News

Chernobyl director Johan Renck and production partner Michael Parets will adapt Andrew O’Hagan’s new epic British novel Caledonian Road for TV.

Recently published by Faber to rave reviews, Caledonian Road is a Dickensian tale of the rise and fall of Campbell Flynn, an art historian and celebrity intellectual, told against the backdrop of modern-day Britain and the deep-set corruption at the heart of the ruling class. O’Hagan is a three-time Booker Prize nominee (for Our Fathers, Be Near Me and The Illuminations). His last novel, Mayflies, was adapted as a drama series by BBC in 2022 starring Martin Compston, Tony Curran and Ashley Jensen.

Parets and Renck will produce Caledonian Road through their Fremantle-backed production company Sinestra, with Renck set to direct. Emmy-winning showrunner Will Smith (Veep, The Think of It, Slow Horses) will adapt the book for the screen. O’Hagan will serve as executive producer.

“We’ve...

Co-financing, co-production forum takes place September 11-12.

New projects involving the producer of The Babadook, Game Of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin and Lemon Tree filmmaker Eran Riklis will be front and centre when the first in-person Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (Iff) in three years kicks off at TIFF next month.

Now in its 17th year, the two-day co-financing and co-production market takes place from September 11-12 in association with TIFF and features 42 feature film producer teams – 20 from Canada and 22 from as far afield as Australia, India, Norway, Scotland and the US.

The producers will participate in one-on-one producer...

Co-financing, co-production forum takes place September 11-12.

New projects involving the producer of The Babadook, Game Of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin and Lemon Tree filmmaker Eran Riklis will be front and centre when the first in-person Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (Iff) in three years kicks off at TIFF next month.

Now in its 17th year, the two-day co-financing and co-production market takes place from September 11-12 in association with TIFF and features 42 feature film producer teams – 20 from Canada and 22 from as far afield as Australia, India, Norway, Scotland and the US.

The producers will participate in one-on-one producer...

In today’s film news roundup, Tobin Bell, David Walton, Majandra Delfino and Mickey Rourke are cast; “Dark Waters,” “Covers” and “Albanian Gangster” get release dates.

Castings

“Saw” actor Tobin Bell will star in the independent comedy “Mouth to Mouth,” Variety has learned exclusively.

The project will be produced by Dean C. Jones, Starr Jones, and David Shoenfeld under their Atlantic & Pacific Studios banner. The screenplay, written by Spyder Dobrofsky, centers on a scrawny nerd from the Midwest who accidentally lands the head lifeguard job at the hottest country club in Los Angeles even though he doesn’t know how to swim.

Bell portrayed the iconic John Kramer/Jigsaw character in all eight “Saw” movies between 2004 and 2017. His demented character — a former engineer — tested others’ will to live by placing them in deadly traps as symbols of what he saw as a moral flaws in the victims, in hopes...

Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce play a married couple at a breaking point in The Wife, the first image from which was released Monday. 

Based on Meg Wolitzer's novel and directed by Berlin Silver Bear winner Bjorn Runge (Daybreak, Mouth to Mouth), the film sees six-time Academy Award nominee Close as Joan Castleman, wife of one of America's preeminent novelists (played by Pryce) who is about to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. But after decades spent ignoring her own literary talents to focus on his, she finally decides that enough is enough.

Production on the project, which also stars Elizabeth McGovern (Downton...

Parting is such sweet sorrow — unless we’re talking about Hannibal, in which case parting is just dark, twisted and extremely uncomfortable.

RelatedHannibal‘s Hugh Dancy to Co-Star in Jason Katims Hulu Drama The Way

TVLine has an exclusive first look at Saturday’s series finale (NBC, 10/9c), in which Will pays one last visit to Mads Mikkelsen’s titular serial killer in captivity. And it seems as though Dr. Lecter is determined to remain a part of Will’s life — whether he wants it or not.

“It won’t be the same,” Hannibal assures Will of the ‘normal...

By the time credits rolled on The Blacklist's Season 2 finale last May, everything we thought we knew about the NBC drama had been blown apart.

Liz, having murdered Attorney General Tom Connolly, landed herself on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and began the life of a fugitive with Red by her side (and her former FBI colleagues on her tail).

RelatedThe Blacklist Recap: 7 Biggest Moments From the Season Finale

Meanwhile, news of The Cabal’s existence was leaked to the press, and good ol’ Tom Keen… well, we’re not exactly sure what he went off to do.

Fifty Shades of Grey has released its trailer today to a rather mixed reaction.

Loving in a lift, riding-crop stroking, blindfold wearing and hands being tied with red rope - we didn't expect anything less.

We've skipped to the steamiest bits, and put together 15 of the sexiest moments for your viewing pleasure below:

1. The lift

Their raw animal magnetism and sizzling sexual chemistry is so off the scale that heck, they can't wait until they get home, they're going to get it on, and they're going to get it on now.

2. Crazy in Love

Here. In the lift.

3. Get to the chopper!!

Grey shows off his impressively large chopper (ahem, sorry).

4. The slow dance

How brazen! Grey grabs Anastasia's hand and urgently shoves it onto his behind.

5. Mouth to mouth...

The lights are dimmed and prepped for the sensual kissing close-up. Say no more, we know exactly what they're up to.

Bruce McDonald's dark comedy hits the big screen on this coming Friday with its theatrical run beginning at the Tiff Bell Lightbox in Toronto. And if you want a taste at the film's very dry sense of humor, well, look no further than the latest teaser to arrive on the scene.Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, who co-wrote the movie, stars as a man steadily unravelling as he cares for his infant son while his teacher wife (Sarah Allen) serves a jail sentence for sleeping with a teenaged student. The Husband stars Maxwell McCabe-Lokos (The Tracey Fragments, Lars and the Real Girl, Mouth to Mouth), August Diehl (Salt, Inglorious Bastards, The Counterfeiters, Mouth to Mouth), Sarah Allen (On The Road, Human Trafficking), and Jodi Balfour (Bomb Girls, Final Destination...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

With Bruce McDonald's ultra dark comedy The Husband gearing up for the start of its theatrical run at the Tiff Bell Lightbox in Toronto on March 14th the latest in a series of brief teasers have arrived online. And, yes, cars are hard.Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, who co-wrote the movie, stars as a man steadily unravelling as he cares for his infant son while his teacher wife (Sarah Allen) serves a jail sentence for sleeping with a teenaged student. The Husband stars Maxwell McCabe-Lokos (The Tracey Fragments, Lars and the Real Girl, Mouth to Mouth), August Diehl (Salt, Inglorious Bastards, The Counterfeiters, Mouth to Mouth), Sarah Allen (On The Road, Human Trafficking), and Jodi Balfour (Bomb Girls, Final Destination 5). Check out the latest teaser below....

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Fernando Guillén dies: Pedro Almodóvar Collaborator, Goya Award winner for Don Juan in Hell Fernando Guillén, a Spanish acting legend whose film, stage, and television career spanned close to six decades, died of cancer earlier today at a Madrid hospital. The Barcelona-born Guillén was 81 according to the daily El Mundo. (As per the IMDb, he was 80; born on Nov. 22, 1932.) Curiously, Fernando Guillén became more active in Spanish cinema in the last three decades. Among his movies are three directed by Pedro Almodóvar: Law of the Desire (1987), in which Guillén plays the police investigator; the Academy Award-nominated Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988), as Carmen Maura’s jerk ex-boyfriend; and the Oscar-winning All About My Mother (1999), as the Doctor featured in the play A Streetcar Named Desire starring Marisa Paredes as Blanche DuBois. (Correction: Penélope Cruz’s father is played by Fernando Fernán Gómez.) [Photo: Fernando Guillén.] Other Guillén movies include...

 

The first thing I should point out, is that movies are almost Never shot in chronological order, or in other words, in sequence of the events as they would unfold or "script order." This is pretty common knowledge, but don't beat yourself up if you didn't know already. For Dolly Parton's first motion picture (Nine to Five), she memorized the entire script, including the other characters' lines. Apparently, after letting on that she thought movies were filmed in chronological order, co-star Lily Tomlin burst out laughing.

Movies are shot out of sequence for a number of reasons. Among these reasons are; renting out locations or studio space, lighting, weather conditions, and most importantly, the availability of an actor. All of these basically boil down to time and money. 

So with budget and time constraints almost always working against shooting a film in chronological order, what would drive a filmmaker to pursue such a course?...

Replacing Batman: Anticipating the conclusion of his run as Batman, Christian Bale had several projects lined up, including American Bullsh*t, based on the late '70s / early '80s Abscam scandal in which six members of Congress were implicated. But now Bale is out and Jeremy Renner (The Bourne Legacy, above) is in negotiations to step into the lead role. David O. Russell (The Fighter) is still attached to direct the project, which is now officially … untitled. [Variety] Mouth to Mouth: Our favorite high school detective has long since grown up, and now Kristen Bell (aka Veronica Mars) is ready to play a 30-ish reporter who gets involved with a 16-year-old bad boy after she returns home and resumes working as a lifeguard. Sounds trashy! The Lifeguard starts...

Read More...

George Michael has revealed some teasers for his upcoming 'White Light' music video. The 'Father Figure' singer confirmed reports that Kate Moss will appear in the video, and that she will save his life on camera. "In the video, a certain supermodel (our Kate) saves my life," Michael tweeted. "We shot two endings, one with the heimlich manoeuvre... and one where she gives me full on CPR. Mouth to mouth. Not really ;}. He added: "But (more)...

Before the 'Mad Max' star 'skinned the cat,' Natalie Portman, Demi Moore and more had also shaved it all off for movie roles.

By Jocelyn Vena

Charlize Theron and her son Jackson

Photo: FameFlynet

Charlize Theron made headlines on Monday when she was spotted sporting a shaved head for her role in "Mad Max: Fury Road." The blond Oscar-winner might have been trying to hide the look under a fedora, but it was clear that her locks had been handed their pink slip.

The haircut might have come as a surprise to fans of the "Snow White and the Huntsman" star, but she certainly teased it in a recent discussion about the flick. "It's been three years: It's time to skin this cat already!" Theron said last month during a roundtable interview. "I'm very excited about it."

To see other female stars imagined with shaved heads, click here.

However,...

Before the 'Mad Max' star 'skinned the cat,' Natalie Portman, Demi Moore and more had also shaved it all off for movie roles.

By Jocelyn Vena

Charlize Theron and her son Jackson

Photo: FameFlynet

Charlize Theron made headlines on Monday when she was spotted sporting a shaved head for her role in "Mad Max: Fury Road." The blond Oscar-winner might have been trying to hide the look under a fedora, but it was clear that her locks had been handed their pink slip.

The haircut might have come as a surprise to fans of the "Snow White and the Huntsman" star, but she certainly teased it in a recent discussion about the flick. "It's been three years: It's time to skin this cat already!" Theron said last month during a roundtable interview. "I'm very excited about it."

To see other female stars imagined with shaved heads, click here.

However,...

Open Road Films has released three clips and two international posters for Lockout, which debuts in theaters nationwide April 13. Guy Pearce stars in this thriller from directors James Mather and Stephen St. Leger, as an ex-convict who gets a dangerous shot at redemption by taking on a mission to rescue the President's daughter (Maggie Grace). Watch the first five minutes from this outer space action tale, plus check out two more clips and the international one-sheets.

Lockout - First 5 Minutes

Lockout - Mouth to Mouth

Lockout comes to theaters April 13th, 2012 and stars Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James, Peter Stormare, Jacky Ido, Tim Plester. The film is directed by James Mather, Stephen St. Leger.

Several years ago director Alison Murray moved to Buenos Aires, where she danced tango competitively, married her tango partner, had two daughters and, now, has completed her fourth feature. Not surprisingly given these life changes, the film, Caprichosos, deals with dance. But instead of tango, Murray has focused on the murga — what she dubs “tango’s poor cousin.” Performed by groups of costumed dancers who rehearse their theatrical presentations for months before premiering them at Carnival, the dance is a local tradition suffused with beauty, drama, and a slight undertone of menace. Writes Murray in a director’s statement, “Unlike its cultural cousin the tango, murga is not taught in any institution; it’s a tradition of social protest and commentary that has remained hidden in the arrabals, the slums of Buenos Aires. With this film we are infiltrating the world of the murgeros, and meet some of the characters...

Continuing her promo tour for »Super«, Ellen headed back to La and stopped by the »Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson« last Wednesday. The interview was refreshingly long with the actress spending more than 15 minutes on the show. It started off with casual small talk about her eating habits, minimalist lifestyle, her mother's tattoo, facing mortal fear on a camping trip as well as the special attraction of the circus Ellen attended while filming »Mouth to Mouth« in Portugal. When she explained that her super hero character is "a bit of a psychopath" and "a little bit of a sexual predator," something unexpected happened. Instead of saying "Go and see that movie" or "Check it out in theaters now" as usual, Ferguson quipped "I don't think I want to see this film." Although the host was clearly joking in this case, it wasn't the best way to support his guest.s project.

Netflix has revolutionized the home movie experience for fans of film with its instant streaming technology. Netflix Nuggets is my way of spreading the word about independent, classic and foreign films made available by Netflix for instant streaming.

This Week’s New Instant Releases… Title: Black Heaven (2010)

Streaming Available: 04/12/2011

Cast: Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet, Louise Bourgoin, Melvil Poupaud, Pauline Etienne, Pierre Niney, Ali Marhyar, Patrick Descamps, Pierre Vittet, Swann Arlaud, Francesco Merenda

Director: Gilles Marchand

Synopsis: While searching for the owner of a missing mobile phone with his girlfriend, Marion (Pauline Etienne), Gaspard (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet) falls for the mysterious Sam (Louise Bourgoin), who draws him into a dangerous virtual-reality video game, where she provokes unsuspecting victims into killing themselves. Directed by Gilles Marchand, this intense French drama alternates between real-life events and those within the simulated computer world. Title: Heartless (2009)

Streaming Available: 04/12/2011

Cast: Jim Sturgess, Clémence Poésy , Noel Clarke, Luke Treadaway, Justin Salinger,...

Alison Murray's Mouth to Mouth breathed in the majority of adulation Sunday night at the eighth Brooklyn International Film Festival in New York. The road-trip film took home two lead prizes, the Grand Chameleon award and the prize for best feature. Ugyen Wangdi's Bhutan-based travelogue Price of Letter (Yi Khel Gi Kawa) won the Diane Seligman award for best documentary, Mattan Guggenheim's Crickets won for best short, Gabriel Judet-Weinshel picked up the best experimental prize for Facechasers, and Philippe Grammaticopoulos nabbed an award for best animation with Le Regulateur.