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

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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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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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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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.

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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