Metallica and Nimrd Antal to Collaborate At Last

"'Metallica has always been a huge part of my life, and it's an incredible opportunity when we get to work with our heroes,' said Antal. 'We are going to harness the powerful and almighty energy of Metallica's live shows, inject a narrative into it, and shoot it in 3-D to elevate the entire experience.'" Of course they are. Whatever, it can't be any worse than Lulu. [Press release]

J:COM to take full stake in Asmik Ace

Tokyo -- Japan's No. 1 cabler Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM) plans to acquire all shares of indie distrib and pic producer Asmik Ace Entertainment and make it a wholly owned subsid. J:COM aims to add original content from Asmik to its program line-up. Initially, J:COM will buy the 96.6% of Asmik Ace shares owned by the Sumitomo trading house, with the transfer to occur within 30 days, according to Japanese press reports. No price has yet been announced. It will then acquire the remaining shares. Asmik Ace had a complicated birth, taking its current form in a merger of pic producer Ace Pictures and distrib Asmik in 1998. In 2004, when then co-owner Kadokawa Holdings acquired exclusive rights to distribute DreamWorks pics in Japan, Asmik Ace took charge of publicity and distribution. In 2010, Sumitomo bought Kadokawa's 20% stake in Asmik Ace, boosting its share to the current 96.6%. Among Asmik Ace's recent releases are "Spy Kids 4D," "Scream 4" and "50/50," as well as the domestic mellers "Bread of Happiness" and "A Yell From Heaven." J:COM intends to offer the 270 pics to which Asmik Ace owns the rights on its movie channels. Asmik Ace will also produce five to 10 original dramas annually for J:COM strands, while its pics will be released simultaneously in theaters and on J:COM's VOD services. Asmik Ace content will be available to mobile device users via J:COM partner KDDI's Lismo streaming service. As of January, J:COM had 3.63million cable subscribers, up 6.7% on the same month the previous year. It has 7.14 million subs for its combined cable, Internet and telephony services, up 9.5% on 2011. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Your Mother Will Like These Approaching Film Comedies

Your Mother Will Like These Approaching Film Comedies By Pete Keeley March 7, 2012 Photo by Getty Images Annette Bening So far as moms go, mine includes a pretty great spontaneity andapart from a frustrating disinclination to love any film that doesn't finish happilygood style of movies overall. But there's one class of movies, that we describe as "parent comedies," where our tastes diverge. They are movies that parents everywhere find stomach-bustingly funny while possibly coaxing a small chuckle or two using their children. "Father from the Bride" with Steve Martin, "Home for that Holidays" with Carol Hunter, "Satisfy the Parents" you receive the image. They are about families, all of the primary figures are over 30, and they're largely lacking of jokes about sex (erectile disorder excepted) or drugs (The blue pill excepted).So whereas my mother hates "Napoleon Dynamite," "Austin Forces," and every Will Ferrell movie ever, I do not think I have seen her laugh harder than throughout the scene in "Mrs. Doubtfire" when Robin Williams throws an apple at Pierce Brosnan's mind and characteristics it to some "run-by fruiting." Had you been bending over and done with laughter throughout that scene? If that's the case, you most likely have kids who are able to election.Well, now moms everywhere have been in luck, just because a textbook parent comedy is incorporated in the pipeline. "The feel of Love" stars Annette Bening like a lady who falls for any guy who bears an uplifting resemblance to her dead husband. Fellow cast people include Robin Williams and Erectile dysfunction Harris. One factor does produce pause: Diane Keatonwho has starred in additional mother-beloved comedies than anybody in historywas initially mounted on take part in the lead. Why did she back out? Her participation might have skyrocketed this film in to the parent-comedy stratosphere. With Keaton and Williams, this factor will be a warmer ticket compared to Eagles carrying out on Leno. Bening may be too edgy. We'll see. Monika Mikkelsen and Heidi Levitt are casting in front of an April begin in La.An additional comedy set to start shooting the following month, "Identity Crook," sounds hilariouswhich means my mother will most likely hate it. It stars Jason Bateman, he of "Arrested Development" fame (Mother verbatim, circa 2005: "How can this be funny for you?Inch), like a guy that has his identity stolen with a lady and should cope with the down sides that result. The titular crook is performed by Melissa McCarthy, who had been lately conned of the Oscar on her performance in "Bridesmaids" (a movie I do not even need to know my mother's opinion on). Despite the plot specifics being scarce, it's not hard to picture this being great.Maybe I'm able to convince my mother to determine it beside me basically let her know Diane Keaton constitutes a cameo. Your Mother Will Like These Approaching Film Comedies By Pete Keeley March 7, 2012 Annette Bening PHOTO CREDIT Getty Images So far as moms go, mine includes a pretty great spontaneity andapart from a frustrating disinclination to love any film that doesn't finish happilygood style of movies overall. But there's one class of movies, that we describe as "parent comedies," where our tastes diverge. They are movies that parents everywhere find stomach-bustingly funny while possibly coaxing a small chuckle or two using their children. "Father from the Bride" with Steve Martin, "Home for that Holidays" with Carol Hunter, "Satisfy the Parents" you receive the image. They are about families, all of the primary figures are gone 30, and they're largely lacking of jokes about sex (erection dysfunction excepted) or drugs (The blue pill excepted).So whereas my mother hates "Napoleon Dynamite," "Austin Forces," and each Will Ferrell movie ever, I do not think I have seen her laugh harder than throughout the scene in "Mrs. Doubtfire" when Robin Williams throws an apple at Pierce Brosnan's mind and characteristics it to some "run-by fruiting." Had you been bending over and done with laughter throughout that scene? If that's the case, you most likely have kids who are able to election.Well, now moms everywhere have been in luck, just because a textbook parent comedy is incorporated in the pipeline. "The feel of Love" stars Annette Bening like a lady who falls for any guy who bears an uplifting resemblance to her dead husband. Fellow cast people include Robin Williams and Erectile dysfunction Harris. One factor does produce pause: Diane Keatonwho has starred in additional mother-beloved comedies than anybody in historywas initially mounted on take part in the lead. Why did she out? Her participation might have skyrocketed this film in to the parent-comedy stratosphere. With Keaton and Williams, this factor will be a warmer ticket compared to Eagles carrying out on Leno. Bening may be too edgy. We'll see. Monika Mikkelsen and Heidi Levitt are casting in front of an April begin in La.An additional comedy set to start shooting the following month, "Identity Crook," sounds hilariouswhich means my mother will most likely hate it. It stars Jason Bateman, he of "Arrested Development" fame (Mother verbatim, circa 2005: "How can this be funny for you?Inch), like a guy that has his identity stolen with a lady and should cope with the down sides that result. The titular crook is performed by Melissa McCarthy, who had been lately conned of the Oscar on her performance in "Bridesmaids" (a film I do not even need to know my mother's opinion on). Despite the plot specifics being scarce, it's not hard to picture this being great.Maybe I'm able to convince my mother to determine it beside me basically let her know Diane Keaton constitutes a cameo.

Elizabeth Olsen: 'Silent House' Can Be A 'Choreographed Ballet'

The unbroken shot that comprises "Quiet House" can be a unique visual gimmick, but theres another large factor at hands: the close camerawork that rarely leaves Elizabeth Olsens side, giving us an intensely personal perspective with the film. As harrowing as that camerawork is always to experience becoming an audience member, it doesn't rival the actual way it mustve felt to film it firsthand. Talking with MTV News, Olsen tried to describe how a filming process eliminate, and the way comfortable she was while using closeness with the finish of shooting. Asked for how close the digital camera was, Olsen stuck her hands out of a ft from her face. "The DP [director of photography] who shot it, Igor Martinovic, he's doing lots of documentaries so hes efficient at to not get a shadow or reflection anywhere," she mentioned. "We felt like i had been dancing together the whole time. It felt similar to this choreographed ballet." Martinovic has formerly drenched experience since the DP on "The Tillman Story" and "Guy on Wire," documentaries acclaimed for camerawork and feel. Due to the singularity of "Quiet House"s style, which have offered well on set too for his collaboration with Olsen. "I so truly loved coping with him," she mentioned. "We'd this excellent dialogue where we literally might be filming a take and hell tell me simply to walk faster or walk reduced because we cant use editing either, therefore we must determine the pace while were working." "Hed finish up like, Mind there, and therefore Id put my [light] there," she added. "It absolutely was interesting to accomplish this in addition to because we loved coping with each other. It almost was cooler to don't have the crew around. It absolutely was almost something you tips from, truly playing pretend by yourself.In . Consider everything when you're watching "Quiet House," and the way awkward you might feel requiring to emote getting a camera a ft out of your face. For this reason is Olsen and Martinovic both professionals rather than some college amateurs fumbling around. Still, kudos for movie miracle. Reveal what you consider inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

And also the Champion of Movieline's Hunger Games Haiku Contest Is...

After receiving over 600 records within our Hunger Games haiku contest, it required some Katniss-strength fortitude to locate one victor to consider home the coveted grand prize, a set of tickets towards the March 12 La premiere. You believe selecting between Peeta and Gale is difficult? Try choosing a champion in the vivid, emotional, romantic, lyrical, amusing, and evocative poems posted by Hunger Games diehards within our Cornucopia of words. To be able to be qualified, records needed to be original arrangements in haiku form and become inspired by any kind of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. A lot of you required the very first person approach, writing as Katniss some elected to approach it from the purpose of look at Peeta, Rue, or any other supporting figures within the Hunger Games world. Overall, the strength of the Hunger Games mythology and heroine Katniss Everdeen's journey shone through. Within the spirit from the Games, listed here are the very best 12 "candidates" (ending using the contest's winning entry): Nina Kuo: Pick Peeta or Gale? Well, I have been an admirer of polyandry! -- Momin Sherazi: Katniss, I knead you I bread your pardon Peeta? I stated I loaf You -- Robyn: Screw Gale and Peeta This hellish revolution Was all for you personally, Rue -- Brittany Huynh: I put you some bread And today I throw you my heart Don't break it apart -- Samantha: You are the boy with bread. And i'm the lady burning, We do too make toast? -- Marly (we'll allow the extra syllables fly due to the Tim Gunn reference): Cinna is easily the most normal He jogs my memory of Tim Gunn Have great results, Katniss -- Kristen Kelly: Silver parachutes My kisses bring survival But can there be love here? -- jjl: Basically would win Maybe my spouse would see I am Much better than Peeta -- Skid Maher: So Peeta or Gale? oh seriously Katniss, why don't you drive them both, you prude -- James: A children's deathmatch Ignites a nation to battle No sparkling vampires of the underworld -- Prianna Ahsan: Towards the Capitol where dying awaits me now, yet my thoughts is on boys. -- And also the champion of Movieline's Hunger Games Haiku contest is... Lisa, whose entry taken the wistful spirit of Collins' books having a lyricism evoking Katniss's relationship together with her fellow tribute Rue, the legendary Mockingjay call, and also the rebellion she inspires with one courageous act throughout the Games. Lisa: Four notes around the wind-- I have to whistle for you personally now. Hear our song, Panem? Champion to the champion and thank you to any or all who performed! Read all of the Hunger Games haiku records here. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

FIND finds fresh Spirit guides

Film Independent co-prexies Josh Welsh and Sean McManus combine their experience with the org to keep the Spirit Awards and other initiatives on track.Are two heads better than one? Sean McManus and Josh Welsh, the new co-presidents of Film Independent, are happy to have a mutual partner in leading the nonprofit that runs the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival."I look back at what Dawn did, and I'm not sure how she did it alone," Welsh says.By Dawn, he means Dawn Hudson, of course. As the longtime exec director of Film Independent, the well-connected Hudson was instrumental in growing FIND into a specialty player powerhouse. When she announced her departure to become CEO of AMPAS last summer, industryites wondered who would be able to fill her heels."It was a daunting task," admits "Six Feet Under" producer and FIND board member Alan Poul, who co-chaired the search committee to find her replacement. "Dawn was such a strong single executive. The idea of dividing the position was something that we approached gently."Poul acknowledges that it will take time for the duo to be accepted as the two faces of FIND, "but both of them are so well liked and well respected among the L.A community and they're both articulate and affable, I have no doubt that they'll grow into it."McManus and Welsh also come from divergent backgrounds and disparate specialties within FIND, making for a strong tag-team dynamic. As FIND board member and longtime indie publicist Laura Kim says, "They are the perfect pairing of skill sets."McManus, a USC business school alum, was Hudson's right-hand man for years as the org's senior director, overseeing its staffers and playing a key role in expanding its annual budget from $1.6 million to more than $8.5 million. After Hudson's exit, he operated as interim director. Welsh, who has a doctorate in philosophy from Johns Hopkins, ran FIND's Artist Development programs for a decade.But they resist the notion that they represent opposing sides of commerce and art. "Our roles have been focused on complementary areas, but our brains have been on the same page," McManus says.While there remains some division between the duo's responsibilities, between fundraising and filmmaker programs, Welsh says there is extensive overlap."We're not operating in silos," says Welsh. "We don't make decisions without the other's input."As an example, Welsh cites the Spirit Awards: The kudocast has afforded Welsh the opportunity to do fundraising development. And for all the artists services the org runs, Welsh says he's worked closely on getting those programs funded."We're a good team when we go out and pitch our programs," he says. "I can articulate what we're doing and how we serve filmmakers, and Sean, as a fundraiser, has the combination of personal skills and savvy that has enabled him to grow this organization financially."McManus considers the org's fundraising successes a team effort. At FIND's L.A. Film Festival, for example, he notes AEG's sponsorship was the result of many, including former fest director Rebecca Yeldham, Hudson and Gloria Campbell, as well as himself. For this year's Spirits, McManus also heralds the arrival of new auto sponsor Audi, a partnership he says took a couple of years to cultivate.As for the future of FIND, McManus and Welsh thank Hudson for leaving the org in a solid place, not only operating in the black over the past few economically challenging years, but launching up-to-date efficiencies, such as a new website and database. "We are now leading a very mature, stable and strong organization," claims Walsh. "So we don't have to completely revamp. It's a matter of expanding the types of programs we have to offer and deepening the funding for those programs."One growing area of development is television. Both co-prexies tout their new Fox Writers Intensive program, a partnership with Fox Broadcasting's Audience Strategy to find writers from underrepresented communities. Walsh notes an increased focus in their Producers Lab on questions of distribution rather than just getting a movie made."That's an example of the direction that we're moving," he says. "We're keenly attuned to the needs of filmmakers finding and reaching their audience."As the org moves forward, McManus refers to "The Five I's" to define the values FIND represents: Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, Initiative, Inspiration. "They're our guiding principles," he says.And the nominees are: BEST FEATURE "The Artist"Producer: Thomas Langmann "Beginners"Producers: Miranda de Pencier, Lars Knudsen, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jay Van Hoy "The Descendants"Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor "Drive"Producers: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Adam Siegel "50/50"Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen "Take Shelter"Producers: Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin FEMALE LEAD Lauren Ambrose - "Think of Me"Rachael Harris - "Natural Selection" Adepero Oduye - "Pariah"Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene" Michelle Williams - "My Week With Marilyn" MALE LEAD Demian Bichir - "A Better Life" Jean Dujardin - "The Artist" Ryan Gosling - "Drive" Woody Harrelson - "Rampart" Michael Shannon - "Take Shelter" DIRECTOR Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist" Mike Mills - "Beginners" Jeff Nichols - "Take Shelter" Alexander Payne - "The Descendants" Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive" FIRST FEATURE "Another Earth"Director: Mike Cahill Producers: Mike Cahill, Hunter Gray, Brit Marling, Nicholas Shumaker "In The Family"Director: Patrick Wang Producers: Robert Tonino, Andrew Van Den Houten, Patrick Wang "Margin Call"Director: J.C. Chandor Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto "Martha Marcy May Marlene"Director: Sean Durkin Producers: Antonio Campos, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Josh Mond "Natural Selection"Director: Robbie Pickering Producers: Brion Hambel, Paul Jensen FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS 2012FIND finds fresh Spirit guidesHonoreesPiaget Producer's Award | Audi Someone to Watch Award | Nokia Truer Than Fiction Award Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Broadway Box Office Grosses - Week Ending February. 19, 2012

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