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.

Jason Statham

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player .publish-content img You'll be able to probably add this for the growing report on Shia Labeouf bar-fight tales. TMZ has acquired videos getting a man recognized since the 'Transformers' star getting beat on outdoors a Vancouver bar the other day. There's no context for the video, nevertheless it begins getting a shirtless and hairy-chested male striking LaBeouf inside the mind because the actor lays on the ground. The attack is separate right after that. The alleged incident happened the other day outdoors the Cinema Public House in Vancouver, where LaBeouf is filming 'The Company You Keep' opposite co-star and director Robert Redford. Inside the film -- which features Anna Kendrick, Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon, Terrence Howard, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Christie and Brit Marling -- the 25-year-old plays a reporter who stumbles upon the identity from the former Weather Undercover activist. LaBeouf has received his great deal of run-inches at bars lately, including one taken in California that brought towards the star being put in handcuffs. (No charges were filed.) He spoken about this incident with Particulars this summer season. "I'm inside a bar, looking to get together with my pals together with a dude appears in my opinion and states he wants a picture, and I have faith that no. Then he appears along with his girlfriend and states it's on her behalf, and I have faith that, 'Actually, I'm a little topsy-turvy, guy. Is One Able To not?' I have to be George Clooney diplomatic. I merely not have access to the wherewithal yet or perhaps the inner peace. My bullsh-t meter is up-to-date very sensitive. As soon as it starts kicking up, I go back to truth, and frequently that involves, you understand, 'I shouldn't possess a picture.' So when this is actually the situation, am I an as-hole to tell the truth? Or am I an as-hole to become dishonest, smiling within your picture which i fu-king hate being there? That is worse? Fundamental necessities questions I request myself that George Clooney doesn't request. Then you definitely certainly go to experience a cigarette, and somebody involves you.Inch Unsure which triggered this Vancouver fight, but TMZ reviews it started inside the bar and LaBeouf as well as the unknown guy were tossed within the premises. Per the web site, nobody working at Cinema Public House observed the ideal, but employees did condition that LaBeouf remains observed in the bar throughout his stay in Vancouver. [via TMZ] Transformers: Dark in the Moon 'Transformers: Dark in the Moon' involves theaters on Wednesday, June 29. The cerebral Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and 'Can't Buy Me Love''s Patrick DempseyJosh "Tad Hamilton" DuhamelShia LeBouf as well as the Always-Subtle John TurturroMaxim Hot 100's Shia LeBouf in ActionOptimus Prime, the particular Star in the Movie See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

'Johnny English' goes int'l on Facebook

Universal Pictures is extending its "social cinema" expierence overseas by offering "Johnny English" for rent via Facebook in the U.K. and Australia as well as the U.S., the first time the service will be offered to international markets. Pic will be available to rent through the film's fan page for 30 Facebook Credits, worth $3, for 48 hours. Rentals will be done through a "Social Theater" application that U designed with developer Milyoni, enabling viewers to comment on quotes and scenes. The announcement coincides with the release of the pic's sequel, "Johnny English Reborn," which opened in the U.K. on Oct. 7, in Oz on Sept. 15 and will open domestically on Oct. 21. "The Big Lebowski" was the first film Universal offered on the service back in August. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

'Pina' vies for Euro docu prize

BERLIN -- Wim Wenders' "Pina," Leonard Retel Helmrich's "Position Among the Stars" and Victor Kossakovsky's "Vivan las antipodas!" are vying for this year's European Film Award for documentary."Pina," a 3D tribute to the late Pina Bausch, one of modern dance's most groundbreaking choreographers, is also Germany's foreign Oscar contender."Position Among the Stars," the final entry of a Dutch trilogy about a working-class family in Indonesia, won the top prize at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam last year."Vivan las antipodas!," which will open the Mar del Plata Film Festival in Argentina next month, explores the world through antipodal locations -- located 180 degrees opposite from each other on the globe, from Argentina and China to Spain and New Zealand.Chosen by committee, the nominated docs will now be made available to all 2,500 members of the European Film Academy, who will vote for the winner.The prize will be announced at the European Film Awards in Berlin on Dec. 3. Contact Ed Meza at staff@variety.com

DiCaprio photos to square off Christmas Day 2012

DiCaprioWarner Bros./Village Roadshow will open Baz Luhrmann's "The Fantastic Gatsby" on Christmas Day next season, creating a Leonardo DiCaprio double billing, since the Weinstein Co. has furthermore dated Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" for Christmas.Warner may also be opening "The Hobbit: An Unxpected Journey" 11 days earlier."The Fantastic Gatsby" stars DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, Joel Edgerton and Elizabeth Debicki. Production began australia wide within this summer time.Vital opened up up its version in the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, starring Robert Redford, in March, 1974. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Titanic 3-D Sneak Preview: James Cameron Makes the Case for His Blockbuster Revival

It’s auteur 3-D work-in-progress week in NY! Less than a day after Martin Scorsese gave a hometown crowd an early glimpse at his upcoming Hugo, James Cameron dropped by Times Square to show off 17 minutes from his ongoing 3-D conversion of Titanic. “The thinking was to give you a general reminder of how the film worked,” Cameron said, introducing stereoscopic snippets of his 1997 blockbuster and 11-time Oscar-winner to a small audience of local press. “Probably most of you haven’t seen it in years and years. We’re not changing a frame. The ship still sinks; it ends the same way. The idea is to use 3-D as a conceptual framework for bringing the movie back to the screen. We believe the film works best in theaters, and that sustained its performance back in 1998 — that it played in theaters 16 weeks in the number-one position. And the reason for that, I think, was people’s perception of the movie as an emotional experience they wanted to share with other people.” He’s right, of course, about the theatrical experience. Having stumbled upon Titanic’s last hour a few weeks ago on TBS, I realized how well the spectacle of the doomed luxury liner’s maiden voyage held up 15 years later, even if the equally doomed love affair between Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) still left my cold, cold heart as unmoved as the iceberg that sealed their fate. The beauty of Titanic is that it is ambitious enough (and long enough, I guess), to be many things to many viewers, millions upon millions of whom valued its qualities enough to make it the highest-grossing film in history by returning — and returning again — to see it on the big screen. Cameron said he attributes this phenomenon in part to a viewer’s “contract with yourself” — the resolution that committing to and paying for the theatrical experience demands an equal level of commitment from a filmmaker. At least in the exhibition sense, Cameron argued, both Titanic and his record-breaking follow-up Avatar delivered on that pact. “I was trying to account for what was similar between the Titanic phenomenon and the Avatar phenomenon,” he said, “which proved very similar in a way, even though the movies were completely different and didn’t even always necessarily play to the same segments of the audience. But I think it was that decision to see the film on the big screen. I think the 3-D’s a part of that. It gives people a reason — a simple reason — to go to the movie theater. But I think there’s a lot more going on with it than just that.” Maybe, maybe not. Almost exactly six months removed from the tragedy’s 100th anniversary (and Titanic’s official re-release date), today was more of a day for specifics — a glimpse at what a year-plus and $18 million worth of 3-D conversion can buy the format’s No. 1 fan. It turns out that it’s no short-cuts, no “apps” and no limits, just 300 artists at their workstations going back through every line of every frame of film. “Every hair on Kate’s head has to be done,” Cameron said. “They have to blow it way up to the pixel level. They have to outline it. They have to assign depth layers to it. They have to create volume by adding a mesh to it — a rotoscoped mesh. It’s a very complex process. And then they have to go back and paint in the missing parts. Because you can imagine: If you’re looking at an object in 3-D, your right eye is seeing a little bit more around the right side of the object, and your left eye is seeing a little bit more around the left side of the object. That’s parallax — that’s what gives you that depth illusion. But when you see an object where’s no information there from the original photography, then you have to make that up.” He went on about “volumetric geometry” and “physics-based fluid simulations,” but honestly, beyond the still-staggering ship-boarding sequence — the curve of Winslet’s hat, the bustle of the crowd, even the gentle sway of a gaslamp — and a steamy, bracing sprint through the ship’s engine room, I couldn’t discern much of the painstaking work that Cameron cited. That said, it was 17 minutes, only about five of which featured the full panic of the ship’s fateful collision and its protracted submersion into the Atlantic. That’s the stuff in my contract with myself, not necessarily how the sunlight glints just so off of Billy Zane’s mimosa. Cameron gets this; he’s publicly criticized the haste of most post-production conversion out there, and himself was the first to admit today that the reason that Avatar and Scorsese’s Hugo made (or are at least expected to make) the visual impression they did was their native 3-D production values. As such, the man whose $200 million passion project made him the self-coronated King of the World is left to coax the shapes, breezes, currents and more out of that very project — or else.

'Tyrannosaur', 'Guard' top at Dinard

London-- Paddy Considine's pointing debut "Tyrannosaur" and John Michael McDonagh's "The Guard" won two honours each within the 22nd Dinard British Film Festival, France's leading showcase for Uk cinema. "Tyrannosaur" acquired the Golden Hitchcock award for top film as well as the Allianz award for top script. "The Guard" needed the Kodak Award for top cinematography as well as the Prix Public, selected with the audience. The Golden Hitchcock provides financial aid for the French distributor as well as the filmmaker, plus a advertising campaign round the Cine+ channels throughout time from the film's theatrical release. This Years Dinard fest opened up up March 6 with David Mackenzie's "Sense,Inch and closed March 8 with Sue Bourne's "Jig." The jury was chaired by French actress Nathalie Baye. Kristof Bilsen won the most effective online video award for his doc "White-colored Elephant." The prize is selected from a range of shorts within the UK's National Film & TV School which is French equivalent FEMIS. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Why Those Two-Hour Reality Shows Are Here to Stay

Dancing With The Stars Overwhelmed by all those two-hour reality shows? You're not alone, and even the networks admit that it's a lot to watch. But they still benefit from those supersized series - so expect to see even more shows go the expansion route. Two-hour episodes used to be rare, and reserved for special milestones. But what was once a stunt is now the norm, as two-hour series like Dancing with the Stars, The Sing-Off, The Biggest Loser and The X-Factor all take up loads of on-air real estate - sometimes eating up as much as four hours of programming a week (if lengthy results shows and recap specials are included). "I don't know anyone who thinks sitting down for two hours is terrific," admits one network exec. "It's a big commitment, and they are so unbelievably padded with crap... At the beginning of the TV season people may go, 'There are things I want to check out (rather than) watching this for two hours." Viewers are showing signs of fatigue, as some of those shows post double-digit ratings declines this fall. Dancing is down 18% among viewers vs. last year, while Loser has lost 17% of its audience. A producer from one of those shows admits that viewers are overwhelmed. "Two seasons ago we started talking about pulling back to an hour, but no one wants to do it," he says. That's because, even with those ratings drops, networks like two-hour shows because viewers are still more likely to stick around than if the credits roll and another show comes on. "If the show is good and you show up to watch it, you're going to say," another network exec says. "Something has to be really bad for the ratings to go down. And it makes some of these shows feel bigger." For some two-hour shows, audiences build throughout the evening, making that last half hour the most valuable. Wednesday night's episode of The X Factor, for example, started off with a 3.5 rating in the adults 18-49 demo in the first half hour, and built to a 4.3 rating in its final half hour. "Performance shows are easier to expand if you make them compelling enough," one exec says. "But we get a lot of negative feedback for the results shows. But every year we learn how to do them better." Meanwhile, costs can be amortized over two hours - an important distinction, as reality shows get pricier. "As your show becomes more successful, it gets to be more expensive," one producer says. "A great way to amortize one hour is to make it two hours. Then that second hour becomes a fraction of what the first hour cost. You get into a situation that if a first hour cost a dollar and the second costs 50 cents, then the average is 75 cents per hour. In this day and age we all have to be smarter in how we produce these shows." In addition to lowering production costs, talent and producers love the two-hour episodes because most of them get paid by the hour - and this essentially doubles their salary. "We've changed people's lives in terms of these two hour shows," says a producer. "They're working the same number of days. But they negotiate an hour rate, and go from 35 hours of pay to 70 hours of pay. That's a whole different lifestyle." But networks are getting wise and starting to negotiate lower fees for hour two. "I've seen deals now where the networks pay 50% for hour two," the producer says. Meanwhile, given the amount of filming that takes place on many reality shows, the two-hour shows at least allow producers a chance to use more of that footage. Sometimes it helps story development, and sometimes it stretches things out too much (a criticism of shows like The Apprentice, which started off as a one-hour series). Extreme Makeover: Home Edition executive producer George Verschoor says he relishes doing more expanded episodes: "In my show we always have far more content and extreme elements than can fit. Having the time in two hours to tell the story does present some challenges, but we make sure we format the show and pace it in order to keep the audience tuned in throughout the whole structure of the two hours." Adds fellow Home Edition executive producer Brady Connell, "When we get thousands of people showing up to help and so many storylines, it's frustrating when we have to edit it down to an hour." Among the upcoming shows making the weekly leap from one hour to two: The second season of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, which every week chronicles a different participant's yearlong weight loss program. "It's a weird conundrum," one producer says. "I'm now getting paid twice as much (and) I'm able to show more character development. But it's a lot to ask of a viewer." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Disney sets Boss succession plan as Iger reups

Bob IgerBob Iger has inked a completely new contract which keeps him within the helm in the Disney Co. through 2016 but furthermore outlines someone else in charge succession plan. Incorporated within the deal, Disney's current chairman John Pepper will retire within the company's annual meeting in March. Iger in individuals days will probably be named chairman furthermore to his Boss title. By 2015, he'll transition to executive chairman for just about any 15-month period ending June 30, 2016, throughout which period the board will select a successor as Boss. The completely new pact for Iger was approved through the Mouse House's board of company company directors on Thursday inside a regularly skedded meeting. The board sesh came a couple of days following a dying of Disney director Jobs, who was simply also Disney's single-greatest individual investor. Iger's extended-term contract extension wasn't unforeseen since the Mouse has received a generally strong run since he needed the reins of Disney from Michael Eisner in September 2005, layed out with the purchases of Pixar Animation Art galleries in 2006 and Marvel Entertainment this past year. His latest five-year contract was inked in February 2008 and wound up being to inform you Jan. 31, 2013. "One of the most legendary brands and prominent companies in the world, the Wally Disney Company requires a leader while using proven driving rights creative and financial success in the dynamic world. More than six years, Bob Iger has proven he's that ability within the finest level," mentioned Pepper. "The board is delighted the organization remains capable of secure the greater-term continuation of Bob's unique combination of experience and leadership capabilities. His capacity to collect the various regions of Disney's business against a apparent and proven strategy, while instilling a culture of innovation, collaboration and discipline, continues for everybody the extended-term interests of traders." The completely new Disney deal should offer relaxation gossips that made an appearance lately of Iger's supposed fascination with running to be successful Michael Bloomberg as mayor of NY City in 2014. Iger's reps strenuously declined the professional had such plans. He's prone to retire from Disney within the finish in the contract. Iger has faced critique formerly for his eight-figure pay packages, enhanced by bonuses and investment. The announcement of his new contract notes that his base salary will probably be $2.5 million which he's "not receiving any ahead of time equity award concerning the completing the brand new agreement," though he's still entitled to annual bonuses and extended-term equity incentive honours. According to an SEC filing, Iger's base annual salary will probably be "surprisingly than $2.5 million," an increase of $500,000 yearly within the regards to his previous contract. His annual incentive bonus target is not under $12 million yearly from 2012 through 2015 (a hike within the $ten million target under his old pact), losing to $6 000 0000 in 2016. For his extended-term equity-based incentives, the completely new deal sets the mark at $15.5 million yearly from 2012 through 2015, and $6 000 0000 in 2016. "I'm fortunate and grateful to steer the Wally Disney Company and our gifted, devoted team as of this exciting time," Iger mentioned. "I'm dedicated to growing extended-term value for traders and am confident we'll keep doing so using the effective execution within our core proper points of interest: the roll-from high quality, high quality content and encounters, using technology, and creating rise in numerous and exciting worldwide areas." On Pepper, Iger added: "No Boss might have a better counselor than John -- his impeccable integrity, huge experience, and understanding and appreciation of Disney are actually invaluable. If only by way of thanking him for his many contributions, and also the support within our people and our strategy including a few their most important purchases lately -- Pixar and Marvel." Pepper has offered as Disney chairman since 2007. For that explanation of mixing Disney's chairman and Boss posts again, after separating people roles through the final years of the Eisner regime, Disney's SEC filing mentioned the move will be a logical approach to keep Iger aboard for the next five years while setting up a apparent process for finding his successor as Boss. "In weighing the best way to structure the chairman's role, the board needed into account two related developments: your final decision by Mr. Pepper to step reduced the board within the next annual investor meeting, cheap Mr. Iger might be approaching the conclusion of his existing employment agreement in individuals days,Inch Disney mentioned inside the SEC filing. "The confluence of individuals two occasions introduced the Board in summary that stretching Mr. Iger's employment contract now and naming him as Chairman in the Board upon Mr. Pepper's retirement would setup a powerful plan money for hard times transition of leadership which will best serve the attention from the organization which is traders." There's no immediate word on internal candidates to be successful him inside the Boss slot, though Iger features a deep bench of lieutenants that will likely vie for your publish. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

The trails of Jobs

Steve JobsThere might be primitive tribesmen within the Amazon . com or monks in Tibet who have been untouched by Jobs and Apple. But regardless if you are reading through this in publications, online or with an application, Jobs touched your existence.There have been other home computer systems around when Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple in 1976. Once they produced the Macs back in 1984, others replicated the improvements, sometimes adding flourishes and frequently which makes them cheaper. However the blueprint was usually Apple's.When first purchasing a desktop computer, I requested my technical-est friend for advice. He stated, "It's like purchasing a vehicle. If you are just searching for something which goes forward and reverse and can turn left and right, you will find plenty of choices. If you wish to spend a bit more and obtain a Comes-Royce, buy an Apple."People in Hollywood sometimes bristled that Jobs was arrogant and remote. Frankly, basically had his brain, I'd be arrogant too. See that ipod device: that wheel and also the five round indents: So simple, so brilliant. Click and drag, the rule-of-thumb on every Mac computer: Amazing! A button! The apple iphone! Should you experienced a period machine and demonstrated that to individuals two-and-a-half decades ago, they'd faint or wet their pants. Or both. The obituaries for Jobs, who died March. 5 following a years-lengthy fight with pancreatic cancer, naturally stressed his role as tech innovator. But unlike many brilliant those who are absent-minded professors, he seemed to be a businessman.Apple briefly changed Exxon because the world's best company in August (coincidentally exactly the same month he walked lower as Boss). When he died, his personal wealth was believed at $8.3 billion. So when settling with leaders from the film, TV and music industries, Jobs presented a strategic business plan that will improve their earnings, but on his terms, for example prices iTunes choices at 99. To become unyielding when confronted with corporate executives is, to them, an unpardonable sin. However they frequently recognized his terms, simply because they did not look for a better alternative. He seemed to be a showman and happened to possess great taste. The items and also the graphics are attractive. And also the Apple Stores would be the embodiment of feng shui. They hypnotize customers into attempting to buy, however in a tech-driven world that's progressively separating, additionally they be a community gathering place. I met Jobs once. And (at the chance of sounding title-droppy) it had been in the Oscars.Among my personal favorite areas of the Academy awards reaches the finish, as everyone delays for his or her cars at a corner of Hollywood & Highland, huddling underneath the warmth lamps like a dozen valets with bullhorns concurrently shout the number in your parking ticket as the vehicle finally arrives. And Jobs banded there within the crowd like everybody else, smiling and searching off traffic, taking in the scene. I introduced myself and that he was puppy-dog friendly and funny we spoken mostly about Pixar. I am not frequently star-struck, however I do not frequently get the opportunity to satisfy a stranger who affects my existence every single day.As David Cohen authored in Variety's March. 5 obit, Jobs "might have had the finest effect on everyday lives generally, and showbiz particularly, associated with a technologist since Thomas Edison -- and the effect on showbiz dwarfs even Edison's he changed the way in which people work and communicate -- and exactly how entertainment is produced and consumed."Pixar is okay. With Tim Prepare and also the team, Apple is going to be fine. There will not be another Jobs in the future along for any very long time. I've heard horror tales about his management of many people. Basically were one of these, I would be writing another piece, however i wasn't one of these, in order to shrug and quote "Some Enjoy It Hot": "No one's perfect."Yes, I've drunk the Apple-flavored Kool-Aid. Yes, I'm a longtime Apple addict. And happy with it. n Contact Timothy M. Grey at tim.grey@variety.com

Errol Morris to supply BAFTA lecture

MorrisLONDON -- Docu helmer Errol Morris will deliver BAFTA's annual David Lean film lecture on November. 6.The lecture, now within the eleventh year, is funded with the David Lean Foundation, and aims to inspire and inform generation x of helmers by asking vet company company directors to talk about their unique influences and techniques for working. Morris' latest pic "Tabloid" is released by Dogwoof inside the U.K. on November. 11.Morris' past photos include "The Thin Blue Line," "Gates of Paradise" and "Fog of War," which nabbed the 2003 docu Oscar. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Jesus Christ Superstar' Musical is Broadway-Bound

NY (AP) What is the buzz? Popular manufacture of "Jesus Celebrity" in Canada is originating south to Broadway.Producers introduced Tuesday the rock musical concerning the last times of Jesus compiled by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Grain will hit NY early in the year, a move which was broadly expected.Previews will start on March 1 in the Neil Simon Theatre as well as an official opening is placed for March 22. Des McAnuff, the artistic director from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, in which the revival came from this summer time, will again direct."I am very happy, and incredibly, happy for the organization of stars because I believe they anticipated this can happen and that i certainly haven't frustrated them from thinking that," McAnuff stated by telephone from Italia.Your guitar- and keyboard-driven musical, which first showed on Broadway in 1971, includes such tunes as "What is the Buzz?" ''Superstar" and "I'm Not Sure How you can Love Him." The initial production gained five Tony Award nominations, including one for Ben Vereen, who performed Judas. A movie version was launched in 1973.The musical dramatizes Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the unrest triggered by his preaching and recognition, his unfaithfulness by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate and the ultimate crucifixion. It marked an earlier collaboration between Lloyd Webber and Grain, who does go onto create "Frederick and also the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Evita," that is visiting Broadway early in the year of 2012."Celebrity" was initially introduced being an album prior to being staged on Broadway and McAnuff states his production is extremely faithful towards the original recording. "We have treated it a lot more like an opera than the usual musical," he stated. The brand new production also teases the story's love triangular.The most recent stage production opened up in the Canadian festival in June and finishes its run there on November. 6 before moving towards the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, Calif., for final fine-tuning from November. 18 to 12 ,. 31 before its Broadway run.Many other productions placed on in the Stratford Festival have discovered their method to Broadway, including 2002's "King Lear" with Christopher Plummer and also the 2009 manufacture of "The significance of Being Serious," starring and directed by John Bedford.Though no casting was introduced for Broadway, McAnuff anticipates keeping together the majority of the cast he initially molded, including Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Paul Nolan as Jesus, Josh Youthful as Judas Iscariot, Bruce Dow as King Herod, and Brent Carver as Pontius Pilate.Producers hope "Jesus Celebrity" will discover a receptive Broadway audience which has already seen revivals of these seventies-era shows as "Hair" and "Godspell," which begins performances later this month. Additionally, it taps in to the religious-designed musicals which have chosen Broadway "Sister Act" and "It of Mormon.""I believe there's exceptional expression, 'There's something in mid-air.A I guess that's what it's," stated McAnuff, who had been a teen when he first saw "Hair" in Toronto. "That type of anarchic procedure that went into creating albums and shows in individuals days is possibly dealing with a type of new respect."Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Imaging ANEW: Academy Grants or loans Movie Museum Situated At LACMA West: Hollywood Abandoned For Wilshire Blvd

Beverly Slopes, CA The Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as the La County Museum of Art (LACMA) required a measure toward realizing a museum dedicated to movies and also the roll-from a completely new and various cultural center for your capital of scotland - La. On Tuesday evening (10/4), the Academy’s Board of Governors grew to become an associate of the LACMA options in tallying to sign a memorandum of understanding to use in good belief in creating the Academy’s movie museum inside the historic May Company building, presently known to as LACMA West. The memo makes way for your two organizations to talk about particulars for the future contract as well as the Academy to begin developing plans for fundraising event, design, shows, customer experience, and modifications with this historic site. “It is appropriate and extended overdue for your city that's where you can the film industry to recognize this talent getting a museum that belongs to them. The LACMA Board is delighted being aiding this important cultural event, which has special resonance personally, getting spent nearly all my existence devoted for the great art of movies,” mentioned co-chair in the LACMA Board of Trustees Terry Semel. “The Academy Museum of Movies provides you with a considerably needed place to choose cultural travelers and Los Angelenos to understand more about cinema, as well as the setting could not be ideal, situated close to the greatest encyclopedic art museum inside the Western United states . States.” According to Academy Leader Tom Sherak, “The new museum is really a world-class destination this is a tangible representation in the Academys mission. And the idea of our museum joining a larger cultural center for your arts, in this city that individuals love, was incredibly compelling for the Academy Board.” Plans by various groups to make a movie museum go as long ago for the mid-sixties, but Tuesday evening’s election signifies the most crucial step yet attracted to get these hopes to fruition. The Academy hopes to sign a extended-term lease for your facility, and may retain autonomy total areas of its museum while enjoying useful advantages of LACMA’s connection with controlling a premier arts institution. The Academy will mount a completely new fundraising event campaign for your museum, which will give site site visitors an entertaining and interactive experience lighting the means by which movies reflect culture as well as the impact they have upon it. The museum is predicted to feature both permanent and rotating shows inside the facility’s 300,000 gross sq foot. LACMA West, which formerly situated the May Company mall, was built-in 1939, the most effective years in film history together with your releases as “Gone while using Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz.” “Finally, our industry could have a devoted space where we could inform and excite people in regards to the endless range and options of movies,” mentioned Academy Boss Beginning Hudson. “This new facility could make our assets and activities our programming, our archives, and our library a lot more visible and accessible throughout every season.” According to LACMA Boss and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan, “This signifies a seismic change inside the cultural landscape of los angeles, plus an amazing new resource for people pleased with their local history, too for fans of cinema worldwide.”