Troll Hunter Director Grabs Carpe Demon

Ovredal pitches for slayer soccer momIt's quite normal for company directors of breakout worldwide hits to become attracted to Hollywood, and Troll Hunter director Andre Øvredal may be the latest to become listed on the club. He's just signed on for Carpe Demon: The Adventures Of The Demon-Hunting Soccer Mother, modified in the book by Julie Kenner.First released in 2005, the novel may be the first inside a series (franchise!) about Kate Connor, a lady living a existence of suburban domesticity and seeking to place her secret past like a slayer of devils firmly behind her. With the exception that her plan comes un-tied when underworld denizens start appearing in her own adopted home town of San Diablo (well, with this title she ought to have known).In a nutshell, it is a type of Buffy-as-grown-up affair: Whatever Happened To Buffy?, if you want. You will find five instalments up to now, with Carpe Demon being then California Demon, Devils Are Forever, Deja Demon and Demon Ex Machina.The script is as simple as Serta and Kevin Hagerman (Hotel Transylvania), but we are not hearing any start dates or potential cast. The privileges towards the book presently reside with Chris Columbus' 1492 production company, who're also planning the British-language Troll Hunter remake. Coincidence? No.Øvredal has proven pretty effectively with Troll Hunter he can juggle humour and horror effectively, so he appears just like a reasonable fit for that material. Let us hope he is not overpowered through the bigger budgets from the Hollywood machine.

Mega Buzz: Glee's Cliff-Hanger, Castle's Reckoning and Housewives' Seduction

Revenge Two weeks ago, the question on the mind of every Revenge fan was, "Will Daniel (Josh Bowman) bite the bullet?" Now that Daniel has been spared by the grim reaper, everyone wants to know: Did he pull the trigger? Luckily, fans won't have to wait half a season for an answer. "We're not going to leave the audience hanging for very long as to what happened on the beach that night," creator and executive producer Mike Kelley tells TVGuide.com. "By the end of the episode, the audience will know exactly what happened and exactly the extent of Daniel's guilt." In advance of Wednesday's episode (10/9c, ABC), Kelley also talked about Daniel's upcoming "dark turns," Victoria's romantic and "dangerous" blast from the past and the series' upcoming time jump. Plus: Who is going to die next?! Watch full episodes of Revenge A lot of people think Takeda did it. Will he be back? Mike Kelley: He definitely has Amanda. So yes, Takeda is somebody that will return. He's a big part of Emily's transformation into Emily Thorne, so she'll continue to need to rely on him as we move forward for help and guidance and it's not always going to be a smooth ride. How will Emily's plan change in the wake of the Fire & Ice Ball? Kelley: New pieces of information are going to rise in the next couple of episodes that re-focus her on Conrad and Victoria, and set her feet really firmly back on the path for revenge. It's a big surprise to her just how deep the rabbit hole goes with Victoria and Conrad in regards to David Clarke. What will her relationship with Daniel look like after everything that's happened? Kelley: Daniel is no longer going to be the dupe in the middle of the tug of war between Emily and his mother. He's going to man-up and he's going to start making a few dark turns. He is, after all, a Grayson so his DNA is going to start to win out over his better side. ... Daniel's hands are not clean right now. Literally, they are covered in blood. You're going to learn things about Daniel that I think are going to surprise and he's learning things about himself that are surprising. Revenge Fire & Ice Ball postmortem: Who died? Who lived? Cast and producers tease what's next What does that mean for the love triangle between Daniel, Emily and Jack? Kelley: The triangle will definitely heat up. Emily and Jack are going to forge a bond. There's going to be some increased tension between Daniel and Jack because Jack was there on the beach that night and Jack has Daniel's phone. Jack is going to clue in a little bit more to Daniel. He's going to get drawn in a little bit deeper and he's going to go into protection mode where Emily is concerned. That will be both alluring for Emily and a new challenge for her. Her heart's actually going to be torn. How will Victoria's new love interest enter the picture? Kelley: This guy is somebody that's hooked into her deep past from before Conrad and David Clarke, somebody with intimate knowledge of the young Victoria and who she was before she started making all of these very dark choices. He's part of one of her very first dark choices. There's a lot of passion, a lot of danger and a lot of honesty that is going to surface with this guy. How will his return affect Victoria going forward and her feelings about the family and about Emily? Kelley: The relationship pops up as more of a secret for Victoria to keep. It's something that will - when it comes to light - become a problem. She will meet her former lover again in Episode 17 and then we will jump forward several months into the winter in Episode 18 and they will have continued on this affair and have become quite close. Is there going to be someone new coming into Conrad's love life? Kelley: There will be a resurgent love interest in Conrad's love life, but not necessarily someone new. Rome's James Purefoy heads to Revenge to woo Victoria Will Charlotte continue on her spiral? How far down that path will she go? Kelley: Pretty far. You'll see that she's going to have good reason to want to numb the pain. It's going to be really hard. The darker we go with Charlotte, the more kindred Emily feels with her. The same way that Daniel is a Grayson and Declan is a Porter, Charlotte is a Clarke. So the darkness that is surfacing in Charlotte has connective tissue between Emily and her and is going to provide a lot of story. Will Charlotte try to learn more about her real father? Will that threaten Emily's secret? Kelley: Absolutely, that's part of what fuels her darkness and her isolation. It's also part of the reason why Emily will want to stay closer to her, to make sure that whatever she discovers or needs to know, that Emily has control over that. You said in an earlier interview that there will be another death on the show. How will that death impact the show? Kelley: It will have a deep impact. It's not an extra that's getting killed. [The person] is part of our cast so it will have a big impact. The first half of the season was building toward the Fire & Ice Ball. What is the rest of the season building towards? Kelley: I like that show is without a net. I think the audience is going to really find it librating to feel like they're on an adventure that is uncharted for them. ... I think the audience is going to be more surprised than they were before and that the guessing game is going to get a little bit harder. By the time we get to episode 22, everything about Season 1 will all come back to the murder on the beach and then that drives the last seven episodes. At the end of it, I think people will feel that a very significant book of Revenge has been written and it will free us up to do another book next season.

Music performer Mike Melvoin dies at 74

Jazz pianist, composer, arranger, former Recording Academy leader and prolific studio music performer Mike Melvoin died on February. 23 in Burbank. He was 74. Sporting a recording resume that incorporated the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" in addition to key tracks from Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, the Jackson 5 and Tom Waits, Melvoin seemed to be active like a film and television composer and launched numerous respected jazz tracks under their own title. Born in Oshkosh, Wisc., Melvoin started singing at 2 and playing piano at 3. He told William Grimm inside a 2003 interview, "(I figured) the alphabet ended with G." He attended Dartmouth College within the late nineteen fifties as well as in 1961 gone to live in La, where he grew to become a fixture within the city's jazz scene, having fun with the kind of Joe Williams and Peggy Lee. Melvoin launched his first album like a bandleader, "Secrets for your Mind," around the Liberty label in 1966, annually which saw him notch studio time around the Beach Boys' "Good Oscillations" single and "Pet Sounds" LP, in addition to Sinatra's "That's Existence." Studio focus on Lennon's "Uphold Me," Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen," the Jackson 5's "ABC" and Waits' live album "Nighthawks in the Diner" would follow. Melvoin started creating for TV and film in early '70s and led scores to skeins "Fame" and "MacGyver." He'd a little role within the Robert P Niro-directed "The Great Shepherd" in 2006. Melvoin was the very first active music performer for everyone as topper from the Recording Academy. He received a Grammy nomination in 2003 for his recording of "Any Nothing whatsoever," in addition to lifetime achievement honours in the Buddies of Jazz at UCLA and La Jazz Society. Ongoing the household tradition, Melvoin's twin kids Wendy and Susannah performed and recorded with Prince within the eighties (using the former developing 1 / 2 of the Wendy & Lisa duo), and the boy Jonathan would be a touring person in the Smashing Pumpkins until his dying in 1996. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Paula Deen Won't Change On-Air Cooking Style Much After Diabetes Reveal

On Friday's Spartacus: Vengeance, Gannicus has came back! But what havoc does the prior Champion of Capua wreak within the old gladiator stomping grounds? Don't have a look at Gannicus. Calculates it's Spartacus' males that are behind the finest, baddest arena bloodbath so far. Spartacus and Co. find new digs within an abandoned structure and learn that Rhaskos, Crixus and Oenomaus ought to be carried out. Spartacus surrender to trying in order to save them, even if this means entering an arena full of Romans who had been hunting him. Meanwhile, Gannicus has returned to Capua too as with his mind, becoming Oenomaus' executioner can provide the prior Doctore the glorious, noble gladiator's dying he warrants. That will totally replace sleeping along with his wife before she died! No awkward reunion whatsoever. Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Spartacus

Miscast Roles: The Case For Mark Ruffalo in Rise of the Planet of the Apes

You know this movie, and chances are that you loved this movie -- except for that one role that almost ruined it all. Miscast Roles is where Movieline and its readers swap out those roles to make it right. One of last years surprise critical and commercial darlings, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, wowed audiences, stoked many an awards-season debate and revitalized an important science fiction franchise - all while still managing to appeal to moviegoers unfamiliar with the original 1968 film (or that film's 1963 source novel). As chief chimp Caesar, Andy Serkiss performative collaboration with the motion capture geniuses from WETA was a great spectacle, presenting viewers with a gorgeously rendered CGI-animated character. Yet one consistent flaw in Rise left me scratching my head: James Francos weirdly aloof performance as scientist Will Rodman. The film presents Rodman as an Alzheimers disease researcher who claims to have found a cure that necessitates extensive animal testing and, subsequently, brings about a race of intelligent, self-aware chimpanzees, as well as the titular rise of the primate-centered culture in which the rest of the series is based. Imagining Franco as a brilliant researcher even in the best of performances would be, lets face it, a bit of stretch. But add the fact that this character is motivated by a desire to cure his own father of the debilitating effects of the disease in question - not to mention Rodman's somewhat unhealthy attachment to the first subject of his animal tests - and youve got a complex emotional palette that seemed to flat-out confuse Franco. A much better choice for this role would have been the expressive Mark Ruffalo, an actor capable of communicating exactly what was needed of the Rodman character in this story. This is not to say that Franco is a bad actor, far from it. His talents are just misplaced here: Franco is best at lengthening the emotional distance between character and audience, arresting viewers attention through enigma and idiosyncrasy, rather than connecting through direct emotional appeal. He rarely lets the viewer into his head space, and this role really needed someone with whom the audience could immediately connect. Ruffalo, meanwhile, has acted powerfully in two films in particular - You Can Count on Me and Shutter Island - that required exactly the two traits most vital to the Rodman character: a palpable sense of sympathy and an ability to play a straight-man to a more eye-catching lead. Rodmans psychology, hovering between helplessness and an ambitious determination to set things right, was meant to parallel the emotional instability of his primate pal Caesar, as the latter scales from animal behavior up the rungs of human cognitive development. Franco consistently hit the wrong notes in his interaction with Serkiss Caesar, and often left John Lithgow, who played the dementia-stricken father, adrift in scenery chewing overtures. The scenes between father and son didnt work like they couldve, and the potential to cast the conflicting motivations vying for Rodmans attention in terms of Caesars own dual nature went unrealized. In Ruffalos breakthrough role in You Can Count On Me, he showed huge emotional range as the wayward brother to Laura Linneys maternally protective big sister character. You Can Count On Me highlights a young mans floundering crisis of identity, as played out within a family drama. [Clip NSFW] The film is one long assurance by Ruffalos character that, wherever he might wander in the greater world, the bonds of family holding him and his sister together still remain. Sound familiar? Rise of the Planet of the Apes features a strikingly similar theme, though its identity crisis and negotiation of familial loyalty covers an inter-species bond. In You Can Count On Me, Ruffalo plays the Caesar role to Linneys big sister; he is the one breaking out into new territory of self-determination, while its Linney who plays the concerned, yet ultimately quiescent guardian. But Ruffalo reverses that relationship in his mentorship of Linneys young son, played by Kieran Culkin, and there he shows some very strong Rodman-type characteristics. Meanwhile, Ruffalos pensive second fiddle to Leonardo DiCaprios go-for-broke investigator in Shutter Island also fulfills the required qualifications for stepping into the Rodman part. Ruffalo stays in the background of the drama for most of Shutter Island, allowing DiCaprio to serve as a fixed center to the films horrifically shifting sense of reality. The fact that the audience isnt supposed to be looking too closely at Ruffalo ends up being important, given plot developments. Yet when all is revealed, and Ruffalo is finally able to communicate what his watchful, subdued presence in the film actually entails, he shines. Watch Ruffalos eyes in the final scene of Shutter Island in the clip below, and imagine how applying that level of character layering to Will Rodman in Rise of the Planet of the Apes would have benefited the whole production. Nathan Pensky is an associate editor at PopMatters and a contributor at Forbes, among various other outlets. He can be found on Tumblr and Twitter as well.

Greg Grunberg To Co-Star In CBS Greg Malins/Greg Berlanti Comedy Pilot

EXCLUSIVE: It’s The Greg Show! Heroes alum Greg Grunberg remains cast in CBS’ untitled comedy pilot from Greg Berlanti and Greg Malins. The Warner Bros./Berlanti Prods. project, also known as Oh Fuck It’s You, concentrates on Nick, a common womanizer who, after which makes it through any adverse health scare, recognizes that The Primary One he's never found is actually his nearest friend of 15 years, Wendy (JoAnna Garcia). But Wendy is engaged with a guy Nick likes she and Nick own a business together in addition to their work for balance dating attending college will be a disaster. Grunberg may have Wendy’s brother Charlie, beaten lower by existence, insanely acerbic and during the time of the bitter divorce. He visited college with both Wendy and Nick which is Nick’s best guy friend. He was there after they dated, knows just what a horrible couple they were, and alerts Nick in regards to the dangers his confession could bring. The casting stems fro the talent holding deal Grunberg signed with Warner Bros. TV in October. This marks an infrequent entering half-hour comedy for Grunberg, repped by ICM and Variety, who got his break round the WB’s Felicity. His only regular comedy series gig so far was round the 2006 sitcom The Mike Effect.

CBS names new mind of daytime programming

McDanielCBS has promoted Angelica McDaniel to senior veep of daytime, filling the vacancy left by Barbara Bloom's departure within the Eye a year ago. McDaniel will oversee all daytime programming, including soaps "The Youthful as well as the Restless" and "Bold as well as the Beautiful," gameshows "The Price is appropriateInch and "Let's Produce a Deal" and yakker "The Talk." McDaniel remains controlling day-to-day creative matters for "Talk" since joining the interest in August 2010. She reviews to CBS Entertainment prexy Nina Tassler. "Angelica makes invaluable contributions for the launch and success of 'The Talk,' " mentioned Tassler. "Her proper and artistic vision and understanding from the daytime landscape is constantly on the maneuver CBS Daytime inside the right direction as this effective and lucrative day part is constantly evolve." Before CBS, McDaniel will be a creative professional at Telepictures Prods., concentrating on "The Tyra Banks Show" together with other syndie skeins. Blossom left the interest noisy . 2011 after an eight-year run. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Damsels In Distress Trailer Arrives

Deadpan drollery from Whit StillmanWhit Stillman only has made four films within the last 21 years he's such as the Terrence Malick of mannerist comedy. Here though, 14 years on in the Last Times Of Disco, we finally possess a trailer for Damsels In Distress, a college-set saga starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody and Analeigh Tipton.The film is nominally about several it-women who set to take their happy stamp on college existence, most famously by arranging tap classes for that potentially suicidal. As with every Stillman's films though, there is a healthy dose of snarky American class satire hiding a little way underneath the surface.When he introduced production, Stillman stated the small budget precluded any 'names' within the cast, consider her stand-out turns such as Greenberg, Nsa, The Dish And Also The Spoon as well as Arthur, that's now sounding a little unfair to Gerwig, who appears like she is the owner of this.Damsels In Distress performed in the BFI London Film Festival last fall, and will get its full United kingdom release on April 27.

eOne's new int'l sales arm can get busy

The Berlinale may be too early for eOne's new London-based worldwide film sales division to unveil a slate of photos within the European Film Market, nonetheless its professionals will be in town to speak with customers in regards to the new direction of the growing sales, financing and distribution activities. Its foreign sales division is quietly marketing a completely new Atom Egoyan pic, "Captive," therefore it expects to unveil at Cannes in May. Pic can be a thriller of a guy looking for his daughter but other plot particulars they're under systems. The business has furthermore hired former Protagonist Pictures sales professional Charlotte now now Van Weede as mind of worldwide sales. Van Weede has furthermore labored at Summit Intl. and Intermedia. In November, eOne introduced it absolutely was shifting its sales division to London in the Toronto base in the move prone to herald a considerable expansion in eOne's sales. Former Icon prexy and Polygram senior V . p . of purchases and biz matters Sally Caplan was hired controlling director. The Toronto team remains headed by professional V . p . Charlotte now now Mickie, who'll still handle sales and distribution of Canadian features including "Wants a Existence," "Keyhole" and "13 Eeri" within the EFM. The business, that's trying to find bigger plus much more mainstream photos, is predicted to bow its slate at Cannes in May. Mickie's team is constantly on the give consideration to Canadian specialist photos, it known. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Simon Pegg Hates 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'

I enjoy "The Phantom Menace." I know I'm in a small club of people who don't think the first entry in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy is wholesale trash. And I know it's an unpopular group to be a part of, but I stand by my membership. Sure, the first two hours are pretty much garbage, but then you get duel of the fates! Darth Maul with a double-edged lightsaber! It's so wonderful! But Simon Pegg disagrees. He thinks there's nothing whatsoever to enjoy about "Phantom Menace." In the latest episode of After Hours, he does his best Red Letter Media impression and tears the 1999 "Star Wars" movie to shreds in a quick two-minute assault. It's hard to disagree with him on any of his points, really. But no amount of sense or logic will ever convince me that duel of the fates isn't awesome. Hear all about Pegg's "Phantom Menace" vendetta in this week's After Hours.

VIDEO: Jimmy Fallon Urges Late Night Viewers to Stay Up After Super Bowl

Jimmy Fallon Madonna's halftime performance may have left some viewers cold, but Jimmy Fallon kicked off his late-night show with a rocking number set to Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." Accompanied by Butler University cheerleaders and students, the mayor of Indianapolis , and Colts cheerleaders, Fallon urged viewers not to go to sleep and that the party had only just begun. "Time to start the show, Late Night in Indy ... Let's go, Let's go," he sang. The performance ended with the Roots rapping live on stage where the show was just getting started. Cheers & Jeers: Jimmy Fallon rocks Indy Watch below:

'The Raid' to obtain follow up treatment

Indonesian actioner "The Raid" is returning like a follow up.Producers take presctiption track to start production for the finish of the year in Jakarta with Iko Uwais coming back to star and Gareth Huw Evans to direct. The film is going to be created by Evans through his PT Merantau Films and La-based Abc Films.Producers stated the sequel's tentatively entitled "Berendal" for that Indonesian market along with a "considerably bigger" budget compared to original."The Raid" follows a top-notch SWAT team assigned with raiding an impenetrable safe house deep in the middle of Jakarta's slums. Because the mission rapidly falls apart, the squad finds themselves stranded within the building and playing no choice but to accomplish the mission by fighting their way to avoid it.Piece particulars from the follow up are now being stored under systems. Shooting's likely to take 100 days."The Raid" had its U.S. premiere at Sundance and won the Night time Madness Award following its world premiere in the Toronto Intl. Film Festival in September. It will likewise be playing in the South by Southwest Festival in Austin in March.The new sony Pictures Classics is delivering "The Raid" within the Uniited States on March 23 and Screen Gems is developing an British-language remake which Abc Films can also be creating.Worldwide sales for that follow up are now being handled by Celluloid Bad dreams, the foreign sales partnership between Abc Films and Celluloid Dreams. Pre-sales happen to be going ahead with The new sony Pictures Worldwide Purchases Group obtaining distribution privileges for that U . s . States, Latin America and The country. Alliance/Momentum has pre-bought for that Uk and Canada Koch Media has acquired the film for German speaking areas Korea Screen has pre-bought Korea and HGC has pre-bought China.Follow up is available in the Berlin Film Festival. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

HFPA, DCP dangled kudocast rights to CBS

BerkMoonves The trial inside the rights for the Golden Globes remains by mentioning interpretation from the clause in the contract, but details in the extent that rights for the kudocast were dangled before CBS shown a highlight on Thursday.Neither the HFPA nor its longtime producer, Dick Clark Prods., could formally negotiate with another network until NBC was presented with a use the show after its contract expired carrying out a 2011 show. But on Thursday, former HFPA prexy Philip Berk, wearing a pin in the Globe statuette on his lapel, stated he met CBS Corp. Boss Leslie Moonves for supper within the Four Seasons Hotel about this summer time 14, 2010. Berk mentioned he prefaced their conversation by telling Moonves he was "not at liberty" to go over the certification in the show because of theNBC contract, but he did request Moonves for just about any "ballpark figure" from the products the show was worth. Moonves, Berk mentioned, clarified $25 million-$Thirty Dollars million every year, and "he thought a five-year deal is what CBS may wish to consider.InchBerk mentioned he was asking Moonves "hypothetically" in regards to the cost from the show but mentioned then he thought that it may be "inappropriate to own anymore conversations."Moonves did indeed want the Globes, in excerpts from the video adding carried out in the courtroom, his version of occasions differed in places from that recounted by Berk. Berk mentioned Moonves began the meeting, while Moonves mentioned it came at Berk's request.Moonves also mentioned that whenever Berk asked for him for just about any "ballpark number," he mentioned he'd go back to him. Berk, Moonves mentioned, referred to as a couple of days later to acquire a number and handled to obtain apparent that there's "time pressure" to acquire one. A Couple Of days next, "I gave him several that individuals needed to cover this, and there's probably room to see,In . he mentioned.While Moonves mentioned he considered it an "opening offer," "I wouldn't think of it as funds. He was asking me exactly what it was worth."HFPA punished Dick Clark Prods., its longtime producer, in November 2010, proclaiming it restored a rights agreement with NBC without first getting its approval. But DCP states it absolutely was allowed to get this done because of an "extensions" clause in the 1993 pact creating options to create the show as extended as it might land a deal with NBC.According to Moonves, lately another figure was hinting within the ease of access towards the ceremony: Mark Shapiro, in charge of DCP, which produces the Academy of recent Bands Honours on CBS. Moonves mentioned that in "no less than 50% in the conversations" he'd with Shapiro, the potential for the show becoming available to CBS emerged. "There has been occasions where he'd say, 'I would rather it's you than them,' " mentioning to NBC, Moonves appreciated. But he suggested he didn't take this kind of remark seriously, calling it the "common language" of settling techniques."I wouldn't be blown away if he spoken to ABC or Fox, however CEOs aren't being deposed," mentioned Moonves, triggering laughs inside the courtroom.All through the spring and summer season of 2010, the HFPA and DCP will be in discussions about refreshing their deal -- a thing that may have resolved the disputed interpretation in the "extensions" clause -- nonetheless they could never acquire a contract.At some point this season, Moonves mentioned, Shapiro "offhandedly stated they have to execute a deal with NBC, 'and you understand why.' ""It absolutely was a type of apology, that was my interpretation, after dangling it front people for quite some time,Inch Moonves mentioned.It's uncertain the quantity of an problem the battling inside the Globes would be to U.S. District Judge Howard Matz, who's presiding around the bench trial.The HFPA argues that it's people were not told in regards to the "extensions" clause inside a key Sept. 22, 2010, winding up in senior DCP professionals, suggesting that even DCP did not interpret it by doing this in individuals days.But lawyers for Dick Clark Prods. are actually trying to show that individuals didn't even see the contract in those days, even when DCP's Francis LaMaina left it to enable them to peruse. Inside their study of HFPA people, DCP's lawyers offer layed out divisions among HFPA people and instances where the org's own bylaws were not adopted. For instance, a 1987 agreement with DCP was signed only with the HFPA's leader, even though the bylaws demand the best choice as well as the treasurer to sign pacts.Due to the stakes that have been associated with a 1993 pact to return the Globes to broadcast TV, DCP attorney Bradley Phillips asked for Berk whether he requested a replica of the contract to examine it, even though he wasn't that point on the board. "No, because I haven't really been considering contracts," Berk mentioned, adding he needed it an "bit of belief" the best choice as well as the board in individuals days "socialized inside our needs.Inch Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Supporting actor analysis

KENNETH BRANAGH "My Week With Marilyn" Why he'll win: He shows Laurence Olivier! With his crisp, verbal delivery and powerful physicality, he is doing so quite credibly, adding some needed energy towards the film. Playing his fellow Shakespeare enthusiast assigned a powerful year that incorporated helming in a commercial sense effective comicbook adaptation "Thor."Not: Olivier never won an Oscar outdoors of two honorary honours, why should Branagh? He's been nominated five occasions now, but his operate in "Marilyn" was largely overshadowed through the actress playing the title character.Critic's quote: "Branagh is becoming jowly in middle age, but his looks are passably near to Olivier's. He's mastered Olivier's stylishly phrased, caressing graciousness and the indignant bellow," states David Denby, NYer.JONAH HILL "Moneyball" Why he'll win: Could attract more youthful voters since he's the only real nominee here younger than 50. Hill's "Moneyball" acting, and recently trimmed lower physique, was revelatory to a lot of who only understood him in the R-ranked comedies created using Judd Apatow's troupe.Not: Comic stars rarely win Academy awards. A lot of Hill's operate in the film originates from watching and responding even though his timing is ideal, it isn't the type of role that generally wins an Academy Award.Critic's quote: "Hill's at his most comically froglike here and 'Moneyball' plays his presence within the holy sanctum from the scouts' office for optimum clumsiness. He's the accountant within the boxing ring," states Ty Burr, Boston Globe.NICK NOLTE "Warrior" Why he'll win: Hollywood survivor taking pleasure in a welcome career revival at age 70 because of his raw depiction of the alcoholic father attempting to heal old wounds. Profile presently increased with ongoing role in HBO's significantly famous racetrack series, "Luck."Not: "Warrior" were built with a disappointing commercial run, and it is violent MMA fighting moments could make it an unlikely screener option for older Academy people. Some voters might be inclined to allow Emmy alternatives reward him come fall.Critic's quote: "Nolte is pitch-perfect because the recuperating alcoholic father. He alternates between gruff and pathetic, even though we're feeling for that sons he wounded psychologically, we sense his lonely anguish," states Claudia Puig, USA Today.CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER "Beginners" Why he'll win: To begin with, he's won virtually every precursor prior to the Academy awards. Plus there is the job itself, a elegant and dignified turn that feels as though a wonderful cap to some distinguished career which has not yet been compensated through the Academy.Not: Von Sydow and Nolte split the senior election? A lot of Academy people instructed to endure repeated viewings of "The Seem of Music" by their large siblings? It's difficult to create a situation how Plummer does not reach the podium.Critic's quote: "Is Plummer missing along the top of guy? Not. He's representing, with brilliant empathy, a guy elated to become missing across the the surface of his existence -- a surface which he'd never been allowed to tread," states David Edelstein, NY Magazine.MAX VON SYDOW "Very Noisy & Incredibly Close" Why he'll win: Required what might have been a gimmicky role -- a mute guy who conveys exclusively with the words "yes" and "no" inked on his palms -- and ingrained it (and also the movie) some much-needed gravitas. He's 82. He labored with Bergman and performed chess with Dying. The number of more chances is he going to have?Not: Rival Plummer can also be 82. And also the year's other nominated quiet entertainers -- Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo from "The Artist" -- may have moderate the individuality of his work.Critic's quote: "Briefly, because of von Sydow's fantastically evocative work (speaking volumes dumbfounded), the storyline manages to lose its artifice and comes vibrantly alive," states Ron Groen, Toronto Globe and Mail.Eye around the Academy awards: The Actor & The ActressNewbies shock 'n' roll And also the nominees are: Best Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actress Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Crime spinoffs aren't paying

The crime drama, especially as done by CBS, was primetime television's most bankable drama format for about a decade -- but that seems to be changing. Sure, skeins like "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds" continue to perform well for the Eye, but the net hasn't seen quite the same success the past two years with "Blue Bloods" or "Person of Interest," crime shows that took the genre in slightly different directions. Elsewhere, NBC's copshow "Prime Suspect" was rejected from the start in the fall, and ABC's "Body of Proof" remains a modest performer in its second season. But perhaps the best indicator of this trend is that over the last 12 months, spinoffs of three venerable crime shows -- "Law and Order," "Bones" and "Criminal Minds" -- have failed to click with auds. Sure, "Bones" offshoot "The Finder" just bowed last month, but the early returns haven't been encouraging. Fox used "Bones" to funnel viewers into "The Finder" when it premiered on Jan. 12, but the newbie settled for a 1.7 rating (compared with a 2.4 for its lead-in). And in its second week, even with a big lead-in from "American Idol" (5.7 rating), "Finder" grew to only a 2.2 -- still fourth in its Thursday timeslot. NBC tried to breathe life into the fading "Law and Order" franchise with "Law and Order: L.A.," but the show's reboot last April opened with a thud (1.5) and its run ingloriously ended with burnoff episodes in July. It was the third "L&O" spinoff in the U.S., but only "SVU" remains on the air ("U.K." continues in Blighty). And at CBS, "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior," fronted by Forest Whitaker, dropped off sharply from its ancestor, which preceded it on Wednesdays. Auds tuned in for the premiere (3.3 rating), but the show dropped to a 2.4 the following week and was hovering around a 2 when it wrapped its 13-episode run. It wasn't surprising to see the nets order more spinoffs in the wake of CBS' success with "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles," with the latter going strong in its third year. But that one may just be the last we'll see work for a while. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

VIDEO: The Actual Average women of Beverly Hills' Lisa States She'd a difficult Begin With Taylor

Taylor Remedy and Lisa Vanderpump The Actual Average women of Beverly Hills' Lisa Vanderpump states she and Taylor Remedy have switched their friendship around. "I'd a difficult begin with Taylor," she informs TVGuide.com. "We switched it around midway with the series when ... I figured this lady has enough battles to battle. She does not need another [one] beside me.Inch Bravo to air Kim Richards' first publish-rehab interview included in Average women reunion Within the interview below, Lisa and Brandi Glanville discuss this series harder moments, such as the suicide of Taylor's husband and also the intense fights between siblings Kim and Kyle Richards. Plus: Exactly what does Brandi really consider castmate Dana Wilkey? The Actual Average women of Beverly Hillsides reunion airs Monday at 9/8c on Bravo.

Bethenny Frankel Can get Talk Show Trial Run

Bethenny Frankel Reality star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel will get a talk show - just for any six-week free trial offer, in line with the NY Occasions.Warner Bros. and Fox couldn't get enough stations to carry the show next fall, so rather, Bethenny will probably be proven for six days inside the summer season on some Fox stations, the Occasions reviews. If effective, Frankel's self-titled program could easily get an ordinary schedule by fall 2013.Bethenny Frankel tape talk show pilot"She's most likely probably the most discussed personas available," mentioned Hilary Estey McLoughlin, the best choice of Telepictures, which produces syndicated shows for Warner Brothers and sisters to distribute. "She's had late-in-existence success, that people think makes her an authentic role model for girls.InchVideo clip: Bethenny Frankel shares advice in the Host to YesFrankel, 41, acquired prestige just like a cast member on Bravo's The Particular Regular folks of NY City, where she ongoing to become for 3 seasons. Season 3 of her spin-off, Bethenny Ever After (titled Bethenny Marriage? within the first season), premieres Monday, Feb. 20.

Steven Tyler: Fiancee Erin Brady Wooed Me With Seductive Headband

First Published: January 23, 2012 2:24 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Steven Tyler stops by Access Hollywood Live on January 23, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge Steven Tyler is known for his love of scarves and headbands and it appears his fiancee is also fond of the accessory. In an appearance on Mondays Access Hollywood Live, the rocker dished on how their mutual love of head wraps helped to wrap up his heart for fiancee Erin Brady, 38. I saw her one night, she had this band around her head. I said, Wow, this is a girl thats not afraid to wear a headband in a very old-fashioned, old-timey sort of way, and I loved it, the 63-year-old rocker told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover. [She] took be back to her hotel room, tied me up with it and I said, This is the girl that I want to marry. Done! Hello! Despite two previous marriages and two divorces, Steve is ready to take the plunge again. Theres something about a commitment. Theres some kind of magic that lives inside a commitment, he explained. Every time Ive ever made a commitment, Ive made it successful. And even a few botched marriages, they were still successful. The rock legend, who was previously married to Cyrinda Fox and Teresa Barrick, said he maintains good relations with all the women from his past. Ive got four beautiful kids. I still love their moms. I just screwed up, he continued. And will Steven become a dad for a fifth time? I dont know, well wait and see, he told Billy and Kit when asked about the possibility of more children. Im taking it slow. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ex-Penn St. Football Coach Joe Paterno Dead At 85

First Launched: The month of the month of january 22, 2012 1:43 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Joe Paterno on October 29, 2011 in Condition College, PennsylvaniaSTATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn Condition coach who won more American football games than anybody in primary college history but was fired among a youthful child sex abuse scandal that broken his status for winning with integrity, died Sunday. He was 85. His family released a disagreement Sunday morning to announce his dying: His loss leaves a void inside our lives that will not be filled. He died while he were living, the statement mentioned. He fought against against hard prior to the finish, continued to be positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of techniques fortunate his existence happen to be. His ambitions were significant, but he i never thought he required to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He will be a guy devoted to his family, his college, his players and also the community. Two cops were situated to close traffic all the time where Paternos modest ranch home stands alongside a close park. The authorities mentioned your family had asked for there be no public gathering outdoors the house, still decorated getting a Christmas wreath, so Paternos relatives could grieve individually. And, indeed, the street was quiet around the cold winter day. Paternos sons, Scott and Jay, turned up individually in the home late Sunday morning. Jay Paterno, who offered as his fathers quarterbacks coach, was crying. Paterno built his program round the credo Success with Recognition, which he found both. The man known to as JoePa won 409 games and needed the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl games and a pair of national game titles. Greater than 250 in the players he trained ongoing for the Nfl. He'll come down since the finest football coach inside the good status for the sport, Ohio Condition coach Urban Meyer mentioned after his former team, the Florida Gators, beat Penn Condition 37-24 inside the 2011 Outback Bowl. Paternos boy Scott mentioned on November. 18 that his father have been treated for carcinoma of the lung. Cancer was recognized within a follow-up visit for just about any bronchial illness. A few days next thought, Paterno also broke his pelvis carrying out a fall but did not need surgery. Paterno happen to be inside the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation that his family had referred to as minor complications from his cancer remedies. Not extended before that, he completed his only interview since losing his job, while using Washington Publish. Paterno was known to as frail then, speaking mostly in the whisper and wearing a hairpiece. Another 1 / 2 of both of these-day interview was completed at his bed room. Since the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact, mentioned the statement in the household. That impact remains felt and appreciated by us as thousands of letters and well wishes along with numerous functions of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It's apparent also inside the thousands of effective student sports sports athletes who've gone onto multiply that impact simply because they disseminate nationwide. The best occasions of Paternos Penn Condition career were easily probably the most difficult within the 61 years while using college and 46 seasons as mind football coach. It absolutely was because Paterno will be a this kind of sainted figure more memorable than any kind of his players and one of the better-known coaches in many of sports that his downfall am startling. Throughout one breathtaking week noisy . November, Paterno was engulfed having a scandal and forced from his job, as they not successful to go to police force in 2002 when told a young boy was molested inside the football complex. I didn't know which strategy to use and rather than enter there creating a mistake, he mentioned inside the Publish interview. Jerry Sandusky, the prior defensive coordinator prone to succeed Paterno before retiring in 1999, was charged with sexually attacking 10 boys over 15 years. Two college government bodies walked lower after they were charged with perjury undertaking a great jury analysis of Sandusky. But attention quickly dedicated to an alleged rape that happened in the shower inside the football building, observed by Mike McQueary, a graduate assistant in those days. McQueary stated he saw Sandusky attacking the little one which he'd told Paterno, who anxiously anxiously waited every day before notifying school government physiques. Police were never referred to as as well as the states top cop later mentioned Paterno not successful to accomplish his moral responsibility by not getting in contact with police. You understand, (McQueary) didnt need to get specific, Paterno mentioned inside the Publish interview. Also to be frank together with you I've no clue it could did useful, because I never learned about, of, rape together with a man. Therefore I just did a few things i thought was best. I spoken to people that we thought might be, if there's an problem, that could be following onto it. Round the morning of November. 9, Paterno mentioned he'd retire carrying out a 2011 season. More youthful crowd mentioned he was absolutely devastated with the abuse situation. This is often a tragedy, the coach mentioned. It is probably the great sorrows of my existence. With the benefit of hindsight, If perhaps I'd done more. Nevertheless the college trustees faced an urgent situation, and to pull up quickly meeting your evening, they fired Paterno, effective immediately. Graham Spanier, one of the longest-serving college presidents inside the nation, also was overlooked. According to Lanny Davis, an attorney maintained with the trustees becoming an agent, board vice chairman John Surma regretted requiring to inform Paterno your choice on the phone. The school handed the football team to at least one of Paternos assistants, Tom Bradley, who mentioned Paterno goes lower ever the most effective males, who maybe creating called being an excellent football coach. Thick, smoky-lens glasses, folded away khakis, jet-black sports footwear, blue windbreaker Paterno was easy to perfect the sidelines. His teams were much like easy to perfect the region their white-colored headgear and classic blue and white-colored uniforms had exactly the same type of-school look since the coach. Paterno thought success wasn't measured situated around the area. From his idealistic beginning, he'd implemented what he referred to as a great experiment to graduate more players and keep success round the area. He will be a frequent speaker on ethics in sports, a conscience for just about any world frequently treated by scandal and shady figures. His teams consistently ranked among the finest inside the Large Ten for graduation players. By 2011, it had 49 academic All-Us citizens, the next-finest among schools inside the Football Bowl Subdivision. Essentially two carried out under Paterno. He shows us about really just maturing and like a guy, former linebacker Paul Posluszny, using the NFLs The town of the city of jacksonville Jaguars, once mentioned. Besides the football, hes planning us being good males around. Paterno certainly had detractors, too. One former Penn Condition professor referred to as his high-minded words on academics a farce. He was belittled to create broad critiques in regards to the wrongs attending school football without delivering specifics. A classic administrator mentioned his players frequently got special therapy compared to non-sports sports athletes. His training style frequently was considered too conservative. Some thought he held onto his job too extended. There's a push to move him in 2004 nevertheless it not successful. Nevertheless the experts were inside the minority, and also the program was not ever reported for major NCAA violations. However, the little one sexual abuse scandal motivated separate research with the U.S. Department of the practice as well as the NCAA to the schools handling. Paterno carried out quarterback and cornerback for Brown College and hang up a defensive record with 14 career interceptions, a distinction he boasted likely to his teams completely into his 80s. He graduated in 1950 with intends to visit law school. He mentioned his father wanted he'd sooner or later be leader. Because he was 23, a classic coach at Brown was moving to Penn Condition being your brain coach and convinced Paterno to incorporate him becoming an assistant. I'd no intention to train once i got from Brown, Paterno mentioned in 2007 at Beaver Stadium inside an interview just before being granted having a Hall of Fame. Showed up only at that hick town? From Brooklyn? In 1963, he was offered employment with the late Al Davis $18,000, triple his salary at Penn Condition, together with an automobile being gm and coach in the AFLs Concord Raiders. He mentioned no. Rip Engle outdated as Penn Condition mind coach three years later, and Paterno needed over. In those days, the Lions were considered Eastern football inferior and Paterno courted newspaper coverage to enhance the teams profile. In 1967, PSU began a 30--1 streak. But Penn Condition couldnt achieve the very best polls. The Lions finished second in 1968 and 1969 despite perfect records. They went 12- in 1973 and take care of fifth. Texas edged them in 1969 after Leader Richard Nixon, impressed while using Longhorns bowl performance, declared them No. 1. Id would rather know, Paterno mentioned later, how's the best choice know so little about Watergate in 1973, and therefore much about national football league and nfl and college football in 1969? A national title finally showed up 1982, in the 27-23 conquer Georgia within the Sugar Bowl. Penn Condition won another in 1986 following a Lions selected off Vinny Testaverde five occasions and beat Miami 14-10 inside the Fiesta Bowl. They have made several title runs ever since then, plus a 2005 visit the Orange Bowl plus an 11-1 campaign in 2008 that acquired them a berth inside the Rose Bowl, where they lost 37-23 to La. Within the senior years, physical conditions used the old coach lower. Paterno was exceed round the sideline throughout a game title title at Wisconsin in November 2006 and experienced knee surgery. He hurt his stylish in 2008 showing an onside kick. An intestinal illness together with a poor reaction to anti-biotics suggested for dental work slowed down lower him for almost all this years season. Paterno began scaling back his speaking engagements that year, ending his summer season caravan of speeches to alumni within the condition. A receiver bowled over Paterno at practice in August, delivering him for the hospital with shoulder and pelvis injuries and consigning him to train a lot of year within the press box. The fact weve won plenty of games is the good Master saved me healthy, not because Im a lot better than anybody else, Paterno mentioned a couple of days before he won his 409th game and passed Eddie Robinson of Grambling Condition for in Division I. Its because Ive been around substantially more than anybody else. Paterno may be conservative round the area, specifically in large games, depending round the attempted-and-true formula of defense, the running game and area position. Theyve been playing great defense for 45 years, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned in November. Paterno and also the wife, Sue, elevated five children in Condition College. Anybody could telephone him at his modest ranch home the identical one he came out before round the evening he was fired by trying to find Paterno, Ernest V. inside the phonebook. He strolled past games and was welcomed and wanted all the best by fans all the time. Former players paraded through his living room for that chance to express hello. But typically, he continued to be in the spotlight. Paterno did have a very knack for joke. He recognized to Twitter, the social media, as Twittle-do, Twittle-dee. More youthful crowd may be abrasive and persistent, combined together with his share of run-inches along with his bosses or managers. To ensure that as his legend elevated, so did the eye to his on-area options, as well as the queries about because he would retire. Requires his retirement showed up in a crescendo in 2004. The year after, Penn Condition went 11-1 and won the big Ten. Inside the Orange Bowl, PSU beat Florida Condition, whose coach, Bobby Bowden, left the Seminoles following a 2009 season after 34 many 389 wins. Like a lot more, he was outlasted by JoePa. Copyright 2012 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements may not be launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rhianna Launches Born Using This Method Foundation

First Launched: The month of the month of january 19, 2012 5:05 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Rhianna attends the 39th Worldwide Emmy Honours within the Mercury Ballroom within the NY Hilton on November 21, 2011Lady Gaga and her mother are becoming their message of tolerance and bravery to individuals! The singer and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, introduced on Wednesday that they may formally launch the Born Using This Method Foundation (BTWF) on February 29, 2012, at Harvard Universitys Sanders Theatre. The Grammy-champion will probably be grew to become part of by policy makers, non-profit organizations, foundation leaders and youth themselves that are working to make a kinder and braver world. My children foundation was produced from her passion to make a better world where people are kinder and to one another and so are famous for who they may be, regardless of how different they could be, Cynthia Germanotta mentioned in the statement. She's experienced the majority of the struggles our youth encounter today, and identifies while using lasting effects they could have without right support. Together, we anticipate creating a new movement that will engage and empower youth and accept them as valuable people in today's world. The inspiration works to research the how you can achieve youth and make a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment focusing on issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, training and career development and advocacy. To learn more about the Born Using This Method Foundation and also to accept pledge and finish up area of the movement, Follow The Link! Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Canadian producer has laugh-line to U.S.

Thunderbird Films 'Mr. Young' might be the very first American-style sitcom to shoot in Vancouver. Vancouver-based entertainment production and distribution company Thunderbird Films is changing the means by which Canada can get its laffs.Already experiencing some success with dramas "Endgame" and "Intelligence," Thunderbird grew to become part of forces with Serta Signer ("The Suite Information on Zack and Cody") to create "Mr. Youthful," a show of a 14-year-old child prodigy who, after finishing college, goes back to secondary school just like a science teacher.The show was quickly provided to YTV, a Canadian youth-specific funnel, and, immediately after, to Disney XD, which airs Signer's "Ant Farm.""Mr. Youthful" has since been put in primetime, although keeping its original timeslot. "So that it airs a good deal,In . states Thunderbird's leader, Michael Shepard.Nonetheless its recognition notifies only part of the show's story. "Mr. Youthful" might be the very first multicamera comedy to shoot in B.C. before an energetic audience. Since there's no soundstage in Vancouver that could accommodate the expansion, Thunderbird built its by changing a 70,000-sq.-feet. warehouse in Burnaby, B.C.According to Shepard, Thunderbird preferred to emulate the American sitcom model, and allotted the show similarly. "Our plan was always to promote (the show) for the U.S.," according to him.Shepard qualities "Mr. Young's" success largely for the immediate response in the live audience in case your joke isn't working, it might be re-written round the place."We're by mentioning jokes," according to him. "Plenty of kids' shows may also be about getting an arc, and several relationship or moral -- we have none of the. We're just trying to become funny."A tape in the show, that's particularly well-loved by teenage women, can be a four-to-five-hour experience, and contains become much like a show in the show. The expansion serves audiences pizza, features a stand-up comedian perform between takes, in addition to hosts talent competitions. People can be found in costumes. Entertainers perform throughout."We're wanting that people have created a completely new industry here," states Thunderbird Boss Tim Gamble, "Sitcom can be a proven commodity (in Canada)."Thunderbird loves the format a great deal it's set on developing more laffers. Incorporated in this is actually a primetime multicamera show, "Bundle," a grown-up comedy of a effective youthful brother who lives with and seems around his two controlling older brothers and sisters. Thunderbird is joining track of author-producer Andrew Orenstein ("3rd Rock Under the sun,Inch "Everybody Hates Chris," "Malcolm within the centreInch) around the program, which will shoot in Vancouver, and aims being similar in tone to "two and a half Males" and "The Big Bang Theory." "Packed Deal," too, is specific for the U.S. additionally to Canada.The persistence for the sitcom format hasn't saved Thunderbird from throwing its hat to the feature film ring. It recently devoted to the particular rights to "Edge Runner," which Ridley Scott is positioned to direct either just like a prequel or follow-up for Alcon Entertainment. "For people it absolutely was an chance to take part in holding a little of this franchise," Gamble states.Shepard adds, "It's a sci-fi brand meaning a great deal to numerous people. In the long-term perspective it's value that's really attractive."However, Gamble keeps, "Our focus, really, is television. We've found an exceptional chance using this sitcom model. It utilizes lots of people, it's good work, it's good business which we obtain individuals to laugh." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Ludlum's Sigma Protocol Back On Track

Ben Hartman is the new Jason Bourne (?)Last we heard, Robert Ludlum's typically doorstop-y thriller The Sigma Protocol was on the fast track for movie development at Universal. The thing is, that was back in the summer of 2008; maybe there were leaves on the line. This morning though, comes the news that, as the Bourne franchise prepares to return with The Bourne Legacy,The Sigma Protocol has also resurfaced, with veteran Irwin Winkler writing and producing.Published in 2001, The Sigma Protocol was Ludlum's final novel, and is about Ben Hartman, a young investment banker on holiday in Switzerland,who discovers that a secret organization (comprised of top corporate CEOs and nazi war criminals) has long been controlling the global economy. Witnessing a killing gets him embroiled in the conspiracy, which in turn sees him marked for death and on the run with a female FBI agent."It's an ordinary guy who gets caught up in international intrigue, and who teams with this operative who is declared a rogue by the CIA," says Winkler. "Unlike Bourne, who is a trained assassin, this is an innocent guy traveling in Europe who gets in way over his head. And it has all the great Ludlum intrigue."The last version of the screenplay was by Iron Man writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, but it sounds as if Winkler will be starting from scratch for this version. He's co-writing with Jose Ruisanchez, who started out in visual effects but seems to have moved into producing through some time as Winkler's assistant. He doesn't seem to have any other writing credits.Plot-wise, this looks to have some of the hallmarks of those travelogue 60s caper movies like Charade and To Catch A Thief (which is up for a remake). Recent attempts to revive that genre, however (Knight And Day, The Tourist), fared badly, so we're interested to see where Sigma Protocol might be heading.As a producer, Winkler was behind successes like Rocky, The Gambler and Goodfellas, all of which have recently resurfaced in some form (Rocky as a musical, Gambler as a remake and Goodfellas as a TV series). "It's nice to see this activity on past films, and it's also nice to have some fresh action," he says.

Banking on innovation

CEAs Gary Shapiro states many tech improvements bowed at CES.To know the significance of the customer Electronics Show, think about this: the mobile products everybody carries and the majority of the entertainment hardware in living spaces worldwide were released here first.Every The month of january, the main electronics producers trek to Vegas to unveil their latest consumer devices, as well as for Hollywood that's meant new platforms which to distribute its films, Television shows, music and games, together with other content.The main entertainment gamers have caught onto that, using the latter years visiting a surge in registered participants in the biz (9,000 took part in last year's Entertainment Matters program, co-created by U . s . Talent Agency using the Electronic Devices Assn., which number is anticipated be bigger this season, the orgs say).The 2010 show, which went Jan. 10-13, attracted around 150,000 participants who visited CES' 2,700 participants.Hollywood executives found seal handles hardware makers, but they are also searching to determine what's going to unveil to merchants.Previously, individuals new products have incorporated the VCR, Laserdisc, Compact disc, DVD and Blu-ray gamers, High definition tv, Brought and three dimensional Televisions, Audio players, mobile phones, UltraViolet and tablet computer systems, to title only a couple of."Virtually every electronic devices innovation within the good reputation for our industry was revealed at CES," states Gary Shapiro, leader and Boss from the CEA.Worldwide electronic devices investing is anticipated to pass through $1 trillion this season, based on GfK Boutique Research and also the CEA, up 5%. Sales are anticipated to top $200 billion within the U.S., where customers spent $190 billion on electronics this past year, up 5.6% from 2010. In a nutshell, Hollywood can not afford to not give consideration and become present at CES."We have been saying this within the last fifteen years,Inch Shapiro states. "We are not only a hardware show. We've people here from every factor of the.InchAnd some tips about what everybody continues to be searching at because the top trends being released from the show this season: Ultrabooks: Apple created the word to explain thin, fast laptops that imitate Apple's Mac laptop Air. These products save data on chips, rather than traditional hard disk drives, and access the cloud for content. Experts expect the products to represent 10% of laptop sales in 2012. A lot more than 60 producers are earning Ultrabooks to produce this season. Wise Televisions: When they have been introduced at CES in the past years, the brand new batch that Samsung, The new sony, LG and Panasonic revealed this time around around continue to be centered on filling the screens with applications, but additionally sport features familiar to proprietors of Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360 360, in addition to customers of Siri on Apple's apple iphone 4s: gesture and voice controls.Why is this so? It's believed that Apple offered a lot more than $ 30 million of their latest phone within the 4th quarter, and Microsoft has offered 18 million Kinects.Samsung has added facial recognition to cameras included in its sets to identify who's having its new type of Televisions and enable them to access their applications. TV-makers hope the characteristics can help them boost sagging set sales, that the CEA projects will decline 6.5% this season. OLED and 4K Televisions: The following high-def Televisions available on the market will feature super-thin screens (LG's 55-inch set is 4mm thick) and boast better, crisper and much more colorful images. Cheaper pills: Most tablet-makers are presenting more compact, cheaper pills to compete avoid Apple's iPad however with Amazon's Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook. Tablet sales are anticipated to triple to 55.two million this season, based on Juniper Research.Not every new items happen to be instant hits.three dimensional TV got a large push this year, even though the sets can sell overseas, they are still battling to trap on within the U.S.Roughly 30% of customers still say they've no immediate intends to buy a three dimensional TV over the following six several weeks, stating cost and also the needed glasses as reasons, based on NPD Group. (Glasses-free three dimensional sets aren't likely to be developed over the following year.) The study firm also states three dimensional Televisions composed 9% of U.S. lcd TV sales through November, up 2% within the same period this year.Even though, sales of three dimensional Televisions are soft within the U.S., 23 million three dimensional Televisions are anticipated to ship worldwide this season, using more than 100 million models to ship by 2015.While 17 million wise Televisions have previously made their distance to houses, only 10% were attached to the Internet this past year, up from 8% this year, research group Parks Affiliates states, because many think about the Televisions confusing to make use of.At the same time, netbook computers, introduced last year, specified for for everyone as affordable laptops that connect to the net. Apple's iPad virtually did away with this category.This past year, a lot more than 100 producers introduced their very own pills to contend with Apple. Most, like BlackBerry's PlayBook, have battled or unsuccessful, with Hewlett packard tugging the plug on its Touch pad after dismal sales. Samsung's Universe Tab still remains a worthy rival.Apple does not attend CES to showcase new items. It eschews industry events to host its very own occasions throughout every season, even though it did send nearly 300 staffers this season, sources confirmed. Microsoft would be the alongside leave CES following this year's confab, ending a 15-year appearance.Items thatdebuted at CESVideocassette recorder (VCR), 1970 Laserdisc player, 1974 Video camera, 1981 Compact disk player, 1981 Digital audio technology, 1990 Compact disk -- interactive, 1991 Small disc, 1993 Radio data system, 1993 Digital satellite system, 1994 Digital versatile disk (DVD), 1996 Hd television (High definition tv), 1998 Personal video recorder (PVR), 1999Digital audio radio (DAR), 2000Microsoft Xbox 360, 2001Plasma TV, 2001 Home media server, 2002HD radio, 2003Blu-Ray DVD, 2003HDTV PVR, 2003HD radio, 2004IP TV, 2005OLED TV, 20083D High definition tv, 2009Tablets, netbook computers andandroid Products, 2010Connected TV, wise home appliances,Microsoft Kinect, 2011 Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

J.J. Abrams Didn't Want to Do 'Star Trek 2' in 3D

J.J. Abrams' cinematic hero Steven Spielberg might be all about 3D these days, but that doesn't mean Abrams is thrilled about the gimmick. While speaking to reporters about his new Fox series "Alcatraz," at the Television Critics Association, Abrams admitted that having his upcoming "Star Trek" sequel converted to 3D wasn't his idea. "I did not fight for the 3D. It was something the studio wanted to do. I didn't want to do it." At Comic-Con in 2010, Abrams expressed his reservations about the format, "The thing that drives me crazy about 3D is that when you put on the glasses, everything seems dim. I'm not totally on board yet." Still, Abrams did give his blessing after seeing some tests of the first "Star Trek" in 3D. "[It] looked really good," Abrams admitted to the crowd at TCA. "That was the thing which made me think it would be okay." The director wanted to hold out for shooting the sequel on good old-fashioned celluloid film, instead of digitally, but turns out "you can't shoot 3-D in anamorphic," I didn't want to shoot it digitally....I wanted it to match the look of the first and shoot it anamorphically. Then I saw the first movie converted; it was actually really cool. So I was okay with [converting the film to 3D], as long as I could shoot it the way I wanted to." [via EW] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Ask Matt: Dance, Downton Abbey, CSI, Guilty Pleasures and More!

So You Think You Can Dance Send questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!Question: I heard somewhere that Fox will be canceling So You Think You Can Dance after this season and that this season will be shaved down a bit. How can this be true? This is one of the very best "reality" shows on TV. It's classy, inspiring, emotional, and I keep being amazed by the amount of brilliant talent there is out there and each season the talent gets better, if that's possible. These are truly extreme athletes. Can anything be done to keep this gem on? - CorinneMatt Roush: It never hurts to turn more people on to your favorite endangered show, but I'm not sure So You Think You Can Dance is quite ready for its last dance yet (inadvertent Donna Summer reference). It's true that Fox plans to tweak the format significantly this summer, including eliminating the weekly "results" episode. I'm not sure yet how that's going to work, and I'm not sure they know yet. (Couldn't they just make it a more manageable half-hour results show? Couldn't everybody?) So while this sort of chipping away is certainly worrisome, I'll hold Fox's entertainment chief Kevin Reilly to his statement over the weekend that none of the network's reality franchises - this being my favorite, including (most weeks) the results show - are going away.Question: After reading your many postings regarding American Horror Story, it is evident that you dislike this show. I felt similarly in the early episodes, but then as it started to tie up storylines, it became a guilty pleasure for me. It got me wondering whether you have any shows that you love that are just plain bad where you disregard the professional critical side of you and just enjoy it. What are some of your favorites? - RobMatt Roush: There's bad, and then there's reprehensible, and I honestly still have trouble imagining a single pleasurable aspect to American Horror Story (save Jessica Lange), which disgusted me without ever actually scaring me. But that's old news. Of course I have "guilty pleasures" - who doesn't? - although for the most part, I refuse to feel guilty about anything that brings me actual pleasure. The most obvious current candidate for guilty-pleasure status at the moment is ABC's Revenge, which I find preposterous and often comically badly acted, but it has no pretensions about being anything but a juicy, go-for-broke soap, and as it found its voice, the formula of Emily-takes-down-an-enemy has thankfully expanded to give her some truly memorable antagonists in the psycho Tyler (whose farewell, for now, was a series high point last week) and the "real" Emily-now-Amanda, a vixen of the highest low order. It reminds me of the heyday of the prime-time soap, which really were guilty pleasures of mine, most memorably Knots Landing, which I loved and during the most primitive VCR era was able to keep up with, even while doing my critical duty regarding the more culturally important NBC dramas that aired in that same Thursday time period, including Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law. I guess I'd also classify my few reality addictions, almost all from the competition genre (Top Chef, the upcoming Face Off on Syfy, etc.) as guilty pleasures, because I can't really justify the time I spend with them as anything but relaxing and enjoyable. No shame in that. And as previously discussed, a show like So You Think You Can Dance is not a guilty pleasure. It's one of the best shows on TV. I sure hope Fox doesn't screw it up.Want more Matt Roush? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Question: I was wondering if you know anything about the second season of BBC's updated Sherlock. I know it aired on BBC One in Britain last week. Will we have to wait six months to see it in America on PBS? - JeffreyMatt Roush: Would you settle for four? Sherlock will return to the Masterpiece lineup in May, and I've heard nothing but good things so far. I know the wait is aggravating, but Masterpiece tends to save its key mystery franchises for spring and/or summer. And really, who can complain, as long as Downton Abbey is on? Speaking of which:Question: Loving Downton Abbey and I heard somewhere that this is a limited series. I wish there were more episodes in a season. I enjoy all the cast and the storylines. Do you know if there is an end in sight or if they plan on more episodes next season? All of the critics seem to like it as well as the public. The ratings have been very good in the UK, but I am not sure how ratings are in the U.S. and how that works. I would love to see a dozen or more episodes next season, like our cable series. Are you a fan? - ElMatt Roush: Downton Abbey is a hit on both sides of the pond, and there will be a third season, which is cause to celebrate - in case you missed my review of the second series, I'm a huge fan, and the first season ranked second on my Top 10 list for 2011. The popularity of the show has nothing to do with how many episodes air; it's a function of the model of British TV, which (usually to its benefit) tends to produce fewer episodes a season than the more-is-more American way. I'm OK with a series like this leaving us wanting more, because what there is of it is so very satisfying.Question: I've seen reported that the second season of Downton Abbey will air in seven episodes on PBS, but in the UK, it was eight episodes plus a two-hour Christmas special. Will PBS be showing all of it, including the special? They edited season 1 together oddly, so it's certainly possible they're going that route again, but they've been pretty uncommunicative on the subject. - JessicaMatt Roush: The first and last nights of the PBS run combine two episodes - with the final night on Feb. 19 being the two-hour Christmas "special" - so nothing is being lost in the translation here. (There may be some minor edits, but not to the extent of last season, which was blown way out of proportion.)Question: Is George Eads leaving CSI? He's hardly been on this season and he wasn't on the last episode before the break. - ConnieMatt Roush: Not that I'm aware, and while I tend not to keep up on contract negotiations, I'd be surprised if he's contemplating an exit at this point. I get that you're a fan, but a reality check is in order. This has been a very busy transitional season for CSI, introducing a key new cast member (Ted Danson) very successfully, while laying the groundwork for one of the originals (Marg Helgenberger) to depart later this month. With all of that going on, it's only natural for the rest of the ensemble to recede a bit into the background. I'm sure Nick's time will come again.Question: It seems like every time I write, it is to complain about NBC, and the new year is not changing that. I was talking with my wife and I think it's entirely possible that the Peacock hasn't aired and developed a quality show (non-reality/news) since 1999 when SVU and The West Wing debuted. How is this possible? Over the course of 12 years you would think that by accident they would be able to develop some quality programming. It seems like whomever runs NBC is so afraid of sticking with a bad show too long that they pull the plug on shows the instant they falter, or in the case of Law & Order vs. Law & Order: Los Angeles just have a case of terrible decision-making. I just don't understand how a company that is so great at developing shows for their cable network (USA) can't figure it out for their flagship. Do you think that due to their lack of creative programming, NBC would be wise to abandon creative programming altogether and become strictly reality and news-based programming? - ChipMatt Roush: Heaven forbid. Just look at NBC's current Monday lineup, and tell me anyone deserves a week full of that. However ... While NBC's woes are well documented and in most cases self-inflicted - especially during the Zucker era, and the network may never live down that Jay Leno prime-time debacle - this overgeneralization that NBC has nothing of merit is unfair. Several of NBC's Thursday comedies are justifiably acclaimed, though not mass appeal like in the glory days of Friends, Seinfeld and Will & Grace, and until Modern Family came along, 30 Rock (finally returning this week) was the awards-show darling. There have been a number of noble failures in the last decade, the wonderful Boomtown for instance, scattered among the onerous duds, and currently I'd put Parenthood in that classification as one of the few solid network attempts at the family drama in recent years. Plus, NBC has two of the more interesting midseason experiments this year - Smash, which is getting a huge promotional launch, and Awake (if they don't end up being too scared of it) - so instead of condemning the network to the scrap heap, let's project some cautious optimism that with the new entertainment boss and the new corporate owners, things may slowly begin to turn around. But it's not likely to be easy or pretty.Question: I was watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother from last season the other day which involved Robin's "big crush." At the end of the episode, Narrator Ted said that her crush would come back into play and that there was "more on that later." We're about halfway into the new season and it doesn't appear that Robin's crush is coming back anytime soon. Did the writers forget about this story line, or did they simply decide to go in a different direction with the show? - LaurenMatt Roush: Oh, who knows? I'm so fed up with the teases on this show. The best I can tell, from an interview last summer, is that Michael Trucco (who played the crush) wasn't as available as the producers had hoped, because of his role on USA Network's Fairly Legal, which may explain how Robin got saddled with the miserably unfunny love interest of Kal Penn this season. Which isn't to say the crush won't return at some point for another payoff or punchline, since they did set it up. But for now, with Robin's career apparently about to take off again and her infertility subplot having been revealed, she has plenty to keep her busy.Question: Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game returned last week from hiatus. Is it just me, or are they suddenly soapier, as indicated by such characters as Hanna's dad (and his new bride) in PLL, and Annie "Rebecca" Sewell in TLG "returning to town" to disrupt the lives of those with whom we've become familiar so far. Did these shows get new runners, or are ABC Family's "teen mysteries" turning into "teen soaps?" - HalMatt Roush: When were these shows not soaps? Their premises may be built about central mysteries or quests, but being in no rush to wrap up those central stories - otherwise the show's over - new characters and new complications are always being introduced. Just like in a soap opera.Question: On Once Upon a Time, what has Snow White done to the Evil Queen for her to go to such lengths to punish her? - KMatt Roush: The key word here is "evil." No matter who's telling the story, the queen's murderous ire toward Snow White is all about envy, jealousy and irrational spite. In this version, the curse is the queen's way of denying her nemesis a happy ending. For now. Besides, what fun would it be if they actually got along?Question: Okay, I accept that the cancellation of Prime Suspect is final and there is no saving this show. But for those of us who actually became interested in these people, is there any chance we are going to see the final few episodes? - KathyMatt Roush: Mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 22. NBC will burn off the final two episodes of Prime Suspect against Fox's broadcast of the NFC Championship game (leading into a special American Idol). Not ideal, but better than not showing them at all, which is what tends to happen to shows with this kind of ratings.That's all for now. Keep sending your comments and questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com, and in the meantime, follow me on Twitter!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!