Margaret

A Fox Searchlight release given Camelot Pictures from the Gilbert Films, Mirage Entertainment, Scott Rudin production. Produced by Sydney Pollack, Gary Gilbert, Rudin. Executive producer, Anthony Minghella. Co-producer, Blair Breard. Directed, put together by Kenneth Lonergan.Lisa - Anna Paquin Joan - J. Cruz-Cameron Ramon - Jean Reno Emily - Jeannie Berlin Monica - Allison Janney John - Matthew BroderickSix years of legal limbo and publish-production hell weren't kind to Kenneth Lonergan's "Margaret." A troubled and troubling 2005 time-capsule that arrives bearing all the scars of the difficult pregnancy, this unwieldy drama of conscience inside the wake of tragedy is hyperarticulate but rarely eloquent, full of wrenchingly socialized moments that lack credible motivation or devolve into shrill hectoring. It is really an angry, cacophonous storm from the movie, and like the terrible bus accident that sets it moving, it's tough to exhibit from, though only self-selecting pockets in the arthouse faithful will most likely strap themselves in to begin with. Fox Searchlight's probability of being careful of the crowd with this particular nearly 2 1/2-hour film maudit will be based heavily on curiosity and residual goodwill from enthusiasts of Lonergan's "You'll Be Able To Depend on Me" (2000), most likely probably the most auspicious debuts with a u . s . states author-director formerly decade. "Margaret," in comparison, will most likely stand just like a heartbreaking cautionary tale round the issues of inflated anticipation and sophomore overambition. Shot in 2005 getting a higher-profile ensemble (including a lot of the cast from "You'll Be Able To Depend on Me"), the expansion postponed indefinitely inside the cutting room, stressfull various behind-the-moments clashes together with a string of law suits that cast doubt on when the film would ever start to see the light of day a few its producers, Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack, died just before the image was completed. Emerging finally with almost no fanfare, "Margaret" nonetheless plays as being a howl of fury that likely stems as much in the frustrating journey for the screen as in the material. Produced just like a NY symphony inside the key of publish-9/11 despair, shouldering heavy types of guilt, atonement and retribution, the film concentrates on smart-mouthed high schooler Lisa Cohen (a pre-"True Blood stream" Anna Paquin), who in a roundabout way leads to a maximum West Side fatality each time a bus driver (Mark Ruffalo), distracted by her hands signals, works on the pedestrian. From moment of impact to agonizingly protracted aftermath, the accident is staged with sickening realism, ending around the bloodstained tableau in which the victim, middle-aged Monica (Allison Janney), dies in Lisa's arms. The fleeting connection forged inside the woman's final minutes features a gradual but profound effect on Lisa, too as with the times like the following, she changes from apparent normalcy to unmanageable fits of temper. Nearly all her responses are keen on her mother, Joan (J. Cruz-Cameron), a specialist stage actress dealing with her own frazzled nerves together with a brand new b.f., the worldly, opera-loving Ramon (Jean Reno). The digressive, apparently directionless character in the story seems justified at first by Lonergan's goal to render a layered, full-bodied portrait of just one person's a reaction to trauma. Therefore the film observes with persistence as Lisa sights moving to California to reside in along with her father (Lonergan) and handles to get rid of her virginity to more sexually experienced classmate (Kieran Culkin). Eventually she reaches out not just in Monica's nearest friend, Emily (Jeannie Berlin), but furthermore for the bus driver, beginning a celebration that quickly turns hostile. It may be easy to accept the drama's lumpy, lurching structure if these threads became a member of together inside an honest, informative fashion. But as Lisa embarks around the campaign to punish the motive pressure for his negligence, something about her actions simply doesn't compute she's not tracing a reputable arc a great deal as showing a thesis about how precisely individual functions of decency are not any match for your cruel indifference of Western society. In trying to light up Lisa's moral confusion, the film eventually ends up posting in it, clouding numerous raw, effective fights in to a hopeless dramatic muddle. If "You'll Be Able To Depend on Me" left things exquisitely unspoken, "Margaret" feels bent on saying everything, in a really noisy voice. Antagonism might be the default conversational mode in Lonergan's NY. Everyone talks in the testy, combative, highly literate idiom that doesn't capture the city's seething spirit a great deal since it betrays the filmmaker's theatrical roots. The climate is further inflamed by class sequences through which Lisa and her fellow students scream at each other about racism, terrorism and Israeli-Palestinian discord, all to grating, self-important effect. Paquin throws herself completely into the role from the pained, desperate teen acting out a peculiarly misguided kind of idealism, yet her commitment frequently devolves into flailing hysterics throughout a number of Lisa's fits, our need to slap her is overpowering. Cruz-Cameron provides an even more modulated turn, her tetchy interplay with Paquin striking authentic notes of mother-daughter animus. Berlin's Emily is initially welcome becoming an older voice of understanding, only to become needlessly rude, even batty, since the film progresses. Ryszard Lenczewski's lensing provides a comprehensive panorama of Gotham locales, turning crowd shots into slo-mo interludes based on Nico Muhly's Latin-inserted dirge from the score. No matter the various extra editorial hands accustomed to bring the film lower to workable length (including Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker), lots of elements still appear like indulgent asides, such as the distractingly starry presence of Matthew Broderick together with a still boyish-searching Matt Damon as Lisa's teachers. The densely allusive script (the title can be a poetry reference) may also did without its self-regarding subtext in regards to the purpose and of art: Again and again, the figures speak dismissively of movies, operas and plays, as if to suggest the limitations of drama as a means of catharsis. Beneath the conditions, they don't understand how right they are.Camera (Technicolor), Ryszard Lenczewski editors, Anne McCabe, Michael Fay music, Nico Muhly music supervisor, Nic Ratner production designer, Serta Leigh art director, James Donahue set decorator, Ron van Blomberg costume designer, Melissa Toth appear (Dolby Digital), Michael Barosky effects coordinator, Conrad Edge Sr. visual effects, Large Film Design stunt coordinator, Manny Siverio assistant director, Todd Pfeiffer second unit director, Siverio casting, Douglas Aibel. Examined at Fox Art galleries, La, Sept. 22, 2011. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 149 MIN.With: Kieran Culkin, Mark Ruffalo, Matt Damon, Sarah Steele, Mike O'Connor, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Rosemarie Dewitt, Kenneth Lonergan. Contact Justin Chang at justin.chang@variety.com

Google, Dish Made Greatest Hulu Bids in First Round (Report)

NEW You are able to - Google and Charlie Ergen's Dish Network posted the 2 greatest offers for movie partnership Hulu, brought by Boss Jason Kilar, within the recent first round of putting in a bid, Business Insider reported. They outperform Amazon . com.com and Yahoo within the opening round. Stating two un named sources, it stated that satellite television firm Dish, which captured acquired Blockbuster because it is constantly on the boost its movie services, offered around $1.9 billion, in comparison up to the more than $2 billion that Hulu's proprietors were searching for. It stated Dish has an interest within the Hulu content, but additionally its back-finish technology. Meanwhile, YouTube owner Google bid in the plethora of $4 billion for Hulu, but suggested special conditions, based on Business Insider. Google requested more content for any long time than Hulu proprietors Wally Disney, News Corp. and NBCUniversal have offered inside a purchase. Analyst Richard Greenfield of BTIG lately known as Google the "most compelling" buyer for Hulu. Hulu's proprietors must now choose their next steps. A number of them lately signaled they might decide to not sell when the cost isn't right or maybe they see benefits of ongoing possession. Email: Georg.SzalaI@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Google Hulu Dish Network

Mick Jagger May Grab Lead Role in 'Tabloid'

Not counting an uncredited line-free appearance in 'The Bank Job' in 2008, it has been 10 years since Moving Gems lead singer Mick Jagger has flexed his actorly muscles onscreen in 'The Guy From Elysian Fields.' That could change relatively soon, provided the completely new film 'Tabloid' really can get started while using singer still attached. Move like Jagger (groan!) to check out some particulars ahead. Per Deadline, Josh Olson ('A Good status for Violence,' the arrival 'One Shot') will write the script for 'Tabloid,' which follows a "global media mogul with dubious morality" as well as the "youthful journalist who'll get attracted and attracted into [his] immoral world." Jagger would play in the youthful journalist media mogul in addition to produce. Furthermore to 'Elysian Fields' and 'The Bank Job,' Jagger's previous credits include 'Freejack,' 'Performance' and 'Ned Kelly.' [via Deadline] Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage Related: 9 Great Entertainers Who Become Great Stars CherElvis PresleyBarbra StreisandJustin TimberlakeDavid BowieJennifer HudsonMadonnaWill SmithBeyonce See All Moviefone Galleries »

Check Out TV's Unsexiest Sex Scenes, Vol. IV

Nina Dobrev Nina Dobrev is recovering after she says she suffered a concussion on the set of The Vampire Diaries. Did Stefan and Damon make the cut? See our list of favorite TV and movie vampires "Still feeling side effects from the concussion I got on set," the 22-year-old actress tweeted on Monday. "Ouchie. Good thing purple is a good color on me otherwise..." No further details were immediately available about exactly how and/or when she was injured, but tweeting is an important step on the road to recovery.

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CW preps 'Musical Chairs'

GurinThe CW is developing unscripted format "Extreme Musical Chairs" from the Gurin Co. and 405 Prods.Series would transform the popular children's game into a physically demanding competition with multiple rounds of elimination set in an indoor obstacle course.Format was created by Phil Gurin, Richard Joel and Deena Dill.CW's interest in the project is a sign of the network's efforts to broaden the appeal of its programming. Past unscripted skeins on the net have been carefully tailored to young femmes with an emphasis on fashion and celebs.Gurin is a reality vet whose most recent productions include ABC's "Shark Tank" and CMT's "The Singing Bee." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

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Steve Martin Writes Open Letter to Eddie Murphy

Steve Martin, what a swell guy! He acts on both television and film, plays in a bluegrass band and -- as of now -- offers advice to his fellow comedians. Martin just wrote an open letter to fellow 'SNL' alum Eddie Murphy regarding his Oscar hosting gig next year. (Martin has hosted the show three times -- by himself in 2001 and 2003, and with Alec Baldwin in 2010.) In the note, the wild and crazy guy talks about handling nominees who lose (something Murphy is well-versed in), as well as contingency plans if the host gets tired midway through the show. A few of the funnier quotes from the letter are below. To it in full, head on over to SteveMartin.com "I heard you are hosting this year's Oscars. First of all, CONGRATS. Even though you didn't ask for my advice and specifically said, "please, no advice," here are a few tips! "Whatever you do, don't have a co-host. They're a big pain and they just end up breaking your SNL hosting record... Remember to relax and have a good time while 12,000 livebloggers rip you to shreds. "If you feel the show is running long, you're probably thinking of 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, or any of the shows in the '90s" [via SteveMartin.com] Image courtesy of Getty

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Juan from the Dead (Juan p los Muertos)

A La Zanfona Producciones and Producciones p la 5ta Avenida production. (Worldwide sales: Latinofusion, Jalisco, Mexico.) Created by Gervasio Iglesias, Inti Herrera. Executive producers, Iglesias, Herrera, Claudia Calvino. Directed, compiled by Alejandro Brugues.With: Alexis Dias p Villegas, Jorge Molina, Andrea Duro, Andros Perugorria, Jazz Vila, Eliecer Ramirez.An excellent title, a novel setting plus some remarkably blunt digs at Castro's Cuban land of non-chance aren't enough in order to save "Juan from the Dead" from as being a lowbrow zombie comedy that mostly goes where lots of others have gone before. Written and directed by Alejandro Brugues ("Personal Possessions"), this The country-Cuba co-production scores a couple of laughs, however the weak script's scant narrative drive and crude humor would be best suitable for the undiscriminating. Nevertheless, pic should get a reasonable quantity of offshore deals for a number of formats, with distribs in a number of areas signing or settling after its Toronto preem. Fortysomething Havana slacker Juan (Alexis Dias p Villegas) is definitely an amiable ne'er-do-well whose wife and child left him for eco-friendly pastures abroad sometime ago. He and constantly horny dim-bulb friend Lazaro (Jorge Molina) scrape by through variably legal odd jobs including fishing once they catch a ravenous zombie, their curious fact is a maximum of a shrugged "Let us not tell anybody relating to this.Inch It's everyone's business in no time, though, being an undead epidemic starts decimating the city's population shortly after that. Within the screenplay's most amusing stroke, government government bodies and media immediately insist the marauders are basically "dissidents" bent on undermining the communist condition in the behest of the certain evil empire just up north. Their adhering to that particular party line, regardless of how dire things get, is definitely an inspired running gag subversive nods to Cuba's constantly damaged-lower infrastructure making-do citizenry will also be great for some chuckles. Juan susses an uncommon private business opening to become grabbed within the general chaos, establishing themself, Lazaro and latter's lanky boy (Andros Perugorria) like a zombie cleanup crew using the motto "We kill your family members." Pushing their means by as partners are shrill neighborhood tranny La China (Jazz Vila) and her friend El Primo (Eliecer Ramirez), an enormous muscleman who faints to begin of bloodstream. Also joining, although unwillingly, is Juan's now-grown daughter, Camila (Andrea Duro), whose holiday to go to Grandmother continues to be extended indefinitely through the crisis. Fairly plotless hijinks ensue, with periodic good lines and something great little setpiece (a distinctive mass-zombie beheading) outweighed by homophobic and otherwise puerile jokes and routine splatstick. Clearly this is not Noel Coward, but Brugues might have targeted just a little greater there's precious little wit, originality or motion picture style even attempted here, although the degree of energy remains half way decent high. Perfs and packaging are sufficient, with CGI effects varying from qualified to subpar.Camera (color), Carles Gusi editor, Mercedes Cantero music, Sergio Valdes production designer, Derubin Jacome costume designer, Esther Vaquero seem, Daniel p Zayas effects supervisor, Juan Carlos Sanchez visual effects supervisor, Juan Ventura makeup effects, Cristian Perez Jauregui assistant director, Olga Sanchez casting, Libia Batista. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Contemporary World Cinema), Sept. 14, 2011. Running time: 96 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Copyright Curmudgeon Harlan Ellison Sues To Halt Release Of New Regencys In Time

If director Andrew Niccol and New Regency’s Justin Timberlakethriller In Time is based on a pilfered idea,asis claimed in a copyright suitfiled yesterday in L.A. federal court, they may have picked on thewrong guy. At the wrong time. The suit was brought by science fiction author Harlan Ellison, who says that the movie is too close to his 1965 novel “Repent, Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman” and wantsits scheduled Oct. 28 release blocked. A copyright curmudgeon, Ellison has a track record of filing high-profile copyright cases. Hereceived an acknowledgment credit after he sued over The Terminator, claiming it was based on two Outer Limits episodes her wrote.And according to the suit, after years of waiting,Ellison recentlyhad a third party write an adaptationof the book and was preparing to approach thestudios with it. Ellison’s suit alleges plot and character parallels, and heapparently isn’t the only one who sees similarities. The author notes in his suit that critic Richard Roeper in his Fall Movie Preview, says that the film “is based on a short story by the great Harlan Ellison.” In addition to blocking the film’s release, Ellison is seeking compensatory damages.

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Django Unchained Contemplates Major Dad, and 6 Other Stories You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Wednesday! Also in today’s edition of The Broadsheet: Hollywood remembers the late, great John Calley… God Bless America gets the deal we promised you… Nathan Lane gets close to The English Teacher… and more. · While everyone pretty much anticipated today’s news that Samuel L. Jackson has officially joined Django Unchained, good luck finding anybody who would have predicted Gerald McRaney making an appearance. Director Quentin Tarantino has the former Simon & Simon and Major Dad star in mind for a role as yet undisclosed; as long as he doesn’t take over for Kevin Costner I’m allll for it. [Variety] · The remembrances of John Calley, the well-respected producer and former studio chief who passed away Tuesday at age 81, are pouring in. And they’re good: “[T]he best tribute anyone who runs a movie studio today could pay Calley would be to actually run their business the way Calley ran his.” [LAT] · And not to be outdone: “To leave this world beloved is a wonderful thing. To leave this business beloved is a fucking miracle. John Calley was that kind of miracle man.” [MCN] · A week ago Movieline included Bobcat Goldthwait’s scathing, violent satire God Bless America among its five films likeliest to ignite a bidding war at the Toronto International Film Festival. A prospective buyer was Magnolia Pictures; the prospective deal was under a million. Bam! [Deadline] · Nathan Lane is in talks to join Julianne Moore and Greg Kinnear in the indie comedy The English Teacher. [Variety] · “Yesterday, in what had to have been one of the most surreal professional experience I’ve ever had, I got to interview Madonna.” The ensuing 12 minutes and 20 seconds are worth a listen! [The Lost Boy] · What’s shakin’ in North Korea? Oh, not much, just the country’s first-ever Ultimate Frisbee contest. This really might be my favorite story ever. [38 North]

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George Clooney Is the World's Worst Pool Boy, Moderately Bad Parent in New Descendants Clip

George Clooney may have been voted Sexiest Man Alive twice by People magazine but you still might want to think long and hard before hiring the Oscar winner to maintain your inground pool. The Ides of March writer/director/star certainly looks pretty while wielding a leaf skimmer but in a new clip for Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, he misses an entire forest’s worth of foliage in his pool while barking frustrated parenting cues at his daughters. Pool Boy Union of America, you may want to avert your eyes. The Descendants, which Movieline’s Stephanie Zacharek reviewed from the Toronto International Film Festival last week, opens in theaters November 18.

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Beeb moves to Wales production facility

LONDON -- The BBC has moved into its purpose-built drama production center in Cardiff, Wales. The 170,000 sq.-foot. galleries, known as Roath Lock, is going to be the place to find hospital sudser "Casualty," sci-fi adventure series "Physician Who" and period drama skein "Upstairs Downstairs." The studio, taken care of through the government of Wales and also the city government, plus developer Igloo, was built included in the BBC's 2008 resolve for double TV network production in Wales. The BBC intends to move 1 / 2 of network Tv series spend outdoors London by 2016. Contact Leo Barraclough at leo.barraclough@variety.com

John Malkovich Joins Warm Physiques

He'll fight the zombie menaceAs Jonathan Levine gears as much as shoot his adaptation of Isaac Marion's zombie romance novel Warm Physiques, he's slotted within the remaining large bits of casting, adding John Malkovich towards the core number of stars. Occur a publish-apocalyptic world in which the undead outnumber the living, Warm Physiques finds X-Males: First Class' Nicholas Hoult as R, a spook who encounters a significant existential crisis while snack on his latest victim. After striking up an unlikely friendship using the unfortunate man's girlfriend, he begins to question what it's to become a zombie and finds his humanity sneaking in. Soon, his new attitude is pushing a series reaction out among his fellow brain-people, includinghis mate M (Take advantage of Corddry), who's the first one to follow his lead. Malkovich - last seen eating the scenery in Transformers: Dark from the Moon - will have Palmer's father, General Grigio. Because the leader of among the couple of remaining human strongholds, he's naturally enthusiastic about wiping zombies in the face of the world. In the sounds from it, the role will allow him to envision another solid villain with lots of the quirkiness he is doing best...

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President Obamas Jobs Speech Draws 31M

Job creation proved more popular with the American public than the U.S. policies on Libya and Iraq. President Barack Obamas speech about his job-creation plan drew 31.4 million viewers last night night across 11 networks on broadcast and cable. That was more than Obamas recent TV addresses on Libya in March (25.6 million) and on Iraq in August 2010 (29.2 million). That is despite last night’s speech airing at 7 PM, while the Libya speech started at 7:30 PM and the Iraq address in primetime at 8 PM. Of course, none of the three came close to Obama’s May announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden, which attracted 56.5 million viewers. Among the cable news networks, Fox News Channel dominated with 3.4 million viewers, followed by CNN (1.9 million) and MSNBC (1.7 million).

NBC seeks upward mobility with new shows

The good news for NBC is that it has nowhere to go but up.Stuck in fourth place for the past several years, the Peacock has a new president in Bob Greenblatt and a new corporate owner in Comcast, willing to shell out whatever it takes to garner a few hits.But as many TV execs have painfully learned, it's not coin that delivers eyeballs, but quality. Greenblatt fully realizes the challenges ahead."The goals for this season and for the next few years are to rebuild the schedule," he says. "We're going to be very aggressive and develop upscale original shows that hopefully appeal to our audience, which has always been more upscale and more desirable for advertisers than any of the other networks. We want to restore NBC to its leadership position in quality."Peacock says it's going the female empowerment route with its hourlong dramas. Net revisits the 1960s with "The Playboy Club" in a tough 10 p.m. Monday timeslot, while Maria Bello offers a Stateside take on "Prime Suspect" in the same hour Thursday.While NBC's dramas have had a difficult time gaining much traction lately, it's the comedies -- "Community," "Parks and Recreation," "The Office" -- that have garnered critical praise. What they could use, though, are more viewers.Greenblatt is adding "Whitney" to the Thursday mix and launching a comedy beachhead Wednesday with laffers "Up All Night" and "Free Agents."NBC will have to show plenty of patience, though, as both will be up against solid ABC comedies "The Middle" and newcomer "Suburgatory," CBS' reality stalwart "Survivor" and Fox's much buzzed about Simon Cowell newcomer "The X Factor."SPOTLIGHT"Prime Suspect"Thanks to Dick Wolf, cop dramas have been an invaluable lifeline at NBC over the past couple of decades. Now network vet Maria Bello ("ER") looks to continue that trend with Gotham-centric "Prime Suspect."Exec producer Alexandra Cunningham says revamping a U.K. staple is made easier by Bello's singleminded take on a gritty take-no-crap detective, often willing to do whatever it takes to clear cases -- including suffering indignities from the guys in her own precinct. But that doesn't mean there can't be some laughs along the way."I think that our character has all the qualities that made Jane Tennison so watchable, but we're trying to incorporate maybe a little more humor than the British version," she says. "What we have, which no other show has, is Maria. She's just so watchable, you're not going to be able to take your eyes off her."NEW FOR 2011-12"Free Agents"Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn work and, occasionally, sleep together. He's coming off an emotionally devastating divorce while she puts up a strong front, yet is psychologically wounded as well. From "Party Down" creator John Enbom, series has another strong comedic voice in the ranks: "Malcolm in the Middle" vet Todd Holland is the pilot's director."Grimm"NBC is waiting until Oct. 21 to premiere this offering, inspired by Grimm's Fairy Tales. Peacock figures Friday is the best spot for something that's fairly offbeat for broadcast, though maybe it's actually better suited for Syfy. It will have to succeed on its own, because "Chuck" won't likely give it a strong lead-in."The Playboy Club"Hoping some of the "Mad Men" buzz rubs off here, NBC is tapping into an iconic brand and willing to fend off the barbs and arrows from such conservative-based groups as the conservative Parents Television Council. In "NYPD Blue" fashion, maybe the controversy can boost both interest and ratings?"Up All Night"Sitcom vets Christina Applegate and Will Arnett play a married couple, struggling with learning to care for a baby. Pilot has undergone some tweaks -- specifically redoing Maya Rudolph's character and Applegate's profession -- meaning some weren't happy with the creative direction the show was headed."Whitney"A popular stand-up comedian and star of Comedy Central's roasts, Whitney Cummings takes the primetime plunge. NBC is hoping a relatively comfy timeslot -- wedged between "The Office" and "Prime Suspect" on Thursday -- will help draw auds to Cummings' often irreverent brand of humor. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

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Chastain Inspired Pacino's 'Wilde Salome'

VENICE, Italy (AP) Al Pacino's movie "Wilde Salome" is a complicated examination of Oscar Wilde's once-forbidden play about illicit love and revenge.But his inspiration was simple: Jessica Chastain."There is Jessica Chastain, who I really believe is the reason I made the movie," Pacino said Sunday ahead of the film's long-awaited world premier in a side event at the Venice Film Festival."As soon as I met her, and saw her, I thought: This is the person to play 'Salome' and I must get her to play it before the world picks up on her which it has done and turns her into the next big star.""Wilde Salome" has been so long in the making that the role was Chastain's first on film. She is, of course, by now a familiar face to moviegoers, having appeared in Terrence Malick's recent sprawling drama "The Tree of Life" and now in theaters with "The Debt" and "The Help."Chastain said she and Pacino workshopped the play for over a year, in New York and Los Angeles, then rehearsed for a month on stage before filming on a soundstage, which made her very familiar with the character."I was always thinking of 'Salome,' and I was taking dance lessons, and everything I could do to try to approach it," she told a news conference in Venice.The resulting film is a tour-de-force tribute to Oscar Wilde and "Salome," the 1891 play that he originally wrote in French to tell the story of Herod's obsession for his wife's daughter, culminating with Salome's vengeful demand for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter.Pacino's "Wilde Salome" defies easy definition, weaving together a documentary on Wilde's life, footage of a reading of the play in Los Angeles and a film version of the play."It's not a documentary. It's not a film. It's a much more ambitious and complicated gesture of cinema," Pacino said. "I wanted to make a kind of collage."The director acknowledged that his ambition left him unsure how to pull the project together and he let it percolate for long periods. "Wilde Salome" is in the tradition of his 1996 film "Looking for Richard," a documentary that Pacino said he directed in an attempt to make Shakespeare more accessible to Americans.But Pacino said "Wilde Salome" is more personal."I think there was this idea of creating something that would reveal things about myself, also. Because I interject myself as a kind of goofy guy, or someone who is trying to deal with the process ... the creative process," Pacino said.Pacino, the actor, appears as "Herod" in both the play reading performances staged at the Wadsworth Theater, with the actors wearing modern clothes, and in the film version, which he said he intends to edit in its own right. He also pops up wearing a headdress and leading a camel through the desert in a "Salome" staging with a completely different cast.Pacino, the filmmaker, travels to Dublin, London, Paris and New York as he pieces together Wilde's life story, interviewing such figures as Gore Vidal; Wilde's grandson, Merliln Holland; and Wilde aficionado and fellow Irishman Bono.Bono also agreed to allow the filmmakers to use for free his 12-year-old song "Salome," which plays as the credits roll.The most personal revealing moments, however, were when Pacino was shown puzzling through the process. After watching the first cut, he sat there not saying anything for a few moments, then stood up and announced the crew had more work to do and walked out."At one point, I said I wasn't going to look at the movie for five month because I didn't know where to go with it," Pacino said. "Finally, after five months I took a look and I sort of knew where to go. ... Part of my luck was it worked."But he did learn one lesson."I tell you, I recommend having a script, to myself, too," Pacino said. "I say it every day, 'I'm going to have a script the next time.' If there is one."In a ceremony in Venice on Sunday evening, Pacino was awarded the Jaeger-Lecoultre Glory to the Filmmaker 2011 prize, in recognition of his contributions to contemporary cinema.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Colleen Barry September 6, 2011 Al Pacino and Jessica Chastain PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis VENICE, Italy (AP) Al Pacino's movie "Wilde Salome" is a complicated examination of Oscar Wilde's once-forbidden play about illicit love and revenge.But his inspiration was simple: Jessica Chastain."There is Jessica Chastain, who I really believe is the reason I made the movie," Pacino said Sunday ahead of the film's long-awaited world premier in a side event at the Venice Film Festival."As soon as I met her, and saw her, I thought: This is the person to play 'Salome' and I must get her to play it before the world picks up on her which it has done and turns her into the next big star.""Wilde Salome" has been so long in the making that the role was Chastain's first on film. She is, of course, by now a familiar face to moviegoers, having appeared in Terrence Malick's recent sprawling drama "The Tree of Life" and now in theaters with "The Debt" and "The Help."Chastain said she and Pacino workshopped the play for over a year, in New York and Los Angeles, then rehearsed for a month on stage before filming on a soundstage, which made her very familiar with the character."I was always thinking of 'Salome,' and I was taking dance lessons, and everything I could do to try to approach it," she told a news conference in Venice.The resulting film is a tour-de-force tribute to Oscar Wilde and "Salome," the 1891 play that he originally wrote in French to tell the story of Herod's obsession for his wife's daughter, culminating with Salome's vengeful demand for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter.Pacino's "Wilde Salome" defies easy definition, weaving together a documentary on Wilde's life, footage of a reading of the play in Los Angeles and a film version of the play."It's not a documentary. It's not a film. It's a much more ambitious and complicated gesture of cinema," Pacino said. "I wanted to make a kind of collage."The director acknowledged that his ambition left him unsure how to pull the project together and he let it percolate for long periods. "Wilde Salome" is in the tradition of his 1996 film "Looking for Richard," a documentary that Pacino said he directed in an attempt to make Shakespeare more accessible to Americans.But Pacino said "Wilde Salome" is more personal."I think there was this idea of creating something that would reveal things about myself, also. Because I interject myself as a kind of goofy guy, or someone who is trying to deal with the process ... the creative process," Pacino said.Pacino, the actor, appears as "Herod" in both the play reading performances staged at the Wadsworth Theater, with the actors wearing modern clothes, and in the film version, which he said he intends to edit in its own right. He also pops up wearing a headdress and leading a camel through the desert in a "Salome" staging with a completely different cast.Pacino, the filmmaker, travels to Dublin, London, Paris and New York as he pieces together Wilde's life story, interviewing such figures as Gore Vidal; Wilde's grandson, Merliln Holland; and Wilde aficionado and fellow Irishman Bono.Bono also agreed to allow the filmmakers to use for free his 12-year-old song "Salome," which plays as the credits roll.The most personal revealing moments, however, were when Pacino was shown puzzling through the process. After watching the first cut, he sat there not saying anything for a few moments, then stood up and announced the crew had more work to do and walked out."At one point, I said I wasn't going to look at the movie for five month because I didn't know where to go with it," Pacino said. "Finally, after five months I took a look and I sort of knew where to go. ... Part of my luck was it worked."But he did learn one lesson."I tell you, I recommend having a script, to myself, too," Pacino said. "I say it every day, 'I'm going to have a script the next time.' If there is one."In a ceremony in Venice on Sunday evening, Pacino was awarded the Jaeger-Lecoultre Glory to the Filmmaker 2011 prize, in recognition of his contributions to contemporary cinema.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Number Of Individuals Are Eaten by Sharks in 'Shark Evening 3D'? (and 24 Other Urgent Questions)

At night time, I saw a film that you simply might see. But most likely not. The title from the movie which i saw is known as 'Shark Evening three dimensional.' While you might have the ability to tell in the title of the movie, you will find sharks involved and you will find moments that occur during the night. In the event you exchange the currency that you simply gained at the project for being permitted to sit down inside a room watching 'Shark Evening 3D'? Like a service, we clarified each and every question you could possibly have about 'Shark Evening three dimensional.' Q: How have you see 'Shark Evening 3D'? I figured the film wasn't being tested for that press? A: I compensated $18 to determine a night time showing of 'Shark Evening 3D' today. Q: The number of everyone was at the night time showing of 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: Apart from me, one. Q: What's the first factor you authored lower inside your notepad while you were watching 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: "This really is stupid." Q: 'Shark Evening 3D' needs to realize that it's bad, right? Does not making it ironically good? A: That's this type of bullsh*t excuse. That's like saying, "John Tesh is definitely an assh*le, but they know that he's an assh*le, to ensure that makes John Tesh a pleasant guy. (Note: I've no clue if John Tesh is definitely an assh*le or otherwise) Q: Therefore the studio behind 'Shark Evening 3D' made the best decision by declining to screen this movie for that press? A: The studio behind 'Shark Evening 3D' could have been smart to consider it one step further and won't screen it for everyone, too. Q: Who should 'Shark Evening 3D' happen to be tested for? A: The cast and crew? Maybe? Possibly youthful children and small creatures? You realize, less than sentient animals which will have no clue what they're searching at. Q: What's 'Shark Evening 3D' about? A: Seriously, in most honesty, would you care? Q: No. A: Let us just state that it calls for a lake, some college kids, some sharks and Donal Logue, for whatever reason. Q: The number of people get eaten by sharks in 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: Seven. Q: The number of people get eaten by sharks in 'Open Water,' a film we are meant to take midway seriously? A: Only five under what should be the complete carnage of 'Shark Evening three dimensional.' Q: I wager individuals were really gory deaths though, right? A: 'Shark Evening 3D' is really a PG-13 movie -- so, no. Q: How are seven people eaten by sharks throughout the path of a movie before it is gory? A: 'Shark Evening 3D' uses lots of first person "Oh, the shark is originating right at me!" camera angles. Following the shark essentially attacks your camera, the scene then switches to some shot of red-colored lake water, which, I suppose, should really represent bloodstream. Watch a clip for 'Shark Evening 3D' Q: The number of minutes had you been into 'Shark Evening 3D' before you decide to Tweeted at the boss that you simply wanted an increase? A: 15. Q: Was 'Shark Evening 3D' more fun since it is at three dimensional? A: No. Really, 'Shark Evening 3D' could have been more fun if given the "length" dimension only. Q: What are the redeemable characteristics to 'Shark Evening three dimensional?" A: To become fair, a good a part of the film does occur with this figures in a location on the planet that's facing from our nearest star. Therefore the "Evening" a part of the title isn't false advertising. Q: I must request: how come there sharks within this lake? A: The river the sharks have been in is really a salt-water lake. And contains something related to a twisted intend to make a celebration that's much better than 'March from the Penguins,' Shark Week about the Discovery Funnel and 'Faces of Dying.' Q: If you are likely to be blurbed within this weekend's advertisements for 'Shark Evening three dimensional,' what quote do you consider is going to be used? A: "Much better than 'March from the Penguins'!" Mike Ryan, Moviefone Q: The number of Morgan Freeman references have been in 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: One. Q: What is the most oft-repeated theme of 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: The recurring jealous antagonism in the local people against our primary figures to be "college pricks." Q: Just how much jealous antagonism has have you been fond of you to be a graduate of the Large XII school? A: Zero. Q: Without searching, are you able to remember one character's title from 'Shark Evening three dimensional?' A: I believe there's a Ron? Perhaps a Chloe? Q: After searching on IMDB, it is possible to character named Ron or perhaps a character named Chloe in 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: No. The figures which i was considering were named Nick and Maya. Q: The number of occasions to date perhaps you have typed the title of the movie as 'Shark Dark night 3D'? A: Five occasions. Q: Wait, would be that the movie with the leaked set photos in the paparazzi? A: You are considering 'Shark Dark night Increases." Q: What's the last factor that you simply authored lower inside your notepad while you were watching 'Shark Evening 3D'? A: Really, it's among individuals little three-dimensional cubes that always is a result of monotony. You are able to contact Mike Ryan on Twitter. Follow Moviefone on Twitter.

Bette Midler Joins Billy Very in 'Us & Them'

Bette Midler and Billy Very fans rejoice. Though Midler's last big part is at 2008's 'The Women' (she's coming off her highly effective Vegas revue) and Crystal's last was 2002's 'Analyze That' (he's segued to voice-overs, Broadway and books, and it has had cameos in 'The Tooth Fairy' and also the approaching 'The Muppets'), the happy couple might be joining large-time about the family comedy 'Us & Them,' based on Variety. Joining them within the twentieth century Fox and Walden Media production is going to be 'Don't Hesitate from the Dark' star Bailee Madison. Andy Fickman ('You Again') will direct from the script by lengthy-time Very collaborators Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel ('City Slickers). Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse authored the initial draft, while Very and Samantha Sprecher emerged using the story. Within the film, Very stars as Artie Decker, a Fresno AAA baseball broadcaster who, together with his wife Diane (Midler), needs to relocate with and take proper care of his three grandchildren. The conflict within the story focuses on twenty-first century raising a child techniques versus. that old school of upbringing. Madison will have among the kids. Production about the film will start at the end of September in Atlanta. Very we all know can enjoy old -- see 'The Princess Bride' -- but it will likely be interesting to determine Midler's (wasn't it only yesterday that they was singing within the N.Y. baths with Craig Manilow?) undertake being an older person. What is your opinion?

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