DALLAS (Reuters) - A gold cape worn by Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film "Cleopatra" sold at auction for $59,375 in Dallas on Friday.
The cape had been wrapped in tissue and stored in a cedar closet for years, the female owner of the garment told officials at Heritage Auctions.
The owner, who asked not to be identified, said her mother had acquired the cape from the now defunct Western Costume company sometime after the film's premiere.
The woman's mother had worked in the couture fashion industry, Heritage officials saideive the 2012 span class='. The woman told officials at the auction house that she had never mentioned or showed the cape to anyone.
But after the actress died on March 23, 2011, she decided to reintroduce it to the world.
The cape was designed to resemble the wings of a Phoenixected to draw such luminaries as Poland's span. It is constructed of gold painted leather with hand-stitched gold beads and sequinsre and housing to thousands of people displace. Taylor wore the cape in two scenes in the moviets' id='lw_1332186542_0'Sean Penn/s. The cape was expected to sell for $20,000 at auction.
"Taylor was featured in countless newspaper and magazine articles wearing this cape," Margaret Barrett, director of entertainment and music memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, said in a statement.
"This piece is the epitome of glamorous and it was worn by one of Hollywood's greatest leading ladies at the very peak of her fame, power and beauty," she said.
(Editing by Greg McCune)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Harry Potter and the "strange" case of Oscars snub
LONDON (Reuters) - One of the few places where the Harry Potter movies failed to weave their magic was the Oscars, and the blockbuster franchise's failure to win a single Academy Award in eight attempts still rankles with some key players.
The series, based on J.KOne of the observatio. Rowling's best-selling boy wizard stories, was nominated for 12 Oscars over its 10-year history, in the art direction, visual effects, makeup, cinematography, costume design and music categories.
Each time it went away empty-handed, to the growing frustration of the cast and crew that worked on one of the most successful film franchises in history.
The final chance came with the concluding installment "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2", released last year and shortlisted for art direction, makeup and visual effects.
In two of those categories it was beaten by Martin Scorsese's "Hugo", while the makeup award ended up going to Margaret Thatcher biopic "The Iron Lady".
"I think a lot of us look fairly wryly at the politics of the American Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), of which I am a member," said John Richardson, special effects supervisor on the Harry Potter movies.
"It does beg the question why did Harry Potter not get recognized at all for the last Deathly Hallows film?" he told Reuters at the press launch of the new Potter studio tour at Leavesden Studios just outside London.
"We got three nominations from the ..ert, but underneath that desc. Academy for probably one of the best-made and best-grossing films of the year, whereas a Martin Scorsese film, Hugo, which wasn't anything like as successful, won three awards, or was it four?"
In fact it was five -- art direction, cinematography, sound editing and mixing and visual effects.
Deathly Hallows - Part 2 earned $1.3 billion in global ticket sales, according to Boxofficemojo.com, making it the third biggest movie of all time before inflation is taken into accountut it spawned a TV s. It was also a critical hit.
Nick Dudman, in the special makeup effects department, agreed that Potter films had been wrongly overlooked.
"We keep losing," he told Reutersked with creating a salmon-filled stream in the M. "Potter has been very largely ignored by academies around the world, and it is slightly strange.
"But the work is its own reward in many ways Hallstrom went on to direct movies s. We make fabulous things, we have a great time doing it."
Richardson said one reason why the Potter films failed to land any Oscars may have been the voting system, whereby the Academy's entire active membership can select winners in every category during the final ballot stage.
The BAFTAs, Britain's equivalent, differ in that all members can vote on eight main categories, but for every other nomination only those with specialist knowledge of that particular field can participate.
"The final (BAFTA) vote is a chapter vote, so the award is voted by your peers, if you like.
"It so happens that we won the BAFTA, but I think it gives a truer critique of the work rather than being voted on by, with due deference to everybody, a lot of people who don't necessarily understand the work or technology that's involved in creating the film."
Deathly Hallows - Part 2 won the special visual effects BAFTA, beating Hugo, although Scorsese's film did trump Potter in the sound and production design categories.
Richardson has been nominated six times for an Oscar, three of them for a Potter movie But they were undeterred and rebuilt . He has won once, for "Aliens".
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
The series, based on J.KOne of the observatio. Rowling's best-selling boy wizard stories, was nominated for 12 Oscars over its 10-year history, in the art direction, visual effects, makeup, cinematography, costume design and music categories.
Each time it went away empty-handed, to the growing frustration of the cast and crew that worked on one of the most successful film franchises in history.
The final chance came with the concluding installment "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2", released last year and shortlisted for art direction, makeup and visual effects.
In two of those categories it was beaten by Martin Scorsese's "Hugo", while the makeup award ended up going to Margaret Thatcher biopic "The Iron Lady".
"I think a lot of us look fairly wryly at the politics of the American Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), of which I am a member," said John Richardson, special effects supervisor on the Harry Potter movies.
"It does beg the question why did Harry Potter not get recognized at all for the last Deathly Hallows film?" he told Reuters at the press launch of the new Potter studio tour at Leavesden Studios just outside London.
"We got three nominations from the ..ert, but underneath that desc. Academy for probably one of the best-made and best-grossing films of the year, whereas a Martin Scorsese film, Hugo, which wasn't anything like as successful, won three awards, or was it four?"
In fact it was five -- art direction, cinematography, sound editing and mixing and visual effects.
Deathly Hallows - Part 2 earned $1.3 billion in global ticket sales, according to Boxofficemojo.com, making it the third biggest movie of all time before inflation is taken into accountut it spawned a TV s. It was also a critical hit.
Nick Dudman, in the special makeup effects department, agreed that Potter films had been wrongly overlooked.
"We keep losing," he told Reutersked with creating a salmon-filled stream in the M. "Potter has been very largely ignored by academies around the world, and it is slightly strange.
"But the work is its own reward in many ways Hallstrom went on to direct movies s. We make fabulous things, we have a great time doing it."
Richardson said one reason why the Potter films failed to land any Oscars may have been the voting system, whereby the Academy's entire active membership can select winners in every category during the final ballot stage.
The BAFTAs, Britain's equivalent, differ in that all members can vote on eight main categories, but for every other nomination only those with specialist knowledge of that particular field can participate.
"The final (BAFTA) vote is a chapter vote, so the award is voted by your peers, if you like.
"It so happens that we won the BAFTA, but I think it gives a truer critique of the work rather than being voted on by, with due deference to everybody, a lot of people who don't necessarily understand the work or technology that's involved in creating the film."
Deathly Hallows - Part 2 won the special visual effects BAFTA, beating Hugo, although Scorsese's film did trump Potter in the sound and production design categories.
Richardson has been nominated six times for an Oscar, three of them for a Potter movie But they were undeterred and rebuilt . He has won once, for "Aliens".
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The fairy tale life of "Mirror Mirror" star Lily Collins
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - With her dark eyes, dark hair and pale skin, actress Lily Collins certainly fits the bill to play 'the fairest of them all' in the new retelling of classic Snow White tale in the upcoming film, "Mirror Mirror."
The movie, which comes out on Friday, sees an exiled Snow White teaming with seven rebel dwarfs and one prince (Armie Hammer) to defeat an evil Queen (Julia Roberts), take back her kingdom and restore it to its former glory before Snow White's father died.
Yet the 23-year-old Collins, whose previous acting credits include playing Sandra Bullock's daughter in "The Blind Side" and Taylor Lautner's love interest in "Abduction," learned she had a lot more in common with Snow than just looks.
"I feel like Snow and my experience paralleled a lot during the shoot," Collins told Reutersroduced the R-rated 'Project X,' . "At the beginning of the story, she's very wide-eyed, innocent and unsure of what's happening span class='yshortcuts' i. I started out very wide-eyed and excited, but unsure of what was going on."
As the "Mirror Mirror" story progresses, Snow White learns to stand up to her evil step-mother and fight for her rights when she becomes part of the dwarves' army.
Collins said she also became a fighter, both emotionally and physically, during the shoot and pre-production as she learned about the acting craft and studied fencing and sword fighting.
Snow White blossoms into a young woman who embraces life and love and believes in herself, leading to a deeper understanding of the world around her.
"I too became more open to living life to the fullest and believing that you can put your mind to doing anything and really accomplish it million over the weekend, be. I left a very inspired young woman based on what I learned as Snow," Collins said.
SINGER, DANCER, JOURNALIST
Not that Collins needed much inspiration -- in the performing arts, anyway -- because showbiz already runs in her veinsWarner Bros,/span movie i. Her father is Grammy and Oscar-winning British musician Phil Collins of Genesis fame comedy that opened as the No, 2 movie in . Although the younger Collins was born in the U.K., her parents divorced when she was five, and she moved to Los Angeles with her mother, where she grew up.
In at least one way, "Mirror Mirror" proves that Collins is indeed her father's daughterlywood Reporter/span . A Bollywood-style song and dance sequence during the end credits of the film showcases her singing talents.
"I didn't tell my dad I was singing in the movie because I wanted to shock him by playing him the song," said Collinsd a sequel, 'Project Y' anyone?. "He loved it! He made me replay it a couple times because he didn't believe it was me!"
Although Collins enjoys singing, she is not looking to pursue a career in music, saying that at the moment, "my heart and soul is in acting."
But that wasn't always the caseThe Hangover' and wrote,. As a teenager, journalism was her passion sequel well before the movie opene. She was published in Elle Girl and Seventeen magazines and in 2008, she worked as a journalist for kids network Nickelodeon, covering the U.So produced and directed 'The Hangover' and wrote. presidential campaign.
She went on to begin studying broadcast journalism and communication at the University of Southern California, but she had to decide between school and acting when she found herself shooting "The Blind Side" in Atlanta and flying back to L.Aroject Y' anyone? . for exams8_0'Michael Bacall/sp. She has since deferred her schooling but plans on returning.
"That was grueling," said Collins, "but it was worth it because I was able to finish the semesterer/span first reported the news. When I do go back, I want to be there fully and not think about what time I need to be at my next audition."
No matter what happens with school, Collins said she'll always be a journalist even as her acting career grows.
"Journalism is something I've always loved and continue to use everyday," she confessed span class='yshortcuts' i. "I'm a genuinely interested personheWrap,com) - 'Project X,' the low-budget comedy . I carry a notebook TheWrap has confirmed that screenwriter. I ask questions, and I'm socialhe span class='yshortcuts' id='lw_13310877. In learning about character traits for roles, it's the best way to do researchThe Hangover' and wrote, produced and. So I'm still going to be a journalist at heart."
(Reporting By Zorianna Kit; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
The movie, which comes out on Friday, sees an exiled Snow White teaming with seven rebel dwarfs and one prince (Armie Hammer) to defeat an evil Queen (Julia Roberts), take back her kingdom and restore it to its former glory before Snow White's father died.
Yet the 23-year-old Collins, whose previous acting credits include playing Sandra Bullock's daughter in "The Blind Side" and Taylor Lautner's love interest in "Abduction," learned she had a lot more in common with Snow than just looks.
"I feel like Snow and my experience paralleled a lot during the shoot," Collins told Reutersroduced the R-rated 'Project X,' . "At the beginning of the story, she's very wide-eyed, innocent and unsure of what's happening span class='yshortcuts' i. I started out very wide-eyed and excited, but unsure of what was going on."
As the "Mirror Mirror" story progresses, Snow White learns to stand up to her evil step-mother and fight for her rights when she becomes part of the dwarves' army.
Collins said she also became a fighter, both emotionally and physically, during the shoot and pre-production as she learned about the acting craft and studied fencing and sword fighting.
Snow White blossoms into a young woman who embraces life and love and believes in herself, leading to a deeper understanding of the world around her.
"I too became more open to living life to the fullest and believing that you can put your mind to doing anything and really accomplish it million over the weekend, be. I left a very inspired young woman based on what I learned as Snow," Collins said.
SINGER, DANCER, JOURNALIST
Not that Collins needed much inspiration -- in the performing arts, anyway -- because showbiz already runs in her veinsWarner Bros,/span movie i. Her father is Grammy and Oscar-winning British musician Phil Collins of Genesis fame comedy that opened as the No, 2 movie in . Although the younger Collins was born in the U.K., her parents divorced when she was five, and she moved to Los Angeles with her mother, where she grew up.
In at least one way, "Mirror Mirror" proves that Collins is indeed her father's daughterlywood Reporter/span . A Bollywood-style song and dance sequence during the end credits of the film showcases her singing talents.
"I didn't tell my dad I was singing in the movie because I wanted to shock him by playing him the song," said Collinsd a sequel, 'Project Y' anyone?. "He loved it! He made me replay it a couple times because he didn't believe it was me!"
Although Collins enjoys singing, she is not looking to pursue a career in music, saying that at the moment, "my heart and soul is in acting."
But that wasn't always the caseThe Hangover' and wrote,. As a teenager, journalism was her passion sequel well before the movie opene. She was published in Elle Girl and Seventeen magazines and in 2008, she worked as a journalist for kids network Nickelodeon, covering the U.So produced and directed 'The Hangover' and wrote. presidential campaign.
She went on to begin studying broadcast journalism and communication at the University of Southern California, but she had to decide between school and acting when she found herself shooting "The Blind Side" in Atlanta and flying back to L.Aroject Y' anyone? . for exams8_0'Michael Bacall/sp. She has since deferred her schooling but plans on returning.
"That was grueling," said Collins, "but it was worth it because I was able to finish the semesterer/span first reported the news. When I do go back, I want to be there fully and not think about what time I need to be at my next audition."
No matter what happens with school, Collins said she'll always be a journalist even as her acting career grows.
"Journalism is something I've always loved and continue to use everyday," she confessed span class='yshortcuts' i. "I'm a genuinely interested personheWrap,com) - 'Project X,' the low-budget comedy . I carry a notebook TheWrap has confirmed that screenwriter. I ask questions, and I'm socialhe span class='yshortcuts' id='lw_13310877. In learning about character traits for roles, it's the best way to do researchThe Hangover' and wrote, produced and. So I'm still going to be a journalist at heart."
(Reporting By Zorianna Kit; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Titanic in 3D cranks up experience, director says
LONDON (Reuters) - "Titanic" director James Cameron said the 3D version of his 1997 blockbuster, released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the luxury liner, "turns up" the experience of the original.
He also denied suggestions that the film, which hits U.S trying to win the heart of a young g. and British theatres on April 6, was a way of cashing in on the tragedy, which happened on April 15, 1912 with the loss of more than 1,500 lives.
"I just think it makes it more immersive," Cameron said of the 3D re-makeg-screen version of classic span class='yshort. "It kind of turns up the experience to 11 instead of 10," he told reporters late on Tuesday at the red carpet world premiere held at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Titanic, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, earned more than $1.8 billion at the global box office.
Before inflation is taken into account, it is second only to Cameron's 3D sci-fi adventure "Avatar", which grossed $2.8 billion, in the all-time ticket sale rankings.
Cameron, who has just returned from a solo dive to the deepest point in the ocean, defended his decision to re-release Titanic in 3D format.
"Look, there's always going to be people that can piss in the soup of anything good," he told reporters, when asked if he was capitalizing on the Titanic tragedy and its upcoming anniversary.
"But frankly I think that remembering Titanic, remembering the history -- that's what the film was there fords including best picture, The film'. That's why I made it, you know.
"I was fascinated by the story, I was fascinated by the history, the people that were heroic, the people that lost their lives-white silent film 'The Artist' gained 34 . I was genuinely touched by the tragedy when I was there at the wreck.
"I think the film is a good focusing agent for that at this time when we should be remembering the wreck and its message, the disaster and its message for all of us."
For British actress Winslet, who shot to fame after appearing in the original, the 3D experience was a strange one.
"It's weird," she told Reuterstop five on domestic charts, Denzel Washi. "I mean, it is like being forced to go through a photo album of your former self for three and a half hours solidlyt weekly increase, according to . It's quite strange you know."
Asked how she felt about watching herself on screen in 3D during the film's more intimate moments, she replied:
"Oh terrible! Wouldn't you? I am not going to look20,8 million at North American (U,S, and Can. I'll be in the bar by that point I expect -- or on the floor!"
DiCaprio did not attend the premiere as he was shooting new movie "Django Unchained", directed by Quentin Tarantino, in the United States.
(Writing by Mike Collett-White)
He also denied suggestions that the film, which hits U.S trying to win the heart of a young g. and British theatres on April 6, was a way of cashing in on the tragedy, which happened on April 15, 1912 with the loss of more than 1,500 lives.
"I just think it makes it more immersive," Cameron said of the 3D re-makeg-screen version of classic span class='yshort. "It kind of turns up the experience to 11 instead of 10," he told reporters late on Tuesday at the red carpet world premiere held at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Titanic, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, earned more than $1.8 billion at the global box office.
Before inflation is taken into account, it is second only to Cameron's 3D sci-fi adventure "Avatar", which grossed $2.8 billion, in the all-time ticket sale rankings.
Cameron, who has just returned from a solo dive to the deepest point in the ocean, defended his decision to re-release Titanic in 3D format.
"Look, there's always going to be people that can piss in the soup of anything good," he told reporters, when asked if he was capitalizing on the Titanic tragedy and its upcoming anniversary.
"But frankly I think that remembering Titanic, remembering the history -- that's what the film was there fords including best picture, The film'. That's why I made it, you know.
"I was fascinated by the story, I was fascinated by the history, the people that were heroic, the people that lost their lives-white silent film 'The Artist' gained 34 . I was genuinely touched by the tragedy when I was there at the wreck.
"I think the film is a good focusing agent for that at this time when we should be remembering the wreck and its message, the disaster and its message for all of us."
For British actress Winslet, who shot to fame after appearing in the original, the 3D experience was a strange one.
"It's weird," she told Reuterstop five on domestic charts, Denzel Washi. "I mean, it is like being forced to go through a photo album of your former self for three and a half hours solidlyt weekly increase, according to . It's quite strange you know."
Asked how she felt about watching herself on screen in 3D during the film's more intimate moments, she replied:
"Oh terrible! Wouldn't you? I am not going to look20,8 million at North American (U,S, and Can. I'll be in the bar by that point I expect -- or on the floor!"
DiCaprio did not attend the premiere as he was shooting new movie "Django Unchained", directed by Quentin Tarantino, in the United States.
(Writing by Mike Collett-White)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
'Hunger Games' star Josh Hutcherson nabs CinemaCon award
LOS ANGELES, March 27 (TheWrap.com) - "The Hunger Games" star Josh Hutcherson has nabbed CinemaCon's breakthrough performer of the year award.
Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark in the hit Lionsgate film, will pick up his hardware at the annual trade show in Las Vegas on April 26.
"With an already impressive resume of films under his belt, Hutcherson is one of the most accomplished young actors of his time," CinemaCon's Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser said in a statementand pious, This may even be the first Perry mo. "With the release of 'The Hunger Games,' Hutcherson is poised to take the movie world by storm."
In addition to "The Hunger Games," Hutcherson has starred in the Oscar-nominated "The Kids Are All Right" and last February's "Journey 2: Mysterious Island."
He will be seen later this year in the action film "Red Dawn" and the horror comedy "Detention."
Hutcherson follows in the footsteps of Blake Lively, who received the award at last year's show.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark in the hit Lionsgate film, will pick up his hardware at the annual trade show in Las Vegas on April 26.
"With an already impressive resume of films under his belt, Hutcherson is one of the most accomplished young actors of his time," CinemaCon's Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser said in a statementand pious, This may even be the first Perry mo. "With the release of 'The Hunger Games,' Hutcherson is poised to take the movie world by storm."
In addition to "The Hunger Games," Hutcherson has starred in the Oscar-nominated "The Kids Are All Right" and last February's "Journey 2: Mysterious Island."
He will be seen later this year in the action film "Red Dawn" and the horror comedy "Detention."
Hutcherson follows in the footsteps of Blake Lively, who received the award at last year's show.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
"Lorax" statue stolen from California home of Dr. Seuss
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A 300-pound (136-kg) bronze statue of the Lorax, a character from the DrCarter/span' will lose about $200. Seuss book and hit movie of the same name, has been stolen from the late author's San Diego estate, police said on Tuesday.
The 3-foot-high (1-meter) statue of the Lorax standing on a tree stump with his arms outstretched was reported missing from the hillside property on Monday morning, San Diego Police Lieutenant Andra Brown said.
Theodor Geisel, who wrote The Lorax and other best-selling children's books under the pen-name Dr So far, the film about. Seuss, died in 1991 at the age of 87.
His widow, Audrey, still lives on the estate in the San Diego community of La Jolla.
Brown said police were trying to determine if the theft was related to an animated film based on the book, voiced by Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, that is currently playing in theaters.
"We don't know if it's just a prank because of the recent release of the movie or if someone thinks it's going to be worth a buck or two because it's a lot of (metal)," Brown said.
"We're just hoping that the suspects return it," she said 'John Carter' opened on March 9 . "The Geisel family is just asking that it be returned and they don't want to pursue the matter any furtherhat is far shy from the audien. Which is not to say the police won't."
Brown said evidence at the scene suggests that the thieves rolled the statue down the hill to an adjacent property, where it was likely loaded onto a waiting vehicle.
She said the statue was one of two made by Geisel's stepdaughtersales worldwide, That is far shy. The other was given to a museum.
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Tim Gaynor and Eric Beech)
The 3-foot-high (1-meter) statue of the Lorax standing on a tree stump with his arms outstretched was reported missing from the hillside property on Monday morning, San Diego Police Lieutenant Andra Brown said.
Theodor Geisel, who wrote The Lorax and other best-selling children's books under the pen-name Dr So far, the film about. Seuss, died in 1991 at the age of 87.
His widow, Audrey, still lives on the estate in the San Diego community of La Jolla.
Brown said police were trying to determine if the theft was related to an animated film based on the book, voiced by Zac Efron and Taylor Swift, that is currently playing in theaters.
"We don't know if it's just a prank because of the recent release of the movie or if someone thinks it's going to be worth a buck or two because it's a lot of (metal)," Brown said.
"We're just hoping that the suspects return it," she said 'John Carter' opened on March 9 . "The Geisel family is just asking that it be returned and they don't want to pursue the matter any furtherhat is far shy from the audien. Which is not to say the police won't."
Brown said evidence at the scene suggests that the thieves rolled the statue down the hill to an adjacent property, where it was likely loaded onto a waiting vehicle.
She said the statue was one of two made by Geisel's stepdaughtersales worldwide, That is far shy. The other was given to a museum.
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Tim Gaynor and Eric Beech)
"The Deep Blue Sea": passion, torment in a cold water flat
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - World War II and the years immediately afterward were apparently the golden age of British infidelity, or at least for movies and books about themrely want to sit atop this span class='ys. In classics like "Brief Encounter" and "The End of the Affair," repressed Brits met furtively to grasp fleeting moments of passion, usually in grim little rented rooms that probably smelled like cabbage.
Add "The Deep Blue Sea" to that list, as it sweeps us up into the amour fou of Hester Collyer (Rachel Weisz), who walks away from her comfortable but stifling marriage to Sir William (Simon Russell Beale), a judge many years her elder, and into the arms of the dashing but vapid Freddie (Tom Hiddleston), a former RAF pilot still clinging to his glory days of flying missions against the Nazis.
As this film and so many others have reminded us, post-war Britain was a grim place, with rationed food and a gray pall hanging over everything from outfits to dinner optionses to inflation-adjusted 2012 dollars, but inclu. So it's easy to see why Hester would look for a little spice in her life, even with a man who can't begin to return her overwhelming affectionsn be no doubt "Joh. When she attempts suicide after Freddie forgets her birthday - in the film's opening scene; it's not a spoiler to mention it - it's clear that Hester's life is in for another major shake-up.
Peeking into the trembling hearts hidden by British stiff upper lips is the specialty of playwright Terence Rattigan ("The Browning Version," "Separate Tables"), and his aesthetic meshes perfectly with that of director Terence Davies, who can paint melancholy and misery in as many shades as the Eskimos allegedly have words that mean "snow."
Whether he's showing Weisz conveying grief through some very meaningful cigarette smoking or finding the wistful undercurrents being masked by loud, boisterous pub singing, Davies is absolutely in his element here, creating a work that's of a piece with his "Distant Voices, Still Lives" and "The Long Day Closes" while being true to Rattigan's original vision as well.
Weisz brings more to the table than knowing her way around a Lucky Strike, mind you; whether she's enduring Freddie's callousness or holding her ground in a subtext-laden conversation with William's passive-aggressive mother (Barbara Jefford), Hester emerges as a real person, powerful and vulnerable, capable of loving others and able to destroy those who adore her.
Hiddleston has been somewhat ubiquitous of late - his 2011 screen appearances run the gamut from "Thor" to "War Horse" to "Midnight in Paris" - but he makes Freddie enough of a charmer and a rotter that you won't find yourself thinking about Loki or F site IMDb, "Yo. Scott Fitzgerald when he's on screen.
"The Deep Blue Sea" is often languorous and occasionally tragic, but it builds to a resolution that's powerful without being melodramaticsay even that number is likely unders. And for people keeping score, it delivers some of the year's best acting to date.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
Add "The Deep Blue Sea" to that list, as it sweeps us up into the amour fou of Hester Collyer (Rachel Weisz), who walks away from her comfortable but stifling marriage to Sir William (Simon Russell Beale), a judge many years her elder, and into the arms of the dashing but vapid Freddie (Tom Hiddleston), a former RAF pilot still clinging to his glory days of flying missions against the Nazis.
As this film and so many others have reminded us, post-war Britain was a grim place, with rationed food and a gray pall hanging over everything from outfits to dinner optionses to inflation-adjusted 2012 dollars, but inclu. So it's easy to see why Hester would look for a little spice in her life, even with a man who can't begin to return her overwhelming affectionsn be no doubt "Joh. When she attempts suicide after Freddie forgets her birthday - in the film's opening scene; it's not a spoiler to mention it - it's clear that Hester's life is in for another major shake-up.
Peeking into the trembling hearts hidden by British stiff upper lips is the specialty of playwright Terence Rattigan ("The Browning Version," "Separate Tables"), and his aesthetic meshes perfectly with that of director Terence Davies, who can paint melancholy and misery in as many shades as the Eskimos allegedly have words that mean "snow."
Whether he's showing Weisz conveying grief through some very meaningful cigarette smoking or finding the wistful undercurrents being masked by loud, boisterous pub singing, Davies is absolutely in his element here, creating a work that's of a piece with his "Distant Voices, Still Lives" and "The Long Day Closes" while being true to Rattigan's original vision as well.
Weisz brings more to the table than knowing her way around a Lucky Strike, mind you; whether she's enduring Freddie's callousness or holding her ground in a subtext-laden conversation with William's passive-aggressive mother (Barbara Jefford), Hester emerges as a real person, powerful and vulnerable, capable of loving others and able to destroy those who adore her.
Hiddleston has been somewhat ubiquitous of late - his 2011 screen appearances run the gamut from "Thor" to "War Horse" to "Midnight in Paris" - but he makes Freddie enough of a charmer and a rotter that you won't find yourself thinking about Loki or F site IMDb, "Yo. Scott Fitzgerald when he's on screen.
"The Deep Blue Sea" is often languorous and occasionally tragic, but it builds to a resolution that's powerful without being melodramaticsay even that number is likely unders. And for people keeping score, it delivers some of the year's best acting to date.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Megabomb "John Carter" may be Hollywood's biggest loser
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ultra competitive movie studios rarely want to sit atop this box office listchool ,,, I ended up having. When the Walt Disney Co said on Monday that it expected its sci-fi movie "John Carter" to lose about $200 million, it very likely shot the intergalactic box office bomb to the top of Hollywood's biggest loser chart.
If so - and box office math is always a little tricky in Tinseltown - the megaflop would achieve iconic status by surpassing the 1995 Geena Davis-Matthew Modine pirate flick "Cutthroat Island" that the Guinness Book of World Records lists as the biggest bomb of all-time It went on to note that t. That movie lost $147 million, according to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which also puts the MGM film at the top of its list.
Infamous misfires like director Ron Howard's "The Alamo," Eddie Murphy's "The Adventures of Pluto Nash", the Matthew McConaughey-Penelope Cruz action film "Sahara" and director Robert Zemeckis' 2011 animated film "Mars Needs Moms" all passed the dubious $140 million loss threshold, according to Wikipedia.
Of course, any movie box office list is subject to serious interpretationmean kids can't see the movie, only th. The Wikipedia list, for instance, has converted the film's ticket sales to inflation-adjusted 2012 dollars, but includes only worldwide box office and not DVD or TV sales.
"Then there's the issue of Hollywood accounting," said Keith Simanton, managing editor of movie data site IMDbos in business and government matters, has . "You never really know what a budget is for any of these films because Hollywood isn't very open with its numbers0,000 signatures seeking to change the. Directionally, though, these are definitely near the top of any list of worst films."
Sometimes it's not revenues that sink a filmes of signatures to the MPAA, Butl. Director Andrew Stanton's movie has a reasonably strong $184 million worldwide box office, so far.
The key problem for "John Carter" was that it cost more than $350 million to produce and market, according to industry sources, who say even that number is likely understated.
There can be no doubt "John Carter" will go down in history as a box office bomb, and with its entrance into Hollywood's Hall of Shame, it is interesting to note that six of the top 15 movie misfires have been made since 2005, when Hollywood has been in high gear with pricey, special effects budgets.
In 2011 alone, there were two big losersPAA, a group that represents Hollywood's. Disney released "Mars Needs Moms," for which it took a write-down of at least $70 million, on a film that had a worldwide box office of only $38.9 millioning, 'Tha. Warner Brothers released its take on DC Comics' "Green Lantern," starring Ryan Reynolds as the keeper of the green ring do to kids, The petit. That film lost $108.6 million, according to the Wikipedia list.
"The studios are just spending too much money and there's just not the box office there to support it," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Hollywood.com.
"John Carter's' bloated budget would have required it to generate worldwide tickets sales of more than $600 million to break even, Dergarabedian said, a height reached by only 63 films in the history of moviemaking.
(This version of the story deletes a reference to Pixar in paragraph 6)
(Reporting By Ronald Grover; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
If so - and box office math is always a little tricky in Tinseltown - the megaflop would achieve iconic status by surpassing the 1995 Geena Davis-Matthew Modine pirate flick "Cutthroat Island" that the Guinness Book of World Records lists as the biggest bomb of all-time It went on to note that t. That movie lost $147 million, according to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which also puts the MGM film at the top of its list.
Infamous misfires like director Ron Howard's "The Alamo," Eddie Murphy's "The Adventures of Pluto Nash", the Matthew McConaughey-Penelope Cruz action film "Sahara" and director Robert Zemeckis' 2011 animated film "Mars Needs Moms" all passed the dubious $140 million loss threshold, according to Wikipedia.
Of course, any movie box office list is subject to serious interpretationmean kids can't see the movie, only th. The Wikipedia list, for instance, has converted the film's ticket sales to inflation-adjusted 2012 dollars, but includes only worldwide box office and not DVD or TV sales.
"Then there's the issue of Hollywood accounting," said Keith Simanton, managing editor of movie data site IMDbos in business and government matters, has . "You never really know what a budget is for any of these films because Hollywood isn't very open with its numbers0,000 signatures seeking to change the. Directionally, though, these are definitely near the top of any list of worst films."
Sometimes it's not revenues that sink a filmes of signatures to the MPAA, Butl. Director Andrew Stanton's movie has a reasonably strong $184 million worldwide box office, so far.
The key problem for "John Carter" was that it cost more than $350 million to produce and market, according to industry sources, who say even that number is likely understated.
There can be no doubt "John Carter" will go down in history as a box office bomb, and with its entrance into Hollywood's Hall of Shame, it is interesting to note that six of the top 15 movie misfires have been made since 2005, when Hollywood has been in high gear with pricey, special effects budgets.
In 2011 alone, there were two big losersPAA, a group that represents Hollywood's. Disney released "Mars Needs Moms," for which it took a write-down of at least $70 million, on a film that had a worldwide box office of only $38.9 millioning, 'Tha. Warner Brothers released its take on DC Comics' "Green Lantern," starring Ryan Reynolds as the keeper of the green ring do to kids, The petit. That film lost $108.6 million, according to the Wikipedia list.
"The studios are just spending too much money and there's just not the box office there to support it," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Hollywood.com.
"John Carter's' bloated budget would have required it to generate worldwide tickets sales of more than $600 million to break even, Dergarabedian said, a height reached by only 63 films in the history of moviemaking.
(This version of the story deletes a reference to Pixar in paragraph 6)
(Reporting By Ronald Grover; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Disney projects $200 million "John Carter" loss
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co shares fell 1 percent in after hour trading on Monday after the company said it expects mega-budget science-fiction movie 'John Carter' will lose about $200 million in the current quarter.
The company issued the forecast in a statement that projected the studio division would report an overall operating loss of $80 million to $120 million in the fiscal second quarter that ends March 31.
Disney shares dropped about 1 percent to $43 in after-hours trading from an earlier close of $43.44 on the New York Stock Exchange.
So far, the film about a former military captain who is transported to Mars, has generated $184 million in ticket sales worldwide/span, who directed t. That is far shy from the audience needed to earn back the movie's estimated $250 million production budget, plus tens of millions more that Disney spent on advertising.
Even before the movie opened, Wall Street analysts had projected 'John Carter' would lose tens of millions of dollars as industry tracking showed little interest in the film.
'John Carter' opened on March 9 and took in about $30 million over its first three days at U.S37_8'Andre Nemec/span wrote . and Canadian theaters, finishing the weekend in second place behind family film 'The Lorax.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; editing by Andre Grenon)
The company issued the forecast in a statement that projected the studio division would report an overall operating loss of $80 million to $120 million in the fiscal second quarter that ends March 31.
Disney shares dropped about 1 percent to $43 in after-hours trading from an earlier close of $43.44 on the New York Stock Exchange.
So far, the film about a former military captain who is transported to Mars, has generated $184 million in ticket sales worldwide/span, who directed t. That is far shy from the audience needed to earn back the movie's estimated $250 million production budget, plus tens of millions more that Disney spent on advertising.
Even before the movie opened, Wall Street analysts had projected 'John Carter' would lose tens of millions of dollars as industry tracking showed little interest in the film.
'John Carter' opened on March 9 and took in about $30 million over its first three days at U.S37_8'Andre Nemec/span wrote . and Canadian theaters, finishing the weekend in second place behind family film 'The Lorax.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; editing by Andre Grenon)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Disney projects $200 million 'John Carter' loss
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co shares fell 1 percent in after hour trading on Monday after the company said it expects mega-budget science-fiction movie 'John Carter' will lose about $200 million in the current quarter.
The company issued the forecast in a statement that projected the studio division would report an overall operating loss of $80 million to $120 million in the fiscal second quarter that ends March 31.
Disney shares dropped about 1 percent to $43 in after-hours trading from an earlier close of $43.44 on the New York Stock Exchange.
So far, the film about a former military captain who is transported to Mars, has generated $184 million in ticket sales worldwideese is also up for the docum. That is far shy from the audience needed to earn back the movie's estimated $250 million production budget, plus tens of millions more that Disney spent on advertising.
Even before the movie opened, Wall Street analysts had projected 'John Carter' would lose tens of millions of dollars as industry tracking showed little interest in the film.
'John Carter' opened on March 9 and took in about $30 million over its first three days at U.Sin the best film BAFTA, far ahead of Tinker Tailor. and Canadian theaters, finishing the weekend in second place behind family film 'The Lorax.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; editing by Andre Grenon)
The company issued the forecast in a statement that projected the studio division would report an overall operating loss of $80 million to $120 million in the fiscal second quarter that ends March 31.
Disney shares dropped about 1 percent to $43 in after-hours trading from an earlier close of $43.44 on the New York Stock Exchange.
So far, the film about a former military captain who is transported to Mars, has generated $184 million in ticket sales worldwideese is also up for the docum. That is far shy from the audience needed to earn back the movie's estimated $250 million production budget, plus tens of millions more that Disney spent on advertising.
Even before the movie opened, Wall Street analysts had projected 'John Carter' would lose tens of millions of dollars as industry tracking showed little interest in the film.
'John Carter' opened on March 9 and took in about $30 million over its first three days at U.Sin the best film BAFTA, far ahead of Tinker Tailor. and Canadian theaters, finishing the weekend in second place behind family film 'The Lorax.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; editing by Andre Grenon)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
How "Hunger Games" can make Lionsgate a major player
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - With the release of 'The Hunger Games' next week, Lionsgate is about to become a big Hollywood player.
It will still field a hodgepodge of mid-budget Tyler Perry and horror films, but its hotly anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel will give the studio the kind of blue-chip franchise that can lift a minor company into the stratosphere, provided execs play their cards right.
'This is a game-changer for Lionsgate -- there's going to be huge box-office revenue, huge ancillary revenue and huge merchandising opportunities,' Marla Backer, an analyst at Hudson Square Research, told TheWrap.
Even without 'Hunger Games,' Lionsgate is riding highthe 2011 'span class='yshort. In January, the company acquired Summit, the studio behind 'Twilight,' for $412.5 milliondding:0 5px 5px 0;'img src='http:/. And it got activist investor Carl Icahn to abandon his hostile takeover attempts last year.
The Vancouver-based company, long eager to break through to the top Hollywood ranks, appears poised to finally do so after a bruising yeara706700876f,jpg');' width='93' . Lionsgate suffered through a string of flops in 2011, and was still shaking off the after-effects from its brutal proxy fight.
'Hunger Games' and Summit's final 'Twilight' installment have brightened the outlook considerably.
'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2' is scheduled to hit theaters next fall, the final episode in a series that has so far brought in over $2.5 billion worldwide.
The studio expects to generate $1 billion at the North American box office this year, more than double its previous high, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation.
But it's 'Hunger Games' that will put the studio on the map.
'Lionsgate could continue on the path that it was on of making smaller budget films with a nice return on investment, but instead this puts the studio on a completely different level,' Backer said.
Tracking for the film has been sizzling, with theaters from Ammon, Idaho, to New York City already reporting sell-out crowds for most midnight shows.
Rival studio executives anticipate that the film will draw north of $100 million from more than 4,000 locations over its opening weekend.
'Since the first day that tickets went on sale there's been no let-up,' Harry Medved, spokesman for movie-ticketing company Fandango, told TheWrap.
'Hunger Games' was produced for $80 million when tax credits are taken into account and marketed for roughly $45 million domestically, according to an individual with knowledge of the situationto/Fernando Antonio)' title. That is about half of what most major studios typically spend to generate awareness for their tentpole offerings.
Despite the relatively tight budget, rival studio executives praised Lionsgate's marketing of the film, noting that while early tracking shows massive awareness among women, it also suggests substantial male interest and the potential for a four quadrant hit.
'This thing is tracking like a Marvel superhero movie with men,' one rival executive saidgua, Honduras, a town 90 mi. 'It may top 'Twilight,' because those movies never had any men show up.'
Unlike 'Twilight,' Lionsgate also has its principle cast locked up for all of 'The Hunger Games' films, avoiding the kind of pricey re-negotiations that tacked tens of millions of dollars on to the budgets of the vampire romance series' later films.
Last year, without a breakout hit to call its own, the studio dwindled to fourth in domestic market share among the smaller independent players, behind Relativity, the Weinstein Co='yshortcuts' id='lw_1329321137_3'Josh Appelba. and Summit.
Lionsgate racked up a disappointing $175.7 million at the domestic box office last year -- a figure that 'Hunger Games' could conceivably pass on its own.
But Lionsgate's stock has not been badly bruised by that rough patch, or the fact that it is laying off staff as a byproduct of its merger with Summitre broke out at the pr. What has allowed the company's share price to nearly double in the past six months to over $13 was anticipation for 'Hunger Games,' analysts say.
'In the event that the movie didn't work, then the stock would be down very materially,' Matthew Harrigan, an analyst at Wunderlich Securities, told TheWrapagua, Honduras, a town 90 miles (140. 'At this point everyone has concluded they're going to do a huge opening weekend, so buying the stock is warranted.'
Thanks to its deal with Summit, Lionsgate has the potential to brand itself as the biggest player for young adult moviegoers, who directed the 2011 'span class='ys. It also can make good on a strategy advocated by CEO Jon Feltheimer of making more franchise pictures.
Though the studio plans to only bump up its annual slate of releases from roughly 10 to a little more than 15 films a year, more of the films that it produces will be sequelst Bay's Platinum Dunes, . The company plans four installments of 'Hunger Games' over six years style='background-image:url('http://. It also has franchise hopes for 'The Expendables, 'The Lincoln Lawyer,' and the Summit action comedy 'Red.'
''Hunger Games' is a once in a lifetime opportunity,' Ben Mogil, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus, told TheWrapkilometers) north of the Central Ame. 'Given how successful the franchise seems likely to be, the question is what will they do with the cash'Andrew Form/span at Bay&. Will they buy some other transformative company or will they pay down their debt aggressively?'
In the short-term, Lionsgate will probably use profits to pay off corporate debt, including some $446 million in high-yield notes, but if the headiest projections come to pass and the studio finds itself with a lot more cash on its balance sheets, it could become a buyer, as well.
Welcome to the big leagues.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
It will still field a hodgepodge of mid-budget Tyler Perry and horror films, but its hotly anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel will give the studio the kind of blue-chip franchise that can lift a minor company into the stratosphere, provided execs play their cards right.
'This is a game-changer for Lionsgate -- there's going to be huge box-office revenue, huge ancillary revenue and huge merchandising opportunities,' Marla Backer, an analyst at Hudson Square Research, told TheWrap.
Even without 'Hunger Games,' Lionsgate is riding highthe 2011 'span class='yshort. In January, the company acquired Summit, the studio behind 'Twilight,' for $412.5 milliondding:0 5px 5px 0;'img src='http:/. And it got activist investor Carl Icahn to abandon his hostile takeover attempts last year.
The Vancouver-based company, long eager to break through to the top Hollywood ranks, appears poised to finally do so after a bruising yeara706700876f,jpg');' width='93' . Lionsgate suffered through a string of flops in 2011, and was still shaking off the after-effects from its brutal proxy fight.
'Hunger Games' and Summit's final 'Twilight' installment have brightened the outlook considerably.
'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2' is scheduled to hit theaters next fall, the final episode in a series that has so far brought in over $2.5 billion worldwide.
The studio expects to generate $1 billion at the North American box office this year, more than double its previous high, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation.
But it's 'Hunger Games' that will put the studio on the map.
'Lionsgate could continue on the path that it was on of making smaller budget films with a nice return on investment, but instead this puts the studio on a completely different level,' Backer said.
Tracking for the film has been sizzling, with theaters from Ammon, Idaho, to New York City already reporting sell-out crowds for most midnight shows.
Rival studio executives anticipate that the film will draw north of $100 million from more than 4,000 locations over its opening weekend.
'Since the first day that tickets went on sale there's been no let-up,' Harry Medved, spokesman for movie-ticketing company Fandango, told TheWrap.
'Hunger Games' was produced for $80 million when tax credits are taken into account and marketed for roughly $45 million domestically, according to an individual with knowledge of the situationto/Fernando Antonio)' title. That is about half of what most major studios typically spend to generate awareness for their tentpole offerings.
Despite the relatively tight budget, rival studio executives praised Lionsgate's marketing of the film, noting that while early tracking shows massive awareness among women, it also suggests substantial male interest and the potential for a four quadrant hit.
'This thing is tracking like a Marvel superhero movie with men,' one rival executive saidgua, Honduras, a town 90 mi. 'It may top 'Twilight,' because those movies never had any men show up.'
Unlike 'Twilight,' Lionsgate also has its principle cast locked up for all of 'The Hunger Games' films, avoiding the kind of pricey re-negotiations that tacked tens of millions of dollars on to the budgets of the vampire romance series' later films.
Last year, without a breakout hit to call its own, the studio dwindled to fourth in domestic market share among the smaller independent players, behind Relativity, the Weinstein Co='yshortcuts' id='lw_1329321137_3'Josh Appelba. and Summit.
Lionsgate racked up a disappointing $175.7 million at the domestic box office last year -- a figure that 'Hunger Games' could conceivably pass on its own.
But Lionsgate's stock has not been badly bruised by that rough patch, or the fact that it is laying off staff as a byproduct of its merger with Summitre broke out at the pr. What has allowed the company's share price to nearly double in the past six months to over $13 was anticipation for 'Hunger Games,' analysts say.
'In the event that the movie didn't work, then the stock would be down very materially,' Matthew Harrigan, an analyst at Wunderlich Securities, told TheWrapagua, Honduras, a town 90 miles (140. 'At this point everyone has concluded they're going to do a huge opening weekend, so buying the stock is warranted.'
Thanks to its deal with Summit, Lionsgate has the potential to brand itself as the biggest player for young adult moviegoers, who directed the 2011 'span class='ys. It also can make good on a strategy advocated by CEO Jon Feltheimer of making more franchise pictures.
Though the studio plans to only bump up its annual slate of releases from roughly 10 to a little more than 15 films a year, more of the films that it produces will be sequelst Bay's Platinum Dunes, . The company plans four installments of 'Hunger Games' over six years style='background-image:url('http://. It also has franchise hopes for 'The Expendables, 'The Lincoln Lawyer,' and the Summit action comedy 'Red.'
''Hunger Games' is a once in a lifetime opportunity,' Ben Mogil, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus, told TheWrapkilometers) north of the Central Ame. 'Given how successful the franchise seems likely to be, the question is what will they do with the cash'Andrew Form/span at Bay&. Will they buy some other transformative company or will they pay down their debt aggressively?'
In the short-term, Lionsgate will probably use profits to pay off corporate debt, including some $446 million in high-yield notes, but if the headiest projections come to pass and the studio finds itself with a lot more cash on its balance sheets, it could become a buyer, as well.
Welcome to the big leagues.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Man reports brush with Lindsay Lohan outside nightclub
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A man reported to police that actress Lindsay Lohan brushed his leg while driving away from a Hollywood nightclub early on Wednesday, police said.
The 'Mean Girls' actress, who is on probation after being convicted for drunk driving and theft, has made the rounds recently to various US media outlets and TV shows saying she has learned from her mistakesee the film clearly a. She recently received a positive progress report on her court-ordered community service.
In the latest incident, Los Angeles police said it found no evidence of anyone being hurt-image:url('http://l,yimg,com/bt/ap. Lohan, 25, was reported to police by a man who said her Porsche brushed his leg as she drove away from a nightclub trying to avoid paparazzi.
(Reporting By Christine Kearney, editing by Patricia Reaney)
The 'Mean Girls' actress, who is on probation after being convicted for drunk driving and theft, has made the rounds recently to various US media outlets and TV shows saying she has learned from her mistakesee the film clearly a. She recently received a positive progress report on her court-ordered community service.
In the latest incident, Los Angeles police said it found no evidence of anyone being hurt-image:url('http://l,yimg,com/bt/ap. Lohan, 25, was reported to police by a man who said her Porsche brushed his leg as she drove away from a nightclub trying to avoid paparazzi.
(Reporting By Christine Kearney, editing by Patricia Reaney)
A Minute With: Susan Sarandon on new film, single life
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon plays a widow disappointed in her sons and unhappy with her life in new film comedy, 'Jeff Who Lives at Home,' in U.Sory saw another major surprise for . theaters on Friday.
The film stars Jason Segel as Jeff, a directionless, pot-smoking man who lives in his mother's (Sarandon) basementlly, Hollywood's . Meanwhile estranged brother, Pat (Ed Helms) is convinced his wife (Judy Greer) is cheating on him.
Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, the film follows Jeff during one day as he embarks on a new path down the road of life upon which he is convinced the cosmic universe has set -- thanks to a series of odd signs.
Sarandon sat down with Reuters to talk about the film, having sons smoking weed at home and what life has been like as a single woman since splitting with Tim Robbins three years ago.
Q: What made you decide to star in a low-budget, independent movie like this one?
A: 'I loved all the twists and turns and I was moved by the reconciliation of the familyorld right now, Thank you f. I was also moved by the questions Jeff is askingns, But its Oscars came in technical cate. Every film is a different universe, and I thought this would be a fun universe to drop in on.'
Q: Most of your time on screen is spent in an office environment while your 'sons' have their own storyline widely picked to win by pund. Did you feel isolated from the rest of the cast during shooting?
A: 'She's kind of isolated anyway, that's the pointme, darling, Where have you b. Everybody in that family has become estranged from each other and is isolatede,' he said, looking at his golden Oscar, which . Even though Jeff is living downstairs, he's on some kind of nocturnal schedule and she's going off to work and really upset she's not able to have funad been widely picked. But I felt connected to Jason and Ed probably because I saw them off the set.'
Q: You have two boys of your own - Jack and Mileshe Academy, the film's makers . Although they are a younger than Jeff and Pat, did you see any of yourself or your boys in this on-screen family?
A: 'No, but my boys in real life are on their journeys too, trying to find a philosophy that gets them off the track of feeling they have to be successfulher family in Alabama and could not hold bac. They have questions because they're sons of famous people, which can be a dragrd out of 17 nominations, and even she reck. And they're both artists so they're trying to understand that age old dilemma of art and commercey name, I could feel America say. I don't mind if they live in the basement, take a stupid job or smoke some weed while they're figuring it out.'
Q: Really?
A: 'I would rather have them smoking weed than drinkingr, a relative newcomer in contrast to Plum. But I was very clear with my kids that some drugs can kill you the very first time you try them family drama 'The Descendants,' walked . They're all illegalas kissed by George Cloone. At least something that grows and is a leaf is not the same as methamphetaminedirector Alexander Payne and co. You can't just lump them all togetherooney on the lips in a scene. But what I said to my kids was that to have a drink or to smoke, to get a break from your life and to relax is one thingictory, When she thanked her . If you're smoking from the time you wake up, you will not have a life to have a break from kid again, MAKING H. The important thing is to talk about it.'
Q: You share a special kiss in this film that may shock certain moviegoersignored, It was Streep&. Were you nervous shooting it?
A: 'Not at all made her feel like a kid again, . I've been there before on filmname, I could feel America saying, 'Oh w. I think it's more about the bravery involved with relationships - whether or not you're going to be vulnerable to another person, whether or not you ever want to be intimate with another persond it 'Streep fatigue' to . The age, the color is just a detailreep's victory surprised Oscar pundits w. It's making that leap in extending yourself to another person.'
Q: Physically? Sexually? Emotionally?
A: 'It's the connection that's important, I think, as a womanname, I could feel America sayi. I love sex, but sex without connection for me is not interestinganks an inspiration, . When a guy says, 'It was nothing, it was just sex,' I believe that's true for himAmerica saying, 'Oh why her again?&. It doesn't work that way for med out for television audiences, He apologized b. I could have just sex, but I'm interested in connection.'
Q: In 2009 you and your sons' father, Tim Robbins, ended a 21 year partnership Director Martin Scorsese'. How has it been being on your own?
A: 'It's been a lot of different thingsWoody Allen won for original screenplay with 'Mid. It's traumatic and exhilarating span class='yshortcuts' id='lw_1330322. The one thing that's been really clear to me is that you have to think of your own life and your relationship and everything as a living organismthat,' Hazanavicius told the audience of stars in. It's constantly moving, changing, growing Finally, Hollyw. I think long-term relationships need to be constantly reevaluated and talked about.'
Q: Some people in similar situations feel that they've failed to keep the relationship togetherank you for that,' Hazanavicius told the au. Did you?
A: 'Of course you feel like a failureBut whatever,' she joked, Yet even the st. It's a big deal but again, it's an opportunity to grow 'When they called my name, I could feel America . At the end of my first marriage (in 1979 to Chris Sarandon), it was about the loss of ideal, about who you thought this person was that has been called a love letter to old . I thought love conquered all and I had to reevaluate everything Director Martin Scorsese's 'Hug. And you need your girlfriends, you need to take long, long walks until you're exhausted and no longer freaking out and you hold on until a new dawn0322590_3'George Clooney/span, span class=. Then you get another chance.'
Q: After your marriage ended, you vowed to never marry againis role as an elderly gay man in 'Beginners,. Your daughter (Eva Amurri, 26, whose father is filmmaker Franco Amurri) was married last falls in brief video vignette. How was that for you?
A: 'She's brilliant, darling, Where have you been all of my life. Her views about a lot of things are obviously different than minefrom 'The Help,' He opened with . I don't know if that's in reaction to me or that's just the way she came in the lips in a scene out of 'The Descendants. She's always been really clear about what she wants, what she doesn't want and she has executed her life in way to move toward thatther major wins, the foreign language film award w. She's picked the right guy who has the same goals and strategies of life 'Thank you Academy for putting me with the h. It's not been traumatic at allever Oscar for his portrayal of an elderly . The wedding was fun.'
(Reporting by Zorianna Kit)
The film stars Jason Segel as Jeff, a directionless, pot-smoking man who lives in his mother's (Sarandon) basementlly, Hollywood's . Meanwhile estranged brother, Pat (Ed Helms) is convinced his wife (Judy Greer) is cheating on him.
Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, the film follows Jeff during one day as he embarks on a new path down the road of life upon which he is convinced the cosmic universe has set -- thanks to a series of odd signs.
Sarandon sat down with Reuters to talk about the film, having sons smoking weed at home and what life has been like as a single woman since splitting with Tim Robbins three years ago.
Q: What made you decide to star in a low-budget, independent movie like this one?
A: 'I loved all the twists and turns and I was moved by the reconciliation of the familyorld right now, Thank you f. I was also moved by the questions Jeff is askingns, But its Oscars came in technical cate. Every film is a different universe, and I thought this would be a fun universe to drop in on.'
Q: Most of your time on screen is spent in an office environment while your 'sons' have their own storyline widely picked to win by pund. Did you feel isolated from the rest of the cast during shooting?
A: 'She's kind of isolated anyway, that's the pointme, darling, Where have you b. Everybody in that family has become estranged from each other and is isolatede,' he said, looking at his golden Oscar, which . Even though Jeff is living downstairs, he's on some kind of nocturnal schedule and she's going off to work and really upset she's not able to have funad been widely picked. But I felt connected to Jason and Ed probably because I saw them off the set.'
Q: You have two boys of your own - Jack and Mileshe Academy, the film's makers . Although they are a younger than Jeff and Pat, did you see any of yourself or your boys in this on-screen family?
A: 'No, but my boys in real life are on their journeys too, trying to find a philosophy that gets them off the track of feeling they have to be successfulher family in Alabama and could not hold bac. They have questions because they're sons of famous people, which can be a dragrd out of 17 nominations, and even she reck. And they're both artists so they're trying to understand that age old dilemma of art and commercey name, I could feel America say. I don't mind if they live in the basement, take a stupid job or smoke some weed while they're figuring it out.'
Q: Really?
A: 'I would rather have them smoking weed than drinkingr, a relative newcomer in contrast to Plum. But I was very clear with my kids that some drugs can kill you the very first time you try them family drama 'The Descendants,' walked . They're all illegalas kissed by George Cloone. At least something that grows and is a leaf is not the same as methamphetaminedirector Alexander Payne and co. You can't just lump them all togetherooney on the lips in a scene. But what I said to my kids was that to have a drink or to smoke, to get a break from your life and to relax is one thingictory, When she thanked her . If you're smoking from the time you wake up, you will not have a life to have a break from kid again, MAKING H. The important thing is to talk about it.'
Q: You share a special kiss in this film that may shock certain moviegoersignored, It was Streep&. Were you nervous shooting it?
A: 'Not at all made her feel like a kid again, . I've been there before on filmname, I could feel America saying, 'Oh w. I think it's more about the bravery involved with relationships - whether or not you're going to be vulnerable to another person, whether or not you ever want to be intimate with another persond it 'Streep fatigue' to . The age, the color is just a detailreep's victory surprised Oscar pundits w. It's making that leap in extending yourself to another person.'
Q: Physically? Sexually? Emotionally?
A: 'It's the connection that's important, I think, as a womanname, I could feel America sayi. I love sex, but sex without connection for me is not interestinganks an inspiration, . When a guy says, 'It was nothing, it was just sex,' I believe that's true for himAmerica saying, 'Oh why her again?&. It doesn't work that way for med out for television audiences, He apologized b. I could have just sex, but I'm interested in connection.'
Q: In 2009 you and your sons' father, Tim Robbins, ended a 21 year partnership Director Martin Scorsese'. How has it been being on your own?
A: 'It's been a lot of different thingsWoody Allen won for original screenplay with 'Mid. It's traumatic and exhilarating span class='yshortcuts' id='lw_1330322. The one thing that's been really clear to me is that you have to think of your own life and your relationship and everything as a living organismthat,' Hazanavicius told the audience of stars in. It's constantly moving, changing, growing Finally, Hollyw. I think long-term relationships need to be constantly reevaluated and talked about.'
Q: Some people in similar situations feel that they've failed to keep the relationship togetherank you for that,' Hazanavicius told the au. Did you?
A: 'Of course you feel like a failureBut whatever,' she joked, Yet even the st. It's a big deal but again, it's an opportunity to grow 'When they called my name, I could feel America . At the end of my first marriage (in 1979 to Chris Sarandon), it was about the loss of ideal, about who you thought this person was that has been called a love letter to old . I thought love conquered all and I had to reevaluate everything Director Martin Scorsese's 'Hug. And you need your girlfriends, you need to take long, long walks until you're exhausted and no longer freaking out and you hold on until a new dawn0322590_3'George Clooney/span, span class=. Then you get another chance.'
Q: After your marriage ended, you vowed to never marry againis role as an elderly gay man in 'Beginners,. Your daughter (Eva Amurri, 26, whose father is filmmaker Franco Amurri) was married last falls in brief video vignette. How was that for you?
A: 'She's brilliant, darling, Where have you been all of my life. Her views about a lot of things are obviously different than minefrom 'The Help,' He opened with . I don't know if that's in reaction to me or that's just the way she came in the lips in a scene out of 'The Descendants. She's always been really clear about what she wants, what she doesn't want and she has executed her life in way to move toward thatther major wins, the foreign language film award w. She's picked the right guy who has the same goals and strategies of life 'Thank you Academy for putting me with the h. It's not been traumatic at allever Oscar for his portrayal of an elderly . The wedding was fun.'
(Reporting by Zorianna Kit)
"That's What She Said" acquired by Phase 4 Films
LOS ANGELES, March 13 (TheWrap.com) - That's What She Said,' a raunchy comedy directed and produced by 'True Blood' actress Carrie Preston, has been acquired by Phase 4 Films, the company said Tuesday.
Kellie Overbey wrote the script about best friends DeeDee, played by Anne Heche, and Bebe, played by MarciaDeBonis, who have a misadventure in New York City.
The film premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
''That's What She Said' is part of the current wave of female driven raunchy comedies, with a trio of relatable anti-heroines behaving badly,' Berry Meyerowitz, president and CEO of Phase 4, said in a statement.
Phase 4 plans to release the film in theaters and on VOD later this year.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Kellie Overbey wrote the script about best friends DeeDee, played by Anne Heche, and Bebe, played by MarciaDeBonis, who have a misadventure in New York City.
The film premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
''That's What She Said' is part of the current wave of female driven raunchy comedies, with a trio of relatable anti-heroines behaving badly,' Berry Meyerowitz, president and CEO of Phase 4, said in a statement.
Phase 4 plans to release the film in theaters and on VOD later this year.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Monday, March 12, 2012
"The Hunger Games" premieres Monday night in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, March 12 (TheWrap.com) - The world premiere of 'The Hunger Games,' Lionsgate's eagerly anticipated adaptation of Suzanne Collins' bestselling novel, will be held in downtown Los Angeles Monday night.
The movie will open to the general public in more than 3,000 theaters on March 23, and it looks to be huge.
'The Hunger Games' is on track to gross at least $95 million in its opening weekend, and a $100 million weekend is entirely possible.
That would be the biggest opening since the weekend of November 18, 2011, when 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1' opened to $138.1 million.
The latest tracking on 'The Hunger Games' shows that 83 percent of those surveyed by the firm NRG are aware of the moviehen Rebello/span's book of the same name, whi. Among women younger than 25, the number is 88 percentclass='yshortcuts' id='lw_133072008. Among men in that demographic, the percentage is 85 percent.
Young women report overwhelming interest in seeing the moviem's development, creation and popular r. NRG says that 74 percent of young women say they have 'definite' interest in seeing it, and 45 percent say it is their 'first choice.'
The numbers are slightly lower -- but still impressive -- for young men, 60 percent of whom say they have 'definite' interest in seeing 'The Hunger Games.'
Only 19 movies have ever opened to more than $100 million, and only 21 have opened to more than $95 million.
The PG-13 movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland.
Monday night's premiere will be held at Nokia Theatre LA Live.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
The movie will open to the general public in more than 3,000 theaters on March 23, and it looks to be huge.
'The Hunger Games' is on track to gross at least $95 million in its opening weekend, and a $100 million weekend is entirely possible.
That would be the biggest opening since the weekend of November 18, 2011, when 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1' opened to $138.1 million.
The latest tracking on 'The Hunger Games' shows that 83 percent of those surveyed by the firm NRG are aware of the moviehen Rebello/span's book of the same name, whi. Among women younger than 25, the number is 88 percentclass='yshortcuts' id='lw_133072008. Among men in that demographic, the percentage is 85 percent.
Young women report overwhelming interest in seeing the moviem's development, creation and popular r. NRG says that 74 percent of young women say they have 'definite' interest in seeing it, and 45 percent say it is their 'first choice.'
The numbers are slightly lower -- but still impressive -- for young men, 60 percent of whom say they have 'definite' interest in seeing 'The Hunger Games.'
Only 19 movies have ever opened to more than $100 million, and only 21 have opened to more than $95 million.
The PG-13 movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland.
Monday night's premiere will be held at Nokia Theatre LA Live.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
French actor confirms engagement to Halle Berry: report
"Yes, of course it's true," Martinez told the newspaper in an article posted online on Saturday, referring to engagement rumors that have been swirling around the couple.
Martinez, who was in Miami for the opening of his South Beach restaurant, Villa Azur, also took the opportunity to set the record straight on the designer of the engagement ring Berry has been wearing since January.
Contrary to reports that the emerald ring is Gurhan-designed, it's the creation of jeweler Robert Mazlo from the actor's native Paris, he said 'John Carter' is. The Mazlo jewelers have been designing jewelry for "kings and queens for many centuries," Martinez told the paper.
Berry and Martinez have been dating since 2010, when they worked together on the film "Dark Tide," due for release this year.
This would be the third marriage for Berry, 45, who won a best actress Oscar for her role in 2001 film "Monster's Ball." She was married to former baseball player David Justice from 1993 to 1997 and to singer Eric Benet from 2001 to 2005weekend and see sales slip by at least 4. She had a daughter Nahla, who turns 4 this month, with French-Canadian model Gabriel Aubry.
For Martinez, 46, the wedding would be his first' about three high-school kids. He has been involved with a number of high-profile women, among them actresses Mira Sorvino and singer Kylie Minogue.
(Reporting by Sheri Linden: Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis)
Sunday, March 11, 2012
'Lorax' beats Disney Mars epic at box office
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Drd resentment,' said its director Ashgar Farhad. Seuss movie 'The Lorax' stayed firmly planted at Nolow filmmakers and his wife and . 1 on box office charts over the weekend, easily trumping the debut of Walt Disney Co's expensive sci-fi flick 'John Carter.'
The animated 'Lorax' notched its second win in a row with $39.1 million in U.Sut to his family in '. and Canadian ticket sales from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.
'John Carter' opened in second place with $30.6 million, a low number for a hoped-for blockbusterbest film, and span class='yshortcuts' id='lw. While the 3D space adventure grossed more than double that amount overseas, Disney is left with a big hole to fill just to break eventcuts' id='lw_1330318152_5'Director. The film cost an estimated $250 million to produce, plus tens of millions more to market.
'John Carter' added $70.6 million from international markets, for a global total of $101.2 million contrast to Plummer, had to hold. Movies typically take in their biggest haul over the first weekend and see sales slip by at least 40 percent the following weeklass='yshortcuts' id='lw_1330318152_6'George Cloon. Studios split box-office receipts with theaters.
Heading into the weekend, Wall Street analysts predicted Disney would lose tens of millions of dollars on the film as she joyously accepted her trophy, . Evercore Partners analyst Alan Gould on Friday estimated a $165 million loss.
Audiences gave the movie a 'B+' in polling by survey firm CinemaScore, and domestic sales gained 25 percent from Friday to Saturday, said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice president for motion picture sales and distribution.
While 'we appreciate the larger economics of the film, we are encouraged by how the film has been received' by audiences, Hollis said.
'John Carter' is based on a century-old book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan318152_2'Jean Dujardin/sp. The movie stars Taylor Kitsch from TV's 'Friday Night Lights' as an ex-military captain who is transported to Mars and tries to end the planet's civil war.
'John Carter' is the first live-action movie from Andrew Stanton, director of Oscar-winning animated mega-hits 'Wall-E' and 'Finding Nemo' from Disney's Pixar unit.
Critics were split on the filmtrast to Plummer, had to hold back tears as she ac. Fifty percent gave the movie a positive rating on review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.
'The Lorax,' an environmental tale about a fuzzy orange creature that guards trees, held strong in its second weekendan class='yshortcuts' id='lw_133031. The movie dropped 44 percent from a week earlierde in civil rights drama . Total worldwide sales for the big-screen adaptation of Seuss' 1971 children's book now stand at $123.7 million.
Overall North American (U.Span class='yshortcuts. and Canadian) ticket sales outpaced 2011 for the 10th straight weekend, beating the same frame last year by 8.7 percentw_1330318152_1'Michel H. Year-to-date ticket sales are running 18.3 percent ahead of 2011, according to the box office division of Hollywood.com.
Comedy 'Project X,' about three high-school kids who plan a party that spins out of control, pulled together $11.6 million domesticallyr Martin Scorsese/span's 'Hugo,' which tells o. That landed the movie in third place during its second weekend in theaters.
NEW FILMS MAKE LITTLE NOISE
Horror flick 'Silent House' had a quiet debut, pulling in $7 million and taking fourth placed to its best film victory with. The movie stars Elizabeth Olsen as a young woman trapped in a lakeside house and unable to contact the outside worldsaid, looking at his golden Oscar, which was c. A spokeswoman for distributor Open Road Films said the movie would be profitable for the company.
In fifth place, military drama 'Act of Valor' brought in $7.0 millionister Margaret Thatcher/span who is slipping into. The film has grossed $56.1 million after three weekends in theaters.
New comedy 'A Thousand Words' starring Eddie Murphy found little to talk about, opening with $6.4 million domestically and finishing in sixth placeted her trophy for her portrayal of . Distributor Paramount had forecast an opening around $5 million or $6 million for the movie, which was produced by Dreamworks with a budget of about $40 million.
The movie bombed with critics, earning 37 unanimously negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoesld's top movie honors o. Audiences gave the movie a 'B-' in CinemaScore polling.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures released 'Dr up five wins for cinemat. Seuss' The Lorax.' Time Warner Inc released 'Project X.' 'A Thousand Words' was distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc Oscars for its French st. 'Silent House' was released by Open Road Films, a joint venture between theater owners Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment Inc330318152_5'Director Martin Scorse. Privately held Relativity Media distributed 'Act of Valor' in the United States, and Alliance Films released the movie in Canada.
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; Editing by Bill Trott)
The animated 'Lorax' notched its second win in a row with $39.1 million in U.Sut to his family in '. and Canadian ticket sales from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.
'John Carter' opened in second place with $30.6 million, a low number for a hoped-for blockbusterbest film, and span class='yshortcuts' id='lw. While the 3D space adventure grossed more than double that amount overseas, Disney is left with a big hole to fill just to break eventcuts' id='lw_1330318152_5'Director. The film cost an estimated $250 million to produce, plus tens of millions more to market.
'John Carter' added $70.6 million from international markets, for a global total of $101.2 million contrast to Plummer, had to hold. Movies typically take in their biggest haul over the first weekend and see sales slip by at least 40 percent the following weeklass='yshortcuts' id='lw_1330318152_6'George Cloon. Studios split box-office receipts with theaters.
Heading into the weekend, Wall Street analysts predicted Disney would lose tens of millions of dollars on the film as she joyously accepted her trophy, . Evercore Partners analyst Alan Gould on Friday estimated a $165 million loss.
Audiences gave the movie a 'B+' in polling by survey firm CinemaScore, and domestic sales gained 25 percent from Friday to Saturday, said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice president for motion picture sales and distribution.
While 'we appreciate the larger economics of the film, we are encouraged by how the film has been received' by audiences, Hollis said.
'John Carter' is based on a century-old book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan318152_2'Jean Dujardin/sp. The movie stars Taylor Kitsch from TV's 'Friday Night Lights' as an ex-military captain who is transported to Mars and tries to end the planet's civil war.
'John Carter' is the first live-action movie from Andrew Stanton, director of Oscar-winning animated mega-hits 'Wall-E' and 'Finding Nemo' from Disney's Pixar unit.
Critics were split on the filmtrast to Plummer, had to hold back tears as she ac. Fifty percent gave the movie a positive rating on review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.
'The Lorax,' an environmental tale about a fuzzy orange creature that guards trees, held strong in its second weekendan class='yshortcuts' id='lw_133031. The movie dropped 44 percent from a week earlierde in civil rights drama . Total worldwide sales for the big-screen adaptation of Seuss' 1971 children's book now stand at $123.7 million.
Overall North American (U.Span class='yshortcuts. and Canadian) ticket sales outpaced 2011 for the 10th straight weekend, beating the same frame last year by 8.7 percentw_1330318152_1'Michel H. Year-to-date ticket sales are running 18.3 percent ahead of 2011, according to the box office division of Hollywood.com.
Comedy 'Project X,' about three high-school kids who plan a party that spins out of control, pulled together $11.6 million domesticallyr Martin Scorsese/span's 'Hugo,' which tells o. That landed the movie in third place during its second weekend in theaters.
NEW FILMS MAKE LITTLE NOISE
Horror flick 'Silent House' had a quiet debut, pulling in $7 million and taking fourth placed to its best film victory with. The movie stars Elizabeth Olsen as a young woman trapped in a lakeside house and unable to contact the outside worldsaid, looking at his golden Oscar, which was c. A spokeswoman for distributor Open Road Films said the movie would be profitable for the company.
In fifth place, military drama 'Act of Valor' brought in $7.0 millionister Margaret Thatcher/span who is slipping into. The film has grossed $56.1 million after three weekends in theaters.
New comedy 'A Thousand Words' starring Eddie Murphy found little to talk about, opening with $6.4 million domestically and finishing in sixth placeted her trophy for her portrayal of . Distributor Paramount had forecast an opening around $5 million or $6 million for the movie, which was produced by Dreamworks with a budget of about $40 million.
The movie bombed with critics, earning 37 unanimously negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoesld's top movie honors o. Audiences gave the movie a 'B-' in CinemaScore polling.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures released 'Dr up five wins for cinemat. Seuss' The Lorax.' Time Warner Inc released 'Project X.' 'A Thousand Words' was distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc Oscars for its French st. 'Silent House' was released by Open Road Films, a joint venture between theater owners Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment Inc330318152_5'Director Martin Scorse. Privately held Relativity Media distributed 'Act of Valor' in the United States, and Alliance Films released the movie in Canada.
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; Editing by Bill Trott)
Actor Michael Madsen arrested after alleged fight with son
(Reuters) - Actor Michael Madsen, known for roles in films such as 'Thelma & Louise,' was arrested for child cruelty after getting into a fight with his teenage son, authorities said on Saturday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Madsen, 54, was arrested at his Malibu, California, home on Friday afternoon by deputies investigating a report of a family disturbance.
Madsen 'appeared under the influence of alcohol,' the sheriff's department said in a statementackground-image:url('htt. He was arrested without incident.
The Chicago-born actor, best known for his roles in films such as 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Thelma & Louise' and 'Kill Bill,' was booked and jailed on charges of cruelty to a child.
His bail was set at $100,000.
(Reporting by James Bd, 'When. Kelleher; Editing by Greg McCune and Peter Cooney)
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Madsen, 54, was arrested at his Malibu, California, home on Friday afternoon by deputies investigating a report of a family disturbance.
Madsen 'appeared under the influence of alcohol,' the sheriff's department said in a statementackground-image:url('htt. He was arrested without incident.
The Chicago-born actor, best known for his roles in films such as 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Thelma & Louise' and 'Kill Bill,' was booked and jailed on charges of cruelty to a child.
His bail was set at $100,000.
(Reporting by James Bd, 'When. Kelleher; Editing by Greg McCune and Peter Cooney)
Friday, March 9, 2012
Disney space movie tests big-budget film strategy
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - 'John Carter,' the 3D space adventure film that opens today, was supposed to be the Walt Disney Co's latest franchise movie, a blockbuster on par with 'Cars' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' that generates profits beyond the film to television, books, and consumer products.
Instead, industry tracking suggests it will be the latest big-budget box office bust.
While Hollywood's hit-and-miss nature has always made it an inherently risky investment, the possible failure of 'John Carter' underscores the increased risk studios have taken in recent years by reducing the number of movies they produce to focus on big-budget films.
Betting on big-budget movies -- called 'tent poles' because they are meant to hold up the rest of the studio's slate -- is a high-risk, high-reward businessrJkpRAQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9MzA4O2NyPTE7Y3. Winners pay hefty dividends for years with film sequels, toys, video games and even theme-park ridesilm about how people survive in . A flop can cost tens of millions of dollars.
Evercore Partners analyst Alan Gould estimates 'John Carter' could lose $165 million.
Disney knows the cost of failure all too wellctress span class='yshortcuts' id='lw_1328980030. The company last year took a write-down of more than $70 million after its animated movie 'Mars Needs Moms' tankedeekend), a family drama by Hans-Christian Sch. The poor performance of that film had repercussions beyond the studio division, dragging down the media giant's overall quarterly earnings to below analyst forecasts, sending its shares tumbling 3 percent.
'Green Lantern,' the silver screen version of the superhero comic book character, was supposed to be a franchise film for Warner Bros last year Germany/span to West Germany, sh. Instead, Time Warner Inc Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes, said it 'fell fairly far short' of expectations, pulling in just $222 million around the world on an estimated production budget of $200 million, according to website BoxOfficeMojo.com.
That figure excludes the tens of millions that studios usually spend to market and advertise a movie with a production budget of that size.
Sci-fi Western 'Cowboys & Aliens' also stumbledin a haunting new film called 'Barba. The movie, from Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks studio and Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures, pulled in $175 million in ticket sales around the world on a production budget of $163 million, excluding marketing costs.
'I think you are seeing more misfires because, from a business strategy, the studios are green lighting more tent pole product. With more at bats, there is inherently more strike out potential,' said Amir Malin, former head of Artisan Entertainment and current managing partner at Qualia Capital, a New York-based hedge fund that has invested in film and TV libraries.
'It does not mean it's the wrong business strategy,' he addedhrfeld pose for pictures du. 'Imagine if Disney had not produced 'Pirates.''
Indeed, studios have focused on franchise films in recent years because of the big rewards that can be reaped when one connects.
The fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie, for example, grossed more than $1 billion worldwide last year, prompting Disney to begin work on a fifthrs Nina Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld pose for pictur. 'Cars 2' brought in $554 million for the company last year and will sell more merchandise than the $2.8 billion from 'Toy Story,' Disney told analysts last yeares of the state, . Combined, the two franchises have grossed a total of $4.7 billion.
Big-budget movies 'are succeeding more than they are failing,' said Vincent Bruzzese, president of the motion picture group at researcher Ipsos MediaCTws/Reuters/2012-02-11T170356Z_1_BTRE81A1BE. Two-thirds of last year's top 15 films were franchise movies, he said.
The promise of big rewards from franchise films has incited studio executives to climb over each other in search of the next 'Titanic,' said Bill Mechanic, who ran News Corp's 20th Century Fox when it co-financed the 1997 mega-hitdth='190' height='13. 'Titanic' became the highest-grossing film ever at the time, with more than $1.8 billion in global salesrmany/span, the film set in 1980 is . It was surpassed by another Fox film, 'Avatar,' which grossed $2.8 billion after its December 2009 release.
Mechanic, who now produces mid-budget movies through his Pandemonium Films, said one problem with the franchise film strategy is that there are now so many tentpole films that they compete against one anotherdia/m/base/images/transparent-95031,pn. A week after 'Cowboys & Aliens' opened, Fox released 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes.'
When that happens, 'one of the bigs isn't nearly as big,' said Mechanic.
Further, studios are churning out more franchise films at a time when movie attendance is in decline and sales of DVDs are crumbling, taking away a money-minting safety net for many films.
Even the big hits can no longer count on DVD sales to consumers and services like Netflix and Redbox, said Roger Smith, a former film industry executive and now a consultant with Roger Smith & Co in New York.
The 2006 film 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' generated home entertainment sales equal to 90 percent of its $282 million U.S and even spouses might betray them to the Stas. and Canadian box office, Smith said Saturday, the first of three German productio. Last year's 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows -- Part 2,' the series finale, will equal less than 50 percent of the $381 million the movie grossed at domestic theaters.
At a recent investor conference, Disney Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo said the 'melting ice cube of the DVD' had prompted a new look at the movie business 5px 0;'img src='http://l,yimg,com/os/m. The company concluded that the 'highest, most likely return' would come from franchise filmseight='131' alt='Director Christian Pet. As a result, Disney cut the number of movies it produces each year to 10 or 12 from as many as 25, he said.
Even before 'John Carter' hit the screen, the movie's budget increased from $150 million to more than $200 million, according to a studio executive with knowledge of the projectspan for a fifth time after s. From the outset, the film's special effects were a problemompetition, A fictio. Disney had the rights to do the film in the mid-1980s and had hired action director John McTiernan to direct. Disney held off because the technology wasn't yet ready to do the film it envisioned, said the executive, and eventually lost the rights to Viacom's Paramount Picturesrmany/span, the film set in 1980 is a sedate portr. Disney came back into the picture in January 2007 when the studio bought the rights at the urging of Andrew Stanton, one of Pixar's most valuable executives and writer for animated hits 'Toy Story,' 'A Bug's Life' and 'Finding Nemo.' By 2009, Stanton had a three-part series ready to shoot, but Disney worried the price tag was rising too fast, said a studio executive in the main competition, A . They asked for a new script, and in early 2009 Disney studio chief Dick Cook greenlit the film with directions to keep its budget under $200 millionin February 11, 2012, REUTE. The budget began grew after Cook left in September 2009asi persecution, including reg. Stanton started production in early 2010, three months after former Disney Channel executive Rich Ross took over the studioly drama by Hans-Christian Schmid,. Ross had canceled or delayed other Cook projects, including an expensive update of its 1954 Jules Vern tale '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.' Ross allowed John Carter to proceedears before it imploded when t. The film was completed just as Disney's marketing chief MT Carney was leaving and was replaced a former Sony Pictures marketing executive Ricky Strauss.
With an estimated production budget of $250 million, 'John Carter' needs to generate at least $400 million in box office receipts to generate enough theater, home video and television revenue to cover the film's production and promotion costs, Davenport & Co analyst Michael Morris estimated.
So far, 'John Carter' has grossed $13 million since opening in some international markets on Wednesday and Thursday8980030_1'East Germany/span suc. Early Friday shows just after midnight brought in $500,000 in the United States and Canada.
Disney is hoping for a weekend domestic opening in the $30 million range, said Dave Hollis, executive vice president for motion picture sales and distribution at Disney.
That would leave a crater-sized gap before the story of a former military captain who is transported to Mars could earn back its production and promotion costs, given the fact that movies typically score their biggest box-office hauls during opening weekend.
Despite the risks, major movie studios can usually weather a big loss tale of a young doctor banished to the E. When 'Green Lantern' stumbled, Warner Broshristian Petzold (R) and cast members Nina . scored in the same quarter with 'The Hangover 2,' which earned $581.5 million around the world.
For conglomerates like Disney, 'film studios are a fairly small percentage of the total corporate earnings The other two German films competing for Golden. They can make it up in cable or they can make it up in theme parks,' said Hal Vogel, a media analyst and head of Vogel Capital Management.
'Everybody is afraid to be the one who stops trying to take the plunge,' former Fox studio chief Mechanic said.
After all, no one wants to miss out on the next 'Star Wars.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine and Ronald Grover; Editing by Peter Lauria)
Instead, industry tracking suggests it will be the latest big-budget box office bust.
While Hollywood's hit-and-miss nature has always made it an inherently risky investment, the possible failure of 'John Carter' underscores the increased risk studios have taken in recent years by reducing the number of movies they produce to focus on big-budget films.
Betting on big-budget movies -- called 'tent poles' because they are meant to hold up the rest of the studio's slate -- is a high-risk, high-reward businessrJkpRAQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9MzA4O2NyPTE7Y3. Winners pay hefty dividends for years with film sequels, toys, video games and even theme-park ridesilm about how people survive in . A flop can cost tens of millions of dollars.
Evercore Partners analyst Alan Gould estimates 'John Carter' could lose $165 million.
Disney knows the cost of failure all too wellctress span class='yshortcuts' id='lw_1328980030. The company last year took a write-down of more than $70 million after its animated movie 'Mars Needs Moms' tankedeekend), a family drama by Hans-Christian Sch. The poor performance of that film had repercussions beyond the studio division, dragging down the media giant's overall quarterly earnings to below analyst forecasts, sending its shares tumbling 3 percent.
'Green Lantern,' the silver screen version of the superhero comic book character, was supposed to be a franchise film for Warner Bros last year Germany/span to West Germany, sh. Instead, Time Warner Inc Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes, said it 'fell fairly far short' of expectations, pulling in just $222 million around the world on an estimated production budget of $200 million, according to website BoxOfficeMojo.com.
That figure excludes the tens of millions that studios usually spend to market and advertise a movie with a production budget of that size.
Sci-fi Western 'Cowboys & Aliens' also stumbledin a haunting new film called 'Barba. The movie, from Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks studio and Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures, pulled in $175 million in ticket sales around the world on a production budget of $163 million, excluding marketing costs.
'I think you are seeing more misfires because, from a business strategy, the studios are green lighting more tent pole product. With more at bats, there is inherently more strike out potential,' said Amir Malin, former head of Artisan Entertainment and current managing partner at Qualia Capital, a New York-based hedge fund that has invested in film and TV libraries.
'It does not mean it's the wrong business strategy,' he addedhrfeld pose for pictures du. 'Imagine if Disney had not produced 'Pirates.''
Indeed, studios have focused on franchise films in recent years because of the big rewards that can be reaped when one connects.
The fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie, for example, grossed more than $1 billion worldwide last year, prompting Disney to begin work on a fifthrs Nina Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld pose for pictur. 'Cars 2' brought in $554 million for the company last year and will sell more merchandise than the $2.8 billion from 'Toy Story,' Disney told analysts last yeares of the state, . Combined, the two franchises have grossed a total of $4.7 billion.
Big-budget movies 'are succeeding more than they are failing,' said Vincent Bruzzese, president of the motion picture group at researcher Ipsos MediaCTws/Reuters/2012-02-11T170356Z_1_BTRE81A1BE. Two-thirds of last year's top 15 films were franchise movies, he said.
The promise of big rewards from franchise films has incited studio executives to climb over each other in search of the next 'Titanic,' said Bill Mechanic, who ran News Corp's 20th Century Fox when it co-financed the 1997 mega-hitdth='190' height='13. 'Titanic' became the highest-grossing film ever at the time, with more than $1.8 billion in global salesrmany/span, the film set in 1980 is . It was surpassed by another Fox film, 'Avatar,' which grossed $2.8 billion after its December 2009 release.
Mechanic, who now produces mid-budget movies through his Pandemonium Films, said one problem with the franchise film strategy is that there are now so many tentpole films that they compete against one anotherdia/m/base/images/transparent-95031,pn. A week after 'Cowboys & Aliens' opened, Fox released 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes.'
When that happens, 'one of the bigs isn't nearly as big,' said Mechanic.
Further, studios are churning out more franchise films at a time when movie attendance is in decline and sales of DVDs are crumbling, taking away a money-minting safety net for many films.
Even the big hits can no longer count on DVD sales to consumers and services like Netflix and Redbox, said Roger Smith, a former film industry executive and now a consultant with Roger Smith & Co in New York.
The 2006 film 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' generated home entertainment sales equal to 90 percent of its $282 million U.S and even spouses might betray them to the Stas. and Canadian box office, Smith said Saturday, the first of three German productio. Last year's 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows -- Part 2,' the series finale, will equal less than 50 percent of the $381 million the movie grossed at domestic theaters.
At a recent investor conference, Disney Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo said the 'melting ice cube of the DVD' had prompted a new look at the movie business 5px 0;'img src='http://l,yimg,com/os/m. The company concluded that the 'highest, most likely return' would come from franchise filmseight='131' alt='Director Christian Pet. As a result, Disney cut the number of movies it produces each year to 10 or 12 from as many as 25, he said.
Even before 'John Carter' hit the screen, the movie's budget increased from $150 million to more than $200 million, according to a studio executive with knowledge of the projectspan for a fifth time after s. From the outset, the film's special effects were a problemompetition, A fictio. Disney had the rights to do the film in the mid-1980s and had hired action director John McTiernan to direct. Disney held off because the technology wasn't yet ready to do the film it envisioned, said the executive, and eventually lost the rights to Viacom's Paramount Picturesrmany/span, the film set in 1980 is a sedate portr. Disney came back into the picture in January 2007 when the studio bought the rights at the urging of Andrew Stanton, one of Pixar's most valuable executives and writer for animated hits 'Toy Story,' 'A Bug's Life' and 'Finding Nemo.' By 2009, Stanton had a three-part series ready to shoot, but Disney worried the price tag was rising too fast, said a studio executive in the main competition, A . They asked for a new script, and in early 2009 Disney studio chief Dick Cook greenlit the film with directions to keep its budget under $200 millionin February 11, 2012, REUTE. The budget began grew after Cook left in September 2009asi persecution, including reg. Stanton started production in early 2010, three months after former Disney Channel executive Rich Ross took over the studioly drama by Hans-Christian Schmid,. Ross had canceled or delayed other Cook projects, including an expensive update of its 1954 Jules Vern tale '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.' Ross allowed John Carter to proceedears before it imploded when t. The film was completed just as Disney's marketing chief MT Carney was leaving and was replaced a former Sony Pictures marketing executive Ricky Strauss.
With an estimated production budget of $250 million, 'John Carter' needs to generate at least $400 million in box office receipts to generate enough theater, home video and television revenue to cover the film's production and promotion costs, Davenport & Co analyst Michael Morris estimated.
So far, 'John Carter' has grossed $13 million since opening in some international markets on Wednesday and Thursday8980030_1'East Germany/span suc. Early Friday shows just after midnight brought in $500,000 in the United States and Canada.
Disney is hoping for a weekend domestic opening in the $30 million range, said Dave Hollis, executive vice president for motion picture sales and distribution at Disney.
That would leave a crater-sized gap before the story of a former military captain who is transported to Mars could earn back its production and promotion costs, given the fact that movies typically score their biggest box-office hauls during opening weekend.
Despite the risks, major movie studios can usually weather a big loss tale of a young doctor banished to the E. When 'Green Lantern' stumbled, Warner Broshristian Petzold (R) and cast members Nina . scored in the same quarter with 'The Hangover 2,' which earned $581.5 million around the world.
For conglomerates like Disney, 'film studios are a fairly small percentage of the total corporate earnings The other two German films competing for Golden. They can make it up in cable or they can make it up in theme parks,' said Hal Vogel, a media analyst and head of Vogel Capital Management.
'Everybody is afraid to be the one who stops trying to take the plunge,' former Fox studio chief Mechanic said.
After all, no one wants to miss out on the next 'Star Wars.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine and Ronald Grover; Editing by Peter Lauria)
'Lorax' poised to beat up 'John Carter' at the box office
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - 'The Lorax,' a $70 million animated feature in its second week of release, is going to wallop Disney's $250 million-plus 'John Carter' at the box office this weekend.
And no one will be surprised's Super Bowl, but this year's Gram. For months, Hollywood has speculated that 'John Carter' would flopclass='yshortcuts' id. Now Disney is bracing to see how bad the damage will be.
Based on the 1964 Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the long-in-development movie was written and directed by 'WALL-E' writer-director Andrew Stantonhe best solution for a lively TV a. It stars Tyler Kitsch as a confederate soldier who must save the Red Planet, and, ultimately, Earth.
The pricey gamble opens at 3,749 domestic locations, including 289 IMAX and 119 premium large format locationsally, Iranian film 'A Separation' goes u. Of the 3,749 locations, 2,614 are 3D former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It's also opening in 70 international markets.
Usually, studios underplay box office expectations, or at least provide conservative estimates acceptance speeches, . In 'John Carter's' case, the studio says it 'aspires' to an opening in the $30 million range.
Box-office watchers outside the studio say Disney is being optimisticS, and Canadian box offices, and the Oscars gen. They expect something in the low-to-mid $20 million range.
In fact, all three of this weekend's new movies -- 'John Carter,' Open Road's 'Silent House' and Paramount's 'A Thousand Words' -- are drawing low box-office projections.
'The Lorax' is on track to win its second weekend easily said Dave Karger, movie writer for Enter. Box-office watchers figure Universal's 3D adaptation of the Dry twice since 2002 ha. Seuss book, which made $70.2 million last weekend, could take $44 million.
'The Lorax' has enjoyed strong midweek numbers -- $3.5 million on Monday, $3.7 million on Tuesday, $2.6 million on Wednesday -- which bodes well for a strong second weekend.
Disney has struggled with its marketing on 'John Carter' for months, with new marketing chief Ricky Strauss taking over from ousted MT Carney midstream in January professional football's S. Typically a movie with a $250 million budget looks for a $75 million opening - minimum second most-watched TV event in. That's a far cry from the $20 million to $30 million it is expected to bring in this weekend.
The trailers haven't exactly resonated; critics have been tough on it, tooAmerican Clooney 'Desce. Metacritic gives 'John Carter' a 53ndits, . Movie Review Intelligence gives it a 47.2/span as a man trying to keep his family. And Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 49.
'It feels very much like, 'Been there, done that,'' a rival studio executive told TheWrap.
The executive said that Disney has 'tried too hard to get this on the radar with exhibitors,' but has had a hard timele of old Hollywood that sees a fading s. 'It's been at so many conventions, so much footage, so many talks.'
Another studio's head of distribution points out that 'John Carter' is trying to appeal to younger men, and they are not reliable as a quadrant The Oscars need a few surpri. Furthermore, 'I don't know that these images are good enough to get the young guys,' the executive said.
'Their main thing for this movie is males over 25,' he continueder, PAINTING . 'For a movie like this, you've got to drag your wife, and my wife isn't going to come to this'silent movie/span 'The Artist' i. I'd have an easier time getting her to see '21 Jump Street.''
Disney is clinging to whatever good 'John Carter' news it can find against each other, . Audience response to prerelease screenings has been good, the studio says.
And the movie's tracking is reasonably strong: 75 percent of moviegoers surveyed by the research firm NRG say they are aware of the moviehas generated only ar. Among men, the number is 80 percent.
Among the target demographic of men 25 and older, 41 percent say they have 'definite' interest in the movie, and 19 percent say it is their first choice for the weekend.
Those numbers aren't horrible, but neither are they good enough to prop up a $250 million movie.
Disney will be paying close attention midnight Thursday showings It's hard to forget. If those manage to capture an audience, 'John Carter' could generate some momentum.
The weekend's other two new releases, 'Silent House' and 'A Thousand Words,' have modest expectations.
'Silent House' is an R-rated movie about a young woman, played by Elizabeth Olsen, trapped inside her family's creepy lakeside retreats and Sciences say, is a group of. Open Road Films is debuting the movie at 2,124 locations, and expects the film to open in the single digits.
Liddell Entertainment acquired the $1 million movie after it premiered at the Sundance Film FestivalGrammy Awards, music's top . Metacritic gives it a 48, Movie Review Intelligence a 61.8 and Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 56.
Finally, Paramount opens 'A Thousand Words,' a $40 million Eddie Murphy comedy left over from when DreamWorks was at the studio, at 1,890 locationsbest movie, . Paramount expects the PG-13 film to open to $6 million to $8 million.
'A Thousand Words,' which also stars Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke and Allison Janney, is about a fast-talking literary agent who learns that every word he utters shortens his life - and that he has 1,000 words left to speak.
As of Thursday afternoon, the movie had a 25 on Metacritic, a 36.7 on Movie Review Intelligence and a 0 on Rotten Tomatoes.
In limited release, Roadside Attractions is debuting 'Friends With Kids.' The R-rated comedy is directed and written by Jennifer Westfeldt, who also starso to 'The Artist' maker Michel H. Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig also star in the film, which opens at 374 locations.
And CBS Films is opening its PG-13 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,' a Toronto Film Festival favorite, at 18 locations.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
And no one will be surprised's Super Bowl, but this year's Gram. For months, Hollywood has speculated that 'John Carter' would flopclass='yshortcuts' id. Now Disney is bracing to see how bad the damage will be.
Based on the 1964 Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the long-in-development movie was written and directed by 'WALL-E' writer-director Andrew Stantonhe best solution for a lively TV a. It stars Tyler Kitsch as a confederate soldier who must save the Red Planet, and, ultimately, Earth.
The pricey gamble opens at 3,749 domestic locations, including 289 IMAX and 119 premium large format locationsally, Iranian film 'A Separation' goes u. Of the 3,749 locations, 2,614 are 3D former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It's also opening in 70 international markets.
Usually, studios underplay box office expectations, or at least provide conservative estimates acceptance speeches, . In 'John Carter's' case, the studio says it 'aspires' to an opening in the $30 million range.
Box-office watchers outside the studio say Disney is being optimisticS, and Canadian box offices, and the Oscars gen. They expect something in the low-to-mid $20 million range.
In fact, all three of this weekend's new movies -- 'John Carter,' Open Road's 'Silent House' and Paramount's 'A Thousand Words' -- are drawing low box-office projections.
'The Lorax' is on track to win its second weekend easily said Dave Karger, movie writer for Enter. Box-office watchers figure Universal's 3D adaptation of the Dry twice since 2002 ha. Seuss book, which made $70.2 million last weekend, could take $44 million.
'The Lorax' has enjoyed strong midweek numbers -- $3.5 million on Monday, $3.7 million on Tuesday, $2.6 million on Wednesday -- which bodes well for a strong second weekend.
Disney has struggled with its marketing on 'John Carter' for months, with new marketing chief Ricky Strauss taking over from ousted MT Carney midstream in January professional football's S. Typically a movie with a $250 million budget looks for a $75 million opening - minimum second most-watched TV event in. That's a far cry from the $20 million to $30 million it is expected to bring in this weekend.
The trailers haven't exactly resonated; critics have been tough on it, tooAmerican Clooney 'Desce. Metacritic gives 'John Carter' a 53ndits, . Movie Review Intelligence gives it a 47.2/span as a man trying to keep his family. And Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 49.
'It feels very much like, 'Been there, done that,'' a rival studio executive told TheWrap.
The executive said that Disney has 'tried too hard to get this on the radar with exhibitors,' but has had a hard timele of old Hollywood that sees a fading s. 'It's been at so many conventions, so much footage, so many talks.'
Another studio's head of distribution points out that 'John Carter' is trying to appeal to younger men, and they are not reliable as a quadrant The Oscars need a few surpri. Furthermore, 'I don't know that these images are good enough to get the young guys,' the executive said.
'Their main thing for this movie is males over 25,' he continueder, PAINTING . 'For a movie like this, you've got to drag your wife, and my wife isn't going to come to this'silent movie/span 'The Artist' i. I'd have an easier time getting her to see '21 Jump Street.''
Disney is clinging to whatever good 'John Carter' news it can find against each other, . Audience response to prerelease screenings has been good, the studio says.
And the movie's tracking is reasonably strong: 75 percent of moviegoers surveyed by the research firm NRG say they are aware of the moviehas generated only ar. Among men, the number is 80 percent.
Among the target demographic of men 25 and older, 41 percent say they have 'definite' interest in the movie, and 19 percent say it is their first choice for the weekend.
Those numbers aren't horrible, but neither are they good enough to prop up a $250 million movie.
Disney will be paying close attention midnight Thursday showings It's hard to forget. If those manage to capture an audience, 'John Carter' could generate some momentum.
The weekend's other two new releases, 'Silent House' and 'A Thousand Words,' have modest expectations.
'Silent House' is an R-rated movie about a young woman, played by Elizabeth Olsen, trapped inside her family's creepy lakeside retreats and Sciences say, is a group of. Open Road Films is debuting the movie at 2,124 locations, and expects the film to open in the single digits.
Liddell Entertainment acquired the $1 million movie after it premiered at the Sundance Film FestivalGrammy Awards, music's top . Metacritic gives it a 48, Movie Review Intelligence a 61.8 and Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 56.
Finally, Paramount opens 'A Thousand Words,' a $40 million Eddie Murphy comedy left over from when DreamWorks was at the studio, at 1,890 locationsbest movie, . Paramount expects the PG-13 film to open to $6 million to $8 million.
'A Thousand Words,' which also stars Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke and Allison Janney, is about a fast-talking literary agent who learns that every word he utters shortens his life - and that he has 1,000 words left to speak.
As of Thursday afternoon, the movie had a 25 on Metacritic, a 36.7 on Movie Review Intelligence and a 0 on Rotten Tomatoes.
In limited release, Roadside Attractions is debuting 'Friends With Kids.' The R-rated comedy is directed and written by Jennifer Westfeldt, who also starso to 'The Artist' maker Michel H. Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig also star in the film, which opens at 374 locations.
And CBS Films is opening its PG-13 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,' a Toronto Film Festival favorite, at 18 locations.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
"Friends With Kids" has laughs of an all-night crying jag
LOS ANGELES, March 8 (TheWrap.com) - For decades, the movies have encouraged us to dare to be different, to step out of our comfort zones, to strive for greatnessing,' span class='yshortc. But now we have Jennifer Westfeldt as the patron saint of safety, conformity and the dominant paradigm.
Westfeldt, you may recall, wrote and starred in the wispy 'Kissing Jessica Stein,' a comedy about a young woman frustrated with the dating scene who flirts with becoming a lesbian before getting all 'hmm, no thanks' about itat least 272 inmates, (A. Now she's putting the 'threat' in 'triple-threat' as the writer, director and star of 'Friends With Kids,' about a young woman who decides that she can have a baby outside of the context of marriage until she changes her mind and falls in love with the BFF who impregnated her.
And unless 'reticence' is high on your list of what makes filmmakers interesting, there's not much to like about Westfeldt's directorial debut, a shockingly unfunny comedy that wastes both a promising situation and an extraordinary ensemble cast that includes Adam Scott and a quartet of 'Bridesmaids' alumni: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm (Westfeldt's real-life significant other) and Chris O'Dowd.
Young professionals Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Scott), platonic chums since college, have witnessed first-hand what parenthood has done to their coupled friends Ben and Missy (Hamm and Wiig) and Leslie and Alex (Rudolph and O'Dowd): sleep deprivation, frayed nerves, bed death and, horror of horrors, relocations to Brooklyn.
Deciding they can have an infant without it ruining their lives, Julie and Jason decide to matter-of-factly get pregnant, share the responsibilities, and eventually date other people once the little tyke is sleeping through the nightm/bt/api/res/1,2/oF1Udv. But this is a Jennifer Westfeldt joint, and anyone attempting to be non-traditional is set up to be knocked over.
Cue the arrival of the romantic rivals: Jason falls for gorgeous dancer Mary Jane (Megan Fox), who we're supposed to hate because she doesn't want kids, while Julie becomes smitten with contractor Kurt (Edward Burns), a nice-guy single dad who's just too good to be truearly Wednesday, Feb, 15, 2012, Radio reports fr. (Or, as played by Burns, too good to be interesting.)
You can pretty much map out every move that 'Friends With Kids' makes, which would be forgivable if the film generated enough laughs to distract you from the by-the-numbers plothe movie is a live-action ver. But even worse than Westfeldt's acting -- she's so pretty but blandthat she'd make the ideal spokesperson for a makeup line called Tabula Rasa -- is her writing is a live-action version of the po. There's a framework for a fun comedy here, but no one says anything witty and none of the characters (with the occasional exception of O'Dowd's laid-back Alex) emerge as anything resembling a real person with bigger problems than the kind of babies-are-a-handful stuff that Erma Bombeck once built a career out of.
Westfeldt's co-stars deserve way better than this; Scott's comic chops on 'Party Down' and 'Parks and Recreation' have been a joy to behold, and Rudolph once made me howl with laughter simply by saying 'Toothpaste!' in a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch, but this flat material grinds them into dust329321137_4'Battle L. Wiig and Hamm at least mine their unhappy couple for dramatic depths, so funny isn't really on the table for them, but even this talented duo barely registers.
The directing feels off as well, with scenes abruptly ending a second or two early and a general shroud of dour ugliness (the cinematography is by William Rexer) subverting the film's many New York City locations.
'Friends With Kids' was a waste of time for all involveded, The movie is a . Audiences should avoid making the same mistake.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Westfeldt, you may recall, wrote and starred in the wispy 'Kissing Jessica Stein,' a comedy about a young woman frustrated with the dating scene who flirts with becoming a lesbian before getting all 'hmm, no thanks' about itat least 272 inmates, (A. Now she's putting the 'threat' in 'triple-threat' as the writer, director and star of 'Friends With Kids,' about a young woman who decides that she can have a baby outside of the context of marriage until she changes her mind and falls in love with the BFF who impregnated her.
And unless 'reticence' is high on your list of what makes filmmakers interesting, there's not much to like about Westfeldt's directorial debut, a shockingly unfunny comedy that wastes both a promising situation and an extraordinary ensemble cast that includes Adam Scott and a quartet of 'Bridesmaids' alumni: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm (Westfeldt's real-life significant other) and Chris O'Dowd.
Young professionals Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Scott), platonic chums since college, have witnessed first-hand what parenthood has done to their coupled friends Ben and Missy (Hamm and Wiig) and Leslie and Alex (Rudolph and O'Dowd): sleep deprivation, frayed nerves, bed death and, horror of horrors, relocations to Brooklyn.
Deciding they can have an infant without it ruining their lives, Julie and Jason decide to matter-of-factly get pregnant, share the responsibilities, and eventually date other people once the little tyke is sleeping through the nightm/bt/api/res/1,2/oF1Udv. But this is a Jennifer Westfeldt joint, and anyone attempting to be non-traditional is set up to be knocked over.
Cue the arrival of the romantic rivals: Jason falls for gorgeous dancer Mary Jane (Megan Fox), who we're supposed to hate because she doesn't want kids, while Julie becomes smitten with contractor Kurt (Edward Burns), a nice-guy single dad who's just too good to be truearly Wednesday, Feb, 15, 2012, Radio reports fr. (Or, as played by Burns, too good to be interesting.)
You can pretty much map out every move that 'Friends With Kids' makes, which would be forgivable if the film generated enough laughs to distract you from the by-the-numbers plothe movie is a live-action ver. But even worse than Westfeldt's acting -- she's so pretty but blandthat she'd make the ideal spokesperson for a makeup line called Tabula Rasa -- is her writing is a live-action version of the po. There's a framework for a fun comedy here, but no one says anything witty and none of the characters (with the occasional exception of O'Dowd's laid-back Alex) emerge as anything resembling a real person with bigger problems than the kind of babies-are-a-handful stuff that Erma Bombeck once built a career out of.
Westfeldt's co-stars deserve way better than this; Scott's comic chops on 'Party Down' and 'Parks and Recreation' have been a joy to behold, and Rudolph once made me howl with laughter simply by saying 'Toothpaste!' in a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch, but this flat material grinds them into dust329321137_4'Battle L. Wiig and Hamm at least mine their unhappy couple for dramatic depths, so funny isn't really on the table for them, but even this talented duo barely registers.
The directing feels off as well, with scenes abruptly ending a second or two early and a general shroud of dour ugliness (the cinematography is by William Rexer) subverting the film's many New York City locations.
'Friends With Kids' was a waste of time for all involveded, The movie is a . Audiences should avoid making the same mistake.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Spurlock's "Mansome" among films in Tribeca spotlight
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A new documentary by Morgan Spurlock examining what it means to be a man in modern times was among films announced on Wednesday as part of the final lineup at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival.
Festival organizers unveiled more than 40 films in the 'spotlight' and 'cinemania' sections of the New York City event, one of the largest for independent cinema in the United States that runs from April 18 to 29 and will screen 90 feature films.
'Mansome', directed by Morgan Spurlock, looks at the age of metrosexuals and features interviews will Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis and 'everyday people weighing in on everything from the obsession with facial hair to body dysmorphic disorder,' according to the Tribeca program.
Among other documentaries premiering, 'Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey' is the real-life rock 'n' roll tale of Arnel Pineda, the new lead singer of American rock band Journey, who was spotted on YouTube singing covers of Journey songs and hired to sing with the real band.
'E?vocateur: The Morton Downey Jrd man who no longer talks, His . Movie' tells the story of one of the original shock jocks and TV hosts who helped pioneer a populist style of right wing opinion, while 'Knuckleball!' tells the trials and triumphs of two of the best known baseball pitchers who could throw a knuckleball.
Fiction film premieres include 'Struck By Lightning,' written and starring 'Glee' TV star Chris Colfer who narrates his own funeral and the last few weeks of his life, as well as 'Deadfall' starring Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde and Sissy Spacek in a film about a heist man and his sister who are on the run with a bag full of money.
'The Playroom' with John Hawkes looks behind the facade of the perfect American family, and 'Cheerful Weather for the Wedding' stars British actress Felicity Jones as an English turn-of-the-century bride to be.
Among high-profile directors whose films have played at previous festivals but will show at Tribeca again this year includes Sarah Polley with 'Take This Waltz' starring Michelle Williams, Julie Delpy's '2 Days in New York' and Michael Winterbottom's 'Trishna.'
Foreign productions making their American premiere include 'Elles' with Juliette Binoche playing a journalist researching college students working as prostitutes and 'As Luck Would Have It (La Chispa de la Vida)' by Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia with Selma Hayek in a dark satire about an advertising executive at the center of a media frenzy.
(Reporting By Christine Kearney; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Festival organizers unveiled more than 40 films in the 'spotlight' and 'cinemania' sections of the New York City event, one of the largest for independent cinema in the United States that runs from April 18 to 29 and will screen 90 feature films.
'Mansome', directed by Morgan Spurlock, looks at the age of metrosexuals and features interviews will Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis and 'everyday people weighing in on everything from the obsession with facial hair to body dysmorphic disorder,' according to the Tribeca program.
Among other documentaries premiering, 'Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey' is the real-life rock 'n' roll tale of Arnel Pineda, the new lead singer of American rock band Journey, who was spotted on YouTube singing covers of Journey songs and hired to sing with the real band.
'E?vocateur: The Morton Downey Jrd man who no longer talks, His . Movie' tells the story of one of the original shock jocks and TV hosts who helped pioneer a populist style of right wing opinion, while 'Knuckleball!' tells the trials and triumphs of two of the best known baseball pitchers who could throw a knuckleball.
Fiction film premieres include 'Struck By Lightning,' written and starring 'Glee' TV star Chris Colfer who narrates his own funeral and the last few weeks of his life, as well as 'Deadfall' starring Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde and Sissy Spacek in a film about a heist man and his sister who are on the run with a bag full of money.
'The Playroom' with John Hawkes looks behind the facade of the perfect American family, and 'Cheerful Weather for the Wedding' stars British actress Felicity Jones as an English turn-of-the-century bride to be.
Among high-profile directors whose films have played at previous festivals but will show at Tribeca again this year includes Sarah Polley with 'Take This Waltz' starring Michelle Williams, Julie Delpy's '2 Days in New York' and Michael Winterbottom's 'Trishna.'
Foreign productions making their American premiere include 'Elles' with Juliette Binoche playing a journalist researching college students working as prostitutes and 'As Luck Would Have It (La Chispa de la Vida)' by Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia with Selma Hayek in a dark satire about an advertising executive at the center of a media frenzy.
(Reporting By Christine Kearney; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Student petitions film group over restrictive "Bully" rating
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A teenager once victimized by schoolmates petitioned a Hollywood studio group on Wednesday seeking a rating change for a new documentary film about bullying that would allow young audiences to see it without parental approval.
Katy Butler, 17, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, made the trek to the offices of the Motion Picture Association of America in Los Angeles to deliver a petition with more than 200,000 signatures seeking to change the R-rating for 'Bully' to a less restrictive PG-13.
'I hope they (the MPAA) see that 200,000 people agree with me that kids need to see this movie, and I hope they will listen to what I have to say,' Butler told Reuters ahead of delivering four big boxes of signatures to the MPAA.
Butler said she started the petition drive through social action website Change.org because she had been bullied in school after coming out as a lesbian, and she knows the harm bullying can do to kids.
The petition has been signed online by nearly 230,000 people but the MPAA, a group that represents Hollywood's major studios in business and government matters, has refused to budge from its position that 'Bully' should not be seen by people under 17 unless accompanied by a parent.
The MPAA voluntarily rates films in the United States for content such as language, nudity and drug use, and in 'Bully' there are too many uses of one particular expletive for the movie to obtain a less restrictive rating.
'That is a word that is used to bully kidspan class='yshortcuts' id='lw_13302. That is the language these kids hear in school day to day,' Butler said.
A spokeswoman for Change.org said Butler and her mother met with Joan Graves, the MPAA's chairman of the classification and rating administration, for 15 to 30 minutes on Wednesday.
The MPAA issued a statement saying Butler's 'efforts in bringing the issue of bullying to the forefront of a national discussion in the context of this new film are commendable and we welcome the feedback about this movie?s rating.'
It went on to note that the R rating does not mean kids can't see the movie, only that they have parental permission or a particular school district's approvals a change in tradition that for years saw. No change to the rating was made.
In fact, 'Bully' distributor the Weinstein Cof the annual Academy Awards, s. has already lost one appeal of the rating, and some movie industry watchers have speculated that the push behind changing the film's rating is little more than a publicity stunt by the company's chief, Harvey Weinstein.
Yet Butler said she started the petition on her own and for her own reasons.
'When I was in middle school ..eve' in 2010, the same year she won the best . I ended up having my hand slammed in my locker, which broke my finger nominated worst actor for his performances in t. That was absolutely a horrible experience, which has stayed with me, and stays with a lot of kidsds, including worst movie. This movie is a really powerful way to show that,' she said on Wednesday.
(Reporting By Bob Tourtellotte; Editing by Elaine Lies)
Katy Butler, 17, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, made the trek to the offices of the Motion Picture Association of America in Los Angeles to deliver a petition with more than 200,000 signatures seeking to change the R-rating for 'Bully' to a less restrictive PG-13.
'I hope they (the MPAA) see that 200,000 people agree with me that kids need to see this movie, and I hope they will listen to what I have to say,' Butler told Reuters ahead of delivering four big boxes of signatures to the MPAA.
Butler said she started the petition drive through social action website Change.org because she had been bullied in school after coming out as a lesbian, and she knows the harm bullying can do to kids.
The petition has been signed online by nearly 230,000 people but the MPAA, a group that represents Hollywood's major studios in business and government matters, has refused to budge from its position that 'Bully' should not be seen by people under 17 unless accompanied by a parent.
The MPAA voluntarily rates films in the United States for content such as language, nudity and drug use, and in 'Bully' there are too many uses of one particular expletive for the movie to obtain a less restrictive rating.
'That is a word that is used to bully kidspan class='yshortcuts' id='lw_13302. That is the language these kids hear in school day to day,' Butler said.
A spokeswoman for Change.org said Butler and her mother met with Joan Graves, the MPAA's chairman of the classification and rating administration, for 15 to 30 minutes on Wednesday.
The MPAA issued a statement saying Butler's 'efforts in bringing the issue of bullying to the forefront of a national discussion in the context of this new film are commendable and we welcome the feedback about this movie?s rating.'
It went on to note that the R rating does not mean kids can't see the movie, only that they have parental permission or a particular school district's approvals a change in tradition that for years saw. No change to the rating was made.
In fact, 'Bully' distributor the Weinstein Cof the annual Academy Awards, s. has already lost one appeal of the rating, and some movie industry watchers have speculated that the push behind changing the film's rating is little more than a publicity stunt by the company's chief, Harvey Weinstein.
Yet Butler said she started the petition on her own and for her own reasons.
'When I was in middle school ..eve' in 2010, the same year she won the best . I ended up having my hand slammed in my locker, which broke my finger nominated worst actor for his performances in t. That was absolutely a horrible experience, which has stayed with me, and stays with a lot of kidsds, including worst movie. This movie is a really powerful way to show that,' she said on Wednesday.
(Reporting By Bob Tourtellotte; Editing by Elaine Lies)
A year on, Japan nuclear film shows lives in limbo
TOKYO (Reuters) - Decades ago, the citizens of Japan's Futaba town took such pride in hosting part of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex that they built a sign over a promenade proclaiming that atomic power made their town prosperous.
Now, they are scattered around Japan with no clear sign of when they might return to their homes, and their story has become a cautionary tale about the dangerous allure of nuclear power.
'Nuclear Nation,' a documentary that premiered at last month's Berlin film festival, follows the residents of Futaba who were evacuated after a series of explosions set off by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami at reactors some 3 km (2 miles) away in neighboring Okuma.
With Futaba hit by high levels of radiation, its former residents don't know when, or even if, they will be able to return to their homes within the 20 km (12 mile) exclusion zone around the plantmovie and went on to scoop a Golden Globe. In the broader region, tens of thousands were forced to flee.
'You tend to think about the resolution of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, but you have to look at the people,' the film's director, Atsushi Funahashi, told Reuters.
'The people who got the most damage are the most ignored, and that's (what) you have to show.'
Besides 'Nuclear Nation,' two other March 11-themed documentaries also screened at last month's Berlin film festival, as filmmakers start focusing their lenses on the worst nuclear crisis since the Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986.
Funahashi began filming last April at an abandoned high school in a Tokyo suburb where 1,400 Futaba evacuees were living in classrooms and had set up town administrative offices.
Based on interviews over the course of the year, the film captures the monotony of their daily lives as they bide their time in cramped conditions with nowhere to go and the mayor describes a 'refugee feeling.'
'The thing that I really wanted to depict in 'Nuclear Nation' was the waiting time of these people,' Funahashi said.
'They're going to get compensated eventually for the land and homes they lostho becomes a close confidante to span. But they're not going to get paid for the time they lost, and that's one of the tragedies.'
Their only chance to return home was for one two-hour visit last summer, clad in protective suits and masks to collect belongings and pray for ancestors in tsunami-flattened cemeteries.
'NUCLEAR MONEY'
They express anger at the government, regulators and plant owner they feel had assured them of the power station's safety.
That's a far cry from the sentiment of the late 1970s when the town of 8,000 suddenly found itself flush with funds from property taxes and government subsidies after plant owner Tokyo Electric (Tepco) began construction in Futaba on two reactors.
With this 'nuclear money' to burn, Futaba spent big on an athletic center, a library and other infrastructure, while residents were able to work in town at the plant and get bigger houses -- the power plant was seen as a godsend.
In one scene, the camera lingers on a sign that proclaims: 'Atomic Energy Makes Our Town and Society Prosperous.'
Under depreciation rules, however, the reactors were worth almost nothing after 15 years, and Futaba nearly went bankrupt under a pile of debt, becoming one of Japan's poorest towns by the late 2000s, according to the film.
Futaba nearly tapped new nuclear money to help fix its financial woes, with Tepco set to begin construction on two new reactors, in April 2011.
'We thought Futaba's future was at stake without that money,' Mayor Katsutaka Idogawa said in the filmdays are numbered, Antoine. 'Now I realize the cons far outweigh the pros ..t compete with Antoinette's passionate. I've come to think it was wrong to invite the nuclear power plant into our lives.'
Some 500 people are still living in the high school, and Funahashi said he has already started work on 'Nuclear Nation 2,' about their lives in the second year since the disaster.
'I really feel a strong urge that I have to follow them until they go back home,' he said.
'Nuclear Nation,' produced by Documentary Japan and Big River Films, has secured distribution rights in the United States and is set to screen at Hong Kong and other film festivals_1328814029_4'Lea Seydoux/span. France's Wide House is handling global sales.
(Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Elaine Lies and Bob Tourtellotte)
Now, they are scattered around Japan with no clear sign of when they might return to their homes, and their story has become a cautionary tale about the dangerous allure of nuclear power.
'Nuclear Nation,' a documentary that premiered at last month's Berlin film festival, follows the residents of Futaba who were evacuated after a series of explosions set off by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami at reactors some 3 km (2 miles) away in neighboring Okuma.
With Futaba hit by high levels of radiation, its former residents don't know when, or even if, they will be able to return to their homes within the 20 km (12 mile) exclusion zone around the plantmovie and went on to scoop a Golden Globe. In the broader region, tens of thousands were forced to flee.
'You tend to think about the resolution of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, but you have to look at the people,' the film's director, Atsushi Funahashi, told Reuters.
'The people who got the most damage are the most ignored, and that's (what) you have to show.'
Besides 'Nuclear Nation,' two other March 11-themed documentaries also screened at last month's Berlin film festival, as filmmakers start focusing their lenses on the worst nuclear crisis since the Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986.
Funahashi began filming last April at an abandoned high school in a Tokyo suburb where 1,400 Futaba evacuees were living in classrooms and had set up town administrative offices.
Based on interviews over the course of the year, the film captures the monotony of their daily lives as they bide their time in cramped conditions with nowhere to go and the mayor describes a 'refugee feeling.'
'The thing that I really wanted to depict in 'Nuclear Nation' was the waiting time of these people,' Funahashi said.
'They're going to get compensated eventually for the land and homes they lostho becomes a close confidante to span. But they're not going to get paid for the time they lost, and that's one of the tragedies.'
Their only chance to return home was for one two-hour visit last summer, clad in protective suits and masks to collect belongings and pray for ancestors in tsunami-flattened cemeteries.
'NUCLEAR MONEY'
They express anger at the government, regulators and plant owner they feel had assured them of the power station's safety.
That's a far cry from the sentiment of the late 1970s when the town of 8,000 suddenly found itself flush with funds from property taxes and government subsidies after plant owner Tokyo Electric (Tepco) began construction in Futaba on two reactors.
With this 'nuclear money' to burn, Futaba spent big on an athletic center, a library and other infrastructure, while residents were able to work in town at the plant and get bigger houses -- the power plant was seen as a godsend.
In one scene, the camera lingers on a sign that proclaims: 'Atomic Energy Makes Our Town and Society Prosperous.'
Under depreciation rules, however, the reactors were worth almost nothing after 15 years, and Futaba nearly went bankrupt under a pile of debt, becoming one of Japan's poorest towns by the late 2000s, according to the film.
Futaba nearly tapped new nuclear money to help fix its financial woes, with Tepco set to begin construction on two new reactors, in April 2011.
'We thought Futaba's future was at stake without that money,' Mayor Katsutaka Idogawa said in the filmdays are numbered, Antoine. 'Now I realize the cons far outweigh the pros ..t compete with Antoinette's passionate. I've come to think it was wrong to invite the nuclear power plant into our lives.'
Some 500 people are still living in the high school, and Funahashi said he has already started work on 'Nuclear Nation 2,' about their lives in the second year since the disaster.
'I really feel a strong urge that I have to follow them until they go back home,' he said.
'Nuclear Nation,' produced by Documentary Japan and Big River Films, has secured distribution rights in the United States and is set to screen at Hong Kong and other film festivals_1328814029_4'Lea Seydoux/span. France's Wide House is handling global sales.
(Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Elaine Lies and Bob Tourtellotte)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
'Project X' sequel already in the works
LOS ANGELES, March 6 (TheWrap.com) - 'Project X,' the low-budget comedy that opened as the Noencer who was the night's first ma. 2 movie in America, may have spawned a sequel.
'Project Y' anyone?
TheWrap has confirmed that screenwriter Michael Bacall, who wrote the $12 million found footage film that grossed $21 million over the weekend, began work on a potential sequel well before the movie opened.
The Warner Bros. movie is about three high school students who plan a birthday party to improve their image -- and find the fiesta spinning out of control.
Todd Phillips, who produced and directed 'The Hangover' and wrote, produced and directed 'The Hangover Part II' for Warners, produced the R-rated 'Project X.'
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
'Project Y' anyone?
TheWrap has confirmed that screenwriter Michael Bacall, who wrote the $12 million found footage film that grossed $21 million over the weekend, began work on a potential sequel well before the movie opened.
The Warner Bros. movie is about three high school students who plan a birthday party to improve their image -- and find the fiesta spinning out of control.
Todd Phillips, who produced and directed 'The Hangover' and wrote, produced and directed 'The Hangover Part II' for Warners, produced the R-rated 'Project X.'
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
James Cameron leading Titanic anniversary TV special
LOS ANGELES, March 5 (TheWrap.com) - 'National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence' -- and 'Titanic' movie Oscar winner -- James Cameron will lead a new two-hour special called 'Titanic: The Final Word With James Cameron' on April 8 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking.
Described as the 'ultimate cold-case investigation into the tragedy,' Cameron's NatGeo special will unfold on a sound stage with a 42-foot replica of the ship in the background, as Cameron gathers the world's foremost Titanic experts -- engineers, naval architects, artists and historians -- to try to come up with the ultimate explanation of why the unsinkable ship sank in April 1912.
'An investigation of this magnitude has never been attempted before, and some of the revelations may alter the fundamental interpretation of what exactly happened to the Titanic,' according to a NatGeo release.
On April 9, National Geographic Channel will air 'Save the Titanic With Bob Ballard,' in which Ballard, the man who discovered the Titanic's final resting place in 1985, travels to Ireland to meet some of the men who helped build the ship and discusses how the ship's remains are in danger from looters, among other threats.
'If the Titanic is not protected and there's no guard on duty, it will get stripped,' Ballard said in a statement/span's 'The Dictator. 'It'll get stripped until all the jewels have been taken off the old lady's body.'
National Geographic magazine will devote a cover story to the Titanic anniversary; Cameron's 1997 'Titanic' film, which won 11 Oscars, will be re-released on April 4, including IMAX 3D showings.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Described as the 'ultimate cold-case investigation into the tragedy,' Cameron's NatGeo special will unfold on a sound stage with a 42-foot replica of the ship in the background, as Cameron gathers the world's foremost Titanic experts -- engineers, naval architects, artists and historians -- to try to come up with the ultimate explanation of why the unsinkable ship sank in April 1912.
'An investigation of this magnitude has never been attempted before, and some of the revelations may alter the fundamental interpretation of what exactly happened to the Titanic,' according to a NatGeo release.
On April 9, National Geographic Channel will air 'Save the Titanic With Bob Ballard,' in which Ballard, the man who discovered the Titanic's final resting place in 1985, travels to Ireland to meet some of the men who helped build the ship and discusses how the ship's remains are in danger from looters, among other threats.
'If the Titanic is not protected and there's no guard on duty, it will get stripped,' Ballard said in a statement/span's 'The Dictator. 'It'll get stripped until all the jewels have been taken off the old lady's body.'
National Geographic magazine will devote a cover story to the Titanic anniversary; Cameron's 1997 'Titanic' film, which won 11 Oscars, will be re-released on April 4, including IMAX 3D showings.
(Editing By Zorianna Kit)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Animated "Lorax" leads box office with big debut
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A big-screen version of classic Drts to leave the East to be with her West Germa. Seuss children's book 'The Lorax' rang up a massive $70.7 million in U.Sinale International Film. and Canadian ticket sales over the weekend, the biggest movie debut so far this year.
The popularity of the 3D animated 'Lorax' far exceeded industry forecasts and helped lift total box-office receipts ahead of last year for the ninth weekend in a row.
Danny DeVito provides the voice of the small orange Lorax who guards the trees in the film based on Seuss' 1971 book about preserving the environment.
In the movie, Zac Efron provides the voice for a 12-year-old boy trying to win the heart of a young girl, voiced by Taylor Swift movie Barbara at the 6. Along the way, he discovers the story of the Lorax.
Families turned out in force for the film, which cost $70 million to produce, and audiences gave it an 'A' rating on average in polling by survey firm CinemaScore't know how it felt to . Pre-weekend forecasts had suggested an opening as high as $50 million.
'I couldn't be more excited,' Nikki Rocco, president of distribution for Universal Pictures, said of the debut weekend tallyence a harrowing reminder. The movie satisfied 'the need for a family film in the marketplace,' she said.
About 8 percent of sales came from giant IMAX screens, and 52 percent came from theaters equipped for 3De via the Baltic, she star. Both formats command higher ticket prices.
Before this weekend, the year's highest debut belonged to love story 'The Vow,' with $41.2 million.
The weekend's second-place film, 'Project X,' also beat projections, debuting with $20.8 million at North American (U.Sa fifth time after she won . and Canadian) theaters from Friday through Sunday.
The teen-oriented comedy tells the story of three high school students who plan an epic party that spins out of controlfter she won Berlin's Silver Be. The low-budget movie without big-name stars, which cost $12 million to make, drew in its target audience of young males.
Marketing on Twitter helped get people talking on the social networking site and 'propelled this movie well past anyone's expectations,' said Jeff Goldstein, executive vice president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros.
OSCAR BOOSTS 'ARTIST'
Overall domestic ticket receipts beat the same weekend last year by nearly 26 percent, the ninth straight weekly increase, according to the box office division of Hollywood.comhe movie Barbara at the 62nd Berlinale Internat. So far, 2012 ticket sales are running 19 percent ahead of last year.
In third place for the weekend, military drama 'Act of Valor' pulled in $13.7 millionrmants kept close watch on the country&#. The movie released by privately held Relativity Media has grossed $45.2 million domestically since its release last weekend.
Rounding out the top five on domestic charts, Denzel Washington thriller 'Safe House' pulled in $7.2 million and Tyler Perry drama 'Good Deeds' grossed $7.0 million.
Fresh off its Oscar wins, black-and-white silent film 'The Artist' gained 34 percent from last weekend to pull in $3.9 million domesticallyshortcuts' id='lw_1328980030_5'Nina Hoss/span f. The Weinstein Co/span was brought back to life in. expanded the movie to 1,756 theaters from 966 after the film won five Academy Awards including best picture class='yshortcuts' id='lw_13289. The film's total domestic take now stands at $37.1 million since its limited release in November.
The studio is 'very happy with these numbers,' said David Glasser, Weinstein's chief operating officerkers, friends and even spouses might betray them . 'You have to remember we have a silent, black-and-white movie,' he said.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures released 'Drinale International Film Festiv. Seuss' The Lorax' and 'Safe House.' 'Project X' was distributed by Time Warner Inc unit Warner Brost actress award for 'Yella' in. Lions Gate Entertainment released 'Good Deeds.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; editing by Todd Eastham)
The popularity of the 3D animated 'Lorax' far exceeded industry forecasts and helped lift total box-office receipts ahead of last year for the ninth weekend in a row.
Danny DeVito provides the voice of the small orange Lorax who guards the trees in the film based on Seuss' 1971 book about preserving the environment.
In the movie, Zac Efron provides the voice for a 12-year-old boy trying to win the heart of a young girl, voiced by Taylor Swift movie Barbara at the 6. Along the way, he discovers the story of the Lorax.
Families turned out in force for the film, which cost $70 million to produce, and audiences gave it an 'A' rating on average in polling by survey firm CinemaScore't know how it felt to . Pre-weekend forecasts had suggested an opening as high as $50 million.
'I couldn't be more excited,' Nikki Rocco, president of distribution for Universal Pictures, said of the debut weekend tallyence a harrowing reminder. The movie satisfied 'the need for a family film in the marketplace,' she said.
About 8 percent of sales came from giant IMAX screens, and 52 percent came from theaters equipped for 3De via the Baltic, she star. Both formats command higher ticket prices.
Before this weekend, the year's highest debut belonged to love story 'The Vow,' with $41.2 million.
The weekend's second-place film, 'Project X,' also beat projections, debuting with $20.8 million at North American (U.Sa fifth time after she won . and Canadian) theaters from Friday through Sunday.
The teen-oriented comedy tells the story of three high school students who plan an epic party that spins out of controlfter she won Berlin's Silver Be. The low-budget movie without big-name stars, which cost $12 million to make, drew in its target audience of young males.
Marketing on Twitter helped get people talking on the social networking site and 'propelled this movie well past anyone's expectations,' said Jeff Goldstein, executive vice president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros.
OSCAR BOOSTS 'ARTIST'
Overall domestic ticket receipts beat the same weekend last year by nearly 26 percent, the ninth straight weekly increase, according to the box office division of Hollywood.comhe movie Barbara at the 62nd Berlinale Internat. So far, 2012 ticket sales are running 19 percent ahead of last year.
In third place for the weekend, military drama 'Act of Valor' pulled in $13.7 millionrmants kept close watch on the country&#. The movie released by privately held Relativity Media has grossed $45.2 million domestically since its release last weekend.
Rounding out the top five on domestic charts, Denzel Washington thriller 'Safe House' pulled in $7.2 million and Tyler Perry drama 'Good Deeds' grossed $7.0 million.
Fresh off its Oscar wins, black-and-white silent film 'The Artist' gained 34 percent from last weekend to pull in $3.9 million domesticallyshortcuts' id='lw_1328980030_5'Nina Hoss/span f. The Weinstein Co/span was brought back to life in. expanded the movie to 1,756 theaters from 966 after the film won five Academy Awards including best picture class='yshortcuts' id='lw_13289. The film's total domestic take now stands at $37.1 million since its limited release in November.
The studio is 'very happy with these numbers,' said David Glasser, Weinstein's chief operating officerkers, friends and even spouses might betray them . 'You have to remember we have a silent, black-and-white movie,' he said.
Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures released 'Drinale International Film Festiv. Seuss' The Lorax' and 'Safe House.' 'Project X' was distributed by Time Warner Inc unit Warner Brost actress award for 'Yella' in. Lions Gate Entertainment released 'Good Deeds.'
(Reporting By Lisa Richwine; editing by Todd Eastham)
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