Daily Variety back issues from February 2007:
Cabler stunt stymies Boston.
Feb 01, 2007; ... Oops. A street marketing campaign in Boston intended to draw attention to Time Warner's Cartoon Network instead drew out the bomb squads, closing major arteries and bridges in and out of the city. Police responded to 10 so-called "devices," shutting down Interstate ...
Studio a drag on robust TW: cable spinoff in limbo.(Time Warner Inc.)(Statistical data)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Warner Bros.' cold streak for a big chunk of '06 took its toll as studio profits sank last quarter offset in part by a strong perf at Time Warner Cable and progress at troubled AOL. Chief operating officer Jeff Bewkes, during a conference call with Wall Streeters, acknowledged a ...
Buyer giving Millennium a look.(First Look Studios to acquire Nu Image/Millennium Films)
Feb 01, 2007; ... First Look Studios is in talks to acquire Avi Lerner's Nu Image/Millennium Films in a move to bulk up its library and bolster its production capability. Asking price is reported to be $350 million, although some put it much lower. The idea is for Millennium to be absorbed into ...
Bank buddies with New Line.(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... The Royal Bank of Scotland has struck a $350 million deal to co-finance around 20 films for New Line Cinema over the next two years, including such 2007 releases as "Hairspray," "Rush Hour 3" and "The Golden Compass." RBS will invest equity and share in the profits from the New ...
'Letters' gets Walden stamp.(Ralph Winter Prods.)(The Screwtape Letters)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Ralph Winter Prods. is producing a bigscreen adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel "The Screwtape Letters" with Philip Anschutz's Walden Media. The pic will be produced via! Walden's Bristol Bay Prods. banner ("Ray," "Sahara"). Although Walden and Fox recently inked a ...
Crowe moves to U'S Hood.
Feb 01, 2007; ... Universal Pictures has nabbed hotly pursued spec script "Nottingham" in a deal that will reunite Russell Crowe with Imagine Entertainment. Crowe will receive $20 million against 20% to star as the Sheriff of Nottingham H this revisionist version of the Robin Hood story from the ...
Wrapped up.(Only at variety.com)
Feb 01, 2007 ... Jennifer Garner has pacted with Warner Bros. to topline a ...
Thesps make sparks: Gere, Lane to reteam in 'Rodanthe'.(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... The "Unfaithful" duo of Richard Gere and Diane Lane will reteam in "Nights in Rodanthe," a Warner Bros. adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks romance novel. Village Roadshow Pictures is boarding the pic as a co-fiancier. Pic is on track to begin shooting in late May. ...
New plan for 'Potter'.(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... The Weinstein Co. is changing direction with its biopic "Miss Potter." Company has scotched a plan to widen to about 300 screens later this month and instead will wait until after Feb. 25's Academy Awards, when it will roll out to between 300 and 500 screens in March. ...
Barry brings 'Treasure' to Broadway.(B.H. Barry )(Treasure Island)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Rialto fight director B.H. Barry will helm "Treasure Island" on Broadway this summer, in an action-oriented play based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. The $3.5 million show, produced by Broadway tyro Jonathan D. Moll, aims to bow at a mid-size house in July--and potentially ...
'House' hits home run.(Fox Broadcasting Co.)
Feb 01, 2007; ... For one week anyway, Tuesday night on Fox wasn't all about "American Idol." Sure, the music competition put up its typically whammo numbers, but it was the net's third-year drama "House" setting records this time, following "Idol" with the best delivery for any scripted skein ...
DirecTV buys Latin stake.
Feb 01, 2007; ... DirecTV has acquired full equity ownership of DirecTV Latin America, agreeing to pay $325 million to Darlene Investments for its 14.1% stake. Deal voids all previous litigation against DirecTV by Darlene Investments, an affiliate of the Cisneros Group, which owns Venezuelan ...
Rhino label rocks o'seas.(Warner Music International)(Rhino Records Inc.)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Warner Music catalog operations around the world will be placed under the Rhino umbrella, paving the way for a series of online and mobile initiatives that will make much of the label's roster digitally available outside the U.S. for the first time. Initially, 15 ...
Boston papers ding NYT.(New York Times Co.)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Boston was the New York Times' Achilles' heel, as the Gray Lady's two New England papers contributed to a $648 million loss in the most recent quarter. Newspaper firm took a charge of $814 million for its New England Media Group, which includes the Boston Globe, the Worcester ...
Ricky sitting Pretty: 2 discs sell 100,000+.
Feb 01, 2007; ... The hip-hop quartet Pretty Ricky took the No. 1 slot in the nation's album sales as two discs topped sales of 100,000 each for the first time this year. "Late Night Special" (Atlantic), the sophomore effort from the sex-obsessed rappers, sold 132,000 copies in the week ended ...
'Invaders' lands at WB.(Warner Bros.)(Pierce/Williams Entertainment )(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Warner Bros. Pictures has bought spec script "Invaders" from scribe Jayson Rothwell and set it up with Basil Iwanyk's Thunder Road and Pierce/Williams Entertainment to produce. Action-thriller centers on a group of thieves who are forced by a rogue U.S. government agent to ...
Flom hoists 2 deputies at Capitol.(Capitol Music Group)(Jason Flom)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Jason Flom has upped his two top deputies at Virgin Records to similar posts within the freshly formed Capitol Music Group. Lee Trink, Virgin's general manager and an exec VP, has been named president and Jeff Kempler, who guided Virgin's business affairs and business ...
Roger Bart.(Players)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Roger Bart ("The Producers") has been cast in Mandate Pictures' and New Line's sequel to "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle." Bart will play an NSA scientist in the film, written and directed by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg. Pic is ...
Jacob Pitts ("Across the Universe") and Liza Lapira ("Domino") have been added to the cast of Columbia's "21.".(Players)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Jacob Pitts ("Across the Universe") and Liza Lapira ("Domino") have been added to the cast of Columbia's "21." Fact-based story concerns MIT students who study card-counting and take Las Vegas casinos for ...
Anon.(Theater review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... (Atlantic Stage 2; 99 seats; $35 top) An Atlantic Theater Company presentation of a play in two acts by Kate Robin. Directed by Melissa Kievman. Sets, Chris Muller; costumes, Anne Kenney; lighting, Tyler Micoleau; sound, Eric Shim; production stage manager, Adam Ganderson ....
Vivendi in the game: Warcraft a bright spot with Canal Plus.(World News)(Vivendi Universal S.A.)(Canal Plus S.A.)(Statistical data)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Vivendi on Wednesday posted slightly below-par fourth-quarter revenues of 5.55 billion [euro] ($7.19 billion), up a modest 1.2%. The upbeat results of its videogame division, behind international hit "World of Warcraft," and French paybox Canal Plus, on a positive streak after ...
Asian stars are Golden.(World News)(Golden Network)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Pics from thesps Chow Yun-Fat and Aishwarya Rai have joined the slate of Hong Kong sales agent Golden Network. Chow stars in "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt," a Chinese drama by veteran arthouse helmer Ann Hui. Pic, which bowed at Toronto, was repped for international ...
ZDF channels high-def.(World News)(High Definition Television)
Feb 01, 2007; ... German pubcaster ZDF plans to forge ahead with high-definition TV for its coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and will broadcast all programming in the format shortly thereafter, topper Markus Schaechter said Wednesday. "We're adding up the costs right now, and ...
Beeb gets OK for VOD.(World News)(Video-on-Demand)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... The BBC's video-on-demand service has been greenlit, but with some restrictions. The Beeb's iPlayer, a key part of the pubcaster's new-media strategy, has been provisionally approved by the BBC Trust, which assessed whether the initiative is in the public interest. ...
BSkyB numbers low, but topper stays put.(World News)
Feb 01, 2007; ... BSkyB topper James Murdoch has again denied speculation that he is poised to leave the satcaster to work for his father's News Corp. in New York. As the paybox reported disappointing growth in the number of new subscribers for the October-December quarter, Murdoch said: "It's ...
TV & cable production chart.
Feb 01, 2007 ... PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbreviations: SUPR EXP-Supervising executive producer(s); EXP-Executive producer(s); CO-EXP-Co-executive producer(s); SUPR PROD-Supervising producer(s); PROD-Producer(s); CO-PROD-Co-producer(s); DIR-Director(s); CASTING-Casting director. Affiliated ...
Showbiz stocks: Wednesday, January 31, 2007.(Statistical table)
Feb 01, 2007 ... <Pre> Showbiz Stocks Wednesday, January 31, 2007 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg % Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 9.23+.46+5.8 AcmeCm ACME ... 5.04-.09 +.4 Actvsn ...
Teeth.(Movie review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... A Weinstein Co. and Lionsgate release. Produced by Joyce Pierpoline, Mitchell Lichtenstein. Directed, written by Mitchell Lichtenstein. Camera (Technicolor), Wolfgang Held; editor, Joe Landauer; music, Robert Miller; music supervisor, Beth Amy Rosenblatt; production designer, ...
The Go-Getter.(Movie review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... A Two Roads Entertainment and etc. films presentation. Produced by Lucy Barzun, Lori Christopher, Larry Furlong. Executive producers, Gavin Parfit, Don Truesdale, Kimberly McKewon, Martin Hynes. Co-producers, Raul Celaya, Miri Yoon. Directed, written by Martin Hynes. Camera (CFI ...
How She Move.(Movie review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... (Canada) A Paramount Vantage release of a Celluloid Dreams presentation of a Sienna Films production. (International sales: Celluloid Dreams, Toronto.) Produced by Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny, Brent Barclay. Co-producer, Claire Prieto. Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid ....
Paul Weller.(Concert review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... (Irving Plaza; 900 capacity; $42.50) Presented by Adidas and Spin. Band: Paul Weller, Steve White, Steve Craddock, Damon Minchella. Opened and reviewed Jan. 29, 2007; closed Jan. 31. Although Paul Weller hasn't exactly been missing from the Stateside concert scene ...
Peter, Bjorn and John.(Concert review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... (Bowery Ballroom; 500 capacity; $20) Presented by Bowery Presents. Band: Peter Moren, Bjorn Yttling, John Eriksson. Reviewed Jan. 30, 2007. Pop charts have been awash in sweetness and light since time immemorial, but properly prepared sweetness and dark is an ...
Emily VanCamp.(Players)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Emily VanCamp ("Everwood") will join the cast of ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" as a series regular later this season. She'll play Rebecca ...
Amin Joseph.(Players)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Amin Joseph ("The Shield") has booked a role in the Weinstein Co.'s horror pic "The Mist," ...
George Stults.(Players)(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... George Stults ("7th Heaven") has landed a role in indie Hydra." Pic concerns an island where millionaires hunt human prey--but that also harbors a ...
'Reno' gets syndie deal.(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Having landed a fifth-season renewal on Comedy Central and spawned a 20th Century Fox theatrical movie for release later this month, "Reno 911" is on such a roll that its syndicated reruns have just racked up latenight deals on TV stations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. ...
In the Shadow of the Moon.(Movie review)
Feb 01, 2007; ... (Docu--U.K.) A ThinkFilm release (in North America) of a Discovery Film Channel presentation of a DOX production in association with Passion Pictures. Produced by Duncan Copp. Executive producer, John Battsek. Co-producer, Christopher Riley. Directed by David ...
'Girl' of the moment.(V)("Factory Girl")(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... "It's getting better all the time," enthused Harvey Weinstein at Monday's jam-packed after-party for the Weinstein Co. and MGM's Edie Sedgwick ode "Factory Girl." Weinstein was referring to his just-unveiled acquisition, which had some last-minute reshoots and a brand-new cut in ...
Down and dirty at Vineyard.(V)(Vineyard Theater celebrates 25th-anniversary )(Brief article)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Those Vineyard Theater folks are a dirty bunch. The 25th-anniversary gala for the Off Broadway theater company had its share of wholesome moments, including the awarding of the Vineyard's inaugural Paula Vogel Playwriting Award to up-and-coming scribe Tarell Alvin McCraney. ...
Some 'Kind' of fun.(V)(Kind Hearts and Coronets)
Feb 01, 2007; ... Sam Mendes hosted a Grand Classics screening of "Kind Hearts and Coronets" at SoHo House Tuesday in Gotham, drawing a small scrum of actors, directors and fashion designers, including helmer Whit Stillman and stylist Phillip Bloch. After a few minor setbacks, including an irate ...
HBO Documentary Films preemed Cle Sloan's "Bastards of the Party" Tuesday at the ArcLight for a 400-strong crowd.(V)
Feb 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: HBO Documentary Films preemed Cle Sloan's "Bastards of the Party" Tuesday at the ArcLight for a 400-strong crowd. "It's a look at how the Crips and ...
Tyra Banks and Rebecca Romijn lent support to the "I Have a Dream" Foundation--Los Angeles on Sunday.(V)
Feb 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Tyra Banks and Rebecca Romijn lent support to the "I Have a ...
Many Moore and Diane Keaton walked hand in hand Tuesday at the L.A. preem of Universal's "Because I Said So" at the ArcLight.(V)
Feb 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Many Moore and Diane Keaton walked hand in hand Tuesday at the L.A. preem of ...
Helmer goes with flow on volcano pic.
Feb 02, 2007; ... Roman Polanski's next directing effort will be his biggest undertaking yet in terms of scale, subject and budget. "Pompeii" is a dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius just before and during its eruption. The budget is projected to be $130 million, the ...
ABC climbing into 'Cage'.(American Broadcasting Companies Inc., The Golden Cage)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Unscripted mogul John de Mol--creator of "Fear Factor" and "Big Brother"--is jumping back into the U.S. reality TV game. Producer has pacted with ABC to adapt "The Golden Cage," a sudsy skein he describes as " 'Big Brother' meets 'Dallas' or 'Dynasty.' " Sale reps his first ...
'Night goes dark: brit exhibs pulling pic.(Night at the Museum)
Feb 02, 2007; ... The battle over windows has crossed the Pond. Major Brit cinema circuits have pulled the plug on "Night at the Museum" in protest of Fox's decision to release the Ben Stiller laffer on DVD just 97 days after its theatrical release--breaking the widely accepted four-month window ....
New pix take backseat.
Feb 02, 2007; ... Multiplexes could be chilly for new wide releases this weekend, as Oscar-nominated fare tries to heat up with auds as awards night nears. Only two wide-release studio pies will be bowing: Universal's multi-generational chick flick "Because I Said So," a counterprogramming ...
Soldier pic on the march.(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Ryan Gosling is following up his Oscar acting nom for "Half Nelson" with a passion project: directing a feature about child soldiers in Africa. Tentatively titled "The Lord's Resistance Army," pic will star non-pros and child soldiers, whom Gosling has helped find in East ...
'Game; is back in play.(A Little Game)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Focus Features co-chair James Schamus has revived "A Little Game"--months after the project imploded--and brought in frequent collaborator Ang Lee. Project is expected to be Lee's next pic after "Lust, Caution," his World War II-era pic set in Shanghai. "Game" will mark his ...
The back lot.(Only at variety.com)
Feb 02, 2007 ... Mexico's high-profile helmers--Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Guillermo ...
Because I Said So.(Movie review)
Feb 02, 2007; ... A Universal release of a Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films production. Produced by Paul Brooks, Jessie Nelson. Executive producers, Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Michael Flynn. Co-producer, Wendy Rhoads. Directed by Michael Lehmann. Screenplay, Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jessie ...
Hoboken Hollow.(Movie review)
Feb 02, 2007; ... A Pumpjack Entertainment release of a Molding Clay Prods. production. Produced by Patrick Durham, Glen Stephens. Executive producers, Texas CJ Investments, Gerald Bertling, Glen Stephens. Directed, written by Glen Stephens. Camera (color), John-Paul Beeghly; editor, Steven ...
A Spanish Play.(Theater review)
Feb 02, 2007; ... (Classic Stage Company; 199 seats; $75 top) A Classic Stage Company presentation of a play in one act by Yasmina Reza, translated by David lves. Directed by John Turturro. Set, Riccardo Hernandez; costumes, Donna Zakowska; lighting, Christopher Akerlind; sound, Darron L. West ...
Ambitions dent stox: wall street wary of Comcast plans.(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Giant cabler Comcast said profits tripled last quarter, but it also spooked Wall Street with ambitious spending plans for this year. The Philadelphia company said it had earmarked $5.7 billion for capital expenditure, mostly to speed the rollout of new services such as high-definition ...
MPAA to fete clint at confab.(Jack Valenti Humanitarian Award, Motion Picture Association of America)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Celebrity wattage for the movie industry's big confab in D.C. next week increased significantly Thursday with the announcement that Clint Eastwood will attend to accept the first Jack Valenti Humanitarian Award. Just the day before, the Motion Picture Assn. of America, which is ...
Variety.com taps editor.(Dana Harris)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007 ... Dana Harris has been named editor of Variety.com, where she will preside over Daily Variety's fast-growing Internet initiatives. Harris has been Daily Variety's film editor and before that covered a number of beats for the newspaper. "Dana will bring great energy and creativity ...
Krakowski takes off skates.(Jane Krakowski not to go back to Broadway)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Jane Krakowski won't be rollerskating back to Broadway after all. Thesp was never officially announced for the lead role of the Rialto-bound tuner "Xanadu," but after she starred in workshops of the show, most recently in late January, legiters were beginning to look forward to ...
City lights on 'Rules'.(Brooklyn Rules)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... "Brooklyn Rules," a mob drama starting Alec Baldwin, has been picked up by indie distrib City Lights Pictures. Gotham company, which is known mainly as a producer ("The Ten") as well as a TV shingle, will roll out a platform release in May. Company also will release ...
Kirk Franklin.(Tenpercenteries)(signs with Paradigm)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Kirk Franklin has signed with Paradigm. Gospel artist is developing feature "Church Boy," based on ...
Josh Peck.(Tenpercenteries)(inks deal with International Creative Management Inc.)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Josh Peck (Nickelodeon's "Drake & Josh") has inked with ICM. Thesp is lensing Paramount comedy "Drillbit Taylor" alongside Owen Wilson ....
Michael Cuesta.(Tenpercenteries)(inks deal with Endeavor Group)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2007; ... Director Michael Cuesta ("Twelve and Holding") has inked with Endeavor. Cuesta helmed the pilot and other episodes of Showtime's ...
Turner execs appeal to Boston brass.
Feb 02, 2007; ... Turner Broadcasting executives spent the day meeting with Boston officials and their lawyers in a bid to avert legal action over a publicity stunt that caused a terror scare, costing the city $750,000 in additional police costs. Both the mayor of Boston and the attorney general ...
Lady.(Theater review)
Feb 02, 2007; ... (Northlight Theater, Skokie, Ill.; 342 seats; $56 top) A Northlight Theater presentation of a play in one act by Craig Wright. Directed by BJ Jones. Set, Jack Magaw; costumes, Mike Floyd; lighting, JR Lederle; sound, Lindsay Jones; production stage manager, Ellen Hay. Opened, ...
The Pool.(Movie review)
Feb 02, 2007; ... A Bluemark production. (International sales: Cinetic, New York.) Produced by Kate Noble. Directed by Chris Smith. Screenplay, Smith, Randy Russell, based on the short story by Russell. Camera (color, HD video), Smith; editor, Barry Poltermann; music, Didier Leplae, Joe Wong; ...
Showbiz stocks: Thursday, Friday 1, 2007.(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2007 ... <Pre> Showbiz Stocks Thursday, February 1, 2007 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg%Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 9.02-.21+3.4 AcmeCm ACME ... 5.59+.55 +11.4 Actvsn ...