OSCARS Q&A: Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman has carved out an image as a major movie star who can easily switch gears from action to drama to comedy and all things in between. But until now the man who made Wolverine a household name has never done a movie musical. That’s a bit surprising since Jackman also happens to be a classically trained musical star outside of movies. He’s starred in stage classics like Oklahoma!, won a Tony on Broadway as Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz, an Emmy for hosting the Tonys, and worldwide recognition for his singing and dancing as host of the Oscars. He recently did a one-man musical show on Hugh JackmanBroadway, and that’s one of the reasons he says he is even in Les Misérables and making his long-overdue debut as star of a musical on the big screen.
AwardsLine: Would you consider this to be one of the toughest screen roles you’ve done?
Jackman: For sure. There is not an element that really wasn’t the toughest. One of the reasons I did the Broadway show was to make sure I was vocally fit to not only sing it, but sing it all day long, wake up the next day, and have another 12 hours of it. I put on 29 pounds from beginning to end. Tom (Hooper) told me, “I want people to worry, I want your friends to think you’re sick.” The physicality, the emotional (aspect) acting-wise, was tough.
AwardsLine: You rarely see musicals of this size anymore.
Jackman: That’s true. It’s a big risk. I’m not surprised it’s taken 27 years to get there.

AwardsLine: Despite the fact that the actors in the film are very well-known and talented, I understand everybody auditioned for it.
Jackman: Everybody, and by the way, when I auditioned Tom wasn’t signed to the movie, but there looked like there was going to be a clash between The Wolverine and this. I rang up Tom and told him I really wanted to do this part. He said I’d be a perfect shot, but (that) he wasn’t even signed on to it but was thinking about it. I asked him if I could audition for him anyway, in case he would sign on to the film. I sang him three songs, and he just sat there for a few minutes and gave me feedback. I could see the director in him. Three hours passed, and I had to put my hand up and tell him, “Tom, I have to put my kids to sleep.” So I auditioned very early on, and everyone auditioned. 99% of what is shot is live, just the beginning with the water (was not) because you couldn’t put microphones in that much water.

Arnold Schwarzenegger on The Last Stand

Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about his action comeback in the new issue of Total Film magazine (out now, and available for just £1.99 on your iPad).Inside the issue, we go in depth with Arnie, who’s back to reclaim his action-icon status after eight years in politics, and we also get the lowdown on the big man from Jaimie Alexander and director Kim Je-woon.Here’s a sneak peek at what the Governator had to say about The Last Stand:“It’s kind of a film about the little guy, though it’s funny for me to be called ‘little guy’, right?” he told us.“He’s the guy that is about to retire and he has a few people in his station that are young kids, and the station is not equipped for big challenges. All of a sudden, a vicious gang of warriors hits the town. They are trying to usher one of the top drug criminals back to Mexico.“I mean, it’s a bunch of trained military guys, 20 of them. This shit is happening and we have no idea how to get out of it.”The Last Stand opens on 25 January 2013.For much more from Arnold Schwarzenegger, pick up issue 202 of Total Film magazine, which is out now. You can save 50% on the cover price if you subscribe with our winter 2012 offer!

'This Is The End' Redband Trailer: Seth Rogen & Co. Will Help Us LOL Through The Apocalypse

Seth Rogen This Is The End
                    If you read World War Z, your favorite chapter might be the one where a bunch of insufferable celebrities move into a heavily fortified compound together to ride out the zombie apocalypse in high style. Given that they're all basically awful people, things don't go so well and they all die. Alas, Mark Forster's movie version probably won't include that moment, but Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and Pineapple Express team is giving us the next best thing, with This Is The End, a raunchy comedy that asks 'what would happen if almost everyone who works with Judd Apatow survived a worldwide apocalypse?' Well, not everyone (alas, poor Michael Cera,), but enough people to populate the next ten years of dude-oriented R-rated comedies.

The newly released red band trailer is gosh darned hilarious, especially Danny McBride critiquing his friends' ability to convincingly sell the end of the world to him. It's kind of like if every moment in Zombieland was the section with Bill Murray, or better yet, given the likelihood of an insane amount of cameos, more like the Cannonball Run of apocalypse movies. Yeah, in fact, the foreign language title needs to be Cannonball Apocalypse.

This trailer alone is funnier than every single FB update about the world ending that we're going to read tomorrow, guaranteed. This is the End will roll into theaters summer 2013 — that is, if we're all still here.

Gérard Depardieu Says He’s Giving Up French Passport After Prime Minister Calls Actor’s Tax Exile “Pathetic”

Gérard Depardieu has made headlines for things other than his acting before, but his decision to move to Belgium has taken the media – and French political circles – by storm. Although it is unlikely to affect his career, the Oscar nominee, in a letter published in today’s Journal Du Dimanche, says he is returning his French passport after being called “pathetic” by French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. The new French government has imposed a controversial 75% income tax on individuals earning more than 1M euros and Depardieu recently purchased a property across the French border in Nelchin, Belgium where taxes are lower. This prompted Ayrault to tell France 2 television last week, “I find it quite pathetic to go just over the border. All this in order to not pay taxes.” There is no word as to whether Depardieu has requested a Belgian passport which would normally allow him to continue working in France under European Union rules. The actor is France’s best paid and perhaps most prolific. For 2012 and 2013, there are at least 10 films on his dance card and he may play a French politician embroiled in a sex scandal for Abel Ferrara later this year. Depardieu’s colorful reponse to Ayrault is excerpted below:
“Pathetic, you said ‘pathetic’ ? Now that’s pathetic!… I have always paid my taxes whatever the rate under all of the governments in power… The historical films in which I have participated demonstrate my love for France… Unfortunately, I have nothing left to do here, but I will continue to love the French people and the audience with whom I have shared so many emotions!… I am giving you back my passport and my social security… We no longer have the same country. I am a true European, a citizen of the world as my father always taught me… I’ve paid 145M euros in taxes in 45 years, I employ 80 people… I am not here to complain or to boast but I refuse the word ‘pathetic.’ Who are you to judge me this way, I ask you M. Ayrault… I ask you, who are you? Despite my excesses, my appetite and my love of life, I am a free man, sir, and I am going to remain polite.”

Watch Breaking Dawn Part 2 - Just Say No

I have browse the books... I have seen the films. Some helped me cringe (Twilight), others left me really smiling after i left the theater (Eclipse & Breaking Dawn Part 1). However I have never witnessed a movie before which i felt so effective about this I needed to write an evaluation until tonight, after i saw Breaking Dawn, Part 2.

Inside the first a few minutes from the movie, I requested my pal when we it had been a tale and also the real movie would soon begin and she or he assured me it was the particular movie. When she stated that, I understood I had been set for a lengthy 2 hrs.

There is no beating round the rose bush here - it had been awful. So awful which i remained with the credits 1000 Years" by Christina Perri since it signified the finish from the worst lost chance I have even observed in a movie.

I understand it is a sappy love story in regards to a clumsy girl who falls deeply in love with a misinterpreted and soulfully tortured vampire while her closest friend must watch from afar with only his rock solid abs to console him. However when Bella is converted into a vampire, there is an amazing chance for many amazing effects. She's strong, beautiful, elegant and filled with capabilities she's didn't have before. She will mix miles within minutes, destroy trees with swipe of her hands and crush big chunks of rock using the touch of her finger. She's a awesome ability too and thus do all her new buddies. Unforuntaely the Bella i was treated to was outfitted with absolutely none of those characteristics.

Yes, she could run, in slow mode apparently designed to make her appear faster than sensational looking only helped me understand that I'd like to watch Breaking Dawn Part 2 that looked more realistic. It had been like watching two plastic dolls running through twigs and grass. She could scale a mountainside effortlessly but simply wound up searching just like a stilted animated toy being controlled with a two year old. She shown her capability to crush a boulder, except the boulder was constructed of paper. Even though we are about the boulder, why on the planet was Emmett's face so pale in this movie? It did not even blend using the relaxation of his body and you can practically begin to see the whitened line where his makeup ended. Really, the majority of the stars had a general plastic quality for their look, using the exception, obviously, of Bella and also the couple of selected ones.

Plus there is Renesemee. The youthful actress who performed Renesemee, the kid, was adorable. Because the character conveyed mostly through touch, finding an actress who looked the part was extremely important. I felt this youthful lady was not far from Renesemee's description within the book, and I must offer her props for hanging inside. Nevertheless the "baby Renesemee" just must have been left around the cutting room floor. It had been this type of poor simulation of the real baby which i blurted out "Are you currently kidding me" initially when i first first viewed it.

There have been allot of "Are you currently kidding me" moments in Breaking Dawn Part 2 which list isn't all-inclusive - it simply consists of things i haven't handled to get rid of from my memory yet: 1. Bella's awakening 2. Bella's first hunting trip 3. Baby Renesemee 4. The "boulder scene" 5. The Volturi (particularly when Aro squealed in delight over Renesemee) 6. Bella's "shield" 7. The battle moments (select one, anyone... really it's really no contest - I have seen more suspense and horror on daytime cleaning soap operas in the eighties) 8. The be-titles - not a chance, you cannot call individuals be-titles. It had been a lot more like tugging the mind off your child toy. No muss, no fuss.

Hold on... there's more. I believe there have been stars who did not utter just one word. They simply communicated potency and efficacy and energy through laughable makeup, protruding, glaring eyes made cartoonish by using contacts, heavy mascara and a lot of eye liner or by sneering with bloodstream red-colored lips. However they were the luck ones. Other stars had actual lines, even when it had been only one word.

I understand, I compensated to determine this movie. And That I taken care of things i had wished could be a minimum of well worth the $20 I paid out, including popcorn and coke therefore it would be a relatively cheap date. However ,.. This did not even compare to being well worth the money I spent.

Knowing this franchise includes a large group of followers, there needs to happen to be quite a lot of money produced in the books, movies, add-ons, etc. But you didn't use whatever of this money committed to Breaking Dawn Part 2. It had been inexpensively made, poorly behaved and I am still in shock this was the ultimate cut.

Now, The truth is that I loved the twist installed directly into justify the fighting scene. The audience's response to the way the scene ended had me exclaiming "Are you currently kidding me?" again. I can not remember if the scene was part from the book or otherwise, however my daughter is adamant that it hadn't been. I figured it added a much better option to just watching everybody attempt to glare one another to dying. On second thought, when they had just glared at one another the movie might have ended sooner so perhaps not....

So save the cash and lost time. Grab your children's plastic dolls, use the backyard and pretend such as the dolls are playing around. Then add grunts, mumbling and pitched squeals (only for the audience's response to Jacob's undressing scene) and you've got designed a better movie than what you will have experienced.

Just call me disappointed within the south.... I'll watch some TV rather. A minimum of then I am guaranteed I'm able to have some quality entertainment (Thanks AMC, TNT and USA).

Dan Aykroyd talks Ghostbusters 3

Dan Aykroyd has long been talking up the prospects of making Ghostbusters 3, but in a recent interview with Esquire he dropped some interesting nuggets about Bill Murray’s non-involvement, before challenging Sony to make the film before it’s too late.“I’ve worked on every draft in the last three years, as Ivan has,” says Aykroyd, “and now we have a story and a draft that everybody seems to agree would make the third movie. At this point, I think we’re closer than we ever have been.”And while it had previously been thought that Bill Murray would have to sign on in order for the thing to be made at all, Aykroyd reveals that some contractual small print might mean that’s no longer the case.“I’m not sure Billy [has to sign on] anymore, since he abrogated his rights by sort of saying, two years ago, “I don’t want to be involved.” The picture company I think had some clause in there that if he actually passed on the third of fourth offer, he no longer has a view of the franchise.“We have to move on, but we’ll always leave a hole for him. He’s always there. He can always come back at any time and be rebuilt into it, as far as I’m concerned. That’s up to his lawyer and the picture company to work out, but creatively, he will always be a part of it.”And as for the picture company, Aykroyd is unequivocal in how he wants them to move things forward.“I’ll be moving on to other things, as will Ivan,” says Aykroyd. “We can’t wait forever. And now’s the time to tell the picture company, and I’d say this quite publically, it’s time now to sit down and make this movie, or you will lose your main principals, and you won’t be able to make it without us, because we have rights, and now is time to make the movie.”

Former ‘X-Factor’ Judge Cheryl Cole Sues Producers For $2.3M

Short-lived X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole today sued producers Blue Orbit Productons for more than $2.3 million. Even though she was dumped from the show before it debuted Stateside, Cole claims that she is owed the money under the pay or play contract she had. The British host and singer says in her Breach of Contract suit (read it here) that while she was paid $1.8 million for season one of the U.S. X-Factor, it is the money for season two that she is seeking now. Cole served as a judge on the UK version of X-Factor and was imported by Simon Cowell to serve as judge for the debut season of the American version of The X-Factor. That never really ended up happening. Cole was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger before the show even went to air. “On June 5, 2011, Blue Orbit formally elected to exercise its pay or play right pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, such that Cole was not required to perform any services as a judge on The X Factor series,” says the complaint. Besides her $2 million fee as a judge for season two, Cole is seeking the additional $300,000 in damages for wardrobe allowance, a stylist allowance, hotel/apartment in LA allowance and a $2,500 per month living allowance from season one that she says she was entitled to. She is also seeking interest and the usual “for such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.” The X-Factor is currently in its second season with Scherzinger having herself been replaced by Britney Spears as a judge on the show. Cole is represented by Allen B Grodsky of LA firm Grodsky & Olecki.

'The Hobbit' At 48 FPS: A High Frame Rate Fiasco?

The biggest question surrounding Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, has nothing to do with its strength of story, its Oscar chances, or whether or not Tolkien fans will embrace yet another uber-ambitious adaptation of their beloved fantasy world, but rather: How does it look?
Specifically, how will Jackson's 48 frames-per-second gamble play after months of talk and one particularly disastrous Cinema Con debut? I'll tell you this: The grumblings and rumblings after my screening of The Hobbit - in bold, daring, frustrating 48 frames-per-second 3-D - were decidedly not raves. And that's a very bad sign for Jackson & Co.

One colleague couldn't believe how poor the 48 fps presentation looked, insisting - or hoping, more like it - that something must have been wrong with the projection. Jackson's big, game-changing crusade for a frame rate that would part the heavens and open humankind's hearts and minds and brains to a new way of watching film couldn't possibly look so unpleasant. Could it?
I was curious if, back in April when The Hobbit's 48 fps preview bombed at Cinema Con, the journalists and industry folk who recoiled from the hyper-clarity of the picture onscreen were just overreacting to Jackson's new cinematic order. "After a minute or two of adjusting," wrote The New York Daily News' Ethan Sacks in his embargo-skirting first review, "the higher resolution is eye-popping, similar to discovering HD television for the first time."
HD TV did look rather freaky at first, I'll give him that, and there's a shared quality of too much visual information that The Hobbit's 48 fps shares with high-def television. But it didn't take a few minutes of adjusting to get used to it; even two hours and 40 minutes later my brain was rejecting the look of it. It felt like watching daytime soaps in HD, terrible BBC broadcasts, or Faerie Tale Theater circa 1985, only in amazingly sharp clarity and with hobbits.
Part of the problem is there's too much detail in every frame that the magical filter of cinema that makes most 24 fps film so pleasing to the eye is gone; every prop on a set too clear, and even a performance by someone like the very fine Ian McKellen looks embarrassingly, unnaturally theatrical. Moving images, especially walking Hobbits and dwarves - not as much the CG creatures, for what it's worth - flit at odd speeds that just never look right.
With the exception of a handful of scenes, mostly enhanced by CG vs. shot on interior sets, the 48 fps had me imagining how gorgeous everything might look in 24fps. Those who've seen it in 24fps seem much happier with the visual presentation, even if 3-D feels superfluous. As Bilbo made his way along his adventure through Middle Earth, the look of The Hobbit and the accelerated barrage of information prompted a flurry of other films and shows to pop into mind, none of them flattering comparisons.

New Catwoman featurette from The Dark Knight Rises: watch now

The Dark Knight Rises has released another featurette from the DVD’s additional material, this time focusing upon Anne Hathaway’s remarkable performance as Catwoman.By all accounts, Hathaway trained remarkably hard to get Selina Kyle’s fighting style down to a fine art, always keeping in mind that her movements should retain a hint of femininity amid all the limb-snapping.Chris Nolan himself reveals that he spoke with the stuntmen involved as to how to make the fight scenes appear more realistic, although his task was simplified no end by the sheer number of hours Hathaway ploughed into her combat training.Take a look at the featurette, below…For our money, Hathaway’s performance was one of the film’s greatest triumphs. In the same way as The Dark Knight was illuminated by the Joker’s every appearance, so does The Dark Knight Rises click up a gear whenever Selina Kyle is on screen.Get ready to gorge yourself on a host of additional extras when The Dark Knight Rises is released on DVD and Blu-ray on 3 December 2012.

Family Film Guide: 'Breaking Dawn Part 2' Review

Elle FanningElle Fanning attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Kiernan ShipkaKiernan Shipka attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Elle FanningElle Fanning attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Kiernan ShipkaKiernan Shipka attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Jackson RathboneJackson Rathbone attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Mackenzie FoyMackenzie Foy attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)Peter FacinelliPeter Facinelli attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)Dakota FanningDakota Fanning attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)Ashley TisdaleAshley Tisdale attends the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II" at the Nokia Theatre on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

How Keira Knightley Fell For 'Manipulative And Cruel' Anna Karenina

When "Pride and Prejudice" and "Atonement" director Joe Wright was picked to helm another piece of classic literature in "Anna Karenina," it came as no surprise who he picked to play his lead. Keira Knightley has seen her acting career flourish in these types of roles. While she has had success in other roles her most critical success comes from her collaborations with Wright, resulting in two Golden Globe nominations and an Oscar nod.

In a recent interview with MTV News Knightley explained how her relationship with her title character, "Anna Karenina" has changed over time. After regrettably dropping out of school ("I was feeling really stupid," she cracked), the actress felt the need to read more books to keep her hesitations at ease. In reading the classic Russian tome, she originally found the character of Anna to be a sweet, innocent girl. However, after rereading the book in preparation for her upcoming role, she found herself hating Anna more than she ever would have thought. She explained that Anna is "not as nice as I thought she was."

"I think it's more interesting when you have characters where you don't know how you feel about them the whole time. I do sympathize with her and I do love her," she continued. "But you also go, 'She is manipulative and cruel and duplicitous."
Knightley's changing opinion of Anna proves just how far she has come as an actress. While many actresses research and work to truly become the roles that they play, it is clear Knightly thinks about it on a whole different level. Her struggle with the character of Anna is intriguing as perhaps the character experiences the same struggle.
While Anna can be seen as innocent, she is also the manipulative character that Knightley discovered last summer. "Anna Karenina" premieres in a limited release today, and if the Knightly/Wright combo has shown audiences anything, it's that they are perfectly suited to tackle this type of project.

Film composer Ravi dies at 86

Bollywood composer Ravi Shankar Sharma, whose tune "Darshan do Ghanashyam" was applied in "Slumdog Uniform," died March 7 in the Mumbai, India, hospital where he was recognized after two cardiac event. He was 86.Ravi, who passed his title, composed music more than 70 Hindi films too for numerous regional photos. An obscure number in 1957's "Narsi Bhagat" acquired notice if the was applied in "Slumdog" one of the questions the protag must answer. Pic wrongly credited 15th century poet Surdas while using song, an undeniable fact not lost on many Indians.One of several hits that Ravi composed music for were tunes in "Chaudhvin ka chand," "Humraaz," "Waqt," "Phool aur pathar" and "Neel kamal."The self-trained music artist was destitute because he was discovered by composer Hemant Kumar inside a stay in Mumbai in 1952. Hired on becoming an assistant, he ongoing to compose music for Malayalam and Hindi films but got his large burglary 1960 with Guru Dutt's "Chaudhvin ka chand," whose breathtaking tunes, like the titular number, aided increase the risk for pic successful.He gave a completely new dimension to thrush Asha Bhonsle, recognized for sensuous tunes, while using philosophical "Tora guy darpan" in 1965's "Kaajal" and elevated the place of singer Mahendra Kapoor.Ravi was absent within the creating scene for quite a while beginning in 1972 1980's "Nikaah," having its "Dil ke armaan," introduced him to Mumbai as "Bombay Ravi." After 1984's "Mehndi," he drifted to Malayalam films.Scribe Raju Bharatan, author of "A Trip Lower Memory Lane" together with other books on Bollywood, mentioned, "That leads to only Khayyam in the Grand Old Order," mentioning to composers from the era when music ruled Hindi films.Children add a boy, Ajay, and daughter-in-law, thesp Varsha Usgaonkar. Contact Shalini Dore at shali.dore@variety.com

Museum of Moving Image to recognition Local 817 prez

The Museum from the Moving Image will recognition Teamsters Local 817 leader Thomas O'Donnell in a benefit on Saturday in the Sheraton NY Hotel and Towers, Herbert S. Schlosser, chairman from the museum's board of trustees introduced Thursday. "Like a founding person in the Museum's Board of Trustees, Tom O'Donnell was instrumental in leading Local 817's important contributions towards the revitalization from the Astoria Studio and also the formation from the Museum," Schlosser stated. O'Donnell has offered as prexy from the local since 1961, as he broadened the union's membership. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Downton' change causes Emmys to ponder

Downton Abbey, the PBS tale of wealthy and servants within the The First World War era, will compete within the drama category only at that years Emmys. The move of PBS' "Downton Abbey" from miniseries to drama series with this year's Primetime Emmy race may be the impetus for that TV Academy to grow the drama series category to 10 nominees the coming year. So states John Leverence, honours chief in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, who stressed the earliest any change can happen will be the 2013 Emmy race. "It's a good amount of riches," Leverence told Variety. "Maybe someone will say we must have 10 nominees, such as the movie academy. That argument might be designed for the remarkable abundance of shows. Maybe six is not enough." The Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences broadened its best picture category to 10 nominees for that events locked in 2010 and 2011, however moved to some weighted percentage system that produced nine nominees for that Oscar race that wrapped Sunday. The Television Acad has elevated its series nominee slots too recently, growing from 5 to 6 within the drama and comedy groups. Getting "Downton Abbey" switch from miniseries to drama was started through the Academy, not PBS, which carries the most popular British drama included in its "Masterpiece" series. Based on the Emmy rule book, a show is really a miniseries when it's "with different single theme or narrative, that is resolved inside the piece." The proceed to a drama series is precipitated when there's an "ongoing theme, story and primary figures which are presented underneath the same title and also have continuity of production supervision." In a nutshell, Leverence described, "The essence of the miniseries is really a single theme or story that's resolved inside a given year." If this was apparent the sprawling family drama occur pre- and publish-The First World War Britain, might have another season, the nominating committee started to possess discussions about moving it to drama series. "Downton" surprised bizzers last fall if this beat a area that incorporated HBO's high-profile "Mildred Pierce" to win the Emmy for miniseries or movie -- prior to the Brit import ignited about this side of water-feature PBS didn't set up a battle within the category switch. Stated "Masterpiece" professional producer Rebecca Eaton: "We comprehend the Academy's decision. You will find great shows within the drama series category and it'll be exciting to possess 'Downton Abbey' competing together.Inch Also making the change from the longform area up to the more competitive drama series warmth is going to be British import "Luther," which airs on BBC America. Star Idris Elba was Emmy nommed this past year and gained a Golden Globe in The month of january. As the change from small to drama series is unusual, it isn't unparalleled. Leverence listed three other shows which have renedered the switch: In 2005, USA Network small "The 4400" was moved forward towards the drama series category annually later. Also creating a category transformation was Showtime's "Sleeper Cell" in 2007 and USA's "The Starter Wife" in 2008. With both "Downton Abbey" and "Luther" within the drama series mix, the course may have an array of top candidates. Additionally to last year's six nominees, five that will be competing for an additional opportunity to repeat -- "Mad Males" (champion), "Boardwalk Empire," "The Great Wife," "Dexter" and Bet on Thrones" -- you will find several beginners searching for kudos recognition. Newcomer series which will goal to get honours love include Showtime's "Homeland," NBC's "Smash," ABC's "Revenge," HBO's "Luck," AMC's "Hell on Wheels," FX's "American Horror Story," and USA's "Suits." "It's difficult to calculate,Inch stated one network publicist about how exactly the race will have out. "It's type of a unknown quantity at this time. It will be interesting without a doubt." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Act of Valor Tops Box Office; Paul Rudd's Wanderlust Bombs

It's almost here! The 84th Academy Awards are taking place Sunday. Let's face it: Hollywood's biggest night can be overwhelming, but don't worry! TVGuide.com and TV Guide Network have you covered so you won't miss a single moment.Starting Sunday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, you can catch our Academy Awards Preview, featuring interviews with nominees ... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Ali LandryBradley CooperCameron DiazChris RockChristian BaleColin FirthHalle BerryNatalie PortmanTom CruiseKermit the FrogMiss PiggyChris HarrisonMaria SansoneThe MuppetsMarc IstookTabatha Coffey84th Academy AwardsAcademy Awards Preview SpecialAcademy Awards Red Carpet With Chris HarrisonAcademy Awards Red Carpet CountdownAcademy Awards Red Carpet Fashion Wrap

Fox News Blasts The Lorax for Pushing Left Wing Agenda and Creating 'Occu-Toddlers'

With Universal's colorful animated tale The Lorax, "the President's liberal buddies in Hollywood [are] focusing on a more youthful demographic using animated movies to market their agenda to children," stated an annoyed Lou Dobbs now on Fox News. Animated movies! A liberal agenda! HOW DARE THEY. What's the reason for permitting this "insidious nonsense" in to the vulnerable minds in our nation's youth? Bad raising a child, obviously. As conservative radio host Matt Patrick bellowed in the commentator pit, "We're creating Occu-small children!" Within the classic Seuss story -- modified right into a 3-D animated adventure which hits screens in a few days -- an enchanting creature known as The Lorax tries to intervene being an industrialist, driven by avarice, ravages a whole ecosystem. This could appear to create The Lorax much more "harmful" than previous Fox concentrate on the Muppets, which required since it's villain a significantly larger and clearly unlikeable capitalist The Lorax is made to show audiences just how much they potentially share using the unwitting forest-killer The Once-ler, and that's why it is so effective to start with. My personal favorite thing about this madness happens when Patrick advocates intentional littering in cinemas as a way of protest from the Obama-brought agenda espoused through the Lorax (and also the Studio Ghibli animated pic The Key Realm of Arriety, that could lead youngsters lower the slippery slope of discussing things). Tossing popcorn containers on the floor would fly when confronted with everything Dr. Seuss's anti-deforestation, professional-atmosphere tale means, however it would also cause you to look absurd before your personal children. I believe the Lorax's face above states everything. Cause the Occu-small children! The Lorax hits theaters on March 2. [Media Matters through the Film Stage]

Fox wins Thursday amid odd aud totals

Though "The Big Bang Theory" continued to trump "American Idol" in the first 30 minutes of primetime Thursday, Fox's singing competition had no problem delivering the network a victory for the night. Each of the broadcast networks remain bedeviled by an overall drop in TV viewing that has occurred most of the week, raising questions about whether something might be going wrong with the Nielsen numbers, but ongoing trends remained much the same. According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, "Big Bang" (5.0 rating/15 share in 18-49, 15.5 million viewers overall) aped other programs in showing a week-to-week drop, but still outdrew "American Idol" by a 0.4 rating in the demo and 500,000 viewers from 8-8:30 p.m. "Idol" (5.0/13, 16.5 million from 8-10 p.m.) peaked from 8:30-9 p.m., though CBS' 8:30 p.m. sitcom "Rob" (3.2/9, 10.9 million) actually came close to matching its week-earlier numbers. With "30 Rock" (1.4/4, 3.6 million) and "Parks and Recreation" (1.7/5, 3.5 million), NBC barely held off ABC's "Wipeout" (1.5/4, 5.1 million) for third place in the first hour of primetime among viewers 18-49 (at least among English-language networks: Univision's broadcast of Latin music awards special "Premio Lo Nuestro" averaged a steady 2.1/6 in the demo and 5.1 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m.). CBS slipped to third place in the demo at 9 p.m. with "Person of Interest" (2.9/7, 13.2 million), which fell behind "Idol" and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (3.1/8, 8.1 million). NBC was fourth in the hour, with "The Office" (2.2/6, 4.3 million) hitting a series low and "Up All Night" (1.5/4, 3.0 million) still shedding more than 30% of its lead-in. The 10 p.m. trophy for winning viewers 18-49 went to CBS' "The Mentalist" (2.7/7, 13.5 million), which edged ABC's "Private Practice" (2.6/7, 7.1 million) NBC aired the night's only rerun, an episode of "Grimm" (the Friday drama that is serving as a placeholder until "Awake" premieres in March) that was broadcast's lowest-rated offering in the demo (0.7/2, 2.0 million). The CW offered "The Vampire Diaries" (1.3/4, 2.9 million) and "The Secret Circle" (0.8/2, 1.8 million). Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox 5.0/13, CBS 3.3/9, ABC 2.4/6, Univision 2.1/6, NBC 1.4/4, CW 1.0/3. In total viewers: Fox 16.5 million, CBS 13.4 million, ABC 6.8 million, Univision 5.1 million, NBC 3.1 million, CW 2.3 million. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Its Official: DreamWorks Animation Uncovers China Partnership

The offer to produce a new entity, to become known as Oriental DreamWorks, was expected the 2009 week. The program would be to develop and convey original Chinese live-action and animated content for your market and globally. The offer includes provisions for live entertainment, amusement parks, mobile, online, interactive games and consumer items. DWA holds a 45% stake within the venture, that is set to produce procedures in Shanghai this season. Here’s the discharge: GLENDALE, Calif., February. 17, 2012 — DreamWorks Animation SKG, Corporation. (Nasdaq: DWA) today introduced it has agreed to create a partnership with China Media Capital (CMC), with intends to include Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and Shanghai Alliance Investment, Ltd. (SAIL), to determine the key China-focused family entertainment company. Oriental DreamWorks will participate in the expansion and manufacture of high-quality original Chinese animated and live action content for distribution both within China and also to other areas around the world. Additionally to article marketing, the partnership will pursue business possibilities within the regions of live entertainment, amusement parks, mobile, interactive games and consumer items. “We are really proud to determine Oriental DreamWorks alongside CMC, SMG and SAIL within this groundbreaking and historic alliance to produce the key Chinese-top quality family entertainment company,” stated DreamWorks Animation’s Ceo, Jeffrey Katzenberg. “Together with this partners in China, we anticipate creating a first-of-its-kind enterprise to in your area conceive, produce and distribute high-quality creative content and family entertainment encounters not just for anyone of China but in addition for related export marketplaces.” “We share exactly the same vision with DreamWorks Animation to construct a global-class family entertainment company,” said Ruigang Li, Chairman of China Media Capital. “By mixing the help of CMC in investment and operation, SMG on television and entertainment management, SAIL in high-tech R&D, in addition to DreamWorks Animation in creative processes, innovative technology and global network abilities, Oriental DreamWorks come in a distinctive position to produce high-quality content and interactive entertainment items for China and worldwide marketplaces.” China companies holds a big part stake of roughly 55% in Oriental DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation holds roughly 45%. The enterprise will initially be capitalized with cash and intellectual property worth $330 million. The partnership intends to launch business procedures in Shanghai later this season. DreamWorks Animation has loved an excellent history of success in the box office in China, brought by its blockbuster Kung Fu Panda franchise. Kung Fu Panda was the #1 animated film upon its release into China in 2008 and this past year, Kung Fu Panda 2 grew to become the greatest-grossing animated film ever in the area, grossing roughly $100 million.

Trumbull lights up 'Hypercinema'

TrumbullLast week must have been surreal for Douglas Trumbull. On the one hand, he was showered with accolades -- the George Melies Award from the Visual Effects Society, honoring his pioneering vfx work; and the Sawyer Award, an Oscar statuette, from the Academy for his work across a wide range of technological and creative fronts -- but while he was being feted by the industry's movers and shakers, he's still seeking financial backing for those innovations. And while Trumbull got a lot of press for his efforts to upgrade cinema images, few seem to entirely grasp just how revolutionary his efforts could be. Trumbull is not just talking about a better way to present movies. He wants to fundamentally change movies themselves -- some movies, anyway. Working on a stage on his property in Massachusetts, Trumbull is combining high frame rates and 3D on the production side with advanced projection tech and curved screens that get brightness up to 30 foot Lamberts -- more than a full stop above the current standard of 14 foot Lamberts for standard 2D projection, and several stops above the typical brightness at multiplexes for 3D.Trumbull hasn't come up with a formal name for the suite of technologies, but he's calling it "Hypercinema" for now. He told Variety he doesn't want to change all movies over to Hypercinema: "I think 24 frames-per-second movies on normal movie screens is a wonderful, beautiful, long-lasting art form that will go into the future and it is completely appropriate for most films, actually."But the major studios are mostly in the blockbuster business, said Trumbull, and it's blockbusters that stand to benefit from his innovations, which would amp up cinema spectacle and showmanship to new heights. Beyond that, though, Trumbull is aiming at something more profound."No one in the industry has seen a 3D movie at 30 foot Lamberts at 120 frames per second," he said. "What happens when you get into this hyper-real realm of a movie, that seems to be a window onto reality, is that the entire cinematic language begins to change." He wants to make a movie using Hypercinema and move away from the master shots, two-shots, over-the-shoulder shots and close-ups we've all seen thousands of times, to create "an experience of tremendous participation in an alternate world, which I think people will crave and are ready to pay for."If Trumbull is right, then he may have put his finger on a big problem facing the movie industry, bigger even than poor presentation and tired storytelling: What if auds are becoming bored with the very medium itself? Today's audiences are media-saturated, after all. And it's hard to surprise them doing the same old thing. Audiences pony up for novelty and surprise. Videogames have that. Do Hollywood features?Right or wrong, Trumbull is walking a lonely road. Even tech-forward directors like James Cameron, Peter Jackson and Michael Bay tend to use their advanced tech to tell stories in traditional ways. There's little talk of new techniques for new tech."I think I am a complete lone wolf in this area," Trumbull said. "I don't hear anybody that is even thinking about it."He lamented the lack of technology departments at the studios and exhibitors, but he hopes to find investors to move his efforts along. "I have just decided I have got to show (the movie industry) what the result will be if you do all these thing simultaneously and then back up a little bit and see if the industry wants to go there. "I can't make it go there," he said. "I can only lead a horse to water." Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

Cheers & Jeers: Conan Goes to the Dogs

Carol Burnett, Conan O'Brien Cheers to Conan O'Brien for some doggone good comedy. Want more Cheers & Jeers? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine. The TBS wag topped Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl with a canine version of his late-night talk show, "Puppy Conan," complete with a miniature version of his set and wig-wearing pooch lookalikes of Conan, sidekick Andy Richter and guest Justin Bieber. The next night, Conan's puppet pal Triumph the Insult Comic Dog appeared to protest his omission from the first annual Golden Collar Awards - and proverbially poop on Jeremy Piven, Kathy Griffin and other worthy targets. Later, Conan practically turned into a puppy dog himself when another carrot-topped comedy icon, Carol Burnett, made her first appearance on his show. The host warmly remembered watching her Saturday-night variety show with his family growing up, praising it as "controlled chaos." Which, come to think of it, is a pretty good description of Conan these days. In the late-night race, he can run with the big dogs. Are you a rabid fan of Conan? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Empire's Woman In Black Videblogisode

Exclusive: On set with Daniel RadcliffeYou haven't known fear until you've seen James Watkins' The Woman In Black, which is out in cinemas onFriday. Or, alternatively, until you've seen Empire's exclusive The Woman In Black videblogisode, featuring the film's star, Daniel Radcliffe, as you've never seen him before!*We sent our intrepid videblogisode duo, Chris Hewitt and Sam Toy, to the movie's set last year, where they spoke at length to Radcliffe, Watkins and co-star Ciaran Hinds about the adaptation of Susan Hill's chilling ghost story.And that's not all - we also bagged astonishing on-set footage of Radcliffe getting spooked out by the world's creepiest sets, while he even found the time to... No, you'll just have to watch the whole thing to see.Enjoy - if you dare!(Laugh sinisterly, repeat to fade) *Empire bears no responsibility if you've seen Daniel Radcliffe like this before.

Cast looking for 'Red Machine'

Scott Glenn, Adam Beach, Michaela McManus and Kelly Curran have rounded the cast of David Hackl's "Red-colored Machine." Thesps join James Marsden, Piper Perabo, Thomas Jane and Billy Bob Thornton within the film from Indomitable Entertainment and Paul Schiff Prods. Pic centers climax estranged siblings (Marsden, Jane) who reconcile on the camping trip using their female friends. Once within the remote backwoods, however, things go horribly awry when they're assaulted and non-stop stalked with a horrifying grizzly bear -- the Red-colored Machine. "Saw V" helmer Hackl will direct from the script by J.R. Reher. Paul Schiff, Tai Duncan and Hadeel Reda will produce. Indomitable's Dominic Ianno and Stuart Pollok professional produce. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

'Magician' reappears with Forster

Forster Having recently wrapped Par's zombie tentpole "World War Z," director Marc Forster is setting his sights on another battlefront: WWII.Forster is attached to helm an adaptation of bestseller "The War Magician" for Lonetree Entertainment, with Lonetree partners Tony Eldridge and Colleen Camp producing.David Fisher book "The War Magician" tells the true story of British magician Jasper Maskelyne, who adapted the core principles of stage magic to warfare in ways that defied the imagination: Among his achievements, Maskelyne hid the port of Alexandria Harbor, made the Suez Canal disappear and tricked Germany's Gen. Erwin Rommel with a phantom army that didn't exist, a ruse that ultimately led to Rommel's defeat and became a turning point of WWII. Many of Maskelyne's inventions are still being utilized in warfare.Book was originally purchased by Tom Cruise and set up at Paramount, with Cruise attached to star, before the actor's deal with the studio fell through and the option ran out on the book.Project reunites Forster with Lonetree; they're also teaming on Sony's "The Equalizer," starring Denzel Washington. "The Equalizer" is being produced by Eldridge, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Mace Neufeld, Alex Siskin and Michael Sloan.On Wednesday, Lonetree also acquired feature rights to Raymond Benson's retro-superhero book series "The Black Stiletto." Project is currently out to writers.Forster's "World War Z," starring Brad Pitt and based on the graphic novel by Max Brooks, hits theaters this Christmas.Forster is repped by CAA and Management 360. Contact Stuart Oldham at stuart.oldham@variety.com

Fox News rules GOP primary roost

Since the primary season will get warmer, Fox News Funnel is constantly rule the ratings roost. On Tuesday, the net's special 8-10 p.m. coverage averaged 2.74 million audiences, according to Nielsen, greater than the combined shipping of CNN (1.21 million) and MSNBC (1.06 million). FNC also held a considerable lead inside the key news demo of grownups 25-54, drawing 684,000 to 443,000 for CNN and 266,000 for MSNBC. Possibly due to the uneven character in the Florida primary -- Mitt Romney won having a landslide -- viewership on Tuesday would be a little beneath the Sc primary of Jan. 21 (2.75 million), but it's apparent that audiences have grown to be more active in the race for your Republican presidential nominee. FNC wasn't any. 3 cable network round the evening in general audiences, close behind The very best spinner's and USA. Fox News Funnel may also be coming off an easy victory over CNN and MSNBC for that month of the month of january. In primetime lately, FNC averaged 1.94 million audiences, a 78% increase over it is the month of the month of january 2002 average of a single.09 million -- which was really greater than either CNN (841,000) or MSNBC (801,000) came lately. The The month of the month of january victory entails that Fox News remains the cable news ratings leader for 10 years (120 straight several days), getting first surpassed CNN noisy . 2002. "The O'Reilly Factor" remains flagship program for Fox News Funnel, since it has for your network's entire decade of ratings leadership. On Monday each week it accomplished another milestone if the outdrew NBC's 10 p.m. newsmag "Rock Center" (3.42 million versus. 3.29 million) being primetime's most-seen news program. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

'Smash': A TV Drama Mashed Up With Original Songs

NY (AP) As TV series go, "Smash" does a smashing job of abstaining from the usual: no courtrooms, no operating rooms, no interrogation rooms.Meanwhile, this new NBC musical drama puts a bright, sexy sheen on one of filmdom's most timeless tropes: Hey, kids, let's put on a show! Which "Smash" does, embedding original songs and dance into the TV drama's narrative.Premiering Monday, "Smash" tracks the genesis of a Broadway musical from multiple perspectives, including those of composer and lyricist, producer and director-choreographer, and the two rival actresses competing for its title role: Marilyn Monroe.Ah, Marilyn!"There was something about her how much she wanted to love and be loved," says Debra Messing, who plays the lyricist, getting all dreamy-eyed as she imagines the project's possibilities.Her early vision of Marilyn is soon turned into a number called "Let Me Be Your Star" ("To do what she can/ For the love of one man/ And for millions who love from afar"), with both would-be Marilyns performing it in an explosive finale to the first episode.But "Smash" is no more single-minded about charting a Broadway show's long journey from raw concept to opening night than "The West Wing" was about obsessing over how a bill wends its way from Congress to the president's desk."Their day job happens to be putting together a show, but their lives aren't really about that," says Craig Zadan, who, with partner Neil Meron, is among the many "Smash" executive producers. "We also have adoption, divorce, infidelity and disapproving parents from the Midwest in our story lines. We've put in as many human, universal qualities as we can: It's a story about wish fulfillment."Rest assured, no one solves a crime or diagnoses a disease. Even so, Meron suggests that "Smash" could still be called a procedural."The goal would be to have a Broadway show created every season, and have our characters involved with creating each of them," he says.What "Smash" won't be, he quickly adds, is a sort of "Glee"-for-adults, as some viewers may have assumed."We don't think that it's anything like 'Glee,'" Meron declares. "But we thank God for 'Glee,' because it got viewers used to watching people sing on TV dramas."One big difference: While "Glee" does covers of popular songs, "Smash" will introduce and compile original songs (splendidly conceived by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of "Hairspray") for the "Marilyn the Musical" show-within-a-show. Then, possibly, that pretend musical might be mounted for real."By season's end, we're going to have at least 15 songs," Meron says, "and if we really like how the 'Marilyn' musical is turning out, we might actually put it on Broadway. Why not?"Presumably, this attempt would go better than the first shot, "Marilyn: An American Fable," which opened in 1983 and ran for 17 performances. "A huge flop!" composer Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) and his collaborator Julia Houston (Messing) say in unison.And yet they can't resist giving Marilyn another chance.In the large "Smash" ensemble, Messing plays perhaps the series' central character in Julia, who is torn between her happy domestic life with a loving husband and son, and the addictive, all-consuming demands of the musical."I hate the theater, I really do," says Julia's schoolteacher husband (Brian d'Arcy James) when he learns she has broken her promise to take some time off for the family, and instead has plunged into the Marilyn project.As a youngster, Messing, best known for the long-running comedy "Will & Grace," had her own dreams of being a Broadway musical star. She remembers seeing "Annie" when she was 8 "and wanting to jump on stage and be in 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' with all the other girls." Then she sang in high school musicals.On "Smash," she finally has a taste of that professional world: "I got to sing a song my character wrote, and it was thrilling and terrifying, especially considering the company I'm keeping with this cast."The rest of the time, I get to watch the really talented singers, and enjoy."Initially proposed a couple of years ago by Steven Spielberg (another "Smash" executive producer along with his DreamWorks colleagues Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank), the show quickly became a passion project of Robert Greenblatt, then head of pay-cable network Showtime, for which it was being developed. But when he jumped to NBC as its chairman last January, he wasn't about to leave "Smash" behind.Greenblatt unveiled the finished product at a gala premiere party last week at NY's Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, in a refreshingly unguarded moment, he told the gathered what "Smash" means to him and the rest of the team: "You work hard on every single show, but your heart isn't always in it. Well, with 'Smash,' everyone's heart is in it."Of course, it's Greenblatt's best shot at redeeming his first year at NBC, which remains in the ratings cellar after a slate of lackluster fall premieres. There's no mystery why NBC is hyping "Smash" like mad.Greenblatt's arrival with "Smash" at NBC pleased Zadan."Sometimes you have a series that you wish to be on cable, because you want the edge," he says. "But this is a universal-appeal show, and really works better on a network than on cable."Zadan (whose many credits with Meron include the musical films "Hairspray" and "Chicago" and the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva") is talking with a reporter at "Smash" production headquarters in a converted factory in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood. He is in the rehearsal studio, which is both a set for the show and the actual rehearsal space where "Smash" dance numbers are created by the series' choreographer, Josh Bergasse. (As often happens with "Smash," reality and make-believe are intertwined.)"This," says Zadan, "is a Cinderella story." But just who will be crowned, launched from unknown status to Broadway royalty, remains in flux the first season, as the characters Ivy (played by Megan Hilty) and Karen (played by Katharine McPhee) go head-to-head for the Marilyn role, their prospects alternately rising and falling. Week after week, viewers will surely be rooting for their favorite, as if this were a scripted version of "American Idol" (on which McPhee, of course, was runner-up in 2006)."The show gives viewers a chance to see the behind-the-scenes deal when producers and writers have to choose between two people they think are both great," says McPhee.She has been on the receiving end of such torturous choices."Karen is more naive than I am," McPhee says, "but her struggle trying to get attention, better representation, a casting person to see you, callbacks I know what that's like. I've lived it."While Karen is talented but green, Ivy is experienced maybe a little too experienced but has never been able to escape the chorus line."I think a lot of people can relate to her, simply because everybody knows what it's like to be stuck in their career and desperate to make that next step," Hilty says. "Ivy is at the point where she's willing to do just about anything" a knowing laugh "to get there. The stakes are that high for her."Like Ivy, Hilty grew up in the theater, and she starred on Broadway in "9 to 5: The Musical" in the Dolly Parton role. "I think we're both ambitious that way. I think Ivy's willing to do a little bit more than I am" another laugh "but I admire her for her aspirations.""Smash" has radiant moments as a feel-good fantasy. But it boasts savvy footing. It's populated by Broadway pros on both sides of the camera (for example, creator-executive producer Theresa Rebeck, who wrote a number of the episodes, is currently represented on Broadway as writer of the new comedy "Seminar").Observes Christian Borle (whose Broadway credits include "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and "Spamalot"), "There's a real theater pedigree among everyone on the 'Smash' creative team. You have a sense they're trying to get all the details right for all the people who live in NY and work on Broadway, who will be watching to see if we get it right.""Smash" gets it just right, according to show-biz veteran Anjelica Huston, who plays the Broadway producer spearheading "Marilyn The Musical.""I think it's kind of right on the money," Huston says. "It's not without a certain gloss, but at the same time, I think it's very reflective of what goes on in show business, and in life. It captures how people move up and how people are moved out."That's the drama of "Smash" honest, but dazzling and magic, with brand-new songs and dance. For the viewer, it borders on the miraculous. Who wouldn't want to get into this act?Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Frazier Moore January 30, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT NBC NY (AP) As TV series go, "Smash" does a smashing job of abstaining from the usual: no courtrooms, no operating rooms, no interrogation rooms.Meanwhile, this new NBC musical drama puts a bright, sexy sheen on one of filmdom's most timeless tropes: Hey, kids, let's put on a show! Which "Smash" does, embedding original songs and dance into the TV drama's narrative.Premiering Monday, "Smash" tracks the genesis of a Broadway musical from multiple perspectives, including those of composer and lyricist, producer and director-choreographer, and the two rival actresses competing for its title role: Marilyn Monroe.Ah, Marilyn!"There was something about her how much she wanted to love and be loved," says Debra Messing, who plays the lyricist, getting all dreamy-eyed as she imagines the project's possibilities.Her early vision of Marilyn is soon turned into a number called "Let Me Be Your Star" ("To do what she can/ For the love of one man/ And for millions who love from afar"), with both would-be Marilyns performing it in an explosive finale to the first episode.But "Smash" is no more single-minded about charting a Broadway show's long journey from raw concept to opening night than "The West Wing" was about obsessing over how a bill wends its way from Congress to the president's desk."Their day job happens to be putting together a show, but their lives aren't really about that," says Craig Zadan, who, with partner Neil Meron, is among the many "Smash" executive producers. "We also have adoption, divorce, infidelity and disapproving parents from the Midwest in our story lines. We've put in as many human, universal qualities as we can: It's a story about wish fulfillment."Rest assured, no one solves a crime or diagnoses a disease. Even so, Meron suggests that "Smash" could still be called a procedural."The goal would be to have a Broadway show created every season, and have our characters involved with creating each of them," he says.What "Smash" won't be, he quickly adds, is a sort of "Glee"-for-adults, as some viewers may have assumed."We don't think that it's anything like 'Glee,'" Meron declares. "But we thank God for 'Glee,' because it got viewers used to watching people sing on TV dramas."One big difference: While "Glee" does covers of popular songs, "Smash" will introduce and compile original songs (splendidly conceived by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of "Hairspray") for the "Marilyn the Musical" show-within-a-show. Then, possibly, that pretend musical might be mounted for real."By season's end, we're going to have at least 15 songs," Meron says, "and if we really like how the 'Marilyn' musical is turning out, we might actually put it on Broadway. Why not?"Presumably, this attempt would go better than the first shot, "Marilyn: An American Fable," which opened in 1983 and ran for 17 performances. "A huge flop!" composer Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) and his collaborator Julia Houston (Messing) say in unison.And yet they can't resist giving Marilyn another chance.In the large "Smash" ensemble, Messing plays perhaps the series' central character in Julia, who is torn between her happy domestic life with a loving husband and son, and the addictive, all-consuming demands of the musical."I hate the theater, I really do," says Julia's schoolteacher husband (Brian d'Arcy James) when he learns she has broken her promise to take some time off for the family, and instead has plunged into the Marilyn project.As a youngster, Messing, best known for the long-running comedy "Will & Grace," had her own dreams of being a Broadway musical star. She remembers seeing "Annie" when she was 8 "and wanting to jump on stage and be in 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' with all the other girls." Then she sang in high school musicals.On "Smash," she finally has a taste of that professional world: "I got to sing a song my character wrote, and it was thrilling and terrifying, especially considering the company I'm keeping with this cast."The rest of the time, I get to watch the really talented singers, and enjoy."Initially proposed a couple of years ago by Steven Spielberg (another "Smash" executive producer along with his DreamWorks colleagues Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank), the show quickly became a passion project of Robert Greenblatt, then head of pay-cable network Showtime, for which it was being developed. But when he jumped to NBC as its chairman last January, he wasn't about to leave "Smash" behind.Greenblatt unveiled the finished product at a gala premiere party last week at NY's Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, in a refreshingly unguarded moment, he told the gathered what "Smash" means to him and the rest of the team: "You work hard on every single show, but your heart isn't always in it. Well, with 'Smash,' everyone's heart is in it."Of course, it's Greenblatt's best shot at redeeming his first year at NBC, which remains in the ratings cellar after a slate of lackluster fall premieres. There's no mystery why NBC is hyping "Smash" like mad.Greenblatt's arrival with "Smash" at NBC pleased Zadan."Sometimes you have a series that you wish to be on cable, because you want the edge," he says. "But this is a universal-appeal show, and really works better on a network than on cable."Zadan (whose many credits with Meron include the musical films "Hairspray" and "Chicago" and the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva") is talking with a reporter at "Smash" production headquarters in a converted factory in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood. He is in the rehearsal studio, which is both a set for the show and the actual rehearsal space where "Smash" dance numbers are created by the series' choreographer, Josh Bergasse. (As often happens with "Smash," reality and make-believe are intertwined.)"This," says Zadan, "is a Cinderella story." But just who will be crowned, launched from unknown status to Broadway royalty, remains in flux the first season, as the characters Ivy (played by Megan Hilty) and Karen (played by Katharine McPhee) go head-to-head for the Marilyn role, their prospects alternately rising and falling. Week after week, viewers will surely be rooting for their favorite, as if this were a scripted version of "American Idol" (on which McPhee, of course, was runner-up in 2006)."The show gives viewers a chance to see the behind-the-scenes deal when producers and writers have to choose between two people they think are both great," says McPhee.She has been on the receiving end of such torturous choices."Karen is more naive than I am," McPhee says, "but her struggle trying to get attention, better representation, a casting person to see you, callbacks I know what that's like. I've lived it."While Karen is talented but green, Ivy is experienced maybe a little too experienced but has never been able to escape the chorus line."I think a lot of people can relate to her, simply because everybody knows what it's like to be stuck in their career and desperate to make that next step," Hilty says. "Ivy is at the point where she's willing to do just about anything" a knowing laugh "to get there. The stakes are that high for her."Like Ivy, Hilty grew up in the theater, and she starred on Broadway in "9 to 5: The Musical" in the Dolly Parton role. "I think we're both ambitious that way. I think Ivy's willing to do a little bit more than I am" another laugh "but I admire her for her aspirations.""Smash" has radiant moments as a feel-good fantasy. But it boasts savvy footing. It's populated by Broadway pros on both sides of the camera (for example, creator-executive producer Theresa Rebeck, who wrote a number of the episodes, is currently represented on Broadway as writer of the new comedy "Seminar").Observes Christian Borle (whose Broadway credits include "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and "Spamalot"), "There's a real theater pedigree among everyone on the 'Smash' creative team. You have a sense they're trying to get all the details right for all the people who live in NY and work on Broadway, who will be watching to see if we get it right.""Smash" gets it just right, according to show-biz veteran Anjelica Huston, who plays the Broadway producer spearheading "Marilyn The Musical.""I think it's kind of right on the money," Huston says. "It's not without a certain gloss, but at the same time, I think it's very reflective of what goes on in show business, and in life. It captures how people move up and how people are moved out."That's the drama of "Smash" honest, but dazzling and magic, with brand-new songs and dance. For the viewer, it borders on the miraculous. Who wouldn't want to get into this act?Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Casting Directors Named for 10 Pilots

Kari Lizer has had two pilots picked up, one from ABC and one from NBC. It's not pilot season without at least one "Untitled Kari Lizer Project"!She'll be casting the comedy "Lady Friends" for NBC about a friendship between two women that endures despite their respective lots in life. The project shoots in mid March. This season's "Untitled Kari Lizer Project" is an ABC comedy about a no-nonsense career woman who meets her greatest challenge when she's laid off and forced to be a full-time mom to her two teenagers. The project shoots in early April.Dramas with supernatural elements are only slightly less hot this year, but we still have a few weeks to go. However, it is looking like the vampire trend is mercifully drawing to a close.Patrick J. Rush will cast "666 Park Avenue," a drama for ABC about the managers of a historic apartment building in NY who begin to experience supernatural phenomena. The project shoots in mid March in NY. Junie Lowry-Johnson and Libby Goldstein will cast the NBC drama "Midnight Sun" about FBI agents who are sent to investigate the disappearance of the inhabitants of a remote Alaskan village. A shoot date hasn't been set.Vampires may not be in but lady spies certainly are. Fox's drama "The Asset" will be cast by Lisa Beach and Sarah Katzman. The project shoots in March and is about a female CIA agent working out of the NY office who engages in covert operations. Rick Milikan is casting the "Untitled Karyn Usher Project," a drama for Fox about the teenage daughter of a murdered CIA operative who is recruited to the agency. Here's another period drama that sounds intriguing. Anything involving NY in the late 19th century should be hard to mess up. Linda Lowy is casting "Gilded Lillys" for ABC about the grand opening of a luxury hotel in NY in the late 1800s, written by K.J. Steinberg. The project shoots in mid March. Julie Tucker and Ross Meyerson are casting the CBS drama "Baby Big Shot" about a lawyer with a blue-collar background who uses her street smarts to flourish at her white-shoe law firm. A shoot date hasn't been set.And then there are some more comedies, such as the "Untitled Nick Stoller Project " for CBS about a guy who winds up having to work in the cubicle next to the girl who recently dumped him. Jeanne McCarthy will cast the project, which hasn't set a shoot date.Dava Waite Peaslee is casting "Friday Night Dinner" for NBC, a comedy about a Jewish family that gets together to kvetch over Shabbat. No shoot date has been set.

Nick eyes telenovela at Nite

Nickelodeon and Televisa are joining forces to have an 80-episode adaptation of Mexican telenovela "Achieve for any Star," to air on Nick at Nite. Jill Farren Phelps ("General Hospital") and Hisham Abed ("The Hillsides" ) will professional produce "Achieve," just one-camera, daily series in regards to a teenage girl whose existence is switched upside lower when finds success like a songwriter and wins the passion for her favorite singer. Josh Griffith ("The Youthful and also the Restless") assists as mind author. "Achieve" is going to be created in colaboration with The new sony Pictures TV, with production set to start in La in March. "We've experienced first-hands the recognition from the daily scripted format with this kid audience through the prosperity of 'House of Anubis' and our teen audience with 'DeGrassi: Generation X,A " stated Cyma Zarghami, prexy of Viacom's Nickelodeon Group, "and our Nick Latin American funnel has had positive results in creating telenovelas with Televisa." "Achieve" is definitely an adaptation of "Alcanzar una Estrella," first broadcast on Canal p las Estrellas and Univision in 1990. That series created a movie and follow up telenovela starring Ough Martin and Sasha Sokol. "Included in the steps towards creating a strong presence within the Anglo TV market, Televisa is excited to coproduce with Nickelodeon one of the numerous effective scripts from your library inside a daily series format," Televisa television and content prexy Jose Baston stated. "We think that the daily series is going to be well accepted by Nicks family audiences and can capture their attention daily because it has happened in various marketplaces on the planet where Televisa has released its production abilities. ... We picture Achieve for any Star because the to begin many joint projects." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Richard Gere On 'Arbitrage': 'All Adrenaline, Cocaine Rush'

You may think Arbitrage is really a staid affair, yet another film about financial shenanigans inside a lengthy type of them each one of these about males with costly suits and bankrupt morals, about purchasing low and selling high, concerning the money, money, money. Well, it's about all individuals things. But as Richard Gere place it to MTV News prior to the movies premiere in the Sundance Film Festival, it is also concerning the cocaine hurry of success. Hes not kidding. Gere plays Robert Burns, a billionaire hedge fund manager who apparently has got the perfect existence, an ideal family, the perfect mistress. That's, until he turns 60 cheap hes been managing a massively fraudulent empire is going to be uncovered. If the all sounds a little familiar, thats no mistake. You need to simply know Bernie Madoff and Teddy Kennedy, Gere stated. That's about that to understand. He's didn't have any failures, he added. It's all regulated success. It's all regulated adrenaline, cocaine hurry of success. Should you let them know, Mr. Gere. That leads us to question, did the actor go way of the role, participating in a few of these drug-fueled escapades to portray Burns? "My whole existence continues to be that, so it is easy for me personally [to experience], he cracked. I did not need to consider that! Did we point out that Richard Gere rocks !? While were in internet marketing, equally well . point out that Arbitrage opened on the snowy Saturday in Park City, UT to reviews that are positive and suggestions the film has strong commercial potential. For Gere, whos making his maiden Sundance voyage, its nearly as if, within the mountain tops of Utah, hes didn't have failing. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is formally arrived, and also the MTV Movies team is on the floor confirming around the most popular stars and also the movies everybody is going to be speaking about around in the future. Ensure that it stays locked with MTV Movies for everything there's to understand about Sundance.

Len Wiseman talks Total Recall

Last week we brought you the first official synopsis for Len Wiseman's Total Recall reboot, the gist of which seemed to be that it will be pretty much the same as the last one, minus the Martian setting.Now Wiseman has come out and had his say on the project, which he insists will delve deeper into the themes addressed by the Philip K Dick story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, upon which the first film was based."I'm very close to handing over my cut," Wiseman told Comingsoon.net. " It's going really well. The combination of mystery and emotion and action, it's coming together. Colin [Farrell] is a large part of that and I'm really happy with him.""I think the complexity of the dual stories was the most surprising and challenging thing," he continues. "When you see Total Recall, the [Paul] Verhoeven film, you experience it, it's finished. When you're involved in diving into the material again and going back into the Philip K. Dick story, you realize there is so much to be discussed about the dual stories. There's the reality story and there's the fantasy element. They're running parallel together, so you always have to keep those two alive. That's the inherent nature of the concept and what makes the concept so cool."And according to Wiseman, that dual-concept meant his cast had to be on their toes throughout filming."I will say, at the same time, this made all of the conversation I had with my cast fun," Wiseman added. "Every little detail has to apply to both scenarios. My actors would ask, 'So, in this scene, am I - because I know that I'm lying, because I'm the double agent - how well do I act?'" "It sounds like a silly question, but do you want the other character to see through that or am I so good as a double agent that you would never suspect I'm the best buddy or the wife.' It's all of those little things. So, that's my long way of saying the dual nature of the story was the best thing about this."Total Recall will be released in the UK on 22 August 2012.

SnagFilms nabs 16 documents

16 notable documentaries are going to SnagFilms' free, ad-supported online platform, since the on-demand distributor has guaranteed digital rights to game game titles including "Super Size Me," "Jesus Camping," "Enron: The Best Males inside the room,In . and former Sundance grand jury prize champion "We Live in Public."SnagFilms is working out release home home windows for your films, which will begin unspooling the next month. Photos enhance the distrib's 3000-strong catalog of films designed for free streaming, including documentaries and films.Other pact photos include "Operation Homecoming," "Manda Bala" and "Casino Jack as well as the united states . States of money.InchInchSnagFilms is thrilled to add these outstanding award individuals who win -- beloved by experts and film fans alike -- towards the library more than 3,000 acclaimed independent films," mentioned Ron Allen, SnagFilms Boss. "We anticipate getting those to new audiences through special releases inside the days later on.Inch The purchases -- including 12 game game titles from Magnolia Pictures, plus game game titles from Samuel Goldwyn Films, The Documentary Group, Interloper Films and City Lights Pictures -- seriously the heels of SnagFilms' recent pickup of latest game game titles including 2011 South By Southwest grand jury prize champion "Dragonslayer," 2011 multi-festival champion "Splinters." (opening theatrically in February), 2010 DOC New you are able to city grand prize champion Windfall (also opening theatrically in February), new festival individuals who win All Me: The Existence and Occasions of Winfred Rembert, and Push: Madison versus. Madison, plus award-winning library game game titles, including Sundance Grand Jury Prize champion and Academy Award Nominee Using the Friedmans and Sundance Grand Jury Prize champion and Emmy nominee Southern Comfort.Other game game titles within the latest acquisition are: "Crazy Love," "Surfwise," "Control Room," "No Finish nearby,Inch "Bukowski: Born into This," "Mr. Untouchable," "Bigger, More effective, Faster," "Terror's Advocate," and "A League of standard Gentlemen." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Joan August Kucinski dies

Actress and opera singer Joan August Kucinski died of natural causes on Jan. 7. She was 83. Kucinski was a geniune Broadway cast part of "Camelot" (1961), starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet, in addition to came out round the original Broadway cast recording. She also came out inside the Broadway musical "Destry Rides Again" (1959) and was Kate Pinkerton in the 1965 output of "Madame Butterfly" while using NY City Opera Company, where she completed for two-and-a-half decades. Throughout today she met and married her husband Arthur Kucinski, also area of the NY City Opera. After they left the brand new you are able to city Opera, the happy couple opened up up Glorianna Prods., where they completed Gilbert and Sullivan with the U.S. Joan August was produced in Chicago, graduated from Northwestern U. School of Music and examined music four years in Italia. Her husband died in 1999. Kucinski is managed to get by her brother-in-law, Fritz Kucinski, and several nieces and nephews. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

5 Music Stars Who Grew to become Celebrities

5 Music Stars Who Grew to become Celebrities By Christy Lemire The month of january 13, 2012 Photo by Screen Gems Cher in "Burlesque" La (AP) Everybody wants to become a multi-hyphenate. Nobody really wants to be pigeonholed. And thus basketball gamers play the role of emcees and emcees play the role of basketball gamers. Jessica Simpson sells footwear and Jennifer Lopez sells perfume.But while stars frequently play the role of performers Eddie Murphy's "Party Constantly,Inch anybody? performers also frequently head to acting. Sometimes they create impressive second careers for themselves sometimes, they are Britney Warrior spears in "Crossroads."Now, we have seen several music artists who've made the transition from it studio towards the giant screen. Full Latifah and Dolly Parton co-star within the gospel comedy "Pleased Noise," while Mark Wahlberg plays an expert smuggler in "Contraband." So here is a look at five great music stars who grew to become great stars. For sake of argument, entertainers like Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli as well as these J.Lo, who had their roots both in artistic representations concurrently, don't count. We are speaking about individuals who were mainly referred to as performers (or emcees, etc.) making the leap: Frank Sinatra: The Chairman from the Board was, obviously, a significant pop star who triggered a craze among screaming bobbysoxers within the nineteen forties before crafting a significant movie career for themself. Sinatra won an Academy Award for the best supporting actor in 1953's "Came From Here to Eternity" and gained a best-actor nomination for 1955's "The Guy Using the Golden Arm." Early film roles naturally were in musicals, including "Anchors Aweigh" (1945) and "Around town" (1949) with Gene Kelly. The initial "Ocean's Eleven" (1960) permitted him to listen to it smooth as master crook Danny Sea, as the political thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) most likely provided him together with his finest performance. Will Cruz: The previous Fresh Prince of Bel-Air changed themself right into a two-time Oscar nominee, going from appealing rap tunes and sitcom laughs to heavyweight roles in "Ali" and "The Quest for Happyness." Cruz may be the epitome of the superstar, with talent and charm for the days. He's proven he will do it all, from comedy (the "Males in Black" movies) to action (the "Bad Boys" movies) to romance ("Hitch") to sci-fi ("I'm Legend") to serious dramas ("Seven Pounds"). But his initial role, in 1993's "Six Levels of Separation," demonstrated he was confident enough to juggle multiple genres inside the same film. At this time, I'd say he's entered over so completely, he's known more for his acting compared to his music. Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M forged her career belting out tunes on Broadway, at nightclubs as well as in bathhouses (having a then-unknown Craig Manilow as her accompanist) a petite lady having a bigger-than-existence stage presence. But she impressed the planet together with her acting capabilities in her own initial film role in 1979's "The Rose," playing a self-destructive, drug-addicted rock star inspired by Janis Joplin. The performance gained her an Oscar nomination for the best actress another nomination will come for 1991's "For that Boys." Standout comic roles include "A bit low in Beverly Hillsides," ''Outrageous Fortune" and "The Very First Spouses Club." And merely attempt to watch "Beaches" without crying. Cher: She's a diva who's had levels and lows and existed forever. But Cher would be a singer and variety television star (with then-husband Sonny Bono) noted for her large, flamboyant personality before assembling a string of strong, eclectic film performances within the 1980s and 1990's, including "Mask," ''The Ghouls of Eastwick" and "Tea With Mussolini." She won a best-actress Oscar because the hard-headed Loretta in 1987's "Moonstruck" (and before that was nominated for the best supporting actress for 1983's "Silkwood"). Her last film role was ... well, it had been supplying the voice of the lioness under Kevin James' care in 2011's "Zookeeper." But Cher is always filled with surprises, so as her "Burlesque" ballad goes we haven't seen all of the her. Justin Timberlake: I had been very enticed to place Dwight Yoakam in this place. Or Mos Def, as well as Ice Cube. But JT is simply too effective. He's lengthy since transcended his "Donald Duck Club" and boy-band roots being not only a formidable solo artist but also an actress of surprising range. Following dramatic supporting roles in "Alpha Dog" and "Black Lizard Moan," he was charming as hell because the ambitious Sean Parker in "The Social Networking." This year, he demonstrated he is able to be both an intimate lead ("Buddies With Benefits") as well as an action star ("Over TimeInch), while reinforcing his talents like a comedian ("Bad Teacher"). After which you will find his "Saturday Evening Live" looks, which granted spoof his pop-star youth, they also permit him to showcase that sharp comic timing.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 5 Music Stars Who Grew to become Celebrities By Christy Lemire The month of january 13, 2012 Cher in "Burlesque" PHOTO CREDIT Screen Gems La (AP) Everybody wants to become a multi-hyphenate. Nobody wants to become pigeonholed. And thus basketball gamers play the role of emcees and emcees play the role of basketball gamers. Jessica Simpson sells footwear and Jennifer Lopez sells perfume.But while stars frequently play the role of performers Eddie Murphy's "Party Constantly,Inch anybody? performers also frequently head to acting. Sometimes they create impressive second careers on their own sometimes, they are Britney Warrior spears in "Crossroads."Now, we have seen several music artists who've made the transition in the recording studio towards the giant screen. Full Latifah and Dolly Parton co-star within the gospel comedy "Pleased Noise," while Mark Wahlberg plays an expert smuggler in "Contraband." So here's a glance at five great music stars who grew to become great stars. For sake of argument, entertainers like Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli as well as these J.Lo, who had their roots both in artistic representations concurrently, don't count. We are speaking about individuals who were mainly referred to as performers (or emcees, etc.) making the leap: Frank Sinatra: The Chairman from the Board was, obviously, a significant pop star who triggered a craze among screaming bobbysoxers within the nineteen forties before crafting a significant movie career for themself. Sinatra won an Academy Award for the best supporting actor in 1953's "Came From Here to Eternity" and gained a best-actor nomination for 1955's "The Guy Using the Golden Arm." Early film roles naturally were in musicals, including "Anchors Aweigh" (1945) and "Around town" (1949) with Gene Kelly. The initial "Ocean's Eleven" (1960) permitted him to experience it smooth as master crook Danny Sea, as the political thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) most likely provided him together with his finest performance. Will Cruz: The previous Fresh Prince of Bel-Air changed themself right into a two-time Oscar nominee, going from appealing rap tunes and sitcom laughs to heavyweight roles in "Ali" and "The Quest for Happyness." Cruz may be the epitome of the superstar, with talent and charm for the days. He's proven he will do it all, from comedy (the "Males in Black" movies) to action (the "Bad Boys" movies) to romance ("Hitch") to sci-fi ("I'm Legend") to serious dramas ("Seven Pounds"). But his initial role, in 1993's "Six Levels of Separation," demonstrated he was confident enough to juggle multiple genres inside the same film. At this time, I'd say he's entered over so completely, he's known more for his acting compared to his music. Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M forged her career belting out tunes on Broadway, at nightclubs as well as in bathhouses (having a then-unknown Craig Manilow as her accompanist) a petite lady having a bigger-than-existence stage presence. But she impressed the planet together with her acting capabilities in her own initial film role in 1979's "The Rose," playing a self-destructive, drug-addicted rock star inspired by Janis Joplin. The performance gained her an Oscar nomination for the best actress another nomination will come for 1991's "For that Boys." Standout comic roles include "A bit low in Beverly Hillsides," ''Outrageous Fortune" and "The Very First Spouses Club." And merely attempt to watch "Beaches" without crying. Cher: She's a diva who's had levels and lows and existed forever. But Cher would be a singer and variety television star (with then-husband Sonny Bono) noted for her large, flamboyant personality before assembling a string of strong, eclectic film performances within the 1980s and 1990's, including "Mask," ''The Ghouls of Eastwick" and "Tea With Mussolini." She won a best-actress Oscar because the hard-headed Loretta in 1987's "Moonstruck" (and before which was nominated for the best supporting actress for 1983's "Silkwood"). Her last film role was ... well, it had been supplying the voice of the lioness under Kevin James' care in 2011's "Zookeeper." But Cher is definitely filled with surprises, so as her "Burlesque" ballad goes we've not seen all of the her. Justin Timberlake: I had been very enticed to place Dwight Yoakam within this place. Or Mos Def, as well as Ice Cube. But JT is simply too effective. He's lengthy since transcended his "Donald Duck Club" and boy-band roots being not only a formidable solo artist but additionally an actress of surprising range. Following dramatic supporting roles in "Alpha Dog" and "Black Lizard Moan," he was charming as hell because the ambitious Sean Parker in "The Social Networking." This season, he demonstrated he is able to be both an intimate lead ("Buddies With Benefits") as well as an action star ("Over TimeInch), while reinforcing his talents like a comedian ("Bad Teacher"). After which you will find his "Saturday Evening Live" looks, which granted spoof his pop-star youth, they also permit him to showcase that sharp comic timing.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

'Artist' wins Lumiere best pic

PARIS -- Gaul's kudos season started Friday with Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" winning best film and actress for Berenice Bejo within the Lumieres Honours, french comparable to the Golden Globes. The pic, that's been by having an award-winning spree since bowing at Cannes, which is nommed for six Golden Globes, outshine other Cannes game game titles competing for your Lumieres best film jerk: Pierre Schoeller's "The Minister," Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's hit comedy "Intouchables," Bertrand Bonello's "Apolonide" and Aki Kaurismaki's "Le Havre," champion in the Louis Delluc prize, that's given out by French experts. "The Artist," which was produced by Thomas Langmann's La Petite Reine, was released Stateside in November with the Weinstein Co. Competing against Hazanavicius, Bonello and Kaurismaki, Maiwenn acquired helmer on her behalf third feature, "Polisse," a gritty ensemble drama concentrating on cops your son or daughter protection unit. Omar Sy, who stars opposite Francois Cluzet in "Intouchables," won actor, beating out "The Artist's" Jean Dujardin, among other strong competitors. Before his breakthrough performance in "Intouchables," Sy was most broadly known in France just like a smallscreen comic on "SAV," a normal comedy demonstrate that airs on Canal Plus. Sy also starred in Nakache and Toledano's previous two films, "People Happy Days" and "So Happy Together." "Intouchables," Gaul's second finest B.O. hit ever, was produced by Quad Films and co-produced by Gaumont. Weinstein Co. has acquired the film for multiple areas, including U.S. distribution and remake rights. Denis Menochet nabbed newcomer for his part in "Ces Adoptes," a family group dramedy that marks the directorial debut of thesp Melanie Laurent ("Inglourious Basterds") while three of "Apollonide's" thesps, Alice Barnole, Adele Haenel and Celine Sallette, shared the feminine newcomer prize. Quebec helmer Denis Villeneuve's heart-wrenching drama "Incendies," with various follow Wajdi Mouawad, won for foreign film inside the French language. An important success, "Incendies" repped Canada in last year's foreign-language film Oscar race. Happening through the Unifrance's small-market, Rendez-Vous, the Lumieres Honours are selected on by foreign correspondents situated in Paris. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

New images from Mad Max: Fury Road

Approaching Mad Max reboot Fury Road continues to be languishing in development hell for a while now, but finally, it's searching as if George Miller's work of affection is ready to go in serious.Getting initially been scheduled to start filming within the Australian outback this year, the project was postponed when adverse climate conditions destroyed the dusty, desert-like conditions Burns was searching for.To not be placed off, Burns has moved the project to Africa, with cameras set to start moving in Namibia in April. Tom Sturdy and Charlize continue to be regarded as in position because the two leads, but possibly more excitingly, the very first images from the film's automobiles have showed up online.Pleasingly, they appear just as badass because the souped-up fight-wagons from the original movie series. We particularly such as the skull impact on the leading grill from the vehicle using the snow-plough attachment...Burns continues to be planning Mad Max: Fury Road because the first movie inside a trilogy, so allows hope he is able to get that one within the can without any further disruptions. Otherwise he'll be six ft under prior to the third one ever sees the sunshine of day...

Darnell Williams to Reunite With Debbi Morgan on The Young and the Restless

Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams Darnell Williams will reunite with his longtime All My Children co-star Debbi Morgan in his new role on The Young and the Restless, Soap Opera Digest reports.Check out the rest of today's newsAside from All My Children, the two have co-starred in Loving and its spin-off, The City. Details about Williams' role on the CBS soap are scarce, but with All My Children's future in limbo, its good news for the 56-year-old actor.Do you think Williams will play Morgan's love interest in his new role?