Why 'Super 8' may be the finest Comic Movie of year

But wait, how can that be?! 'Super 8' isn't based off a comic book. Article FAIL! You're right, 'Super 8' isn't that's much like a comic book. In 'Super 8,' adorable outcast Joe Lamb (Joel Courteney) is taken up inside an amazing adventure where another-worldly threat descends upon his neighborhood outfitted together with his wits together with a few limited assets, he fights to be able to save the existence in the girl of his dreams (Elle Fanning), all while trying to satisfy working out imparted from his deceased parent. The film cleverly juggles the duel conflicts of youthful angst and sci-fi spectacle, using fantastically detailed art design and breath-doing it sequences. It couldn't low on that's much like Spider-Guy. However in most importance, 'Super 8' consists of the identical summary sentences just like a comic movie: thrills and chills, charming heroes and melodrama designed to attract the youthful and youthful-at-heart. Does "comic movie" forever have to mean "a movie that was modified from Marvel Comics problem #233"? A comic book movie needs to be a thing that feels and appears prefer comic reading through through experience, but is transformed into something totally new and various round the silver screen. So when more projects like 'Super 8' arrive, hopefully future comic movies does not need to be looked at lower with the restrictions of pre-existing comics. How come I consider 'Super 8' to become the finest comic movie of year? Because unlike 'Thor,' its romance was more genuine. Unlike 'Captain America' this didn't appear like it absolutely was sprints to create the follow-up. Unlike 'X-Males: Top Quality,A its gang of teenybopper heroes were better developed with elevated personality. It was not created with a hired gun searching to collect an income it absolutely was created with a geek auteur (and former comic shop worker) who was simply writing an appreciation letter with a certain kind of story. I don't let somewhat factor like "no actual 'Super 8' comic" get if this involves stating it the most effective comic movie of year. Watch a clip for 'Super 8' 2011 will be a prolific year for comic movies: furthermore to Marvel's three releases, 'Green Lantern,' 'Dylan Dog: Dead of Evening,' 'Cowboys & Aliens,' 'The Adventures of Tintin' and 'The Smurfs' all saw theatrical release this year. But did each one of these adaptations truly capture the spirit from the comic roots? A comic book movie aims to mash up genres like sci-fi, action, horror, comedy or romance with many different vibrant, colorful pictures. Why can't comic fans itch that scratch with movies like 'Super 8,' 'Attack the Block,' 'Hobo Getting a Shotgun' or 'Drive'? 'Hobo Getting a Shotgun' does over-the-top vigilantism and moral caricatures a lot better than the three 'Punisher' movies that have been attempted. Ryan Gosling's calm, awesome and brooding Driver persona feels as if it absolutely was plucked completely from a Vertigo small-series. Compare 'Green Lantern' with 'Attack the Block.' Both movies deal with bad-ass, wise-cracking humans fighting alien invasions. But 'Attack the Block' is created by Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright, a cutting-edge team which was elevated with geek popular culture, and looked for to cover tribute for his or her influences, while still saying something totally new. 'Green Lantern' was produced to become Warner Bros. tentpole franchise which will replace the now-concluding 'Harry Potter' and 'Dark Knight' series with lucrative selling options. The very best finish goal of 'Attack the Block' wound up being to provide sci-fi fans something they'd never observed before. 'The ultimate finish goal of 'Green Lantern' wound up being to produce a new entertainment brand that could attract various census that have never read a 'Green Lantern' comic (as figures, game game titles, clothes, school supplies and Halloween clothes). Which movie you think would be the as pleasing experience for comic fans? And no matter what size this year felt, 2012 will truly be bigger, while using relieve 'The Avengers,' 'The Amazing Spider-Man' and 'The Dark Dark evening Increases.' Hollywood is certainly prone to chase trends and film something that's already proven to operate. But as box office receipts still plummet as well as the entertainment industry struggles to harness profits inside the wake from the financial depression, they will probably mine the foundation material harder and faster than before. Spider-Guy fans are worrying this summer's reboot is putting things off telling an origin story that everyone already knows all they need to see is Peter Parker swinging through NY City, punching out Doc Ock and achieving screamed at by Jameson. Well that is not likely to occur -- since the new the new sony desires to focus on the current teen market that's passionate about 'Twilight.' Really the only factor The brand new the new sony should do is not piss off Spider-Guy fans a lot of your devotion to Spider-Guy is actually complete, the studio knows your ticket purchase was already a warranty. They do not have to produce a movie that costs you they must help help remind you of the trademark. Die-hard 'Green Lantern' or 'Spider-Man' fans will stick by their franchise no matter what these figures are actually while using site visitors since childhood, as well as the site visitors will uphold them through better or worse. Simply coping with the variation stage isn't the victory, nor will get a movie that suits in to a pre-existing template without compromising a lot of. The victory can be a unique movie which brings together the advantages and infinite options from the comic. Comics weren't for your public -- they've always be a huge hit for the strange, the nerdy, the outcast as well as the daydreamers. In addition to their movies should try to become as audacious. There's apt to be a period of time (probably sooner than later) when movies based on comics aren't special any more. They will be another formula that clogs up movie theaters like schlocky horror movies and bad romantic comedies. That might be averted if fans and filmmakers alike start thinking outdoors some-color box and start changing the saying exactly what it means to become "comic movie." It might be a unique genre and magnificence free from any technological restrictions it must be pulp fiction for just about any certain type of filmmaker together with a particular type of audience. 'Scott Pilgrim versus. The World' shouldn't be regarded as since the risk that not successful it must be the creative standard that lights a fire place beneath the ass of movie company company directors and comic artists alike. What's to avoid J.J. Abrams or Joss Whedon from forgoing the monthly floppy altogether and becoming a geniune superhero for the silver screen? However, why couldn't Grant Morrison or Mark Millar make use of their years of scripting consecutive art, and film their unique sci-fi blockbusters? Once the label is just too rigid to shake, then keep 'Steel,' 'Elektra' and 'Fantastic Four' because the concept of "comic movies" I'm prone to replace these with 'Robocop,' 'Big Trouble in Little China' and 'The Incredibles' for mine. Just like a long-term comic visitors, I'll always see the latest superhero adaptation within the Large Two. But as interested in the artform, I'm a much more excited to find out an activity that re-invents the storytelling tools, and moves as being a living, breathing 3d comic that jumps in the theater screen. ComicsAlliance Counterpoint: 'The Adventures of Tintin' may be the finest Comic Movie of year Convey more comic news at ComicsAlliance. (Photo credits from top: Vital, Warner Bros., The brand new the new sony) The Geekiest Movie Moments of 2011 11. Wolverine's Cameo in 'X-Males: Top Qualityཆ. Peter Sarsgaard's Temple in 'Green LanternƏ. Geek Hollywood Unites on 'The Adventures of TintinƎ. The Plague from 'Hobo Getting a Shotgunƍ. All the Asgard Moments in 'Thorƌ. The Jotnar from 'The Troll HunterƋ. They Finally Hug in 'The Deathly Hallows, Part 2Ɗ. The Driller from 'Transformers: Dark in the MoonƉ. Andy Serkis as Caesar in 'Rise in the Planet in the Apesƈ. Moses Versus. the Monsters in 'Attack the BlockƇ. 'The Situation' from 'Super 8' See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Eric Larnick on Twitter Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Mid-Season Burning Questions

Smash It's Round 2 for the networks as they head into mid-season. As CBS and Fox dominate, ABC is hoping to continue its momentum and NBC's looking for a break. Here are hot topics to consider this winter. Will new drama Smash and the return of The Voice finally hit some high notes for NBC?The Peacock's execs and its competitors all agree this is the key question for winter. "NBC is going to have a very sleepless night the evening both shows premiere," says one rival. "That night is going to determine the fate of NBC for the rest of the season." It's unclear whether a broad audience will be interested in Smash's Broadway themes or if ratings for The Voice will sing in Year Two. But The Voice has a Super Bowl lead-in for its premiere on Feb. 5, and then airs again before Smash's launch on Feb. 6. "Resetting Monday night entirely is a risk," admits NBC scheduling head Lisa Vebber. "It's a tough night of competition, and CBS is strong. But we have two creatively strong shows. Hopefully we can build something there." Will American Idol come back as big as last year, or has The X Factor created viewer fatigue for singing competitions?"Going into its 11th season, it doesn't seem to be losing steam," Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman says of Idol. "It's always about the talent, and if we have the talent, we'll be fine." Unlike last season, the first for new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, rivals aren't predicting gloom and doom for Idol. "Would I be surprised if they came back as strong as ever? Not really," says a competitor. However, the last time Idol premiered, there was no X Factor or The Voice, and the landscape may have shifted. "As a viewer, you probably need to pick and choose your music shows. It's hard to believe viewers can have an alliance to three different singing shows." Can ABC successfully launch GCB as a Desperate Housewives replacement?The network scored with two new dramas (Revenge and Once Upon a Time) this fall but may see its momentum slow in mid-season as those serialized hours head into repeats. Meanwhile, Housewives is slumping in its final season and won't be much help as a lead-in to the campy GCB when it launches in March. But critics like GCB - and ABC seems to be on a roll. When will fan favorites Community and Cougar Town return?NBC and ABC are mum, frustrating fans who have turned to Twitter to save their shows. Both will have plenty of episodes in the can and will be back by spring. "This is by no means the end of Community," Vebber says, noting that the show may benefit from airing a string of new episodes, with no repeats, later this season. Cougar Town exec producer Bill Lawrence has hinted on Twitter that he expects his show to be back "soon in the New Year." Can The CW finally break a new reality show?The mini network has had a tough time finding an unscripted series to complement America's Next Top Model but hopes that the similarly themed Remodeled may do the trick. The CW will launch Remodeled by airing it five times over the course of eight nights this month (starting Tuesday, Jan. 17). "You need to give viewers the most chances possible to find new shows," says CW scheduler Kevin Levy. Do viewers still remember AMC's Mad Men?By the time Don Draper returns in March, it will have been 17 months since the last original episode of Mad Men. The show's small fan base is loyal, however, so despite the long break between seasons, audiences may still be mad for Men. "What we're hearing is nothing but excitement and anticipation for the return," says AMC president Charlie Collier. Adds a competitor: "I think fans of the show have gotten used to the lengthy gaps between original episodes." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

CBS sights live-stream of 'Morning' show

Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill will host 'CBS Today.'CBS thinks about the problem a good agenda to produce its new ayemcast "CBS Today" available via Web streaming synchronised having its live broadcast.Eye affiliates stressed that no concluding decision has been created but it is in your mind. Live streaming from the regular network program would unquestionably raise some hackles with CBS affiliate entrepreneurs, because it could draw audiences from local stations. CBS would be capable of restrict the stream by time zone, and for that reason a viewer in La wouldn't be capable of stream it prior to the show broadcast within the 7-9 a.m. slot round the West Coast."Today" is positioned to switch "The Very First Show" on Jan. 9. The show will probably be moored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King, and Erica Hill.

Thus Quoteth Back Stage to 'Saturday Evening Live'

This weekend's episode of "Saturday Evening Live" featured the return of former cast member Jimmy Fallon, who a lot more than rose towards the challenge of his first-time hosting responsibilities with what was easily among the highlights of the already consistently funny season. Only one Fallon-free skit particularly caught Back Stage's attention.Behold Tommy Palemese's highly inventive, absolutely original one-guy show, "Half Jewish, Half Italian, Completely Neurotic." The comments are in, and they are... factual? Watch the sketch below. While no "Dale Herschel" has ever written reviews for Back Stage, we could not help but be flattered through the multiple out-of-context (and hilariously ellipses filled) quotes credited to the publication. Six of these, more specifically. Cheers to "SNL" for realizing the initial position Back Stage likes in fostering fledgling works which otherwise might fall by theoh whatever, benefit from the video!Get more information at the most recent (legit) Back Stage reviews, from major Hollywood releases to off-off-Broadway finds.

Wrath From The Leaders will get an action-packed first trailer

Warner Bros have launched the very first trailer for Wrath From The Leaders, so that as guaranteed, the experience looks bigger and much more explosion-packed than in the past.The brand new film sees Mike Worthington's Perseus starting on another mission, this time around to save his father Zeus (Liam Neeson) in the clutches from the dastardly Hades (Rob Fiennes).Naturally, a clip concentrates on the different tests and adversaries that appear on the way, with various mythical beasties queuing as much as have a chunk from Perseus's demigodly backside.Have a look in the new trailer below... Now, while Mike Worthington's new mullet makes him look worryingly like Danny McBride, and using Marilyn Manson's cover of Sweet Dreams is a little incongruous, this still looks as if it will likely be reasonable step up from the initial, using the titular Leaders searching as if they could be an impression better second break...Ideally much more care and energy may have gone in to the three dimensional this time around around, that ought to ensure we are really not exposed to a different bout of card board cut-outs flailing around a bemused-searching Worthington. We'll discover without a doubt once the film opens here on 30 March 2012.Can't hold back until then? Well here's the very first official poster to keep you afloat. You lucky people...

Exclusive: Chuck Lorre Talks Two and a Half Men's Turnaround and His "Painful" Year

Two and a Half Men When all hell broke loose this year on Two and a Half Men, and it was clear that his relationship with star Charlie Sheen had turned toxic, executive producer Chuck Lorre came up with a way to end the madness."I offered to quit the show last winter," Lorre, 59, reveals for the first time. "I said, 'Listen, if for some reason I'm now the Antichrist I'm happy to leave. It's not in my interest to stop the show, and I certainly don't want to put all these people out of work. Keep going. Get another guy. Don't stop on my account."Not only did Sheen take a thinly veiled anti-Semitic jab at Lorre, but he also began regularly vilifying his boss in interviews, calling the sitcom hitmaker a "stupid, stupid man" and "a little maggot" - as well as plenty of things that can't be printed here. "I can't work with a guy who has decided that he hates my guts," Lorre says he told the network and studio.Such a move wouldn't have been unprecedented. Stars and producers frequently butt heads, and it's the producers whom often end up taking a hike. Lorre, who would have still kept an ownership stake in Two and a Half Men, knew that game well, having created and later departed Grace Under Fire after run-ins with star Brett Butler (who, like Sheen, struggled with addiction).But this was different. To put it bluntly, as Lorre, CBS and Warner Bros. TV watched Sheen quickly spiral out of control, they were concerned that he might die - and they weren't going to let him do it on their watch."[The studio and network] chose to make a moral decision as opposed to a financial one," Lorre says. "But people were really frightened that they were signing off on what could have had devastating consequences. This was not a game. This was drug addiction writ large. This was big-time cocaine and in his own words, an 'epic drug run' that could have ended with either his death or someone else's."Fortunately, that didn't happen. Still, Lorre says, "It was a painful year. I'll be sorting it out for a long time."Chances are you had never heard of Chuck Lorre before this year, but you likely watched his shows - Men, The Big Bang Theory and Mike & Molly. Lorre has built up an unprecedented comedy empire, making CBS a dominant Monday-night force and Warner Bros. TV a big-time supplier of sitcoms in syndication.In 2011, Lorre had what may be the most successful fall of his storied career. After years of being snubbed by the TV Academy, The Big Bang Theory finally earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy. Plus, Big Bang star Jim Parsons collected his second best comedy actor Emmy, and Mike & Molly star Melissa McCarthy, who became a bona fide superstar this summer thanks to the feature Bridesmaids, scored a best comedy actress Emmy.Beyond the Emmys, Lorre's biggest coup this year was the successful reinvention of Two and a Half Men. After Sheen was fired in March, CBS convinced a reluctant Lorre to give the show an extreme makeover. "I thought, why not find out if we can do it. If we fail, what have we failed at? Making a sitcom? Then it became exciting. We got to do something none of us ever dreamed of doing: We got to end a series and start a new series in 20 minutes."Lorre first cast Ashton Kutcher as a hotshot Hollywood actor, straight out of an Entourage-like world, but later decided a character like that would be too much in the mold of Sheen's hedonistic jingle writer Charlie Harper - and he was done with that. "It was time to come out of the darkness," he says. "Maybe for my own heath and welfare, I wanted to write a character who was coming from the light."It's working: Two and a Half Men, starring Kutcher as bighearted Internet billionaire Walden Schmidt, opened to 32.8 million viewers (including seven days of DVR use), and continues as TV's most-watched comedy (and No. 2 scripted series overall, behind only NCIS). Thanks to the show's big open this year, Men is up 41% among adults 18-49 from a year ago. "Ashton slipped into it so seamlessly," says co-star Jon Cryer."When Chuck comes in and talks on a set, everyone listens," Kutcher says. "He's been around it enough and seen it enough that he knows what's going to work and he knows what's not going to work. Everybody respects that."Most recently, Lorre - whose credits also include Dharma & Greg and Roseanne - was named to the TV Academy Hall of Fame. And after years of almost single-handedly propping up the multicamera sitcom (shot on a stage in front of an audience), Lorre is witnessing a comedy comeback this season that he helped initiate.McCarthy credits Lorre's ability to pick the right team of producers, which includes Men's Lee Aronsohn, Big Bang's Bill Prady and Mike & Molly's Mark Roberts. "That's the right way to run something: Hire people [who] you know can do it and let them do what they do." Adds Parsons: "It's this musical ear that he has, this understanding of the rhythms and the beats that make up a 22-minute TV show."Lorre also credits the natural conflict that comes with working with the same group of writers for such a long time. "These are passionate, creative people; there are no pushovers," he says. "Out of the friction comes something better than what would happen if I had autonomy. Out of that cauldron of dissent comes a better show."Cryer says he wishes he knew Lorre's secret formula. "Then I would be the most popular sitcom producer on TV," he jokes. But as he helped keep the sitcom alive during the genre's lean years, Lorre says he never intended to dominate the form."There was no master plan," Lorre says. "It just worked out that way. It's not about how many cameras you have. It's about the characters - are they interesting? Do you want Dharma to be with Greg, do you want Mike and Molly to make it, do you want Sheldon to find happiness, whatever that might be?"Leaning back in his spacious office on the Warner Bros. lot - where, like one big comedy factory, his three shows take up an entire building - Lorre says he agreed to finally speak about his tumultuous year in order to help promote his three shows. But it's clear that his fallout with Sheen continues to weigh heavily on Lorre - and subtly addressing it via quips on his famous production vanity cards (which weren't well-received by Sheen) wasn't enough of a release.In hindsight, Lorre says he regrets not quitting the show after Sheen was accused of holding a knife to his wife, Brooke Mueller, on Christmas in 2009. "When he started attacking people with knives, that's it," Lorre says. "That should have been it. I should have walked. That's unthinkable. No more. I'm done. But for some reason I thought that because she was willing to forgive him... we could emerge from this fiasco and be stronger and healthier."At the same time, even as Sheen slipped up, he was able to hide much of his substance abuse behind his signature laid-back façade. "He always reminded me of Dean Martin," Lorre says. "Charlie is the epitome of cool and he made it look effortless. People never gave him enough credit for how skillful he was because he made it look so easy. There's that element of Charlie that's admirable and he was the kind of guy you wanted to hang out with. He was a special guy. But special guys are not immune to drug addiction."When Sheen wound up in the Cedars Sinai emergency room after another bender last season, it came just months after he allegedly trashed a room at NY's Plaza Hotel. The actor's problems, which he had long kept off the set, were finally impacting the job. "Last January and February it was not working anymore," Lorre says. "You couldn't do that much cocaine and work. It was heartbreaking to be around here last year."Cryer recounts how tension began to fill the set. "It became clear that he was not sober, and we weren't sure how hard he was trying to be sober anymore," says the Men star, who still hasn't talked to Sheen since he left the show. "We were used to things being just a little off balance for many months. You could tell his personality was changing... Finally toward the end it was undeniable."Lorre still wanted to believe that Sheen could turn things around, and concocted an idea to produce four more episodes once the actor got out of rehab. "We were going to have a 20-episode [instead of 24-episode] season. And I thought that given what happened in Aspen and the court case, and then what happened at the Plaza on Thanksgiving and then the Cedars Sinai emergency room trip, 20 instead of 24 was pretty good."For Lorre, the decision to give Sheen the benefit of the doubt was also deeply personal: "Sobriety is a big part of my life, and it's been that way for almost 13 years," he says. "I'm eternally grateful I've been able to find this in my life."But instead, Sheen went rogue: He refused treatment and began trashing his boss. "I embarrassed him in front of his children and the world by healing at a pace that this un-evolved mind cannot process," Sheen famously said in one rant. "I've spent, I think, close to the last decade I don't know effortlessly and magically converted your tin can into pure gold." (Sheen declined comment for this story.)Sheen's attacks on Lorre's sobriety particularly stung deep. "That broke my heart," he says. "I thought we were on the same road together. I mean, we held hands and prayed when his sons were born prematurely."It was pretty much "all hurtful," Lorre adds. "There was a great deal of grief and anger about how that all went down. But my intent from the very beginning was I didn't want to look the other way." Says Cryer: "It's a guy with a problem lashing out at the people trying to help him. Anyone who has had a substance abuser in their lives knows that's what happens sometimes. But it happened over the Internet and blew up huge into this crazy thing, and it was horrible to be a part of."Production continued on Big Bang and Mike & Molly, and Parsons remembers that "work just kept going on, and things were kind of unchanged - which was frankly, looking back now, a remarkable moment in our four-and-a-half year history." Still, he says the Sheen story was inescapable. "I had to get off the treadmill four times one day and change the channel because it was something about the story and I was just so tired of it. There was no joy to be had from our end... I did feel certainly a real protectiveness for Chuck. I don't think anyone would have blamed him if he took off and went to a beach."Soon after being fired, Sheen filed suit against Lorre, CBS and Warner Bros. TV, accusing them of breaching his contract. Lorre says he was taken back by the allegations that he stood to gain if Two and a Half Men was canceled. "It was preposterous," he says. "I have a vested interest in the show. I want it to go on forever." (The suit was later settled.)By the summer, media attention had turned to how Two and a Half Men would explain Sheen's exit (it turns out, Charlie Harper would be killed off) and Kutcher's arrival. "We were all like little kids here back in June, writing the show, trying to create a brand new series starring Ashton Kutcher," Lorre says. "It was fun."Then, as Emmy night arrived, word leaked that the TV Academy had agreed to give Sheen a platform as a surprise Emmy presenter. Lorre and Warner Bros. TV strongly pressed the TV Academy and Fox (which carried this tear's Emmy telecast) to reconsider."I thought it was really disrespectful to the nominees," Lorre says. "That's their moment, and it was somehow undermined by this melodrama that was happening on stage. I don't have any regrets about making some phone calls and saying, 'Really? You're going to do this?'" Fox and Emmys producer Mark Burnett didn't back down, and a subdued Sheen wound up awkwardly handing the best comedy actor Emmy to Big Bang star Jim Parsons.Despite what happened this year, Cryer says he's still on "Team Charlie" - "We all really loved working with the guy," he says - and Lorre says he hopes that Sheen is well and able to be there for his kids."The man was my friend," he says. "I cared for him deeply. We had a great time. We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. Sometimes I'll watch some of the reruns and I'll go, 'That was really funny. That was worth watching.' I'm proud of what we did."But Lorre's focus now is keeping Men 2.0 alive for years to come. "I have to be grateful," he says. "We got the show back. Everybody's working. I'm eternally grateful we didn't walk away last winter and wrap it."The future is contingent on Kutcher renewing his one-year deal, but the actor hints that it's very likely. "Right now I'm still enjoying it," Kutcher says. "And as long as I'm enjoying something, I'll stick with it."Cryer, for one, hopes that his new co-star renews his deal. "What's been great is coming up with an entirely new comedic dynamic with Ashton," Cryer says. "He's such a different actor. Charlie would sort of amble in, run a scene once or twice and he would nail it. With Ashton we rehearse things, he improves on it and we find new stuff all the time, and it's a great breath of fresh air. I'm enjoying that process. The show already has had more sentiment invested in the friendship between Alan and Walden than we ever did in the old version of the show, and that's fun."And who can blame them for wanting to keep the party going? "I was in Borneo and people told me how much they love Two and a Half Men," marvels Lorre. "It's humbling to see the reach of American TV. When I take it for granted it will be time to quit. But not yet."Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

ABC promotes trio of sales execs

Doug Hochstadt, David Mayber and Tom Watson have been promoted to senior vice presidents of ABC Sales. Hochstadt has been named senior VP, planning and proposals. In his new role he will handle pricing for all dayparts, and planning responsibilities for the network. Hochstadt will continue to report to Debbie Richman, senior VP of primetime sales. Mayber was named senior VP, central division, succeeding Michael Rubin, who is retiring after 40 years with ABC. He reports to ABC Sales president Geri Wang. Watson was named senior VP, team leader. Also reporting to Wang, he will head the sales team calling on OMD, PHD, and Horizon Media. In addition, Marco Forte has been promoted to vice president. He reports to Watson. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Games sales up, but overall revenue flat

In the first month, Bethesdas videogame Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sold more copies than the prior installment fivefold. The discharge of high-profile game titles like "Cod: Modern Warfare 3," "Elder Skrolls V: Skyrim" and "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deceptiveness" increased videogame sales in November by 15%, based on NPD Group, but while hardware also moved from stores, discounting triggered overall revenue in the future in flat around $3 billion for that month. An uptick in sales was expected, with Activision's juggernaut "CodInch franchise once more breaking sales records upon its launch. But much hype for other game titles like Sony's third "Uncharted" and WB's Batman title "Arkham City" also compensated off. Software sales rose to almost $1.7 billion, up from nearly $1.5 billion last year, with "Cod: Modern Warfare 3," Bethesda's "Elder Skrolls V," Apple Something Electronic Arts "Battleground 3," Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed: Facts," and "Just Dance" ranking one of the top 5 top retailers across all platforms. THQ's "Saint's Row: The 3rd,Inch "Uncharted 3" and Nintendo's "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword III" were also within the top ten but sales figures were lower for that latter two simply because they were exclusive game titles for that Ps 3 and Wii consoles, correspondingly. "This November marks the very best November on record for sales of recent physical content," stated NPD analyst Anita Frazier, topping November. 2008. NPD no more stops working specific sales figures for individual game titles. However it stated "Modern Warfare 3's" launch bested last year's "Cod: Black Operations" by 7%. As well as in 30 days, "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" is nearly 500, 000 models shy of matching "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" in lifetime sales, using its launch beating the prior installment five-fold in the first month. EA's "Battleground 3" can also be the very best-selling title for that franchise, while "Batman: Arkham City" offered well in month two and it is now just shy of "Batman: Arkham Asylum's" lifetime unit sales, NPD stated. Ubisoft was the only real writer with two games in NPD's top 5 listing of best-selling games with "Assassin's Creed" and "Just Dance 3." "Assassin's Creed: Revelations'" bow was 10% greater than last year's "Brotherhood," also in November. And also the "Just Dance" franchise has created no. 1 Wii game within the last 13 several weeks. Ubisoft controls 72% from the dance gaming sector. For hardware, "a decline in average retail cost in most groups except for portable hardware led to flat dollar sales despite the fact that unit sales increased for console hardware, in addition to console, portable, and PC software," stated NPD's Anita Frazier. Overall hardware sales were off 9% to $982 million over this past year. November was the 4th consecutive month by which Microsoft's Xbox 360 360 continues to be the very best selling hardware system. "The space between 360 sales and purchasers from the next top selling platform was the biggest we have seen since December 2008 once the Manufacturers DS was the very best selling system," Frazier stated. Accessory sales fell 34% to $274 million although a lot of the decline was because of Microsoft bowing the Kinect this past year. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Millennium will get near Katherine Heigl thriller

HeiglMillennium Films is at discussions to obtain Tony Giglio's new spec script "The Follower," which Katherine Heigl is at predicts topline and convey through her Abishag banner.Plot particulars weren't revealed, nevertheless the script is known to love a thriller.Heigl's mother, manager and Abishag partner Nancy Heigl may also be prone to produce.The "Grey's Anatomy" alum remains ramping up her creating career lately, taking executive producer credits on "The Ugly Truth," 'Life To Be Sure It" and "One for the investment,In . an adaptation in the Jesse Evanovich novel that Lionsgate will release Jan. 27. Thesp most recently wrapped Millennium's comedy "The MarriageInch and may soon be seen incorporated within the star-studded ensemble of Garry Marshall's romantic comedy "New Year's Eve," which New Line opens a couple of days ago.Giglio can be a production veteran who's most broadly noted for writing and pointing the 2005 Jason Statham actioner "Chaos." He's credited while using scripts for your two direct-to-DVD "Dying Race" sequels and several recently written the knowledge thriller "Arena," which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Kellan Lutz. Giglio may also be penning a sci-fi adaptation of Ernest Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness" for Radar Pictures.Paradigm reps both Heigl and Giglio, who's also repped by New Wave Entertainment and attorney David Markman. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

Cinema Twitter Seats Provide You With Permission to Bug the Hell From Everybody

Are you able to view a 2-hour movie without searching at the mobile phone? Absolutely not! You need to look at your email or tweet concerning the movie you are seeing (side note: Please follow Moviefone on Twitter) or play Angry Wild birds. Fortunately, some movie theaters have discovered a means for audiences to get this done without getting started out. Based on a USA Today article, "an increasing number of theaters and carrying out groups across the nation are putting aside 'tweet seats,' in-house seats for patrons to reside-tweet throughout performances." This means that you are now permitted to bug the garbage from your neighbor in a movie with no negative consequences. The reasoning behind this decision seems to become marketing -- more and more people tweeting concerning the event, throughout the big event, will ultimately result in ticket sales. Obviously, that thinking will not work with everybody. As Patricia O'Kelly, a Kennedy Center speaker, stated, "We create a pre-performance announcement asking patrons to show off their ... cell phones to be able to keep your light and seem from annoying other patrons." The main one silver lining out of this (unless of course, obviously, you are area of the group that really wants to tweet throughout a film) is the fact that these tweet seats is going to be situated within the back row. But, wait one minute: when the tweeters have been in the rear row, they may be tweeting something negative in regards to you without your understanding. You cannot allow that! You are going to need to have a stand. You need to express yourself. But, well ... doing that will contradict the sensation you've toward tweet seats. Perhaps you should decide to try Twitter to determine the other people think, then come to a decision? [using a.Sixth is v Club and USA Today] [Photo: AP] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Sony Pictures WW Acquisitions Hires Relativitys Joe Matukewicz

Joe Matukewicz, most recently head of acquisitions at Relativity Media, has joined Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions as SVP Acquisitions. He’ll report to SPWA president Steven Bersch andoversee all acquisitions for the division. SPWA in 2011 acquired or produced numerous successful films including Soul Surfer, Insidious, Jumping The Broom, Courageous, The Raid, and Colombiana. It will continue to be responsible for providing content for all of SPEs distribution channels, including theatrical, home entertainment, television and digital.We are thrilled to have Joe join us in this key role,” Bersch said. “His experience and taste will be vital as we continue to increasingly ramp up our acquisitions activities, and work to bring more great product into Sony.” Matukewicz had been senior veep and Head of Worldwide Acquisitions at Relativity Media. Prior to that, he was VP Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Paramount Vantage and Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Paramount Classics. His deals have included Act Of Valor, House At The End Of The Street, Hustle & Flow, The Machinist, and An Inconvenient Truth.

Director Ken Russell Dies at 84

Ken Russell Ken Russell, the avant-garde filmmaker behind Women for one another as well as the Boy Friend, has died. He was 84. Russell died Sunday following multiple strokes, his boy Alex Verney-Elliott told The Connected Press. "My father died silently. He died getting a grin on his face," he mentioned. Start to see the stars we lost this year Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell was produced in Southampton, England. He gone after London within the 20s, examined photography and increased to become documentary filmmaker within the BBC. His first feature film was the 1964 romantic comedy French Dressing. In 1967, he directed the spy movie Large Brain with Michael Caine. Russell acquired his first Academy Award nomination for his 1969 film adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's Women for one another. The film, which was censored for featuring full-frontal nudity in the two male leads, won star Glenda Jackson an Oscar for top Actress. Music appeared to become a large impact on Russell's films. In 1971, he written and directed The Boy Friend, an homage for the musicals in the 19 thirties. The film starred supermodel Twiggy, who won two Golden Globes on her behalf performance. Russell also modified the rock opera Tommy, which required it's origin from music within the Who. In 1991, Russell directed his last questionable film titled Whore, which received an NC-17 rating. Russell - whose films incorporated 1980's Transformed States and 1987's Medieval - was honored in 1995 with the American Cinematheque getting a retrospective of his work referred to as Shock Value. His sometimes over-the-top films may be polarizing, and triggered Pauline Kael to convey they "cheapen everything they touch." More recently, Russell came out round the British reality show Celebrity Government in 2007, but left within the first week. Russell, who was simply married four occasions, is managed to get by his wife Elise Tribble and also the children.

Christmas Movies on television Schedule 2011: Everything You need to Watch in a single Handy List

Face the facts, you are not really very productive between Thanksgiving and xmas. You will need to protect against insane clients for shopping discount rates. Relatives will constantly shovel food on to your teeth. It is going to get really cold, really fast. Snow will begin shutting lower the streets. You need to simply relax. If there is ever a period not to feel guilty about just crashes while watching television for any couple of hrs, here it is. In celebration of year, Moviefone has come up with an entire report on each and every holiday special airing between now and xmas Day -- from the retro classics to children's faves. So, if you want to hide from the in-laws and regulations for a bit, or else you just don't seem like escaping . of mattress, this is actually the complete listing of Christmas movies airing this holidays. Christmas Movies on television: 2011 Wednesday, November 23Thursday, November 24 (THANKSGIVING)Friday, November 25Saturday, November 26Sunday, November 27Monday, November 28Tuesday, November 29Wednesday, November 30Thursday, December 1Friday, December 2Saturday, December 3Sunday, December 4Monday, December 5Tuesday, December 6Wednesday, December 7Thursday, December 8Friday, December 9Saturday, December 10Sunday, December 11Monday, December 12Tuesday, December 13Wednesday, December 14Thursday, December 15Friday, December 16Saturday, December 17Sunday, December 18Monday, December 19Tuesday, December 20Wednesday, December 21Thursday, December 22Friday, December 23Saturday, December 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE)Sunday, December 25 (CHRISTMAS DAY) See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-486274.cke_show_edges #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-486274, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-486274

TV Land's 'The Exes' Stars Donald Faison, Kristen Johnston Reveal Their Casting Stories (Exclusive Video)

TV Land's new series, The Exes, features the comebacks of some of television's favorite sitcom stars. And The Hollywood Reporter has a first look at a fun video (above) in which they explain how they landed on the new comedy premiering Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10:30 p.m.our editor recommendsTop 50 Power Showrunners 2011TV Land Acquires 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'TV Land's 'Happily Divorced' Gets A Second Season PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes of 'Hot In Cleveland' The series revolves around three divorced guys and roommates (Scrubs' Donald Faison, Seinfeld's Wayne Knight, and The Starter Wife's David Alan Basche) who have found themselves living across the hall from their divorce attorney and landlord, the well-meaning Holly (3rd Rock From the Son's Kristen Johnston). The series also stars Kelly Stables (Two and a Half Men) as Holly's assistant, Eden. The Exes is executive produced by Mark Reisman (Frasier), Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis (Reba) with Franco Bario (Happily Divorced) as co-executive producer. Also, you can watch the pilot right now on the show's official Facebook page. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter:@TheRealJethro PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Behind the Scenes of 'Hot In Cleveland' Donald Faison Viacom

TV Ratings: 'Dancing While using Stars' Shuts Season on Lower Note

ABC"DwtsInch Dwts closed out its thirteenth edition on Tuesday evening, crowning a champion after times of competition. But managed to get happen lead to viewership bump?our editor recommends'Dancing While using Stars' Champion J.R. Martinez to Co-Host CNN Special'Dancing While using Stars' Champion J.R. Martinez: Proud being Karina Smirnoff's First Win The ABC reality competition series crowned J.R. Martinez since the latest mirror ball trophy champion getting in 19.5 million total audiences up-to-date together with a 4.1 rating among grownups 18-49 for your season finale from 9-11 p.m., lower 23 percent inside the latter category from last fall's fall closer (with Jennifer Grey named the victor) which averaged a 5.3 rating. Last evening's episode wound up in audiences from Monday's first-parter which is the series' least expensive-rated fall finale so far. PHOTOS: 'Dancing While using Stars' Season 13 Rehearsals Regardless of the Dwts recession, ABC still notched the nightly victory inside the internet marketer-coveted demographic getting a 3.5 average in primetime. The "guy" comedies Last Guy Standing (9.3 million total audiences, 2.7 rating in grownups 18-49 demographic) and Guy Up! (6.8 million, 1.9) both rose four percent and twelve percent in the earlier week. Fox placed second round the evening in 18-49 getting a unique Tuesday episode in the X Factor (9.3 million, 3.2), lower 18 percent inside the demo from the other day's comparable performance show. (Normally, the series airs Wednesdays and Thursdays.) Inside the youthful 18-34 demo, Fox assigned its broadcast rivals getting a couple.7 average. With Thanksgiving just several hours away, several broadcast shows hit lows and CBS felt the brunt from this. Its drama selection all sank to season or series lows, with NCIS (18.5 million, 3.5) seeing the finest drop at 13 percent. NCIS: LA (14 million, 3.) rejected twelve percent and newcomer procedural Memorable (10.3 million, 2.2) dipped 8 percent with a series low. NBC ranked fourth in 18-49, getting single.9 average in primetime. The Finest Loser (5.6 000 0000, 2.) dipped 5 % from the other day, while Motherhood (4.5 million, 1.9) dropped 5 % with a season low. The CW broadcast 90210 (1.3 million, .6) together with a repeat of Hart of Dixie (944,000, .4). 8 p.m. CBS: NCIS (18.5 million audiences, 3.5 rating in grownups 18-49) Fox: The X Factor (9.3 million, 3.2) ABC: Last Guy Standing (9.3 million, 2.7) NBC: The Finest Loser (5.6 000 0000, 2.) The CW: 90210 (1.3 million, .6) 8:30 p.m. ABC: Guy Up! (6.8 million, 1.9) 9 p.m. ABC: Dwts (19.5 million, 4.1) CBS: NCIS: LA (14 million, 3.) The CW: Hart of Dixie rerun (944,000, .4) 10 p.m. CBS: Memorable (10.3 million, 2.2) NBC: Motherhood (4.5 million, 1.9) TV Ratings Dwts

Natalie Wood's Boat Captain Admits to Lying, Says Robert Wagner 'Responsible' for Her Death (Video)

One day after the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced that it would be reopening its case in the death of actress Natalie Wood, the captain of the boat from which the actress drowned in 1981 spoke on NBC's Today.our editor recommendsNatalie Wood: A Hollywood Icon RememberedNatalie Wood Death Investigation ReopenedNatalie Wood: 5 of Her Most Memorable Roles (Video)Robert Wagner Responds to Natalie Wood Investigation Dennis Davern said that he lied to investigators about the actress' mysterious death 30 years ago, and then alleged that Woods' husband at the time, Robert Wagner, had something to do with her death, which had been classified as a tragic accident. "I made some terrible decisions and mistakes," Davern said on the show. "I did lie on a report several years ago." "I made mistakes by not telling the honest truth in a police report," Davern added in the interview with NBC News' David Gregory. Wood died in 1981 at age 43 while boating off Santa Catalina Island, off the Southern California shore. She was with Wagner and Christopher Walken. The trio had dinner and drinks at Doug's Harbor Reef and then continued drinking aboard the boat, where Wagner and Walken began arguing. PHOTOS: Best Pictures of Natalie Wood During the argument, Wood went to bed, and when Wagner came down to say goodnight, she was gone. Speculation has it that she accidentally slipped and fell overboard. However, others have speculated that a lover's quarrel between Wood and Wagner that had to do with Walken took place before the accident. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Deaths and Surprises "Was the fight between Natalie Wood and her husband Robert Wagner what ultimately led to her death?" NBC host Gregory asked during the interview on Friday. "Yes," Davern replied. "How so?" "Like I said, that's going to be up to the investigators to decide," he said. Davern alleged that Wagner purposefully kept the investigation of her death low-profile and did not do everything he could to find Wood once she went missing. Gregory then pushed the point, asking, "Was he [Wagner] responsible for her death in some way?" "Well, like I said, I think we all made mistakes that night and --," Davern responded. "Mr. Davern, that wasn't my question. Was he responsible for her death? I'm not asking about your story," said Gregory. "Yes, I would say so. Yes," Davern said. A spokesperson for Wagner released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter saying that the family fully supports the efforts of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and "trust they will evaluate whether any new information relating to the death of Natalie Wood Wagner is valid and that it comes from a credible source or sources other than those simply trying to profit from the 30-year anniversary of her tragic death." PHOTOS: Who Counts as a Hollywood Legend Davern was asked why he waited so long to come forward with this information. "Why now is because I've been trying to tell information about this for many, many years, but there wasn't really anyone listening until now," he said. STORY: Robert Wagner Responds to Natalie Wood Investigation "I've been trying to get somebody to listen for a long time and now somebody is listening and they're going to carry on with this investigation. I'm not saying anything different. All the information that I've revealed in the past, it's all in that book, and now it's just up to the investigators to do an investigation," he said. He wrote a book, Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour, with his friend Marti Rulli. It was published in September 2009. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Related Topics Natalie Wood Robert Wagner

Tribal Chants, Dirty Twister plus much more Secrets Within the Number of The Big Bang Theory

Jim Parsons, Mayim Bialik and Kevin Sussman It's the second Tuesday in November, as well as the Large Bang Theory cast descends on Stage 25 in the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Calif., for just about any live tape in the episode "The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition," which will air just nine days later on Thursday, November. 17 (8/7c on CBS). "There's virtually no time any more,Inch executive producer Chuck Lorre notes in the quick turnaround. A good deal switches into filming Bang on such short notice, so TVGuide.com hit the set to gather behind-the-moments apple on one of the geekiest shows on tv: Large Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki: Cent and Leonard will be the loves of each and every other bands lives Pre-show traditions: For Jim Parsons, it's eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, for Johnny Galecki, it's enunciation exercises, for Kunal Nayyar, it's taking a 15-minute nap, too for Simon Helberg, it's "prancing around throughout my dressing room in almost no clothes yelling and making tribal noises." Quips Nayyar: "That's my noisy sensors for my nap." First-take jitters: Even though the heavens are seasoned vets at this time around - Bang is approaching 100 episodes - Nayyar states, "It definitely is that first take throughout your day you need to nail and not ruin.In . With this particular episode, the initial take features the guys' weekly trip to the comic store where Sheldon features Amy (Mayim Bialik) along, much to her chagrin. "She is not interested in it, and i'm kind of disappointed," Bialik confesses. "It's going against my personality type. Of anybody relating to this cast, I'm the comic nerd!" Comics by the bucket load: The comic store set is frequently re-energized while using latest comic paraphernalia, from DC's new 52 comics to Walking Dead t-t t shirts designing the walls. Diehard fans who keep their eyes peeled in addition to their trigger fingers round the pause button could place an Easter time time egg near to the counter that will placed their Bang experience to another level. Photo Gallery: See the best TV brainiacs Humor-inducing huddles: Between takes, producers Bill Prady, Steve Molaro and Lorre are often seen getting a few authors conferencing while using stars to produce a changes for the script. Molaro compares it with a sports team, "that you huddle to learn to win," according to him. Two particular confabs because of the audience another shot at Amy's distaste of huge-bosomed female superheroes, along with two new versions of Sheldon's infamous "Cent" knock. X-rated Bang: Audiences are almost treated to another kind of Bang when filming a Twister scene takes a less-than-PG turn. "I used to be flashing the entire crew every time I obtained lower into Twister position," states Melissa Rauch, who shows Bernadette. "Fortunately there's an audience barrier, and thank heavens I'd tights on. Jim was behind me and achieving an entire backside view. The show may have required to visit cable essentially didn't hold the wardrobe team to cover Bernadette's business." The big guy on campus: Following a year he's had, Lorre can be as large a title round the WB lot because the stars on all the posters. Following a show, fans wait thirstily inside the audience to snag an autograph within the Bang creator, who chuckles while signing a Soft Cat t-shirt. Aww! You won't see a thing that heartwarming around the Vanity Card! The Big Bang Theory Boss: Raj and Penny's hookup is karma for Leonard Happily ever hungover: Lowering from filming an instalment might be as being a high, the majority of the cast people note, which explains why they'll frequently postpone on set after to wind lower. "Tuesday nights it's tough to retire for that evening since you've got a lot adrenaline," Nayyar states. "The next morning, you appear like you've been hit having a train. Seriously, you're feeling hungover without getting done anything." The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

Summit ink int'l deals on 2 photos

Summit Entertainment has closed worldwide deals for almost all the planet due to its magician heist pic "At This Point You See Me" and Steve McQueen's "Twelve Years a Slave." Summit co-chair Patrick Wachsberger told Variety that response was strong for game game titles through the American Film Market. "There's plenty of competition with multiple offers," he added."At This Point You See Me," directed by Louis Leterrier, stars Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher and Melanie Laurent in the tale from the squad in the world's finest illusionists who accomplish numerous daring bank heists in their performances, then shower the income around the audiences. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are coming up with via their shingle Kurtzman Orci Paper Products."It's a large studio-type high-concept movie available to independent entrepreneurs at any time when the economic crisis has limited people kind of game game titles," Wachsberger noted. "At This Point You See Me" agreed to EOne for your U.K., SND for France, Telemunchen for Germany, Arum for that country, and Nordisk. Summit is weighing multiple offers for Japan with this particular deal vulnerable to close in the week."Twelve Years a Slave," with River Road creating and financing, stars Michael Fassbender -- who toplined McQueen's "Shame" -- along with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kaira Pitt. McQueen will direct in the script he co-written with John Ridley, good true story of Solomon Northup, a NY citizen kidnapped in Washington in 1841 and saved in the cotton plantation in Louisiana in 1853.Pitt may also be creating through Plan B with partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner along with Pohlad. CAA is organizing financing and representing U.S. rights for your pic skedded to start production early next season.InchServantInch told to EOne inside the U.K., Tobis in Germany, Planeta in the united states, Mars in France, Svensk in Scandinavia and Icon nationwide.Wachsberger also mentioned Summit brings four films available for the Berlin market in February but he isn't revealing the overall game game titles yet. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Anna Kournikova Is Off NBC's 'Biggest Loser' (Exclusive)

Anna Kournikova will not be returning for next season of NBC's The Biggest Loser, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.our editor recommendsAnna Kournikova Makes Debut as 'Biggest Loser' Trainer; Viewer Reaction Mixed 'Biggest Loser': Anna Kournikova Replacing Jillian Michaels PHOTOS: 2011 Glamour Women of the Year Awards Kournikova was hired by NBC to host and act as trainer on season 12 of the reality weight loss series, following Jillian Michael's exit. It seemed like a great idea at the time: she's attractive, camera friendly and a major athlete. But staffers say they clashed with her, and some of the contestants found her a bit brash. Whereas Michaels was soothing, encouraging and even uplifting, Kournikova did not sympathize with her overweight contestants, often telling them about her own tough upbringing when they complained about training being hard. VIDEOS: Emmy Roundtable With Reality TV A source on the show actually called Kournikova "a nightmare." She would definitely not have been mistaken for a life coach. STORY: Anna Kournikova Makes Debut as 'Biggest Loser' Trainer; Viewer Reaction Mixed Kournikova and her reps did admit to THR that she is leaving the show after one season, and the tennis star issued this statement to us: "I enjoyed my time on the Biggest Loser ranch. Although I will not be returning as a full time trainer on season 13, I will always be a part of The Biggest Loser family and my commitment to bettering lives through health and fitness will continue." Related Topics NBC The Biggest Loser

CBS sets bows for 'Rob,' 'Boss'

CBS is giving its Take advantage of Schneider laffer "Take advantage of" the plum publish-"Large Bang Theory" slot on Thursdays beginning in The month of january. The Attention has additionally set Jan. 15 because the third-season preem of "Undercover Boss," that will transfer to the Sunday 8 p.m. slot now occupied by "The Astonishing Race." "Take advantage of" stars Schneider like a guy who marries right into a tight-knit Mexican-American family. It'll bow within the Thursday 8:30 p.m. berth on Jan. 12, displacing "Rules of Engagement," that was hauled up the 2009 seaon to meet the increasing demand left through the quick demise of frosh comedy "How to become a Gentleman." The Attention stated "Rules" and "Amazing Race" is going to be back around the sked later within the season. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Could The Muppets Host The Oscars?

It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights, and if you ask the roughly 36,000 people who have joined online campaigns on Twitter and Facebook, it's time for the Muppets to host the Oscars. After two days of stealing headlines, the 84th Academy Awards have founds themselves without a host. It didn't take long after Eddie Murphy announced his resignation as host for a Twitter account, @MuppetOscars and Facebook group "The Muppets Should Host the 2012 Oscars" to start to gain momentum. Both accounts date back to before Murphy was selected by then-producer, Brett Ratner, to host the show, and now with the new hosting flux, the accounts have exploded in popularity. Each profile gained thousands of followers in a matter of hours. And for good reason. We are in the midst of a Muppet renaissance. The new movie, due out later this month, has received raves from test audiences, with the film even bringing some viewers to tears! Kermit appeared on the cover of Entertainment Weekly last week. There's a reason that the movement to snag the puppet stars for the Oscar gig has gained traction. The people want Muppets. Whether a Muppet-hosted Academy Awards could actually happen remains to be seen. Disney owns both the Muppets and ABC, the network that airs the award show, so that would make licensing easier, but a report from Variety claims that a source close to the show said that it will never happen. But we won't know for sure until a new host is hired, and even then, as we learned this week, the case isn't officially closed until the credits run on the show. "The Muppets" hits theaters November 23. Would you like to see a Muppet-hosted Oscars ceremony? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Simply How Much Will Eddie Murphy's Oscar Exit Hurt His Career? (Analysis)

Within the recent interview with Moving Stone magazine, Eddie Murphy known to themselves as "a semi-outdated gentleman of leisure," adding, "I only desire to do a few things i really wish to accomplish, otherwise I'm content to sit down lower here and play my guitar all day long lengthy."our editor recommendsEddie Murphy Out, Brett Ratner Deuces: Who Should Replace the Oscar Team? (Poll)Eddie Murphy's 6 Finest Issues Before Bailing round the OscarsTHR Poll: Oscar Audiences Want Eddie Murphy as HostBrett Ratner, Allan Carr as well as the Home That Unites the Disgraced Oscar ProducersBrett Ratner's 10 Offensive Quotes That Brought to Oscar Trouble Eddie Murphy Exits as Oscar HostBrett Ratner Out as Oscar Show Producer (Exclusive)Related Subjects•Brett Ratner•The Race That could be as well. By yanking from his gig hosting the Academy awards carrying out a exit of Brett Ratner as producer, some top industry affiliates say Murphy has not done themselves any favors if the involves obtaining future movies. "It absolutely was work mistake," states one senior part of the Academy. "What is was he thinking?" PHOTOS: Oscar Hosts With time Another Academy member concurred: "This really is kind of a sizable middle-finger for the Academy also to the.Inch One top producer states Murphy had an opportunity to assist themselves by remaining while using show no matter the exit of Ratner, his Tower Heist director who introduced him aboard. "He may have been a sizable hero here," they states. "He may have switched this in to a large plus." Rather, he miracles about Murphy's future. "He certainly doesn't have kind of profile, particularly foreign," according to him. "What movie is he well suited for?In . STORY: Eddie Murphy's 6 Finest Issues Before Bailing round the Oscars This is not the first time that Murphy has proven disrespect for your Academy: He infamously left the honours show in 2007 as soon as Alan Arkin won best supporting actor for Little Miss Sunshine. (Murphy was nominated combined with been considered a effective contender for Dreamgirls.) Murphy's balk comes right after Tower Heist opened up as much as some lower-than-anticipated $24 million. Carrying out a string of not successful comedies (Meet Dork, Suppose), the film was created to represent Murphy's return to the type of action/caper role that pleased audiences inside the Beverly Slopes Cop series. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Finest Blunders Still, a higher studio executive states Murphy's exit is understandable considering his link to the job was through Ratner, who had personally asked for Murphy to battle the job. "In my opinion for Brett it's a train wreck," this executive states. "[But] for Eddie, it's the man who hired you isn't any more carrying it out. . . . He's saying the completely new producer might have another perspective together with another direction where he really wants to accept show." VIDEO: The Finest Not successful Jokes within the Academy awards With different Hollywood Reporter poll, the Academy awards audience was attempting to see Murphy as host, with 74 percent prone to watch rather than 66 percent who had designed to watch last year's ceremony situated by James Franco and Hathaway As Catwoman. But people asked mentioned they expected the show being less "stylish" and "classy." That view wasn't restricted to people inside the television audience. A higher agent states while using departure of Murphy and Ratner, "In my opinion the Academy dodged a bullet." Email: Kim.Masters@thr.com Twitter: @KimMasters Related Subjects Brett Ratner Eddie Murphy Oscars Oscars 2012

Disney Funnel Renews Phineas And Ferb For 4th Season

Disney Funnel has restored its flagship animated series Phineas and Ferb for any 4th season. Using the pickup, the cable funnel may have new instances of the show, which ranks as TV’s No.1 animated series in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 moving out through 2014. The renewal uses Phineas and Ferb producer Disney TV Animation lately signed exclusive, multi-year, multimillion-dollar handles series designers/executive producers Serta Povenmire and Shaun “Swampy” Marsh. Underneath the pact, the duo are focusing on a Phineas And Ferb feature along with a potential spinoff series. With more than 100 episodes and counting, Phineas and Ferb is Televisions #1 animated series among Tweens for 4 years. Its latest offshoot, the initial movie Phineas and Ferb: Over the second Dimension, may be the #1 animated cable telecast ever among Kids 2-11 within the U.S. and merely lately broke Disney Funnel rankings records in India, Japan and France.

Katherine and Joe Jackson on Conrad Murray Verdict: "Justice Has Finally Been Served"

Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson Katherine and Joe Jackson said Monday that "justice has finally been served" following the guilty verdict of Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of their son, Michael Jackson. "We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time and we couldn't hold back tears of joy in the courtroom. Even though nothing can bring back our son, justice has finally been served," the Jacksons said in a statement to TMZ. "We can't wait to go home and share this day with Michael's children." Conrad Murray found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson case Murray, the former private doctor of Michael Jackson, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a unanimous decision Monday. He will be sentenced on Nov. 29 and faces up to four years in prison. Fifteen members of the Jackson family were in attendance at the verdict Monday, including Joe and Katherine, as well as Michael's sister, LaToya Jackson. "VICTORY!!!!!!," she tweeted an hour after Murray was found guilty and taken to jail. "Michael I love you and I will continue to fight until ALL are brought to justice!" The King of Pop died on June 25, 2009 from acute propofol intoxication after he suffered a heart attack. He was 50, and is survived by his three children: Prince Michael, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael II.

Ebert Presents In The Movies May Finish Its Run The Following Month Over Funding Issues

On his blog, film critic Roger Ebert cautioned last evening that “unless we discover an angel, our television program goes from the air at the finish of their current season… We are able to’t manage to finance it any longer.” Ebert relaunched his weekly syndicated movie review show, which in fact had been cancelled by Buena Vista TV this year, at the outset of the entire year on PBS Tv producers and presently has distribution in additional than 90% of the nation. But Ebert notes he and the wife Chaz Ebert, who executive produces Ebert Presents In the Movies, don’t get any money from PBS or its stations, so that they have needed to finance the show themselves and may’t continue doing so. They have to tell American Public Television whether Ebert Presents In the Movies is going to be back the coming year. “Unless we discover underwriting, I’m afraid our answer will need to be “no”,” Ebert creates but finishes on the better note, “Chaz states she continues to have a couple of more days to help keep making calls.”

A Evening Time With...'The Descendants'

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, talks about opening every submission and what he desires to see in the headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, talks about what he wants from an actress in the general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and inadequate ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, talks about what he needs from an audition and common mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer reduces the particular role from the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Grey Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer talks about casting "Saved" and many types of the misconceptions about just as one actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New you are able to city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars need to know before walking into an audition. (Part a few) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about concentrating on cleaning cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes the best way to give your better audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about concentrating on cleaning cleaning soap operas. Just have beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition to clean cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning cleaning soap opera Videos for your Back Stage News & Features section.

Work Exclusive Video: Can Dwight Finally Rise to Energy at Dunder Mifflin?

Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian One following day of proclaiming divorce from new husband Kris Humphries, Kim Kardashian is trying to produce the record straight: Their very own wasn't a just-for-television relationship. Kim Kardashian divorcing Kris Humphries "I married for love," Kardashian written in the blog publish after numerous reviews made an appearance alleging that her relationship with Humphries was staged. "It's surprising I even have to defend this. I won't have spent a great deal time on something just for a tv show! I share lots of my existence around the reality show, that thinking about if you should even film my wedding will be a tough decision to produce, and possibly it switched to Not the best decision. But it's who I am!Inch Kardashian ongoing to convey she's a "hopeless romantic" who have "rushed straight into something too soon.In . "I felt like I used to be around the fast ride and may not leave when now everyone knows I probably should have,In . she written. "I obtained taken up while using hoopla as well as the filming in the Tv program that whenever I probably should have ended my relationship, I didn't learn how to and didn't desire to dissatisfy lots of people. Kris Humphries: I'm devastated that Kim declared divorce For that reviews that say Kardashian and Humphries made money off their wedding, the 31-year-old Maintaining while using Kardashians star states people are false. "I'm so grateful to everyone who needed time to my wedding and I am likely to be giving the money for that gifts for the Dream Foundation." "I did not possess the goal of doing harm to anybody which i accept full responsibility for my actions and options, too for taking everyone relating to this journey with me at night. It really didn't use function as mythic I'd badly wanted for." Stars react to Kim Kardashian's divorce Kardashian declared divorce Monday within the 26-year-old professional basketball player after just 72 occasions of marriage. "After consideration, I have made a decision to complete my marriage," Kardashian mentioned in the statement to Ryan Seacrest. "I am hoping everyone knows it had been very difficult decision. I'd wanted this marriage was forever, but sometimes everything does not appear. We remain pals and desire each other the most effective.In . The pair got married in August after eight several days of dating.

Is Bigger Better? 5 Things to Know About Top Chef: Texas

Emily Deschanel, Emily VanCamp, Emily Procter Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com. So excited for Bones to come back! What can you tell me about this season's new villain? - Brittany ADAM: Creator Hart Hanson tells us that if The Gravedigger was the "evil" version of Brennan and Jacob Broadsky was the "evil" version of Booth, then Christopher Pellant, the show's tech-savvy new killer, is the "evil" version of... Booth and Brennan's baby!? "It's too creepy to say that it's like, 'What if Booth and Brennan's baby grew up to be a horrible serial killer?'" Hanson says with a laugh. "But thematically, they have to deal with two things this year that are a combination of the two of them. One's the baby, and the other is this big baddie." I really don't want Daniel to die on Revenge. At least tell me who his killer is. - Melissa NATALIE: Let's put together some facts: Executive producer Mike Kelley has previously said that the second half of the season will show the trial of Daniel's murderer, so yeah, it looks like he's going die. Now, the show is currently looking for an actor to play a high-powered attorney who will defend... Conrad in court. Could he really have killed his own son? Are we ever going to see sparks between Eric and Calleigh on CSI: Miami this season? - Jessica ADAM: Producer Barry O'Brien says that the show will very soon stoke that fire, but perhaps not in the way you'd like. "Delko is going to catch [Calleigh] kissing a guy goodbye in the morning, which will be a flashpoint for Delko," O'Brien says. "On the other side of the coin, Delko is getting slowly involved with a suspect from Episode 4." But fear not: The ends may justify the means. "Both of these [events] will challenge their commitment to that decision to be friends exclusively," O'Brien says. "This may be a relationship that, in the end, is just too strong to resist." Hope! So annoyed that the World Series pre-empted the return of Peter on Fringe. Spoilers, please! - James NATALIE: Peter's return is well worth the wait. His first meeting with Walter, however, doesn't go so well. Eventually though, Peter will earn his father's trust when the Fringe Division has a nasty run-in with the surviving shapeshifter. Plus: We'll learn why Nina Sharp and Olivia are thick as thieves in this timeline. Anything juicy coming up for Olivia on Law & Order: SVU? - Daniel ADAM: Benson will be put in a tough spot with Detective Amaro when he asks her to corroborate the details of a gun bust on the stand that she didn't witness first-hand. The prospect of disappointing her partner coupled with the hard-charging tactics of Andre Braugher's civil liberties attorney will have Benson questioning whether she has the strength to continue in this line of work. Please tell me we've heard the last of Lily and Marshall moving to the suburbs on How I Met Your Mother? - Laura NATALIE: Sorry, Laura, but that subject will rear its ugly head again when someone offers to buy their apartment. It's funny though: The subsequent debate between the pair and Robin about where is best to raise their child may just save them from getting mugged. It's been a while since we've had any good Mentalist scoop. - Will ADAM: When Jane and the CBI investigate a serial killer in Thursday's episode, Jane gets to know a blogger who has dedicated the last year of his life to researching the case. Before long, Jane realizes that the blogger's obsession mirrors his own history of tracking Red John, whose name comes up more than a few times in the episode. Coincidence? Hardly. Got any scoop on the next season of True Blood? - Tina NATALIE: Looks like more werewolves are coming to town - including the not-so-dearly-departed Marcus' mother -- and they're not too fond of the new pack leader (Alcide?). In other news, we'll meet Holly's two sons, who are described as being "hunters." We're thinking they might have something in common with the townfolk of Salem, which is bad news for the gang from Ye Olde Shoppe of Scented Candles and Reanimation. (Then again, there are plenty of things to hunt in Bon Temps, no?) I could use some good Parenthood scoop. - Sally ADAM: Three words: Braverman road trip! When Zeek decides to visit his mother to celebrate her 86th birthday, the whole clan tags along. The trip is, naturally, chock-full of disasters (including one particularly bad motel stay), but the biggest obstacle may be the birthday girl herself, who, even in her old age, is a tough old bat. Hopefully, witnessing the pure joy that is the Braverman dinner table will soften her a bit. Have you fallen under the spell of Once Upon a Time? I hope so! Because I'm craving scoops! - Sherrie NATALIE: Since Emma has been booted from the local inn, it's time for a mother/daughter sleepover! Emma will begrudgingly make use of <strike>Snow White</strike> Mary Margaret's spare room. Speaking of Snow, she'll save her Prince Charming, whose real name we'll learn this week, in both universes. True love prevails... though that may be the real curse. Got any good dirt on The Closer? - Elizabeth ADAM: Ready to meet Sgt. Gabriel's girlfriend? So are his colleagues! We'll all have the chance when the recent law school graduate - who has been living with Gabriel for a year! - accompanies him to a crime scene, where she'll offer Brenda some sage legal advice that ultimately may crack the case. They better get her on retainer quick! Are we ever going to find out what "the whisper" is on The Walking Dead? - Jeffrey NATALIE: Well, if one of our theories is correct, we might find out this week! Adam's Mega Rave: Helmets off to Sons of Anarchy for not being afraid to take bold storytelling steps this season. Clay's descent into even further evil can't possibly end well, but it's been riveting at every turn. (And trust me, you ain't seen nothin' yet.) Natalie's Mini Rant: Dear The Good Wife: We know that Alicia shouldn't be with Peter, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Will is the best choice for her either. And no, we don't feel sorry for him because she doesn't want him to meet her kids. Love, Us. (Additional reporting by Denise Martin and Kate Stanhope) Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows?E-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide

Blockbuster to provide VOD on Facebook

Blockbuster intends to make 8,000 to 10,000 films it rents on its Facebook page via a new video-on-demand service which will integrate social networking tools like comments and emoticons. The flicks, that Blockbuster will rent much like how Warner Bros., Vital and Universal supply game titles on the Facebook pages, will enable audiences to click a selected of responses as moments play. Audiences will even have the ability to see comments from buddies to footage because it plays. Move will enable Blockbuster to provide up "Appear Video"-like commentary with filmmakers, in which a director like David O. Russell will discuss his ideas on "The Fighter.""For all of us it's dependent on optionality and which makes it available," stated Blockbuster's mind of corporate and digital development Neil Davis. "We all know everyone else sourcing has become more essential if this involves what individuals watch and purchase,Inch so the organization desired to make certain it gave audiences a range of just how much they would like to connect to the flicks they watch. Offering may also eventually serve for galleries to check screen films online, instead of through good research tests in theaters and supply filmmakers and professionals with real-time feedback. Blockbuster continues to be awaiting Facebook to master the social networking functions before starting it, which might occur in the finish of November. It presently does not rent films on Facebook now. The brand new offering was revealed in the Authors Guild of America, West early Thursday throughout an earlier take a look at January's Electronic Devices Show in Vegas and also the Entertainment Matters program which will guide Hollywood with the massive tech confab. Davis also stated the rental chain could also return to obtaining independent films, given that it may monetize the game titles better across various platforms -- stores, DVD-by-mail, online, kiosks -- it did not have if this first began obtaining indies and providing the films strictly in the physical stores. Davis stated Blockbuster will launch more VOD services later on included in its acquisition by Dish Network, which intends to pony up around $100 million to advertise the company within the U.S. and overseas. "I was inches from the grave," before Dish acquired the organization, Davis stated. "For all of us, this can be a phoenix project and letting people know we are still alive." Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Eric Bana Plays Elvis Presley, Danny Huston Is Richard Nixon In Indie Feature

Eric Bana and Danny Huston will star in Elvis & Nixon, an indie that marks the directing debut of actor Cary Elwes, who wrote the script with Joey Sagal and Hanala Sagal. The film’s funded by Benaroya Pictures. The film is based on a 1970 powwow between Presley (Bana) and Nixon (Huston) when the former petitioned to be a Federal Agent at Large in the war against drugs, which in hindsight seems a bit odd. Presley brought a Colt .45 pistol as a gift to the president. Bana will be exec producer. He’ll next star in the Lakeshore thriller Brilliant and just wrapped Blackbird.

Is 'The Three Musketeers' the Stupidest Movie Ever Made? (And 24 Other Urgent Questions)

Starting today, you now have the opportunity to see a terrible movie titled 'The Three Musketeers.' Most likely, you will, wisely, not act on this opportunity. I wasn't as lucky: my credit card was charged $18 in exchange for being allowed into a theater where 'The Three Musketeers' was being shown. As a service, here's an answer to every question that you could possibly have about Paul W.S. Anderson's 'The Three Musketeers.' (Honestly, I can't believe this movie exists.) Q: When did you see 'The Three Musketeers'? A: I paid to see an early Friday morning showing because 'The Three Musketeers' was not screened for critics in NY City. Q: Why wasn't 'The Three Musketeers' screened for critics in NY City? A: Because it's really bad. Q: How does 'The Three Musketeers' begin? A: With a voiced-over animated montage of exposition that all shitty movies start with. Q: When do we meet 'The Three Musketeers'? A: Fairly quickly. After the first montage, we're given a second montage in which we meet the Musketeers one by one -- who now resemble ninjas more than swordsmen. Q: What are the Musketeers doing when we meet them? A: They are in Venice on a quest for three keys that will open Da Vinci's vault. You see, with access to Da Vinci's booby-trapped vault, they can steal his plans for the ultimate weapon. Q: What is Da Vinci's ultimate weapon? A: A pirate ship with a big balloon attached to it. Q: If you had to compare 'The Three Musketeers' to two other movies, what movies would you compare this to? A: 'The Three Musketeers' is a cross between "Resident Evil' and 'Wild Wild West.' In other words: a lot of cartoonish, slow-motion action, combined with "old timey" technology that's better than technology that we have today in real life. Q: So what happens to those plans for the ultimate weapon? A: The Musketeers are betrayed by Milady (Milla Jovovich), who steals the plans from them. The movies jumps ahead one year and we find the Musketeers all still hang out together, but are retired and are still sad about what happened. Q: When do they stop being sad? A: After an arrogant young kid named D'Artagnan challenges all three of the musketeers -- all separately, and all inexplicably by chance, I should point out -- to a fight. But before they fight, 40 of the evil Cardinals' guards attack the four of them. Of course, the now four musketeers defeat the 40 guards. Q: Since 'The Three Musketeers' takes place mostly in France, does anyone speak French? Maybe at least a French accent? A: No. In 'The Three Musketeers,' most of the characters speak with an English accent. And the few who don't speak with an American accent. I mean, screw it: why even try, right? Q: How many times is the word "retro" used in 'The Three Musketeers'? A: Once. Q: So 'The Three Musketeers' is about a pirate ship with a big balloon attached to it? A: Good God, I wish. I mean, yes, the pirate ship with a big balloon attached to it is in the movie, but 'The Three Musketeers' manages to get much more convoluted than that. There's something about a necklace starting a war. Q: Will you explain the plot of 'The Three Musketeers', please? A: Honestly, it's humanly impossible because they've tried to mesh a few elements of the book with, well, 'Resident Evil.' But here's my best attempt. Christoph Waltz plays a cardinal who wants to be the ruler of France (I think). But he must get the King out of the way... Q: Is the King a tyrant? A: Actually, the young King seems quite reasonable and nice enough. He's even friends with the musketeers! So, to start a war, Waltz conspires (I think) to steal a prized diamond necklace from the Queen of France. Q: Wait, how would stealing a necklace start a war? A: Waltz planted some fake love letters from the Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) to the Queen in the King's desk. Q: Wait, what? A: And the fake love letters from the Duke specifically mention that the Queen gave him the diamond necklace as a present for having sex with her. Q: Are you making any of this up? A: No. So, the King finds the letters and asks Waltz what to do. Waltz suggests that the King throw a ball in the Queen's honor. If she doesn't wear the necklace, he knows the letter is true. But, you see, the Queen can't wear the necklace because it has been stolen by Alice from Resident Evil Milady. Q: Is this the point that you walked out of the theater? A: Unfortunately, no. Now, with the necklace stolen, the Queen's lady in waiting -- who D'Artagnan is in love with -- asks the musketeers to go to England to steal the necklace back before the ball, which is in five days. And, while they're there, steal the flying pirate ship with a balloon attached to it, too. There's your movie, folks. (Yes, this could be construed as something that's loosely the plot of the book, too. If that's what you're thinking, Alexandre Dumas will haunt you.) Q: If the King is a reasonable guy and likes the musketeers, why didn't someone just tell the King, "Hey, someone is trying to trick you?" Or, "look, on the roof, there are 10 dead guards that Milla Jovovich killed before she stole the necklace. That's proof that there was a robbery?" A: Because this is the stupidest f-cking movie I've ever seen. Q: If you're going to be blurbed in this weekend's commercials for 'The Three Musketeers,' what quote do you hope is used? A: "This is the stupidest f-ckng movie I've ever seen" -- Mike Ryan, Moviefone Q: Can you explain to me why Oscar winner Christoph Waltz in 'The Three Musketeers?' A: The only reasonable explanation is that Waltz was not aware that there are two Paul Andersons. I imagine the telephone conversation went something like, "Hey, Christoph, it's Paul Anderson, would you like to be in 'The Three Musketeers'? "Hey, Paul, you bet I would. I loved 'There Will Be Blood.'" Q: When Christoph Waltz realized that he was going to be in a movie directed by the guy who directed 'Resident Evil,' what was most likely Waltz's first word? A: NEIN! Q: Does 'The Three Musketeers' rip off "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn'? A: During the climatic battle between the pirate ship with a big balloon attached to it that the musketeers are on and the pirate ship with a big balloon attached to it that the bad guys are on, the musketeers pilot their damaged pirate ship with a big balloon attached to it into a thunderstorm. What transpires is pretty much exactly what happens after when the Enterprise enters the Mutara nebula. Q: What scene was the one that you laughed at the hardest this year? A: When it appears that Milla Jovovich jumps to her death off of the very high up pirate ship with a balloon attached to it -- Aramis looks over and solemnly states, before Jovovich even hits the water, "at least she died the way she lived." Yes, plummeting to your death after jumping off of a pirate ship with a balloon attached to it -- exactly how she lived. Q: What upset you the most about 'The Three Musketeers'? A: The average male lifespan in the United States is just over 75 years. Which means there are an average of 657,000 hours in the average male lifespan -- and I just used two of those to watch 'The Three Musketeers.' You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook [Photo: Summit Entertainment]

Regis Philbin Reveals He's Leaving Live Over Contract Issues

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa Less than a month before his last day on Live with Regis and Kelly, host Regis Philbin is now saying he hadn't planned on leaving so soon. "The contractual issue just never worked out, but I was going to leave before that anyway," Philbin said on Detroit's "Mojo in the Morning" radio show Friday. Philbin, who has co-hosted the daytime talk show for more than 28 years, expressed that ABC was making a mistake in letting him go. "Of course it's a big mistake, but Regis is moving on," he said. Regis Philbin leaving Live with Regis and Kelly In January, Philbin announced his exit. "There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera," he said then, joking, "especially certain old people." His last day will be November 18. His replacement has not been named yet, but Ryan Seacrest, Andy Cohen and Mark Consuelos - Kelly Ripa's husband - are reportedly the top three candidates.

Paranormal Activity 3 Opens To Franchise-Best $8M Midnights: Finishes Box Office Slump

La, CA, October 21, 2011 AFI FEST presented by Audi, a showcase of the extremely lengthy looked forward to films and performances of year, today introduced the relaxation from the programs in addition to their films that will screen inside the festivals World Cinema, Breakthrough, Evening some time and Shorts programs within the 25th edition this November. World Cinema showcases most likely probably the most anticipated and prize-winning worldwide films of year, Breakthrough highlights works discovered just with the distribution process and Midnights eclectic selection presents films with provocative and unforeseen ideas. Both World Cinema and Breakthrough feature numerous films making their U.S. premieres, including ALMAYERS FOLLY, CAF DU FLORE, FAUST with EVERY HEARTBEAT (World Premiere). Three in the 35 shorts competing originate from AFI Conservatorys recent classes of 2010 and 2011 Julian Higgins Crook, which won the most effective prize in narrative filmmaking within the 38th Annual Student Academy awards and top honors within the 32nd College Television Honours taken, Lindsay MacKays Apparent BLUE, which placed second within the 32nd College Television Honours and Casey Cooper Johnsons UNMANNED, which was finished before festival submission. Ron Rosenthals (AFI Pointing Class of 1973) BLINK may also be competing. The AFI Conservatory was rated the #1 film school in the world with the Hollywood Reporter for that standard of the instructors and sound system, which is glittering parade of alumni. AFI FEST starts honours season with presentations that spotlight the task of film masters, moving image symbols and breakthrough talents. The majority of the casts are worldwide, as well as the organization company directors hail from all over the world. The 2010 AFI FEST will screen 110 films (70 features, 40 shorts) selected from over 3,000 distribution across 36 nations, with France (11), Belgium (9) and Canada (5) topping the world options. The breakdown by section is: Galas/Tributes (8), Special Tests (11), Youthful Us citizens (6), New Auteurs (9), World Cinema (21), Evening time (3), Spotlight (3), Breakthrough (4) and Short Films (39), and includes eight official foreign-language Oscar distribution. The movies in the world Cinema, Breakthrough, and formerly introduced New Auteurs and Youthful Us citizens sections are qualified for particular sections Audience Award, because the Shorts program and New Auteurs also sport jury-selected honours. The 2010 Shorts jury includes filmmakers Craig Jenkins and Gerardo Naranjo (AFI Conservatory Class of 2001) and festival programmer Kim Yutani. The Completely New Auteurs Experts Prize jury consists exclusively of film experts: Justin Chang (Variety), Mike Goodridge (Screen Worldwide), Mark Olsen (LA Occasions, Film Comment, LA Weekly) and Jean Oppenheimer (American Cinematographer, KPCC). Companies showing within the American Film Market (AFM), industry partner of AFI FEST, will represent 27 in the films presented as of this years AFI FEST and 11 of those will screen on the market. For your third consecutive year, AFI FEST continues its unequalled offer of free tickets to all or any tests. The completely new AFI FEST Cinepass, the Special Tests pass and Patron Passes which ensure utilization of offered-out presentations together with other high-demand films and occasions are saved to purchase now. Pass purchases are tax-deductible fully extent in the law. More details could be acquired at AFI.com/AFIFEST, 1.888.AFI FEST and also on-site within the AFI FEST box office within the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. Individual tickets to AFI FEST will probably be available to AFI people on Wednesday, October 26 in the 24-hour advance window before they become available to everybody on October 27. Furthermore, AFI people and AFI Conservatory alumni obtain a 10% discount on all passes. Particulars about AFI membership could be acquired at AFI.com/membership. AFI FEST will occur November 3 through 10 in Hollywood, California, within the historic Chinese Theatre, china 6 Movie theaters, the Egyptian Theatre as well as the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. WORLD CINEMA Options A showcase of recent masters and emerging filmmakers from all over the world, the 2010 World Cinema program showcases most likely probably the most anticipated and prize-winning worldwide films of year. ALMAYERS FOLLY: DIR/SCR Chantal Akerman. Belgium/France. U.S. Premiere. ALPS: DIR Yorgos Lanthimos. SCR Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou. A vacation in a holiday in greece/France. U.S. Premiere. ARIRANG: DIR Kim Ki-duk. Columbia. U.S. Premiere. CAF DU FLORE: DIR/SCR Jean-Marc Valle. Canada. U.S. Premiere. CARR BLANC: DIR/SCR Jean-Baptiste Lonetti. France/Luxembourg/Russia/Belgium/Europe. U.S. Premiere. Your Entire Day HE ARRIVES: DIR/SCR Hong Sang-Soo. Columbia. U.S. Premiere. EXTRATERRESTRIAL: DIR/SCR Nacho Vigalondo. The nation. FAUST: DIR Alexander Sokurov. SCR Alexander Sokurov, Marina Koreneva. Russia. U.S. Premiere. FOOTNOTE: DIR/SCR Ernest Cedar plank plank. Israel. Israels official foreign-language Oscar submission. THE FORGIVENESS OF Blood stream: DIR Joshua Marston. SCR Joshua Marston, Andamion Murataj. USA/Albania/Denmark/Italia. THE Enemy: DIR Nicolas Provost. SCR Nicolas Provost, Giordano Gederlini, Franois Pirot. Belgium. U.S. Premiere. JIRO Wants SUSHI: DIR David Gelb. USA. KINYARWANDA: DIR/SCR Alrick Brown. USA. MAMA AFRICA: DIR Mika Kaurismki. Germany/Nigeria/Finland. Not Such A Long Time Ago IN ANATOLIA: DIR Nuri Bilge Ceylan. SCR Ercan Kesal, Ebru Ceylan, Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Chicken/Bosnia/Herzegovina. Turkeys official foreign-language Oscar submission. PLAY: DIR/SCR Ruben stlund. Sweden/France/Denmark. A SEPARATION: DIR/SCR Asghar Farhadi. Iran. Irans official foreign-language Oscar submission. THE SILVER High high cliff: DIR Karim Anouz. SCR Beatriz Brachner, Karim Anouz. South usa. TARGET: DIR Alexander Zeldovich. SCR Vladimir Sorokin, Alexander Zeldovich. Russia. This Is not A Film: DIR/SCR Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, Jafar Panahi. Iran. THE TURIN Equine: DIR Bla Tarr. SCR Bla Tarr, Lszl Krasznahorkai. Hungary. Hungarys official foreign-language Oscar submission. BREAKTHROUGH Options The Breakthrough films are true discoveries films that can come directly from the distribution process. EXPECTING: DIR/SCR Francisca Fuenzalida. Chile. U.S. Premiere. LIGHT OF MINE: DIR Brett Eichenberger. SCR Jill Remensnyder. USA. three and a half: DIR/SCR Naghi Nemati. Iran. U.S. Premiere. WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT: DIR/SCR Alexandra-Therese Keining. Sweden. World Premiere. Evening time Options The Evening time section showcases an eclectic quantity of films all over the world from courageous advocates of provocative, jarring and unforeseen ideas. Beyond The BLACK RAINBOW: DIR/SCR Panos Cosmatos. USA. HEADHUNTERS: DIR Morten Tyldum. DIR Morten Tyldum. SCR Lars Gudmestad, Ulf Ryberg. Norwegian. KILL LIST: DIR Ben Wheatley. SCR Ben Wheatley, Amy Jump. Uk. Online Video Options (Competing) The movies in this section will be in competition for your Grand Jury Prize for Live Action Online Video and Animated Online Video. Both award groups are recognized through the Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences as qualifiers for your annual Academy awards. 30,000 DAYS: DIR Stephanie Barber. USA. ALL FLOWERS With Time: DIR Jonathan Caouette. USA. Overall: DIR Charlie Reff. USA. ANOTHER BULLET DOGED: DIR Landon Zakheim. USA. BABYLAND: DIR Marc Fratello. USA. BLINK: DIR Ron Rosenthal. AFI Conservatory Pointing Class of 1973. Canada. Broken Evening: DIR Yang Hyo-Joo. Korea. Apparent BLUE: DIR Lindsay MacKay. AFI Conservatory Thesis Film/AFI Pointing Class of 2010. USA. DR. BREAKFAST: DIR Stephen Neary. USA. THE EAGLEMAN STAG: DIR Michael Please. Uk. EX-SEX: DIR Michael Mohan. USA. FROZEN Tales: DIR Grzegorz Jaroszuk. Belgium. INFINITE MINUTES: DIR Cecilia Felmeri. Hungary/Romania. JUAN Y LA BORREGA: DIR J. Xavier Velasco. Mexico. LIBERTAS: DIR Kan Lume. Australia/Singapore. LITTLE KITTEN: DIR Stephanie Barber. USA. MASKA: DIR Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay. USA. MEXICAN CUISINE: DIR Francisco Guijarro. USA. NEGATIVAPEG: DIR M. Rankin. Canada. Evening HUNTER: DIR Stacy Steers. USA. ONCE IT Started It Could not Finish OTHERWISE: DIR Kelly Sears. USA. 1 Minute Adolescence: DIR Alexander Gellner. USA. PIONEER: DIR David Lowery. USA. PROTOPARTICLES: DIR Chema Garca Ibarra. The nation. RUNAWAY: DIR Victor Carrey. The nation. SATAN SINCE 2003: DIR Carlos Puga. USA. SLEEP STUDY: DIR Kerri Lenoo, John Merriman. USA. TATUMS GHOST: DIR Stephanie Barber. USA. Crook: DIR Julian Higgins. AFI Conservatory Thesis Film/AFI Pointing Class of 2010. USA. TO DIE Alongside YOU: Dir Simon Cahn, Spike Jonze. France. UNMANNED: DIR Casey Cooper Manley. AFI Conservatory Thesis Film/AFI Pointing Class of 2011. USA. THE VOYAGERS: DIR Cent Lane. USA. WERE Departing: DIR Zachary Treitz. USA. YEARBOOK: DIR Carter Cruz. USA. ZERGUT: DIR Natasha Subramaniam, Alisa Lapidu. USA. Online Video Options (From Competition) AANTENI: DIR Todd Cole. USA. I SAW YOUR SISTER YESTERDAY: DIR Mina Park. USA. MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO: DIR Juliano Dornelles. South usa. MY BOW BREATHING: DIR Enrico Maria Artale. Italia. Film stills and director headshots are available to press just use and accessible at flickr.com/photos/afifestpublicity/collections. In regards to the American Film Institute AFI is Americas promise to preserve a history in the film, to recognition the entertainers in addition to their work also to educate generation x of storytellers. AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media which is dedicated to initiatives that engage yesteryear, the present and exactly how forward for that moving image arts. AFI programs are the AFI Catalog of Movies and Archive, the AFI Existence Achievement Award, now within it’s 40th year, AFI Honours, adoring most likely probably the most outstanding movies and tv programs of year, AFI Fest presented by Audi, praising its 25th edition this fall, AFI-Discovery Funnel Silverdocs, AFI Silver Theatre as well as the AFI Conservatory, which was named the main film school in the world with the Hollywood Reporter. More details about AFI could be acquired at AFI.com.

Bad Health & Pension News For SAG Members

The Screen Actors Guild’s Pension and Health Plansjust informed members that minimum earnings to qualify for health coverage are increasing 2% effective January 1, 2012. Out-of-pocket maximums for individuals and families also are increasing. SAG notified members in its latest “Take 2 Newsletter” just mailed and on SAG’s website. Minimum annual earnings requirements will rise to $30,750 for Plan 1 and to $15,100 for Plan 2. Out-of-pocket in-network maximums are also increasing by $500 for individuals to $1,750, and by $1,000 to $3,500 for families.On the pension side, the earnings level increaseis accelerated and a pension credit will require $20,000 in earnings effective January 1, 2012 instead of 2013.The number of qualifying days of employment will remain the same.This bad news will undoubtedly have an effect on SAG leadership’s determinationto merge withAFTRA. Reps of both unions meet this weekend in a third set of confabs to hammer out details of the merger plan with the goal of presenting a final proposal to the national boards in January.. The SAG/AFTRA Group for One Union will begin conferring Friday and conclude on Tuesday. So farbarely any detailswere disclosed after meetings in June and August.