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

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, discusses opening every submission and what he really wants to see inside a headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, discusses what he wants from an actress inside a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and insufficient ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, discusses what he needs from an audition and customary mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer stops working the actual role of the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Gray Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer discusses casting "Saved" and all sorts of myths about becoming an actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New york city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars have to know before walking into an audition. (Part a couple of) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how you can give your very best audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. Only need beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition for cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera Videos for that Back Stage News & Features section.

U.K., German distribs nab 'Jackpot'

LONDON -- Germany's NFP as well as the U.K.'s Metrodome have developed distribution rights to Tarantino-esque action-comedy "Jackpot" within the European Film Market, where Magnus Martens' film made its market preem.Based on a geniune story by best-selling author Jo Nesbo, the pic was produced by Are Heidenstrom and Martin Sundland from Fantefilm Fiksjon. The shingle produced the "Cold Prey" horror-thriller trilogy, which is in publish-production with epic action-adventure "Escape.""Jackpot's" worldwide sales are addressed by TrustNordisk, which introduced sales for your fast-paced Icelandic thriller "Black's Game" to Germany's Koch Media, Benelux's Wild Bunch and Estonia's Estin Film. Oscar Thor Axelsson's debut feature, which carried out within the Rotterdam Film Festival, had formerly been acquired with the U.K.'s eOne and Swiss distrib Frenetic Films.TrustNordisk also introduced that undertaking a screening for customers from the promo for Thomas Vinterberg's "The Search," it had closed handles Arrow Films inside the U.K. and Wild Bunch for Benelux. The film, which stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen just like a guy wrongly accused by his neighborhood who must fight to obtain his existence in line, is at publish-production. It's produced by Sisse Graum Jorgensen and Morten Kaufmann for Zentropa with support within the Danish Film Institute and DR. Nordisk Film will handle local distribution. Contact Leo Barraclough at leo.barraclough@variety.com

Audition for Off-Broadway World Premiere of New '60s Musical

Telsey + Company is holding auditions on Wednesday, February 15 for the world premiere of "Dogfight," a new musical that will debut Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in June.The show will be directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello ("Other Desert Cities," "9 to 5," "Wicked"), with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ("A Christmas Story," "James and the Giant Peach") and a book by Peter Duchan. "Dogfight" was the winner of the 2011 Richards Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre. Set in the fall of 1963, "Dogfight" follows three young Marines on the eve of their deployment to Vietnam. The boys set out for one last night of debauchery. When Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress, he enlists her to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, and she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion. The musical is based the 1991 film of the same name, starring River Phoenix as Eddie and Lili Taylor as Rose.Equity principal auditions will be held February 15 in NY City. For more information and audition details, visit BackStage.com. (Subscription required.) The casting directors are also accepting headshot and rsum submissions via email from actors who cannot attend these auditions.

'Piggy' draws in Metrodome

U.K. indie distrib Metrodome has acquired U.K. and Irish rights to helmer-scribe Kieron Hawkes' thriller "Piggy."Pic toplines Paul Anderson, Martin Compston, Neil Maskell and Louise Dylan.Leo Pearlman and Danny Potts result in the pic about Joe, a light-mannered youthful guy who, after his brother is wiped out, finds solace in Piggy, among his brother's pals. Their friendship evolves, Joe becomes progressively associated with a murky arena of violence and revenge.Deal was talked about by Metrodome mind of purchases Joel Kennedy and Pearlman. Genesis Film Sales is repping the film within the European Film Market.Earlier available on the market, Metrodome clicked on up rights to horror pic "Lovely Molly," which is skedded to create "In Darkness" in Blighty in March.Another acquisition, "A Royal Affair," will world preem at Berlin. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

The Civil Wars' Joy Williams Expecting Her First Child

Joy Williams and John Paul White Grammy winner Joy Williams is pregnant with her first child, The Civil Wars singer announced on Twitter Friday. "Beyond elated to share that [husband] Nate [Yetton] & I are expecting our first child in late June!!! My baby bump & I will see you on the red carpet," she wrote. Grammys: The best and worst performances Though she'll have to wait until June to bring home her baby, she and bandmate John Paul White brought home twins on Sunday night: Two shiny gold Grammys for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Folk Album.

Music and recollections

Kim Kardashian and Britney Warrior warrior spears flank honoree Richard Branson within the Salute to Industry Symbols gala on Saturday. Clive Davis and Sean Hair hair combs speak onstage within the BevHilton. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Gladys Dark evening, William McDowell and Carole King gather at Symbols gala. Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M Jimmy Iovine and producer Dr. Dre attend Clive Davis as well as the Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Symbols Adoring Richard Branson.Alicia Secrets sings at Symbols gala. Chairman and Boss of Universal Group Lucian Grainge and producer Nigel Lygothe.Berry Gordy and Diana Ross reteam at Symbols gala. Blake Shelton and Dwight Yoakam at Symbols gala Rusty Anderson, Paul McCartney, Dork Grohl and John Ray help raise $6.5 million for MusiCares, which will help artists in need of funds. Tally surpassed last year's $4.7 million record. Doug Morris, Leslie Moonves and Neil Portnow at MusiCares James McCartney and Yoko Ono at MusiCares Katy Perry works at MusiCares. Kim and Glen Campbell within the Wilshire Ebell The pre-Grammy parties started Friday while using MusiCares Person of year event. And permit Paul McCartney to upstage their very own tribute, breaking tradition for just about any MusiCares honoree by opening the show getting a rousing rendition of "Magical Mystery Tour," a suitable intro for the McCartney songbook which will assume new definition with every artist who came out onstage. Coldplay completed "We Could Settle Your DifferencesInch as if it were a plea for world peace Katy Perry attracted on her behalf inner torch singer with "Hey Jude" Neil Youthful and Crazy Equine slowed down lower "I Saw Her Standing There" with a loping, grubby gate and Norah Jones' smokey delivery on "Oh Darling" aided prompt McCartney to comment later about "every one of these fantastic artists putting nuances on tunes which i didn't know are there.In . On Saturday, news of Whitney Houston's dying will be a startling coda to have an already emotional mid-day since the Grammy Special Honours honored several tales within the Wilshire Ebell. Recording Academy prexy Neil Portnow predicted, "You will notice tears today," but he'd not a clue how true this really is.From Glen Campbell's courage when faced with Alzheimer's for the tear-filled acceptance speech from Wayne Jackson in the honored Memphis Horns as well as the onstage presence in the categories of such luminaries as recording engineer Roger Nichols and producer-songwriter Dork Bartholomew, storied careers were poignantly celebrated. Diana Ross pointed to her five children onstage and mentioned, "The children are my lifetime achievement." And Allman Brothers and sisters Band founding member Gregg Allman alluded to his past by watching, "Music does soothe the savage animal" although stating his determination being "back on the road again, making music."An ashen-faced Portnow rushed in the Wilshire Ebell only moments following a ceremony ended to grapple while using acad's response to Houston's passing.Gossips swirled that Clive Davis' annual Salute to Industry Symbols might be canceled, nevertheless the show ongoing. Davis devoted Saturday's event within the BevHilton to Houston's memory, and began the evening getting a minute of silence. Tony Bennett came a standing ovation while using night's first number, "How Will You Keep the Music Playing." A subdued solo version of "Essentially Had You" by Diana Krall was been effective by somber speeches by Portnow and Sean Hair hair combs. And Alicia Secrets appreciated practicing Houston's early hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" before one just like a girl, and mentioned the late singer increased being a person "barometer that you wanted for and wanted for and imagined of." Elsewhere your evening, the sixth Annual Primary Wave Music Pre-Grammy Party happened within the SLS Hotel, together with a beyond-capacity crowd collected to find out perfs by Airborne Toxic Event, Alien Ant Farm, Natasha Bedingfield and Cee Lo Eco-friendly. "What exactly can I believe that which has not lately been mentioned in regards to the great Whitney Houston?" asked for Eco-friendly. "She was eloquent and incredibly influential in my opinion which is so tragic because it am without warning. She shined along with her beauty and talent.Inch(Christopher Morris and Erin Maxwell brought with this report.) Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

Lubezki nabs top prize at ASC Awards

In a continuation of his awards dominance in feature cinematography this year, Emmanuel Lubezki, the d.p. behind "The Tree of Life," nabbed the top prize at the 26th annual American Society of Cinematographers' kudofest on Sunday night at the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom.Lubezki's photography on the Terrence Malick film has nearly swept the critics organizations' d.p. laurels so far, including the big three: The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn., the NY Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics.Since the ASC inaugurated its awards ceremony in 1986, the invitation-only org's winners and those of the Academy have overlapped 10 times, including four out of the last six years. Lubezki won the ASC award previously for 2007's "Children of Men," and is Oscar-nominated this year for "Tree of Life."Other winners included Jonathan Freeman for the "21" episode of "Boardwalk Empire" ("21") for one-hour Episodic Television Series/Pilot; Martin Ruhe, who earned top honors for PBS' "Page Eight" in television movie/miniseries; and in the inaugural Episodic Series or Pilot category, Michael Weaver claimed the prize for Showtime's "Californication" ("Suicide Solution").Dante Spinotti accepted the Lifetime Achievement laurel from director Michael Mann, with whom he worked on "Heat" and "Public Enemies," among other films. Other honorary kudos were handed to Harrison Ford (Board of Goverors award), whose reel included d.p. touchstones "Apocalypse Now" and "Bladerunner" and who gave a special shoutout to dolly grips; Francis Kenny (President's award), who uses the Red Epic camera on "Justiified" and described his acceptance into the ASC as entering into "the school of advanced visual metaphors"; William Wages (Career Achievement in TV) and Fred Godfrey (Bud Stone Award of Distinction). Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

The Berlin Film Festival: Why Still It Matters for Hollywood

The Berlin Film Festival: Why Still It Matters for Hollywood By Scott Roxborough Feb 7, 2012 Photo by Berlin Worldwide Film Festival It can be the elements. It can be the frigid Berlin winter that inspires experts to repeat exactly the same bitter litany every year concerning the Berlinale, that you will find no stars, not good films, no new ideas.Several wags known as 2011's fest "the worst Berlinale ever." Really? A festival that incorporated Wim Wenders' groundbreaking three dimensional documentary "Pina," J.C. Chandor's furious financial drama "Margin Call" and the astounding Iranian film "A Separation" -- which selected up Oscar nominations on Jan. 24?Once the 62nd Berlinale opens February. 9, expect the experts to become just as disgruntled. And merely as wrong. Berlin's broad, eclectic buying process causes it to be harder to choose which game titles would be the large outbreaks, but because of the festival's history, you will see some. A mix portion of possible standouts includes china imperial epic "Whitened Deer Plain" from Golden Bear champion Wang Quan'an ("Tuya's Marriage") "Home for that Weekend," a shattered-family drama in the always excellent German helmer Hendes-Christian Schmid ("Requiem") and Billy Bob Thornton's sixties period drama "Jayne Mansfield's Vehicle," featuring John Hurt, Kevin Sausage, Robert Duvall and Thornton themself.Not one of them, however, will probably go back home using the Golden Bear. Berlin juries reserve the very best prize for politically flavored cinema, so a betting guy would put his chips on Brillante Mendoza's "Taken" (about people from other countries kidnapped by Filipino terrorists), Benedek Fliegauf's gypsy-focused thriller "Only the Wind" or Kim Nguyen's "Rebelle," which follows Komona, a 14-year-old soldier in Africa who's expecting a young child.There will not considerably studio muscle on show in Berlin this season -- Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy & Incredibly Close," directed by Stephen Daldry, and Jason Reitman's "Youthful Adult" from Vital would be the only studio game titles screening, neither of these in competition. But Berlin never continues to be a studio launchpad and, because the Oscar nominations gone to live in mid-The month of january in 2004, the studios' prestige films are beginning earlier around, to the advantage of the autumn fests and hindrance of Berlin. "Moneyball" bowed in Toronto, "The Descendants" in Telluride and "Hugo" inside a surprise screening in the NY Film Festival. A more compact studio presence means less stars, so Berlin has needed to get creative to ensure sufficient red-colored-carpet wattage. Because the only public festival of Europe's large three (Cannes and Venice are industry-only), Berlin needs its stars.Festival director Dieter Kosslick has had to brushing the indie ranks for more compact features, frequently directorial debuts, with large-title casts. Which means this year, Berlin has got the world premiere of "Bel Ami," a period piece from first-timers Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod that counts Taylor Lautner, Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas among its A-list talent James Marsh's Sundance entry "Shadow Dancer" with Clive Owen and Gillian Anderson and Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire," featuring Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Antonio Banderas. Julia Roberts will attend a unique screening of her directorial debut, "Within the Land of Bloodstream and Honey," and Meryl Streep will receive a pre-Oscar Golden Bear in recognition of her life's work.For that industry, however, Berlin's real draw is its market. Again offered out and reserved solid, Berlin's European Film Marketplace is forecasted to become a blockbuster, a minimum of in comparison using the staid and low-volume American Film Market in November.Pre-buys of in-development projects is going to be in which the large cash is, but expect a brisk business in pick-ups of finished films -- particularly the more audience-friendly fare that screens in Berlin's Decades and Panorama sidebars. In Panorama, be careful for "Iron Sky," as well as-over-blown, lengthy- in-development Finnish "Nazis wideInch spoof, and "Cherry," an indie drama featuring Louise Graham like a porno film director and James Franco like a coke-addled lawyer.If this all systems February. 19, the experts likely will say it had been a weak Berlinale and talk in the "amazing" selection going to Cannes. The, meanwhile, will prove to add up its deal memos and prebook Berlin's Grand Hyatt for 2013. The Hollywood Reporter The Berlin Film Festival: Why Still It Matters for Hollywood By Scott Roxborough Feb 7, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT Berlin Worldwide Film Festival It can be the elements. It can be the frigid Berlin winter that inspires experts to repeat exactly the same bitter litany every year concerning the Berlinale, that you will find no stars, not good films, no new ideas.Several wags known as 2011's fest "the worst Berlinale ever." Really? A festival that incorporated Wim Wenders' groundbreaking three dimensional documentary "Pina," J.C. Chandor's furious financial drama "Margin Call" and also the astounding Iranian film "A Separation" -- which acquired Oscar nominations on Jan. 24?Once the 62nd Berlinale opens February. 9, expect the experts to become just like disgruntled. And merely as wrong. Berlin's broad, eclectic buying process causes it to be harder to choose which game titles would be the large outbreaks, but because of the festival's history, you will see some. A mix portion of possible standouts includes china imperial epic "Whitened Deer Plain" from Golden Bear champion Wang Quan'an ("Tuya's Marriage") "Home for that Weekend," a shattered-family drama in the always excellent German helmer Hendes-Christian Schmid ("Requiem") and Billy Bob Thornton's sixties period drama "Jayne Mansfield's Vehicle," featuring John Hurt, Kevin Sausage, Robert Duvall and Thornton themself.Not one of them, however, will probably go back home using the Golden Bear. Berlin juries reserve the very best prize for politically flavored cinema, so a betting guy would put his chips on Brillante Mendoza's "Taken" (about people from other countries kidnapped by Filipino terrorists), Benedek Fliegauf's gypsy-focused thriller "Only the Wind" or Kim Nguyen's "Rebelle," which follows Komona, a 14-year-old soldier in Africa who's expecting a young child.There will not considerably studio muscle on show in Berlin this season -- Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy & Incredibly Close," directed by Stephen Daldry, and Jason Reitman's "Youthful Adult" from Vital would be the only studio game titles screening, neither of these competing. But Berlin never continues to be a studio launchpad and, because the Oscar nominations gone to live in mid-The month of january in 2004, the studios' prestige films are beginning earlier around, to the advantage of the autumn fests and hindrance of Berlin. "Moneyball" bowed in Toronto, "The Descendants" in Telluride and "Hugo" inside a surprise screening in the NY Film Festival. A more compact studio presence means less stars, so Berlin has needed to get creative to make sure sufficient red-colored-carpet wattage. Because the only public festival of Europe's large three (Cannes and Venice are industry-only), Berlin needs its stars.Festival director Dieter Kosslick has had to brushing the indie ranks for more compact features, frequently directorial debuts, with large-title casts. Which means this year, Berlin has got the world premiere of "Bel Ami," a period of time piece from first-timers Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod that counts Taylor Lautner, Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas among its A-list talent James Marsh's Sundance entry "Shadow Dancer" with Clive Owen and Gillian Anderson and Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire," featuring Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Antonio Banderas. Julia Roberts will attend a unique screening of her directorial debut, "Within the Land of Bloodstream and Honey," and Meryl Streep will receive a pre-Oscar Golden Bear in recognition of her life's work.For that industry, however, Berlin's real draw is its market. Again offered out and reserved solid, Berlin's European Film Marketplace is forecasted to become a blockbuster, a minimum of in comparison using the staid and low-volume American Film Market in November.Pre-buys of in-development projects is going to be in which the large cash is, but expect a brisk business in pick-ups of finished films -- particularly the more audience-friendly fare that screens in Berlin's Decades and Panorama sidebars. In Panorama, be careful for "Iron Sky," as well as-over-blown, lengthy- in-development Finnish "Nazis wideInch spoof, and "Cherry," an indie drama featuring Louise Graham like a porno film director and James Franco like a coke-addled lawyer.If this all systems February. 19, the experts likely will say it had been an inadequate Berlinale and talk in the "amazing" selection going to Cannes. The, meanwhile, will prove to add up its deal memos and prebook Berlin's Grand Hyatt for 2013. The Hollywood Reporter

Outsider Pictures plucks 'Juan'

Outsider Pictures has picked up Cuba-set horror comedy "Juan of the Dead" for U.S. theatrical release. Film had already been acquired by Focus World, the digital-platforms arm of Focus Features, for release on VOD and DVD, among other formats. Satire, written and directed by Alejandro Brugues, centers on Juan (Alexis Diaz de Villegas) and a group of friends who attempt to beat back zombies that have invaded Havana. Outsider will open the film in Miami soon after the Miami Intl. Film Festival, during which the pic will unspool as part of the gala series of the fest that runs March 2-11. The exclusive theatrical run will subsequently screen at Miami Dade College's Tower Theater. Focus World's digital and homevideo release will follow later this year. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Heidi Klum and Seal Divorcing

Heidi Klum and Seal Heidi Klum and Seal are divorcing, the pair confirmed to individuals. "In the end have loved seven very loving, loyal and happy many years of marriage, after much soul-searching we've made the decision to split up,Inch the happy couple stated inside a statement. "We've had the greatest respect for each other throughout our relationship and then love one another greatly, but we've grown apart. It is really an friendly process and safeguarding the well-being in our children remains our main concern, especially throughout this time around of transition. Report: Heidi Klum to divorce Seal Klum, 38, and Seal, 48, started dating in 2003 and also got involved in December 2004. They married in Mexico in May 2005. The happy couple has three children together: Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2. Seal adopted Klum's 7-year-old daughter Leni from Klum's previous relationship to Flavio Briatore. "We thank us, buddies, and fans for his or her kind words of support," the happy couple added. "As well as for our children's sake, we appreciate you improving our privacy."

'Joyful Noise' preems at the Chinese

Broderick Johnson and Michael G. Nathanson Jeremy Jordan, Keke Palmer and Dexter DardenTodd Graff shares a laugh with Queen Latifah. Dolly Parton and DeQuina Moore Monday night's preem of Warner Bros.' "Joyful Noise" at the Chinese carried a strong sense of kismet for writer-director Todd Graff."I grew up in NY City around choirs because my mother was a choirmaster and my dad was a musician," he said at the afterparty at the House of Blues. "So I had the idea of a gospel choir movie for about 15 years."Two years ago, he'd worked out a half-hour pitch that he began taking around town before landing it with Alcon's Broderick Johnson -- whose mother is in a gospel choir in Georgia. "We decided that we'd do it but only if we could get Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton as the leads," Johnson recalled.Graff was particularly pleased that Sly Stone allowed him to use "I Want to Take You Higher" for the film's climactic scene -- with one small change."It's hard to get Sly to license his songs," Graff said. "He allowed us to change it so it's now 'He wants to take you higher.' "

USA Renews Psych for Seventh Season

Psych USA has restored Psych for just about any seventh season. The cable network gave the good thing to fans (also called Psych-Os) first on Tuesday, with the show's Facebook page and Twitter account. Clients received multiple items of a pineapple-created puzzle that revealed a distinctive message. The fourth and final little bit of the puzzle contained videos featuring stars Dulé Hill and James Roday, who told fans he needed help acquiring a brown belt. "Oh, in addition to, Psych is formally coming back for just about any seventh season, that's very awesome, however i am kinda concentrating on this belt situation at this time around,Inch Roday mentioned before Hill thanked their fans. Watch full cases of Psych Season 7 will contain 16 episodes and begin airing some time later this year. "We are always searching for techniques to reward our Psych brand ambassadors for loyalty and passion and social media plays an important role in the manner we communicate with individuals who matter most - the fans," USA Co-Presidents Chris McCumber and Rob Wachtel mentioned in the statement. "It absolutely was exciting to supply this historic news on their behalf first and before traditional media." Psych, presently USA's longest-running series, returns for your partner of Season 6 on Got married., Feb. 29 at 10/9c. Are you currently presently psyched for further Psych?

First teaser poster revealed for that Bourne Legacy

An initial teaser poster continues to be revealed for that Bourne Legacy, and although we are greatly looking forward to the experience franchise's new direction, we'd need to admit it looks a bit bland.Indeed, the brand new poster is really light on detail, all we are given is Jeremy Renner's title, the title from the movie along with a completely ordinary tag-line, which are mounted against a gray backdrop. Mmm.... gray. Exciting!Anybody who are able to read anything particularly intriguing in to the scratch-like markings on stated background, don't hesitate to enlighten us within the comments box below. For now, we'll be remaining somewhat deflated.The brand new film sees Jeremy Renner star as Aaron Mix, a Treadstone agent operating under numerous assumed details. Jason Bourne won't show up on-screen, however the occasions that occur within the Bourne Legacy may have profound implications for your character some way."What went down within the first three films may be the trigger for which happens [here]," describes director Tony Gilroy. "I am creating a legend as well as an atmosphere along with a wider conspiracy... the planet we are making improves and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return."The Bourne Legacy is going to be launched within the United kingdom on 17 August 2012. Let us hope we obtain a far more inspiring poster sometime until then...

Why J. Hoberman, Fired Village Voice Movie Critic, Matters

Yesterday's news that the Village Voice had laid off its longtime chief film critic J. Hoberman sent shockwaves through the worlds of movie journalism and independent film distribution. Aside from Roger Ebert, it's hard to imagine a current critic who's been at his post longer, who's had more impact on the indie film world and on other critics, or who's departure would leave a bigger void. His layoff marks the end of an era in criticism and may herald the beginning of an uncertain new era for independent filmmakers, who are losing one of their loudest champions. Hoberman started as a freelance movie critic at the Voice in 1978, joined the staff in 1983 and had been its lead critic since 1988. In recent years, readers of the Voice and its affiliated papers outside NY City had come to see him as an institution, along with such writers as chief music critic Robert Christgau and columnist Nat Hentoff, who had also been there for decades, and who helped give the paper its brand identity. Over the last half-dozen years, all those institutional voices were laid off (though Hentoff returned as a freelancer). Hoberman was the last to go, and he said in his statement that he was "shocked, but not surprised" by his own dismissal. Hoberman's absence won't just affect the Voice and its readers, many of whom are now losing their last connection to the newspaper of their youth. It could also affect the fortunes of the independent film distributors who depended on Hoberman to trumpet their work. Five years ago, when the Voice laid off several less senior movie critics, some indie companies threatened to stop buying ads in the Voice if Hoberman were let go as well. No word yet on whether they'll make good on that threat now, but independent distributors can't be happy about his ouster, since they depend on the goodwill of critics like Hoberman to reach their target audience. Under Hoberman, the Voice set the standard, followed by other alt-weekly newspapers across the country (including the 12 others owned by Village Voice Media) for comprehensive coverage of indie film releases, festivals, and local film series. In a statement yesterday, Voice editor Tony Ortega said the Voice remains "committed to providing comprehensive film coverage," but that will be difficult with fewer writers (especially in NY, with its overwhelming number of indie film offerings each year), none of whom has earned the trust of both distributors and readers the way Hoberman has. Hoberman earned his influence not just through sheer longevity but through the power of his ideas, the clarity of his observations, the daunting breadth of his knowledge, and the example he set as both a professional critic and as a teacher at NY University and elsewhere. Countless film critics, especially in the alt-weekly world (but also such mainstream-paper critics as the NY Times' Manohla Dargis), learned their craft either from his reviews or his classes. (One of his acolytes, Karina Longworth, is his heir apparent at the Voice. It's no knock on Longworth, who is young and full of promise, to say that her writing has yet to equal his in terms of its impact upon readers and distributors.) Hoberman has been one of my most influential teachers as well, though I don't know him personally. (Disclosure: I reviewed movies for the Voice from 1996 through 1999 as a freelancer working off-site, so he and I didn't interact.) His reviews taught me that all movies are inherently political, in that they all make a statement (conscious or not) about the way the world is or the way it could be. He also taught me to pay closer attention to the way movies are put together, from the performances to the visuals that fill the frame. Politically, aesthetically, it's all about what the director chooses to include, and what he or she chooses to leave out. (Over at IFC Fix, Matt Singer has some other good film-criticism lessons he learned in Hoberman's class. And fellow critic Glenn Kenny has collected nine choice passages from 35 years of Hoberman's reviews.) I'm not too worried about Hoberman himself. He'll land on his feet. He'll soon be blogging at his "blog of shameless self-promotion!!!" And he can always teach or write another book (he's written five, including one I was re-reading just yesterday, as part of my research for an upcoming article: 1991's 'Bridge of Light: Yiddish Film Between Two Worlds'). But he'll probably never have a platform as far-reaching as the one the Voice gave him. The Voice itself will be poorer for his loss, but so will film criticism, especially if the Voice's action inspires other outlets to accelerate the purging of their most distinctive, well-established critics or cut back on independent movie coverage. And if that happens, mainstream movies probably won't be affected (with their enormous marketing budgets, they're not so dependent on what critics say), but independent movies will be hurt. That would be a shame for moviegoers who search off the beaten path, either for films they might not otherwise hear about, or for the critics who help start the conversations about those films. Here's hoping that Hoberman can continue to be a forceful advocate for such movies, and that his voice won't be lost in the wilderness. [Photo: NYFCC] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman

Legendary East splits with Huayi Siblings

Legendary's Chinese venture Legendary East has separated ways with Chinese distributor Huayi Siblings. The split can lead to restored investor curiosity about Legendary East's fundraiser efforts, based on sources with understanding from the discussions.On Friday, news broke that Legendary investor Paul Y. Engineering Number of Hong Kong put its suggested $220.5 million investment on hold because of shaky real estate markets. A part of that shakiness originated from traders, say sources with understanding from the fundraiser effort. Underneath the original proposal, PYE planned to consider a 50% stake in Legendary East. Thomas Tull's Legendary Entertainment might have a 40% stake in Legendary East and also the Huayi Siblings would go ahead and take remaining 10%. However the Huayi Brothers' share demonstrated too big for many bankers to swallow, based on sources with understanding from the discussions, and led to Legendary East's decision to allow lapse its self-enforced deal deadline of 12 ,. 31. Legendary East had initially enforced a random deadline, and also the company's relationship with Huayi Siblings dissolved when that deadline passed. Several U.S. companies including Legendary and Relativity will work challenging a toehold within the massive Chinese market, however the tough financial weather conditions are making some deals harder to finalize. Inside a statement on Friday, PYE stated it meant to restructure the proposal and re-launch the transaction within the year.InchWe maintain that diversification by having an purchase of Legendary East is advantageous to PYE," PYE chairman James Chiu mentioned within the release.PYE, a openly exchanged company around the Hong Kong stock exchange, is trying to boost the Legendary East funds by placing new company stock with private equity finance firm AID Partners, and thru UBS AG, with other institutional and individual traders. Using its 10% stakeholder out and the deal being reworked, sources with understanding from the discussions state that traders appear interested in closing a regular arrangement. Since 10% demonstrated unpalatable for traders, the chances are multiple distribs could replace Huayi's exclusive arrangement.Legendary Pictures' Thomas Tull merged with Chinese-born Hong Kong media and finance entrepreneur Kelvin Wu to produce Legendary East in June. The parties suggested making a couple of large-budget photos annually, beginning the coming year, with commercial appeal in China and worldwide. Company would make this happen simply by creating mainly British-language photos which include styles according to Chinese history, mythology or culture.A representative for Legendary and Legendary East rejected to comment, but launched an argument a week ago that confirmed the second would relaunch its planned fundraiser effort. "Legendary East will problem a proper announcement once the new structure and transaction is hard."Huayi Siblings couldn't be arrived at for comment. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Times Square New Years Eve Bash Warmer This Year

First Published: January 1, 2012 11:52 AM EST Credit: Ed Graff NY, N.Y. -- Caption Lady Gaga performs at New Years Eve 2012 in Times Square in NY City on December 31, 2011The crowds were getting primed in Times Square for the big New Years Eve ball drop with music by Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Justin Bieber with Santana and others. Hundreds of thousands people were crammed into spectator pens ringed by barricades, enjoying surprisingly warm weather for the Northeast this time of year. The National Weather Service said Saturday it was about 49 degrees in Central Park. Thats about 10 degrees warmer than normal. One reveler from Ecuador says the weather was amazing. Ron Martin says hes super-excited to be in the city to mark the beginning of 2012. Meanwhile, dozens of Occupy Wall Street demonstrators returned Zuccotti Park, the plaza they held for two months before police kicked them out in November. On Saturday night, they were again met by police. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.