Archive for November, 2010

Julia Roberts Goes Lavazza

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8_8I7NnJV4&feature=player_embedded

Wig Out With The Duke

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Wig Out With The Duke

Seventh-Grader In Skokie Esteems Signed Copies Of Ebert’s “Great Movies III”

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

“One is for me, one is for someone I know and the third one is just in case.”
Seventh-Grader In Skokie Esteems Signed Copies Of Ebert’s “Great Movies III”

Correction: David Simon Is Not Optimistic

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Correction: David Simon Is Not Optimistic

Judge In Unending TribCo Bankruptcy Starting To Feel Jarndyced

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Judge In Unending TribCo Bankruptcy Starting To Feel Jarndyced

Paramount Digital Entertainment and MTV to Launch JACKASS 3.5 in March 2011

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

JACKASS 3.5 Follows the Worldwide Box Office Success of JACKASS 3D with All New Antics from Johnny Knoxville and Crew to Be Released Digitally

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30, 2010 - Paramount Digital Entertainment in association with MTV, both part of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) announced today that it plans to add another original project to its popular digital programming line-up: JACKASS 3.5, which will premiere in March 2011. The third installment of JACKASS from Paramount Pictures and MTV Films – JACKASS 3D – hit theaters on October 15, 2010 and has already grossed over $155 million at the worldwide box office. The film stars Johnny Knoxville and the boys and was produced by Dickhouse Production’s Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze, along with Knoxville. JACKASS 3.5, which was tailor-made for launch in digital media, will feature all new content, including never-before-seen stunts, pranks and other side-splitting antics by the JACKASS crew. New stunts and antics from JACKASS 3.5 will be released online weekly and then packaged together as a feature length film distributed digitally followed by other platforms including home video.

“I don’t want to say that the JACKASS guys invented the Internet, but they were doing viral videos before most people had even heard the term. That distinguished heritage makes JACKASS the perfect franchise for digital,” said Thomas Lesinski, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “When the JACKASS guys went to make JACKASS 3D, we proposed that we shoot a follow up to the successful JACKASS 2.5 digital feature alongside it, and everyone was up for it. In JACKASS 3.5, you are going to see an entire movie’s worth of new stunts, new pranks and new gags, on whatever screen you choose.”

“For JACKASS 3D we shot enough footage for two movies so a lot of great stuff didn’t make it in the film. Luckily you will get to see those bits in 3.5. We also shot some additional footage in Europe specifically for 3.5. I have staples in my head right now to prove it. Woo hoo,” said JACKASS co-founder and star Johnny Knoxville.

“It’s been ten years since JACKASS first launched on MTV and there is still more poo, stunts and hilarity to go around on every screen imaginable,” said Van Toffler, President, MTVN Music/Logo/Films Group. “Whenever the JACKASS crew gets together, you know there will be a plethora of valuable fragments of entertainment to satiate their fans, and JACKASS 3.5 will not disappoint as the latest installment in this fine franchise.”

In 2007, Paramount Digital Entertainment & MTV released JACKASS 2.5, the first digital movie released by a studio that quickly became the most successful non-theatrical release in the studio’s history. In the first few weeks of launch, the digital property garnered over 20 million views and was the #1 title on iTunes the week it launched.

The JACKASS franchise first debuted as an original television series on MTV from 2000 to 2002, launching the careers of Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera and other now-popular personalities shown performing outrageous stunts and hysterical pranks. Since 2002, three successful JACKASS theatrical films have been produced and released by MTV Films and Paramount Pictures. JACKASS: THE MOVIE grossed more than $64 million in the United States alone, and finished in the Number 1 spot at the box office in its opening weekend. JACKASS NUMBER TWO was released in September 2006 and like its predecessor, topped the box office in its debut weekend, and ultimately earned more than $72 million in cumulative box office revenues. JACKASS 3D, released this October 2010 dominated the weekend box office opening to $50 million in ticket sales, setting several records such as becoming the biggest opening ever for a non-scripted/documentary-esque film, the 10th highest opening comedy of all-time, notching the record for an October midnight gross with $2.5 million, making it a special event for throngs of moviegoers.

The JACKASS franchise also includes a JACKASS: The Game video game for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS. Its numerous DVD releases include JACKASS: VOL. 1, JACKASS: VOL. 2, JACKASS: THE MOVIE, JACKASS: VOL. 3, JACKASS: THE BOX SET, JACKASS NUMBER TWO, JACKASS 2.5, JACKASS WORLD PRESENTS: MATT HOFFMAN’S TRIBUTE TO EVIL KNIEVEL, and JACKASS: THE LOST TAPES.

About Paramount Digital Entertainment

Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. PDE develops and distributes filmed entertainment across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices, videogames, and emerging technologies.

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution.

MTV

MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy®, Grammy® and Peabody® award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV’s sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is the leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

Artforum Diaries A Harmony Korine Art Opening

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Artforum Diaries A Harmony Korine Art Opening

“Where Has The Support For Canadian Documentaries Gone?”

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

“Where Has The Support For Canadian Documentaries Gone?”

Jean-Pierre Gorin Picks His 10 Criterions

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Jean-Pierre Gorin Picks His 10 Criterions

Wolcott Makes With Vulgarity And Spoilers In “Black Swan Down”

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Wolcott Makes With Vulgarity And Spoilers In “Black Swan Down”

PETER CRAIG TO ADAPT FRENCH-CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE PHENOMENON “FATHERS AND GUNS”

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

CULVER CITY, Calif., November 30, 2010 – Peter Craig has been tapped to adapt the French-Canadian blockbuster Fathers and Guns for Sony Pictures, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures. The film is being developed and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall along with Denise Robert and Emile Gaudreault, producer and writer-director, respectively, of the original film.

Released in Quebec in summer 2009 as De Père en flic, the film opened to #1 at the box office in the province beating out such high-profile titles as Bruno. It stayed popular throughout the summer, not only capturing two-thirds of this summer’s ticket sales for local films in Quebec, but out-grossing by at least 50% such Hollywood hits as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. With more than 1 in 5 Qubecers seeing the film, it is now the highest-grossing French-language film ever released in Quebec and Canada. Fathers and Guns is an action-comedy about two cops, father and son, who can’t stand each other. They are assigned to an investigation to infiltrate an outdoor adventure group-therapy camp for fathers and sons.

PETER CRAIG’s screenwriting debut, The Town, was released by Warner Bros. earlier this year. The film opened to #1 and has taken in almost $90 million domestically to date. He is currently working on a screenplay for Bad Boys 3. Craig is also the author of several books, including Hot Plastic and Blood Father.  CAA represents Craig along with his team at Management 360. Rachel O’Connor is overseeing for Sony Pictures and Adam Yoelin is overseeing for Kennedy/Marshall.

Canuck Comics Recollect Leslie Nielsen

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Canuck Comics Recollect Leslie Nielsen

Jeff Bridges Talks “Texasville II”

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Jeff Bridges Talks “Texasville II”

“On Rich Girl Cinema”

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

“On Rich Girl Cinema”

Ousted TribCo Exec, Memo Man Lee Abrams, Still Sez Firing He And Randy Michaels A Mistake

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

“I believe it was deliberately taken out of context and deliberately overpublicized to further a control agenda at the company.”
Ousted TribCo Exec, Memo Man Lee Abrams, Still Sez Firing He And Randy Michaels A Mistake

Patti Smith Profiles Johnny Depp For VF

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Patti Smith Profiles Johnny Depp For VF

Oscar Announces Shortlist For Live Action Shorts

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Oscar Announces Shortlist For Live Action Shorts

10 LIVE ACTION SHORTS STAY ALIVE IN 2010 OSCAR® RACE

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

November 30, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 live action short films will advance in the voting process for the 83rd Academy Awards®. Seventy-six pictures had originally qualified in the category.

The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:

  • “Ana’s Playground,” Eric D. Howell, director (StoryForge, LLC)
  • “The Confession,” Tanel Toom, director (National Film and Television School)
  • “The Crush,” Michael Creagh, director (Purdy Pictures)
  • “God of Love,” Luke Matheny, director (Luke Matheny)
  • “Na Wewe,” Ivan Goldschmidt, director-producer (CUT!)
  • “Seeds of the Fall,” Patrik Eklund, director, and Mathias Fjellstrom, producer (Direktorn & Fabrikorn)
  • “Shoe,” Nick Kelly, director, and Seamus Byrne, producer (Zanita Films)
  • “The Six Dollar Fifty Man,” Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland, directors (Sticky Pictures Ltd.)
  • “Sma Barn, Stora Ord (Little Children, Big Words),” Lisa James Larsson, director and Andreas Emanuelsson, producer (Bob Film Sweden AB)
  • “Wish 143,” Ian Barnes, director, and Samantha Waite, producer (Swing and Shift Films/Union Pictures)

The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting in screenings held in New York and Los Angeles.

Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select three to five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist. Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in January 2011.

The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

10 ANIMATED SHORTS MOVE AHEAD IN 2010 OSCAR® RACE

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

November 30, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 83rd Academy Awards®. Thirty-three pictures had originally qualified in the category.

The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:

  • “The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger,” Bill Plympton, director (Bill Plympton Studio)
  • “Coyote Falls,” Matthew O’Callaghan, director and Sam Register, executive producer (Warner Bros. Animation Inc.)
  • “Day & Night,” Teddy Newton, director (Pixar Animation Studios)
  • “The Gruffalo,” Jakob Schuh and Max Lang, directors (Magic Light Pictures)
  • “Let’s Pollute,” Geefwee Boedoe, story-design-animation (Geefwee Boedoe)
  • “The Lost Thing,” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann, directors (Passion Pictures Australia)
  • “Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary),” Bastien Dubois, director (Sacrebleu Productions)
  • “Sensology,” Michel Gagne, director-producer (GAGNE International LLC)
  • “The Silence beneath the Bark,” Joanna Lurie, director (Lardux Films)
  • “Urs,” Moritz Mayerhofer, director (Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg)

The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting in screenings held in New York and Los Angeles.

Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select three to five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist. Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in January 2011.

The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

# # #

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

Spirit Award Noms Down To Bone, Leads With Seven; Five For Kids; Four Each For Swan, Greenberg, Rabbit, 127

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Spirit Award Noms Down To Bone, Leads With Seven; Five For Kids; Four Each For Swan, Greenberg, Rabbit, 127