Friday, September 30, 2011

Michael Jackson Judge Issues Gag Order After Attorney's 'Today' Show Appearance (Video)

Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, told er staff he was coping with the singer for insufficient liquids and stated nothing in regards to the effective medications the King of Pop was while using evening he died, a witness mentioned Friday through the physician's wrongful dying trial in La.our editor recommendsMichael Jackson's Chef States Conrad Murray Was 'Flustered,' 'Screaming' After Singer DiedMichael Jackson's Assistant Testifies, States Conrad Murray Was 'Frantic' on Day Singer Died UCLA Clinic physician Richelle Cooper stated that Murray mentioned Jackson did not have health problems aside from "working extended several hours" and being "dehydrated," which Murray made no mention of the Jackson's standby time with the heavy sedative propofol. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths ABC News notes that paramedic Richard Senneff, who examined an inactive Jackson at his Holmby Slopes home, mentioned Murray frequently declined that Jackson was on heavy medications despite evidence on the other hand within the scene: "I asked for what his underlying health condition was. He [Conrad Murray] did not respond. ... I asked for again. ... He did not respond...The Next time he mentioned nothing, nothing, he's nothing." Senneff ongoing, "That did not comparable to me. I see an underweight patient, an IV here which i see medication vials round the nightstand." Furthermore for the testimony about Murray's nondisclosures Friday, Judge Michael Pastor launched a gag order for individuals lawyers concentrating on the problem, reviews Reuters. A purchase adopted a feel and look by defense attorney Matthew Alford round the Today show through which he mentioned his team would keep Murray in the witness stand as extended as you can, which Jackson was totally hooked on propofol. PHOTOS: "Billie Jean" and three decades of MTV Music Videos "The lawyers for your parties in this situation ... are bought not to comment to anybody outdoors from the particular teams either directly or otherwise directly regarding any areas of this case, whether orally or possibly on paper,Inch Pastor mentioned. Jackson died June 25, 2009 at half a century old. A 51-page coroner's report found the final outcome the artist died of "acute propofol intoxication." Propofol is usually given throughout surgery but Jackson was apparently deploying it just like a sleeping aide. Murray is on trial for involuntary wrongful dying the trial is predicted to last about 5 days. If he's billed, he could spend four years in the California prison and lose his medical license. Alford's interview with Today's Ann Curry begins within the 4:20 mark below: Related Subjects Michael Jackson Today Conrad Murray

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

SPC nabs rights to 'Where Can We Proceed Now?A

The brand new the new sony Pictures Classics has acquired all US rights to Nadine Labaki's "Which Side We Proceed Now?Inch from Path Worldwide. The pic, Lebanon's entry for your Oscars this year, is occur a web-based village where the chapel as well as the mosque stand alongside and follows the antics in the town's women to obtain their blowhard males from beginning a spiritual war. Produced by Anne-Dominque Toussaint of Ces Films des Tournelles, "Which Side We Proceed Now?Inch opened up inside the "Not Sure Regard" section at Cannes this year, then won the People Choice Award within the Toronto Worldwide Film Festival and greatest European Film within the San Sebastian Film Festival. Labaki's "Caramel" was Lebanon's entry for your 2007 Best Language Film Academy Award. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Submission

Eddie Kaye Thomas, left, Jonathan Groff, Rutina Wesley and can Rogers star within the Walter Bobbie-directed The Submission. An MCC presentation, by special arrangement using the Lucille Lortel Theater Foundation, of the play in a single act by Shaun Talbott. Directed by Walter Bobbie.Danny - Jonathan Groff Trevor - Will Rogers Pete - Eddie Kaye Thomas Emilie - Rutina WesleyWhite boys can't jump -- or do they really? Scribe Shaun Talbott reframes that question inside a provocative means by "The Submission," whenever a whitened playwright uses the pseudonym of the black lady to submit his play (about "an alcoholic black mother and her card-sharp boy trying to get away from the projects") to some exclusive theater festival. This subterfuge results in some inflammatory fights on race and gender between your scribe and the alter-ego. However the figures are caught between sitcom and emo-drama, missing the brains -- or, failing that, the fundamental vocabulary -- to create these calculated smackdowns more credible. What is more amusing? A whitened, middle-class playwright named Danny Larson (the appropriately disarming Jonathan Groff) recognizes that no a person's likely to read a play concerning the black experience compiled by "a whitened, whitened dude." So he submits his play, "Call a Spade," towards the Humana Festival underneath the made-up title of "Shaleeha G'ntamobi." This feminine (and "type of black") title does the secret, and "Call a Spade" is recognized for production. Which puts Danny within the tricky position of finding anyone to impersonate the bogus "Shaleeha" throughout the extended production process in the Festival's theater in Louisville, Ky. The task of "legitimizing the play" would go to Emilie Martin (inside a vibrant and breezy perf from Rutina Wesley), a black actress who concurs to do something as Danny's mouthpiece throughout rehearsals and reveal the play's true authorship on opening evening. No real surprise, Emilie falls deeply in love with the play, will get swept up within the production, and manages to lose herself in her own role. To date, everything is both funny and poignant, the method in which Walter Bobbie ("Chicago") has directed the general production. Such as the understated humor of David Zinn's set -- a turning number of self-purposely "original" Local cafe coffee shops, bookstores that look vaguely exactly the same -- the satire is clever without having to be cutting or cruel. Different color leaves, the supporting figures are performed with increased wit than bite by Will Rogers (very easily endearing as Danny's closest friend, Trevor) and Eddie Kaye Thomas (a certifiable saint as Danny's loyal lover, Pete). Should you met these folks inside a sitcom, you'd love them. The truth is, the play is not a real comedy, which poses problems when things get ugly between Danny and Emilie. To place it candidly, Danny's a racist -- a genuine one. His casual conversation is filled with racist comments which go far beyond any whitened man's legitimate beef about reverse prejudice. Although Groff lays around the charm (and such a stroke of casting which was), Danny's insensitivity boosts serious questions regarding his character. The primary question, obviously, is when this type of narrow-minded and callous person could write an "authentic" play about black people. (As well as survive 4 years in New Haven while being trained at Yale.) But you might also need to question the way a sweetie like Pete would endure him, or the way a nice guy like Trevor could stay buddies with him. The solutions can not be present in Danny's background, because Danny doesn't have personal history. However, neither has Emilie or, for your matter, other people within the play. All of them exist strictly within the moment, in a single universal, constantly turning Local cafe. Even sitcom figures receive more backstory than that.Sets, David Zinn costumes, Anita Yavich lighting, David Weiner seem, Ryan Rumery original music, Ryan Rumery and Christian Frederickson forecasts, Darrel Maloney production stage manager, Timothy R. Semon. Opened up Sept. 27, 2011. Examined Sept. 23. Running time: 1 Hour, 40 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Chuck Lorre Talks Charlie Sheen Suit, Tell-All Book in New Vanity Card

Chuck Lorre apparently made another search against Charlie Sheen within the vanity card that broadcast Monday evening in the finish of 2 . 5 Males -- within 24 hours Warner Bros., Lorre and Sheen introduced they'd settled their $100 million suit. "Sometime this past year I recognized I took over as reluctant contestant inside a reality show. I didn't comprehend the rules, wasn't confident that there even were any, and virtually hated every second from it. For a lot of several weeks I stored wishing and praying it would finish. But this didn't. Somewhere on the way, something inside me died. Anyway, now, all of a sudden, I'm being told the reality show's been cancelled," the vanity card read, apparently mentioning towards the settlement between Sheen, Warner Bros. and Lorre. PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Colorful Career Lorre ongoing in the vanity card: "Apparently, it had been one of individuals stuff that in some way got unmanageable. Sorry. Whoops. Live and learn. Moving forward. Game over. Which's fine. I'm so great with this. Yes, please, let's all move ahead. " Except Lorre might not be prepared to move ahead. "There's only one problem. That factor inside me that died? It walks during the night. It's angry. It's hungry. And for the worst situation...it's writing a tell-all book," the vanity card read. PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen Tour But Lorre didn't only concentrate on Sheen in the vanity cards Monday evening. Younger crowd broadcast the raunchy "An Extremely Short Story," in regards to a guy who "who almost manscaped themself to dying." The studio released the next statement on Monday after announcing funds towards the $100 million suit. "Warner Bros. Television, Chuck Lorre and Charlie Sheen have resolved their dispute towards the parties' mutual satisfaction. The pending suit and arbitration is going to be ignored regarding both sides. The parties have decided to maintain discretion within the the settlement." RELATED: VIDEOS: Charlie Sheen's Craziest TV Interviews Charlie Sheen Files $100 Million Suit Against Warner Bros., Chuck Lorre Charlie Sheen Calls Chuck Lorre 'Maggot,' Wishes Him 'Pain' in Scathing Open Letter EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Sheen Roast-Mortem: Jeffrey Ross Live In the Actor's House Chuck Lorre Charlie Sheen

Monday, September 26, 2011

Lensers add two honours

Stefan Tarzan received an Arri Alexa rental package for his cinematography in Western "Absaroka," while Steve Romano acquired a Panavision camera package for his cinematography of "String Theory" because the Intl. Cinematographers Guild passed out two additional honours at Sunday's Emerging Cinematographer Honours in La.Romano and Tarzan rounded the night's eight ICG honorees.Honored films in the ECAs is going to be tested in the Museum of Moving Image in NY on Sunday. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Wild Bill

An Anchor Bay Entertainment discharge of a 20Ten Media production. Created by Tim Cole, Mike Tromans, Dexter Fletcher. Executive producers, Alan Johnson, Vicky Diegman. Directed by Dexter Fletcher. Script, Danny King, Fletcher, Tim Cole.With: Charlie Creed-Miles, Will Poulter, Liz Whitened, Sammy Williams, Leo Gregory, Neil Maskell, Iwan Rheon, Mark Monero, Jaime Winstone, Jason Flemyng, Charlotte now Spencer, Andy Serkis, Peter-Hugo Daly, Aaron Ishmael, Morgan Watkins, Elly Fairman, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Lee Whitlock, Pete McCabe, Sean Pertwee, Radical Kaim, Billy Holland.An ex-disadvantage comes back home and discovers to become a father to his two sons in thesp Dexter Fletcher's slight helming debut, "Wild Bill." Fletcher's script, co-written with novelist Danny King and Tim Cole, hits all of the cliches from the genre, and given its smallscreen lighting and weak fight choreography, this slice of inoffensive feel-good entertainment lacks the type of grit and nuance required of British working-class tales in fest slots. Theatrical play might generate a preliminary spike of great interest in Blighty, but "Wild Bill" is fundamental, mild TV fare with cussing tossed set for atmosphere. After eight years within the slammer, Bill (Charlie Creed-Miles) heads to his old stomping ground in East London. We're not exactly awaiting him: His wife required a powder nine several weeks earlier, departing 15-year-old Dean (Will Poulter) and 11-year-old Jimmy (Sammy Williams) to look after themselves within their rundown apartment within the projects. Jimmy barely takes note of Father and may care less, but Dean is really a powder keg of bitterness and does not want his father around. Bill's not thinking about hanging about, either, however the kids is going to be put into promote houses unless of course he stays put, so Dean blackmails Bill into playing the happy family a minimum of before social employees stop coming around. Notwithstanding his near-constant anger, Dean is a great kid, working construction jobs to help keep food up for grabs, but little Jimmy's be a drug runner for the similar gangsters who sent Father in the river. As Bill finds out the emotional rewards of motherhood, he creates ensuring his more youthful boy does not end up in exactly the same trouble as his old guy. A few local people mention Bill's former "Wild" moniker, however the script does nothing to influence audiences this decent yet misguided guy were built with a violent streak, even underneath the influence. The gangsters, especially Pill (Iwan Rheon, over-acting), originate from a properly-worn book of hoodlum types, along with Roxy (Liz Whitened), the whore having a heart of gold. The leads do their finest to create real figures, though they are offered little to utilize past the surface. Pictures are standard, lit inside a obvious, artificial manner which will work nicely around the tube. A pleasant touch is Fletcher's utilisation of the building site where Dean works, situated within the 2012 Olympic stadium area. Pic was feted through the San Sebastian Film Festival's youth jury.Camera (color), George Richmond editor, Stuart Gazzard music, Christian Henson production designer, Murray McKeown costume designer, Matt Cost seem (Dolby Digital), Blair Jollands. Examined at San Sebastian Film Festival (Zabaltegi New Company directors), Sept. 21, 2011. (Also working in london Film Festival -- New British Cinema.) Running time: 98 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Swan (Cisne)

An Alce Filmes production. Produced, directed, written by Teresa Villaverde.With: Beatriz Batarda, Miguel Nunes, Israel Pimenta, Sergio Fernandes, Marcello Urgeghe, Tania Paiva, Lita Roureiro, Veronik Silva.An insomniac Portuguese chantoosie who auditions random strangers to be her assistant leaves the object of her affection alone at her countryside home in "Swan," another existential puzzle pic from Lusitanian scribe-helmer Teresa Villaverde ("Trance"). Moving between gorgeous rural landscapes, shot in bright sunlight and saturated colors, and the harsh darkness of nighttime Lisbon, Villaverde contrasts visual and thematic opposites while forging underground connections between stories of loneliness and companionship. Eschewing traditional narrative in favor of a more associative style, as is Villaverde's wont, this "Swan" will find its way to small but appreciative fest auds. Vera (Beatriz Batarda) has selected the handsome Pablo (Miguel Nunes) to be her aide during the Lisbon dates of her tour, because, like her, he never sleeps. At night they talk about themselves, revealing that the love of Vera's life (Israel Pimenta) is holed up in her countryside home, where he wants to be alone, and that adopted Pablo is looking for his mother while trying to protect a child who's committed a terrible act. Perfs are committed, and lensing, in a boxy aspect ratio, reps the technical standout.Camera (color), Acacio de Almeida; editor, Andree Davanture; production designer, Ze Branco; costume designer, Silvia Grabowski. Reviewed at Venice Film Festival (Horizons), Sept. 6, 2011. Running time: 104 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Box Office Preview: Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball' Looks to Out-Run Taylor Lautner's 'Abduction'

Brad Pitt headliner Moneyball is set to do battle with a crop of new films at the weekend box office - including Taylor Lautner's first solo outing Abduction - but its most formidable obstacle in hitting a home run looks to be family pic Dolphin Tale.our editor recommendsJonah Hill Talks Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball' PranksNew Study Shows Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball' Generating Major Buzz Online (Exclusive)'Moneyball's' Brad Pitt Becomes One of the Few Non-Athletes to Cover Sports IllustratedWhy Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt Are the Frontrunners in Oscar's Best Actor Race (Analysis)Gerard Butler in 'Machine Gun Preacher': What Critics Are Saying'Killer Elite': New Trailer Premieres (Video)Moneyball: Toronto ReviewMachine Gun Preacher: Toronto Film ReviewKiller Elite: Toronto Review Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros., the team behind Dolphin Tale, are hoping to strike the same feel-good, inspirational chord they did with box office hit The Blind Side (Alcon financed and produced both films, with Warner Bros. marketing and distributing). PHOTOS: 'Moneyball' Premiere in Oakland Tracking shows Sony's baseball drama Moneyball in the lead heading into the weekend, with a projected opening gross in the high teens to low $20 million range. Directed by Bennett Miller, Moneyball stars Pitt as the real-life Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A's who turned the franchise around despite the team's bleak financial situation. Moneyball, drawing strong reviews from critics, and particularly for Pitt's performance, also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright and Jonah Hill. The movie, costing $50 million to produce, is based on Michael Lewis' 2003 book of the same name and made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. PHOTOS: Toronto Film Festival: 13 Movies to Know Monebyall benefits from strong interest among males and older females; but Dolphin Tale also has strong awareness, and is tracking well with women and families. Dolphin Tale, directed by Charles Martin Smith, is tracking to open in the high teens, although family films are notoriously hard to predict. Based on a true story about a bottlenose dolphin rescued off the Florida Coast after her tail was injured, Dolphin Tale also stars Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. PHOTOS: 'Abduction' Red Carpet Premiere Disney's 3D re-release of The Lion King - topping last weekend's box office chart with a stellar $30.2 million opening - could pose competition for Dolphin Tale, but most box office observers expect Lion King to fall 50 percent in its second outing. Lionsgate's Abduction is the clear choice among teen girls and younger women, but is only looking to open in the low teens. However, the film could easily over-perform if enough Twilight fans turn out to the see the star. In the action-thriller, directed by John Singleton, Lautner plays a teenager who learns his parents aren't who they say they are when he sees his picture on a missing children's website. Abduction also stars Lily Collins, Sigourney Weaver, Maria Bello and Freema Agyeman. Killer Elite, another action-thriller, also his theaters this weekend and is the first release from Tom Ortenberg's Open Road Films, the independent acquisitions and distribution company backed by AMC Entertainment and Regal Entertainment. Killer Elite is sparking plenty of interest among males, but will have to compete with Moneyball, so is tracking to open in the low teens. The film also stars Clive Owen and was directed by Gary McKendry. Moneyball and Killer Elite aren't the only titles playing at the recent Toronto Film Festival to bow this weekend at the domestic box office: Relativity Media opens Gerard Butler action biopic Machine Gun Preacher in four theaters in NY and Los Angeles before expanding into 15 additional markets on Sept. 30. Relativity acquired U.S. distribution rights to Machine Gun Preacher from Lionsgate. Several documentaries launch in limited runs, including Jamie Foxx's Thunder Soul, which Roadside Attractions opens in 35 theaters; and The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby, which First Run launches in one theater. Related Topics Brad Pitt Taylor Lautner Box Office Moneyball The Killer Elite Abduction

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Monday, September 19, 2011

Two and a Half Men

Filmed in Los Angeles by Chuck Lorre Prods. and The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Chuck Lorre, Lee Aronsohn, Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Eddie Gorodetsky, Susan Beavers, Jim Patterson, Don Reo; director, James Widdoes; writers, Lorre, Aronsohn, Gorodetsky, Patterson. 30 MIN.Walden Schmidt - Ashton Kutcher Alan Harper - Jon Cryer Jake Harper - Angus T. Jones Evelyn Harper - Holland Taylor Judith Harper - Marin Hinkle Berta - Conchata FerrellIn "Crimes and Misdemeanors," Woody Allen described comedy as "tragedy plus time." "Two and a Half Men" didn't have the luxury of the latter in replacing star Charlie Sheen, and -- spoilers coming -- wasted little time dispensing with the body in a sentiment-free pre-credit funeral, attended by many visions of trysts past. Despite having to do an enormous amount of business in a half-hour, the producers look to have handled an awkward situation about as well as they possibly could. Having won the right to be one of the filthier comedies on TV -- one that seldom lets warm and fuzzy get in the way of a sex joke -- there was no way to be maudlin about Charlie Harper's demise and maintain the tone of the series. So Charlie's off-screen death is treated as one extended punch line -- with the many women he bedded coming more to gloat than mourn. (The opening also features some amusing celebrity cameos -- including one referencing an earlier Lorre series -- adding a little extra value. Amid all the hand-wringing about Sheen in the media, "Men's" cast has consistently been underrated, and that was amply demonstrated Monday. Jon Cryer, as Charlie's much-abused brother Alan, even had a surprisingly sweet if brief interlude addressing a can of ashes, expressing gratitude for having taken him and his son Jake (Angus T. Jones) in after Alan's divorce. The larger challenge, clearly, was to introduce a new landlord, with Alan unable to afford the upkeep on Charlie's pricey Malibu home. Enter Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher), a high-tech billionaire who -- despite being tall, dreamy and well-hung -- lacks any social graces, having married the high-school sweetheart who just dumped him. The tech-nerd-who-doesn't-know-he's-cool riff is fairly plausible, and allows Alan to become his de facto guide to the dating world -- the underlying gag being that although Walden is "emotionally immature," indeed almost childlike, Alan still remains the far less desirable commodity. Is it a perfect solution? Hardly. But the truth is "Men" co-creators Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn (who share script credit with Eddie Gorodetsky and Jim Patterson) probably would have likely let the show end if Sheen hadn't dissed them so publicly in their Hollywood divorce. And while there would seem to be pressure on the creative team and Kutcher, the truth is if this doesn't succeed they have an air-tight alibi: We didn't want to make a huge change this late in the run; blame the (figuratively) dead guy. Part two will have to explain how Alan winds up staying on as Walden's roommate, but Monday's episode -- given the interest created by Sheen's widely covered exit -- did most of the heavy lifting. And if the remodeled "Men" manages to hang on to around 80% of the ratings delivered by the show's former occupant, everyone involved winds up looking like a hero. CBS might even get an extra year or two out of the series. That is, admittedly, the rosiest of scenarios. But based on how the show has performed in the past, don't be surprised if "Men" manages to keep on humming. Contact Brian Lowry at brian.lowry@variety.com

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Friday, September 16, 2011

Report: ABC Family Kills Nine Lives of Chloe King After One Season

Skyler Samuels The Nine Lives of Chloe King won't live for another season. ABC Family has canceled the series, Entertainment Weekly reports. The series, based on a book series of the same name, is about a girl who finds out that she is a descendant of an Ancient Egyptian cat offspring and has cat-like powers. Check out our fall preview for galleries, scoop, premiere calendars and more! The show launched in June to 2.17 million viewers, a notable drop from the premiere of ABC Family's other new summer series, Switched at Birth, which premiered to 3.30 million viewers during the same month. ABC Family renewed Switched at Birth for a second season in August.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Arrested Development On For 2012 Shoot?

Jason Bateman hopes so.... Last week, we got the chance to sit down with none other than Jason Bateman, the man still known to many as Michael Bluth, the sane one from Arrested Development. The interview was in honour of his latest film, The Change-Up, but as well as asking him about how purty Ryan Reynolds is in the flesh, we felt obliged to quiz him about the Arrested Development Movie - despite him obviously being sick to the back teeth about being nagged about it. Hey, we're big fans - we couldn't help ourselves. Sorry about that, Jason. Anyway, we cut out the questions and answers that related to the Arrested Development Movie and put them in a separate clip, and here it is below, just for you. Now the most important part of his answer, as you might have guessed, was the shooting date - summer next year. But he also mentioned in other interviews that the film will be full of celebrity cameos. From what I understand, the concept of the film will lend itself to quite a few really good cameos, he told Digital Spy. I'm going to bring my autograph book. So here's the news in full: with any luck, the Arrested Development Movie will shoot next summer, and it'll be full of cameos from famous people. Got that? Lovely stuff.

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