Daily Variety back issues from November 2007:
Con caper hooks duo.
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Julia Roberts and Clive Owen are set to star in "Duplicity," a Universal Pictures drama that was written and will be directed by Tony Gilroy. Laura Bickford ("Traffic") is producing. Roberts and Owen are reteaming after pairing in the Mike ...
Fox cracks 'X-Files' sequel code.
Nov 01, 2007; ... The long-awaited second "X-Files" film is finally a go, with 20th Century Fox setting a July 25, 2008, release date. Untitled project reunites "X-Files" creator Chris Carter will thesps David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who will reprise their signature roles as FBI agents Fox ...
'Heroes' skein goes on shelf.(NBC Universal Inc's Heroes: Origins)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... NBC is putting the kibosh on "Heroes: Origins"--and the possibility of a strike may have contributed to the decision. Net has indefinitely shelved production on the planned six-episode spinoff of its Monday hit. Skein was set to unfurl next year while "Heroes" was on hiatus. ...
Col cooks up 'Julia'.(Meryl Streep )(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Meryl Streep as Julia Child? Columbia is cooking up "Julie & Julia," starring Streep as the famous chef and Amy Adams as a mastercook wannabe. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Project centers on a frustrated temp secretary who embarks on a yearlong culinary quest to cook all ...
Whedon plays in 'Dollhouse'.
Nov 01, 2007; ... Joss Whedon is heading back to TV, along with his "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" ingenue Eliza Dushku. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dushku will star in the Whedon-penned series "Dollhouse," which has been given a seven-episode order by Fox. News came as a Halloween ...
Going it alone? Unions waiver in backing WGA's cause.(Writers Guild of America)
Nov 01, 2007; ... If the WGA strikes, it's not going to have a lot of company from its union brothers and sisters. With the guild contract expiring at 12:01 a.m. today, WGA leaders can order their 12.000 members to strike at any time--possibly as early as tonight's membership meeting, Most ...
'Wolves' dances again.(Simon Wincer's contract with Moonstone Entertainment, Amicus Entertainment and Double Eagle Films)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Simon Wincer has signed on to direct "The Holy Road"--a sequel to "Dances With Wolves"--for Moonstone, Amicus Entertainment and Double Eagle Films. Film, which is being presented to international buyers at AFM, is penned by Michael Blake, who wrote the screen play for "Wolves" ...
Ledger's fancy.(Only at variety.com)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Helmer Terry Gilliam reteams with Heath ...
Hamlet.(Theater review)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Public Theater/Newman; 299 seats," $60 top) A Public Theater presentation in association with St. Ann's Warehouse of the Wooster Group production of a play in two acts by William Shakespeare. Directed by Elizabeth LeCompte. Set, Ruud Van Den ...
1001.(Theater review)
Nov 01, 2007; ... (Baruch Performing Arts Center; 99 seats; $35 top) A Page 73 Prods. presentation in association with Doug Nevin, Caroline Prugh, and Erica Lynn Schwartz of a play in one act by Jason Grote. Directed by Ethan McSweeny. Sets, Rachel Hauck; costumes, Murell Horton; lighting, Tyler ...
To Die in Jerusalem.(Movie review)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Docu; HBO, Thurs. Nov. 1, 9p.m.) Produced by HBO Documentary Films and Priddy Brothers. Executive producers, Sheila Nevins, John Priddy, Ed Priddy; supervising producer, Sara Bernstein; producer-director-writer, Hilla Medalia; camera, Ran ...
'Ride' zooms to top.
Nov 01, 2007; ... Underwood scores No. 1 Carrie Underwood has become the first "American Idol" winner to post a debut sales week of more than half a million units and the first to have her sophomore effort's opening surpass her debut. "Carnival Ride," the country singer's second disc ...
'Nip/Tuck' gives Tuesday a new look.(FX Networks L.L.C.)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The move to Beverly Hills worked wonders for the "Nip/Tuck" docs, who stitched up some of the show's best numbers to date with its season preem Tuesday on FX. Now in its fifth season, "Nip/Tuck" opened to a 2.7 rating/7 share in adults 18-49 ...
Tribeca fest boosts staff.
Nov 01, 2007; ... The Tribeca Film Festival is staffing up with the addition of former Weinstein Co. veep of acquisitions Genna Terranova as senior programmer. David Kwok, Tribeca's former senior programmer, has been promoted to director of programming. Julie La'Bassiere has also joined ...
FCC gets earful on ownership rules.
Nov 01, 2007; ... The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday managed to stick it to cable operators, get an earful on media ownership rules and survive a stunt staged by a self-described "media whore" from activist org Code Pink--all in one meeting. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...
Miller getting 'Amnesia'.(National Broadcasting Company Inc's contract with Dennis Miller to host new show 'Amnesia')(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Dennis Miller is returning to NBC, inking a deal to host the net's new Mark Burnett-produced quizzer "Amnesia." Skein is a comedy-based gameshow in which contestants win money by answering questions about .them selves. It's scheduled to bow later this season. ...
Duo goes mad for 'Hatter'.(Alan Cumming and Rebecca Romijn to work in James Killough's movie)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Alan Cumming and Rebecca Romijn will star in "Hatter" written and directed by James Killough, about a hedonistic fashion designer and a journalist who knows the secret of his shady past. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The movie is scheduled to shoot next spring in Eastern ...
Woody Harrelson.(Players)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Woody Harrelson has joined the cast of Stephen Belber's comedy "Management," opposite Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston. He'll play the yogurt mogul ex-boyfriend of Aniston's character. Thesp recently signed to star in Myriad Pictures' "The ...
Michael Jai, White.(Players)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael Jai White will star in indie actioner "Blood and Bone," directed by Ben Ramsey. Lensing on the ...
Alanis Morissette.(Players)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alanis Morissette has joined the cast of "Radio Free Albemuth" based on the novel by Philip K. Dick ....
Scandal hits shingle: U.S. gains help RDF offset U.K. losses.(World News)
Nov 01, 2007; ... U.K. shingle RDF Media has acknowledged that the fallout from the faked footage in its doc "A Year With the Queen" will hit its domestic production business but said those losses will be offset in part by its booming U.S. biz. The combo reported a net loss of 443,000 [pounds ...
News Corp.'s Georgia reach.(World News)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. gained a full foothold in Russia's backyard Wednesday when it bought out the local majority shareholding in Georgian TV channel Imedi, the Tbilisi-based station reported. Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian businessman who held a 51% stake in Imedi, ...
Daybreak deal dawns.(World News)(Peter Kosminsky's contract with Daybreak Pictures)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... British TV and film director Peter Kosminsky has struck an output deal to make all his future projects through David Aukin and Hal Vogel's Daybreak Pictures. Kosminsky's latest mini-series "Britz," which was co-produced by Daybreak, bowed Wednesday on U.K. terrestrial web ...
Televisa eyes formats.(World News)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Argentinean producers Cris Morena Group and RGB Entertainment are in negotiations to sell the format fights of two telenovelas to Televisa, their latest deals with the Mexican media conglom. The negotiations, which are expected to close in a week or so, involve "Casi angeles" ...
K5 counts on int'l rights to 'Visitor'.(UNITED KINGDOM)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... New Anglo-German outfit K5 Intl. has picked up international sales rights to Tom McCarthy's Toronto hit "The Visitor." Pic, from Groundswell Prods. and Participant Prods., was acquired by Overture Films for release in North ...
Liverpool hosts MTV.(UNITED KINGDOM)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Liverpool, the city in northern Britain once famous for the Beatles and the Mersey Sound, will host next year's MTV Europe Music Awards, watched by a potential 1.5 billion people in 100 countries. It is only the third time the event has been held in Blighty since bowing in ...
Lionsgate lands pix.(UNITED KINGDOM)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Lionsgate U.K. has acquired Roger Donaldson's "The Bank Job" and Francois Ozon's "Angel." "The Bank Job,' a drama inspired by an unsolved robbery in London 35 years ago, was acquired from investment group Omnilab and Arclight Films. An early 2008 release on more than 300 prints ...
'Knot' crows at kudos.(World News)(The Knot)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... China's entry for Oscar's foreign-language category, "The Knot," scooped the top prizes at the 16th Golden Rooster Awards at the weekend, the country's top film kudofest. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The Knot" won best film while helmer Yin Li shared director honors with ...
City of Men.
Nov 01, 2007; ... (CIDADE DES HOMENS) (Brazil) A Miramax Films (in U.S.) release, presented with 02 Filmes, of an 02 Filmes production, in association with Fox Film, Globo Filmes. Produced by Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Bel Berlinck, Fernando Meirelles, Paulo Morelli. Directed by Paulo ...
Showbiz stocks: Wednesday, October 31, 2007.
Nov 01, 2007 ... <Pre> Showbiz Stocks Wednesday, October 31, 2007 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 4.70 +.02-46.1 AcmeCmACME 3 3.83 ...
New media concern: IFTA explores future role of technology.(AFM)(Independent Film and Television Alliance)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Development of new technology is poised to be a significant factor at the American Film Market, according to market organizers. Jean Prewitt, president of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, described new media as a "concern" and said that it is unclear whether it will ...
'Infernal' helmer in 'Water'.(AFM)
Nov 01, 2007; ... "Infernal Affairs" director Andrew Lau Wai-kung and leading Hong Kong studio Media Asia have reteamed to produce big-budget Chinese-language actioner "Water Margin." Pic is an adaptation of one of China's four classic novels and sees 108 outlaws form a resistance movement to ...
Odd Lot boosts distrib'n exec.(AFM)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Odd Lot Entertainment has upped Delphine Perrier to veep of worldwide distribution at Odd Lot Intl., the company's foreign sales division, where she previously served as director of legal affairs, contract administration and collections. In her new post, Perrier will report ...
Red Envelope runs with 'Arnold' doc.(AFM)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Red Envelope Entertainment, the original content division of online DVD rental outfit Netflix, has acquired U.S. distribution fights to Dan Cox's documentary "Running With Arnold," a questioning docupic portrait of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Narrated by Alec Baldwin, "Arnold" ...
Variety at AFM.(American Film Market)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007 ... During the American Film Market, Daily Variety will be located in Suite 227 of Le Merigot. Daily and Weekly Variety will be distributed at AFM venues during the market, ...
TV & cable production chart.
Nov 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 ...
For mature audiences: at age 21, the more worldly AFI Fest overcomes its growing pains.(INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Just as film festivals can be born, they can also die. Los Angeles festgoers with a reasonably good memory are painfully aware of this, having watched the innovative and stimulating' Filmex--so influential in the 1970s that its impact was directly felt on the nascent Toronto Film ...
New fest director hits the ground running.(FRESH BLOOD)
Nov 01, 2007; ... When you're programming a Los Angeles-based film festival, certain obligations come with the territory--showcasing Hollywood talent, of course (see "Lions for Lambs"), selecting films that make creative use of the city's geography (like Alex Holdridge's "In Search of a Midnight Kiss") and, ...
Art of deception: Juilliard-trained actress's skill is not always evident, which is one of her gifts.(LINNEY'S LINEAGE)
Nov 01, 2007; ... The Latin proverb "art is the concealing of art" applies to no one more than it does Laura Linney. Her pitch-perfect sense of how a character fits into the greater scheme of a film (or play or TV show, for that matter) can make her appear a dependable utility player who does nothing ...
Programming highlights & special events.(V PLUS: AFI FEST)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * OPENING NIGHT GALA "Lions For Lambs," Thurs., Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., Cinerama Dome * CENTERPIECE GALA "Juno," Mon., Nov. 5, 7:45 p.m., Cinerama Dome * AFI Digifest offers a survey of interactive media from around the world. (All day ...
As cool as vichyssoise: Deneuve is the personification of Gallic femininity.(CATHERINE THE GREAT)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Catherine Deneuve is that most put-together of film actresses, with I never a blonde hair out of place nor an article of haute-couture misaligned. She brings dignity, grace and an appealing coolness to every role. She is, in sum, the quintessence of Gallic femininity, and on Nov. 10, AFI ...
10 Cinematographers to watch: lensers from eight countries take their place alongside directors and actors in filmmaking's firmament.(V PLUS: AFI FEST)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Having attended Camerimage, a film festival devoted to the art of cinematography, I was struck by how the audiences who made the trek to Lodz, Poland--many of them film students--treated the d.p.s in attendance like rock stars. Even the lenser's name during a film's credit roll would ...
Precision performer: Washington leaves no detail unscrutinized.(STANLEY KUBRICK AWARD)(Denzel Washington won the award from British Academy of Film and Television Arts )
Nov 01, 2007; ... Few stars can boast the consistency of Denzel Washington. At 52, this year's Stanley Kubrick Award honoree--to be given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles at tonight's Britannia Awards--has an almost unbroken 20-year run of box office winners, with ...
Winslet craves the struggle, makes it look easy.(ARTIST OF THE YEAR)(Little Children)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There's a telling moment in "Little Children" when Kate Winslet's character Sarah Pierce, trapped in a loveless marriage and enmeshed in a messy affair, relates to Madame Bovary during a book club meeting with other stay-at-home moms. "She can ...
Campbell licensed to kill stereotyping.(JOHN SCHLESINGER DIRECTING AWARD)(Martin Campbell)(British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Martin Campbell, being honored tonight at tonight's BAFTA/LA Britannia ceremony with the John Schlesinger Award for excellence in directing, remembers having second thoughts when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson approached him about directing Pierce Brosnan's first outing as James ...
Charity and collaboration become Curtis' signature.(HUMANITARIAN AWARD)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As BAFTA/LA fetes "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill" screenwriter Richard Curtis for his conscience, he'll also have an African detective and British pirate radio in his conscious. Curtis will receive the org's inaugural ...
Eye abroad pays off for New Line chairmen.(LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO INT'L FILM)(New Line Cinema Corp's Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne )
Nov 01, 2007; ... It might seem odd that a guy from Detroit and one from Brooklyn would leave such an indelible mark on the global cinematic landscape. But that's exactly what New Line Cinema co-chairmen and CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne have done throughout their combined 67 years at the ...
BAFFA/LA working numerous angles for bigger impact.(V PLUS: BRITANNIA AWARDS)(British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Twenty years of growth for the Los Angeles arm of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts have only whetted the org's appetite to make a big impression Stateside. While pursuing a permanent home in L.A. (the lease on the old building is up) and increasing its focus on ...
'Eden' attracts Magnet.(Magnolia Pictures' Magnet's agreement with Franck Vestiel )(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Magnet, the newly launched genre arm of Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner's Magnolia Pictures, has bought North American rights to Franck Vestiel's sci-fi/horror epic "Eden Log." A foreign teaser trailer whipped up geek enthusiasm online late in the summer. The pie's plot concerns a ...
Frank joins mobile ad firm.
Nov 01, 2007; ... Former TV Academy prexy Rich Frank is turning his attention from the tube to an even smaller screen. Frank has made an investment in and joined the board of the Hyperfactory, an agency that creates advertising campaigns for cell phones and other mobile devices. Investment was made with ...
New rules for Globes org in '09.(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has changed its award rules to allow foreign-language films from the U.S. to be eligible for best picture instead of best foreign-language film, starting with its 2009 awards derby. With the change, U.S.-made foreign-language films will no ...
David Sutcliffe.(Players)
Nov 01, 2007; ... David Sutcliffe has been signed for an arc on ABC's "Private Practice." Sutcliffe will play a cop who becomes love interest to Kate ...
Jordi Vilasuso.(Players)
Nov 01, 2007; ... Jordi Vilasuso has landed a role in James Cotten's "La Linea" starring Ray Liotta. He will play a ...
Vanessa Williams.(Players)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vanessa Williams (Showtime's "Soul Food") has been cast in Paramount Pictures "NowhereLand" ...
Neil Young.(Concert review)
Nov 01, 2007; ... (Nokia Theater; 7,100 seats; $257 top) Presented by AEG. Band: Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Ben Keith, Ralph Molina, Pegi Young. Opened and reviewed Oct. 30, 2007; closes Nov.2. In the decades before the Internet, Neil Young's hardcore fans found ways to communicate with ...
Steve Tyrell: Bacharach and Beyond.
Nov 01, 2007; ... (Cafe Carlyle; 90 capacity; $130 top) Presented inhouse. Musical director/piano, Quinn Johnson. Band: Jon Allen, Lew Soloff, Lou Marini, Lyman Medieros, Steve Cotter, Kevin Winard; singers: Darryl Tookes, La Tanya Hail. Opened, reviewed Oct. 30, 2007. Runs through Dec. 31. ...
'Darfur' pic takes a stand.(V)(Darfur Now)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOLLYWOOD -- There was no doubt that Tuesday's DGA screening of "Darfur Now" had an engaged point of view: An Amnesty Intl. rep spoke before the screening, and humanitarian orgs handed out literature at the after-party. Warner Independent ...
The scene stealers.(V)(premiere of American Gangster)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] While "American Gangster" had its big premiere last week in New York at Harlem's Apollo Theater, the pic had a high-profile industry screening Monday at the ArcLight Cinemas' Cinerama Dome. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guests who were ...
Journos in headlines.(V)
Nov 01, 2007; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Big names like Angelina Jolie, Meg Ryan and Maria Shriver turned the spotlight on journos Tuesday at the Courage in Journalism Awards at the BevHills Hotel. The evening honored journalists from all over the world including Mexico's Lydia Cacho, Zimbabwe's Peta ...
Jeffrey Katzenberg and "Bee Movie" co-helmer Steve Hickner were among speakers at MOCA's "Animation Future Art" symposium.(V)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Jeffrey Katzenberg and "Bee Movie" co-helmer ...
Thesp Patton Oswalt and producer-helmer Joh Lasseter make a funny point at the "Ratatouille" DVD launch party.(V)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Thesp Patton Oswalt and producer-helmer Joh ...
James L. Brooks and Matt Groening at Tuesday's "The Simpsons" vidgame launch party.(V)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: James L. Brooks and Matt Groening at ...
Jamie Lee Curtis at L.A.'s Dream Halloween.(V)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Jamie Lee Curtis at ...
Buzz returns to fall B.O.
Nov 02, 2007; ... The domestic box office is expected to surge back to life this weekend with the arrival of Universal's mobster-cop drama "American Gangster" and DreamWorks Animation's "Bee Movie." There's plenty of buzz surrounding both "Bee Movie," voiced, co-written and produced by Jerry ...
Par, Fincher hot on trail of 'Killer'.
Nov 02, 2007; ... Paramount Pictures has acquired graphic novel "The Killer" and will develop it as a directing vehicle for David Fincher. Pic will be produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment and Alexandra Milchan. Allesandro Camon will write the script, about a top assassin ...