception that might be plenty of MMA fans available. Possibly they made a decision to take advantage of the cash to check out real MMA fights as opposed to a film about MMA fights? From the sitting within my local neighborhood pub in the finish of August each time a commercial for 'Warrior' carried out in-between innings from the baseball game. The response within the bar was something similar to, "Good master, that seems awful." I'd seen 'Warrior' and understood it had not been awful, however understood that there's no chance that 'Warrior' could lose that perception. But, yes, the story is always that good. And, yes, I cried throughout 'Warrior.' 9.) 'Horrible Bosses' I merely could not stop laughing throughout 'Horrible Bosses.' Which I wasn't alone. Which is virtually it! It's a comedy plus it assisted me laugh, a good deal. So, this is why it's here. Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day -- between this, 'Going the Distance' and Day's 'SNL' hosting gig -- are really quite the comedy duo. In my opinion that the world population has been waiting for an excellent 'A Snow Falling on Cedars' subplot, it is therefore nice that individuals, just like a society, finally obtain that. Also: I'm can't consider a period of time that we loved Colin Farrell more. 8.) 'Attack the Block' 'Attack the Block' was precisely what I desired 'Super 8' being. Whereas 'Super 8' paid out homage to "alien films including adolescents" of history, 'Attack the Block' paved bold new ground. Know what's even better: the aliens. For any couple of reasons. Fortunately, 'Attack the Block' skips the present trend that aliens ought to be lizard-like and scaly, and rather has an exciting black four-legged creature with glowing teeth. Also, the aliens aren't after revenge or Earth's assets (spoilers): they're carrying out a pheromones from the female that splattered onto several kids after they destroyed her. And so the actions in the aliens are completely based on biology -- that's kind of how character works. So, yes, 'Attack the Block' may be most likely probably the most reasonable movie of 2011. 7.) 'X-Males: First Class' My second favorite scene in any movie from 2011 comes through the weather battle to finish 'X-Males: Top Quality.A Where most action films pick the bigger and explosions, 'First Class' ended getting a gold gold coin slicing using the villain's temple in the slow motion sequence intercut getting a screaming Charles Xavier. It absolutely was terrible, beautiful, nuanced and brilliant. 6.) 'Win Win' If 'Win Win' had emerge later around, instead of in March, it could hold the 'Little Miss Sunshine'-type buzz that indie darlings get throughout honours season. Basically, the "it won't win, but it's an awareness-good movie that everyone seems to loveInch-type buzz. (For your record, 'Sunshine' was released in the finish of the summer time.) I'm speaking about, it's all regulated the sun and rain: awesome families, sports, second chances, Jeffrey Tambor. Jeffrey Tambor! 5.) 'Hugo' I understood nothing about Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' before When i first seen it. This can be a problem. Using this job, I have that luxury because the only factor I'm buying and selling 's time, not my money. So, yes, a movie that transforms in the children's story into different things is much better seen with hardly any understanding as you can -- but wait, how might be the typical adult moviegoer prone to know this movie is ideal for them, not their kids? Regardless, 'Hugo' was most likely probably the most enjoyable surprises of 2011. And potentially the most effective 3d I've come across. 4.) 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' Essentially were making all of the "Most Annoying Movie Game game titles" from 2011, this really is second only to 'Real Steel' (because I'd a softball softball bat practice of typing "Reel Steal"). I saw 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' at the time what i saw 'Melancholia,' another film (that has grown on me greatly) by getting a massive sense of dread that we almost incorporated relating to this list, too. In 'Melancholia,' the dread is real. Inside the first scene in the film, we view Earth destroyed having a rogue planet referred to as Melancholia -- and then we know that's coming. In 'Martha Marcy May Marlene,' we've not a clue once the dread is even real, but it's certainly palpable. And, unlike 'Melancholia,' the ending is vague. This can be naturally polarizing, but I'm a sucker for vague being. Which describes why 'Martha' helps to make the list and not 'Melancholia.' 3.) 'The Artist' This past year, you would not be capable of convince me, no matter just how much booze you have made me drink, that I'd add a black and white-colored quiet film on all of the movies that we loved. But, alas, here you decide to go. Really the only reason it is not greater on this list is really because I really do think that it comes down lower to a quarter-hour too extended. I written relevant for this the other day, however think the primary reason 'The Artist' is effective is always that despite this kind of highbrow concept -- a black and white-colored quiet film being created this year -- the story is under the auteurist wet-dream that you would believe. That is evidence of the acting that my recollections of 'The Artist' include words, yet this is often a movie without many words. To put it yet another way: Even though 'The Artist' can be a quiet movie, I didn't appear like I used to be watching a basic movie. 2.) '50/50' I used to be so certain '50/50' would be described as a dud. Something in regards to the thought of a "cancer comedy" just screamed 'Funny People 2.' (This didn't help that both films starred Seth Rogen.) The most popular scene in any movie from 2011 is suitable after Adam (Ernest Gordon-Levitt) can get high throughout his first chemotherapy session. As 'To Love Somebody' with the Bee Gees plays, Adam takes walk in the hospital that's equally surreal and disturbing -- almost, with techniques, seeing their very own future because the debilitated as well as the dead. But he can't help but laugh. Clearly, the marijuana can be a large cause of this but it's as if Adam is laughing when faced using their own demise. It absolutely was at this time around that we recognized that '50/50' was certainly not 'Funny People.' 1.) 'Rango' I almost skipped 'Rango' because I'd it wrongly recognized as 'Rio.' Half way through 'Rango,' I leaned to my girlfriend and asked for, "When will be the wild wild birds likely to appear?Inch Boy, I am certain glad which i didn't skip 'Rango.' I've sang its praises at Vanity Fair, Movieline now here. Obviously, possibly it absolutely was my under passionate considered what 'Rango' was stated to become that affected my now unadulterated love. I'm speaking about, 'Rango' is really strange. Which I really like 'Rango' to become this strange, because it certainly didn't have to be this strange. 'Rango' certainly didn't have to add a hallucinatory scene including Clint Eastwood driving a golfcart, nevertheless it did. Mike Ryan might be the senior author for Moviefone. He's written for Wired Magazine, VanityFair.com, GQ.com, NY Magazine and Movieline. He likes 'Star Wars' a good deal. You'll be able to contact Mike Ryan on Twitter. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

EFM launches American indie initiative

BERLIN -- The very first time this season the ecu Film Market will offer you a conference point for independent American filmmakers in the Martin Gropius Bau venue throughout the Berlin Film Festival, which runs February. 9-19. Organized through the Independent Filmmaker Project and also the Sundance Institute, the initiative will offer you a conference point for filmmakers to satisfy and network. Running from February. 9-17, the ecu Film Market marks the very first major trade event of the season for that worldwide film industry. Market coordinators reported on Friday the exhibition spaces in the Martin Gropius Bau and also the Marriott Hotel were already fully reserved. Market tests will occur in additional than 35 screening facilities, including several digital and three dimensional movie theaters. "The eye within the EFM and also the demand from participants remains quite strong,Inch stated European Film Market topper Beki Probst. "Our goal would be to present an optimal infrastructure and embrace current technological developments for that global film industry, and that's why we've particularly committed to the digitization in our movie theaters this season.Inch The EFM will again offer a number of industry occasions and initiatives, such as the EFM Industry Debates, Satisfy the Paperwork, Sundance at EFM and German Cinema -- LOLA@Berlinale, along with the new initiative, American Independents in Berlin. Underneath the new header Sundance at EFM 2012, the well-established sidebar Completely from Sundance continues this season, showing the most recent U.S. independent films from Sundance to worldwide purchasers. The EFM Industry Debates continues in 2012 for that sixth time. From February. 10-12, worldwide experts, industry reps, bankers and journos will talk about current trends, challenges and perspectives within the film and entertainment industry. The big event will again be organized in cooperation with Variety along with other worldwide trade guides. For that 4th consecutive year the EFM will show Satisfy the Paperwork, some pot initiative using the European Documentary Network. An umbrella stand in the Martin Gropius Bau would be the central meeting point for that documentary industry. Also happening in the venue would be the Satisfy the Marketers and Satisfy the Festivals daily information periods. German Cinema -- LOLA@Berlinale will offer you phone past year in German cinema. The series presents films lengthy-listed for that nomination towards the German Film Honours with British subtitles for foreign purchasers. Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Ryan Gosling Named Coolest Person Of The Year

First Published: December 15, 2011 7:44 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Ryan Gosling spotted looking dapper at the Crazy, Stupid, Love. premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater in NY City on July 19, 2011Ryan Gosling may have narrowly missed winning the title of Peoples Sexiest Man Alive for 2011 (the honor went to Hangover star Bradley Cooper), but the 31-year-old star has earned a different honor to hang his fedora on. TIME Magazines Joel Stein has dubbed The Ides of March star the 2011 Coolest Person of the Year for, among other things, his ability to be tough but emotional. Ryan Gosling, the 2011 Coolest Person of the Year, is so cool that he refused to talk to me about this honor, Stein wrote. Faced with this problem, other magazine franchises might back down and pick someone willing to play ball and be their publicity monkey, but the Coolest Person Committee is committed to the truth. Also, it was getting really close to deadline, so it just seemed a lot easier to stick with Gosling, he added. The facetious honor is meant to counteract what Stein calls some real dorks TIME considered for their 2011 Person of the Year award, including Kate Middleton, Adm. William McRaven and House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan. Yes, [Gosling] was a Mouseketeer alongside Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, Stein wrote. And yes, he puts on a weird Brooklyn accent even though hes from Canada. Yes, he was homeschooled and sometimes hangs out with magicians. But hes so cool, he wears all of that proudly. AH Nation Poll: Do you agree is Ryan Gosling the Coolest Person of 2011? Click HERE to vote! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt And Other Golden Globes Nominations We're Psyched About

Now that we're in the aftermath of the Golden Globe nominations and people everywhere are focusing on the snubs and robberies, it's an important time to reflect on the choices we are absolutely in love with. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association did manage to acknowledge some of this year's best work despite the annual longlist of snubs, so here are the picks we want to applaud from this year's field of contenders. Fixing the SAG Mistakes Probably the biggest good the HFPA did this year was correcting the oversights committed on the part of the Screen Actors Guild. The actors union snubbed some of the year's best performances including Michael Fassbender for "Shame," Albert Brooks for "Drive," and Shailene Woodley for "The Descendants." These specific omissions were by far the most glaring for the SAGs and the HFPA did the right thing and boosted their chances for Oscar nominations. Two for the Gos Simply put, the man had an incredible year. Ryan Gosling not only starred in three of the best films of the year, but handed in consistently stellar performances. I'll ignore that the Lead Actor - Drama nomination came for "The Ides of March" instead of for "Drive," but his nod for "Crazy, Stupid, Love" was both unexpected and entirely deserved. Joseph Gordon-Levitt for '50/50' Not an entirely surprising nomination, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt deserved it for his work in "50/50." He has established himself in recent years as one of the best young actors in Hollywood, so anytime JGL gets awards recognition, it's proof that the HFPA is paying attention to the right actors. Brendan Gleeson for 'The Guard' He's been quietly stealing scenes for years, so it's nice to see Brendan Gleeson get recognition for the under-seen "The Guard." Gleeson plays a larger than life local police officer that could have earned him more serious awards consideration if the movie had been pushed harder. Thankfully, the HFPA sought it out and rightfully recognized Gleeson for his hilariously dark performance. Retroactively Nominating the Cast of 'The Wire' Both Idris Elba and Dominic West walked away with nominations for their work on television, and frankly, it feels like justice. When the show that many people consider one of the best drama series ever, "The Wire," originally aired, it didn't score a singal nomination from the HFPA association. Now, at last, it looks like Stringer Bell and Jimmy McNulty are getting their due. Tell us what you think of the nominations in the comments and on Twitter!

Amazon Hopes Software Update Will Douse Kindle Fire Complaints

Amazon says that its Kindle Fire tablet is”the most successful product weve ever launched” based on sales. But early adopters have had a mixed reaction to the sometimes jerky graphics, and an off button on the bottom that some users say they frequently hit by accident. The Fire gets a so-so 3.8 stars out of 5 from 3,477 reviewers at consumer electronics site Retrevo — and 4 stars out of 5 from nearly 5,000 reviews on Amazon itself. The online retailer now says it’s on the case: “In less than two weeks, were rolling out an over-the-air update to Kindle Fire that will improve performance, touch navigation, and give customers the option to choose what items display on the carousel.” (Nothing they can do about that off button, though.) Consumers shouldn’t be surprised. Our colleagues at BGR.com warned in their review last month that”prospective buyers should expect the occasional hiccup from first-generation software running on $200 hardware. Every computer, smartphone and tablet on the planet stutters from time to time.”

TV Ratings: Giants and Cowboys Give Strongest Sunday Night Football Showing in Weeks

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Thelegal dispute betweenGossip GirlstarLeighton Meesterand her mother appears to be over. What started out as a battle over the alleged misuse of the actress' money, and then turned into a dispute over whether Constance Meester deserved compensation for a purported role in helping guide her daughter's career, has suddenly made an abrupt halt.The holidays might be a little less rancorous for the Meester family this year after a judge last week accepted Constance's decision to bow down. As a result, Leighton is being allowed to obtain a default judgment against her mother.our editor recommendsInside the Strange Legal Battle Between 'Gossip Girl' Star Leighton Meester and Her Mother (Analysis)Former 'Gossip Girl' Intern Progressing After Losing Hand in Propeller Accident (Video)'Chuck,' 'Gossip Girl' EPs Adapting UK TV Hit, 'Misfits''Gossip Girl,' 'Vampire Diaries' Go to Netflix Under Four-Year Streaming Licensing Deal with CW PHOTOS: The CW's Fall Premiere Party As you'll recall, Leighton Meester first sued her mother in Los Angeles Superior Court in July. In the original complaint, Leighton said that she had sent her mother $7,500 each month to help with her brother's medical expenses, but that Constance had used the money for cosmetic procedures, including plastic surgery, hair extensions and Botox. A few days later, Constance hit back with counterclaims totaling $3 million in damages. Mommy Meester claimed that she had "sacrificed her happiness" to support Leighton's acting career and that her daughter had breached various management, support, and settlement agreements. The money that was being sent her way was contractually owed, according to Constance. Specifically, Constance argued that she was the president of Intentional Productions, Inc., which rendered Leighton's acting services. She noted her signature was on documents that established the company. Additionally, Constance told of an oral agreement that she had made with Leighton's attorney, Marty Singer, to testify in prior litigation between the actress and her former talent agency, Abrams Artist Agency. For her testimony, Constance alleged that she was promised $10,000 per month in support payments. PHOTOS: The CW's New Fall TV Shows In August, the daughter filed a demurrer that ridiculed her mother's claims. Leighton said that IPI was merely a "loan-out" company for employment purposes and wasn't indicative that Constance was playing the role of manager. TheGossip Girlstar also said that the supposed oral contract made by Singer was void because it's illegal to bargain for testimony to win a lawsuit. Finally, daughter said that mother couldn't sue for "dependent adult financial abuse" because if it was really the case that the traditional mother-daughter roles had been flipped, Constance would require a guardian to sue on her behalf. Constance has now backed off. Last month, her attorneys told the court that Constance no longer wishes to defend against Leighton's claims. The mother also submitted a motion to withdraw her Answer and all the claims alleging how she had sacrificed her happiness for Leighton's good. On Wednesday, a judge made an order striking Constance's answer to the lawsuit and letting Leighton obtain a default judgement. In Leighton's' original lawsuit, the actress sought a declaration there was no contractual relationship between the parties. The mother will soon no longer be able to claim any of those Gossip Girl riches. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Crazy Cases! 18 of Hollywood's Outrageous Entertainment Lawsuits

Hathaway As Catwoman Engaged!

First Released: November 28, 2011 11:28 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Adam Shulman & Hathaway As Catwoman attend The Whitened Story Book Love Ball in the Chateau p Wideville on This summer 6, 2011 in Paris, FranceNY., N.Y. -- Hathaway As Catwoman is going to have her real-existence Princess day. The actress, 28, is engaged to longtime boyfriend Adam Shulman, 30, a repetition for Anne has confirmed to gain access to Hollywood. The announcement occurs the heels of photos from the couple over the past weekend, which demonstrated Anne putting on an gemstone. Annes repetition also revealed to gain access to the ring would be a design collaboration between Adam and Kwiat Heritage jewels. Anne and Adam a 30-year-old actor/jewellery designer started dating in 2008, following a actress highly promoted & dramatic breakup with Raffaello Follieri, after Follieri pled guilty to 14 counts of fraud, money washing and wire fraud. Following a emotional split, Anne sitting lower with Access Hollywoods Rob Robinson, in which the former Princess Journals star opened up up about her hopes to 1 day walk lower the aisle. Sometimes I've found myself somewhere and Im much like, Oh, itd be really fun to got married here, Anne told Rob in December 2008. I truly have no idea what that states about me however i do not anticipate things before they happen especially stuff that I'd like greatly to possess happen. Anne, who at that time accepted she'd lately met somebody that was sexy most probably Adam, did wonder if a marriage would be in her own future. Obviously, like everybody, Im type of dealing with a minute where Im like, Will I even have confidence in marriage? What is happening? You realize, while you do when you are fresh from being dumped, she described. I actually do think eventually at some point basically met the best person I'd got married, Anne added at that time. The actress will quickly be viewed back around the giant screen as Catwoman at nighttime Dark night Increases. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jennifer Hudson Jams Split Gossips

First Launched: November 21, 2011 5:06 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Jennifer Hudson steps in this year's American Music Honours held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in La on November 20, 2011 Despite tabloid reviews from the split between Jennifer Hudson and fiance David Otunga, the singer told Access Hollywood their wedding remains on. Would got married, Jennifer told Access guest correspondent Tim Vincent at Sundays American Music Honours I realize they mentioned we'd separate. Were never separate, the 30-year-old singer mentioned of David, 31, who shes been engaged to since September 2008. The Oscar champion mentioned distance 's the reason for his or her wedding being positioned on hold. Continued to be as here, but were very busy people. Hes always on the road, Im always on the road, she referred to. We are together, we just have it completed in your own house in Chicago. Thats our meeting place. When Jennifer does walk lower the aisle, it'll be in their hometown. Our wedding will probably be in your house in Chicago, with family, she mentioned. For that current wave of celebrity splits, Jennifer mentioned she will get every relationship takes work famous pair or else. Within the finish throughout your day, counseled me human and everyone has their relationship issues and our human issues. In my opinion because of celebrity, its more magnified. Were people, too, she told Tim. Counseled me people and theyre just coping with people things, its just magnified. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MoMA merry for Almodovar

Emma Stone and Chloe Moretz MoMA gala leads to honoree Pedro Almodovar and enthusiasts Nicole Kidman, Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld. Twenty-seven years after he was introduced to Us citizens via MoMA's New Company company directors/New Films series, Pedro Almodovar returned for the museum November. 15 since the star of the film department fundraiser event. "That was the beginning of nearly everything. I'm very grateful with this particular institution," he told a crowd that incorporated Came Barrymore, Blake Lively and Nicole Kidman. "In my opinion, he's Spain's Woodsy Allen," mentioned Anna Wintour, who co-chaired the large event. "I am unsure Pedro perfectly, but he's this kind of charming, funny, brilliant guy that we imagine sitting on the set with him can be a dream." There's one attendee, glamorous in Chanel, which has yet to find out an Almodovar pic. "I'm a little youthful." mentioned Chloe Moretz, the 14-year-old "Hugo" star. "They are only a little risque personally now. Clearly, I realize who Antonio Banderas is." Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

'X Factor's' Stacy Francis on Elimination: 'Obnoxious' Astro's Save 'Is a Hard Pill to Swallow'

Nino Munoz / FOX From Day 1, Stacy Francis was a frontrunner for the inaugural X Factor title. When the single mother of two children appeared on the series premiere, she was filled with insecurity. But, she won the audience over with her story of self-doubt, telling executive producer and judge Simon Cowell, "I don't want to die with this music in me," and then releasing a rendition of "Natural Woman" that brought the audience to its feet.our editor recommendsSimon Cowell Picks Up Nearly 300K Twitter Followers in a Day'X Factor' Burning Questions: Why Did Drew Shorten Her Name, Was Rock Theme Too Loosely Defined and How Upset Was Stacy Francis?'X Factor': Chris Rene Wears Controversial Rocawear 'Occupy' Shirt'X Factor' Redux: Josh Krajcik Makes Rock Week While Others Punk Out (Video) PHOTOS: 'X Factor' Behind the Scenes As The Top 11 Work Out the Week's Performances Over the course of the competition, she never really took her eye off the prize. She did, however, seem to have a conflict of identity. It didn't help that she found herself in a storm of criticism that tried to make her out to be a fraud. "It comes with it," Francis says of the controversy after Thursday's show. "You know, you have to build a thick skin. And this show has taught me how to be more of a fighter. You got to fight back. You can't be a punk. You have to get yourself through it and you have to fight back. I didn't always do that before." On Thursday night, Francis found herself fighting one more time to stay in the competition with fellow contestant, Astro. And despite the M.C.'s lack of sportsmanship, the judges voted 3-1 in favor of eliminating her. EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Inside Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' Trailer Francis spoke to a small group of reporters after the show and weighed in on Astro's behavior, revealed her regrets, and discussed her plans for the future. Did you understand what Astro was doing when he said he didn't want to perform? Stacy Francis: When he did it, I thought he was using it as a tool to amp up the audience. And I was standing there like, 'Damn, he's about to kill it.' I thought it was like him pulling the 'I'm just going to trick you all. We're going to turn this around.' But when he didn't, I was like, 'What! What just happened?' So, I don't know. He's a true artist and some people get away with that. You know, America sometimes likes that cockiness, too. So, it's kind of hard to tell. It'll be interesting to see. What are your thoughts on Astro's behavior? Francis:I'm very confused by Astro's behavior, because I think in that moment you should be pleading for your life and not throwing it away. I think Simon likes a little rebellion and he might respect Astro a little bit for being so rebellious. I don't understand his behavior. I mean, he's 14, and you can call him a teenager and give him an excuse. But, bad behavior is bad behavior. I think that he wasn't gracious in that moment. And I think in the whole scheme of things, no matter what you have to be grateful. What advice would you give him? Francis:I would tell him to be a little more humble. I've lived 40 years to get here. And he's 14 and he's blessed to be so young. I don't know if he's as gracious as he should be or honored. He's not honoring God for the blessing right now. PHOTOS: Get to Know 'X Factor's' Top 17 Finalists Did his attitude make your elimination harder? Francis:No, I think elimination is elimination. It would've been hard either way. The thing you get disappointed about when you see someone like Astro have such an obnoxious attitude is that he gets to stay. That's kind of a hard pill to swallow, because he doesn't seem grateful to be here. How do you think Astro will do in the competition after that behavior? Francis:I don't know. I think America is really down on people who take on arrogance that way. I wouldn't be surprised if he was in the bottom two again next week. If he got the least amount of votes this week, I can't imagine him having that many next week with that attitude. It was pretty off-putting. It didn't seem right to me. What's next for you? Francis:I'm very honored to get this far. I was hoping to go all the way, I didn't. So, now it's time to reevaluate myself, my life and see what happens from here. And I think it will be OK. PHOTOS: An 'American Idol' to 'X Factor' Timeline What are your regrets? Francis:I regret my song choice last night and I regret my song choice last week, as well. It's all about song choice in this whole thing and I didn't think I was myself in it and trying to be something else, because I was persuaded. It's a very difficult thing. Did you watch this week's performance later? If so, what were your thoughts? Francis:Yes, I did. I was off-key, because I couldn't hear the music. What happens is when you're in there, the audience is going really crazy. And if you don't have an in-ear monitor, which is something you put in your ear to hear the music, you can't hear the music. And I couldn't hear it. The audience is going crazy, screaming, and I couldn't hear the music at all. And I didn't have an in-ear monitor either. So, the song was off-key in the beginning. And I don't think I found my grounding until about the middle of it and it was too late at that point. Why did you choose "Amazing Grace" as your survival song? Francis:You ask for amazing grace, you ask for grace, you ask for mercy. That song is called the save me song for a reason. It's a song where you're pleading with the judges and you're asking to have grace. You know, I was blind last night. Now, I see in the bottom two. And I was hoping they'd see me for who I am from the first audition and keep me in. I chose "Amazing Grace," because I have been called a church singer. I sing from an emotional place. And I felt that that song on this situation was apropos. I was praying in the moment and I was hoping that I could stay. PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes on THR's 'X Factor' Cover Shoot What's next for your career? Francis:Frontline Management will probably manage me, Irving Azoff. He said that he's a fan. So, I hope that that relationship will blossom. I do have to feed my children. So, that's the goal. What kind of music will you make? Francis:I think my music will be R&B, it will be soul, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston. You know, old school Whitney. It will be big ballads, also heartfelt inspirational stuff. What have you learned from Nicole Scherzinger as your mentor? Francis:To be gracious, to be respectful and to be honest. I had to be very careful, because sometimes I sing too theatrical, so she's teached [sic] me how to round out my notes and sing a little more poppy. VIDEO: 'X Factor's' Stacy Francis Sings Goodbye Your career before The X Factor had a lot of ups and downs. How will you approach your career now after being on the show? Francis:I think humility is really important. I think last night when I was standing in front of the judges and it wasn't. I was basically in shock and I was disappointed in myself and I think it showed up too much and the fans thought I was being arrogant. But, I wasn't. I think I just need to learn how to manage my emotions and just be more humble. What are the misconceptions people have of you? Francis:I'm pretty open. I've been an open book. I think people get me. I'm very vulnerable. I'm very sensitive. I wear my feelings on my sleeve. I cry. I'm a crybaby. I have nothing to hide. I've been very open. I've been accused of being a liar, that sort of thing. I didn't lie about anything. I put it all on the table. With you out of the competition, who do you think will win? Francis:I think Josh [Krajcik] has a really good chance at winning it. I love Josh. I think he did amazing last night. You know when Josh would sing, I would hear his tone and I would be moved myself. I think he's amazing. I hope he goes all the way. I'm supporting him. I will be voting for Josh. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter:@TheRealJethro Fox Broadcasting Corporation The X Factor

Immortals: Film Review

There's nothing wrong with Immortals that a commentary track from Mystery Science Theater 3000 wouldn't fix. Thuddingly ponderous, heavy-handed and lacking a single moment that evinces any relish for movie-making, this lurch back from the "history" of 300 into the mists of Greek myth is a drag in nearly every way, from the particulars of physical torture to the pounding score that won't quit. As if poor, beleaguered Greece needs this right now, a bad film about its unruly gods and founders. Still, a certain percentage of the public that made 300 such a big worldwide hit will automatically turn out for this similar-looking visual effects-dominated action epic, but final commercial results look to fall well short of those of its predecessor.our editor recommends'Immortals' Premiere Red Carpet ArrivalsInside the 'Immortals' Premiere: Director Tarsem Laments '300' Comparisons'Immortals' Producer: Tarsem Singh Needs to Understand 'Collaborating' (Video)'Immortals': Stephen Dorff Says Hes the Han Solo of the Greek God Tale (Video) PHOTOS: 'Immortals' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals To his credit, director Tarsem Singh Dhandwar (billed on previous films as just Tarsem or Tarsem Singh-his name grows with his pretentions) does create a visual world here that represents a heightened reality; the dramatic landscapes, enormous vistas, brilliant skies, dramatic architecture and wild costumes overlap with but are not constrained by the real world or historical locations. At the same time, however, it all feels cramped and claustrophobic; the villages and encampments are mostly tucked on ledges along the edges of sheer cliffs, boxing everyone in; the gods peer down on human endeavor from perilous precipices and even the climactic battle is largely fought in a long, low-ceilinged tunnel, all of this, one deduces, due to the fact that the actors were positioned in small spaces in front of screens upon which the backgrounds would later be filled in. The 3D notwithstanding, it's almost as if you're watching actors on a stage in front of painted backdrops. The technology looks to have hemmed in the spectacle. The ancient tales relating to the wild ways of the mythical gods can be confusing under the best of circumstances; it's a challenge even getting your head around the paternity of this film's hero, Theseus, as he was supposedly both divine and mortal by virtue of the fact that, on the night of his conception, his mother Aethra slept with both Poseidon and Aegeus. So you can't blame brother screenwriters Charles and Vlas Parlapanides for simplifying matters by making King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) a plain and simple murderous maniac bent upon not only eliminating all human opposition in Greece in the year 1228 B.C., to be absolutely precise, but liberating his long-imprisoned fellow Titans and unseating the gods of Olympus. VIDEO: 'Immortals': Stephen Dorff Says He's the Han Solo of the Greek God Tale What will clinch the deal for Hyperion is finding the elusive Bow of Epirus, an ancient equivalent of a sub-machine gun capable of shooting an unlimited number of magically produced arrows in rapid succession. Beating him to it is man of the people Theseus (Henry Cavill), convulsed into action by the annihilation of his village and Hyperion's sadistic murder of his mother, and inspired by the visions of the Sybelline Oracle Phaedra (Freida Pinto). Any number of early scenes are devoted to demonstrating what a bad idea it is to come to the attention of Hyperion. Proving that, given the chance based on his career resurrection with The Wrestler, Rourke is capable of taking paycheck roles in a whole new slew of bad movies, the actor skulks around with massive scars on his face that must have been caused by too carelessly donning one of his own beclawed masks. As Hyperion dispatches even sycophants bearing good tidings and prolongs his victims' pain in novel ways, such as cooking them alive inside a hollow silver minotaur, Rourke employs a basso profondo as an intimation of the seismic waves he intends to unleash upon the entire Greek cosmos. It's ham sliced thick and, as such, worthy of a wink and a nod. VIDEO: Henry Cavill Gets Angry In a New 'Immortals' Clip But, if fun is what his performance even is, there is none else to be found here. 300, which was produced by two of this film's producers, Gianni Nunari and Mark Canton, at least had a certain unembarrassed blood lust, hot stuff between Gerard Butler and Lena Headey, amusingly overbuffed bodies and a sly homoerotic undertow that went with it. Immortals is not only entirely without humor, but is dominated by a lot of huffing and puffing, thunderous self-importance and windy Socratic quotations about the immortality and divinity of men's souls. You just have to roll your eyes after a while. STORY: Inside the 'Immortals' Premiere Director Tarsem Laments '300' Comparisons Assigned to save the Greek world here, Cavill will be the subject of additional scrutiny here as his next assignment is to save the American way of life as Superman. He's handsome, lean and ripped here but increasingly displays his English accent the more he bellows, something one can only hope he does less of in Man of Steel Stephen Dorff is rather less imposing as an impudent slave who fights alongside him and, no matter how many suggestive remarks he makes, is never going to prevail for the attentions of Phaedra, capably embodied by Pinto, just about the only one in the cast not required to shout or roar most of her lines. The most eye-catching creative contribution consists of Eiko Ishioka's sometimes striking costume designs, which not only functionally differentiate the assorted factions but often pop the eyes even against the colorful backgrounds. Opens: November 11 (Relativity Media) Production: Relativity Media, Mark Cantor, Gianni Nunnari Prods. Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Frieda Pinto, Luke Evans, John Hurt, Joseph Morgan, Isabel Lucas, Kellan Lutz, Daniel Sharmon Director: Tarsen Singh Dhandwar Screenwriters: Charles Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides Producers: Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Ryan Kavanaugh Executive Producers: Tucker Tooley, Jeff Waxman, Tommy Turtle, Jason Felts Director of Photography: Brendan Galvin Production Designer: Tom Foden Costume Designer: Eiko Ishioka Visual Effects Supervisor: Raymond Gieringer Editors: Stuart Levy, Wyatt Jones, David Rosenbloom Music: Trevor Morris R rating, 110 minutes Freida Pinto Henry Cavill Tarsem Singh Immortals

Disney fuels 'Phineas and Ferb' fervor

'Phineas and Ferb'Disney Funnel has restored hit animated series "Phineas and Ferb," a franchise that has rapidly end up being the Mouse's version of "The Simpsons" within the broad appeal and selling capabilities. "Phineas and Ferb," a mainstay for Disney Funnel additionally to boy-centric Disney XD, might be no. 1 animated series in many of television among kids 6-11 and 9-14, it may boast that nearly 20% of the audience within the 9 p.m. Friday timeslot is grownups. The confirmation in the fourth season can keep the Disney TV Animation-produced "Phineas" round the air through no less than 2014, setting happens for further spinoff projects throughout Disney's divisions, plus a feature release searching for This summer time 2013. "It's some evaluating apples to oranges," Disney Channels Worldwide prexy and chief creative officer Gary Marsh told Variety, "(but) we could have a look at 'High School Musical' and 'Hannah Montana' inside the rear-view mirror and discover how they elevated into multimillion-dollar companies. 'Phineas' is on that trajectory." Further, to Disney's benefit, the "Phineas" cast (introduced by Vincent Martella, Ashley Tisdale and Thomas Sangster) doesn't age -- no less than onscreen. "Isn't that fantastic," Marsh mentioned getting fun. Series designers and professional producers Serta Povenmire and Rob "Swampy" Marsh, who written the script for your bigscreen "Phineas and Ferb" outing (that Disney has since hired "Little Miss Sunshine" scribe Michael Arndt to carry out a spread), each signed multi-year deals in August to remain on "Phineas" while developing other series ideas, plus a "Phineas" spinoff. Furthermore they written the script for your bigscreen pic, that Disney recently hired "Toy Story 3" scribe Michael Arndt to carry out a spread. "Breakout shows like 'The Simpsons,' like 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' result from visionary designers who have a very unique, personal artistic vision," Gary Marsh mentioned. "I certainly put (Povenmire and Marsh) because same category." Thanks mainly to "Phineas," Disney Funnel caught Nickelodeon the first time among boys 6-11, getting a couple. rating in September and October. And along with such Disney Funnel shows of recent vintage as "All The Best Charlie," "Change,In . "A.N.T. Farm" and "Jessie," "Phineas" has aided push Disney Funnel past Nick among kids 6-11 year-to-date. Enter energy of "Phineas" appeared to become outlined with the August premiere in the franchise's first original smallscreen film, "Phineas and Ferb: Within the second Dimension," which increased being cable's No. 1 animated telecast ever among kids 2-11, ranks newbie-to-date for individuals scripted TV in 6-11 and 9-14, which is No. 1 for cable scripted television this year in general audiences. Nearly 8 million audiences overall seen the very first airing in the telepic. "Phineas" has furthermore been an international success across foreign Disney channels. If the opened up within this summer time on China's Closed-circuit television, it showed up at 145 million total audiences within six days. The show is yet another textbook situation of Disney machine moving, with permutations emerging through Digital video disks, Disney Interactive Art galleries (including Producers Wii, Producers DS and also the new the new sony Ps 3 videogames), Wally Disney Records, Disney Consumer Products (from clothes and household items to high quality yogurt plus an approaching Kellogg's cereal) and concert occasions at Disney resorts as well as on tour. Through Disney Posting, greater than 5 million "Phineas" books are actually offered via 90 separate game game titles, along with comics plus an eight-issues-a-year magazine in 45 nations. According to Disney Consumer Products, the burgeoning "Phineas" clients will probably triple in 2012. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Taylor Lautner Joins Gus Van Sant's Next Movie

Taylor Lautner wasn't able to work with Gus Van Sant on "Breaking Dawn," so now he's created his own project for the director to helm. MTV News reports that Lautner optioned a nonfiction article from The NYer, and has convinced Van Sant to direct it for him. "Milk" scribe Dustin Lance Black will pen the project, with Lautner in the lead role. Little more is known about the film, but it will be Lautner's first dramatic role to date. Check out the rest of today's casting news after the jump! Amanda Seyfried And Peter Sarsgaard Eye "Lovelace" Why only have one Linda Lovelace biopic when you can have two? Variety has learned that Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard are being courted by directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman to star as Linda Lovelace and her abusive, pornographer husband Chuck Traynor in their appropriately titled biopic, "Lovelace." Malin Akerman and Matt Dillon star in Matthew Wilder's take on the story, "Inferno." Joel Edgerton In Talks For "300: Battle Of Artemisia" Casting is coming together for Warner Bros' "300: Battle of Artemisia." Vulture is reporting that director Noam Murro is trying to bring Joel Edgerton on board to play Themosticles, a famous archon and general who led the Greeks to victory against the Persians back in 480 BCE. Zack Snyder, director of "300," is still on board to co-write the script based on Frank Miller's upcoming follow-up graphic novel. Mark Wahlberg, Zoe Saldana And Marion Cotillard Circling "Blood Ties" Here's one more for Mark Wahlberg's long list of upcoming films. Screen Daily and The Playlist have learned that Wahlberg, Marion Cotillard and Zoe Saldana are interested in starring in French actor Guillaume Canet's English-language directorial debut, "Blood Ties." The movie follows the story of two brothers, one a cop and one a criminal fresh out of prison, set in the 1970s. Wahlberg would play one of the cops. It's a remake of the 2008 French film "Les Liens Du Sang" that Canet starred in. Apparently Canet may costar in this film as well. Steve Carell To Produce And Star In "Conviction" Deadline is reporting that former "The Office" star Steve Carell is going to produce and star in the upcoming heist film "Conviction." The action comedy follows an imprisoned master bank robber forced by the FBI to entrap his protg, who plans on conducting a multimillion-dollar heist. No word yet on when the movie will go in front of the camera. Noomi Rapace And Colin Farrell Unite In "Dead Man Down" Fans hoping for a reunion of Noomi Rapace and Swedish "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" director Niels Arden Oplev need wait no longer. Deadline has the news that the two will be working together on the revenge thriller "Dead Man Down," which also stars Colin Farrell. He plays the right-hand man to NYC's underground crime lord, and ends up being seduced and blackmailed by a crime victim seeking retribution. The synopsis concludes that "their intense chemistry leads them spiraling into payback delivered in violent catharsis." It should begin shooting in early 2012. Share your thoughts on today's Casting Call in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Andre Braugher Battles they on SVU: "He Might Be the Enemy, But He Isn't a Villain"

Andre Braugher It is a different character, another city, along with a different department, however when Andre Braugher returns to NBC for his first appearance on Law & Order: SVU Wednesday (airing at 10/9c on NBC), you will see one very familiar face in the midst. "It's type of funny because Munch has been around these two mobile phone industry's, and here' am essentially in Munch's world showing up as another person, so there is a cute little park and fly,Inch Braugher informs TVGuide.com of his reunion with Homicide: Existence in the pub co-star Richard Belzer. "I only say, 'Have we met?' There is a glimmer before we obtain lower to brass tax within the show essentially to acknowledge we all know one another which we spent a lot of time together." Law & Order: SVU's new boss on Meloni's exit, new detectives and reviving the show It has been almost 12 years since Braugher upon the market his badge within the 2000 Homicide TV movie, and although his co-star continues to be representing exactly the same smart-cracking cop, Braugher's Det. Frank Pembleton is nowhere to appear. Rather, the 2-time Emmy champion will guest-star in three episodes as Bayard Ellis, a properly-known defense attorney who made his money protecting drug kingpins and today works professional-bono. "Bayard Ellis is really a lawyer using the assets along with a real need to represent accused to make certain they obtain the type of trial and also the type of defense they deserve," Braugher states. "Quite frequently the critique from the condition is they choose accused that do not have assets and therefore bargain lower the costs or prosecute individuals those who have absolutely no way of really showing a sturdy defense." Although Bayard's presence may cause large trouble for the SV unit, he'll function as a supportive ear (and perhaps more) for Olivia (Mariska Hargitay). "It has been pretty much established through the years it's very difficult for Olivia to produce balance in her own existence. He's recommending he knows where she's originating from which the quest for justice and also the defense of the clients within the quest for justice is-consuming. As essential as that actually work is, it is also taxing as well as drains all of the participants of potency and efficacy or energy," Braugher states. "At this time, Bayard and Olivia are fellow vacationers. Where it evolves, I'm not sure. But at this time, he might be the enemy, but he isn't a villain." Watch full instances of Law & Order: SVU Go behind the curtain of Braugher's first SVU episode: But make no mistake. Bayard may achieve to Olivia on the personal level, however in the court docket, he means business. "I believe which makes the storytelling is much better if you have credible opposition instead of men who're pushovers. It enables individuals tales to defend myself against a bit more depth," Braugher states. "[The episode] discloses the justice product is damaged in the own way so that's different storytelling than you normally see on SVU or the Law & Order shows." It's this concentrate on storytelling which had driven Braugher from procedurals and towards edgier and more personal, more serialized cable fare recently. In 2006, he performed a lately widowed thief appearing like a classic vehicle salesperson on FX's Crook prior to the drama was axed after one season. Then he walked in to the footwear of Owen Thoreau, a vehicle salesperson (legitimate this time around) facing his 50s on TNT's Males of the Certain Age. Like Crook, Males of the Certain Age was significantly admired, but unsuccessful to resonate with audiences. The series was canceled earlier this summer time after two seasons along with a passionate save-the-show campaign from designers and executive producers Mike Royce and Ray Romano. "I wasn't very positive. Mike was very positive as was Ray since it is their baby. Getting experienced television for any very long time, I have seen lots of good shows get canceled and also the writing was around the wall for me personally,Inch Braugher states. "We needed more eyeballs and that we could not locate them in order to save our way of life.Inch TNT cancels Males of the Certain Age Despite these recent professional disappointments in the hands from the Nielsen box, Braugher knows TV continues to be where he really wants to be. "I consider myself proficient at things i do also it really turns into a question of the items the storytelling is much like. It is really an talent which i love: standing on television and also the storytelling is superb. Sometimes it's on cable and often it's on systems, however it does not really matter in my experience whatsoever," he states. "I'm not sure what that project is or if this can come along, but I am really searching toward it if this happens." That next project can also be coming back to SVU beyond his original three-episode arc. Braugher states he has not heard anything, yet, but he'd like to return as lengthy it seems sensible for that character. "I'd rather not push it. I would like it to be organic and that i would like it to feel right so these three episodes are actually my opportunity to see how it is enjoy being within the SVU world and SVU to determine how it is enjoy having me there," Braugher states. "It is a necessary step for people to actually discover where we stand prior to making anything permanent."

'Iron Man 3' Leaving Los Angeles for North Carolina's EUE/Screen Gems Studios

Paramount/Marvel Studios The third installment of Marvel Studios' Iron Man franchise is setting up shop in North Carolina. EUE/Screen Gems and North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue announced in a press conference Thursday that the studios' Wilmington outpost will host the bulk of the film's production. Marvel filmed both Iron Man and Iron Man 2 both at its own Manhattan Beach studios in California, where it reportedly considered producing the threequel, along with locations in Michigan and New Mexico. PHOTOS: Top 15 Grossing Threequels of All Time "We aggressively pursued this piece of business," said EUE/Screen Gems co-owner and COO Chris Cooney. "This film is a game changer-not only for our studios, but for the entire state of North Carolina. It feels great to bring this project to Wilmington, a place where we've invested emotionally and financially since 1996. Today, our vision becomes reality." Cooney cited North Carolina's 25-percent film incentive and the studio's 150,000-square-foot facility as factors in Marvel's decision. PHOTOS: Shots From 'The Avengers.' Marvel's Superhero Film Iron Man 3 marks the largest production to come to Wilmington, which has previously hosted films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer and 28 Days and the television series Dawson's Creek. Starring Robert Downey Jr., the original Iron Man took in $585 million worldwide 2008. Its 2010 sequel had an international take of $624 million. Iron Man 3 is set to move into its Wilmington offices in early 2012, with a scheduled release date of May 3, 2013. Robert Downey Jr. Marvel Entertainment Screen Gems

'Revenge' Star Emily VanCamp Previews the Season's Momentum Shift and the Love Triangle

ABC Fans could feel that things just got very dire on ABC's Revenge.our editor recommendsABC Gives Full Seasons to 'Revenge,' 'Suburgatory'; Orders More 'Happy Endings'ABC's 'Revenge': Meet Emily Thorne's Men'Avatar' Actress to Guest Star on 'Revenge' PHOTOS: ABC's New Season TV Shows On the last episode, Emily's plan took a deadly turn when Victoria Grayson's (Madeleine Stowe) security thug killed her husband's mistress, Lydia Davis (Amber Valletta), which wasn't part of Emily's plan. Star Emily VanCamp says that murder isn't the end goal for her character. "I think in a sense there's a moral code. She's not out to kill anyone," VanCamp tells The Hollywood Reporter. "She's out to destroy these people's lives and watch them suffer as she suffered." "If she's threatened, I think she'll certainly fall back on those tools she has accumulated over the years," she continues. "But, she's not in the business of killing these people. She wants them to pay and suffer in various ways." On Wednesday's episode, Emily and Nolan (Gabriel Mann) have to deal with the fallout (excuse the pun) of Lydia's murder and the actress says the episode will represent a shift in the series. Emily has served up pretty much a takedown on each episode so far, but that will begin to change. VIDEO: 'Revenge' Star Emily VanCamp on Her New Series: 'There's Quite a Few Takedowns' "Episode 6 is just killer," she tells THR excitedly. "When I was reading the script, I was texting [creator Mike Kelley] saying I need to know what happens next. It's so good. We have a blast with it. After that, the series starts to slow down and becomes sort of a bigger arc for all the characters." She also hints that the love triangle will become more intense. Emily's relationship with Daniel Grayson (Josh Bowman) really heated up on the last episode, but VanCamp says we shouldn't count Jack Porter (Nick Wechsler) out. "They're two very, very different men," she says. "With Jack, he's the one link to her past that still exists and holds fond memories. At first, she's cautious of him, but ultimately, you can't help how you feel. She's still a young woman even though she has all these issues, let's be honest. She still feels. This love triangle is going to be a really tricky one, but a good one." "I'm kind of a lucky gal, look at these guys," she laughs. "Sucks to be me." Revenge airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter:@TheRealJethro ABC Revenge Emily VanCamp

Our Paradise (Notre paradis)

An Alfama Films release, presentation and production, in colaboration with Rhone-Alpes Cinema, using the participation of Clap Filmes. Created by Paulo Branco. Directed, compiled by Gael Morel.With: Stephane Rideau, Dimitri Durdaine, Beatrice Dalle, Didier Flamand, Jean-Christophe Bouvet, Raymonde Bronsten, Malik Issolah, Mathis Morisset.Johns get a bit more compared to petite mort they purchased from a maturing hustler in "Our Paradise," from extremely uneven Gallic actor-switched-director Gael Morel ("Three Dancing Slaves," "Apres lui"). Plodding drama in regards to a murderous rentboy past his prime does not appear to possess several factor at any given time around the brain, and frequently not really it's never obvious, for instance, if the man's much-lamented advanced age -- we are speaking mid-30s -- is in some way associated with his violent compulsions. Commitment of a subtitled sexy time should nevertheless put some butts in seats at queer fests. Co-workers tell the not-unattractive, in-search-of-work Vassili (Morel regular Stephane Rideau) they have clients more youthful than he's. An expert collaboration having a youthful, angelic co-worker (Dimitri Durdaine) only sometimes does the secret and gets to be more complicated once the two fall madly in love. Nonsensical subplots, including not just murder but additionally a fag-hag acquaintance (Beatrice Dalle) and her kid boy (Mathis Morisset), further dilute interest, though frequent full frontals might keep not-too-demanding auds hooked. "My Very Own Private Idaho," this is not, however, using the just-average tech package delivering neither the grit nor the lyricism intended.Camera (color, HD), Nicolas Dixmier editor, Catherine Schwartz music, Camille Rocailleux production designer, Ze Branco costume designer, Helena Goncalves. Examined at Pathe Cordeliers, Lyon, France, March. 6, 2011. Running time: 97 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com

F1 Cars to Race 250 miles per hour on Roads Just Miles From Manhattan (Report)

NY - F1 vehicle races can come to Nj within 10-year deal set to become introduced by Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday, the NY Publish reported.our editor recommendsRupert Murdoch Exploring F1 Takeover Options With Mexican Billionaire Carlos SlimLady Gaga To Do At Indian F1 After-Party The earth's top racing vehicle circuit will placed on a Jersey Grand Prix race in June 2013, it stated. London-based F1 has lengthy wanted to get involved with the NY City area. It's not held a U.S. race since Indiana in 2007. The path from the Grand Prix of America is anticipated to begin at JFK Boulevard East in Weehawken, just across from midtown Manhattan, the Publish stated. Less than 20 races are held every year by F1, and fans pay hundreds of dollars for his or her seats, based on the Publish. Christie's office told the paper he needs that F1 brings "a substantial economic and tourism boom for the condition." The Publish reported estimations the race could generate hundreds of million dollars each year. Related Subjects

Cinematographer Denny Hall dies

Cinematographer Denny Hall died Thursday morning while shooting the united states Network series "Common Law." Hall, 54, was using the crew in New Orleans, filming the 2nd episode from the skein. Based on CBS Television Galleries, which produces the show, Hall had heart disease in the hotel and the roommate, a camera operator, known as for that paramedics. After coming in the hotel, the paramedics were not able to bring back Hall. Hall, who committed to TV work, is a d.p. for many series in the last ten years, including "Burn Notice," "Franklin & Party," "The CleanserInch and "Studio 60 around the Sunset Strip." Before being a d.p., Hall would be a camera operator for several years. "Common Law" is really a one-hour drama which has yet to air. Michael Ealy and Warren Kole star as La Police Dept. robbery and homicide detectives. Jack McGee and Sonya Walger also star. Series is professional created by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley, Craig Sweeny and Jon Turtletaub, who directed the pilot. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Bingham Ray to mind Bay Area Film Society

Ray Film veteran Bingham Ray continues to be named professional director in the Bay Area Film Society. Ray is really a well-known studio and indie professional whose resume includes co-founding October Films, becoming prexy of U . s . Artists and holding two posts with Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. His newest gigs include first-run programming consultant in the Film Society of Lincoln subsequently Center, professional consultant to digital distributor SnagFilms and adjunct professor at NY U.'s Tisch School from the Arts. In Bay Area, he'll take on the positioning formerly held by Graham Leggat, who died in August. Leggat, who became a member of SFFS in October 2005, broadened the org's activities beyond its annual 15-day film festival to encompass year-round initiatives in education, exhibition and filmmaker development. Together with the Bay Area Intl. Film Festival, set the coming year for April 19-May 3, the 54-year-old SFFS also programs small-fests including approaching fall choices in French cinema, Italian films and animation. Ray starts his job in Bay Area on November. 7. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Monster In-Laws and regulations: TV Review

Moving rapport using the parents of a person's spouse has lengthy been a vexing relationship challenge. To wit, in-law jokes - many of them fond of inherited moms - have grown to be standard fare in comedy clubs, literature, films and tv. Cribbing its title from Monster-in-Law, the 2005 Jane Fonda/Jennifer Lopez comedy concerning just this type of conflict, A&E's new series Monster In-Laws and regulations explores the disorder of individuals extended families who, to say the least, aren't seeing eye-to-eye. PHOTOS: 10 Television Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' Within the premiere episode, we meet Kim, her husband Anthony as well as their youthful daughter Nina Marie, a middle-class family in western NY whose life is centered by the existence of Kim's parents, Richie and Pam. "Getting a daughter may be the greatest factor on the planet,Inch Pam states, justifying the insane period of time she and her husband spend at their daughter's home doting on Nina Marie. "It's much better than sex. It's much better than anything." The actual monster here, however, isn't Pam, but Richie, a bald, Italian, my-way-or-the-highway father. PHOTOS: Fall TV Dying Pool: Which New Show Can Get Canceled? "Anthony's and Kim's rules aren't my rules when my daughter is by using us," Richie states unapologetically. "She lives by my rules, and when everyone can't realize that then you definitely got an issue.Inch Obviously, none of the sits too well with Anthony or Kim, although the couple have introduced a lot of their predicament on themselves since they have gone into business with Kim's parents within an Italian restaurant named ... wait for this ... Nina Marie's. "Engaging in business with my in-laws and regulations was certainly among the worst choices I have available,Inch Anthony states, explaining why he and Kim abruptly left on the responsibilities in the restaurant, departing Richie to handle it. To be certain, there is no shortage of problems on Monster In-Laws and regulations, and also the explosive promotions for that show would make you believe that it'll turn to be nothing more than a Basketball Spouses scream-fest in family form. Rather, producers Brent Montgomery (Pawn Stars) and Courtney Montgomery (Exactly what the Sell?!) have thankfully elected for that therapy type of reality television (see also: Hoarders and Intervention) where a specialist is introduced in to fix all that's so clearly damaged with this protagonists. Within moments of her arrival in the home, "family expert" Mel Robbins can easily see what's what. "It's Ritchie's rules. He does not care exactly what the parents want. So, yes, clearly he's undermining the household, and it is pissing Kim and Anthony off," Robbins states inside a cut away interview. Diagnosis may be the easy part, however, and Robbins isn't any Cesar Millan if this involves whispering problems away. Her solution to get Richie and Pam to begin improving their daughter and stepson? She rips off large bits of duct tape from the roll and informs her to affix them over her parents' mouths. The reality is this suggestion pushes the half-hour episode to the emotional climax. Why is the proceedings stick out using their company shouting match television, is the fact that Richie and Anthony show genuine discomfort and vulnerability amongst their fits. The strain during this family feels all-too-real, and never entirely manufactured for rankings. For any genre that appears to require bigger blowouts, and much more spectacular existence changes with each passing season, that's no small task.

DWA at a crossroads

Katzenberg 'Kung Fu Panda 2'Now that Paramount is getting its toon division together, Jeffrey Katzenberg is under even more pressure to choose a future distribution path for his DreamWorks Animation. One option -- to turn DWA into a standalone studio with a distribution arm -- has one major hurdle: money.Not that Katzenberg necessarily needs to raise more. He just doesn't want to spend it if he doesn't have to. When DWA's distribution deal with Paramount Pictures expires at the end of 2012, a deal with another studio or an indie is certainly possible. Alternately, DWA could go it alone, via innovations in its digital distribution and international deals.But the solo route would not come cheaply. Any deal with a different distrib would require the right terms, and DWA's board has said that reupping with a theatrical and homevideo distribution fee higher than 8% is out of the question.The plot thickened on that impasse in July, when Paramount announced the launch of its own animated division, which will make one $100 million film per year. With a key exec now in place -- Par announced Monday that it had tapped former Walt Disney Feature Animation topper David Stainton to head the division -- and more to surely follow, it's even less likely that the studio will budge on its demands for a better deal.DWA releases two or three films annually, such as this year's "Kung Fu Panda 2" and "Puss in Boots." Last year, the company released "How to Train Your Dragon," "Shrek Forever After" and "Megamind."For 2012, it has "Madagascar 3" (June 8) and "Rise of the Guardians" (Nov. 21). Under current terms, Par covers the marketing and distribution costs for DWA's pics and gets reimbursed once the box office grosses start flowing into DWA's coffers. It also takes an additional 8% fee off of the B.O. haul, as well as 8% of the homevid revenue.DWA would probably not have difficulty putting together a P&A fund, as marketing coin -- the first to be repaid -- is easy to come by. Still, a DWA distribution effort likely won't have the purchasing power that a Paramount affords.Should Katzenberg go its own way, DWA would get to keep that revenue for itself -- estimated to be around $80 million to $100 million a year, according to a Barclays Capital report from June 27. But the studio would also have to pony up the distribution and pricey marketing coin upfront, rather than defer payment once each pic is released.That kind of flexibility is what's enabling Katzenberg to consider taking DWA independent. Here's what DWA's number crunchers are considering: Production: DreamWorks spends around $130 million to produce its pics. As of June 30, the company had $113 million in cash on hand. Marketing and distribution: Par averages $105 million on prints and advertising to release DWA's toons domestically and spends another $45 million to release them overseas. Homevideo: To handle homevid costs, Par ponies up $3 per unit and another $1 to ship them to retailers, amounting to $50 million per title -- a conservative estimate. Marketing costs another $20 million per pic. TV: Fees to release pics to broadcast TV and pay TV channels and pay-per-view platforms costs another $10 million per pic.To start distributing films, DWA would have to staff up and hire not only a distribution team but also marketing and sales staffers -- consisting of roughly 35-50 people, that would cost around $5 million a year in overhead. They would be based at the company's Glendale, Calif. campus.That crew would need to spend three months prepping each theatrical release, another six months handling the domestic and international releases, followed by three months releasing the homevid. Physical distribution, however, would only be required for three months out of the year during a pic's domestic release, since international distribution would be outsourced. Some bizzers question whether two or three DWA toons each year would earn enough coin to offset the overhead costs of running the company's own distribution arm. According to sources, three releases each year would make the company commercially viable, while two releases would require each title to make at least $200 million domestically -- which just six of DWA's 18 titles have done.But DWA is said to be considering several cost-effective alternatives, including distributing its pics digitally to theaters, eliminating costly print and shipping fees. According to the National Assn. of Theater Owners, 21,781 of 39,000 screens can play pics received by digital means.Another option would be to employ a rent-a-system distribution deal where DWA pays a fee that amounts to a percentage of box office per domestic release (likely less than what Paramount is currently collecting from DWA). Practice is primarily used by independent producers through companies like Relativity or some of the majors.Any distribution exec will have to deal with the domestic decline in 3D ticket sales, at least -- and for family 3D films especially: Since 2009, DWA has generated 60% of its box office from higher-priced 3D tickets domestically. But that has dropped, with "Kung Fu Panda 2," earning 45% of its B.O. from 3D.The percentage is higher overseas, including territories like China -- with the second highest number of 3D screens outside the U.S. -- where DWA is planning to build an animation facility, based in Shanghai, to produce toons developed for the Chinese market.Under its current arrangement DWA still has the option of extending its contract with Par through the end of 2013, while it figures out which moves it wants to make. That would give Par more toons to release -- DWA has three skedded that year with "The Croods" (March 22), "Turbo" (July 19) and "Me and My Shadow" (previously announced for Nov. 8) -- until it can release its follow-up to "Rango."Another option is Universal, which once distribbed the company's homevideo titles. U's first-look deal with Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment ("Despicable Me," "Hop," "The Lorax") isn't expected to put the brakes on talks with DWA, given that the company isn't exclusively U's toon studio.DWA could also move to another major, or even minimajor like Lionsgate, that wants to beef up its slate with toons.Outside of getting its films into theaters, DWA brokers its own deals involving its TV shows, licensing and consumer products, stage shows and digital distribution of homevid titles.Last month, DWA opted to exit its pay-TV deal with HBO, which was due to expire in 2014, and instead stream its films and TV specials through Netflix, starting in 2013. Deal could pay it around $30 million per pic, analysts said. That deal comes as DVD sales decline and Blu-ray (something DWA was late to embrace) and digital sales have yet to make up for the losses. DWA films typically earn 40% of their revenue from homevideo, mainly DVD sales. Analysts expect "Kung Fu Panda 2" to earn around 30% from disc sales.DreamWorks' library typically pumps out around $100 million a year, but is expected to grow to $150 million as more pics get added.Offscreen, the company has aggressively wooed families by launching character-driven programs with hotel chain Gaylord Resorts and Royal Caribbean. Walmart and McDonald's have also been retail and promo partners for the studio. And the company produces musicals and touring shows based on its pics, which are expected to generate around $30 million this year. It has spun off animated TV shows from "Madagascar," "Kung Fu Panda" and "How to Train Your Dragon" to air on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.For now, however, Katzenberg remains quiet about his plans."As I have (said) for five years and one quarter, Paramount continues to do an excellent job for us," Katzenberg said in an April quarterly earnings call with analysts. He added that DWA won't likely address any talks until this time next year at the earliest. DWA declined to comment for this story. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

What's Next for Hugh Jackman

With the robot fighting feature "Real Steel" in theaters this weekend, star Hugh Jackman has several movies coming down the pipeline."Real Steel" snagged the No. 1 spot in the domestic box office, earning more than $27 million, but the Shawn Levy-directed film has received mix reviews, most referencing the "Transformers" and "Rocky" franchises."Rocky the Robot" would have been the most accurate title for this bot-boxing melodrama, which feels like a mashup of spare parts from "Transformers," "The Champ," "Star Wars" and Sylvester Stallone's series, among other cash cows of various vintages," writes "The Hollywood Reporter's" Todd McCarthy.Here is what Jackson has in the works:Jackman co-stars in "Butter," starring Jennifer Garner, as Boyd Bolton. The indie film centers on a young girl who discovers that she has a talent in making sculptures out of butter. "Butter" is set to be released Oct. 21.Following "Butter," Jackman can next be seen in the ensemble feature, "Movie 43," in which he co-stars with Elizabeth Banks, Emma Stone and Kate Winslet, just to name a few. Banks directed the film as well, which will come out next year.Jackman also provided his voice for the upcoming animated film, "Rise of the Guardians," which revolves around Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost and other childhood characters teaming up to protect children's imagination. Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin and Jude Law are among the other voice actors.In addition to the long-gestating sequel to "Wolverine," the Australian actor will play Jean Valjean in the big-screen adaptation of "Les Miserables," alongside Russell Crowe.It was announced last month that Jackman would be making a return to Broadway with his show, "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway," for a 10-week stint at the Broadhurst Theatre. Performances are slated to begin Oct. 25 and go through Jan. 1, 2012, with opening night taking place on Nov. 10. The Hollywood Reporter

South Park Takes on Aspergers Syndrome in Mid-Season Premiere (Video)

Comedy Central South Park returns Wednesday night with the second half of its 15th season. In the mid-season premiere, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone take on Asperger's Syndrome (or in this case, "Ass Burgers Syndrome") as Cartman goes to the nurse complaining of strange symptoms with a wrapped hamburger stuff down the back of his pants. The animated series' return this time is noteworthy in that it's the first batch of new episodes to be written since its creators won multiple Tony Awards over the summer for their Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon. The musical took home nine awards, including best musical, best book and best original score. Ass Burgers Get More: SOUTH PARKmore... Comedy Central is also debuting its new South Park behind the scenes documentary 6 Days to Air on Sunday night. The film follows Parker, Stone and their army of animators through the break-neck production pace of a single week in which they conceive, write, animate and edit and entire episode of South Park. South Park

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'Dark Shadows' Score Will Be 'Wilder' Than 'Edward Scissorhands,' Says Danny Elfman

Although the first photo we saw of Johnny Depp in his "Dark Shadows" garb had us feeling a little skeptical, the second batch of pics that hit the Interwebs last week have us back to being over the moon excited for director Tim Burton's take on the 1970s vampire soap. Even better, MTV News managed to get a few more "Shadows" details from Burton's other frequent movie-related collaborator, composer Danny Elfman, who revealed we can expect something "a little wild." "Its still very early, theyre not even done shooting. I just sent them some stuff so they can play with it while theyre editing," Elfman told us about his progress on "Shadows" at the premiere of "Real Steel," the score for which he also composed. "I think its just going to be fun. You can tell from Johnny Depps hairstyle right off the bat, its like, Oh wow, thats different. Its [set in] the 70s, its going to be fun." With regard to what type of sound Elfman is going for in composing the "Shadows" score, we asked if it will have a pronounced theme, a la his previous work for Burton's films like "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Edward Scissorhands." "I think this will be a little wilder than 'Edward Scissorhands,' but I dont know. I really dont know what to expect until its done." Elfman also said that he and Burton had discussed the use of a smaller-scale orchestra, but that nothing has been set in stone yet. "I think we might keep it small. That was Tims first thought to make it very small, but having said that maybe well make it big. Things can change between now and then." Will Elfman's "Dark Shadows" score be another classic like "Beetlejuice," "Nightmare" or "Scissorhands?" Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

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Perdida

An Alistair Tremps production in association with Arte, Musica y Video and Imcine with the support of Agrasanchez Film Archive. Produced by Tremps. Directed by Viviana Garcia Besne. Co-director, Alistair Tremps.With: Guillermo Calderon Stell, Maria Teresa Calderon Stell, Rafael Calderon Jr., Alma Montemayor, Pedro C. Perico, Ricardo Montalban, Jorge Garcia Besne, Armando Silvestre, David Ramon, Enrique Vidal, Antonio de Hud, Ana Luisa Peluffo, Joaquin Cordero, Sasha Montenegro, Lyn May, Rafael Inclan.Mexican film history gets an amusing and surprisingly personal overhaul in "Perdida," as Viviana Garcia Besne -- granddaughter of the Calderon dynasty -- gleefully liberates skeletons from closets and apocryphal footage from forbidden vaults in an earnest albeit frequently hilarious effort to clear things up about her family's unorthodox contributions to the art. For Mexican auds, the doc offers wild, revisionist fun. Apart from the pic's inclusion in this year's Telluride lineup, U.S. release seems unlikely, and yet this unique artifact may actually be more entertaining to those with no knowledge of the subject. For south-of-the-border cinephiles, the Calderon name is synonymous with the lowbrow Santos series and ultra-popular "ficheras" genre -- bawdy sex comedies that, in their own sub-Corman way, sustained the Mexican film industry at its ebb. Through a dizzying array of stills, archival footage and contempo interviews with surviving relatives (a whirlwind that makes subtitle reading a chore), Garcia Besne reclaims respect for the family's myriad contributions, while putting to rest such mysteries as why her grandmother still carries a flame for Ricardo Montalban and what became of a Vatican-defying nudie version of cult hit "El vampiro y el sexo."Camera (color/B&W, HD), Garcia Besne; editor, Besne; music, Anahit Simonian. Reviewed at Telluride Film Festival, Sept. 3, 2011. Running time: 94 MIN. Contact Peter Debruge at peter.debruge@variety.com

Judge Asked to Reject Resistance to "Y.M.C.A." Copyright Termination (Exclusive)

Pierre Verdy/AFP/Getty Images The sound of dissonance over a provision of U.S. copyright law which allows recording artists and songwriters to take back ownership over creative works is growing louder. On Wednesday, attorneys for Victor Willis, the original lead singer of the Village People, delivered arguments to a California federal judge why a copyright grant to songs such as "Y.M.C.A." should be terminated over the objections of the two companies that administer publishing rights.our editor recommendsWhen 'Glee' Met the Village People (Pic)Original Village People member suesPrince and The Village People Team Up Against Pirate Bay For more than three decades, ever since Congress amended the copyright code to allow artists to wrest back control on works 35 years after creation, artists have been waiting patently to do so. The "termination" issue has loomed as aticking time bomb for record labels and music publishers, and Willis' move earlier this year to effectuate his termination made headlines and was much discussed by folks in the music industry. As the clock winds down for other artists to send out termination notices on works created in the late-1970s and early-1980s or forfeit their right to do so in the foreseeable future, some musicians are chomping at the bit. For example,Jim Peterik, co-writer of the iconic 1982 rock song, "Eye of the Tiger," first made famous in Rocky III, is ready to send his own termination notice. Helping him is a firm called Copyright Recapture, which reportedly has signed up 125 songwriters as clients. With potentially hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, publishers are not going to give up rights without a fight. In July, after Willis delivered the bad news toScorpio MusicandCan't Stop Productions (CSP), thetwo companies raised the first significant legal challenge in the music industry on this termination issue by seeking a declaration in California federal court. They argued that Willis' copyright pullback should be deemed improper because the songs were created by several authors -- not just Willis -- as works-made-for-hire, and that Willis was barred from contesting his status as a "writer for hire" by not objecting sooner. Last week, Willis asked a judge to dismiss the claims from Scorpio and CSP. The first issue in this case is whether rights to a song created by multiple authors can be terminated by a single co-author. The applicable section of copyright law reads: "In the case of a grant executed by one author, termination of the grant may be effected by that author. In the case of a grant executed by two or more authors of a joint work, termination of the grant may be effected by a majority of the authors who executed it." Willis' attorneys say that the publishers are misreading this section in making the argument that Willis needs other Village People members to join his cause. Willis' side stresses the singular nature of the word, "grant," and believe the publishers to be conflating the creators from the terminators. To support the idea that a majority of authors can effectuate a termination, but that it's not a requirement, third-party legal analysis of the provision is provided as well as the established practices of the music industry where single co-owners are allowed to license or assign a copyright. Next comes the issue of "works made for hire," or whether Willis was employed at the time of creation and thus, handed over copyright per the scope of his employment. If such is the case, Willis isn't really the "author" in the eyes of U.S. Copyright Law and has no right to terminate. The music publishers present a series of late-1970s agreements between Willis and CSP to show an employment relationship, but Willis' attorneys point out that the contracts don't use the terms, "employee" or "writer for hire," despite the Copyright Act's purported requirement that parties expressly agree to such an arrangement if there is one. Further, Willis' side offers a legal analysis of whether such an employment situation could be construed from factors established by past courts -- it finds none and says the plaintiffs haven't done much analysis here -- andpoints to the language of the grant itself, which "assigns" rights. As for whether Willis is barred by the statute of limitations and other doctrines from objecting to his alleged "author fire hire" status, the singer's attorneys call the claim "absurd on its face" with no "basis in fact or law." The motion to dismiss filed by Willis last week isn't all bad news for the music industry, however. On one hand, Willis challenges the plaintiff's notion that termination is merely limited to a discussion of royalty percentages. But on the other, Willis says that he's not disputing the continued exploitation of existing derivative works from prior licensing agreements made. That'll help, among others, record labels that have made "Y.M.C.A." sound recordings after licensing rights to the song. Here's Willis' arguments in full on why publisher resistance to his copyright grant termination should be rejected: E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

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Wild Bill

An Anchor Bay Entertainment relieve a 20Ten Media production. Produced by Tim Cole, Mike Tromans, Dexter Fletcher. Executive producers, Alan Manley, Vicky Diegman. Directed by Dexter Fletcher. Script, Danny King, Fletcher, Tim Cole.With: Charlie Creed-Miles, Will Poulter, Liz White-colored, Sammy Williams, Leo Gregory, Neil Maskell, Iwan Rheon, Mark Monero, Jaime Winstone, Jason Flemyng, Charlotte now now Spencer, Andy Serkis, Peter-Hugo Daly, Aaron Ishmael, Morgan Watkins, Elly Fairman, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Lee Whitlock, Pete McCabe, Sean Pertwee, Radical Kaim, Billy Holland.An ex-disadvantage returns home and finds out to become father to his two sons in thesp Dexter Fletcher's slight helming debut, "Wild Bill." Fletcher's script, co-written with novelist Danny King and Tim Cole, hits all the cliches in the genre, and given its smallscreen lighting and weak fight choreography, this slice of inoffensive feel-good entertainment lacks the kind of grit and nuance needed of British working-class tales in fest slots. Theatrical play might produce a preliminary spike of curiosity in Blighty, but "Wild Bill" is fundamental, mild TV fare with cussing thrown looking for atmosphere. After eight years inside the slammer, Bill (Charlie Creed-Miles) heads to his old stomping ground in East London. We are not quite waiting for him: His wife needed a powder nine several days earlier, departing 15-year-old Dean (Will Poulter) and 11-year-old Jimmy (Sammy Williams) to take care of themselves inside their rundown apartment inside the projects. Jimmy barely recalls Father and could care less, but Dean can be a powder keg of bitterness and doesn't want his father around. Bill's not considering hanging about, either, nevertheless the kids will probably be put in promote houses unless of course obviously he stays put, so Dean blackmails Bill into playing the happy family no less than before social employees stop coming around. Notwithstanding his near-constant anger, Dean is a superb kid, working construction jobs to keep food available, but little Jimmy's be considered a drug runner for a similar gangsters who sent Father within the river. As Bill discovers the emotional rewards of motherhood, he produces making certain his youthful boy doesn't finish up in the identical trouble as his some guy. A couple of residents mention Bill's former "Wild" moniker, nevertheless the script does absolutely nothing to influence audiences this decent yet misguided guy stood a violent streak, even beneath the influence. The gangsters, especially Pill (Iwan Rheon, over-acting), result from a correctly-worn book of hoodlum types, together with Roxy (Liz White-colored), the whore getting a heart of gold. The leads do their utmost to produce real figures, though they come little to make use of beyond the surface. Pictures are standard, lit in the apparent, artificial manner that will work effectively round the tube. A enjoyable touch is Fletcher's standby time with the building site where Dean works, situated inside the 2012 Olympic stadium area. Pic was feted with the San Sebastian Film Festival's youth jury.Camera (color), George Richmond editor, Stuart Gazzard music, Christian Henson production designer, Murray McKeown costume designer, Matt Cost appear (Dolby Digital), Blair Jollands. Examined at San Sebastian Film Festival (Zabaltegi New Company company directors), Sept. 21, 2011. (Also london Film Festival -- New British Cinema.) Running time: 98 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com