'Just Cause: Scorpion Rising' Gaming Adaptation Taps Author (Exclusive)

William Morris Agency's legendary Beverly Hillsides headquarters continues to be offered for $47.8 million. La-based property investor CIM Group bought the 2-building property at 150 and 151 El Camino Drive from Brickman, a NY investment firm.our editor recommendsEXCLUSIVE: Auction for William Morris Headquarters Known as OffEXCLUSIVE: William Morris Headquarters available The 3-story, 116,000-square-feet complex can be found on a lot more than an acre and houses some offices of WME, the successor agency to William Morris. The 12 ,. 9 deal stops working to $412 per sq . ft . -- considered an industry-rate transaction for any Class An industrial property in Beverly Hillsides. The structures is one block in the city's Rodeo Drive shopping area and near WME's 9601 Wilshire Blvd. headquarters, that the agency has occupied since April 2009. "You're one block from the Golden Triangular, among the best marketplaces in La, which draws in lots of entertainment-related clients," saidBob Safai of real estate brokerage Madison Partners, who symbolized Brickman within the deal. In September 2008, William Morris offered the 2 structures and the other at 150 S. Rodeo Drive to investor Cape Horn Group for $143 million, or $783 per sq . ft .. Despite the standard from the resource, the cost compensated through the Chilean company was considered high. Brickman, that was Cape Horn's loan provider around the deal, later acquired the qualities from the organization using a deed instead of foreclosures transaction. Brickman offered the Rodeo property to La-based investment firm Douglas Emmett Corporation. in April for $42 million. As the 151 El Camino Drive building is vacant, the 150 building is fully occupied. WME houses its music division in a lot of that building the organization intends to re-locate from the space, though there's no timetable for vacating it. During the time of the September 2008 property purchase, William Morris stated it might remain at the El Camino property until a brand new Beverly Drive building it planned to occupy was complete. However, the company's 2009 merger with Endeavor transformed individuals plans. WME backed from a lease agreement to occupy the brand new building, built by NY-based real estate firm George Comfort & Sons. MGM has become slated to maneuver in to the 235-269 N. Beverly Drive building, though WME's dispute using the developerwas the topic of an arbitration. THR reported in This summer that WME has become a huge hit an arbitrator's ruling that George Comfort violated its lease using the agency by allowingGersh, a competitor, to maneuver to a different Comfort-possessed building across the street from the suggested WME site, but this breach wasn't material enough to warrant WME walking on the lease. Caused by WME's appeal is not published, which is unclearwhat damages WME be forced to pay towards the developer, if any. CIM Group rejected to comment. Brickman didn't react to emails seeking comment. Email: Daniel.Burns@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Subjects Property

'We Purchased a Zoo' Premiere Red-colored Carpet Arrivals: Matt Damon, Cameron Crowe, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning

Previous Black list script, "Juno," continued to gross nearly $150 million within the U.S. The Black List, Overbrook Entertainment professional Franklin Leonard's annual assortment of the "most-loved" unproduced scripts of the season, hit the city Monday. The La Occasions had the scoop around the ten scripts using the top votes, as selected by 307 industry visitors. The Very Best 10, so as, areThe Imitation Game by Graham Moore (CAA, The Safran Co.),Once the Street Lights Pass Chris Hutton & Eddie O'Keefe (WME,Tariq Merhab Management),Chewie by Evan Susser & Van Robichaux (WME, Industry Entertainment),The Outsider by Andrew Baldwin (CAA, Anonymous Content),Father Daughter Time: An Account of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses by Matthew Aldrich (CAA,Quiet R Management),In case of a Moon Disaster by Mike Johnson (CAA, The Gotham Group),Maggie by John Scott III(CAA, Trevor Kaufman),The Present War by Michael Mitnick (WME,4th Floor Productions),The Finish by Aron Eli Coleite (CAA),Past the Paleby Chad Feehan (CAA,Management 360) andEzekiel Moss by Keith Bunin (CAA,Kaplan/Perrone). PHOTOS: THR's Honours Season Roundtable Series 2011 - The Authors In past years, scripts that capped the Black List that continued being effective films include Juno by Diablo Cody, The Social Networking by Aaron SorkinandFuckbuddies by Liz Meriwether.The very best election-getters within the 2011 list once more highlight relatively unknown authors, providing them with an frequently useful public career boost. As the list doesn't appear in any official capacity, it's frequently proven itself a powerful barometer which new voices are resonating inside the management, agency and studio trenches. The entire Black List, beginning using the top election-getter, below: 133 votes The Imitation Game by Graham Moore 84 votes Once the Street Lights Pass Chris Hutton, Eddie O'Keefe 59 votes Chewie by Evan Susser, Van Robichaux 53 votes The Outsider by Andrew Baldwin 43 votes Father Daughter Time: An Account of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses by Matthew Aldrich 33 votes In case of a Moon Disaster by Mike Johnson 30 votes Maggie by John Scott III The Present War by Michael Mitnick 28 votes The Finish by Aron Eli Coleite 27 votes Past the Paleby Chad Feehan Ezekiel Moss by Keith Bunin 24 votes Sophistication of Monaco by Arash Amel He's F****n Perfect by Lauryn Kahn 23 votes Bethlehem by Ray Brenner 20 votes Powell by Erectile dysfunction Whitworth The 3 Misfortunes of Geppetto by Michael Vukadinovich 19 votes The Knoll by Christopher Cantwell, Christopher Rogers 17 votes A Many Splintered Factor by Chris Shafer and Paul Vicknair Bastards by Justin Malen Bloodstream Mountain by Jonathan Stokes Crazy in love with the Storm by Will Fetters Desperate Hrs by E Nicolas Mariani Flarsky by Daniel Sterling How you can Disappear Completely by Erectile dysfunction Solomon 16 votes The Slackfi Project by Howard Overman 14 votes Django Unchained by Quentin Tarantino St. Vincent p Van Nuys by Ted Melfi The Museum of Damaged Associations by Natalie Krinsky 13 votes Saving Mr. Banks by Kelly Marcel The Accountant by Bill Duburque 12 votes Bridges around the Fort Point Funnel by Chuck Maclean Metropolitan areas of Refuge by Brandon Willer Good Kids by Chris McCoy The Large Stone Power grid by Craig Zahler 11 votes Dirty Grand daddy by John Phillips Harsh Evening by Allen Bey, Brandon Bestenheider Hidden by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Departing Pete by Ali Ali Waller, Morgan Murphy 10 votes Little Whitened Corvettes by Michael Diliberti Sex Tape by Kate Angelo The Flamingo Crook by Mike Lesieur The Gun People by Alex Paraskevas, Jordan Goldberg Two Evening Uphold Mark Hammer Watch Roger Do His Factor by Michael Starrbury 9 votes Flashback by Will Honley Friend of Bill by Harper Dill Jane Got a Gun by John Duffield Killings and Purchases by Jonathan Stokes The Final Visit Brandon Murphy, Phil Murphy The Final Witness by Stefan Jaworski 8 votes Bad Words by Andrew Dodge Dead of Winter by Sarah Conradt Gaslight by Ian Fried Home by Christmas -- Bob Hope in Korea by Ben Schwartz Jurassic Park by Imran Zaidi On the Obvious Day by Ryan Engle The Beautiful One by Jenee LaMarque 7 votes 77 by David Matthews Christo by Ian Shorr Type of Sight by F. Scott Frazier Pinocchio by Bryan Larger Subject Zero by Dork Cohen The Hitman's Bodyguard by Tom O'Connor The Marriage by Andrew Goldberg Untitled Hlavin Heist by John Hlavin 6 votes Before I Fall by Maria Maggenti Breyton Ave by J. Daniel Shaffer El Fuego Caliente by Ben Schwartz Men Evening by Christopher Baldi Hyperdrive by Alex Ankeles, Morgan Jurgenson Self/Less by Alex Pastor, David Pastor The Duff by Josh Cagan Untitled Arizona Project by Luke Del Tredici

Survivor Star Hatch Released From RI Prison

First Published: December 12, 2011 3:57 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Survivor 10th Anniversary Party - Richard Hatch: I Dont Regret Being On SurvivorPROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Reality television star Richard Hatch has been released from a Rhode Island prison after serving a nine-month sentence for failing to pay back taxes. A state prison official says the winner of the first season of the CBS reality show Survivor was released Monday. Hatch served six weeks at a state minimum-security facility as a transition after spending most of his sentence in federal prison. The Newport resident had spent more than three years in prison for not paying taxes on his $1 million Survivor winnings. He was released in 2009 and ordered to refile his 2000 and 2001 taxes and pay what he owed. The 50-year-old went back to prison in March for violating the terms of his supervised release by failing to settle his tax bill. Hatch had claimed he was financially destitute. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

New 'Amazing Spider-Man' Teaser Poster Debuts (Photo)

A lot of geek talk this week has been about The Dark Knight Rises footage. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows had its premiere, grabbing some spotlight and getting Robert Downey Jr. talking about The Avengers and Iron Man 3.our editor recommends'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Gets a 2014 Release DateThe Amazing Spider-Man: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone Get Into Character (Photos)'The Amazing Spider-Man' Teaser Trailer Released (Video) So some of us have forgotten that other superhero movies are coming out. Like The Amazing Spider-Man, starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Well, Columbia is here to remind us and yesterday quietly slid out a new teaser poster for the movie, which opens July 3, 2012. The poster, which debuted on Superhero Hype, is simple but effective, but more importantly, is consistent with comics iconography of having shadows reveal the true soul or identity or whatever the artists wants of a character. It's an effect used from Batman comics to Spider-Man comics and it's used here to show that the man crawling up the stone wall is ... Spider-Man. And it also makes a point to stand apart from the Sam Raimi-directed movies, whose posters slickly had the Arach-Knight stuck or perched to a glass skyscraper. Check it out ... PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'The Amazing Spider-Man': Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone Appear in New Production Photos Andrew Garfield Emma Stone Amazing Spider-Man

Author pages Hollywood marketing

When "The Lincoln subsequently subsequently Lawyer" author Michael Connelly preferred to spread the word about his new tome, he needed an unconventional approach. At Connelly's behest, author Little, Brown hired L.A. trailer house Guillotine to create 15- and 30-second spots for just about any national-broadcast an online-based campaign that resembles a movie trailer a lot more in comparison to standard book commercial, which typically features a no-extra supplies shot in the jacket."Through the 'Lincoln Lawyer' film campaign taken, I used to be around most of the Hollywood marketing (tools), which i increased being intrigued by the idea of going for a couple of from the techniques of selling a film and taking advantage of it with a book," states Connelly of his latest entry inside the Harry Bosch detective series. "I saw this becoming an chance use a film attract the Bosch books."Though book ads are rare, they're doing every so often surface for big-title best-selling authors like James Patterson, John Grisham and Connelly. With audiences progressively missing ads due to DVRs, streaming content so when Needed, the ads most likely to remain are people that offer the unforeseen.Guillotine executive creative director Peter Walsh, who's concentrating on the newest "Spider-Guy" trailers, confirms that lots of book spots aren't so great. "We preferred to capture the conventional of (Connelly's) books," according to him. "The street we required to walk was and provide people a flavor and hang up within the story, while not hands out a lot of.InchBecause of their first foray to the book-trailer world, Guillotine hired stars together with a complete production crew for your three-day shoot. Walsh used CG artists to create the illusion of untamed wild birds flying in the page, and commissioned a geniune music composition for your spots, which continued CNN, ESPN, USA, E! and Discovery throughout commercial breaks for "Burn Notice," "Law & Order," "Assault Gets worse 360" and "SportsCenter."The spots began airing 2 days just before the book's November. 28 pub date -- another jerk for the film marketing business, which, unlike it-selling world, evolves awareness extended before its distribution are available to clients.The finish result, Connelly states, can be a far stickier ad. "People let me know, 'It's time they started advertising your books on tv.A And I believe that, well, really, they've been doing that for any very long time.Inch Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Old War Horses, Fresh Ponies Face Off for Oscars

LOS ANGELES (AP) While Hollywood advances its 3-D capabilities and other dazzling digital technology, the Academy Awards could be going silent.Not since the first Oscar ceremony in 1929 has a silent film walked away with the top prize. But the 84th Oscars feature a potential front-runner with virtually no spoken dialogue in "The Artist," a loving reproduction of the silent era that has emerged as an early favorite among awards watchers."Early favorite" is a critical distinction, given that the Feb. 26 Oscars still are months away. Awards fortunes rise and fall, momentum shifts back and forth, and other awards shows help sort out winners from losers on the long path to the Oscars. At this stage, unlike past years when clear front-runners emerged from the outset, every major Oscar category is up for grabs.Yet "The Artist," made by a French filmmaker barely known in Hollywood, looks like a solid contender for one of the best-picture slots alongside a lineup of big studio productions such as Steven Spielberg's "War Horse," Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" and the hit literary adaptation "The Help.""To be honest with you, that would be totally alien," said French actor Jean Dujardin, who stars with Berenice Bejo in filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist." ''I do not think very much about it. Others do that for me. But if there happened to be a nomination, whether for Michel, for Berenice, for me, or for the movie itself, that would be fantastic."Here's a look at the prospects in top categories:BEST PICTURE:Unlike last year, when eventual winner "The King's Speech" and runner-up "The Social Network" quickly stood out as the favorites, this season is murky, right down to the number of nominees.Oscar overseers who doubled the best-picture field from five to 10 nominees three years ago have tweaked the rules again. This time, there will be anywhere from five to 10 nominees, depending on how many films receive at least 5 percent of first-place votes in nominations ballots from the roughly 6,000 academy members.Great reviews and honors from some of the season's initial awards have raised the Oscar fortunes of "The Artist," a black-and-white tale that stars Dujardin as a silent-era star whose career crumbles as talking pictures take over in the late 1920s.But Spielberg's "War Horse" is the sort of sprawling, glorious epic that could gallop in to grab the reins as a front-runner. Gorgeously shot, "War Horse" is one of those big, big pictures that always used to dominate the Oscars.The action follows a resilient horse as it is raised by a British youth, sold into the cavalry during World War I, then passed from side to side amid the battlefields and trenches. The film is based on a children's book and the stage play it inspired that used life-sized puppets to create the horses."I heard about the play and that inspired me to read the book, which I loved," Spielberg said. "Then I traveled to the west end in London with my wife and actually saw the play, and walked out of that marvelous experience with a deep desire to make the movie."Deep desire describes the motivation behind Scorsese's "Hugo," another adaptation of a children's book that allows the director to play with new technology in a ravishing 3-D production while indulging his love for early cinema and devotion for film preservation.The story of a boy and girl caught up in a mystery involving French silent-film pioneer Georges Melies, "Hugo" also has momentum from early awards announcements that could help launch it into best-picture contention.With a stellar cast and box-office success already behind it, the crowd-pleasing civil-rights era drama "The Help" is in the mix, along with "Social Network" director David Fincher's thriller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."Among other best-picture possibilities: George Clooney's family comic drama "The Descendants"; Brad Pitt's baseball tale "Moneyball" and his family chronicle "The Tree of Life," directed by Terrence Malick; Woody Allen's romantic fantasy "Midnight in Paris"; Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hoover biopic "J. Edgar"; and Gary Oldman's espionage saga "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."BEST ACTOR:Tinker, tailor, soldier, Oscar winner? Oldman that scary guy who played Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald and Dracula in younger days and now has become an avuncular presence as Harry Potter's godfather or Batman's police ally surprisingly has zero Oscar nominations to his credit.As John le Carre's wily, aloof George Smiley in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Oldman finally could get some Oscar respect for a performance that's a marvel of stillness and subtlety."I'm proud of the work. I'm proud of the movie," Oldman said. "If it was to happen, I can't think of a better project for it to happen with. So, we shall see."Along with Dujardin for "The Artist," other contenders include: Leonardo DiCaprio as FBI boss Hoover in "J. Edgar"; Michael Fassbender as a sex addict in "Shame"; Clooney as a neglectful dad trying to get his act straight in "The Descendants"; Pitt as Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane in "Moneyball"; Michael Shannon as a man beset with apocalyptic visions in "Take Shelter"; Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a cancer patient in "50/50"; Daniel Craig as a journalist investigating old serial slayings in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; and Ryan Gosling for two films, as a getaway driver in "Drive" and a White House candidate's aide in "The Ides of March."BEST ACTRESS:Dressing like a man helped Hilary Swank take home her first Oscar. Can five-time nominee Glenn Close finally claim a statue for her anguished role as a woman disguising herself as a male butler to survive hard times in the 19th century Irish drama "Albert Nobbs"?Close isn't counting on anything."I've gone through my whole career not believing anything's going to happen until it happens," Close said. "I don't expect anything. I think, just do your work, and that's what you've got."The competition is fierce, the lineup loaded with outstanding performances, among them two-time Oscar winner and acting nominations record-holder Meryl Streep's turn as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Michelle Williams simply embodies Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn." And while Viola Davis has the edge over her "The Help" co-star Emma Stone, they deliver so well that both could end up nominated.Also in the running: Tilda Swinton as a grief-stricken woman in "We Need to Talk About Kevin"; Rooney Mara as an emotionally damaged computer hacker in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Kirsten Dunst as a manic depressive facing Earth's doomsday in "Melancholia"; Charlize Theron as a writer scheming to steal back her old boyfriend in "Young Adult"; and Elizabeth Olsen as a young woman trying to escape a cult in "Martha Marcy May Marlene."SUPPORTING ACTOR:Christopher Plummer went his long career without a nomination until two years ago, when he made the Oscar short list for "The Last Station." He didn't win, but this could be his time for "Beginners," in which he plays an ailing elderly dad who comes out as gay.It doesn't hurt Plummer's chances that he also delivers a nice turn as a family patriarch in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."Other prospects include: Albert Brooks as a gregarious gangster in "Drive"; Jonah Hill as a number-crunching genius in "Moneyball"; Nick Nolte as a fighter's estranged dad in "Warrior"; Jim Broadbent as Thatcher's hubby in "The Iron Lady"; Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier in "My Week with Marilyn"; Pitt as a domineering father in "The Tree of Life"; Patton Oswalt as Theron's geeky new pal in "Young Adult; Corey Stoll as Ernest Hemingway in "Midnight in Paris"; and both Clooney as a presidential candidate and Philip Seymour Hoffman as his top aide in "The Ides of March."SUPPORTING ACTRESS:"The Help" could practically fill out this category by itself with great performances from Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain and Sissy Spacek.A fresh face who's suddenly everywhere, Chastain also delivered strong performances in "The Tree of Life," ''Take Shelter," ''The Debt" and "Coriolanus." The latter features an excellent turn by Vanessa Redgrave, who also has a shot as Queen Elizabeth I in "Anonymous."Along with Bejo as a rising film star in "The Artist," contenders include: Judi Dench as Hoover's doting mother in "J. Edgar"; Shailene Woodley as a troublesome daughter in "The Descendants"; Janet McTeer as a cross-dressing laborer in "Albert Nobbs"; Carey Mulligan as a sex addict's unstable sister in "Shame"; Emily Watson as a salt-of-the-earth farm woman in "War Horse"; and Melissa McCarthy as a crude but caring member of the wedding in "Bridesmaids."DIRECTOR:Past winners Spielberg for "War Horse," Scorsese for "Hugo," Allen for "Midnight in Paris" and Eastwood for "J. Edgar" are in the running, along with previous nominees Fincher for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Malick for "The Tree of Life," Alexander Payne for "The Descendants" and Bennett Miller for "Moneyball."Along with Hazanavicius for "The Artist," newcomers to the directing field could include Tate Taylor for "The Help" and Tomas Alfredson for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."The Oscar nominations aren't released until Jan. 24, and momentum will ebb and flow amid an onslaught of lesser awards announcements that come first.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By David Germain December 8, 2011 "War Horses" PHOTO CREDIT Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures LOS ANGELES (AP) While Hollywood advances its 3-D capabilities and other dazzling digital technology, the Academy Awards could be going silent.Not since the first Oscar ceremony in 1929 has a silent film walked away with the top prize. But the 84th Oscars feature a potential front-runner with virtually no spoken dialogue in "The Artist," a loving reproduction of the silent era that has emerged as an early favorite among awards watchers."Early favorite" is a critical distinction, given that the Feb. 26 Oscars still are months away. Awards fortunes rise and fall, momentum shifts back and forth, and other awards shows help sort out winners from losers on the long path to the Oscars. At this stage, unlike past years when clear front-runners emerged from the outset, every major Oscar category is up for grabs.Yet "The Artist," made by a French filmmaker barely known in Hollywood, looks like a solid contender for one of the best-picture slots alongside a lineup of big studio productions such as Steven Spielberg's "War Horse," Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" and the hit literary adaptation "The Help.""To be honest with you, that would be totally alien," said French actor Jean Dujardin, who stars with Berenice Bejo in filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist." ''I do not think very much about it. Others do that for me. But if there happened to be a nomination, whether for Michel, for Berenice, for me, or for the movie itself, that would be fantastic."Here's a look at the prospects in top categories:BEST PICTURE:Unlike last year, when eventual winner "The King's Speech" and runner-up "The Social Network" quickly stood out as the favorites, this season is murky, right down to the number of nominees.Oscar overseers who doubled the best-picture field from five to 10 nominees three years ago have tweaked the rules again. This time, there will be anywhere from five to 10 nominees, depending on how many films receive at least 5 percent of first-place votes in nominations ballots from the roughly 6,000 academy members.Great reviews and honors from some of the season's initial awards have raised the Oscar fortunes of "The Artist," a black-and-white tale that stars Dujardin as a silent-era star whose career crumbles as talking pictures take over in the late 1920s.But Spielberg's "War Horse" is the sort of sprawling, glorious epic that could gallop in to grab the reins as a front-runner. Gorgeously shot, "War Horse" is one of those big, big pictures that always used to dominate the Oscars.The action follows a resilient horse as it is raised by a British youth, sold into the cavalry during World War I, then passed from side to side amid the battlefields and trenches. The film is based on a children's book and the stage play it inspired that used life-sized puppets to create the horses."I heard about the play and that inspired me to read the book, which I loved," Spielberg said. "Then I traveled to the west end in London with my wife and actually saw the play, and walked out of that marvelous experience with a deep desire to make the movie."Deep desire describes the motivation behind Scorsese's "Hugo," another adaptation of a children's book that allows the director to play with new technology in a ravishing 3-D production while indulging his love for early cinema and devotion for film preservation.The story of a boy and girl caught up in a mystery involving French silent-film pioneer Georges Melies, "Hugo" also has momentum from early awards announcements that could help launch it into best-picture contention.With a stellar cast and box-office success already behind it, the crowd-pleasing civil-rights era drama "The Help" is in the mix, along with "Social Network" director David Fincher's thriller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."Among other best-picture possibilities: George Clooney's family comic drama "The Descendants"; Brad Pitt's baseball tale "Moneyball" and his family chronicle "The Tree of Life," directed by Terrence Malick; Woody Allen's romantic fantasy "Midnight in Paris"; Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hoover biopic "J. Edgar"; and Gary Oldman's espionage saga "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."BEST ACTOR:Tinker, tailor, soldier, Oscar winner? Oldman that scary guy who played Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald and Dracula in younger days and now has become an avuncular presence as Harry Potter's godfather or Batman's police ally surprisingly has zero Oscar nominations to his credit.As John le Carre's wily, aloof George Smiley in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Oldman finally could get some Oscar respect for a performance that's a marvel of stillness and subtlety."I'm proud of the work. I'm proud of the movie," Oldman said. "If it was to happen, I can't think of a better project for it to happen with. So, we shall see."Along with Dujardin for "The Artist," other contenders include: Leonardo DiCaprio as FBI boss Hoover in "J. Edgar"; Michael Fassbender as a sex addict in "Shame"; Clooney as a neglectful dad trying to get his act straight in "The Descendants"; Pitt as Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane in "Moneyball"; Michael Shannon as a man beset with apocalyptic visions in "Take Shelter"; Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a cancer patient in "50/50"; Daniel Craig as a journalist investigating old serial slayings in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; and Ryan Gosling for two films, as a getaway driver in "Drive" and a White House candidate's aide in "The Ides of March."BEST ACTRESS:Dressing like a man helped Hilary Swank take home her first Oscar. Can five-time nominee Glenn Close finally claim a statue for her anguished role as a woman disguising herself as a male butler to survive hard times in the 19th century Irish drama "Albert Nobbs"?Close isn't counting on anything."I've gone through my whole career not believing anything's going to happen until it happens," Close said. "I don't expect anything. I think, just do your work, and that's what you've got."The competition is fierce, the lineup loaded with outstanding performances, among them two-time Oscar winner and acting nominations record-holder Meryl Streep's turn as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Michelle Williams simply embodies Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn." And while Viola Davis has the edge over her "The Help" co-star Emma Stone, they deliver so well that both could end up nominated.Also in the running: Tilda Swinton as a grief-stricken woman in "We Need to Talk About Kevin"; Rooney Mara as an emotionally damaged computer hacker in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Kirsten Dunst as a manic depressive facing Earth's doomsday in "Melancholia"; Charlize Theron as a writer scheming to steal back her old boyfriend in "Young Adult"; and Elizabeth Olsen as a young woman trying to escape a cult in "Martha Marcy May Marlene."SUPPORTING ACTOR:Christopher Plummer went his long career without a nomination until two years ago, when he made the Oscar short list for "The Last Station." He didn't win, but this could be his time for "Beginners," in which he plays an ailing elderly dad who comes out as gay.It doesn't hurt Plummer's chances that he also delivers a nice turn as a family patriarch in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."Other prospects include: Albert Brooks as a gregarious gangster in "Drive"; Jonah Hill as a number-crunching genius in "Moneyball"; Nick Nolte as a fighter's estranged dad in "Warrior"; Jim Broadbent as Thatcher's hubby in "The Iron Lady"; Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier in "My Week with Marilyn"; Pitt as a domineering father in "The Tree of Life"; Patton Oswalt as Theron's geeky new pal in "Young Adult; Corey Stoll as Ernest Hemingway in "Midnight in Paris"; and both Clooney as a presidential candidate and Philip Seymour Hoffman as his top aide in "The Ides of March."SUPPORTING ACTRESS:"The Help" could practically fill out this category by itself with great performances from Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain and Sissy Spacek.A fresh face who's suddenly everywhere, Chastain also delivered strong performances in "The Tree of Life," ''Take Shelter," ''The Debt" and "Coriolanus." The latter features an excellent turn by Vanessa Redgrave, who also has a shot as Queen Elizabeth I in "Anonymous."Along with Bejo as a rising film star in "The Artist," contenders include: Judi Dench as Hoover's doting mother in "J. Edgar"; Shailene Woodley as a troublesome daughter in "The Descendants"; Janet McTeer as a cross-dressing laborer in "Albert Nobbs"; Carey Mulligan as a sex addict's unstable sister in "Shame"; Emily Watson as a salt-of-the-earth farm woman in "War Horse"; and Melissa McCarthy as a crude but caring member of the wedding in "Bridesmaids."DIRECTOR:Past winners Spielberg for "War Horse," Scorsese for "Hugo," Allen for "Midnight in Paris" and Eastwood for "J. Edgar" are in the running, along with previous nominees Fincher for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Malick for "The Tree of Life," Alexander Payne for "The Descendants" and Bennett Miller for "Moneyball."Along with Hazanavicius for "The Artist," newcomers to the directing field could include Tate Taylor for "The Help" and Tomas Alfredson for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."The Oscar nominations aren't released until Jan. 24, and momentum will ebb and flow amid an onslaught of lesser awards announcements that come first.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

REVIEW: Tilda Swinton Keeps Mother-Son Horror Story We Need to Talk About Kevin on Track - Barely

If I had been working as a film critic in 1968, I would have warned pregnant women against seeing Rosemary’s Baby. Today I’d say the same thing about We Need to Talk About Kevin: You don’t know what you might be getting when your little bundle finally arrives, and it’s probably better not to think about it in advance. We Need to Talk About Kevin is the Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay’s third feature and an adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s acclaimed novel. As a piece of filmmaking, it’s bluntly effective; it’s the story that gets in the way. Tilda Swinton plays the mother of a teenager who goes on a killing spree at his school. In the aftermath, her life falls apart — and the aftermath is where the story opens. Ramsay cross-cuts gracefully between past and present: We see Swinton living, apparently alone, in a run-down house on an otherwise nice street. She’s clearly unwelcome there — when we first see the house, it’s been splashed with red paint. Ramsay jostles the narrative backward and forward so we gradually learn how Swinton’s life came to be this way. She and her husband (John C. Reilly) give birth to a son after an unexpected pregnancy. From the moment he’s born, Swinton can’t connect with him, no matter how hard she tries. He screams in the crib and in the carriage: Ramsay shows Swinton pushing the latter along a NY City Street, where the infant’s infernal squalling drowns out even a pneumatic drill. Swinton has the boy tested for autism; she speaks to him kindly or firmly, depending on the situation; she tries to give him hugs. He responds either with outright contempt or total indifference. Meanwhile, he’s all smiles and sun with his dad, who’s convinced (for no good reason) that the kid’s ill humor is all in his mother’s head. One warning signal after another goes unheeded, and by the movie’s last third, the pileup of obvious signs is unforgivable. I know there are no easy answers when it comes to this kind of psychotic behavior. But We Need to Talk About Kevin is a little too facile in the way it sets up the horrific climax: Just one look at this kid and you know he’s trouble, yet no one besides mom can see it. (He’s played, in his teenage incarnation, by Ezra Miller, who’s spookily serene.) I nearly groaned when dear old pops bestowed a shiny, brand-new archer’s bow upon his son, without even the standard dad-style warning of, “Here you go, kid — don’t put anyone’s eye out.” What does work in We Need to Talk About Kevin is the slow-burning, slow-building mother-and-son horror story. The picture is like a nightmare inversion of Mildred Pierce: This mother doesn’t adore her son, and she overcompensates for her lack of feeling by trying harder to win him over. He makes it very tough: As a toddler refusing to be toilet-trained, he glares at her defiantly as he’s soiling a freshly changed diaper. When she tries to coax him into saying “mommy,” he glares at her, Damian-like, and says, “NO!” Swinton is terrific — this is one of her less mannered performances. Her emotional nakedness, her desire to do the right thing by her son even as he saps her dry, are believable every minute. And the more I think about We Need to Talk About Kevin, the more I’m glad that Ramsay was the director who made it. Ramsay may not be a star-name filmmaker, but she’s already proved herself with two distinctive, perceptively crafted feature films, Ratcatcher (1999) and Morvern Callar (2002). She was, for a time, set to adapt The Lovely Bones, but lost the rights to Alice Sebold’s source novel. (Peter Jackson directed the subsequent mess.) For Ramsay fans, that whole subject is almost too difficult to think about — it’s painful to imagine the movie that might have been, given Ramsay’s clear-eyed sensitivity and ingeniousness. Here, instead of trying to do a soft-shoe around the hallowed bond between mothers and sons, Ramsay treads fearlessly into some scary, unspoken territory. When Swinton comes face-to-face with that defiant toddler, it’s clear who has the upper hand, and it’s not because she hasn’t read all the parenting books. The fact that Swinton is such a resolute, efficient actress only makes the point more stark. When one of her son’s surviving victims — he’s in a wheelchair — approaches her on the street to ask her how she’s doing (no one else from the old neighborhood will even speak to her), she responds to his kindness with near-silent yet boundless gratitude. And Swinton playing a woman in need of kindness is something to behold. [Editor’s note: This review appeared earlier, in a slightly different form, in Stephanie Zacharek’s Cannes Film Festival coverage.] Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Latin American market blossoms

BUENOS AIRES -- A powerful 3rd Ventana Sur demonstrated a metaphor for Latin America's film biz in particular. Wrapping Monday evening, the Latin American mart saw remarkable attendance hikes, unthinkable in additional mature marketplaces.Buying and selling trends, meanwhile, underscored a ocean-alternation in distribution worldwide. Opening Friday, Ventana Sur participants jumped 42% versus. this past year to at least one,740. Entirely-flight growth, Versus is catching fire like a regional event: Latin American participants from outdoors Argentina jumped 54% to 405. South america, Chile and Mexico drove that spike.In kudos, Uruguayan Guillermo Rocamora's dead-pan humored mid-existence crisis drama "Solo" required the Haciendo Cine publish-production prize at VS's primary industry draw, Primer Corte, a films-in-postproduction showcase.Set on Colombia's stunning but war-ravaged high flatlands, Juan Carlos Melo's coming-of-age tale, "Area of Amapolas," won its Copia award.By finish-of-play Monday, sales people were circling multiple game titles, most particularly VS's greatest hit, Argentine Benjamin Avila's sincere Dirty War childhood drama, "Infancia clandestina," heartily congratulated in rough-cut in a private screening. "Help You, Father," from Mexico's Lucia Carreras, Chilean Alvaro Viguera's "Perez," Andres Wood's "Violeta Visited Paradise" and Brazilian Luciano Moura's "Father's Chair" -- Sundance-bound like "Violeta" -- also came telemarketer interest.But foreign marketers, not sales people, made the running only at that year's Ventana Sur. Deals sealed or closing, up in number on 2010, show marketplaces in rapid, sometimes turbulent, transition.FilmSharks offered "Saving Private Perez" to Maywin for Russia, and "All-inclusiveInch and "A Boyfriend for My Spouse,Inch to Dalmation, as Russia buys more and more mainstream game titles.Seeking local content and highly competitive, Latin American pay TV operators wield ever-greater clout.Ernesto Munoz p Cote, at Atlanta-based Lap TV, stated he'd finish up purchasing around 10 game titles from Ventana Sur. In a single indicative deal, L.A. based FiGa shipped five game titles to Silvia Cruz's Vitrine Filmes. Films will have six Brazilian metropolitan areas for any week, segueing to cable, stated FiGa's Sandro Fiorin.Based on Udi's Eric Schnedecker, on Latin American photos, a pan-Latin American paybox deal has become worth just like a purchase to France.Versus sales dedicated to accessible art or genre photos: "My First Wedding," a Seventh Art Delivering The United States pick-up "Juan from the Dead," closing a U.S. purchase and M-Appeal's "Hermano," Rezo's "Bonsai" and Udi's "Las Acacias," which all locked four-to-five territory sales.A lot more deals goes lower off Ventana Sur. But more compact or more dark Latin American movies progressively need alternative way of distribution, even just in Latin America itself. A pan-Latin America niche pic VOD service looks only dependent on time. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Billy Graham Put in the hospital with Pneumonia

Billy Graham Billy Graham was put in the hospital Wednesday with pneumonia, but is "reacting well" to treatment, based on his repetition. "According to test results, doctors for Billy Graham confirm proper diagnosis of pneumonia, but they are urged he's reacting well to anti-biotics," Graham's repetition, A. Ray Ross, tweeted on Thursday. Graham's pulmonologist, Dr. Mark Hellreich, also launched an argument which was published on Graham's website Thursday stating that the 93-year-old evangelical is "in stable condition." Take a look at videos of Billy Graham On Wednesday, Ross tweeted that Graham have been accepted to Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., for strategy to his lung area. Based on Ross, Graham was "alert" and smiling and waving in the hospital staff upon his entrance. No date continues to be looking for his discharge, but based on his website, "Mr. Graham is searching toward coming back the place to find spend the approaching Christmas holiday together with his family." Graham, who rose to fame within the '40s when his sermons were broadcast around the tv and radio, has stayed with 12 sitting U.S. Presidents going dating back to Harry S. Truman.

Ben Whishaw to be Q in 'Skyfall'

LONDON -- Brit thesp Ben Whishaw has been confirmed to play the role of M16 gadget master Q in upcoming James Bond pic "Skyfall."Whishaw, who was already announced as part of the cast of the pic alongside Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem, will follow in the footsteps of Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese to play the role of the head of Branch Q, the fictional armory division of MI6.Whishaw is just 31 years old and his casting in the role will rep the first time in the history of the Bond franchise that Q will be younger than 007: Daniel Craig is some 12 years older than the thesp.Whishaw's credits include Julie Taymor's "The Tempest," "Brideshead Revisited," "I'm Not There" and "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer."Sam Mendes is set to helm the 23rd Bond pic, which will unspool in Blighty in October 2012. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Dancing's Maks: We Did Everything We're Able To

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Hi everybody!We do hope you were built with a great week! Many thanks for the support and votes this year.We emerged short, but it's what it's. Existence continues. I have been getting plenty of questions regarding why we did not do Due To Jimmy Kimmel and GMA, and it is not really a question for all of us. Individuals are responsible for that stuff. One factor I wish to stress in most of the is the fact that I'm not going our fans to feel tricked, like we are sore nonwinners and that we hung our heads lower and walked away because we've got removed. That could not be more wrong. I was very awesome and relaxed. We understood we did everything we're able to. I am just really, really happy with what Hope accomplished. I truly loved our dances on Monday. There is nothing for all of us to become embarrassed with. It had been a lengthy season. In the finish during the day, it's among individuals stuff that goes lower ever as something. Just what it's will depend on everybody to determine on their own. We have become good and bad reactions for speaking out, however, Among the finest everyone to understand that we are certainly not by any means, shape or form sore nonwinners. I attempted to complete the best factor and remain quiet for something new, and that i was known as out for smiling! I've no clue what which was about.Hope did not mean any malice together with her comments Monday. She's a high-level competitor and was naturally frustrated. We did not talk about it an excessive amount of. We simply permitted ourselves to savor Monday towards the maximum extent to become relaxed on Tuesday and never provide an excessive amount of thought. As we may be known as safe, we would have ongoing spending so much time and set together four performances.I understand for certain our fans did all they might. I understand that. People remained up and chosen for all of us the entire evening. I am grateful beyond belief for those that. We certainly felt it. It had been exciting to understand that a lot of people supported us within our journey. It had been a really, very warm feeling. We did not get known as safe also it was our use leave the ballroom. I had been attempting to make certain Hope left it without any bitterness with no regret, and she or he did not.I believe you will find there's great final three. I have become really close buddies with Take advantage of. I believe he's peaking in the perfect time. He's an excellent guy, very easygoing. There is no drama. He's a awesome kid. If only him best wishes. I additionally really, enjoy Ricki like a person. She and Val are even closer than she and that i are. We have visited her house multiple occasions. I believe anybody will be a fool to not root for J.R. given who he signifies and just how great he's. Everything about him screams Dancing champion. I am type of torn. This is actually the among individuals occasions which i type of don't envy, I suppose, the fans that has to choose who to root for. It is a tough decision. I have been fortunate to possess had much support which i is at the semis for four seasons straight. I consider myself lucky to possess such great fans. I simply hope I have built them into proud.What's next for me personally? I've no immediate plans right now. I am not really confident that we are likely to be in the finale! Hope needed to leave and take proper care of some personal things she'd been wearing hold. I've no clue what's happening. Wednesday was my first day's calmness and normality. I did not need to set my alarm the very first time in three several weeks and that i leaped from mattress at 8:30 going thinking I'd something to complete, however i did not! No rehearsals, no interviews, nothing! Sometimes it's difficult to allow pursue a season, but I am searching toward a while off. I do not think I am planning anything. I believe at least I'll let others perform the planning. Among the finest to savor my time off work. There is debate this year using what I only say. I seem like I recieve in danger because I attempt to describe myself at length also it works out individuals don't want explanations. Our obligation as artists would be to dance and smile and become happy. You open yourself entirely around the world to become judged. One factor which i seem like I wish to do is that if I actually do open myself such as this and permit individuals to judge me would be to make certain my conscience is obvious so far as saying my piece and ensuring I had been obvious with my message. If next many people disagree with my message, I've no hard feelings. I wish to make certain searching back only at that years from now, I had been obvious, significant, smiling because I wish to be and never smiling because I must be. We are given a platform to convey ourselves, but we are not permitted to convey ourselves. What's that about this? It's a business and like every business you need to do some things to operate and I have tried it. But I have been myself. Many people send me articles or many people tweet me nasty stuff. It will hurt sometimes, but it's what it's. There is something about being politically factual that I have trouble with. For some time, I could not pinpoint why I could not agree by using it, however i recognized individuals don't like political figures because we seem like they often represent a concept and never always us and kind I play the role of politically correct? Why would I not play the role of me? Among the finest to make certain whatever I actually do I actually do totally and that i have my best intentions in your mind. In the finish during the day, searching back, I'm able to get enough rest during the night understanding that I had been honest and true. So far as next season, I am not considering that whatsoever. I simply have no idea what lengths ahead I'm able to plan at this time. There have been developments before season that affected my decision. Throughout the growing season, there have been some developments that stored me considering things i must do. I'll attempt to do what's suitable for my own future. I apologize in the event that sounds selfish. However I will absolutely consider my fans and what they need. I'm able to state that at this time, I do not intend on taking any seasons off. If I am not back next season, it had not been as much as me. And when I actually do change my thoughts and wish to take a rest, I'll announce it. That's around I'm able to do.It has been a fascinating season and I am happy we finished on the high note with positivity between us. I usually anticipate getting a friendship with my partners following the show, and that is exactly the same with Hope. I can not wait to visit London next summer time to aid her in the Olympic games. Among the finest to become there personally doing raise that gold medal. She will perform a mean quickstep and Argentine tango, but her and soccer is one thing else altogether. I can not wait doing in her own element competing in the greatest level.And finally, obviously, I wish to provide a huge thanks to the fans. Every season, Personally i think your support increasingly more. I actually do this for you personally. I seem like the military of my fans and supporters might not be gigantic, but it is quite strong and it is very loyal. I truly would not be here without all of you.It is Thanksgiving in a few days, so I think you'll all possess a happy Thanksgiving with great food, love and a lot of time spent together with your family members. I am very grateful for my benefits, my existence, my loved ones, my buddies not to mention my fans. I wasn't born within this country, but america has given a lot in my experience. Will not do another pass which i don't count my benefits. I've got a lot to become grateful for and that i never take some of it as a given. So happy Thanksgiving! And something last Large appreciate all of your love and support.Maks

Bella and Edward's 'Breaking Dawn' Problem, along with other Movie Honeymoons Gone Awry

ZOMG, Bella and Edward are becoming married! Their love has overcome all obstacles, which two crazy kids (OK, one crazy kid and something sparkly some guy inside a crazy kid's body) are finally gonna result in the ultimate commitment in 'Breaking Beginning, Part 1.' To become adopted, obviously, by an additional-romantic super-sparkly honeymoon. Or otherwise. Yes, as everybody who's browse the books knows, it isn't exactly touring for Bella and Edward because they mind off on the romantic retreat towards the private island of Esme. Their starry-eyed honeymoon involves a rapid halt when Bella realizes there is a little monster kicking within her belly. You heard right -- just a little half-human, half-vampire bundle of pleasure. Becasue it is not your average fetus, Bella's pregnancy speeds up in a rapid rate, effectively becoming a significant buzzkill for his or her honeymoon as Edward frets concerning the effects on Bella's body. They need to leave behind exotic Esme early and hurry to scenic Forks. Bummer, huh? But their own is not the very first movie honeymoon to visit awry. Actually, movie honeymoons rarely go easily. Remember when Charlton Heston got totally distracted by focus on his honeymoon in 'Touch of Evil'? It entirely destroyed their romantic getaway, as well as put his lovely new bride (Jesse Leigh) at risk! Bella and Edward's preempted honeymoon got us considering other movie honeymoons that do not go as planned. Movie Honeymoons Gone Awry Edward and Bella aren't the very first movie bride and groom to obtain their honeymoons cut short. Not just hate it when romantic dinners and uses the beach are destroyed by creepy propositions, flesh-eating zombies and murderous psychos? An Ideal GetawayZombie HoneymoonThe Heartbreak KidHaunted HoneymoonHoneymoon in Las vegas See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

BSkyB Board Backs James Murdoch Following Testimony MPs Appear To Simply Accept As Spectacularly Ill-Informed

James Murdoch can breathe somewhat simpler, if Parliament’s conclusion about his and former employees’ roles in phone-hacking plays see the Protector predicted Friday. While Murdoch’s Megapixel inquisitors appear inclined to consider what is the news Worldwide deputy COO’s claims he was not ever informed in the full extent from the products happen to be happening at News around the world, the paper’s former lawyer Tom Crone and former Editor Colin Myler aren’t vulnerable to leave as rapidly. Both Crone and Myler are needed being censured by home of Commons culture, media and sport choose committee to neglect to reveal all the evidence they were aware ofat previous proceedings. Murdoch has consistently maintained that Crone, Myler and Ces Hinton, among others, never apprised him in the full extent of phone-hacking, that MPs will at worst characterize what is the news Corp deputy COO as spectacularly ill-informed. Following Murdoch’s emergence from Thursday’s second Parliamentary grilling relatively untouched, the board of British Sky Broadcasting on Friday expressed confidence within the ongoing performance as chairman in the satellite broadcaster. We agreed that James Murdoch is doing a preliminary class job, Nicholas Ferguson, BSkyBs senior independent director, mentioned in the letter to traders stating that Murdochs handling in the scandal did not have effect on sales, clients or companies throughout the final five several days. Several British pension funds who hold about 1% of BSkyB, NY-based proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis & Co.,andFranklin Assets Mutual Series, which has about three percent of BSkyB have informed to not Murdoch’s re-election.Murdoch will face BSkyB traders within the annual general meeting on November. 29.No less than 17 people happen to be arrested concerning the the continuing analysis of phone-hacking and bribing cops at News Corp.s U.K. newspapers.

Pedro Almodvar: If Only To Recapture The Pleasure of My Early Films

Pedro Almodovar, the acclaimed The the spanish language language director, launched his job-retrospective book The Pedro Almodóvar Archives getting an event within the Taschen Store in Beverly Slopes. Antonio Banderas, Almodovar's extended-time friend and collaborator, completed a short question-and-answer session while using director before Almodóvar signed just a little run of early prints in the book for your roughly 150 fans who pre-bought it. It will be broadly available for sale in December.our editor recommendsPedro Almodvar Launches Career Anthology With L.A. Book Signing Pedro Almodovar on 'The Skin I Live In' -- and just how It Is Just Like to exist in His Skin (Video) VIDEO: Pedro Almodovar on 'The Skin Home Is' -- and Exactly What It's Like to exist in His Skin Just before the reception, Almodóvar spoken while using Hollywood Reporter in regards to the project. He confessed he was surprised about what he learned in putting together it: "It's returned in my opinion an image of my youth that we had almost forgotten. Which I found that I remain the identical person. Which I additionally have found that lots of my tone has changed of those last 31 years because I lost a couple of from the pleasure that was there inside the first movies. I still celebrate existence and cinema and living there is however something in regards to the tone that has dim and that i saw that trajectory inside the book. . . .I have to return for the beginning." STORY: Pedro Almodovar Selects 'The Killings,' 'Nightmare Alley' to Screen at AFI Fest Almodóvar mentioned he wish to recapture numerous that "scattershot humor" within the next film and balance it along with his adult maturity. Almodóvar also confessed that he'd love creating a sizable adventure movie sooner or later, especially something such as H. Driver Haggard's King Solomon's Mines, that will originate from his favorite period lately 1800s large books. Antonio Banderas introduced Almodóvar for the crowd, mixing light humor getting a indication in the political context of Almodóvar's early films. The easy chemistry involving the extended-time collaborators was clearly apparent-Banderas made his first film with Almodóvar in 1982 and so they just joined for your Skin Home Is. Banderas appreciated that the one that introduced him for the director mentioned, "He's Pedro Almodovar. He gained one movie which he will not ever execute a second one." VIDEO: Pedro Almodóvar, Antonio Banderas Reunite in 'The Skin Home Is' Trailer Nevertheless the actor also struck a substantial note, telling everyone else that Almodóvar made his first film prior to the dying of Spain's fascist dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 which since the country moved on to democracy inside the eighties, Almodovar's films were both political and artistic claims. The Pedro Almodóvar Archives can be a beautiful and fascinating think in the director's career. He gave author Taschen unequalled utilization of his personal archives, including never-before-launched images and photos. Almodóvar personally written the captions for your photos inside the book. Prominent The the spanish language language authors brought short essays about all his films and Almodóvar written the photo captions. The initial printing of 12,500 copies includes a real little bit of 35mm film cut from Volver a part of the title page. Ultimately, Almodóvar seems pleased with the conclusion result. "I know myself within it, the very best idea you are able to say about one book." Related Subjects Antonio Banderas Pedro Almodovar

'Damages' Enlists Janet McTeer

"Damages'" Patty Hewes has another rival."Into the Storm" Emmy nominee Janet McTeer has been cast as a regular on the fifth and final season of "Damages," "The Hollywood Reporter" has learned exclusively.McTeer will play Kate Franklin, a former colleague of Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) who aims to take on her old boss by working for rival Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne).McTeer is the latest addition to the final season of the DirecTV drama. "Spartacus'" John Hannah has been tapped to recur and Ryan Phillippe has booked a season-long arc on the former FX series.McTeer picked up an Emmy nomination for supporting actress in a mini in 2009 for HBO's "Into the Storm" and an Academy Award nom for actress in a leading role for 2000's "Tumbleweeds." She appears in Close's upcoming feature "Albert Nobbs," due in December."Damages" returns for its final season in the summer on DirecTV. The Hollywood Reporter

TV Ratings: 'Terra Nova' Improves Significantly, 'Hart of Dixie' Posts Low

Brook Rushton/FOX "Terra Nova" After most primetime telecasts declined last week on Halloween night, it was back to regularly scheduled programming, with many rebounding. The show seeing the biggest improvement was Fox's Terra Nova (7.7 million total viewers, 2.6 rating in adults 18-49 demographic), which improved 24 percent in 18-49 and 17 percent in total viewers. Its lead-out House (7.5 million, 2.7) also grew 8 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Though both its series improved, Fox didn't come close to topping CBS which won the night in the demo on the strength of its comedies, averaging a 2.7 rating vs. a 4.0. PHOTOS: 10 Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' While CBS' Hawaii Five-0 (10 million, 3.0) held steady from last week, its four sitcoms all grew. How I Met Your Mother (10.4 million, 4.4) and 2 Broke Girls (11.3 million, 4.5) both improved 5 percent in the demo, Two and a Half Men (14.5 million, 5.1) posted a 9-percent improvement and Mike & Molly (12 million, 4.2) saw the biggest jump: 14 percent. CBS topped every half hour in primetime for the easy ratings victory. ABC's reality competition series Dancing With the Stars (18.1 million, 3.3) grew 18 percent from its last performance show, which posted a low. Castle (11.3 million, 2.5) -- the only series to see a dramatic ratings jump last week -- went the other way this time around, dipping 7 percent. ABC placed second behind CBS in the demo, averaging a 3.1; it topped the viewership average with 15.8 million. PHOTOS: Fall TV Death Pool: Which New Shows Will Be Axed? NBC's The Sing-Off (4.2 million, 1.4) matched its series low and Rock Center With Brian Williams (3.5 million, 1.0), featuring an appearance by 30 Rock star Tina Fey, held steady from its debut last week. Airing repeats of Ringer last week seemed to have hurt the CW's Hart of Dixie (1.4 million, 0.6), which posted a low after seeing ratings growth. Compared to its last original, Dixie lost more than 600,000 viewers and is the lowest tune-in number for the Rachel Bilson drama. Gossip Girl (1.3 million, 0.6) saw a slight dip. CBS -- 4.0 · How I Met Your Mother: 10.4 million, 4.4 · 2 Broke Girls: 11.3 million, 4.5 · Two and a Half Men: 14.5 million, 5.1 · Mike & Molly: 12 million, 4.2 · Hawaii Five-0: 10 million, 3.0 ABC -- 3.1 · Dancing With the Stars: 18.1 million, 3.3 · Castle: 11.3 million, 2.5 Fox -- 2.7 · Terra Nova: 7.7 million, 2.6 · House: 7.5 million, 2.7 NBC -- 1.3 · The Sing-Off: 4.2 million, 1.4 · Rock Center With Brian Williams: 3.5 million, 1.0 The CW -- 0.6 · Gossip Girl: 1.3 million, 0.6 · Hart of Dixie: 1.4 million, 0.6 TV Ratings

DiCaprio Up For Your Revenant

Sean Penn also round the wish listAfter stalking using the desolate wastes of development hell for age groups, dark revenge drama The Revenant required its claws into another director in August, with Alejandro González Iñárritu installed on increase the risk for film. Now he's funding in place from New Regency which is around the quest for any cast. As well as the first names on his wish list? Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn.According to Deadline, both stars have met with Iñárritu in regards to the film, but no deals will be in place at this time around.The Revenant, which Mark L Cruz modified from Michael Punke's novel, follows an ill-fated fur trapping expedition to chilly 1820s South Dakota. Hunter Hugh Glass (DiCaprio, if he signs on) is mauled having a bear, and also the pals leave him for dead.To incorporate insult to injuries, two men're designated to bury what everyone assumes is his dead body. Nevertheless the greedy pair (Penn would play one of these simple) decides to make the most of him by leaving him helpless rather. Glass rebounds, and swears bloody revenge...Both stars are busy males, therefore if they're doing jump aboard, Iñárritu will most likely have to wait nearly yearly to acquire started round the film.DiCaprio will next be seen on our screens as J. Edgar Hoover in, er, J. Edgar before showing up inside the Great Gatsby. He will start concentrate on Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Penn, meanwhile, is busy shooting The Gangster Squad (probably literally, since he plays the villain...)

'Tower' tops Friday B.O.

'Tower Heist'Universal's "Tower Heist" stole first last night earning $8.1 million at the domestic B.O.During this frame last year, Warner Bros.' "Due Date" bowed to $32.7 million, business Uni hopes to replicate with their ensemble laffer, but last year repped a more robust B.O. (this frame in 2010 holds the record for November kickoff weekends). Early predictions pegged "Tower Heist" to land near $30 million, but its Friday figure suggests something lower in the mid-$20 million range.Right on the caper's tail, DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's "Puss in Boots" took second with $7.8 million. Insiders are anticipating a better-than-usual 35% drop from last weekend, which will put it within scratching distance of "Tower Heist" in the low-$20 millions.Warner Bros.' kicked off the holiday season early with "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas," which grossed $5.4 million Stateside last night. Predictions for the threequel's performance vary, but most B.O. observers say it will land in the mid- or high-teens this weekend.Two young adult-skewing holdovers rounded out last night's tops. Par's "Paranormal Activity 3" earned $2.9 million in its third frame, dropping 55% for a domestic cume of $89.7 million, while Twentieth Century Fox's "In Time" made $2.5 million. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The Vanity Fair 'Hunger Games' Cast Photo Spoils A lot of the Movie

Furthermore with a fan-base encouraging speak with Jennifer Lawrence (she will certainly get Katniss Everdeen, folks), Vanity Fair has first demonstrated an interactive photo in the 'Hunger Games' youthful cast, full of amusing anecdotes about how precisely they were hired in addition to their reactions for the Suzanne Collins source books. Oh, furthermore, it offers lots of spoilers. Seriously. Taken photos of by Mike Manley, the pic is sun-drenched and gorgeous -- the tributes appear like in the Terrence Malick movie! -- but furthermore deadly as being a nest of Tracker Jackers to spoiler-averse future 'Hunger Games' fans waiting to look for the films before reading through with the books. (Though, you have to probably just see the books.) For instance, you'll uncover [REDACTED] saves Katniss, [REDACTED] can get the initial kill in the games, and [REDACTED] might be the "second-to-last tribute to die." Oh, the blurbs also participate in the love triangular part of 'The Hunger Games' between Katniss, Peeta and Gale -- something which isn't always crucial that you the story of book one. Anyway! Click to Vanity Fair to consider the image. Just don't scroll your mouse over people smiling faces in the event you haven't read 'The Hunger Games' yet. [via Vanity Fair] [Photo: Lionsgate] 'The Hunger Games' Character Posters See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Michael Rispoli Lands Male Lead Opposite Kirstie Alley in ABC Pilot The Manzanis

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Rispoli (The Black Donnellys) has landed the male lead opposite Kirstie Alley in ABC’s multi-camera comedy pilot The Manzanis. Also cast in the family comedy is veteran actor Robert Costanzo. Written by sitcom veterans Marco Pennette and Dave Flebotte, The Manzanis stars Alley as Angela Manzani, an opinionated wife/mother who, along with her Italian American husband, Nick Manzani (Rispoli), and their 3 kids moves to a quiet New Jersey neighborhood where they clash with their new, WASPy neighbors. Constanzo will play Nick’s father, Joe, while Rhea Perlman was recently cast to play Nick’s mother, Camille. ABC Studios and studio-based Brillstein Entertainment Partners are producing, with Pennette, Flebotte, JoAnn Alfano, Aaron Kaplan and Jason Weinberg executive producing. Rispoli next co-stars on Starz’s period drama Magic City.

Let us Possess a Real Grown ups-Only Movie Rating

A week ago, to no a person's real surprise, the Film Association of America rankings board smacked the sex-addiction drama 'Shame' by having an NC-17 rating. The surprise is the fact that distributor Fox Searchlight isn't just not contesting the ruling, but adopting it: because the studio was adamant towards the Hollywood Reporter, the NC-17 rating ought to be "a badge of recognition, not really a scarlet letter." If perhaps. Pretending that NC-17 no more has a stigma that seriously limits box-office potential will not allow it to be so. Experts and discerning moviegoers happen to be worrying in excess of two decades that people require a new adult rating that differentiates between pornography and heavy dramas -- such as the Oscar-hopeful 'Shame' -- that aren't for children. Actually, we ought to exceed that. We want a rating that does not just safeguard kids from adult content, only one that safeguards grown ups from cinema oriented toward the juvenile. It's obvious that NC-17 has unsuccessful in the mission to produce a safe space for grown-up movies. The MPAA invented it 21 years back to complete exactly what the X-rating had completed in the late sixties and early seventies -- designate movies like 'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Last Tango in Paris' as too mature for children, but too serious for that raincoat crowd -- prior to the pornographers grabbed the uncopyrighted X and managed to get their very own. To a lot of, however (especially towards the gatekeepers at theaters, video retail chains like Blockbuster, and newspaper advertising departments), NC-17 only agreed to be X with a brand new title. The very first NC-17 movie was the arty but sex-drenched 'Henry & June' (1990) probably the most well known was the cheesy but sex-drenched 'Showgirls' (1995). Neither would be a commercial success 'Henry' made $11.six million, 'Showgirls' $20.4 million. And individuals were the rating's high water marks in the box office not one other NC-17 movie has gained a lot more than $7.7 million and half have gained under $a million, simply due to the problem getting NC-17 movies reserved in theaters, marketed in newspapers, and filled on video shelves. It's no surprise that, with very couple of exceptions, galleries contractually obligate company directors to provide movies ranked no greater than R. From the 1000's of movies the board has ranked during the last 2 decades, no more than 24 go into theaters by having an NC-17 seal. Marketers whose movies obtain the dreaded rating more often than not either appeal the board's decision or trim the film until any child can easily see it as being lengthy his or her parents bring these to the theater. There's still some publicity help to be gained in the debate over an NC-17 rating (or perhaps a potential NC-17 rating), although not much. It had been only last year that Harvey Weinstein, who accustomed to relish this kind of scandal-driven publicity when he was running Miramax, fought against tooth and nail to avoid 'Blue Valentine' from generating an NC-17 rating on the fairly discreet dental sex scene. He won the appeal without trimming the scene, and also the R-ranked film gained a modest $9.7 million in 450 theaters and received an Oscar nomination for star Michelle Williams. That's certainly much better than it might did by having an NC-17 rating, but nonetheless meager enough the debate can not be stated to possess increased the movie's box office or its visibility to Oscar voters. 'Shame' - U.K. Trailer Fox Searchlight has been either naive or disingenuous in proclaiming that 'Shame' may be the film that removes the NC-17's stigma. (A minimum of they are not likely to cut the film to earn an R, not too there'd considerably left when they did.) There is no evidence that newspapers are any more prone to advertise an NC-17 movie now compared to what they were throughout the 'Blue Valentine' fight, or that video retail chains (today, which means Wal-Mart, not Blockbuster) are any more prone to stock one. For theaters, National Association of Theater Proprietors leader John Fithian appears to back the distributor's sentiment, calling it a "myth" that theaters will not book NC-17 movies. "We have interviewed 100 in our leading people, and 97 percent say they'll play an NC-17 film when the movie has commercial appeal," he told The Hollywood Reporter. Ah, but there's lots of wiggle room in individuals last six words. In the end, an NC-17 obviously limits the possibility audience, and it is 21-year history demonstrates an natural insufficient commercial appeal. Besides, 'Shame' is definitely an intense drama that may be tough to watch, just as much because of its raw candor for its stars within the raw. Therefore the movie was not going to cash commercial appeal anyway. Experts who evaluate it will duly mention the rating and also the movie's sexual frankness -- stars Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan is going to be recognized as "brave," with "brave" being the euphemism experts use to explain a significant actor who full-frontal nudity -- before dividing into two camps: individuals who think 'Shame' lives as much as its buzz and individuals who think it is overhyped or too disturbing and off-putting. Oscar voters is going to do exactly the same, possibly even offering nominations to Fassbender and Mulligan, without rewarding the film in general. A number of art-house moviegoers might find it in a number of venues. It'll gross under $ten million, which other galleries might find as proof the NC-17 continues to be box office poison. And will also be business as always. Which could be... well, unfortunate. Not only because an artful drama like 'Shame' ought to be made broadly open to interested grown ups, but because there should be an area for grown-up movies. What's really rare in regards to a movie like 'Shame' is not the sexual content but the truth that it is a serious drama, without any action heroics, comic-book figures, or Roman numbers within the title. It isn't for children -- even mature ones who might include their parents when the film were ranked R -- since it is a grownup film about adult lives and adult issues that will make kids' eyes glaze over. Sex or no sex, such movies was once the studios' meat and taters, especially at Oscar time today, the galleries prefer to chase teenage dollars by providing blockbuster action spectacles, broad comedies, and cheap horror movies. Sure, grown ups see individuals movies too, but largely due to there being little else available. The galleries complain that grown ups have stopped visiting the movies and prefer to watch them in your own home, but what exactly are they offering to lure grown-ups back to theaters? In a number of American theaters now, you will get gourmet foods as well as alcoholic drinks. That's an excellent start, but who would like to fill up a steak along with a glass of vino with Adam Sandler's 'Jack and Jill'? What we should need, then, is definitely an adult rating, one which signifies a lot more than mainstream stars gettin' nekkid. We want one which informs audiences: Besides this being movie not appropriate for children, however they will not think it is of great interest. This a person's strictly for grown-ups. You can observe this without anxiety about being bothered by blubbering babies, texting teens, or traumatized small children pulled along by parents who have no idea what's inappropriate for his or her kids. You will not need to bother about walking on gum because nobody who button snaps gum might find this movie anyway. And also you will not need to pay extra for three dimensional glasses as this movie does not need such juvenile gimmickry.* (*Unless of course this movie is Werner Herzog's three dimensional documentary 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams.') For now, we'll need to get by with NC-17 and pray that Fox Searchlight and NATO are right, that movies meant strictly for grown-ups could be commercial enough being commonplace. As film editor Steven Santos place it inside a Tweet, "It is possible to a lot more adult movies than 'Shame' might be ranked NC-17? It'll guarantee no annoying teens within the theater." [Photos: Fox Searchlight] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman RELATED

ROLL CALL: Kim Kardashian Declared Divorce On One Year Anniversary Of Meeting Kris Humphries

First Launched: November 1, 2011 1:35 PM EDT Credit: WireImage Caption Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian watch Prince perform throughout his Welcome 2 America tour at Madison Square Garden in NY City on February 7, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Day-to-day Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans 365 Days Later: Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries were only married for 72 days and according to TMZ, they basically understood each other for 365 days. Kim declared divorce on October 31, 2011 and he or she apparently first met Kris on October 31, 2010 inside a Nj Nets game. The AH Nation desires to know perhaps you have think their relationship may have latest longer or ended sooner? Election HERE! Middle JoBro Will receive a Britney Lap Dance: A good deal has happened for Joe Jonas inside the a year ago too! Forget about one third in the Jonas Brothers and sisters now delivering music about sex (remember when he familiar with sport a chastity ring?!), Joe is developed and achieving lap dances from one of the cell phone industry's finest celebs! Have a look at how Britney Warrior warrior spears made a decision by means of saying thanks to Joe to become her opening act on her behalf account tour, HERE! LiLo Goes Sexy Nurse: Speaking about chastity rings or the complete opposite of one Lindsay Lohan celebrated Halloween just like a naughty nurse last evening within the Hollywood Forever Graveyard party, which had Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera round the guest list. Have a look at Lindsays naughty nurse costume, HERE! More Hollywood Halloween Fun: Uncover Heidi Klum and Shuts second Costume! Plus, Fergie gives her best pageant face and Jersey Shores Vinny Guadagnino channels a Ben Stiller character, HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Zentropa Intl. Spain boards 'Chrysalis'

BARCELONA -- Zentropa Intl. Spain, the Barcelona-based arm of Lars von Trier's and Peter Aalbaeck Jensen's Zentropa Ent., has boarded Paula Ortiz's intimate drama "De tu ventana a la mia" (Chrysalis). Maribel Verdu ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Y tu mama tambien") stars. Also produced by Amapola Films and Puy Oria's Oria Films, "Chrysalis" world preems Friday at the 56th Valladolid Festival. Danish sales outfit TrustNordisk handles international sales. "Chrysalis" turns on three generations of women -- represented by Violeta, Ines and Luisa -- who battle to defend their dreams and freedom in the male-ruled Spain of 1923, 1940 and 1975, turning points in the country's history. Leticia Dolera ("Spanish Movie") and Luisa Gavasa ("Mensaka") play Violeta and Luisa. "This is a drama in the style of Federico Garcia Lorca, both in its exploration of character, its passions and aesthetic care: Every frame could be a poster," said David Matamoros, Zentropa Spain CEO. He added that the film was aimed at a broad audience, but targeted women. Amapola Films is a new Zaragoza-based company set up by Ortiz, Kike Mora and Raul Garcia. Mora and Ortiz studied at NY's Tisch School of the Arts and L.A.'s UCLA. Founded in 1999, Oria Films has produced all of the recent films from Montxo Armendariz, including his latest, "Don't Be Afraid," and 2005's "Obaba." One of Spain's best-known vet auteurs ("Secrets of the Heart"), Armedariz exec produces. Pic is Spaniard Ortiz's feature debut. She also penned the script. "Chrysalis" has been pre-sold to pubcaster TVE and has received a ICAA Spanish Film Institute subsidy. "Chrysalis" opens March 9 in Spain via Alta Films, a day after International Women's Day. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The new sony intros items for impaired

Sony's Entertainment Access Technology, the items include eyeglasses you can use by hard of hearing and difficult of hearing customers to see closed captioning data in as much as six different languages .The new sony is introing items to really make it simpler for hearing and aesthetically impaired moviegoers to savor films at ShowEast2011.Named Entertainment Access Technology, the items include eyeglasses you can use by hard of hearing and difficult of hearing customers to see closed captioning data in as much as six different languages. The glasses synch track of Sony's digital cinema projection systems utilizing a wireless signal. Then very small projectors inside the glasses display the closed captioning data for that person putting on the glasses, that are also adaptable for three dimensional.The lightweight glasses, that have been examined with customers in Dallas, also provide a variable text height feature and also have a receiver that causes it to be possible to make use of earphones for that hearing impaired or audio descriptive tracks for that aesthetically impaired.The new sony intends to make these glasses open to participants for sale.InchThe concept ended up being to apply certain developments and innovation to locate a way for those who have hearing or vision challenges to savor movies a lot more than was formerly possible," stated Gary Johns, svp of The new sony Electronics' digital cinema solutions group.

Affleck, Damon reteam on Bulger bio

AffleckDamonWarner Bros. is getting back the "Good Will Hunting" team, tapping Film Clip to direct and star inside a Whitey Bulger biopic by which Matt Damon will portray the mobster.Casey Affleck will co-star, and "Boardwalk Empire" creator Terence Winter is writing the script.Studio confirmed the project Monday, five several weeks after Bulger, the mind of Boston's Winter Hill Gang, was taken in Santa Monica after standing on the lam for 16 years. Bulger fled government bodies in Boston right before he was indicted in 1995 for federal racketeering.News from the project was initially reported in GQ magazine, which questioned Damon.Affleck and Damon will produce under their Gem Street Films shingle through their first-look cope with Warner Bros. Gem Street's Chay Carter will professional produce, and Sarah Schechter is managing for that studio.Affleck's made three films for Warners -- "Gone Baby Gone," "The CityInch and "Argo," presently in production.Damon and Affleck, each repped by WME, teamed around the 1997 drama "Good Will Hunting" and won the script Oscar. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

The brand new the new sony Names Studio Park After John Calley

CULVER CITY, CA October 19, 2011 The brand new the new sony Pictures Entertainment today revealed the naming of John Calley Park in recognition in the late, former Chairman in the studio it absolutely was created by chairman and chief executive officer Michael Lynton and co-chairman Amy Pascal inside a dedication ceremony attended by studio employees. The lately-named park can be found in the middle of the art galleries historic 44 acre lot and works like a central gathering spot for employees and site site visitors. Speaking at the dedication, Pascal mentioned: John showed up just like a steadying center of gravity for your studio. He gave the majority of us that which you needed in the future together just like a company in addition to gave us an infusion of existence together with a feeling of togetherness the studio was without before. When Michael which i considered building this park, we wanted that it's a gathering place for everybody. When John died, it made an appearance a perfect title to think of it as. Lynton added: We're all best due to Johns years relating to this lot, as well as the world is better due to the wonderful entertainment he left in his considerable wake. It's with great recognition that individuals dedicate this park to John Calley.

TV Academy sets tech kudos

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has introduced the honorees for that 63rd Primetime Emmy Engineering Honours. Time Warner and Time Warner Cable draw the Philo T. Farnsworth Award for that contributions of the full service network trial to on-demand TV. The Charles F. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Fox Group engineering prexy Andy Setos for operate in advanced broadcast and video delivery across distribution channels. IBM and Fox Systems Group, Panavision and The new sony, Ultimate Arm and Apple will even receive honours. The Engineering Plaque goes to Yahoo Connected TV because of its interactive programs. The Xfinity TV iPad Application and also the TV Warner TV iPad Application will get Engineering Certifications for advancing the role of mobile products within the TV experience. Those who win receive their honours in an March. 26 ceremony at L.A.'s Renaissance Hotel. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

SAG health, pension plans tighten qualifications needs

Driven by tough economic occasions together with a drop in TV earnings, the Screen Stars Guild medical health insurance and pension plans are tightening qualifications needs and benefits, and possess informed people who further cuts may be coming.The trustees in the plans, overseen by reps of SAG as well as the majors, introduced the modifications in the e-e-newsletter that began arriving participants' mail boxes now. The modifications work Jan. 1."The Program remains in the deficit situation as television contributions have ongoing to continuously decrease andthe cost of delivering government mandated benefits keeps growing,Inch the e-e-newsletter mentioned.The program -- covering about 40,000 participants -- keeps growing qualification levels by 2% to $30,750 for Plan I and $15,100 for Plan II. The individual out-of-pocket maximum is booming by $500 to $1,750 as well as the family out-of-pocket maximum is flourishing by $1,000 per family to $3,500.The trustees, that have introduced an annual $1,000 hike inside the earnings requirement this past year for pension credits, also revealed the $20,000 threshold requirement would become effective on Jan. 1, 2012, instead of 2013. The modifications come two several days after SAG revealed its reported TV earnings this year dropped 8.2% a year ago to $564.8 million this season -- 24% below 2007 levels -- while overall earnings rose 3.9% a year ago to $1.986 billion. The split in primetime jurisdiction between SAG and AFTRA, which has signed the lion's share of latest shows, decreases around the chances that rank-and-file people can earn enough to fulfill the earnings thresholds and adds momentum for the push for merger by getting a watch toward subsequently merging the plans. The e-e-newsletter noted the kind of pension happen to be licensed inside the "eco-friendly zone" this year by getting an 83% funding level due to favorable returns on possibilities and federal legislation passed allowing expects to conquer deficits through the 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless the outlook for your near term is troubling."Investment returns for 2011 are presently below precisely what must be done to keep this program licensed inside the 'green zone' for your long-term," the e-e-newsletter mentioned. "The fitness of the kind of Pension is driven by investment returns then when the areas aren't undertaking well, the trustees must make changes to be sure the plan does not come under the red-colored-colored zone."Even though the trustees didn't offer specifics, furthermore they mentioned that they are gonna need to take similar steps. "The Trustees still monitor expenses, contributions and financial returns for that Pension and Health Plans and sadly once the unfavorable trends don't improve, additional benefit modifications may need to be created,Inch the e-e-newsletter mentioned. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

New You are able to Comic-Disadvantage: The Walking Dead Promises More Scares This Year

The Walking Dead Walking Dead-heads, prepare to possess you minds blown - and also to see some brains amazed! AMC's undead hit increases again tonight at 9/8c with "zombie things like you haven't seen before," stated executive producerGale Anne Hurd. Addressing the capability audience at NY's Comic-Disadvantage Saturday mid-day, Hurd, talking to producerGreg Nicoteroand series creatorRobert Kirkmanteased Season 2 with promises of "a larger story" than last year's staggeringly awesome six-episode first season. "All of the crazy items you saw last season, we are doing bigger and [this season]," stated Kirkman. And in line with the exclusive footage tested for that crowd of the nerve-shredding sequence including over 150 zombies and our gang of children with an abandoned Atlanta highway, the scares are certainly super-sized. "We are working very hard to make certain we deliver," ongoing Kirkman, the guy behind the graphic books the series is dependant on. For his part, Hurd states Kirkman is a daily fixture within the writer's room, ensuring the plots which have been organized in the comics are tweaked to help keep audiences surprised (particularly the books' legendary Hershel Greene farm arc). Meanwhile, she and Nicotero have been receiving location in steamy Georgia managing the adventures of Ron Grimes and the gang of sweaty, zombie-fighting compadres. The panel, moderated by Nerdist podcast host and comic Chris Hardwick, also featured looks by a number of cast people, includingLaurie Holden, who suggested that her formerly tortured Andrea "can get feisty" a buzz-cutJon Berthnal, whose Shane will clearly live more than his graphic-novel counterpart andSteven Yeun, who received quite the positive reaction in the fans when he pointed out new cast member and co-panelistLauren Cohan's role as Maggie might mean romance for his Glenn. "You may meet many people on the way,Inch Yuen stated having a smile from the group's frequently-deadly look for other children. "And also to find something to like? This is a great reason to reside.Inch Love one of the human ruins? You'd need to beDeadinside to not search that! Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

360 Premiere Begins The LFF

Fernando Meirelles film opens FestivalThe BFiLondon FilmFestival got on a cracking start last evening using the gala screening of FernandoMeirelles' 360, the world-spanning ensemble piece starring Jude Law,RachelWeisz, Anthony Hopkins, Jamel Debbouze, Ben Promote, Moritz Bleibtreu and much more.Legislation brought the put together stars alongside a lot of the film's European cast, including Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Lucia Siposová,Gabriela Marcinkovaand Dinara Drukarova. Also attending that people spotted were Tom Hiddleston, Terry Gilliam and Bonnie Wright and far of Blighty's film industry moving firm and shakers.Evening - 360 PremiereThe London Film Festival continues until October 26 consider 360 at movie theaters throughout early the coming year, we are speculating.In other LFF news, a few extra occasions have justbeen put into the schedule:there's aSethRogen &Will Reiser interview happening for 50/50, along with a Woodsy Harrelson talk regarding the his new effort, Rampage. Get after it!

Pedro Almodovar on 'The Skin I Live In' -- and What It's Like to Live in His Skin (Video)

Last week, I had the great privilege of spending about a half-hour in NY with the iconic Spanish writer/director Pedro Almodovar, who has been one of the most internationally famous non-American filmmakers in the world for the past quarter-century. PHOTOS: Sony PIctures Classics 20 Year Timeline The 62-year-old two-time Oscar winner -- once for best foreign language film (All About My Mother [1999]) and once for best original screenplay (Talk to Her [2002]) -- was in town to promote his latest film, The Skin I Live In, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, played at the Toronto Film Festival last month, is playing at the NY Film Festival this week, and will go into limited release on Friday. PHOTOS: Cannes Film Festival 2011 The melodrama -- which reunites Almodovar with his Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) star Antonio Banderas for the first time in 21 years, and unfolds like a Douglas Sirk remake of Frankenstein (1931) probably would have -- is different, interesting, and tremendously entertaining. That's a description that fits its filmmaker like a glove, as well, as you can see for yourself by checking out the video of our conversation at the top of this post. Some highlights of our conversation... On the subjects of his early Super 8mm films "[Transvestites, drugs, and other] "things that I couldn't make a movie [about] under Franco's regime -- it was too outrageous for that." On Franco's death and the creative explosion ("La Movida") that followed "We were living in Spain under the dictatorship for 40 years," but during the last five years, when Franco was very sick, "not living in a democracy, but thinking about that... and when Franco died, democracy arrived to Spain immediately... A big change like that is incredible, without blood, without violence... it was like a rebirth... I was so lucky to be young at that moment." On why he pursued filmmaking instead of something else "I don't know if I have a kind of talent, but if I have a piece of talent it is just to tell stories with images -- this is something that I discovered quite young... I wanted to make movies... my first vocation was basically to write, and I did... but I didn't have -- and I don't have now -- enough talent to become a novelist... [but I found that] I have talent enough to write my own stories and tell them through images." On his long road to success "It's not like a Hollywood story where everything happens immediately... [He worked for 12 years, from 1971-1982, as an office assistant at Telefonica, a Spanish telephone company, making little movies in the evenings, over weekends, during holidays breaks, etc. He also took five unpaid leaves of absence to work on films, but would then have to go back to his day job.] I had multiple lives." On his mother "My mother loved [the fact that I had a job at] the telephone company because she thought that it was really much more secure work, and even in '87, when I made Women on the Verge of the Nervous Breakdown and it was an incredible international hit... even after that, my mother said, 'Oh, Pedro, I really would like you to go back to the telephone company!'" On the impact of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) Women, which came out of something that was "very painful," turned out to be cathartic -- "It's a good therapy just to joke about something that was painful for you" -- and also "gave me the security [of knowing] that 'I can survive with this profession that I love,' so that was very important. Success was that... I knew what I wanted... to keep on making movies in Spain with discreet budgets." Hollywood soon came calling, but he "refused projects with a lot of money, big stars, and so on." Some offers were very tempting because "the projects were very close to my interests," but he's glad that he stuck to his guns because it meant that he "could keep making the movies in my own way." On his directing style ""I love them [actors], really, when I'm working with them -- almost physically. It is completely a very passionate relationship with all of them -- Antonio or Penelope [Cruz], Carmen [Maura] or the other actors, or Elena Anaya, in this case. Very passionate... I'm very demanding... I can become a nightmare... I am like a monster, demanding so many things of them... but I have to say that the actors feel very comfortable with that. I mean, the more you demand, the more you watch them, then they can be more courageous and they risk more... I almost prepare the movie with them like a theater play. We rehearse everything -- I mean, the whole script -- and -- something very important -- once I make the choice of the actors, and we rehearse during at least two months, then I adapt the character to them so it's like a suit. I mean, it's like -- a skin!" On the atypical number of strong female characters that populate his films "I write more female characters than male characters... in Spain, we have many more wonderful actresses than actors... the male figure is less expressive... [that being said,] I cannot imagine any male actor better than Antonio to express passion and desire." On the recurring presence of transsexuals and transvestites in his films "Since I was very young, I knew many transsexual and transvestite persons... they really were like heroines or heroes to me... I wanted to be clear, since the beginning, that it was not a Luddite thing, a frivolous thing... in a plot, if you put a transsexual in the middle, everything changes... so, in that sense, I like it." On courting controversy "I knew that Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! was not a pornographic film, so, for that reason, we sued them [them being the MPAA, we being Miramax, on behalf of Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! and Peter Greenway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, & Her Lover (1989), around the same time that other studios sued on behalf of John McNaughton's Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) and Philip Kaufman's Henry & June (1990)]... I think it was successful [because it led Jack Valenti to eliminate the X-rating and create the NC-17 rating], which "doesn't have the stigma of being 'pornographic.' I don't have anything against pornographic movies -- only that I'm not making that genre." On winning his first Oscar, for All About My Mother "Of course, I was very happy... you represent your country, and that's a heavy burden, so I was incredibly happy, but because the Spanish people were waiting for that award... it was an incredible national joy." Pedro Almodovar The Skin I Live In

'Castle' Air, ABC Developing David Blaine Thriller (Exclusive)

Alexi Hawley ABC is searching just for a little miracle. The network has acquired drama project In Like Fin from Castle producer Alexi Hawley and My Generation's Warren Littlefield. Based on David Blaine, the project involves Fin, an illusionist who's attracted into action in the covert government sting. Hawley will pen the drama and executive produce, with Littlefield attached just like a nonwriting Air. Blaine is not attached to the project. Endurance artist Blaine, named the present-day Houdini, is much better recognized for his high-profile illusions. In 1999, he was been hidden alive in the plastic coffin underneath a 3-ton water-filled tank for seven days across from Trump Place. He's been surrounded in the huge block of ice in Occasions Square for 63 several hours. ABC broadcast Blaine's first TV special, David Blaine: Street Miracle, in 1997. Finis the newest in the string of projects from Castle executive producers. Laurie Zaks and Moira Kirland are developing The Murder Season, an hourlong drama setup at ABC. Zaks can also be attached to the Lockharts, an hourlong musical drama occur the seventies from Ensure It Is Or Break It scribes Michael Gans and Richard Register, which is defined at ABC. Littlefield, meanwhile, is executive creating ABC's untitled time-travel project with author Scott Veach. He's also co-writing Showtime's adaptation in the Oni Press comic The Damned. Hawley is repped by CAA, Managemint and Hansen Jacobson. Littlefield's credits have Love, Corporation., and Keen Eddie. He's also repped by CAA. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com Twitter: @Snoodit TV Development

Top 50 Power Showrunners 2011

For better or worse, 2011 will go down as the Year of the Showrunner. It all began with Chuck Lorre becoming a household name for all the wrong reasons. Then there wasMad Men'sMatthew Weiner making waves during the showrunner's painful, prolonged negotiations with the network he put on the map. The summer saw film auteur Frank Darabont make a stormy exit from his AMC smash hitThe Walking Deadand then be replaced byThe Shieldveteran Glen Mazzara. But the news wasn't all negative. Emmy night awarded comedy kings Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd more gold forModern Family,and thatMad Menguy earned a redemptive trophy for his collection. Plus, the fall saw the return of such established veterans as Howard Gordon (Homeland), Michael Patrick King (2 Broke Girls) and Neal Baer (A Gifted Man), proving that reinvention is a showrunner's most powerful tool. Here,THRprofiles the men and women who make TV's toughest gig look damn good. METHODOLOGY:Selections forThe Hollywood Reporter'sfourth annual list of the top showrunners are basedon the following criteria: 1.Direct responsibility for the day-to-day creative output of a scripted TVshow that has aired for at least one full season (unless he or she also had another show on the air). 2.How prolific the showrunner is: Those with more shows on the air were more likely to be included. 3.Nielsen ratings, especially relative to other shows on the same network. 4.Emmy attention andcritical praise. 5.Professionalism and reputation among studio and network executives. Profiles written by Tim Appelo, Lesley Goldberg, Marisa Guthrie, Philiana Ng, Lacey Rose and Stacey Wilson Comedy Drama Comedy Salim and Mara Brock AkilThe Game (BET)read more Carter Bays and Craig Th...How I Met Your Mother (CBS)read more Jenny BicksThe Big C (Showtime)read more Liz Brixius and Linda Wa...Nurse Jackie (Showtime)read more Louis C.K.Louie (FX)read more Tina Fey and Robert Carl...30 Rock (NBC)read more Greg GarciaRaising Hope (Fox)read more Dan HarmonCommunity (NBC)read more Al JeanThe Simpsons (Fox)read more Bill LawrenceCougartown (ABC)read more Steven Levitan and Chris...Modern Family (ABC)read more Paul LiebersteinThe Office (NBC)read more Team LorreChuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn, Two and a Half Men; Bill Prady, The Bi...read more Seth MacFarlaneFamily Guy (Fox)read more Suzanne MartinHot in Cleveland (TV Land)read more Rob McElhenney, Glenn Ho...It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)read more Trey Parker and Matt Sto...South Park (Comedy Central)read more Tyler PerryHouse of Payne, Meet the Browns (TBS)read more Mike SchurParks and Recreation (NBC)read more David ZuckermanWilfred (FX)read more