Mo'Nique Suit? Oscar-Winning Actress Apparently Sues Land lords Over Foul Living Conditions

And also you thought your landlord was poor. Based on TMZ, Mo'Nique is suing her land lords to get away from the $22,000 monthly lease she signed because, amongst other things, her house has the aroma of dog poop. Apparently, the Georgia residence that Mo'Nique calls home smells of feces, wet dog, urine (of the items TMZ describes being an "unknown origin"), boasting an overflowing septic tank. Apart from that, it is a steal! The Oscar-winning actress's legal move is at reaction to the suit filed by her land lords, which claims that Mo'Nique bailed on her behalf two-year lease and owes $370,000 in delinquent rent along with other charges. The 'Precious' star states she only were built with a verbal agreement using the land lords coupled with two months to alter her mind. Neither Mo'Nique nor the land lords (or even the dog) might be arrived at for comment. [via TMZ] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Attacking Young Boys Acting: Mark Wahlberg Will 'Extract' Talent If Singer Stumbles in Basketball Drama

Before the finish of days comes an update on that Mark Wahlberg-Attacking Young Boys feature film that you have been awaiting because it was introduced in April. Will still be most likely happening! And Wahlberg continues to be looking forward to his option to team with Bieber. "I am prety intuitive," Wahlberg stated about his decision to cast the voice-altering pop celebrity inside a dramatic role being an inner-city youth basketball player. "I begin to see the guy and stayed with him and also you see what he is doing and just how he is doing it, and you really possess a conversation with him and it is there. [...] Otherwise, I'll extract it." Referred to being an amalgam of 'The Colour of Money' and 'The Karate Kid' (clearly), the untitled film would target the relationship created between Biebs's character, a street basketball player, and Wahlberg's, his reluctant mentor. That relationship could extend off-screen too in the end, Wahlberg used to be referred to as Marky Mark, though he eventually cast off the Funky Bunch being the Oscar-nominated actor and producer you are aware of love today. Might Bieber consume a similar path? Based on Moviefone's soothsaying Miracle 8-Ball, "Do not let you know now." Oh, 8-Ball you so crafty! [via MTV] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Harrison Ford Joins Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin and Hailee Steinfeld For Ender's Game

Exciting news for fans of Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi series Ender’s Game: Harrison Ford has officially joined the cast as Hyrum Graff, the manipulative colonel responsible for training students in a futuristic military academy called Battle School. Harrison joins fellow cast members Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld and Asa Butterfield, who will star as Ender, a gifted strategist hired by the government to help combat an alien race in the film adaptation from Wolverine director Gavin Hood. Breslin will play Ender’s older sister and Steinfeld will assume the role of Petra Arkanian, Ender’s trusted confidante and mentor. The expected blockbuster is slated for a 2013 release. Ender’s Game fans, do you approve of this casting? · Harrison Ford locked for ‘Ender’s Game’ [Variety]

Can 'Bridesmaids' Earn a Best Picture Nomination?

It has been rumbling like the after-outcomes of some bad Brazilian barbecue throughout the final 2 days: a ongoing push and groundswell of support for 'Bridesmaids' to earn a Best Picture nomination within the 84th annual Academy awards. Does the Paul Feig-directed comedy -- one of the handful of original films within 2011 that connected with both audiences and experts alike -- plenty of gas (sorry) inside the tank making it to the rarified air of Oscar nominees? It might! At GoldDerby.com, nine in the 29 Oscar experts (including, ahem, me) have placed 'Bridesmaids' by themselves top-ten report on potential nominees. That doesn't mean anything inside the grand plan of things -- as well as, since there can be between five to ten nominees this year for top Picture, the options good 'Bridesmaids' won't increase the risk for final cut -- nevertheless it does showcase an growing movement for your Kristen Wiig-introduced comedy. Reasons for the 'Bridesmaids' surge? Well, that SAG nomination for top Ensemble didn't hurt. Neither does the the cast of beloved stars, a company-respected producer and one of the handful of performances everyone remains talking about in a few regard: Melissa McCarthy. There can be one other reason for your 'Bridesmaids' push, too. 'Bridesmaids' gets the box-office clout being the 'Inception' Exception, and -- unlike 'Harry Potter' -- has something extra: relevance in our cultural landscape. Every year that is appreciated for funny women (from 'Bridesmaids' to 'Bad Teacher' to just about every show round the NBC Thursday evening comedy block), possibly some Oscar voters may decide to embrace the zeitgeist with each of your arms. Clearly, that's the finest problem for 'Bridesmaids': comedy is a genre the Academy has almost willfully overlooked. "I certainly think there's some type of prejudice there," 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow told Variety. "Lots of people think a really intense devastating sad movie of a tragic subject is a lot more tough to make than 'Blazing Saddles.' And the fact remains, it's just as difficult to make 'Blazing Saddles.' My days might be much shorter essentially didn't have to add jokes." That's probably why a guy like Stephen Daldry has not developed a comedy. For further round the Oscars, mind to GoldDerby.com [Photo: Universal] The Most Effective 11 Movie Quotes From 2011 11. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/evening time-in-paris/10036438/primary"> 'Midnight in Paris' </a>10. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/tower-heist/52240/primary">'Tower Heist'</a>9. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/attack-the-block/10056611/primary">'Attack the Block' </a>8. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/the-hangover-2/38948/primary">'The Hanogver Part 2' </a>7. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/5050/1417783/primary">཮/50' </a>6. 'Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows: Part IIƋ. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/hobo-with-a-shotgun/10038378/primary">'Hobo Getting a Shotgun' </a>4. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/horrible-bosses/10038375/primary">'Horrible Bosses' </a>3. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/crazy-stupid-love/10052074/primary">'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' </a>2. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/the-muppets/1390395/primary">'The Muppets' </a>1. <a href="http://internet.moviefone.com/movie/bridesmaids/10035125/primary">'Bridesmaids' </a> See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

New Hobbit Picture Online

Bilbo can get Mirk'edIt's pretty sure that 2011 is venturing out immediately. But one of the most recent Gotham goings-on, with Ridley Scott verifying in within the less audible corners of space, you can forget that somewhere in Middle-earth, Bilbo Baggins and also the crew of footsore dwarves are Mirkwood-bound by having an epic pursuit to locate treasure and slay some serious cave troll inside the Hobbit.Well, call us over-caffeinated Tolkien fans over-blown on pipe-weed and christmas spirit, but we're able to not be thrilled about that certain once we were living in Smaug's larynx. Really, we're so excited that individuals sent our top guy to Wellywood, Nz, to obtain the latest within the number of Peter Jackson's new Tolkien two-parter."The initial factor I shot was finding the ring in Gollum's cave," Martin Freeman told us nonchalantly, giving a consider his approach to hobbiting. "It's good to know, while not play, the value of the Ring," he referred to. "I'm trying to place a bit more heaviness inside it. It is not all comical."Get the completely new problem of Empire for further within the set. The Hobbit: An Unforeseen Journey is going on December 14.

ROLL CALL: Kevin Federline Really Happy For Britney Warrior spears On Her Behalf Engagement

First Released: December 19, 2011 2:11 PM EST Credit: WireImage La, Calif. -- Caption Kevin FederlineK-Given Shows BritBrit Some Love: There does not seem to be any ex bitterness between Britney Warrior spears and Kevin Federline. Following a announcement of her engagement to Jason Trawick, the guy who gave us Popozao, spoke out concerning the celebrities approaching wedding. Im really happy on her I believe hes an excellent guy, K-Given told apparently told Australias TV Week. Shes happy shes doing very well. I wish to say shes inside a great place. I havent spoken to her much since Ive been right here (K-Given is Here filming the load loss reality show Excess Baggage) the two of us happen to be busy together with her standing on tour but I know from speaking towards the kids and speaking towards the kids instructors that theyre doing great. Its a great part of the best direction. Im totally happy on her. Could this suggest that K-Given, who split using the pop star in 2007, might possibly have an invite to Brit and Jasons wedding? Shiloh Steals The Show!: The Brangelina clan celebrated Brads 48th birthday a few days ago in Vegas (Get more information at all of the particulars!), nevertheless its the expression on Shilohs face while relaxing in the crowd that stole the show for all of us! Begin to see the always adorable Shiloh, HERE! Just In Case You Skipped It!: Host Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers reminded us how good Saturday Evening Live could be a few days ago throughout a Weekend Update Joke-Off. See who had the very best point for any story in regards to a strip club getting a toy drive, HERE! Just In Case You Skipped It Or Wondered Who Broke Wind!: On Fridays The Vista there is a strange noise throughout a job interview with Homeland star Claire Danes. The noise, which made an appearance to emanate from Whoopis region, triggered the host to express, Pardon me, I simply let a frog from there. However, TV executives told The Huffington Publish, It had been a tale. Each time there's an enjoyable noise she pretends it had been her. Browse the possible wind break, HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

REVIEW: Corman's World Lovingly Sketches the Inner Life of a Movie Maverick

Director, producer and distributor Roger Corman’s world seems suspended between magnetic poles: At true north he could be described as the godfather of independently produced and independent-minded film; way down south is the Corman who looks more like the godfather to Don Simpson, a crude flipper of hot cake flicks who originated the high concept, sensation-pummeling mainstream cinema we’re stuck with today. Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, director Alex Stapleton’s annotated filmography of the filmmaker’s wildly tentacular career, is less an attempt to reconcile those poles than to show how neatly and necessarily they are bound together, by both the financial nature of filmmaking and the stubborn question of taste. “Taste,” says former protg Martin Scorsese of Corman’s workshop, “was out of the question.” By 1972, the year he financed Scorsese’s first movie (Boxcar Bertha), Corman had been in the business for over two decades, made dozens of movies (10 in 1957 alone) and — as the title of his autobiography notes — never lost a dime. Much like Woody Allen, one of the many talents he goosed on to renown, Corman realized quickly that nose-to-tail filmmaking is only tenable when one has complete control. Corman’s business savvy balanced a keen sense of audience appetite with the carnal imagination (a “boiling inferno” in his description) beneath his gentlemanly persona. Stapleton chocks the film with money clips from the Corman archives, a mix of curdled rape fantasy films like The Woman Hunter, eccentric brow-lifters like the series of Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price, and chips of campy gold like Little Shop of Horrors or The Fast and the Furious. Eye opening here and there, the footage is mostly fan candy. Though Corman mentions moving toward camp, little time is spent examining his aesthetic, as it were, or sweating at the gates of that raging inferno; the B-maestro’s personal contradictions remain pristine. More sorely missing is any sense of the enormous and fluctuating market for Corman’s work over several eras of exhibition. We know his films are gauged to be exactly as successful as they need to be, but outside of the actors and directors drawn into his stable, intimations of Corman’s core audience loom large but invisible over the story of an astonishingly robust and still active career (part of Corman’s World is spent on the set of what appears to be yet another sweded version of Jaws). Such complaints feel unavoidable and therefore relatively minor: To tell Roger Corman’s story is in some sense to tell the story of last 60 years of filmmaking; some ruthless cutting was required. Stapleton wisely homes in on the emissaries Corman has sent into the moviegoing consciousness — Jack Nicholson sits for a rare and ultimately moving interview, as do Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier and William Shatner — and elucidates their B-movie roots. And while we can all be thankful that Scorsese refused Corman’s offer to finance Mean Streets, should he reframe it as a blaxploitation epic, again and again we are shown that along with the rsum-bulking services it is Corman’s fearless (as with his 1962 segregation drama The Intruder) and agile sensibility (as with Easy Rider forerunners The Trip and The Wild Angels) that define the terms of his influence. Stapleton’s was clearly a labor of love, shot over what must amount to like 25 Corman years. In the press notes the director admits that she waited two years for Nicholson to agree to an interview; both David Carradine and George Hickenlooper have died since filming theirs. Time trudges on, within the film and without. Indeed, the arrival of Jaws and Star Wars are framed less as the beginning than the end of an era. If the summer blockbuster turned Corman’s beat into huge business, their “fully imagined worlds” are rarely noted for what little imaginative work they leave for the viewer. And where’s the fun — the risk — in that? If the first half of Corman’s World doubles as a lobbying campaign for a lifetime achievement Oscar, the second, more elegiac half offers the vindication of that award’s receipt in 2009. But then the director who uses bare breasts as props thinks it immoral to spend more than a million dollars making a movie; the distributor who showed Bergman at the drive-in was never in it for the accolades. Having preferred the game and the gamble of the movie business, as his colleagues and loved ones attest, Corman’s most fully realized work may have been quietly done in his personal life. The most poignant idea to emerge from Corman’s World is that in fact neither man nor mogul can control quite everything, perhaps nothing less than his legacy. Follow Michelle Orange on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

'Dragon Tattoo' to spread out each day early

The new sony will release 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo' each day early, on 12 ,. 20, at 7 p.m.The new sony will kickstart a crowded Christmas frame by starting countrywide "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo" each day early, on 12 ,. 20, at 7 p.m.Pic was initially skedded to bow Wednesday, 12 ,. 21, within 24 hours as Vital pair "The Adventures of Tintin" and "Jason Bourne: Ghost Protocol." A trio of more wide records launch within the lengthy holiday weekend, including Fox's "We Purchased a Zoo" on 12 ,. 23, in addition to Disney's "War Equine" and Summit's "The Pitch-dark Hour," each of which bow Christmas Day."Dragon Tattoo," an British-language adaptation from the first entry in Stieg Larsson's global best-selling series, continues to be monitoring continuously within the last week, with solid awareness and definite interest among potential moviegoers.Shaun Blake, The new sony chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution, stated the first launch is supposed to attract first-responders. "We're feeling that by opening for night time shows on 12 ,. 20, fans from the book will be presented an ideal chance to obtain a jumpstart around the discharge of a great film," Blake stated.The new sony has stored particulars of David Fincher's "Tattoo" treatment under tight control pic's trade review embargo was lifted night time Monday. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

First Men in Black 3 Trailer: Whatever

If you thought that Will Smith’s trailer on the set of Men in Black 3 was ridiculous, wait until you see the actual trailer trailer for the film itself. The nonsensical first preview for the series’ third installment is officially released, prompting the tired sighs of millions still reeling from the garbage-strike pile-up known as New Year’s Eve. A perfectly fine way for Hollywood to further bruise your memory of a perfectly fine blockbuster and remind you beyond the shadow of a doubt that it’s Monday. Submit. Smith’s first film in more than three years features him reprising his role as Agent J, traveling back through Chrysler Building gargoyle suicide-jump time machine to meet the young version of his partner Agent K, which is basically Josh Brolin doing an out-of-practice Tommy Lee Jones Impression form the set of No Country for Old Men. Jones is here, too, squirming through dead-faced line readings as though the piles of money beneath him have met their match in a fierce outburst of hemorrhoids. And there’s Emma Thompson, and there’s… enh, whatever. Life’s too short. Good luck. VERDICT: Try harder, team.

About 'Eve'

Zac Efron and Michelle Pfeiffer Toby Emmerich, Sue Kroll and Rob Robinov preem "New Year's Eve." Katherine Heigl and Sofia Vergara celebrate with Garry Marshall.Jum Michele and Ashton Kutcher join the party within the Chinese. Nostalgia pervaded Monday's preem of Warner/New Line's "New Year's Eve" within the Chinese since the key players appreciated the truly amazing, bad and ugly. "My best New Year's Eve was once i stopped trying to find a perfect New Year's Eve," mentioned Hilary Swank within the after-preem party at Hollywood & Highland. "My worst was once i was trying they are driving for the perfect party and didn't make it quickly.Inch Film author Katherine Fugate recognized that her worst New Year's Eve came when she was nearly billed with speeding -- even though she handled to talk her way in the ticket. "In my opinion my best will probably be that certain since i have am for one another,Inch she added. Garry Marshall opined earlier this New Year's Eve was his favorite because his boy, Scott Marshall, was shooting footage just like a second unit director sometimes Square. "I used to be there in 1956 and 1959 because I had been elevated inside the Bronx, however it was the most effective since all I desired to complete was sit in the room watching 14 cameras and say, 'Well, that particular looks excellent,A " quipped the helmer. Marshall will probably take his family to Hawaii for completely new Year's Eve, a knee alternative operation. "I've been controlling about it since i have have couldn’t direct this movie on crutches," he added. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Georges Mlis and also the Miracle of 'Hugo'

The very first time I entered pathways with French filmmaker Georges Méliès was at age eleven, as you're watching a music video through the Smashing Pumpkins. It had been for that song 'Tonight Tonight,' in which a couple travels towards the Moon, will get assaulted and kidnapped by several aliens, escapes via rocket ship after which crashes in to the ocean. In the finish, a ship sails by using the words S.S. Méliès quietly. I'd no clue who Méliès was at that time, nor that his video clip -- 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune' (a.k.a. 'A Visit to the Moon') -- inspired the Pumpkins's video. Actually, I wouldn't find this out until fifteen years later, after i saw Martin Scorsese's, 'Hugo.' The director's new film, in theaters now, includes a youthful orphan who finds out the job of Georges Méliès (performed by Ben Kingsley) via a mysterious automaton left out by his deceased father. Through the movie, Scorsese recreates a number of Méliès' shorts, such as the legendary 'Le Voyage.' Although his last project is made greater than a century ago, George Méliès continues to be one among the pioneers of cinema, credited for his improvements in effects and film technique. So when artists as varied as Scorsese and also the Smashing Pumpkins happen to be inspired by his work, you realize it needs to be somebody worth looking at. (The truth that 'Hugo' just won Best Picture in the National Board of Review only contributes to this intrigue.) So, who's Georges Méliès, why is he one among the godfathers of filmmaking? Born in Paris in 1861, Méliès was the boy of the couple who went a effective shoes business. In 1884, he traveled to London, where Méliès grew to become intrigued with miracle, having seen a show through the masters of magic Maskelyne and Cooke. When he came back to France, Georges started carrying out their own illusions. However, his film breakthrough came while attending the premiere of the Lumières siblings show. The Lumières were credited with using among the first film cameras, a cinematographe following the premiere, Méliès attempted, but unsuccessful, to purchase one in the siblings. Not just one to stop easily, he opted for the following smartest choice, and built a camera by himself. Méliès soon started making short films, that have been a few of the first to make use of substitution (an impact in which a person or object seems then vanishes or changes into another thing within the blink of the eye). Méliès eventually bought their own studio in Montreuil, which offered as his workshop for nearly 30 years. He directed, created, authored, designed and often starred in the films, which grew to become popular, especially overseas. Méliès would go onto redesign 500 movies in the career, a couple of that are considered a few of the to begin their genre ('Le Voyage' for sci-fi and 'The Haunted Castle' for horror). However, by 1909, the novelty of his work started to put on off. Méliès would eventually go under and have to sell his studio. A lot of his films were destroyed and accustomed to make shoe heels (for this reason numerous Méliès' works no more exist today). The planet soon didn't remember about Georges Méliès, because he began inside a toy store in Gare Montparnasse stop in Paris (that is where the majority of Scorsese's 'Hugo' happens). However in the 20's, things started to alter. French surrealists discovered the director's old work, and Méliès was eventually granted the Legion of Recognition. Seven years later, he died. The final movie he earned was 'The Dark night from the Snows,' in 1916. Scorsese does an attractive job re-creating the flicks of Méliès, with unique figures and layered set designs full of color. Obviously, these particulars were never very obvious around the originals, however, you can continue to feel Méliès' energy and inventive passion behind all of them. He loved dazzling audiences of any age, much like he'd done when he would be a magician. It's not hard to realise why, in the turn from the last century, moviegoers were fascinated by them. It's interesting to return and appear through a number of Méliès films and do a comparison as to the Scorsese did in 'Hugo.' A number of Georges old movies are even available on the web: a fast YouTube search will yield not just 'Le Voyage,' but 'Un homme p têtes' ('The Four Difficult Heads') where Méliès pulls his mind off his shoulders and sets it up for grabs, 'The Haunted Forts,' featuring a demon who summons skeletons and ghosts, and 'Conquête du Pôle' ('Conquest from the Pole') where balloonists visit its northern border Pole, simply to be chased with a guy-eating frost giant. It is possible that present day audiences, particularly children, will probably find these original shorts a little boring and cheesy. Most are lacking of color, don't have the typical narrative structure we have seen in modern films and don't feature the CG we have come to anticipate from present day blockbusters. However, this will make Scorsese's 'Hugo' even more poignant. Here is among the finest company directors ever, searching introducing the question of Méliès to another generation (and, yes, which includes grown ups). Before I saw 'Hugo,' I simply did not worry about Georges Méliès now I actually do, and that i understand his contribution to film. It absolutely was years since i have saw the Pumpkins 'Tonight Tonight' video, then when I finally discovered the Méliès' connection, I viewed it again, with a mixture of nostalgia, enthusiasm and fascination -- a reaction Scorsese, Méliès and each other filmmaker continues to be searching to produce in excess of a century. [Sources: 'The Hugo Movie Companion: A Behind the curtain Take a look at The way a Beloved Book Grew to become a significant Motion Picture' George Méliès Official Website] [Photo: YouTube] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

'Shame' Director Steve McQueen on Making His NC-17 Sex Addiction Drama (Video)

Ray Mickshaw / FOX Two hours after the credits rolled on Thursday's X Factor, Drew Ryniewiczwas back to her usual bubbly teenage self, the sting of elimination behind her -- at least for a moment -- a lifetime of opportunity ahead. "I kind of had a weird feeling about tonight in the first place," she confessed, "so I was dreading the results all day. When I was on stage, I finally let it out."our editor recommends'X Factor's' Astro: 'I'm Just Ready to Work' (Q&A)Justin Bieber Tweets Eliminated 'X Factor' Contestant Drew: 'This is Just the Beginning''X Factor' Swap: Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland Switch in the Works? Did she ever. Clearly overwhelmed with emotion, Drew couldn't hold back her heaving sobs upon hearing judge Paula Abdul's verdict. Moments later, it was Abdul who kept repeating a mantra to the 15-year-old Chino Valley, Ariz. native: "This is the beginning. This is just the beginning." PHOTOS: Get to Know 'X Factor's' Top 17 Finalists So what went wrong for the girl who many considered to be a frontrunner? "My save me performance sucked," Drew told reporters late on Thursday. "It was so bad. I forgot there was a key change involved so I started going all over the place. That's when I knew that Marcus [Canty] deserves to make it [through] based off his save me song. It was not only hard to sing to save my life but it was hard to compete one-on-one with him." And like many alums of singing competitions have experienced, Drew says she "had a feeling" it wasn't going to work out. "I was in a weird place because it was my best vocal but the performance wasn't that great," she offered. "I just wasn't feeling entirely comfortable sitting down on Michael Jackson week and I was disappointed, but as the night's gone on, I realized that this has been the greatest experience of my life. It's an honor just to be able to say that I've worked with Simon Cowell, that I'm best friends with Melanie Amaro and Rachel Crow -- the people who are still on the X Factor!" Indeed, how many high school students can claim nearly 100,000 followers on Twitter (among them: Drew's own idol Justin Bieber) along with a global audience of untold millions? And how few can call Cowell a mentor and friend? PHOTOS: 'X Factor' Behind the Scenes: The Top 11 Work Out the Week's Performances The head judge's faith in his girl was painfully displayed in his face and demeanor once she was voted off. "Simon did feel very bad, but I came to a peace about going home," Drew said. "I don't think Simon came to that same peace because he was really confident in the chair idea and the whole song. Simon told me at the beginning of the week, 'This is going to bring you back to the top.' That's not only echoing through his mind, but he feels guilty. I don't think he should feel guilty at all because I got to the Top 7 and not everybody can win this show. I just wish I could have showed the teenager side of me who dances around -- the fun side." So what was said in between tears and mascara rubs? Drew shared: "I said [to Simon], 'Don't worry about it, it's ok.' And he was, like, 'I'm just sorry. Drew, in a few weeks time, this is going to be all different and I will let you be the Drew you started out as -- the fun Drew. Just wait.' So that brings up my hopes." PHOTOS:An 'American Idol' to 'X Factor' Timeline And Drew bears no grudge against the two female judges who sealed her fate. "I don't feel anger against them," she said. "I could see that it was hard for them to base it off of the save me song... But they both told me, 'Don't even worry about it, you're coming right back. You're going to be on this stage again next year for the finale.'" No hard feelings when it comes to her mentor, either. "No matter what my song choices were, that doesn't define that fact that I want to be a singer and that Simon saw my good voice. Honestly, he has the biggest heart and he hides it very well with being negative or being so truthful. But to see Simon tell me that I'm good or that I'm great knowing how truthful Simon is, that build me up. I will never forget that. I will always be Team Simon." Twitter: @shirleyhalperin PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Inside Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' Trailer (Exclusive) Justin Bieber Nicole Scherzinger Paula Abdul Simon Cowell Rachel Crow Melanie Amaro Drew Ryniewicz The X Factor

REVIEW: Dane Cook Is the Most Sympathetic Presence in Answers to Nothing, Which Tells You a Lot

Movies with multiple intersecting storylines aren’t exclusive to Los Angeles, but it’s a city for which they seem ideally suited, perhaps because it’s one in which incidental contact with the lives of strangers is less common and therefore more weighted with meaning. (Or maybe it’s just that L.A. has such an abundance of screenwriters sitting in coffee shops projecting potential narratives on passers-by.) Out of disparate threads we’re meant to draw common themes or emotional resonances, from Crash’s “everyone’s a little bit racist” to Magnolia’s ideas about loneliness and coming to terms with the past. Answers to Nothing, written and directed by Matthew Leutwyler (Dead & Breakfast), follows a group of linked lost souls navigating personal obstacles against the backdrop of a missing neighborhood girl, as they all come to discover that it’s OK to be an awful person, as long as you don’t tell anyone about it. That’s no exaggeration. A Short Cuts full of self-pitying sociopaths, Answers to Nothing follows its characters toward a succession of increasingly queasy conclusions it tries to pass off as heartfelt and human. One offers a blessing to delusional vigilante justice, another suggests it’s the kind thing to do to not tell one’s wife about the extramarital affair she’s already pretty sure is going on, and a third presents pretending to be nice as the answer to self-loathing racism. Either Leutwyler has an incredibly dark view of human nature and this film is a kind of twisted poke at a genre that stresses shared connections, or his sense of empathy is very, very off. Signs, alas, point to the latter, especially in the film’s treatment of Ryan (Dane Cook), the closes thing it has to a central character. Regardless of one’s stance on Cook as a stand-up, when it comes to film he’s struggled to find a place for himself. (His greatest dramatic role to date has been playing a variation of himself on Louie). But he’s actually very convincing as a callous, dissatisfied, dead-eyed jerk here, so much so that when the time comes for him to turn things around and earn back some kind of emotional investment, it proves impossible. Ryan is a shrink, and he and his wife, Kate (Elizabeth Mitchell), are undergoing fertility treatments — though the first time we see him he’s getting a blow job from his mistress, Tara (Aja Volkman),while Kate waits for him alone at the doctor’s office, crying. Tara is the lead singer in a rock band (as is Volkman in real life, where she fronts the group Nico Vega), and how she ended up as half of this mismatched extramarital pairing is left unexplored. Ryan doesn’t treat her any better than he does his wife, leaving her abruptly after he’s achieved orgasm and ditching her show out of late-breaking guilt. But it’s OK, we learn, because Ryan comes from a fucked-up family — his dad left his mom (Barbara Hershey) to run off to France nine years ago, but they both still act like he’s only jaunted off for a weekend and will be back soon. There are other characters, many defined by an aggressive quirk: Erik Palladino plays Jerry, a cop who goes to the funerals of strangers he finds listed in the obit section of the newspaper. Mark Kelly is Carter, a teacher who spends all of his time at home immersed in a MMORPG. Miranda Bailey is Drew, a recovering alcoholic fighting for custody of her paralyzed and possibly brain-dead brother Erik (Vincent Ventresca) and training to run a marathon with him, because he loved to race. Julie Benz is Frankie, a single mom and the lead detective in charge of the search for the missing girl. Greg Germann plays neighborhood man and prime suspect Beckworth. Zach Gilford is Evan, a sound tech who finds a lost dog, and Kali Hawk is saddled with the most potentially interesting and terminally underdeveloped role as Allegra, the only black writer on the show for which she works, struggling through feelings of resentment toward others of her race she assumes are judging her for selling out. These characters are all linked — Tara’s band works with Evan, who asks Allegra out on a date, who’s a client of Ryan’s, who married to Kate, who’s working with Drew and is friends with Frankie, who’s investigating Beckworth, who’s the object of obsession for Carter, who lives in the same building as Jerry. But moreover, they’re linked in moral equivocation. Drew insists on the right to care for her brother to assuage her guilt for being the one who crippled him; Carter projects his online quest to rescue the princess onto the kidnapping case; Allegra likes to tell those she’s with she hates black people in order to push them away so that she can resent them for their remove; and Jerry is hiding a secret that could put those around him in danger. “I wonder why we try so hard when we’re so clearly outnumbered,” one character sighs in reference to all the bad people in the world. But if the folks in Answers to Nothing are supposed to be on the side of good, then by the cross-cut ending, anyone watching this film will be ready to surrender. Follow Alison Willmore on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

'The Dark Knight Rises' Spoilers: Christopher Nolan Reveals Some Key Plot Information

Chloe Moretz may only be 14 years old, but she's already had a career that most actresses would die for. From 'The Amnityville Horror' to 'Bolt' to '(500) Days of Summer' to her breakout performances in 'Kick-Ass' and 'Let Me In,' Moretz has excelled in a variety of genres -- which is far from an accident. "I go from drama to comedy to horror and thrillers," she told Moviefone at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Manhattan on Sunday morning. "People can see me in every different light and I'm not just one typecast kind of actress." That chameleon streak came in handy during her audition for 'Hugo,' since she was able to trick director Martin Scorsese into thinking she was English. In 'Hugo,' Moretz plays Isabelle, a precocious young orphan who befriends the titular Hugo (Asa Butterfield), a fellow orphan trying to solve a mystery that his father left behind: making a broken automaton work. Isabelle holds the key, literally, to that mystery, as well as one involving her guardian, Papa Georges (Sir Ben Kingsley). Moretz spoke to Moviefone about her performance in 'Hugo,' working with "Marty" Scorsese, the People's Choice Awards, and why Tim Burton fans should be quite excited about the upcoming film, 'Dark Shadows.' I read in another interview that you fooled Martin Scorsese in the audition with your British accent. Once you got the part, was there any concern about keeping that accent up for the length of the shoot, and not just the audition? It was genuinely nerve-wracking thinking that not only do you have to meet Marty, but you have to make him believe you're British -- because that's all he knows of me. Thinking that I was an actual British actress. When I went in there and did the full accent -- it was funny, my accent was almost exact to Asa Butterfield's. So it was really simple to fool him because it sounded just like Asa. So, he totally didn't think about it. When I broke out of the accent and went back to American at the end of the audition, he was like, "Oh, what? You're American!" I was like, "I am American!" He was like, "You fooled me." I was like, "I did fool you." And then you "fooled" him for the rest of the shoot. Once you get it, it's easy, but it's still a lot of hard work. I had to do it every day. You've worked with a number of great directors in your young career: Scorsese, Tim Burton, Marc Webb, Matthew Vaughn. When you're picking projects, does the director outweigh everything else? It's a lot of stuff. I mainly look at the script. If I like the character and I feel like I can do the character, I'll do it. No matter how big the director is, no matter how amazing the director is, if I don't like the character -- if I can succeed in the character -- then I won't do it. You don't want to be bad, especially in a movie with a huge director. That's a term that certainly describes Scorsese. I'm really blessed to be able to do a movie with Marty, in my career at all, much less at 13 or 14. It's really special to be able to do this, because it was something of a learning curve for me. I not only grew as an actor, but I grew in my knowledge of film history. Which I absolutely loved. I had an amazing time learning from Marty about it. I had a really incredible. It was really magical. What old films did he show you? What was your takeaway from them? I love Audrey Hepburn, and that was the main thing I based this character off: Audrey. So he showed me 'Roman Holiday,' 'Funny Face,' and a bunch of her classics. It was really what I based Isabelle off of -- that fun girl, kinda naive but sweet and full of wonderment. She has a huge imagination and always wants to go on an adventure. That's kinda what I tried to do -- be that Audrey Hepburn. That person who tries to light up the screen. But without trying. Effortless. Beyond just the classic films, you also get to share the screen with some all-time acting talents like Ben Kingsley and Helen McCrory. What was the biggest thing you learned from them? I took away so many things from working with them, especially Sir Ben, because he was very method. He stayed in character almost the whole time. It was really helpful to Asa and I, not only working with Helen and Ben, because they were so method, but because they just knew so much about acting. To watch them perform ... not many people get to do that. Not many people get to be in the same scene as Sir Ben and Helen and Frances de la Tour, and all these amazing actors and actresses. It was really a special experience being on a film with such beautiful Oscar winners. It's something I'll always remember. What do you think of method acting? Is that something you can see attempting for a future performance? Maybe. I think whatever gets you into character. Whatever keeps you in character. Whatever helps you get to that spot to act the best that you can. I loved when you were on '30 Rock.' Do you want to do more comedy like that? I do some comedy, like '30 Rock' and stuff, but I try to do a wide range of acting. I go from drama to comedy to horror and thrillers. Everything. That's what I try and do -- that's what we try to think about my career, my brother, Trevor, and my mom. We try and think about that. For instance when I did 'Hugo,' it was: What should I do next? After 'Hugo,' I went to do 'Dark Shadows,' which is totally two bipolar things, which I love. People can see me in every different light and I'm not just one typecast kind of actress. You sound excited about 'Dark Shadows.' Tim Burton is my dream director to work with. What Tim Burton movies do you love? 'Beetlejuice,' 'Edward Scissorhands,' 'Sleepy Hollow,' 'A Nightmare Before Christmas.' I love Tim Burton. I think he's got one of the most brilliant minds of any director out there, along with Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino and Darren Aronfosky. It's always been a dream to work with him. When he called us up and he wanted me to do the movie with him, I was absolutely, hands-down, "Of course I'll do the movie with you Tim Burton! You didn't even have to ask!" We had a really beautiful time doing that movie. It's really interesting, it's a very funny movie. I can't really say anything about it, but it's Tim Burton's fine line. He straddles that camp and drama, perfectly. He goes back to his roots. He goes back to 'Beetlejuice' and 'Edward Scissorhands.' What he's good at. What he's really good at. I'm sure that will please Tim Burton fans. They'll be really happy. It's back to his roots, for sure. You mention those Burton films -- what were the Scorsese films you were familiar with? 'Aviator,' 'Gangs of NY,' 'Raging Bull.' I had only seen 'Aviator' when I was doing the film, but afterwards I have seen more. I guess the rest of them might be a little too adult-themed. Is there one you haven't seen that you're looking forward to watching one day? Definitely. I'm really looking forward to seeing 'Taxi Driver' one day. That's one. I loved that photo shoot you did in Harper's. That was a fun shoot. I had a really good time doing that. They had a whole homage to Marty. You're one of the five finalists for the Favorite Movie Star Under 25 People's Choice Award. It's you and Emma Watson, Rupert Grint... It's like Tom Felton, Daniel Radcliffe. It's Harry Potter against me. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna lose to Harry Potter, but that's OK. I don't mind. At least I got nominated. [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Miramax pacts with Netmovies

Miramax features a streaming deal with Brazil's online platform NetMovies. Photos provided with the multi-year deal include "Pulp Fiction," "The British Patient," "Capital of scotland - God," "Amelie," "You Will Notice Blood stream" and "Kill Bill." NetMovies could make the overall game game titles on numerous platforms including Computer systems, Apple computer systems, Smart Televisions, Blu-ray players, iOS and Android pills beginning 12 ,. 1. Company may even provide game game titles on video game titles soon. NetMovies, which counts greater than 35,000 game game titles within the online library, offers a subscription-based service through DVD and Blu-ray home delivery and unlimited streaming access. Pact involving the two companies might be the most recent in Miramax's effort to digitally exploit its library. Since new entrepreneurs bought the business from Disney a year ago, they've inked handles Netflix, Hulu and Facebook, among other major online platforms. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

'Tonight' nabs audience kudo at Poland's AFF

Michael Di Jiacomo's "Somewhere Tonight," starring John Turturro, took home top audience honors at the second edition of the American Film Fest, Poland's emerging festival dedicated to U.S. indies, which wrapped Sunday in Wroclaw.Top docu kudo went to Susanne Rostock's "Sing Your Song," a portrait of Harry Belafonte.The fest unspooled 76 films, including 11 U.S. pics and 40 from Poland, with spectators voting on the winners of the American Docs and Spectrum sections.Included were Polish preems of the latest work by Gus Van Sant, Whit Stillman, Todd Solondz, Miranda July, Errol Morris, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Tony Kaye, and hosted retrospectives on Solondz, Billy Wilder, Terrence Malick and Joe Swanberg.Solondz, who presented his quirky "Dark Horse" at the fest opening Nov. 15, was honored with the Indie Star Award for leading edgy U.S. auteurs.Swanberg unspooled "Caitlin Plays Herself," while Di Jiacomo, Rostock, Matthew Lessner, Michael Tully and Bryan Storkel joined the guest list.Fest also launched industry event Gotham in Progress, introducing U.S. filmmakers with pics in the final stages of production to European buyers and programmers. Event screened 11 films at closed screenings, and won praises from industryites. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

REVIEW: Rid of Me Plays Rough - And is All the Better for It

Rid of Me, James Westby’s scrappy dramedy about marriage, divorce and finding your inner punk rocker, begins with an act that makes flipping someone off or putting a brick through a windshield look pass. It takes place in a grocery store, and is the kind of ballsy, juvenile and legitimately shocking gesture that indie films used to chase after because studio features would never dare. These days the division between the two realms is fuzzy at best, but this film, which premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival, recalls when a little roughness in form and content was part of the charm. Meris Canfield (Katie O’Grady), our heroine and the perpetrator of the Grocery Store Incident, didn’t start off as the heavy-eyelined scary chick she’s become in the intro. At the outset of Rid of Me, she doesn’t really seem like the stuff around which a movie could be based. There just isn’t much too her, physically (“She’s lovely! Thin is in…?” attempts one insincere complimenter) or in terms of personality. A timorous, mousy girl with wide blue eyes and a smile just barely on the verge of sane, Meris is moving to Oregon from Irvine with her husband Mitch (John Keyser), who’s taken a job back in his hometown of Laurelwood. She adores her spouse, a bluff, beefy guy who talks about being embarrassed that he’s slinking back home in defeat but effortlessly rejoins his childhood friends, a matched set of suburbanite jocks who seem to have been waiting impatiently for his return to the fold. Meris is a housewife — “I love to cook,” she repeats in conversation like a mantra — and her isolation in the new town combined with her inability to mesh with Mitch’s friends soon has her fraying at the edges. She has nothing in common with the three couples, who operate, with a edge of surreality, like a solid unit (or a cult), always together. The men are always glued to a sports game, mock tussling or reminiscing about high school misadventures, while the wives survey her skeptically as she struggles for things to say. Rid of Me, which Westby edited himself, makes frequent use of jittery jump cuts that recall nervous blinking, but tends to linger on Meris as she tries to make conversation, letting her every excruciating botched attempt to fit in linger. The gulf between her and Mitch grows wider with every uncomfortable social gathering (“You’re a social butterfly Meris,” she says, trying to psyche herself up in front of the mirror). She tracks dog shit onto one of their white carpets, she causes their softball team to lose, and she burns dinner — and when Mitch’s ex girlfriend moves back to town, a perfect fit amongst the rest of these perfectly groomed, well-off, slightly racist folks, it becomes clear there’s no place for Meris. So, halfway through the movie, Meris has to start over, alone in a town where she knows no one and no prospects. And this point is where Rid of Me shifts gears from an almost-thriller about a psychological breakdown to slow-building joyous journey in saying “Fuck it all,” as our lonely, soft-spoken protagonist gets a menial job at a candy store and befriends Trudy (Orianna Herrman), a frazzled punk girl who takes Meris under her wing, gets her drunk, gets her awkwardly laid (by Everclear’s Art Alexakis, even) and presents a snazzy alternative to desperately trying to fit in, which is to not fit in at all. Rid of Me doesn’t cutesy up Meris’s sudden change in lifestyle, just allows it to be a natural outgrowth of not having anything else to cling to — if, say, freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose, the opposite should be true as well. And these scenes, at a karaoke club, a bowling alley, in a parking lot, capture the giddy feeling of not giving a damn, even if it’s variety of emotion more commonly found in rebellious teenagers than fully grown former homemakers. Rid of Me is a ragged film that doesn’t always work. Beyond just the midpoint shift, it does seem frequently uneven tonally, and the heightened reality of Mitch and his friends isn’t shared by the rest of the film. The jumpy editing annoys as often as it adds to the feel of the film — there are segments in which it seems the filmmaker worried the audience would get bored if there were fewer than three cuts per second. But the film’s never cloying sincerity is a winning quality, all tied into a heartfelt performance from Katie O’Grady, who inhabits Meris fully through her several transformations in search of her true self. It’s a bittersweet ode to downward mobility and letting go that’s a throwback to a time when slackerdom was more of a lifestyle choice than something forced upon you by grim economic realities. Follow Alison Willmore on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Lady Gaga's Former Creative Director Laurieann Gibson Speaks Out on Split (Exclusive)

In a break-up that ricocheted throughout the blogosphere, dance world and beyond, the Hollywood Reporter confirmed on Sunday that choreographer and creative director Laurieann Gibson is no longer working with Lady Gaga.our editor recommendsLady Gaga Splits From Longtime Creative Director Laurieann Gibson, Rep ConfirmsLady Gaga Dominates at MTV Europe Music Awards, Picking Up Four AwardsLaurieann Gibson: 'We've Created a New Jerusalem' With Lady Gaga's 'Judas' VideoLady Gaga's Fashion Forward Style PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's MTV Evolution The exact cause of the split has yet to be revealed, though plenty are posturing about tension between the two longtime collaborators -- some claiming it stems from statements Gibson made in the press, others pointing to disparate visions for Gaga's ever-evolving image. In an exclusive statement to THR, Gibson acknowledges that, "Recently, Lady Gaga was motivated to take the helm of the creative direction of her career." But despite reports that she had been fired, Gibson says she "decided to step away." PHOTOS: Top 10 Highest Paid Music Artists Indeed, Gibson, who is also an in-house creative director at Interscope Records, tasked with guiding the visual roll-outs of developing artists, seems to be taking the high road when it comes to the Haus of Gaga she helped build. While not particularly press-shy, she has yet to discuss the matter in depth or publicly. Gibson's only reaction thus far is her statement, printed below in its entirety: "I am fulfilled with the work I have done with choreographing all of the iconic moves, creative directing the artist, appearances, shows, directing the tour, music videos, and the HBO Monster Ball, which was a culmination of my work as its creator and director. Recently, Lady Gaga was motivated to take the helm of the creative direction of her career and as such I decided to step away. I am extremely proud of her, and in stepping away I wish her all the best. I look forward to continuing my work with notable artists, as well as new artists that are part of my Interscope Records deal, and the upcoming seasons of my TV shows." PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's Fashion Forward Style Gibson is the star of E! series The Dance Scene, which is produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions. Gaga is currently wrapping up a slate of promotional appearances in England, which included a performance of her latest single, "Marry the Night," on UKX Factor. Related Topics Interscope Lady Gaga Ryan Seacrest Productions

'Mission Impossible' Debuts New Poster, Heads To Dubai

We are getting closer and nearer to the state discharge of "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol," the 4th entry within the Tom Cruise-starring spy franchise. With a quick-approaching release date comes a double dose of "M:I 4" news, starting with a completely new poster, which you'll see above. Additionally towards the new poster, news has dropped the 4th "Mission" is headed to Dubai once more. After shooting what looks to become one heck of the breathtaking action sequence around the massive Burj Khalifa tower, "Ghost Protocol" is coming back towards the city for that eighth annual Dubai Worldwide Film Festival. Based on a pr release, the brand new "Mission: Impossible" will open the festival, which runs from December 7 through 14, 2011. Cruise, director Kaira Bird and fellow cast and crew people are required to become available for that event. Area of the pr release is below, thanks to Bleeding Awesome: Dubai will reprise its very own starring role within the film when Cruise, Bird and also the films co-stars decide to try the Festivals opening evening red-colored carpet alongside the citys leadership in the Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort Dubai, the place to find the Dubai Worldwide Film Festival. The modern joint announcement from Vital Pictures and also the Festival remembers the Mission: Impossible teams go back to Dubai after extensive filming within the city, including shoots spanning its old town, downtown financial hub and offshore Palm island development. With incredible stunt sequences featured through the movie, such as the now legendary scene of Cruise scaling the mobile phone industry's highest tower, Dubais stunning Burj Khalifa, the film also features Dubai footage shot in high-definition IMAX, promising very-obvious imagery, effective audio along with a fantastically immersive experience. Presented for any terrorist bombing from the Kremlin, Impossible Missions Pressure operative Ethan Search (Cruise) and the entire remaining team (Renner, Patton, Pegg) are disavowed together with the relaxation from the agency once the leader initiates Ghost Protocol, basically removing the company from existence. Playing no assets or backup, they must discover a way by themselves to obvious their names and stop another attack. To complicate things further, Ethan needs to attempt this mission having a team of fellow IMF fugitives whose personal motives he doesn't fully know or trust. "Ghost Protocol" initiates countrywide on December 21, 2011. Inform us that which you think about this news within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Eddie Murphy's 6 Biggest Missteps Before Bailing on the Oscars

Like his collaborator and fellow exiting Oscar participant Brett Ratner, Eddie Murphy has a history of being his own worst enemy.our editor recommendsEddie Murphy Exits as Oscar HostBrett Ratner Out as Oscar Show Producer (Exclusive)Brett Ratner's 10 Offensive Quotes That Ended in Oscar Trouble 'Tower Heist' Director Brett Ratner Issues Apology for Gay Slur Though the actor and comedian has enjoyed a healthy career for three decades, his fame has often been eclipsed by bad press and a very long series of questionable film choices. That's one of the reasons why his selection as the 2012 Oscar host was so controversial -- and such a promising move for him. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas But as he often does, Murphy took another shot at his proverbial foot on Tuesday, announcing his departure from the broadcast and leaving the Academy very much without a paddle only four months before the festivities. If anyone is surprised by this, just take a quick look at his colorful resume of screw-ups to see that it's really no surprise at all: 1983: Delirious' many gay slurs It takes a special kind of performer to open their comedy film with blatant homophobia. Murphy's infamous 70-minute set, which included a depiction of a gay Mr. T and 230 mentions of the word "f---," also channeled Ratner with another f-word. "Faggots aren't allowed to look at my ass while I'm onstage," Murphy said, wearing a red leather suit. "That's why I keep moving up here. You don't know where the faggot section is, so you've got to keep moving." PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Blunders 1985: How Could It Be In all honesty, "Party All The Time" has a pretty fantastic chorus, and of the many actors to attempt a musical career, Murphy certainly didn't fall the flattest. But his vanity project, an album called How Could It Be, was dominated by regrettably tracks like "I, Me, Us, We," "C-O-N Confused" and "My God Is Color Blind." Even collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Rick James couldn't save this stinker. 1995: Vampire in Brooklyn Murphy's schlocky attempt at the tricky genre of "horror comedy" included a vampire with a Caribbean accent, an alcoholic preacher and an obscene Italian gangster (in white face) -- all three of whom he played himself. 1997: That transvestite hooker Proving that even the biggest booboos can be overcome, Murphy weathered his 1997 run-in with the police and a transvestite hooker he picked up surprisingly well. His explanation for being caught in the seedy neighborhood with a gentleman of the night riding shotgun was that he enjoyed helping out hookers. "It's not the first hooker I've helped out," he said at the time. (As long as they don't check him out, apparently.) VIDEOS: The Biggest Failed Jokes at the Academy Awards 2006: Rejecting his unborn child Murphy struck up a romance with Spice Girl Melanie Brown soon after divorcing his wife of 15 years. She was soon pregnant, and when their relationship dissolved, he openly questioned (and denied) paternity. Brown got the test, confirming Murphy was the father, but she's since said he hasn't sought a relationship with their daughter. 2007: Norbit There was Oscar buzz around Murphy's 2006 turn in Dreamgirls -- especially after he won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor. But while members of the Academy voted on the same category, the whole of the United States was covered in advertisements for yet another movie starring Murphy... in a fat suit... as a woman. Fat-suit-averse Alan Arkin took home the trophy for Little Miss Sunshine. Related Topics Brett Ratner Eddie Murphy Oscars 2012

Hollywood Docket: Errol Morris Punished Fox News Forms TV Academy Re-Ups General Counsel

GettyErrol Morris. Two new law suits boost the question of whether filmmakers put people in the false light and violated the rights for his or her title and likeness. Might more inside our roundup of entertainment law news....our editor recommendsU.S. Documentary Filmmaker Errol Morris to supply BAFTA Film LectureMorrissey Takes 'Racism' Battle to U.K. Court An Or guy is suing Lionsgate over the following 72 Hrs, starring Russell Crowe, as they states he was described four occasions for a lot of seconds in multiple screen shots just like a "criminal fugitive." The complaintant, Bilal Ahmed, states the film has damaged his status, which pals and affiliate marketers immediately recognized him. He's forget about comfortable wearing his undesired facial hair as described inside the movie for fear it could impair future gainful employment. He's suing makers in the film, which made $51 million, more than $millions of. Joyce McKinney is suing documentary filmmaker Errol Morris for wrongly representing her inside the film Tabloid as "crazy, a sex offender, an S&M prostitute, and/or possibly a rapist." McKinney was mixed up in seventies using what's now known to as "Mormon sex in chains situation" or perhaps the "The problem in the Manacled Mother," the story from the missionary allegedly kidnapped by McKinney, the first sort Miss Wyoming. McKinney cooperated with Morris through the building from the film, giving the interview. However, she states she thought Morris being developing a Showtime series about paparazzi and was rather "unconsciously misled" into speaking of a "extended dead tabloid hoax." She's suing for unspecified damages. The Television Academy has re-upped its outdoors general counsel Dixon Dern, which has offered because capacity more than thirty years. A Texas condition court has declined Time Warner Cable's motion to experience a dispute with Viacom over CMT (New Bands Television) settled in NY, where the two companies are fighting over streamed content on iPad programs. TWC states that CMT violated a partnership partner agreement by departing new bands, and Viacom thinks that TWC has breached anything by failing within the obligations to distribute the funnel and disturbing entrepreneurs. A Texas judge has recognized Viacom's arguments this dispute is unconnected while using debate over iPad streaming. Fox News has settled a suit having a NY digital digital photographer who punished the network for airing a copyrighted work without permission. An image ofAssata Shakur was shownwithout plaintiffDelphine Fawundu Buford'sconsentduring The O'Reilly Factor. Fox News mentioned fair use, nevertheless the dispute remains of your accord overlooked following a parties found an undisclosed agreement. The NY Occasions as well as the Huffington Publish are fighting around the blog title. The Grey Lady filed a trademark breach suit against America online, entrepreneurs of HuffPo, for naming a being a parent blog,Parentlode, which allegedly apes the NYT's Motherlode. The author in the HuffPo blog formerly was charge author in the NYT one. Morrissey will rapidly attend a U.K. High Court pursuing a defamation claim against NME for representing him just like a racist. A judge has determined the singer is developing a "seriousInch claim, and in the last weekend, Morrissey released a extended statement explaining what went lower in more detail.

A Night Time With'Like Crazy'

A Night Time With'Like Crazy' By Jenelle Riley November 4, 2011 Photo by Vital Vantage Stars Anton Yelchin and Felicity Johnson spoke for an audience of Back Stage visitors carrying out a screening of the film "ConstantlyInch on November. 1. The film, which won the Grand Jury Prize for director Drake Doremus only at that year's Sundance Film Festival, concentrates on a youthful couple whose flourishing relationship is complicated once the girl is banned in the U.S. for overstaying her visa. It had been shot on a tight budget of just $250,000, and all sorts of the dialogue was improvised.Yelchin accepted that after he first saw a cut from the movie, he was impressed: "There have been a lot of methods his film might have been really saccharine and melodramatic, and i believe Drake went against that each time he might have gone for this. And That I just really respected him for your and appreciated that." Johnson stated she found the expertise of working with no script liberating: "One factor 'Like Crazy' trained me would be that the script is a factor, however, you need to allow that to goit becomes something entirely different when it is simply the stars, and you will you can invent." A Night Time With'Like Crazy' By Jenelle Riley November 4, 2011 PHOTO CREDIT Vital Vantage Stars Anton Yelchin and Felicity Johnson spoke for an audience of Back Stage visitors carrying out a screening of the film "ConstantlyInch on November. 1. The film, which won the Grand Jury Prize for director Drake Doremus only at that year's Sundance Film Festival, concentrates on a youthful couple whose flourishing relationship is complicated once the girl is banned in the U.S. for overstaying her visa. It had been shot on a tight budget of just $250,000, and all sorts of the dialogue was improvised.Yelchin accepted that after he first saw a cut from the movie, he was impressed: "There have been a lot of methods his film might have been really saccharine and melodramatic, and i believe Drake went against that each time he might have gone for this. And That I just really respected him for your and appreciated that." Johnson stated she found the expertise of working with no script liberating: "One factor 'Like Crazy' trained me would be that the script is a factor, but you need to allow that to goit becomes something entirely different when it is only the stars, and you will you can invent."

Japanese auds search for escape

'From On Poppy Hill'Following the triple problems of March 11 -- 9. earthquake, massive tsunami and reactor meltdowns within the Fukushima nuclear plant -- many inside the Japanese biz mentioned audience needs would change, having a more compact quantity of an appetite for dark, violent photos plus much more curiosity about cheerful, advantageous ones.Distribs rejiggered their skeds, dumping photos with disaster styles in addition to footage (goodbye China's earthquake epic "Aftershock" and Clint Eastwood's "Hereafter"), while helmers rewrote scripts (Yoji Yamada with "Tokyo, japan, japan Family") or pressed back projects that didn't fit the current mood (Takashi Kitano's follow-around his bloody gang epic "Outrage").Nevertheless the year's B.O. through September shows little evidence of radical change, especially towards the top. A toon from perennial giant Studio Ghibli, "From On Poppy Hill," is not any. 1 among domestic releases up to now this year, much like another Studio Ghibli toon, "The Borrowers," was the last year.Some indie photos, though, certainly accomplished good success within the aud's publish-disaster mood change. Released in Japan on Feb. 26, "The King's Speech" defied box office gravity week after publish-disaster week, becasue it is story of overcome adversity ongoing for hooking up with auds. It finished at $22 million, while ranking in at No. 9 for your year so far among foreign releases.Overall, the finest trend for your year is really a B.O. slide for foreign and domestic photos, even though latter are actually hit harder. This Season, three local photos assigned $90 million this year, none had.Also, box office for your choice of Toho, which distribs a lot of the finest-producing domestic photos, was $589 million or 78% of last year's inside the The month of the month of january-September period.Toho credited the drop with a combo from the weakened-than-usual selection together with a general change in aud psychology. The business also noted the impact in the problems remains under feared, with summer season box office rebounding strongly when anticipated energy cuts not successful to materialize.Meanwhile, inside the indie sector, a extended decline in auds for arthouse fare has forced some small-to-medium indie distribs bankrupt and many indie theater operators with the idea to close their entrance doors or boost the populist fare for his or her lineups.Japanese customers, however, are actually busy making deals for indie photos with the fall, with pick-ups like the Korean meller "Always" (Pony Canyon), the spy thriller "Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (Gaga) and Philippe Garrel's "That Summer season" (Comstock).One cause of optimism might be the launch of 12 broadcast satellite channels on March. 1, being then seven more in March, all using wavelengths freed up with the finish of analog broadcasts last This summer time. Foreign photos, including indie game game titles, feature heavily inside the lineups in the new Cinema strand of entertainment funnel operator Wowow as well as the three all-pic channels supplied by movie specialist Star Funnel.Volume of screens: 3,412Number of 3d screens: 763Top 5 indie films and B.O. (using the finish of 2010): "From On Poppy Hill" ($56.5 million) "Gantz" ($44.7 million) "SP Kakumeihen" ($43.3 million) "Detective Conan" ($40.2 million) "Gantz: Perfect Answer" ($35.4 million)Top indie distribs and total box office this year: Toho ($975 million) Shochiku ($177 million) Toei ($177 million)Top exhibition chains for indie films: Toho Cinemas (582 screens) Warner-Mycal (496 screens) Movix (226 screens)Typical minimum guarantee paid out: Typically 10% of production cost, even though recent trend remains lowerUpcoming indie pick-ups: "Always" (Pony Canyon) "Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (Gaga) "That Summer season" (Comstock) "Beginners" (Phantom Film) "Chantrapas" (Bitters Finish) Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

PBS launches U.K. net

Ken Burns docu mini 'Prohibition' will help kick off programming for PBS' U.K. channel.The network also will offer doc series such as 'Nova' and 'Frontline.''Frontline'LONDON -- An American TV network is preparing to take on the Brits at what the Brits do best -- public broadcasting. On Nov. 1, PBS will launch its first channel outside the U.S. on satcaster BSkyB, ironically, an aggressive commercial operator. Another irony is that the U.S. pubcaster and its member affiliates rely heavily on British imports for programming. The American web comes into a market dominated by the BBC, and commercials webs that must also deliver public service programming. Negotiations for carriage on cabler Virgin Media are expected to be concluded soon."U.K. audiences already enjoy the best of American drama and comedy," explains Richard Kingsbury, the Brit who is general manager of PBS U.K. "PBS will bring the best of American history, science, music, current affairs, arts and culture. It is the last great TV archive to be opened up to U.K. viewers."Kingsbury, who comes from a marketing background, is an experienced hand at getting new channels off the ground.During an eight-year stint at UKTV, then owned jointly by the BBC and Virgin Media, he launched pay channels specializing in history, food and drama.He and his three full-time colleagues at PBS U.K. -- the rest of the team is employed as freelancers -- will likely find their work cut out for them in attempting to establish PBS in such a crowded and competitive market.BBC4 and More4 already provide a hefty chuck of the kind of thinking person's TV that PBS specializes in. Moreover, the U.K. enjoys a global reputation for production of high-end documentaries.Part of the idea behind the British PBS channel is that since Brits have been addicted for decades to imported shows -- from "Dallas" to "Desperate Housewives" -- they will come to love such fare as PBS science strand "Nova" or public affairs show "Frontline." Yet paradoxically, while PBS in the U.S. is a not-for-profit organization famous for its pledge drives, the U.K. upstart is avowedly commercial; unlike the U.S. channel, commercial breaks will be broadcast during the shows.PBS PR and marketing head Rebecca Edwards says that the advertising won't change the content of the shows. "We have to stay true to the brand, its heritage and the quality that is associated with that," she says.Ad sales are being handled by Channel 4, which has provided a U.K. showcase for PBS' best-known show, "Sesame Street." But as uncertainty mounts regarding the strength of the TV advertising market in what is a fragile economy, Kingsbury isn't worried about the business model."We've worked on channels of this sort of size before, so we know how to get value for money and how to max out the revenues and keep costs under control," he says. "The idea is to attract upscale, viewers (who generally don't watch a great deal of TV) and extract a premium for that."The U.K. PBS is run as a joint venture between Canadian venture philanthropist David Lyons, who made his fortune in gas and oil, and PBS Distribution, the company set up in 2007 by WGBH, the Boston PBS member and the network's chief producer of programming, and PBS.The scale of the investment is undisclosed, but since Lyons owns international rights to most of PBS' catalog, that key cost can be stricken from the P&L statement. In success, it aims to funnel some of its profit back to the U.S. pubcaster and its 360 affiliates.The launch lineup looks strong and may, eventually, give the BBC and Channel 4 a run for their money.Weekday evenings revolve around "Nova," kicking off at 7:50 p.m., "Frontline," at 9 p.m., followed by history strand "American Experience" at 10:05 p.m. "PBS Newshour" airs at 11:15 p.m. Programs have not been cut in order to fit the slots.PBS topper Paula Kerger has said she wants the Brits to share "another perspective on the United States separate from Hollywood," and in that context "Newshour" could prove especially valuable, offering an alternative to CNN and Fox News.Ken Burns' latest docu, the five-part "Prohibition," will bow on launch night, airing at 10:05.Daytime, meanwhile, is skewed toward lifestyle fare, led by the U.S. version of Brit stalwart "Antiques Roadshow."PBS aims to deliver what commercial competitors Discovery and History -- now successful in the unscripted space -- have been moving away from: straightforward factual shows dealing with science, nature, history and arts.Still, PBS is facing a tough market already populated by dozens of other channels already aimed at viewers who prefer docs to drama. "We will cherrypick," says Kingsbury. "There is a filter there that says, 'Will this be of interest to U.K. audiences?'" Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Liam McIntyre Talks Walking In To The Role Of Spartacus

First Released: October 27, 2011 4:17 PM EDT Credit: Starz Entertainment La, Calif. -- Caption Liam McIntyre in Spartacus: Vengeance Thats a wrap! Filming has become complete around the next season of Starzs Spartacus franchise, and Liam McIntyre stated the cast and crew from the 10-episode series, which returns in The month of january, desired to do right by original series star, the late Andy Whitfield. I believe everybody really was excited to complete the show and check out and do him proud and extremely enter there and making the show, Liam told AccessHollywood.coms Laura Saltman of the items things were really like on day one he hit the brand new Zealand Spartacus: Vengeance set captured. It had been a large year within the Spartacus franchise world. In The month of january, Starz started airing the prequel small-series Spartacus: Gods from the Arena, starring Dustin Clare, after which with Andys blessing moved on with Season 2 from the Spartacus-as-the-star drama, getting in Liam because the new freeman-switched-gladiator-switched-soldier. Sadly, though, the cast and crew from the show were shipped a blow in September, when, during production on Spartacus: Vengeance, this news broke that Andy, who was simply struggling with non-Hodkins lymphoma, had died. Thats most likely the saddest things Ive ever observed in my whole existence, Liam stated from the moment a producer on the program told the ensemble. But, the emotional moment offered to inspire individuals active in the series that also stars Lucy Lawless and Manu Bennett to operate harder. It had been awesome to determine everybody pull together and say, this provides us grounds to complete a level better show because well provide him when we are able to, Liam stated. Actually, lengthy before he even began filming, Liam (who had been a large fan from the show before he was cast) was investing in an expert athlete-style effort in becoming the B.C. guy who brought an uprising from the Romans. Used to do this other job and virtually the next day of, they stated, Come lower to Nz, you may be the man thatll play Spartacus within the next season. I kind of chuckled and went OK, Ive seen that demonstrate, I like that demonstrate and that i dont look anything like Spartacus, he stated, a mention of the his former skinny physique for any role within the film, Frozen Moments. But, you realize, four several weeks of hard training later and apparently they believed that would exercise. As well as on the set, Liam started the brawn, participating in fight moments and sword fighting, departing him with pains and aches most times of shooting the experience-packed series. I certainly beat my body system into submission Its just like a tenderizing factor. Its good --this means theres awesome things within the show, the industry positive thing, he noted. Spartacus: Vengeance premieres on Starz in The month of january. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sylvester Stallone punished inside the Expendables

Film author Marcus Webb has filed suit against Sylvester Stallone in Manhattan Federal Court.He's suing the Hollywood hardman for breach of copyright, stating that 2010 film The Expendables is "from time to time identical" to his work The Cordoba Caper, they tried to market in Hollywood between 2006 and 2009.If effective, Webb might be entitled to significant damages.The suit also demands a order in the court barring further breach, that may customize the relieve The Expendables 2, presently on diary for an August 2012 release.The Expendables 2 will once again feature a thrilling-star cast of action heroes, using the type of Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme employed for your follow-up.Reps of Stallone have by yet been unavailable for comment.

WGA East Protests Outdoors ITV Galleries

EXCLUSIVE: After her year-lengthy daytime stint on CBS’ The Talk, Leah Remini is coming back to primetime having a talent development deal at ABC and ABC Galleries. The pact, which requires the network and also the studio to build up a comedy work for Remini to star in and convey, comes from a conference the actress lately had with ABC Entertainment Group leader Paul Lee. Together with Carol Robinson Peete, Remini designed a surprising exit in the Talk recently after CBS elected not to get their options, resulting in an outpouring of support from fans, together with a campaign to find the two back around the daytime talk show. (Robinson Peete also lately reserved her first publish-Talk gig, an arc on CBS’ Mike & Molly). Remini, most widely known on her starring role around the lengthy-running CBS sitcom The King Of Queens, continues to be sought after for comedy series having a string of talent deals at any given time when such deals happen to be few in number. This past year, she'd a development/talent holding cope with CBS and CBS Galleries. Before that, Remini, repped by UTA and attorney Jon Moonves, spent a few years at ABC, where she also were built with a talent deal and starred in 2 comedy projects. UPDATE: For those individuals individuals who requested, yes, Jon Moonves relates to CBS topper Leslie Moonves. They're siblings.

Eliminate: Archie Cookson

A Real Estate Agent Pictures production. (Worldwide sales: Seven & Seven, London.) Created by Ioanna Karavella. Executive producer, David Bunker. Directed, compiled by Take advantage of Holder.With: Paul Rhys, Claire Skinner, Paul Ritter, Georgia King, Ewan Stewart, Nicholas Day, Phillip Manikum, Richard Cambridge, Freddy Downham, Juan Herrera, Gabriel Vick, Marc Danbury.An ambitious Brit indie that does not quite satisfy the anticipation it boosts, "Eliminate: Archie Cookson" begins like a droll sad-sack spin on spy spoofery, but through the finish has moved from comedy toward a dramatic heft its spindly legs can't support. That can be a awkward tonal mix ultimately creates an offbeat curio as opposed to a fully satisfying evening out, d.p.-switched-author-helmer Take advantage of Holder's debut feature remains a directing harbinger of better try to come. Offshore home-format sales look likely. Title figure (Paul Rhys, in the first bigscreen lead since 2002's "Food of affectionInch) is really a failure by any standard, particularly those of his ex-wife, Camilla (Claire Skinner). Once an Intelligence Dept. up-and-comer, he's now slunk sufficiently lower the ladder to keep his position -- nowadays nothing more than office hard work -- exclusively because of pitying, influential in-laws and regulations. While former spouse and horribly precocious boy Hector (Freddy Downham) still occupy tony digs and social status, Archie stays nights consuming in the dreary flat, days sleepwalking through Russian-to-British translation responsibilities. He's literally asleep at work (declined from sight within an audio transcription booth) when assassins with silencers gun lower his co-employees over some missing old Cold War audiotapes that may compromise the integrity of government, in addition to two seniors gentlemen spymasters (Philip Manikum, Nicholas Day). The 2 coolly choose that Archie -- who presently has the incriminating reels in the possession -- must die too, dispatching veteran Ennis (Paul Burns) to complete the deed. Consider Ennis and Archie were co-workers in better days, Ennis gives him 24 hrs to come back the products and hopefully save their own existence. Naturally, everything doesn't go as planned, though once "Eliminate" becomes a comparatively straightforward espionage film, its financial and imaginative restrictions be apparent. What begins out like a dry sendup of "The Spy Who Arrived In the Cold"-type mellers develops continuously less comedy, and with no emotional weight or clever, suspenseful twists required to in the narrative ante. Particularly, the film takes too seriously the protag's associations with Camilla and new squeeze Lucy (Georgia King), a rather ditzy bombshell of suspect loyalties. The finale flirts with tragedy, however the lightweight pic can't handle it. You will find enough appealing elements here to create one want a remake that properly balances the seriocomedy, ideally hewing more toward the ironic, satirical tenor David Hamill's score (breezily nodding to '60s genre photos) keeps throughout. Holder demonstrates a sure hands together with his accomplished cast, a pleasant sense of deadpan scene pacing, as well as an ease using the bricks-and-mortar facets of creating a modest enterprise seem like a more expensive one. Rhys is definitely watchable, however the show is fairly well stolen by Burns, whose American-highlighted friendly foe improves fair-to-good material having a very funny mixture of deep-dyed cynicism and unpredicted hominess.Camera (color, HD), Stein Stie editor, Valentina Riva music, David Hamill production designer, Nicola Dietmann art director, Tanya Burns costume designer, Amanda Hambleton seem, Daniel Chu Owen seem designers, Mark Kenna, Alex Hudd visual effects supervisor, James Cost assistant director, Simon Haveland casting, Camilla Evans. Examined on DVD, Bay Area, March. 4, 2011. (In Mill Valley Film Festival -- World Cinema Montreal World Film Festival.) Running time: 87 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Sibling Writers Tim & Michael Hobert Sell Sibling Comedy To NBC

This is a case of art imitating life times two — NBC has bought a single-camera comedy written by brothers Tim and Micheal Hobert based on their experience working together. The single-camera comedy, produced by Warner Bros. TV, centers on Mike, a twentysomething man who lands a dream job as the assistant to a commercial director, his older brother Tim, only to learn that his job is mostly about keeping his brother’s hectic home life running smoothly. The project stems from a script deal Tim Hobert had with Warner Bros. TV where he works as a co-executive producer on the studio’s ABC comedy The Middle. It is inspired by real-life events. Years ago, comedy writer-producer Tim Hobert had a development deal with NBC that provided a little money for him to hire an assistant. His baby brother Mike, who is 12 years his junior, had recently graduated from USC and was interested in a career as a writer, so Tim tapped him as his assistant. But the job quickly turned to Mike doing chores and babysitting his brother’s 4 small kids. “I wanted to get into writing but I was being used as the guy who cleaned his house, served as a nanny to his kids and made sure his life was running smoothly,” Mike Hobert recalled. Added Tim Hobert, “I basically bait-and-switched him. I duped him into becoming another me.” Tim and Mike Hobert, the middle and the youngest of 5 brothers, are writing and executive producing the project. This actually is the fifth time the two have worked together. Tim also hired Mike as a production assistant when he served as executive producer/showrunner on the Fox comedy series ‘Til Death. Additionally, Mike had recurring roles on two series where ICM-repped Tim worked as a writer-producer, Scrubs and Spin City. Mike Hobert’s experience, which he describes as a lot of “random stuff”, also includes producing a documentary on malaria for the UN and recently producing his friend, Parenthood‘s Sam Jaeger’s, indie Take Me Home, which is doing the rounds at the festival circuit.

'Glee': Chord Overstreet in Foretells Return

Chord Overstreet might be coming back to Fox's "Glee.""The Hollywood Reporter" has confirmed the actor who performed Mike around the musical dramedy from Ryan Murphy and Kaira Falchuk is within foretells reprise his role inside a recurring capacity, as first reported by "TV Line."The actor separated ways using the series last season having seen co-stars Darren Criss (Blaine) and Harry Shum Junior. (Mike) marketed to series regulars.The actor guest starred on ABC's "The CenterInch this year.In accordance to "TV Line," Overstreet could return inside a recurring capacity in Episode 8 from the series' third season.Overstreet's Mike was last seen romancing Mercedes (Amber Riley) within the series' Season 2 finale. What this signifies for Mercedes' new love interest, Marcus (LaMarcus Mess) is unclear."Unlike other 'Glee' associations, they might stay together completely towards the finish of the season,Inch Riley told THR lately. "I believe what you are likely to see is exactly what an optimistic relationship appears like with individuals two." The Hollywood Reporter

'Lazhar' preem, party start Abu Dhabi Fest

ABU DHABI -- The fifth Abu Dhabi Film Festival bowed Thursday with "Monsieur Lazhar," Canada's entry for foreign-language Oscar consideration. While you will discover some changes for the event -- the emirate's Circle Conference confab, which frequently draws a slew of worldwide industryites, remains nixed -- that didn't stop the fest from beginning immediately. "Lazhar," starring Mohamed Fellag, Emilien Neron and Sophie Nelisse, was examined inside a new outdoors venue powering the Fairmont Hotel, marking the first time the opening-evening film has unspooled outdoors. No matter the Gulf warmth, the large event came a substantial crowd and auds later made the short walk for the trendy after-party within the hotel. "I used to be nervous to look for the way the crowd would sit from it being outdoors," mentioned Abu Dhabi Film Fest professional director Peter Scarlet. "But everyone made an appearance to relish it." "Monsieur Lazhar," directed by Philippe Falardeau, follows an Algerian immigrant in Montreal hired just like a alternative teacher. A notable change as of this year's opening might be the heavy presence of Arab and Gulf industryites as well as the slightly reduced volume of bizzers off their corners in the globe -- a manifestation, possibly, in the fest's intention to put more focus on developing a regional film infrastructure. A slew of Arab thesps attended the after-party, including Egyptian actor Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, Egyptian actress-singer Bushra and Syrian thesp Faris Alhilo. Egyptian thesp Laila Elouis, Iranian thesp Fatemeh Simin Motamed-Ayra and French actress Marianne Denicourt -- all jury people -- also mingled. This Years fest includes world preems of Mike Neave's "Almost for one another,Inch Amr Salama's "Asma'a," Michael Brandt's "The Double," Safinez Bousbia's "El Gusto" and Nawaf Al-Janahi's "Sea Shadow," the initial Abu Dhabi production within the emirate's $1 billion production arm Image Nation. Fest shuts March. 22. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Leonardo DiCaprio to see Alan Turing

Mathematical genius, enigma codebreaker, architect in the modern computer and many types of-round British legend Alan Turing looks set to find the Hollywood biopic treatment, with Leonardo DiCaprio installed on Warner Brothers' acquisition of Graham Moore's script The Imitation Game.Ron Howard is mooted to direct Game, which will cover the occasions from the incredible existence which wasfilled with great excitement and deep tragedy.Despite being one of the key figures inside the defeat in the Nazis, Turing was criminally punished for his homosexuality, expected to undergo chemical castration and lastly committed suicide by consuming a cyanide-laced apple.Which might clearly lead to an incredibly dark third-act, by getting an insider explaining the script to become "The King's Speech without any huge advantageous ending."Which seems being something from the understatement. But Turing's story could really have a very fairly advantageous ending, following Gordon Brown's official apology this past year for Turing's treatment through the war.That apology is below - reveal you do not need to hear it read out inside the credits."thousands of people have meet up to demand justice for Alan Turing and recognition in the appalling way he was treated. While Turing was labored with beneath the law of occasions which we can not put the clock back, his treatment was clearly absolutely unfair and i am pleased to offer the chance to express how deeply sorry I which we each is that happened to him...""So regarding the British government, and many types of people who live freely due to Alan's work I am very proud to convey: we're sorry, you deserved better.Inch

The Fantastic Tarantino/McQueen Slave-Movie Duel, and 5 Other Tales You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Wednesday! Also in today’s edition in the Broadsheet: Another possible Leonardo DiCaprio project surfaces… Aaron Sorkin declined Jobs’s invitation to produce a Pixar film… Hilary Duff desires to function as next Stephenie Meyer… Occupy Wall Street’s celebrity dynamic will receive a closer inspection… plus much more. · Two good turns deserve another for filmmaker Steve McQueen and also the muse Michael Fassbender (pictured at right), who'll follow their triumphant tandem Hunger which fall’s Shame while using drama 12 Years a Slave. Chiwetel Ejiofor is coming initially from along for your true story of Solomon Northup, a NYer who was simply kidnapped and located in captivity in Louisiana inside the mid-1800s. Sounds good, but… [Variety] · …Quentin Tarantino will dsicover McQueen’s Fassbender and lift him a Don Manley. Or something like that like this: After apparently several days of arm twisting, QT has essentially set Manley with an undisclosed role within the own slave saga Django Unchianed. Two auteurist slave films in one year! A lot better than Snow White-colored, I guess. Whose will reign? [Variety] · Leonardo DiCaprio remains connected with another project noisy . development: The Imitation Game, a biopic about Alan Turing, the, um, “English math wizzard, logician, cryptanalyst, computer investigator, criminally punished homosexual, and tortured soul who committed suicide by consuming a cyanide-laced apple.” Warner Bros. paid out seven figures for Graham Moore’s spec script Ron Howard’s title has apparently achieve direct. [Deadline] · I’m somewhat late with this, but nevertheless: Jobs. Wanted Aaron Sorkin. To produce a Pixar movie. I'm speaking about! Sorkin switched the late visionary lower, alas, explaining, “The the truth is I don’t learn how to tell people tales. I have got a young kid who loves Pixar movies and he or she’ll turn cartwheels essentially remind her I’m writing one which i don’t desire to dissatisfy her by writing really the only bad movie inside the good status for Pixar.” Nuts. [The Daily Animal] · I'd not a clue Hilary Duff can be a novelist now. A Couple-time novelist, surprisingly, absolutely attempting to have her supernatural youthful-adult potboiler pair Elixir and Devoted changed into movies. Just throwing that available the greater understanding you've, etc. [MTV via THR] · “Do protestors feel celebrity support helps or doing harm to their cause?” Good question for your demonstrators at Occupy Wall Street. Seriously! Good question. [EW] · Whoops! An autopsy-room picture of Michael Jackson’s nude, dead body — along with his sex organs blacked (ahem) out — was briefly proven on tv Tuesday throughout Conrad Black’s wrongful dying trial. That's all. [People] [Photo: Getty Images]

CNBC hawks more 'Squawk'

Melissa Lee, co-anchor, "Squawk all the timeInch CNBC has canceled "The Telephone CallInch and "Strategy Session" and extended "Squawk all the timeInch to three several hours, with Carl Quintanilla hosting the completely new 11 ayem hour, which will focus on global marketplace changes, specially the European bourses."Carl will in all probability be grew to become an associate of by others in the 'Squawk round the Street' team, for instance Simon Hobbs," mentioned CNBC honcho Nik Deogun. "Furthermore, Gary Kaminsky and Ron Santelli might have recurring roles round the program."While using development of "Squawk," the finance net's 11 o'clock show "The Telephone CallInch is not anymore series was moored by Melissa Francis and Ray Kudlow.The web may also be getting rid of its halfhour 12 p.m. show "Strategy Session," growing its 12:30 show "Quick Money Halftime Report" in to the slot, which causes it to be an entire hourlong."Host Scott Wapner together with an in-depth bench of seasoned traders will break lower analyst calls, market-moving corporate news, options action and technical analysis," mentioned Deogun. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Berlin Film Festival Sets Up $20,000 Prize for Young German Directors

COLOGNE, Germany The Berlin Film Festival has launched a new prize to support young German directors, which will provide 15,000 ($20,000) towards the development of a new project by an up-and-coming director.Any of the directors whose films screened in the festival's young German cinema sidebar, Perspektive Deutsches Kino, are eligible to apply for award, called the Made in Germany Perspektive Fellowship.A three-member jury made up of director Thomas Arslan, actress Anna Bruggemann and producer Gian-Piero Ringel will pick the winner from project submissions. The inaugural prize will be presented at a ceremony at next year's Berlin Film Festival.The fellowship is backed by German watchmaker Glashutte Original. The Hollywood Reporter

Lifetime Apparently Developing Rhianna Biopic

Rhianna Rhianna has divulged plenty about her existence, but we'll view it in film. Lifetime is developing a biopic chronicling the artist's existence titled Fame Monster: The Lady Gaga Story, in line with the Hollywood Reporter.Have a look at television's most fit starsLifetime, however, is keeping a texas hold'em face. "We don't discuss things in development, so were not departing comments in regards to the Rhianna project at this time around around," Ces Eisner, Lifetime's v . p . of publicity, mentioned.This isn't really the only factor the Grammy -winning recording artist has inside the pipeline: in August, it absolutely was reported that Gaga might be starring as herself inside an episode in the Simpsons, set to air in 2012.