CoverGirl Pulls Taylor Quick Ad Over Eye lash Improvements

First Released: December 21, 2011 10:26 PM EST Credit: CoverGirl La, Calif. -- Caption The now-drawn Taylor Quick CoverGirl adA Taylor Quick CoverGirl ad was drawn after a marketing watchdog organization determined a cosmetic ad featuring the star was misleading. Procter & Gamble, parents company behind CoverGirl, made a decision to pull Taylors add for CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara following the National Advertising Division from the Council of Better Business Agencies determined the ad was misleading, the NY Occasions reported. The ad featured the singer appearing and revealing her peepers with very plump lashes but additionally, at the end, in terms and conditions read, Lashes enhanced in publish production. The rule is the fact that advertising needs to tell the truth, accurate and never misleading, Andrea C. Levine, an attorney who done the situation, and also the director from the National Advertising Division, told the newspaper. Exactly what the picture states, the little type cant go away. This is not the very first time an advertisement having a celebrity has attracted the ire of the advertising watchdog organization. In This summer, a Lancome ad with Jennifer Aniston along with a Maybelline place featuring Christy Turlington were banned in great britan, following claims the pictures didn't reflect realistic outcomes of the items. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comedy nominees for best picture

'50/50''Bridesmaids''The Artist''Midnight in Paris''My Week with Marilyn'Comedies and musicals thrive in tough economic times, so perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that the 69th Golden Globes boast the strongest list of nominees in that category for many years.For the first time in nearly a decade, there's a real chance that the winner of the Golden Globe for best musical and comedy could be a serious challenger at the Academy Awards.Just one comedy/musical nominee in the past three years has gone on to an Oscar nomination -- last year's Golden Globe victor "The Kids Are All Right." And the last time the winner of the best picture Oscar came from this category was "Chicago" in 2002.But with nods for "The Artist," "Midnight in Paris," "Bridesmaids," "My Week With Marilyn" and "50/50," this year's contest looks every bit as substantial as the race for best drama."The Artist" in particular leads the overall Golden Globe nods with six, and is firmly established as the awards season front-runner with the guilds and critics groups. In each of the past four decades, just one Golden Globe comedy/musical winner has taken the Oscar for best picture, and the odds are shortening on "The Artist" achieving that feat in the 2010s.The HFPA voters have certainly managed to avoid handing any easy targets for the show's returning host Ricky Gervais, after last year's eccentric selection of nominees including "The Tourist," "Red" and "Burlesque," which confirmed the traditional status of this section as a lightweight sideshow to the main event.But that may be due in part to a cultural misunderstanding. The HFPA is, after all, an organization of foreign journalists, albeit based in Los Angeles. Comedy is notoriously known as the genre in which the gulf in national tastes is greatest."The Tourist" may have been dismissed as a disappointment in America, but this European-financed movie, set in Italy and directed by a German, was a genuine hit overseas, where it grossed $208 million against $68 million domestic.In fact, in the past three years, 11 out of the 15 comedy/musical nominees have grossed more in foreign than domestic. The total domestic gross of these 15 films was $1.3 billion, but their total foreign gross was $2.1 billion.The evidence of international tastes is visible again this year, with a decidedly Gallic flavor infusing the nominations. "The Artist," of course, is a French homage to Hollywood, while Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" returns the favor with an American auteur indulging his amour for the French capital.Perhaps it's only a coincidence that one of the central conflicts in "Bridesmaids" also revolves around a French-themed engagement party and an aborted trip to Paris (Vegas, that is). A short hop across the Channel, "My Week With Marilyn" is this year's British entry.There's no shortage of weighty dramatic themes among these supposed lighter-hearted contenders, including cancer ("50/50") and depression ("Bridesmaids"). But there's also ample evidence of the HFPA's love for the froth of Hollywood with "The Artist" and "My Week With Marilyn." "Midnight in Paris" reflects the org's abiding fondness for Allen; it's the helmer's ninth pic to get nominated.But that leaves no place for more frivolous fare such as "The Muppets" or "Footloose," while "Beginners," "Carnage," "Young Adult" and "Crazy Stupid Love" also get squeezed out despite picking up acting nods.GOLDEN GLOBES COUNTDOWN Year of couples therapyThe ContendersDrama: Best Picture | Comedy: Best Picture | Best Director | Drama Actor/Actress | Comedy Actor/Actress Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Will Ferrell's Spanish comedy gets a teaser trailer

Will Ferrell's Spanish-language comedy Casa De Mi Padre has just launched its first teaser trailer.Giving a feel for what to expect, the film looks to be playing up to Ferrell's absurd comedy stylings.He stars as Armando Alvarez, who, as well as having a pretty melodramatic home-life, isn't afraid to pick up a rifle and turn vigilante when the occasion calls for it.There are shades of !Three Amigos! to this one, which is no bad thing.Check out the trailer here: There's also a new poster doing the rounds, although it's not quite as cool as the previous Case De Mi Padre teaser poster. Check that out here:Casa De Mi Padre opens on 16 March 2012 in the US.

New John Carter TV spots bring the action

Two new TV spots promoting upcoming Disney sci-fi epic John Carter have landed online, and they both play up the battle scenes.Yahoo! Movies has condensed the two 30-second promos into one video, which you can watch below.There are still echoes of Avatar and Attack Of The Clones here, but it looks like the action is being pulled off with considerable flair.And if sci-fi movies and unusual aliens aren't your thing, there's plenty of human flesh to ogle (take your pick from Taylor Kitsch's Carter and Lynn Collins' Martian princess Dejah Thoris).Check out the TV spots below:John Carter opens on 9 March 2012.

Rooney Mara's 'Law & Order: SVU' Role: 'It Am Awful'

Michel Gondry has directed a couple of from the more intriguing films in the last ten years, including 'Eternal Sunshine in the Spotless Mind' and 'The Science of Sleep.' Alas, his latest movie, 'The Eco-friendly Hornet,' didn't exactly conquer experts or audiences, which explains why it's nice to find out Gondry coming back to something a little more innovative -- even when it's a small-quality reshoot from the Martin Scorsese movie. ThePlaylist just found the director's entertainment of 'Taxi Driver,' which carried out within the French premiere of 'Hugo' the 2009 week. The homage is known as sweding, a technique that Gondry looked into within the film 'Be Kind Rewind,' where fans get available and recreate their particular versions of classic movies. In this particular version of 'Taxi Driver,' Gondry plays the complicated Travis Bickle, employment made famous by Robert P Niro. Named in French with British subtitles, Michel re-imagines numerous more legendary moments for your film (it's strange to hear P Niro's famous "You speaking in my opinion?In . lines in another language). Gondry also utilizes plenty of creative eccentricities, like changing fresh fresh paint for blood stream and colored pens for bullets. Sadly, there is no embed for your video. If you want to have a look, you will have to mind to France2. [via ThePlaylist] [Photo: Getty Images] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

REVIEW: Post-Bromantic Attraction in Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows, Or: Holmes + Watson 4eva

Romance! Jealousy! Temptation! There’s an alluring new stranger vying for Sherlock Holmes’s attentions and affections in Guy Ritchie’s turn-of-the-century sleuthing sequel, A Game of Shadows, but it’s not the dark and beautiful gypsy woman at the center of Holmes’s latest mystery. For that matter, Holmes’s on-again, off-again ladyfriend Irene Adler doesn’t truly have his heart, either. It’s BFF and hetero life partner Dr. Watson who forms the tale’s real love triangle with Holmes — escalating the first film’s bromantic undercurrent of mutual admiration and “circumstantial homosexuality” to overt, unabashed man-love and dangerous attraction — with tantalizingly evil interloper Professor James Moriarty. Where 2009’s Sherlock Holmes introduced Robert Downey Jr.’s manic take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective hero with a fairly bland, small potatoes (if intentionally labyrinthine) plot and villain, only hinting at the ominous machinations of famed Holmes nemesis Moriarty (Jared Harris), A Game of Shadows ups the ante and continues where things left off. Months after solving the Blackwood case, Holmes has retreated back into manic-depressive seclusion in his squalid flat, consumed by a web of conspiracies he’s traced back to celebrated game theorist, lecturer, and criminal mastermind Moriarty; by no small coincidence, Watson (Jude Law) has been busy planning his wedding to Mary (Kelly Reilly), leaving Holmes in a lonely, formaldehyde-swilling, depressed-obsessive malaise. Holmes perks up when a terrorist bomb plot blamed on anarchists points to his new foe, who happens to have also recently disposed of his reluctant pawn Irene, her crafty services rendered unnecessary due to her pesky penchant for Holmes. That gets Sherlock’s goat, all right (and, gratefully, relieves us of Rachel McAdams, who never could keep up with RDJ’s jaunty pace — thank goodness for the capable, darting Noomi Rapace, who makes her English language debut) but that which tickles him so about Moriarty is almost purely intellectual — the challenge of facing off against rival as evil as he is moral, who can match him, and perhaps even best him, in a game of wits. Put it this way: With soul mate Watson off committing his nuptials to a woman, it’s Moriarty who stirs Holmes’s senses and seduces him back into action. The play between wild-eyed Downey and the serenely unsettling Harris crackles with a chemistry befitting Doyle’s iconic literary nemeses as Moriarty stays coolly one step ahead of our hero throughout the serviceable Euro-tripping plot. Kieran and Michele Mulroney’s script takes Holmes and Watson (not to mention periphery characters like Holmes’s brother Mycroft, played by a delightfully daft-dapper Stephen Fry) through gypsy camps, anarchist hideouts, the Paris Opera House, a German munitions factory, an international diplomatic summit, and the snowy Swiss Alps in the pursuit of Moriarty, who unveils his intentions bit by bit until the scope of his plans are revealed. Along the way, Holmes and Watson reconnect and rekindle their relationship. A train ambush on the night of Watson’s honeymoon gives Holmes the perfect opportunity to slyly take Mrs. Watson out of the equation — for her own safety, naturally — leading to the film’s most obvious series of post-bromantic scenes: Holmes, in drag, finagles intimate poses with Watson under the cover of a masculine, wall-smashing train shoot-out. Their love affair is no longer subtextual; Ritchie exploits it for laughs with a knowing nod as if to say yes, these men are in each others’ hearts. One of them is rouged up in a corset. What of it? After all, the times are a-changin’. Industrialism is emerging in the world. Why not depict progressivism where emotional politics are concerned? Even the action achieves a balance of muscular machismo and delicate elegance. A forest chase through the woods of Germany allows for Ritchie’s showiest new trick, exploiting multiple high-speed cameras to explode entire tree trunks in gorgeous showers around his fleeing actors. Steadicam-like rigs trained on Holmes and Co. as they race through the battle give a disorienting, panting urgency to the chaos. The professor has designs on profiteering from World War — a cynical plot to capitalize on man’s natural impulse for conflict, he explains — but even Moriarty can’t resist delaying his plans for a last-act game of chess with Holmes. Ritchie dusts off and builds on the gimmicky Sherlock-o-Vision he devised in the previous film, which utilized speed ramping and choreography to illustrate Holmes’s near pre-cognitive ability to preview his own fist fights; the twist here allows for a delicious, penetrating intimacy that takes the Holmes-Moriarty pas de deux to its climax. Doyle students may see the final act telegraphed from a league away and heave a heavy sigh, or peck at the franchise’s signature obligatory plot convolutions and self-satisfied cleverness. Action purists should be entertained enough by the slick spectacles Ritchie chains together, set against as handsome a historical London as you’re bound to get from the movies. But focus on the heart of Holmes and there’s a well of emotions, attraction, and longing roiling beneath the natty threads, Downey-isms, and faux Victorian panache on display. The women of Sherlock hold their own, for the most part, but this is a romance for men — at least, it’s one for Holmes and Watson and Moriarty, who each discover that the dread, or triumph, of a world-changing event is no match for the heart-pounding pull of finding, or losing, the one person in the world to whom you’re indelibly, inextricably tied. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Seth Rogen To Host Spirit Honours

La (December 13, 2011) Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that creates the Spirit Honours and also the La Film Festival, introduced that Seth Rogen assists as host for that 2012 Film Independent Spirit Honours. The 27th annual honours ceremony is going to be held like a daytime lunch inside a tent around the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, Feb 25, and also the premiere broadcast will air later your evening at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on IFC. Diana Zahn-Storey, a longtime executive producer from the Film Independent Spirit Honours is going to be coming back this season. After executive creating the show for 15 many the La Film Festival for eight, Diana left Film Independent last year to co-found Nuts-n-Bolts Productions. In the last 2 yrs, Nuts-n-Bolts has created several occasions such as the Children Healing Hearts Peace Please Gala, La Point Honors Gala and also the goodies! Magazine Launch party. In past years, Diana has done the PacSun Summer time Solstice Beach Ballyhoo, this years Glee premiere and also the 2010 Entertainment Weekly Emmy Party, along with Ray Abel Designs. Diana has a lot more than twenty-5 years experience of film, television and event production.

FEINBERG FORECAST: 'Descendants' Wins LAFCA, 'Tinker' Opens Strong, 'J. Edgar' Fading

Brad Garrett, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his work on Everybody Loves Raymond, is in negotiations to join the high-powered cast of Burt Wonderstone, New Line's magician comedy.our editor recommendsOlivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi in Talks for Steve Carell's 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)Showtime Orders Steve Carell-Produced 'Laughing Stock' Steve Carell toplines the movie, set in the world of rival Las Vegas magicians. Carell plays a more traditional magic man who is dethroned by a hipper illusionist doing dangerous tricks. He breaks up with his partner and must find a way to rediscover his love for magic. Jim Carrey, James Gandolfini, Olivia Wilde and Steve Buscemi already are on board. Garrett will play a supporting role as Carrell's accountant, whom he fires. The movie is scheduled to go before cameras in January. Don Scardino (30 Rock) is directing. Garrett won three Emmys for Raymond (he was nominated five times), the long-running and critically acclaimed sitcom. He also starred for four seasons in the comedy 'Til Death. He is repped by UTA, Management 360 and attorney Michael Gendler. Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Kit PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Modern Film & Television Comedians Related Topics

Ben Kingsley Plays 'Ender's Game,' Sacha Baron Cohen Feels 'Les Miserables'

Ben Kingsley can't get an adequate amount of his "Hugo" costar Asa Butterfield, apparently. Their effective dynamic within the Martin Scorsese 3-D period piece was easily among the highlights of this movie, and audiences are going to be treated to a different collaboration between your set of stars. THR reviews that Kingsley is within foretells join "Ender's Game," Gavin Hood's adaptation from the sci-fi classic from novelist Orson Scott Card. Butterfield was formerly cast within the title role with "True Grit" actress Hailee Steinfeld teasing using the project too. For his part, Kingsley would play popular war hero lengthy presumed dead. Have more casting news following the jump! » We have always known that Sacha Baron Cohen is online resources the home, however it's pretty much official. The "Borat" and "Bruno" starwho also offers the "Hugo" link with these Kingsley and Butterfield, mind youis in foretells play Thnardier in Tom Hooper's musical adaptation of "L'ensemble des Miserables," based on Entertainment Weekly. Thnardier, you might recall, may be the twisted innkeeper who abuses poor Cosette if cast, he'd play opposite Helena Bonham Carter as his equally wretched wife. » He ducked on the Academy awards, but you are not eliminating Eddie Murphy that simply. The "Tower Heist" comedian is striking the little screen by means of HBO's untitled biopic about former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Craig, reviews THR. Spike Lee is mounted on direct. » Talking about Spike Lee, should you be wishing for Colin Firth to terrorize Josh Brolin within the director's approaching "Oldboy" remake, we have got a bit of disappointing news. Twitch reviews the Oscar champion has made the decision to pass through around the American version from the Chan-wook Park revenge thriller, departing the doorway available for an additional actor to accept coveted theif role. Who'd you suggest to exchange Firth? Colin Firth talks "Oldboy" options! Inform us that which you think about present day casting news within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Discord Between PGA And WGA TV Noms Highlights Eligibility Period Differences

Breaking Bad, Modern Family, Boardwalk Empire & Homeland Lead WGA TV Noms Modern Family, Big Bang, Parks & Rec, Game Of Thrones, Mad Men Among PGA Award Series Nominees Seconds after the Producers Guild announced the TV series nominations for its 2012 awards, commenters started asking in disbelief: Where is Breaking Bad? Indeed, the acclaimed AMC drama was conspicuously missing from the PGA Award nominations. Underscoring what appeared like a baffling omission, the WGA announced its TV series nominations minutes later, and Breaking Bad led the pack with three nominations. But while their ceremonies are only a month apart in January-February, the PGA Awards and WGA Awards’ edibility windows vary wildly, leading to the puzzling discrepancies. Despite taking place in January, the PGA Awards use the same edibility period rules as the Emmys, which are held in September: from June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011. That automatically excludes all summer/fall cable fare, including new Showtime drama Homeland, the most recent seasons of Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Louie, etc., as well as any new fall broadcast series. In contrast, the WGA Awards’ window of eligibility is closer to that for the Golden Globes, between Dec. 1, 2010 and Nov. 30, 2011. That’s why Breaking Bad, Curb and Homeland, which were not eligible at all for PGA Awards this year, landed WGA Award nominations, along with Fox’s new comedy New Girl. In fact, Breaking Bad and Homeland scored the most WGA nominations, three, along with perennial favorites Mad Men and Modern Family. Meanwhile, Mad Men, which was featured prominently in the PGA Award nominations, is MIA for WGA accolades because its fifth season was delayed. Given how much the TV landscape has changed, with some of the best series airing in the summer and promising new series launching on both broadcasting and cable networks in fall, the eligibility period for the PGA Awards seems outdated and should be adjusted, so series don’t get awarded for episodes that aired 1.5 years prior.

Billy Graham Hospitalized with Pneumonia

Billy Graham Billy Graham was hospitalized Wednesday with pneumonia, but is "responding well" to treatment, according to his rep. "Based on test results, doctors for Billy Graham confirm diagnosis of pneumonia, but are encouraged he is responding well to antibiotics," Graham's rep, A. Larry Ross, tweeted on Thursday. Graham's pulmonologist, Dr. Mark Hellreich, also released a statement that was posted on Graham's website Thursday saying that the 93-year-old evangelical is "in stable condition." Check out videos of Billy Graham On Wednesday, Ross tweeted that Graham had been admitted to Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., for treatment for his lungs. According to Ross, Graham was "alert" and smiling and waving at the hospital staff upon his entrance. No date has been set for his discharge, but according to his website, "Mr. Graham is looking forward to returning home to spend the upcoming Christmas holiday with his family." Graham, who rose to fame in the '40s when his sermons were broadcast on the radio and television, has spent time with 12 sitting U.S. Presidents going as far back as Harry S. Truman.

REVIEW: Fassbender, Focused Yet Unselfconscious, Makes Shame Compelling

Steve McQueen’s Shame is perhaps mistitled: It’s the story of a man who has sex more often than he probably wants it, though still not as often as he needs it, which is a pretty fine distinction to make. And the word “shame” by itself is too loaded, too inherently judgmental. The idea isn’t that this character — his name is Brandon and he’s played, superbly, by Michael Fassbender — is doing anything he ought to be ashamed of. It’s simply that the shame he feels is nearly unbearable. Shame could have gone all wrong with the wrong actor. Luckily, McQueen has the right one in Fassbender, and that makes all the difference. Shame is formal to the point of austerity: It opens with a nearly still overhead shot that’s inherently painterly, a tableau of a male nude — that would be Fassbender — semi-obscured by drifts of artfully rumpled blue sheets. McQueen, of course, is a fine artist himself — that’s how he made his name before he became well-known as a filmmaker, with the 2008 Hunger, also starring Fassbender. And there are ways in which Shame is too deliberate, too naked in its specificity. That may account for why some of its detractors consider it moralistic — again, the movie’s title isn’t helping it any. I did groan when Brandon is shown having desperate, uncomfortable outdoor sex, and later when, in what is supposedly the ultimate debasement, he allows a man to perform fellatio on him in the dim back room of a gay bar. (Immediately after that, he has to re-establish his “manliness” by having sex with two women at once.) But I think Shame is ultimately a movie about emotional suffering, and not about what we think of as sex addiction (if such a thing actually exists, and I’m unconvinced). Fassbender’s Brandon is a successful and rather uptight NY professional — you can tell by the way his apartment is furnished with a turntable and some LPs, a bed, a laptop for online porn, and little else — who suffers from sexually compulsive behavior. Calling him a sex addict is too convenient; what Brandon suffers is more peculiar and more painful. He meets women in bars, and because he’s so charming and good-looking, they wouldn’t dream of resisting his advances; he initiates potential encounters with luscious strangers he sees on the subway; at work, he leaves his desk for the men’s room, where he relieves his urges with joyless efficiency; and when none of the above are an option, he has assignations with prostitutes. Brandon’s passive-aggressive boss, David (James Badge Dale), is also something of a buddy and a hanger-on — the two troll city bars together, looking to pick up women, though the prattling David strikes out more often than he scores, while Brandon barely needs to arch an eyebrow. Even as David tries to glom onto Brandon’s subterranean attractiveness, he also finds not-so-subtle ways to register his disgust with his pal’s beyond-healthy sex drive: Early in the movie, Brandon finds that his computer has been whisked away temporarily by the company’s tech department. He knows — and we know — why. When a blond pixie of a woman shows up in Brandon’s apartment, you assume it’s one of his former conquests. It turns out to be his sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan), a sometime jazz singer who’s landed in NY for a few gigs, and for whatever reason, Brandon is none too pleased to see her. Sissy is charming, fragile, off-the-charts needy: Not long after she lands in Brandon’s apartment, we hear her in the next room pleading with an unseen someone on the phone. “I love you, I love you,” she repeats as if it were a compelling mantra, when really it’s desperately repellant. Even more significantly, we see how breakable she is when she performs “NY, NY” in a club one evening — it’s mournful and expectant rather than jubilant, as far away from Frank Sinatra’s version as Times Square is from the moon. The song and it singer affect Brandon in a way that we can’t immediately comprehend, though it clearly opens a gate into the persistent, repetitive pain he’s feeling. The bare story of Shame, when you lay it out, doesn’t seem like much. But the actors bring everything to it; their suffering is both magnetic and painful to watch, almost as if it were a variation — or an aberration — of basic sexual attraction. Mulligan, with her bleached-blond crop of hair, resembles one of the cool-customer chanteuses of the ’50s, like Helen Merrill but with a cherub’s face — there are shades of the young Stockard Channing in her, too. Mulligan is terrific here, and restrained in a way that suggests an actorly generosity unusual for someone so young: Her scenes with Fassbender don’t so much say “Look at me” as “Look at him.” Although of course, it would be impossible not to. Fassbender is outrageously handsome in the conventional sense, but in this role, there’s also something guarded and reticent about his expressions. He resembles the young Christopher Plummer — his smile is gaunt and a little forced, like a death’s-head grin. When Hunger debuted at Cannes in 2008, Fassbender — playing Irish hunger-strike activist Bobby Sands — was a revelation. Now he’s ubiquitous, potentially to the point of overexposure, appearing in everything from comic-book blockbusters (X-Men: First Class) to tony literary adaptations (Jane Eyre) to David Cronenberg movies about the professional and personal tussles of Freud and Jung. Yet each performance, and each project, is so different from the last that it’s still a joy to watch him. He has one of the gifts that great actors need: the ability to be focused and unselfconscious at the same time. He knows when to surrender and when to call every muscle and brain cell to attention. Even though Shame is about sex, there’s only one scene that qualifies as truly sexy, and it’s so erotic, so frank without being explicit, that its culmination is devastating. (Brandon’s partner in this scene is a co-worker named Marianne, and she’s played marvelously by Nicole Beharie.) I hesitate to give away anything more, but I wonder who will find this scene more upsetting, men or women? My heart sank when I saw where it was going, and I thought it was just me, but when I first saw this picture, at the Venice Film Festival earlier this fall, the woman next to me also gasped. Fassbender and Beharie play the moment with extraordinary, and painful, grace: She watches as he essentially disappears into another country, a place where she can’t follow. Shame is, like Hunger, beautifully made, and similarly, it’s about a man at war with his own body. And again Fassbender — here playing a character whose capacity for tenderness is in danger of being erased by his self-hatred — shows us something new in his face, whose basic features have by now become pretty familiar. He’s the kind of actor who leaves you thinking about what you’ve just seen and wondering what he’ll do next. His face is the opposite of overexposed: It’s an unwritten future. [Editor’s note: Portions of this review appeared earlier, in a different form, in Stephanie Zacharek’s Venice Film Festival coverage.] Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Is TV Too Gory?

The Walking Dead Whenever you absolutely, positively need to see whether a spook has devoured military services weapons girl, there's just one factor to complete: Shoot it within the mind and disembowel what remains from the flesh-eater's decaying corpse.Yuck? Possibly, but it is that type of periodic carnage which has fans rabid for AMC's The Walking Dead. The zombie series is constantly on the unearth large rankings because it brings inside a modern of horror and thriller series - and also the associated gore - on television. The popularity started with Showtime's Dexter and also the titular killer's plastic-wrapped human-carving station, in addition to HBO's True Bloodstream and it is flesh-ripping, neck-biting vamps. Then came The Walking Dead, and much more lately, FX's American Horror Story and NBC's Grimm, each of which have scared up substantial audiences.TV's past thrillers, like the Twilight Zone, depended more about mental scares than gore. Horror is really a polarizing genre, and that's why the systems mostly prevented it. But occasions have transformed, content standards have loose, and cable has the capacity to target a distinct segment crowd that likes just a little gristle within their TV diet.The horror genre makes a little of the comeback recently, as audiences increased familiar with more graphic thrills through the recognition of movies like Saw, Paranormal Activity and also the Human Centipede (most of which happen to be named "torture porn" due to their graphic character). Also, dark procedurals like CSI and Criminal Minds managed to get safe to exhibit brutalized corpses in prime time, paving the way in which for a few of the nasty images on TV's horror explosion."CSI required it to a different level when it comes to exploring gore," states AMC programming senior v . p . Joel Stillerman. "Our intent never was to focus on the gore," he adds from the Walking Dead. "We all do it in ways that's organic towards the story. Individuals who love that stuff can geek out, and when you do not, you are able to cover your vision. We all know in which the limits are and that we understand what flies and what does not. As we push it, we operate a disclaimer."But TV producers say they are still interested in frightening audiences than grossing them out. In comparison towards the realism on TV's forensics and autopsy shows, the mobile phone industry's from the Walking Dead and American Horror Story are in least rooted in make-believe.Fans from the Walking Dead know to anticipate the periodic bloodstream and guts - such as the time a spook was sliced in two because it was drawn from a properly - that really help balance quiet, more emotional moments inside a story that fundamentally is all about a household attempting to survive an apocalypse. "You will find certain conventions within the horror genre, and something is the fact that dispatching zombies, or humans being assaulted by zombies, is going to be fairly graphic," states executive producer Gale Anne Hurd. "Should you aren't creating a cheesy show, which we are not, it's something we are likely to deliver. In the end, zombies are no more alive, and the only method to 'kill' them is by using a mind shot."Audiences don't seem to be switched off through the splatter. The Walking Dead's season premiere attracted the very best adult 18-49 rankings ever for any cable drama. At Forex, American Horror Story keeps growing its audience and was lately restored for Season 2. Forex programming executive v . p . Nick Grad states American Horror Story is getting inside a large female audience that's interested in the show's figures and it is underlying theme - in regards to a marriage in danger - than its horror imagery (with a bloodstream-thirsty demon baby). "We don't wish to be gratuitous just with regard to being gratuitous," he states. "If you are going to behave pretty extreme, there needs to be considered a reason you are doing the work.InchDespite the fact that ABC's approaching The River will contain gory elements, the show's producers say a lot of it will likely be blurred out. "We are not necessarily fans of gore," states executive producer Michael Eco-friendly. "There's a noticeable difference between horror and thriller, and we are more within the thriller camping."Which means audiences will not obtain a good peek at a nasty dead body the River's art department ready for one episode - a minimum of not. Just just in case audiences require more gore using their goose bumps, fellow professional producer Zack Estrin states they are mulling an uncensored DVD. In the end, in Hollywood everyone's searching for that other type of gross - profits.Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

'Dragonriders of Pern' Author Anne McCaffrey Dies

Dragonriders of Pern author Anne McCaffrey has died. She was 85 and died at her home in Ireland after a stroke on Nov. 11, according to Del Rey Books and Random House.our editor recommends'X-Men' Writer to Adapt 'Dragonriders of Pern' Book Series for Big Screen Related Topics•Obituaries The science fiction and fantasy writer is best known for her 14 Dragonriders of Pern novels and the two-part The Ship Who Sang. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths Her first novel, Restoree, was published in 1967, and, as her official website relays, was "written as a protest against the absurd and unrealistic portrayals of women in sci-fi novels in the '50s and early '60s." She went on to write nearly 100 books, including Decision at Doona, the Acorna young adult series, Dinosaur Planet, Stitch in Snow and The Year of the Lucy. McCaffrey was the first woman to win Hugo and Nebula awards, notes the Wall St. Journal. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006. In April, Watchmen and X-Men writer David Hayter inked a deal to pen a big screen adaptation of the Dragonriders book series for Copperheart Entertainment and Entertainment One. PHOTOS: 10 Biggest Book-to-Screen Adaptations of the Last 25 Years Copperheart's Steve Hoban (Splice) and Carver will produce the film, with Susan Montford of Angry Films and Hayter executive producing along with Transformers producer Don Murphy. Production is scheduled to begin early 2012. Dragonflight, the first in the Dragonriders of Pern series, features an elite group of warriors take to the skies on the backs of giant, fire-breathing, telepathic dragons to save the wondrously exotic planet of Pern from a terrifying airborne menace. McCaffrey is survived by two sons and a daughter. Additional reporting by Etan Vlessing. Related Topics Obituaries

'X Factor's' Brit producer restructures

"The X Factor" producer Talkback Thames is headed for extinction as part of a re-organization at the British production arm of FremantleMedia. Beginning Jan. 1 Talkback Thames, formed eight years ago from the merger of its two constituent parts, will cease to exist. Instead an umbrella company will bow, FremantleMedia U.K., overseeing four new production labels: Thames, Talkback, Retort and Boundless. Run by Talkback Thames' incumbent CEO Sara Geater the production entities are to be managed mainly by existing staff. Each will have a managing director, head of production and head of development. A spokeswoman said no job losses would be involved and the move was not driven by financial efficiencies. Geater said the aim was to give talent greater creative freedom and autonomy and win more new biz from broadcasters. She said under the new model senior management would be incentivized, based on their individual profits. Thames will focus on entertainment and be led by the present head of entertainment Richard Holloway. It will be responsible for "The X Factor," among other fare. Talkback is to concentrate on comedy entertainment while Retort will handle scripted comedy. Boundless is to concentrate on nonfiction: factual entertainment, features and specialist fare. "This new label structure allows us to showcase the amazing talent within our business by enabling us to be even more creative and innovative, to better respond to our customers' needs," Geater said. "We're committed to developing inspiring entertainment for broadcasters and audiences and I believe that this structure of labels with big ambitions will ensure we better serve our customers with bespoke propositions that will deliver them the hits of the future." FremantleMedia is owned by pan-European giant, RTL Group. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Stars States Goodbye To Regis Philbin On Twitter

First Released: November 18, 2011 11:21 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa on set throughout Regis Philbins Final Show of Live! with Regis & Kelly in NY NY on November 18, 2011 NY, N.Y. -- Regis Philbin bid morning television farewell on Friday with last appearance on Live! With Regis and Kelly. The 80-year-old TV icon has co-located the lengthy-running morning chat show for 28 years. Many stars including Katie Couric, Jesse Trump, former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford, Tony Danza, Alan Alda and Meredith Vieira were within the studio audience on Friday and much more sent their well-desires to Regis via Twitter. Access Hollywoods Billy Rose bush authored, REGIS!!! The King! The finest chat show host ever. I really like you and also anticipate a lot more moments together! Piers Morgan Tweeted, Congratulations #Regis - great guy, great star, great career. Loved dealing with him on Americas Got Talent. Senator John McCain sent his best, writing, Such a long time Regis - just reminiscences! A few of the Real Average women also chimed in. Former NY City castmember Jill Zarin authored, Watching #regisandkelly last show. Crying. Why?? We r all getting old for this reason, while Nj star Melissa Gorga, Tweeted, Omg, tears are running lower my face for Regis! We like you!! Xo Actress Julie Benz, authored, Cant believe its Regis Philbins last day.. appreciate filling our morning with laughter!! Funnyman Howie Mandel stated the little screen would forever be transformed by Regis exit. The finish of the era. Television should never be exactly the same. Ill miss you Regis, he Tweeted. Rachael Ray agreed, writing, Morning should never be exactly the same. Theres just one REGIS! Regis co-host Kelly Rippa possibly stated it best, simply writing the universal online sign for sadness, " :-( Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'X Factor' expands digital domain

Producer-director Marc Scarpa oversees the team dedicated to creating an array of online content for Foxs The X Factor. Foxs The X Factor offers viewers live access to backstage cameras via a Verizon-sponsored app, part of an elaborate digital strategy. The production truck parked just outside where "The X Factor" shoots on Stage 36 in the CBS Television City complex is filled with 20 people hunkered over monitors. But they've got nothing to do with the live telecast.That's because the unscripted Fox series has a huge separate staff that works alongside the broadcast crew on TV's biggest digital extension to a primetime series since NBC set the new standard with "The Voice" earlier this year."X Factor" has successfully cultivated a fervent following on Twitter and Facebook since its September launch, and the show has since added a Verizon-sponsored Xtra Factor app that synchronizes an elaborate content companion to both Wednesday and Thursday telecasts. While the app's available on iOs-powered devices like the iPad, the Android version is particularly robust, giving viewers the ability to vote five different ways and to access backstage cameras.Viewers can also watch behind-the-scenes footage via a live one-hour Pepsi-sponsored pre-show that precedes every Wednesday broadcast; it's available at TheXFactorUSA.com. In addition to talking heads gabbing about the upcoming episode and interaction with fans via Skype, the pre-show takes advantage of cameras so close to the action that one is even planted behind a mirror in case you want to see your favorite contestants fixing their lipstick or adjusting their collars.This three-ring circus of social media, second-screen app and online pre-show is made possible for several reasons. For one, blue-chip brands like Pepsi and Verizon are footing the bill for the "X Factor" bells and whistles."Sponsorship dollars enable this grand experiment," said Don Wilcox, VP and g.m. of branded entertainment at Fox.com. "This show in particular was an inflection point for digital coming to the forefront for a lot of clients."Sponsored sparkThere are even more sponsored digital elements surrounding "X Factor," from a standalone social network at PepsiSoundOff.com currently devoted to discussing the series to Pepsi Choice Performance, which will let viewers design an upcoming on-air performance by polling their preferences for dance style, special effects, wardrobe and props. Sony Electronics is behind a "Factor" online-video series, "All Access Pass."The "X Factor" digital extravaganza is an outgrowth of the super-sized vibe that Fox, FremantleMedia and Syco wanted to bring to every element of the show. Star and exec producer Simon Cowell made it known from the planning stages of "X Factor" that the series needed a robust online presence.Cowell is said to be particularly avid tracker of "X Factor" Internet activity, so much so that there's been plenty of speculation that his reconsideration of Lauren Amaro, a contestant who was voted out only to be reinstated by him, was prompted by the video streams she racked up on the series' YouTube channel."Simon is attuned to real-time data," said Owen Leimbach, an exec producer of "X Factor's" digital efforts. "If he could have everyone in America walking around with those dials from focus groups, he would."Leimbach is with Sony Music Entertainment, which is partnered with Cowell in his Syco shingle. Cowell brought them in to handle digital operations in tandem with Fox.Cowell's embrace of the digital extensions has been instrumental in knocking down the traditional barriers that exist between a production's TV and digital units. The integration between the digital and telecast production teams is evident both onscreen, where Cowell himself has made multiple plugs for the Xtra Factor app, and behind the scenes, where the TV crew give their digital counterparts the lyrics for each song performed to be uploaded in the app just hours before the show begins.Most of the staff inside the truck are focused on the pre-show, but in an adjoining section sits a five-member team from TV Plus, the third-party developer powering the app. They upload to the app over 100 factoids, videos, polls, photo galleries, tweet excerpts, fashion analysis per episode as it plays. As a song performs, the Xtra Factor app allows you to purchase it or rate the performance across various metrics from song choice to style."There's something about live in terms of engagement with the app that you just don't get with a website," said Marc Scarpa, the producer-director overseeing the pre-show and the app for Sony Music.But the website is lively in its own right, particularly before the latest "X Factor" episode begins. The pre-show crew has access backstage to the point where on this reporter's visit, one pre-show correspondent stood waiting to ambush Antonio "L.A." Reid with a vinyl copy of a forgotten album he produced as a member of forgotten '80s R&B group the Deele, when the now-smooth-domed judge had a bouffant hairdo.The pre-show is hosted by Taryn Southern together with Philip Lomax, a former "X Factor" contestant eliminated from the series. To say they work off the cuff is putting it mildly.Thirty minutes before their show last week, one of their guests that day is a friend of Southern's, YouTube sensation Olga Kay. Kay happens to mention that she knows how to juggle, which prompts a producer to interject. "Can you do that on the show?" he asks.About an hour later, she is expertly tossing several apples in the air for the online audience.Fox pleasedFox isn't releasing traffic numbers for the pre-show but is pleased with the results, according to a spokeswoman.Twitter is also deeply integrated into the telecast, with frequent teases to the accounts of the judges and contestants. But Facebook also plays a key role online; logging into the "X Factor" website is done via Facebook, which grants points for every interaction a user has with "X Factor" content. The site will soon introduce a rewards catalog where points can be traded in for "X Factor"-branded merchandise."X Factor" employs four staffers whose sole job is working social media, distributing dozens of content extras throughout the week and responding to every viewer inquiry regarding the series."X Factor" has been a power player in social media since its inception. In October, social-media tracker Trendrr found it was the most buzzed-about series in the broadcast category across a combination of Facebook, Twitter and check-in services like GetGlue. Another tracking service, Bluefin Labs, found that measured across all TV series airing firstrun episodes season to date, "X Factor" is second only to another Fox series, "Glee."For all the energy expended online, it's questionable whether all those tweets have redounded to the telecast. While "X Factor's" performance has been solid enough to have already earned the series a second season, it fell short of sky-high expectations. "The jury is out on the ratings piece of it" as far as whether the digital activity boosts overall viewership, Wilcox conceded.Whether "Factor" will match the scale of its current digital efforts next season has yet to be determined. But taken together with what "The Voice" has done and the unprecedented digital depth Bravo is supplying to the current season of "Top Chef," the DNA of reality-TV franchises is being altered more and more with digital part and parcel of the overall experience. Time will tell whether they remain a fixture for primetime skeins or fade as quickly as the latest Internet fad. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

The Zone

A Swanberry production. Produced, directed, written, edited by Joe Swanberg. Camera (color, DV), Swanberg, Adam Winguard; sound, John Bosch. Reviewed at AFI Film Festival (Spotlight), Nov. 8, 2011. Running time: 70 MIN.With: Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, Kate Lyn Sheil, Kentucker Audley, Joe Swanberg, Adam Winguard, Kris Swanberg, Dustin Guy Defa.The latest in a blitz of 2011 releases from mumblecore auteur Joe Swanberg, "The Zone" contains little to entice neophytes into his fold. If anything, it'll actually be a harder sell than the rest of Swanberg's oeuvre, as it serves as little more than an autocritique of his own filmmaking (or rather, the third entry in an auto-critique trilogy, after "Silver Bullets" and "Art History"). But though this film mostly finds the helmer exploring ever-deeper recesses of his own navel, its moments of genuine insight and knack for pulling out the rug upend some of its faults. The prolific Swanberg has made something of a mini-empire unto himself with his series of highly amateurish pics containing ample self-referentiality and even more ample superfluously naked young actors. Though his films are frequently ugly, there's something to be said for the filmmaker's steadfast attempts to be absolutely modern, to the degree that his points of aesthetic reference hew far closer to the fringes of YouTube (or rather, YouPorn) than even the most low-budget indies. In a typically Swanbergian touch, the most cogent criticism that can be laid upon "The Zone" comes from the film itself. "You're complaining about making movies about complaining about making movies," says the helmer's real-life wife, Kris, in the most dramatic of several fourth-wall ruptures, before comparing the pic (unfavorably) to "Art History." Even the director himself finds it hard to argue with her. "The Zone" is divided into three parts, with only the first being obviously fictional. In this first, weakest segment, Swanberg spotlights three hipster roommates (Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine and Swanberg regular Kate Lyn Sheil), as each is seduced in turn by a cameraphone-wielding houseguest (Kentucker Audley), in a sort of no-budget re-creation of "Teorema." After the last seduction, the narrative abruptly halts, and we see all three of Kentucker's paramours (all actors playing themselves, though not the same selves they were playing previously) watching the preceding footage with the director (Swanberg). They critique his editing choices and point out his heteronormative bias, then lengthily prepare to shoot an emotionally draining menage a trois scene. As the filmmaking process appears to be reaching the point of complete meltdown, the pic again shifts perspective, and the two Swanbergs (along with a gurgling infant) discuss the faux behind-the-scenes footage that has just played. Even while lamenting his narcissism (does mumblecore really need its "8 1/2" already?), one must applaud Swanberg's bravery in providing a glimpse at some of the damage that his style of intrusively intimate filmmaking can wreak on the relationships between his subjects, and between his subjects and himself. The central problem here is that Swanberg remains the focus of the piece even when he tries to allow for dissenting voices, and his own troubles with completing the film, and with justifying it to his audience, eventually shoehorn out the more provocative external questions. It would also help if the film-within-a-film at "The Zone's" center weren't such a transparently offhand canvas for Swanberg to play out his particular insecurities -- at leastFellini's spaceship had a beach to sit on. As usual for the director, the film contains a number of inventively staged, shakily shot extended nude scenes, including one focusing on a very ugly quilt, and another involving a spray-paint sunburn. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Sacha Baron Cohen Will Be A Gambler

For Tarantino's Django UnchainedMost of Sacha Baron Cohen's career has been a gamble, usually because it involves making fun of people to their faces and risking lawsuits everywhere he turns. But for Quentin Tarantino, it seems he's ready to play a gambler on screen and is set to join the ever-expanding cast of Django Unchained.As we mentioned recently, QT is now filling the many smaller roles for the Spaghetti Western-influenced bounty hunter thriller, which follows the titular freed slave (Jamie Foxx) on a mission to rescue his wife from the clutches of a very bad man (Leonardo DiCaprio).Along the way, Django will tangle with Scotty, a hustler who buys the aforementioned wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), as a companion. We doubt he'll come to a good end. But even though he's only a relatively minor part, he's an important one according to Variety, and Tarantino specifically sought Cohen for the role.He'll appear in the movie with Christoph Waltz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, James Remar, Tom Savini, Anthony LaPaglia, Don Johnson and many more. Django Unchained starts shooting in January.

Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Boogie Nights' and 14 Other Roles Stars Switched Lower

Stars spread roles constantly -- it's area of the movie business. Take Leonardo DiCaprio. His enormous box-office potential makes him probably the most searched for-after stars on the planet. As a result, he's been offered the chance to experience numerous large-time figures, a couple of which he's needed to turn lower. (Not infamous FBI director J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood's 'J. Edgar,' which opened up now.) In recognition of DiCaprio and the Hollywood brethren, let us have a look back at a few of the greatest roles stars have ever switched lower. 15 Roles Stars Switched Lower Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Boogie Nights'Will Cruz in 'The Matrix'John Travolta in 'Forrest Gump'Mel Gibson in 'Gladiator'Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Promote in 'Thelma & Louise'Tom Cruise in 'Footloose'Matt Damon in 'Avatar'Madonna in 'Casino'Freddie Prinze Junior. in 'Spider-Guy'Jack Nicholson in 'The Godfather'Tom Selleck in 'Raiders from the Lost Ark'Alec Baldwin in 'The Fugitive'Molly Ringwald in 'Pretty Lady'Steve McQueen in 'Dirty Harry'Leonardo DiCaprio in 'American Psycho' See All Moviefone Art galleries » [Photo: FilmMagic / Everett Collection] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Jessica Chastain Will Probably Be Princess Diana

For Caught In FlightThose who put a strop when Meryl Streep dared to seize the meaty role of Margaret Thatcher at the disposal of British stars will most likely start foaming once more convinced that the American will tackle Princess Diana in the questionable new biopic. But it's true: Jessica Chastain is becoming installed on play her in Caught Flying.Oliver Hirschbiegel, the director who hit the film levels with Downfall then came lower to Earth getting a bump round the Invasion, may also be attached, and Ecosse Films is becoming attempting to lock lower distribution deals within the American Film Market.According to Thompson on Hollywood, Caught Flying follows the romance between Diana and Hasnat Khan, another two-year relationship. Kahn rejected to go over the affair for any very long time after Diana died, finally spilling the beans in 2008.The script with the Libertine's Steven Jeffreys is mentioned to portray Diana inside an unflattering light, and Hirschbiegel expects to shoot the film in many locations, including Paris, where the Princess died in the vehicle crash in 1997. Prolific actress Chastain, who came out this year inside the Tree Of Existence, Your Financial Troubles as well as the Help, will next come in Take Shelter then Coriolanus.

James Bond's 'Skyfall' In Talk Nerdy To Me!

FROM MTV MOVIES: With "The Dark Knight Rises" soaring over NY, James Bond officially back in action in "Skyfall" and a new episode of "The Walking Dead" on the horizon, it's a great week to be a geek. It's also the perfect week to kick off "Talk Nerdy to Me," a brand-new weekly online talk show right here on MTV News where we'll bring you up to speed on all of the latest movie, TV and comic book news that's fit to print. Watch Talk Nerdy To Me! Want to know what Joseph Gordon-Levitt was doing on the "Dark Knight" set this week? Look no further. Are you worrying over some of the new details about Bond's big-screen comeback? We are, too. We'll give you all that and more in the inaugural edition of "Talk Nerdy." » Read the full story at MTV Movies! » Get more details about Talk Nerdy to Me!

Exclusive: Ian Buchanan Joins Days of Our Lives

Ian Buchanan One of our all-time favorite soap hoppers is making his way to Salem! Daytime Emmy Award winner Ian Buchanan - a veteran of All My Children, The Bold and the Beautiful, Port Charles and General Hospital - is joining the cast of NBC's Days of Our Lives. A Days rep tells TV Guide Magazine that the popular Scotsman will play a character named Ian McAllister, a mega-rich businessman with a powerful and dangerous hold over cosmetics mogul Madison James (Sarah Brown). This isn't Buchanan's first time at Days, by the way. In 2001, he was among several hotshot daytime players who were recruited to play European royals at the coronation of Princess Greta. But, basically, he was a glorified extra. In addition to his vast suds experience, Buchanan was also a cult fave on Twin Peaks, It's Garry Shandling's Show and the Cartoon Network series Justice League, where he voiced the role of Superman's arch foe Ultra-Humanite. Buchanan starts shooting Days on November 14 and is expected to hit the air February 9. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Rachelle Lefervre Optioned a completely new Yorker Story Whose Adaptation Gus Van Sant Will Direct

“The new project would most likely take Lautner’s career in the new direction. He's mentioned being likely to work simply with top company company directors and authors any further while he aims to define themselves becoming an actor.” Annnnnd that’s almost all I’ve got on that certain. [THR]

Discovery confronts need to hone OWN

Yakker "The Rosie Show" on OWN has seen a slide in aud amounts, specially the 25-54 femme demo, since its premiere. "Oprah's Lifeclass" started off progressively on week day primetime. Discovery Communications shipped a effective third quarter earnings report Tuesday, but a increase in its revenue and profit predictions for your twelve month wasn't enough to divert Wall Street's attention within the problems at OWN.Discovery's partnership using the famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey reaches an adverse balance for your year, with negative earnings for the tune of $55.6 000 0000, according to amounts provided by SNL Kagan. The client costs that satellite and cable operators pay to keep the funnel have dropped to 5 a sub monthly, from 7 a year ago when the funnel used to be Discovery Health, according to Kagan.Deficits for just about any startup operation are not any surprise, but OWN's growth curve remains steep since the cabler has fought mightily to attain viewer traction having its original programming. Its latest large bets, the Rosie O'Donnell yakker as well as the Winfrey fronted "Oprah's Lifeclass," have observed a pokey come from their Monday-Friday primetime runs. Discovery Boss David Zaslav preached persistence through the quarterly earnings make contact with which experts grilled him about OWN's finances. Discovery brass wouldn't disclose many particulars in regards to the partnership, but chief financial officer Kaira Singer acknowledged it had invested $12 million more inside the cabler through the quarter.For 2011, SNL Kagan thought operating expenses of nearly $160 million at OWN, and revenue of $104 million. If this involves distribution, the web is at more houses than Discovery Health, therefore it transformed, no more than 5.8 million more.Zaslav mentioned he's sure that OWN's fortunes will improve since Winfrey has become full-time Boss."We are investing a lot time to develop content that will attract the marriage visitors,Inch Zaslav mentioned. "We are building some significant audience growth and flow. Viewership expires from previous levels (and) there's some nice momentum beginning 2012. We are starting to swing within an positive direction in term of getting people to spend time around.InchFor your year so far, OWN is essentially flat in primetime as compared to the Discovery Health predecessor. After 72 hours round the air, "Rosie" and "Oprah's Lifeclass" have not yet really make a difference inside the amounts."Rosie," airing at 8 p.m., started by helping cover their typically 321,000 audiences within the first week, lowering to 229,000 in week two and 223,000 in week three. There's the same slide inside the all-important women 25-54 demo, where "Rosie" started by helping cover their typically 140,000 audiences but slid the other day to 106,000."Lifeclass," trumpeted as Winfrey's return to the airwaves, bowed to typically 310,000 total audiences in week one, lowering to 297,000 the other day. In women 25-54, the show has inched up from typically 118,000 in week anyone to 122,000 the other day.OWN's finest original success story so far might be the weekly docu-series "Our America With Lisa Ling," which started progressively taken but has proven steady progress. In October the show averaged an effective 542,000 audiences, and 230,000 in women 25-54. Reality skein "Thank you for going to Sweetie Pie's" has furthermore become some traction, yanking in 421,000 total audiences in October, including 144,000 in women 25-54. Zaslav pointed for the performance of "Our America" and "Sweetie Pie's" in safeguarding the net's performance to experts."It's like we mentioned in the beginning, it's gonna require sometime.InchDonald Leavy, Discovery's corporate communications topper, increased their mantra that new cablers take three to five years to really find their footing with audiences -- regardless of the famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey's title round the door. "Yes, it is the famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey, and so the expectation can be a litte greater, but we are happy,Inch Leavy told Variety. "We probably was without sufficient original programming once we launched. It's the right trajectory -- no an individual's stating victory, but we're seeing eco-friendly shoots."Beyond OWN, Discovery's third-quarter outcome was strong, buoyed by rise in worldwide areas. Internet gain rose to $238 million from $189 million the last year. Revenue hopped 18% to nearly $1.1 billion with 19% growth at both domestic and worldwide systems.For your twelve month, the business mentioned elevated its predictions, pegging revenue later on among $4.17 billion and $4.25 billion, and internet profit around $1 billion. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Mega Buzz: Bones' New Baddie, a Revenge Death and Miami Romance

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Fifty pounds lighter, Carrie Fisher isn't afraid to criticize her former self. "I looked awful," the actress, author and Jenny Craig spokeswoman told Extra. "I'd like to say it was my health, and be like somebody who's a good role model, [but] that was a byproduct." Did Fisher make the list? See our gallery of the most dramatic celebrity weight loss Fisher, who jokingly referred to her larger self as a "whale," admitted she has always had insecurities about her looks. "I never was a fan of my appearance," she says. "I looked at my mother as a little kid and thought, 'Well I look like a thumb compared to that.' I better develop something else." In addition to her new slimmer figure, Fisher opened up about her friendship with Michael Jackson. She recalls spending a "sweet" Christmas with the late pop singer, whom she called "the sweetest man." Although Jackson's doctor at the time of his death, Dr. Conrad Murray, is still on trial on charges that he killed the singer by administering a fatal dose of medication, Fisher says she is convinced Murray killed her friend. "[Dr. Murray] put these drugs into him. [Dr. Murray] knew the dangers of it." Fisher's latest book, Shockaholic, is out now.

Ratings: Allen Gregory Debuts Weakly

Allen Gregory Allen Gregory looks like he just might be a snotnose whom people dislike. The latest entry in Fox's Animation Domination block debuted Sunday to modest 4.74 million viewers and a 2.4 rating among 18-to-49-year-olds at 8:30/7:30c, overnight Nielsen numbers showed. That indicates people changed channels in droves as The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror XXII," which preceded it, spooked 8.01 million, posting a 4.0 demo rating. Fall TV Popularity Contest: We have a winner! In the same hour, Once Upon a Time, starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison, looked like it could be a keeper, pulling in 11.64 million (compared with 12.79 million for its debut) and a 3.9 demo rating. With CBS' ratings skewed by a half-hour football overrun, Amazing Race lured 14.29 million viewers (3.5 demo rating), according to the early data. At 9/8c, CBS' The Good Wife attracted 10.12 million people (2.3 rating), whileDesperate Housewives grabbed 9.28 million (3.1), and Family Guy and The Cleveland Show grabbed 5.97 million viewers (3.2 demo rating) and 4.63 million (2.3), respectively. Sunday Night Football again featured a lopsided game. But the Eagles' 34-7 thrashing of the Cowboys wasn't nearly half as bad as the 62-7 final score a week ago (the biggest blowout in the franchise's history on NBC) and managed a night-leading 20.16 million fans and 8.2 demo rating. Check out the rest of the day's news In prime time's final hour Sunday, Pan Am leveled off, getting 5.90 million viewers and a 1.9 demo rating vs. last week's 5.77 million (1.8) - which culminated a downward path that began with 10.87 million, down to 7.75 million, to 6.42 million and to 5.89 million viewers. At the same time, CSI: Miami grabbed 10.14 million people and a 2.0 demo rating. And for the record, the seven-game World Series won by the St. Louis Cardinals wound up averaging 16.6 million viewers, a 16 percent increase over last year's 14.3 million. The final game caught 25.4 million fans, making it the most-watched Series game since 2004, when the Boston Red Sox clinched their first title in 86 years.

Obama Campaign Adds Tumblr to President's Social-Media Platforms

Leader Obama Leader Obama's 2012 re-election campaign has created a Tumblr account, adding to his social-media platforms. "We would like this Tumblr to become huge collaborative storytelling effort - a place for individuals nationwide to discuss what is happening inside our particular corners from this,In . it states online. Obama's teleprompter stolen How can he do without one? It urges people to transmit questions, upload photos with 2012 T-t t shirts, spread jokes and send other Tumblr posts for re-blogging.

Systems Re-think the Ratings Game As Dvr Usage Advances

Kim Coates Precisely what a positive change seven days makes. Many primetime shows are seeing their ratings skyrocket each time a week's cost of Dvr usage is incorporated - and network professionals are scrambling to learn to adjust to a period of time-shifting world.Since Dvr transmission has showed up around 42% of audiences, it's obtaining a genuine impact on viewership - and making the very first next-day ratings that everyone reviews (including live viewing, plus that night's Dvr usage) progressively irrelevant.For example, when season four of FX's Sons of Anarchy first demonstrated September 6, it attracted 4.9 million audiences, many, while not a network record. When seven days of Dvr usage was counted, that number had rose to 6.5 million audiences - which causes it to be most likely probably the most-seen type in Foreign exchange history."The amounts are up to now apart it isn't really funny," states Foreign exchange leader John Landgraf.The fact nearly half of TV audiences now own a Dvr is making numerous TV's top-rated shows a lot more top-rated when all is mentioned and done. ABC's Modern Family leads the Dvr pack, experiencing massive audience boosts once the final time-moved ratings will be in. Due to DVRs, the comedy's second episode, which initially broadcast September 28, eventually added a fantastic 4.5 million more audiences towards the total.Where the live-plus-seven ratings hold the most impact up to now is developing a mess of network boasting rights. Inside the grownups 18-49 demographic, NBC's Sunday Evening Football was no. 1 show for your week ending October 2, posting a 7.7 rating. However when the Dvr amounts showed up, Sunday Evening Football was virtually unchanged (up one percent to 7.8), while CBS' two and a half Males (8.9, up twenty percent from 7.4) and ABC's Modern Family (7.9, up 39 percent from 5.7) leaped in-front.In another example, CBS' Two Broke Women was the most effective-rated new sitcom among grownups 18-49 right before the newest Dvr data - however more extensive live-plus-seven amounts arrived, Fox's New Girl was the bigger beneficiary. Consequently, both shows are tied for first."Part of the problem is if you report live-plus-same-day and single airing ratings, you convey the sense the size from the show is 'x' a lot more reality how big this show is 'y,'" Landgraf states.Meanwhile, the Dvr revolution may also be giving desire to lower-rated shows, their so-so amounts end up searching better once time-shifting is incorporated. ABC's Grey's Anatomy averaged an very disappointing 3.6 rating among grownups 18-49 in week a few the fall TV season. Nevertheless the show got a hefty 41.7% boost due to seven days of Dvr usage, getting its final rating up to a lot more effective 5.1.Exactly the same factor goes for your two-hour premiere of Fox's Terra Nova, which opened up up getting a disappointing 3.1 rating inside the demo. Once the seven days of Dvr usage showed up, the show wound up with a more acceptable 4.4 rating.Which will seem to provide credence to more persistence among designers. Since Dvr usage - additionally to video if needed an online-based streaming - has showed up at critical mass, Landgraf states he usually waits 5 days, until just of ratings details are in, before determining the fate from the show. "You don't know who's watching your show until that time,In . according to him. "The amounts are up to now apart it is not even funny."Professionals are involved that people initial ratings aren't ever cured inside the press - meaning the reduced number for Terra Nova's premiere will most likely constantly be reported, much less later, bigger rating.ABC executive v . p . Rob Bader states he's resigned that initial nightly ratings can get a lot of the attention inside the press. "And then we discovered 2 days later that [among grownups 18-49] Grey's Anatomy really was no. 1 drama of premiere week, and Pan Am and Revenge were the two finest-rated drama premieres. But it's up to now later on," according to him.Ratings including seven days of Dvr usage aren't designed for a few days, which explains why several systems have started offering ratings including 72 hrs of Dvr playback (that exist around the timelier basis). TV Guide Magazine has started using live-plus-three ratings due to its weekly "America's Most Seen" chart.Ultimately, it's another rating that actually matters inside the TV business. The "C3" rating, which measures viewing throughout commercial breaks (including three days' cost of Dvr usage), is what systems target entrepreneurs. "That's what really matters," Bader states. "You don't monetize anything" on live-plus-seven ratings.The C3 ratings aren't broadly released for the public, but according to another Wall Street report acquired by Broadcasting and Cable magazine, the modification to people commercial ratings has furthermore enhanced broadcast network performance - or otherwise, has aided slow network ratings erosion by a few percentage points. The report's author, Michael Nathanson of Nomura Opportunities, states the primary difference has probably introduced to countless extra dollars in advertising revenue for your systems."It's the real story of year,In . states Jerry Bruckheimer TV leader Jonathan Littman. "I now have a look at overnight ratings just like a snapshot, while not a sign. Inside the twelfth season of CSI we're going to a virtually forty percent increase in the demo after DVRs."Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Entertainment Coalition Creative America Ramping Up Efforts to battle Piracy (Video)

Greater than 60,000 people -- many of them entertainment industry professionals -- have sent messages for his or her Congressman formerly week to assist passage in the Safeguard IP Act, that's presently postponed inside the U.S. Senate.our editor indicates CBS Hit With Major Suit For Contributing To Piracy (Exclusive)'Big Body body fat Hollow Victory' for DISH in Satellite Tv Piracy Battle'Hurt Locker' producer files massive antipiracy lawsuitFrench Setup, Senate OK anti-piracy law The outpouring of support for your bill to avoid foreign-based websites that unlawfully distribute copyrighted content for instance American movies and tv shows is an element from the grass-roots campaign being launched now by Creative America, a coalition produced with the major art galleries, systems, labor unions while others to battle piracy of intellectual property. "Since Creative America was launched, it's produced an growing community of people deeply concerned about the outcomes that content robbery is making American jobs and creativity," mentioned Mike Nugent, the Washington, D.C.-based executive director of Creative America. "Once people know the scope and enormity from the problem, they wish to make a move.Inch Not everyone supports Creative America or perhaps the Safeguard IP Act, including large technology the kind of Google, Yahoo and TiVo, nonetheless they do agree there's an problem that needs fixing. What size an problem? According to Creative America, these foreign websites generate about 146 million visits daily and 53 billion visits every year including illegal distribution more than 500,000 movies every single day worldwide. Nugent introduced that furthermore for the original people in the group, which was produced within this summer time -- including AFTRA, CBS, DGA, IATSE, SAG, Fox, Viacom, Disney and Warner Bros. -- it is added the AFL-CIO, the Association of Talent Agents, the Copyright Alliance, Luxurious Entertainment Services Group Corporation., FilmL.A., the country's Association of Theatre Entrepreneurs, the Producers Guild of America as well as the Stage Company company directors and Choreographers Society. The crowd also provides launched a renovated website at internet.creativeamerica.org to provide info and a means to lobby Congress for your Safeguard IP Act together with other legislation. More to the stage, beginning Tuesday, most people is going to be delivering reps to studio commissaries, TV and movie sets. For instance, AFTRA representative Christopher p Haan mentioned reps will "visit exhibit sets, broadcast stations together with other areas, supplying information and becoming conversations." They can also be offering high quality materials like pens, T-t t shirts then one-sheets supporting your time and energy. AFTRA has sent communications for his or her people and staff and very soon will probably be posting videos supporting your time and energy. SAG has furthermore released videos online which has actor Clark Gregg speaking in regards to the campaign. There's cost-liberated to register, but Creative America hopes these people will finish up their ambassadors within fighting against piracy fitness center abroad. "It becomes an intensive campaign to produce our message for the entertainment community, its employees, providers while others,In . Nugent mentioned. "It'll be grass-roots organizing inside the old-fashioned means by addition to online. We're approaching this just like a political campaign, a kind of get-out-the-election campaign, to produce our voices heard in Washington." However, Nugent balks at being referred to as a political organization and declines that they are a lobbying group. According to him it really comprises a control button on its website so people is capable of to Congress, in addition to their member companies all lobby, however it does not. Nugent mentioned the crowd has hired 2 types of outdoors consultants -Body that's a specialist in causes and mobilizing people for social action as well as the other that are experts in making use of social media to spread this content, while he puts it, "so that it can grow virally through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and many types of the engines of social media.Inch Since the effort was launched, the crowd, coping with the Film Association of America while others, has labored to seal lower websites that unlawfully distributed copyrighted content. Whatever they weren't in a position to perform is stop content which will come from web servers situated in China, Europe or elsewhere outdoors the achieve of yank law. That's the objective of Safeguard IP legislation. As Nugent describes it, whenever a website is recognized, the crowd visits the U.S. Justice Department, to be able to a judge, to locate a order in the court labeling it an illegal site. That order in the court will then be applied it to pressure payment processors like PayPal and Visa to avoid processing their bank cards and obligations. Next, the crowd uses an order in the court to go to advertising businesses that serve ads on the web and stop them from advertising people sites or funneling money on their behalf from ads. Then inside the most questionable area of the effort, the total amount enables the copyright holders to go to the kind of Time Warner and Comcast delivering Websites to clients and demand they block utilization of people illegal sites. "It's a bad factor because usually security experts do not want anybody to take advantage of the online link to block or manipulate your utilization of any site you need to visit,Inch mentioned Markham Erickson, a Washington lawyer who's executive director in the Open Internet Coalition, which lists among its people Google, Amazon . com . com, eBay, Yahoo, Expedia, Bloomberg, TiVo, Facebook, HSN along with the new the new sony Electronics -- even though new the new sony Pictures Entertainment can be a part of the Creative America coalition supporting the opposing perspective. "We're not towards legislation in addressing the problem,Inch Erickson mentioned. "But we've serious concerns in regards to the bill that has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee which is since need thinking about with the full Senate." Erickson mentioned the current Digital Millennium Copyright Act already covers the identical territory and might be conscious many instances of illegal material being distributed. Nugent mentioned that's true, however the DMCA functions later on as well as a really very long time to take advantage of to acquire satisfaction. The completely new bill might be really provision. Right now the Safeguard IP act is postponed because of opposition from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., which has mentioned that although he shares the goals in the recommended act, "I am not ready to muzzle speech and stifle innovation and economic growth to get this done objective." Creative America mentioned the same bill will probably be introduced inside the U.S. House of Reps within days. Nugent was adament that there are no first amendment problem so it wouldn't stall innovation. "There is no privacy right that allows you utilize of the illegal website," he mentioned. "We won't know very well what anybody does. We will not view their habits. We won't determine whether they go to a certain site. All i did so is impeding the identifying information using this other site." Erickson mentioned the technology problems this bill would create may be labored with once the backers had labored with Internet engineers and corporations. He mentioned the net service companies don't believe they ought to be forced into the role of policeman on the web, that might not necessarily be possible with new security software being folded to handle potential hacking. Nugent was adament that they are not making these private companies their police. "They are just being asked for to recognition a order in the court to avoid supporting the distribution of stolen content," Nugent mentioned. "They formerly take action with porn. They stop malicious junk e-mail. They'd block someone extorting money. They're doing it if the suits their network interests, to ensure that they ought to be capable of take action because well." Related Subjects SAG Google Clark Gregg Yahoo Amazon . com . com.com MPAA

Best Movie Art Ever (This Week): Marvel-Disney Mash-ups

For comic book fans, next summer's 'Avengers' movie is the realization of a fantasy that didn't seem possible just a few years ago. But as the just-released trailer has shown, what used to be pure imagination is now movie reality. With the big-screen superhero team-up set to arrive in May, it's time for the die-hard Marvel zombies to begin going nuts over the next cinematic milestone -- and now that Marvel Comics and Walt Disney Studios work together, the movie possibilities are endless. Could we see the Incredibles fighting side-by-side with Captain America and Iron Man at the local multiplex? You don't have to wait to find out what that would look like because there's a bevy of talented artists using sites like Flickr, Tumblr and DeviantArt to show off their movie-inspired artwork. From an adamantium-laced waterfowl to a hilarious new acting job for Winnie the Pooh, check out the amazing Dinsey-Marvel mash-up art. Best Movie Art Ever (This Week): October 15, 2011 Epic MisneyFrom the webcomic 'Lil Formers'Incredibles vs. IncredibleA Goofy MarvelLogald DuckerineDisney InvadersThe New Marvel HeroesJ J Jameson's DilemmaAnd finally... See All Moviefone Galleries » Need a close-up of that first photo? Here it is: Our sister site, ComicsAlliance, makes a habit of spotlighting particular artists and/or specific bodies of work, but there's just so much great work to see that they've initiated Best Art Ever (This Week), a weekly depository for just some of the virtually countless pieces of especially compelling artwork that they come across in their travels across the digital media landscape. Some of it's new, some of it's old, some of it's created by working professionals, some of it's created by talented fans, and some of it's endearingly stupid. And all of it's awesome. Want more? Check out ComicsAlliance's Best Art Ever (This Week). Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-257572{display:none;}.cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-257572, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-257572{width:475px;height:357px;display:block;}

CD, Stopline board 'Red Brazil'

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Canada's CD Films and Portugal's Stopline Filmes have boarded two-part miniseries "Rouge Bresil" (Red Brazil), a groundbreaking high-end Brazilian international co-production. Currently shooting in Rio, "Red" turns on the creation in 1555 of the French colony in Rio de Janeiro, and its later destruction, roiled by religious wars. Swede Stellan Skarsgard ("Pirates of the Caribbean," "Thor") is playing the principled French Admiral Villegaignon, the French colony's founder, and Portugal's Joaquin de Almeida ("Fast Five") plays "Red's" villain, Joao da Silva. France Televisions Distribution has taken international sales rights. Marking its final financing mix, "Red" is also produced by Nicolas Traube's Pampa Films in France and Brazil's Conspiracao Filmes, one of Brazil's biggest film-TV companies, in association with Gallic pubcaster channel France Televisions, Globo Filmes and Rio Town Hall equity investment and p&a fund RioFilme. Budgeted at Reais 20 million ($11.3 million), "Red" marks the first high-bracket historical TV fiction investment for Conspiracao, COO Ricardo Rangel said at a presentation of "Red" first footage Wednesday at the Rio Film Festival. It is also the first TV investment by RioFilme, made via a minimum guarantee against international rights, added RioFilme prexy Sergio Sa Leitao. As Brazil's film and TV industry sees exponential market growth -- theatrical B.O. rocketed 156% from 2005 to 2010's $756 million; Brazil's TV market grew 22% in 2010 vs. 2009 to $12.2 billion -- "Red" wasn't the only first unveiled Wednesday at the Rio Fest. Another was RioFilme's first slate financing deal with a producer, Augusto Case's Rio-based pic production house Case, Sa Leitao told Variety. RioFilme has taken equity investments in three movies: 2011 hit release, Jose Alvarenga Jr.'s "Cilada.com," which grossed $15.9 million, and two upcoming 2013 releases, Felipe Joffily's "E ai, comeu," based on Marcelo Paiva's play, and Mauro Mendonca Filho's "No Retrovisor." The slate financing deal rolls off a local comedy boom in Brazil. RioFilme invested originally in Joffily's laffer "Muita calma nessa hora," produced by Case, which grossed $6.5 million in 2010. In yet another first, as the Brazilian film industry rapidly catches up or surges ahead compared with more established film industries in other countries, RioFilme announced its first analysis of its own investment stats. Over 2009-11, it has ploughed Reais60 million ($33.8 million) into 170 projects, spread over festivals, features and shorts. These include 42 features. Total Brazilian B.O. in 2011 on the five films in which RioFilme has invested is 5.5 million admissions, said Sa Leitao. Rate of return on investment for 2011 has run at about 90%, he added. Hardly surprisingly, RioFilme wants more: RioFilme and Brazil's state-backed BNDES bank have now raised Reais18 million ($10.1 million) for a new fund that will invest from 2012 in companies, Sa Leitao added. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Vaughn re-selected SAG first V . p .

Ned Vaughn, a pacesetter in the Unite for Strength faction, remains re-selected very as first V . p . in the Screen Stars Guild. Vaughn continues for everybody since the lead officer in the Hollywood division in the guild.The Hollywood division board, which has gone to live in some moderate majority since a year ago, selected Vaughn at its meeting Wednesday evening.Anne-Marie Manley, a pacesetter in the dormant Membership First faction, had held the publish between 2008-2010. About 60% of SAG's 120,000 individuals are part of the Hollywood division.Formerly three years, Vaughn remains everyone voice in the self-styled moderates of Unite for Strength. The faction has had the present elections inside the Hollywood Division inside the more assertive Membership First group and contains acquired traction by pushing hard for just about any merger while using American Federation of Television & Radio Artists to produce a single performers' union.Vaughn won a 3-year term for the national board lately, locating the eighth-finest election total from 53 candidates.Vaughn's credits include "Frost/Nixon" and "Courage Under Fire." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Oka!

A Dada Films (in U.S.) release given Needed Viewing of the Roland Films-James Bruce production. Created by James Bruce, Lavinia Currier. Executive producer, Andrew Fierberg. Co-producer, Norbert Bogbeyate. Co-executive producer, Isaach p Bankole. Directed by Lavinia Currier. Script, Currier, Suzanne Stroh, Louis Sarno, according to Sarno's memoir, "Last Ideas Before Disappearing In the Face of the world.InchWith: Kris Marshall, Isaach p Bankole, Mapumba, Will Yun Lee, Mbombi, Essanje, Peter Riegert. (Sango, Akka, French, British dialogue)If movies were susceptible to sanity tests, "Oka!" will be a crazy old guy having a three-day beard along with a sock filled with kruggerrands under his bed mattress. Suggestive of Monty Python, evocative of Scots novelist William Boyd ("A Great Guy in Africa") and usually disdainful of contemporary stereotypes and patriarchal whitened-guy-on-the dark-region tales, Lavinia Currier's film has got the type of freewheeling sensibility and contempt for conformity that may provide theatrical traction -- even when, in regards to nearly anything within the niche arena, the present climate appears particularly hostile. It could be also as hostile because the atmosphere Ray Whitman (Kris Marshall) finds themself in. Inspired through the real-existence Louis Sarno (adapting his memoir with Currier and Suzanne Stroh), Ray is definitely an ethnomusicologist that has been recording and protecting the background music from the Bayaka pygmies of Yandombe, within the Central African Republic, and it is coming back the place to find Nj to boost funds. When his acerbic physician (Peter Riegert) informs him he's dying, he decides to not wait for liver transplant and rather presses a wealthy patron to invest in another visit to Africa, so he is able to finish his focus on the Bayaka. Ray finds a " new world " changing in Yandombe. He's still the highest, whitest guy around, however the Bayaka happen to be obtaining a difficult time in the Bantu, whose mayor, Bassoun (Isaach p Bankole), has moved the pygmies right into a more compact village and forbidden them from entering their sacred forest. Bassoun is wishing to market the timber privileges to some predatory Chinese businessman, Mr. Yi (Will Yun Lee). The encroachment from the modern around the ancient is really a major theme, both narratively and aesthetically, in "Oka!" (the Bayaka word for "listen"), and upkeep is Currier's apparent message here. But Ray is a lesser messiah than the usual stand-set for the crowd he towers comically within the pygmies, who all make affectionate fun of him. One of the most mischievous local people is Sataka (Mapumba), the tribe's great hunter, who, together with his wife, Ekadi (Essanje), went into the jungle to flee the capricious rule of law. What's refreshing about "Oka!" is its aversion to the type of cliches the Bayaka people exhibit just as much self-interest as anybody, they will use Ray for those he's worth, and they've their decidedly craven side. Sataka's daughter, Makombe (Mbombi), on whom Ray evolves a crush, plays him just like a seafood. Still, the Bayaka would be the sufferers here: Bassoun really wants to frame Sataka to have an elephant killing and accuse the pygmies of poaching, that will enable him to maneuver the Bayaka permanently out, and Mr. Yi in. While Ray is really a hero, he's only one of many, just like the film is just partially a farcical dramedy about endangered people. It is also a character film, the wildlife from the Central African Republic playing a prominent role within the visual storytelling, and Currier eschews the lions and tigers and bears for a lot more hideous and fascinating types of African wildlife. But almost all the species observed in "Oka!" receive a brand new groing through, including homo sapiens. Production values are usually good, d.p. Conrad W. Hall's work exceptional in taking the smoothness of Africa.Camera (color), Conrad W. Hall editors, Kristina Boden, Nic Gaster music, Chris Berry, the music artists of Yandombe production designer, Alexandre Vivet costume designer, Delphi Squires seem (Dolby Digital), David Monacchi line producer, Jean Aubert p Tregomain casting, Lisa Hamil. Examined on DVD, NY, March. 11, 2011. (This Year Telluride Film Festival.) Running time: 106 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Macedonia selects 'Punk's Not Dead' for Oscars

PRAGUE -- Macedonia has selected as its Oscar foreign-lingo entry Vladimir Blazevski's "Punk's Not Dead," a scrappy road movie that evokes the same fiercely independent spirit that typifies this small Balkan country. The pic focuses on hero Mirsa, an former singer from the band that once ruled the Macedonian punk scene. Now 40 and still living with his mother, he gets by selling drugs for a fearsome Albanian. The dealer then hatches a "Blues Brothers"-style mission to reunite the band for a benefit concert in a town with a repressed Albanian majority. Karovy Vary fest, where the pic won the East of the West section for films from the former East bloc, praised Blazevski's script and pic's documentary style, saying it achieves "a sense of absolute conviction." Fest jury also noted pic's "contagious energy." It later won honors at Pristina's fest. London's Raindance fest has also programmed the film. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Watch The Hangover 2 For Free

New Trailer For The Lady Online

Luc Besson's Aung San Suu Kyi biopicA few weeks on from the teaser, here's a full trailer for The Lady, Luc Besson's biopic of the Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, starring Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis.As you'd expect, much more is revealed this time, both in terms of the film's epic sweep, and its more intimate focus on the dynamic-but-conflicted Yeoh (Suu Kyi) and a weary-looking Thewlis (Suu Kyi's husband Michael Aris, who was suffering from cancer during the period the film covers).Suu Kyi is known as The Lady by the Burmese population, since mention of her actual name is forbidden. Shespent fifteen years under house arrest in Rangoon, after her National League For Democracy won 60% of the vote against the Burmese military Junta in the 1990 general election, but the results were declared void. She was finally released last November. Rather than take in her whole story, the film takes place in the years between 1988 and 1999.Besson calls Suu Kyi "more of a heroine than Joan of Arc," and describes her cause as "the fight of a woman without any weapons but kindness." The Lady is out in most of Europe in November and December, but there doesn't seem to be a UK release date so far.

Watch Movies

A Much Better Existence (Une vie meilleure)

A L'ensemble des Films du Lendemain presentation in co-production with Maia Cinema, Cinemaginaire, Mars Films, France 2 Cinema, using the participation of Canal Plus, France Televisions, Cine Plus, using the support of los angeles Region Ile-p-France, Center Images-Region Center, in colaboration with Soficinema 7 Developpement, Soficinema 7, La Banque Postale Image 4, Manon, Cinemage 5, using the participation of Telefilm Canada, Societe p Developpement des Entreprises Culturelles, Quebec Credit d'impot Cinema et Television -- Gestion Sodec, Credit d'impot Pour Film ou Video Canadien. (Worldwide sales: Wild Bunch, Paris.) Created by Kristina Larsen. Co-producers, Gilles Sandoz, Denise Robert, Daniel Louis. Directed by Cedric Kahn. Script, Kahn, Catherine Paille.With: Guillaume Canet, Leila Bekhti, Slimane Khettabi. (French dialogue)A prepare, his g.f. and her youthful boy find it difficult to pay the bills in "A Much Better Existence," a steadily made, psychologically effective hard-luck drama that nevertheless feels as though a rather odd fit for Gallic thriller specialist Cedric Kahn. Throwing off a couple of brisk, dramatically chiseled reels before settling into an progressively bleak cycle of poverty and misfortune, this well-behaved item basically boils lower to some Euro-Canadian "Quest for Happyness" having a steelier, less sentimental edge. A powerful lead performance by actor-helmer Guillaume Canet could raise the film's already respectable offshore prospects following its The month of january rollout in France. Script by Kahn and Catherine Paille demonstrates a nice feeling of narrative economy in early stages, zipping assuredly with the initial phases of the relationship between Yann (Canet), a thirtysomething Parisian prepare, and Nadine (Leila Bekhti), the gorgeous French-Lebanese waitress he chats up in a restaurant where he's searching for work. The 2 fall rapidly but deeply for each other, while Yann also becomes near to Nadine's 9-year-old boy, Slimane (Slimane Khettabi). Trouble rears its mind not lengthy following the enthusiasts impulsively purchase a large lakeside property inside a secluded province using the aim of making it a cafe or restaurant. Probably the most satisfying facets of "A Much Better Existence" is its focus on the entire process of small-business acquisition the dangerous turning financial loans Yann uses to invest in the acquisition and also the particulars of restaurant sanitation code might not seem such as the stuff of riveting drama, however for a remarkable stretch of screentime they're. Pic persuasively demonstrates not just the way a couple of questionable choices can get out of hand, but additionally how rapidly tenderness and affection can look to bitterness and emotional violence when confronted with crippling poverty. More often than once, Yann and Nadine arrived at verbal if less than physical blows, passed by Canet and Bekhti having a canny embodiment of passion and frustration. So when a given-up Nadine leaves France to consider a apparently lucrative job in Montreal leaving Slimane behind, Yann and also the boy begin their very own tough dynamic within the film's more grinding other half. To not be mistaken with Chris Weitz's recent "A Much Better Existence" (though that drama also hinged on the father and boy beset by financial desperation), Kahn's film consists of nary just one unconvincing moment, ratcheting in the emotional tension with one believably soul-crushing circumstance to another. From Yann's tense discussions having a stern but good-hearted financial counselor to his fury at Slimane once the boy requires a risk they literally can not afford, the drama remains dramatically focused and particular towards the finish. When the result disappoints slightly, it's due largely towards the nagging familiarity of setup and destination, especially from a director most widely known for his twisty thrillers of sexual stress for example "Red-colored Lights" and "L'ennui." Pic is with confidence hired in most departments, offerring a particularly vivid feeling of the cramped, crowded quarters by which this makeshift family frequently finds itself -- first a rundown trailer home, a squalid apartment.Camera (color, widescreen), Pascal Marti editor, Simon Jacquet music, Akido set designers, Francois Abelanet, Emmanuel Frechette costume designer, Nathalie Raoul seem, Olivier Mauvezin, Marie-Claude Gagne, Sylvain Bellemare, Olivier Do Huu. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Special Presentations), Sept. 10, 2011. (Also in Tokyo, japan Film Festival.) Running time: 111 MIN. Contact Justin Chang at justin.chang@variety.com