Blockbuster drops prices in U.K.

Don't count out Blockbuster's brick-and-mortar stores at this time -- a minimum of not within the U.K. The rental chain has introduced a brand new initiative in the traditional stores which will lower the rental cost of numerous recent photos to 99p. ''Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows 1,'' ''Tron: Legacy'' and ''Meet the Fockers'' are probably the game titles the shop is going to be leasing at a lower price Blockbuster can also be decreasing the cost of their gaming rental fees to five pounds for five nights. The cost change also includes Blu-Ray. The shop is attempting to make leasing physical copies of films, games and Television show more tech-friendly having a smartphone application that can help clients to order movies. The organization also did not miss the chance to take a chance at rival Netflix. ''(A)t a period when rivals coping plunging share prices or higher-stretching themselves to provide, it provides me with and also the relaxation from the Blockbuster team an enormous feeling of pride that people are capable of have the ability to get this to radical change,'' stated commercial director Gerry Butler inside a release. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol will receive a complete trailer

We now have formerly stood a pretty tantalising look at Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol like a teaser, but an entire trailer has finally showed up online.It basically develops which we now have already seen, giving a far greater sense of the story and putting the astounding action sequences in context.It's searching like Kaira Bird bakes an appropriate transition from animation to reside in action, as well as the plot seems satisfyingly simple: the IMF are situated up, and will need to go rogue to apparent their title.And let's tell the truth, many of us are a litte interested for the reason that one now everyone knows it'll give to us a glimpse in a few momemts in the Dark Dark evening Increases (if you see it in 70mm IMAX no less than).See the full trailer the next:Goal: Impossible - Ghost Protocol opens on 26 December 2011.

The immortalization of Mickey

Mickey Rourke in 'The Immortals'Tarsem Singh was talking with uncle David Fincher about casting his new film "Immortals." "I would like an authentic bad-ass guy," the helmer mentioned, to see the bloodthirsty, energy-mad King Hyperion.Singh recalls, "I used to be reading through through off names. The initial was Mickey Rourke. And Fincher mentioned, 'Don't read another title. That guy, if you are capable of getting him, you can't get yourself a worse guy. Rourke might be the theif you need.A That could it happen to be. I desired a guy that was bigger-than-existence. And Mickey's first first got it in spades."Then Singh met with Rourke. "He's this really bad boy, in his hands he's the smallest dog you have seen. He's almost saying, 'I wish to be really macho, but If only to use a pink thong.' You just understand that this individual is for certain of other nutritional foods. I merely mentioned, 'Fuck me, he's it.' "The larger-than-existence Rourke closed the sale, now roars into Relativity Media's 3-D, visual effects loaded epic just like a despot who conducts a murderous rampage to beat the earth.Rourke, themselves, has mastered the equally tumultuous arena of Hollywood. Or even that's reconquered."Look, I'd work which i place it away," Rourke has mentioned. "I wasn't accountable for anything, which i didn't be careful. I used to be under professional. There has been a couple of a few things i credited towards the machine or other people nevertheless it was Mickey Rourke who screwed everything up, not Hollywood or any director or producer."The actor, who cast off his career in 1991 for just about any 4 1/2-year stint just like a boxer after which it resurfaced spectacularly in 2007 with "The Wrestler," will plant his prizefighting ft in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater on, correctly enough, Halloween Day."He's hard his comeback," certifies "Immortals" professional producer Tucker Tooley. "He'll have projects that are well recognized and projects that are not well-received. But he's this kind of great actor that he'll be around for just about any very very long time."Rourke was what "Immortals" producers Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari needed. "We wanted what Jack Nicholson introduced for the Joker, and what Tony Hopkins brought to Hannibal Lecter," states Canton. "And Mickey was really the only place where we understood methods for getting it."Gianni adds, "It's the way he inhales. The means by that they moves his face. He brings another dimension with a character. He's a mythological bad king, but he's very modern within the desires of conquering. He's a King Hyperion slash Mickey Rourke."Rourke may be in the fight game, but producers contend their star still likes an excellent verbal feet-to-feet."Mickey influences ring with everyone," Canton states getting fun. "He's very tough guy. And he's very apparent regarding their own opinions. He doesn't lower again. He's tried to kill Gianni and me on several occasions. I am certain that his existence encounters have brought to his role. It's my job to volunteer another individuals to visit see Mickey first."Singh highlights, "Mickey's character must put everyone on edge. And Mickey does not suffer fools. They are fully aware who he thinks can be a jerk and who's not. You don't understand what measures he will push anything. You permit a guy such as this a spear as well as the simplest line, and everybody's on edge since you've got no clue where he's going."The helmer is constantly on the recall one of many memorable instances on set: "Hyperion's minions placed on masks after they speak with him. The heavens asked for me, 'Can I remove my mask with this particular scene?' I mentioned, 'Well, 'I haven't told Mickey that. Proceed. But I am unsure what he is going to do.' And so the guy needed off his mask behind Mickey."The director saved the cameras moving as they didn't know very well what happens, which he understood it absolutely was only likely to occur once."Mickey's eating walnuts," Singh continues. "He removes and sees this minion without his mask and moves closer to him. Mickey's wearing this helmet with sharp things being launched from this. I used to be wanting he wouldn't mind-butt the actor because he'd probably kill him with this particular helmet. The guy got really uncomfortable. After which it got really afraid. Mickey moved in even closer. After which it Mickey just gave him a walnut and mentioned, 'Go be useful elsewhere.' The guy am relieved to obtain the fuck after that. The King just gave him a fucking walnut. That scene really labored. It's much like handling a pet or possibly a young child. Mickey originates from another planet." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

How Attacking Youthful Boys Increased being everyone Face of Copyright Reform (Analysis)

Charles Eshelman/Getty Images A few days ago, we written about Fight money for hard times, a not-for-profit that started a deal and website referred to asInchTotally free Bieber," warning that pop star Attacking Youthful Boys could face five years jail time if copyright laws and regulations and rules were amended. A good deal has happened since, so that it's time to update.our editor indicates Attacking Youthful Boys Might be the 'Real Deal' together with a Extended Career States Reality TV Producer'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' Producer Stresses Requirement for Social MediaCould Justin Biebers Never Say Never Get yourself a Best Doc Oscar Nomination? Fight money for hard times expresses be worried about S. 978,which might make unauthorized web streaming of copyrighted work a legal, and states Bieber's freedom is at risk. STORY: Attacking Youthful Boys Picks 5 Tunes That Inspire Him The crowd highlights that Bieberbecame famous consequently ofposting covers of popular R&B tunes to YouTube, which may be true, but hardly comprises illegal streaming beneath the recommended legislation. Here's whyBieber remains safe and secure from jail even if regulations passes. Following a website got attention, the singer's reps increased being upset over how a singer have been used just like a prop.So Bieber's lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letterto shut lower "Free Bieber," fighting the web site itself was breaking his trademark, privacy and publicity rights, doing things like promising the look of "Free Bieber" t-t t shirts while using teen star proven behind jail bars. Several music artist guilds offer opposed the "Free Bieber" movement, fighting the recommended bill really helps artists like Bieber. STORY: Attacking Youthful Boys's 'Under the Mistletoe' Headed for Platinum? Sells 164,000 in Pre-orders Fight money for hard times maintained the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the nonprofit legal advocacy group, which returned fire witha replythatmakes the problem that no laws and regulations and rules are actually broken in the operation of "Free Bieber." The EFF dismisses trademark allegationsbecause it's a political website making fair standby time with the term "Attacking Youthful Boys,Inch rejects a privacy claim because "we can not fathom how this political campaign at all trespasses on any privacy right your very public client might assert," and states there's no publicity rights breach because of freedom of expression. Basically, groups needs to be allowed maintain stars to produce political points. EXCLUSIVE: Attacking Youthful Boys: 'With Time Off Work Work, I'm Capable of Think, Pray and Develop' Then, Bieber got round the radio making claims which will make us question if his reps are really speaking to with him on these complaints. A hidden host introduced Bieber for the recommended legislation -- not always doing an admirable job, inside our opinion -- and Bieber responded the lawmaker who crafted the total amount "should be guaranteed.Inch Regulations was recommended by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. Bieber made the comment as if it had been the first time he's discovered these complaints. Is he used just like a prop by both sides in the problem? Here's the audio. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Attacking Youthful Boys Attacking Youthful Boys: Never Say Never

Michael Fassbender on Sexual Deviance in 'A Dangerous Method' and 'Shame' (Video)

The amount of stars have you considered who may portray -- in one twelve several weeks -- a mid-1800s literary icon, a mid-last century super-villain, an early on-last century mental health specialist, together with a twenty-first century sex addict? Let me answer to suit your needs: very couple of. That, however, is strictly what Michael Fassbender, a 34-year-old German-born/Irish-bred actor, has carried out 2011, in Cary Fukunaga's spring period piece Jane Eyre (released on March 11), Matthew Vaughn's summer season blockbuster X-Males: Top Quality (released on May 26), David Cronenberg's historic drama A Dangerous Method (likely to be on November 23), and Steve McQueen's gritty character study Shame (likely to be on December 2), correspondingly. Getting annually such as this, it's no real surprise that people take an opportunity that Fassbender -- whom I asked in NY captured -- may find yourself getting a best actor Oscar jerk for every one of his fall films.our editor recommendsThe Dirty Dozen: Films that Narrowly Avoided an NC-17Nudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to OscarSex Sells at Toronto Film Festival After we discuss inside the video near the top of this publish... PHOTOS: The Dirty Dozen: Films That Narrowly Avoided an NC-17 Fassbender first began acting properly somewhat over about 10 years ago, following years of be employed in amateur productions and concentrate with some other teachers throughout Europe. His initial few auditions were for parts in Michael Bay's action flick Jewel Harbor (2000) as well as the Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg's Cinemax small-series Gang of Brothers and sisters (2001) he lost the first sort to Film Clip, but plastic box the 2nd (london), and very soon next, at 24, made the big jump across water-feature to Hollywood. After which it... nothing. He recalls that, despite his best efforts, he "didn't have work" for 3 several days, and ultimately made a decision in your thoughts to Europe until he'd a very good reason revisit America again. It switched that need considering a wise move. Around 2007, Gary Davy, a casting director, suggested to Fassbender he meet up getting a man named Steve McQueen, whose parents apparently either did not recall the sixties or preferred to experience something from the joke on him, and who had co-written and wanted to direct a film about Bobby Sands, an connect in the Irish Republican Military who was simply jailed in Northern Ireland through the Troubles and introduced a 1981 hunger strike that received media attention around the globe. Fassbender and McQueen originated from that meeting very impressed with each other -- Fassbender recalls thinking, "This individual differsInch -- and McQueen offered him the part. Fassbender dove inside it, body and soul, and wound up losing roughly 40 pounds, and he looked practically skeletal. PHOTOS: Telluride Film Festival: 12 Films to know Fassbender's performance wasn't seen with the public, nevertheless it was seen broadly within the industry, and many likely considered into Quentin Tarantino's decision to cast him just like a British Military officer in Inglourious Basterds (2009), which introduced him to his biggest audience yet. Then came Andrea Arnold's Aquarium (2010), Jimmy Hayward's Jonah Hex (2010), and several other medium-profile photos, which with one another paved the means by which for your actor's incredible 2011. Jane Eyre was welcomed with strong reviews (Roger Ebert cheered Fassbender's "threatening charm") X-Males: Top Quality did boffo business (it assigned el born area-office on its opening weekend with $55 milion in ticket sales) together with a Dangerous Method and Shame, because both versions opened up to great acclaim at September's Venice Film Festival (Fassbender was named for your latter). STORY: Sex Sells at Toronto Film Festival The Two fall films both happen to explore sexual deviance -- Fassbender, as Jung, spanks Keira Knightley, who plays his sex-hungry patient, in Method, and, as "a unlucky character who's searching for closeness, searching for an association, and, yet, is scared of closeness," compulsively spanks his "monkey," as it were, in Shame. While almost no graphic distribution are found in Method, it's pervasive throughout Shame (including moments of full frontal nudity for Fassbender and co-star Carey Mulligan), which introduced many -- including this author -- to wonder if it maybe have you been seen outdoors in the festival circuit, or possibly it may be banished with a fate like individuals of Hunger. Since it calculates, Fox Searchlight made a decision to consider a risk about it, despite the fact that it absolutely was likely determined to find the dreaded NC-17 rating within the MPAA (it did the other day), and studio reps tell me that could well finish as something from the landmark film, since most art-house theaters that have been offered the film have welcomed it with open arms. What -- aside from most likely the very first Oscar jerk of his career -- is next for Fassbender? STORY: Nudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to Oscar Inside a NY Film Festival Q&A, he mentioned, "Once I was 17 which i started off transporting this out, my dream wound up being to satisfy a director, and to experience a relationship getting a director, like [Martin] Scorsese/[Robert] P Niro... that could be the very best, to experience a collaboration such as this, also to be around the wavelength that effective with somebody, which is a few things i am lucky to find with Steve [McQueen]." Once we met for that interview, he added about McQueen, "He's merely a great guy which we've become really close, on / off set. You understand, there exists a very quick approach to working -- very quick short-hands -- which we're on one wave-length, plus it's just fun." Therefore, it had not been everything surprising -- but nevertheless thrilling -- to hear since Fassbender will reunite with McQueen -- and also the Shame co-star Mulligan and Basterds co-star Kaira Pitt -- for his next film, Twelve Years a Slave.

Might Be The Actual or Fake Herman Cain Commercial More amusing?

Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert states he's been "adopted having a Category-5 Herman Cain."And part of what is the host in the Colbert Report so taken with the Republican presidential candidate can be a campaign commercial featuring the first sort Godfather's Pizza CEO's chief of staff, Mark Block. He coolly smokes a cigarette and will be offering the candidate. As Colbert notes, the internet video indicates "there's anything American than smoking cigarettes.InchExamine out Colbert's full undertake the unusual place -- and also the sendups from this: The Colbert Report Convey More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

NBC Lands Comedy From '30 Minutes or Less' Scribe, Jack Black (Exclusive)

Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesJack Black NBC is within love -- using the Internet. The network has given a script resolve for just one-camera Internet love story from half an hour or Less scribe Michael Diliberti with Jack Black mounted on executive produce. The untitled comedy, from twentieth century Fox Television, Reveille and Black's Electric Dynamite, involves two sweet but colossally unfit youthful individuals who meet on the internet and fall under an abrupt, unmanageable bout of real love, much towards the disapproval on most everybody within their lives. PHOTOS: Jack Black, 'SNL' Stars Salute Kennedy Center Honoree Will Ferrell Diliberti, whose credits likewise incorporate becoming an connect producer around the feature Stop-Loss, is mounted on pen the project and executive produce alongside Black in addition to Reveille's Carolyn Bernstein and Todd Cohen. The project marks the most recent work for Black's Reveille-based Electric Dynamite shingle this development season. The organization also offers a Josh Lieb multicamera comedy setup at Fox in regards to a brother and sister who live together. Diliberti, repped by WME, New School Media and Morris Yorn, also composed the script towards the approaching has Comic Disadvantage feature. Jack Black NBC TV Development

City Center to Reopen After $56 Million Spruce-Up

NY (AP) For one of the oldest major performing arts venues in NY one that's hosted many of the world's premier artists for nearly 70 years City Center seems to have had something of a self-esteem problem.It seated over 2,700 people in its main theater, but many of those seats were uncomfortable, the sightlines less than desirable. The lobby felt small and crowded. The beautiful vaulted ceiling in the upstairs lobby was dulled with layers of wear and dust.The distinctive neo-Moorish facade, a city landmark, was barely visible from the street because of dark green awnings in front of it. And you couldn't see the building, located on West 55th Street, from either nearby corner.In short, though it's only a block from the more famous Carnegie Hall, likely no one ever joked, "How do you get to City Center?" (Practice, practice, practice.)But all this is changing.NY City Center, proudly inaugurated by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1943, is being reintroduced this week following a renovation to the tune of $56 million. Old layers of paint have been scraped away with razor blades, original color schemes restored. Seats have been ripped out, replaced with plusher, wider models. Better sloping has improved sightlines.Outside, those nondescript green awnings have been removed, replaced by a marquee that shows off the sandstone facade. And hello, self-esteem! illuminated signs are now visible from Sixth and Seventh avenues in Midtown Manhattan."This place has been around a long time, and was truly getting a little dreary," its president and CEO, Arlene Shuler, said in an interview last week as workers around her applied the finishing touches. "People would come here for performances, but not know they were coming to City Center. We felt it was very important to be more competitive in this environment."The building known now as City Center actually began as a home to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, otherwise known as the Shriners. "They'd been using Carnegie Hall as their meeting house, but Carnegie Hall didn't like all the cigar smoke. So they built their own place a block away," said Duncan Hazard, the chief architect on the job.In 1943, though, the Shriners could no longer keep it and the building was headed for demolition, until LaGuardia and the city council took it over and turned it into an arts center. (It's still owned by the city, which was the major donor to the capital campaign that paid for the renovation.) At the opening, LaGuardia himself took the baton to conduct the NY Philharmonic in the national anthem. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is scheduled to conduct, as well, at a star-studded reopening Tuesday.City Center was a major home for NY culture for decades early on, as an alternative to Broadway theater, and the original home of NY City Ballet and NY City Opera. When those companies later moved to the newly built Lincoln Center, it became underused. It was refocused as a major dance center, and today is home to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which recently signed a new 10-year deal and to American Ballet Theatre's fall season. It brings in countless visiting troupes, from the Kirov to flamenco performers to tango groups.It also hosts the extremely popular Fall for Dance Festival, a 10-day smorgasbord of global dance that sold out in five hours this year (it begins later this week) and the equally popular Encores! musical theater series. In a smaller theater, it houses the Manhattan Theater Club.One recent loss was the Paul Taylor Dance Company, which recently announced a move to Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater, newly vacated by NY City Opera.Shuler hopes they will return, and that the renovation will draw others, of course. Leading a reporter around the new digs, she and Hazard began on the stage now refitted with a sprung floor, kinder to dancers' feet. Out in the audience, a worker in a cherry-picker was cleaning the domed ceiling with what looked like a giant mop."Over a few unfortunate restorations, the color had become an unappealing gray-white," Hazard said of the theater's Moorish-style ceiling and walls. "We did some archaeology of the paint finishes, and found out the original 1923 color scheme." Now, there are vivid blues and greens.There's also a spiffy new lighting booth. But the first challenge was to improve those sightlines. Undesirable seats were ripped out, bringing the seat count down to 2,250 from over 2,700. Rows were also resloped, adding to better visibility, and staggered. Seats were widened, too, with better cushioning for the derriere.The renovation, which was completed over two summers to minimize disruption, also focused on the inner and outer lobbies. Patrons now enter from the sides of the auditorium, creating more lobby space and improving audience flow.The outer lobby now has a bar, and paned glass doors so one can see in from the street. And for all the faithful reconstruction, a contemporary touch has found its way in: Large video monitors in the inner lobby, which will host three video installations per year.There are added elevators, and even the restrooms have been redone with an eye to Moorish style. (And cast and crew now have their own restroom on stage level, something they were lacking.)Shuler and Hazard seemed especially proud of the Grand Tier lobby, a level up from the orchestra, with its colorfully painted vaulted ceiling and the desert-themed murals on the walls.Restoring the ceiling, workers with razor blades scraped off layers of paint and shellac for four to five months. "It was a real labor of love," said Shuler.On the other hand, the upstairs lobby floor had been buffed with so much love last week that it was dangerously slippery underfoot. That will be adjusted, Shuler said.Back in the theater, sitting in the best Grand Tier seats, Shuler said she believed they were the best seats in the city, bar none they hang over row H, bringing one close to the stage, yet above it.Hopefully, she said, more people will know about them now."We think people are going to be aware now that they're coming to City Center," Shuler said.___If You Go... NY CITY CENTER: 130 W. 55th St., between Sixth and Seventh Avenues; http://nycitycenter.org or 212-581-1212. Easily reached by subway and bus (directions on the website.)WHAT'S ON: All offerings on City Center's Mainstage and at its two smaller stages are listed on its website. After the Oct. 25 reopening gala, the sold-out Fall for Dance Festival runs Oct. 27-Nov. 6, featuring five wildly diverse dance programs. Other upcoming highlights:American Ballet Theatre, Nov. 8-13."Richard II" from the Pearl Theatre Company, Nov. 8-Dec. 24.Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Nov. 30-Jan. 1.WHERE TO EAT: The City Center website lists 30 restaurants nearby, including Molyvos (Greek), the Russian Tea Room and Osteria del Circo (Italian). For quick snacks, try Dean & Deluca, 156 W. 56th St.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Jocelyn Noveck October 24, 2011 PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Mark Lennihan NY (AP) For one of the oldest major performing arts venues in NY one that's hosted many of the world's premier artists for nearly 70 years City Center seems to have had something of a self-esteem problem.It seated over 2,700 people in its main theater, but many of those seats were uncomfortable, the sightlines less than desirable. The lobby felt small and crowded. The beautiful vaulted ceiling in the upstairs lobby was dulled with layers of wear and dust.The distinctive neo-Moorish facade, a city landmark, was barely visible from the street because of dark green awnings in front of it. And you couldn't see the building, located on West 55th Street, from either nearby corner.In short, though it's only a block from the more famous Carnegie Hall, likely no one ever joked, "How do you get to City Center?" (Practice, practice, practice.)But all this is changing.NY City Center, proudly inaugurated by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1943, is being reintroduced this week following a renovation to the tune of $56 million. Old layers of paint have been scraped away with razor blades, original color schemes restored. Seats have been ripped out, replaced with plusher, wider models. Better sloping has improved sightlines.Outside, those nondescript green awnings have been removed, replaced by a marquee that shows off the sandstone facade. And hello, self-esteem! illuminated signs are now visible from Sixth and Seventh avenues in Midtown Manhattan."This place has been around a long time, and was truly getting a little dreary," its president and CEO, Arlene Shuler, said in an interview last week as workers around her applied the finishing touches. "People would come here for performances, but not know they were coming to City Center. We felt it was very important to be more competitive in this environment."The building known now as City Center actually began as a home to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, otherwise known as the Shriners. "They'd been using Carnegie Hall as their meeting house, but Carnegie Hall didn't like all the cigar smoke. So they built their own place a block away," said Duncan Hazard, the chief architect on the job.In 1943, though, the Shriners could no longer keep it and the building was headed for demolition, until LaGuardia and the city council took it over and turned it into an arts center. (It's still owned by the city, which was the major donor to the capital campaign that paid for the renovation.) At the opening, LaGuardia himself took the baton to conduct the NY Philharmonic in the national anthem. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is scheduled to conduct, as well, at a star-studded reopening Tuesday.City Center was a major home for NY culture for decades early on, as an alternative to Broadway theater, and the original home of NY City Ballet and NY City Opera. When those companies later moved to the newly built Lincoln Center, it became underused. It was refocused as a major dance center, and today is home to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which recently signed a new 10-year deal and to American Ballet Theatre's fall season. It brings in countless visiting troupes, from the Kirov to flamenco performers to tango groups.It also hosts the extremely popular Fall for Dance Festival, a 10-day smorgasbord of global dance that sold out in five hours this year (it begins later this week) and the equally popular Encores! musical theater series. In a smaller theater, it houses the Manhattan Theater Club.One recent loss was the Paul Taylor Dance Company, which recently announced a move to Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater, newly vacated by NY City Opera.Shuler hopes they will return, and that the renovation will draw others, of course. Leading a reporter around the new digs, she and Hazard began on the stage now refitted with a sprung floor, kinder to dancers' feet. Out in the audience, a worker in a cherry-picker was cleaning the domed ceiling with what looked like a giant mop."Over a few unfortunate restorations, the color had become an unappealing gray-white," Hazard said of the theater's Moorish-style ceiling and walls. "We did some archaeology of the paint finishes, and found out the original 1923 color scheme." Now, there are vivid blues and greens.There's also a spiffy new lighting booth. But the first challenge was to improve those sightlines. Undesirable seats were ripped out, bringing the seat count down to 2,250 from over 2,700. Rows were also resloped, adding to better visibility, and staggered. Seats were widened, too, with better cushioning for the derriere.The renovation, which was completed over two summers to minimize disruption, also focused on the inner and outer lobbies. Patrons now enter from the sides of the auditorium, creating more lobby space and improving audience flow.The outer lobby now has a bar, and paned glass doors so one can see in from the street. And for all the faithful reconstruction, a contemporary touch has found its way in: Large video monitors in the inner lobby, which will host three video installations per year.There are added elevators, and even the restrooms have been redone with an eye to Moorish style. (And cast and crew now have their own restroom on stage level, something they were lacking.)Shuler and Hazard seemed especially proud of the Grand Tier lobby, a level up from the orchestra, with its colorfully painted vaulted ceiling and the desert-themed murals on the walls.Restoring the ceiling, workers with razor blades scraped off layers of paint and shellac for four to five months. "It was a real labor of love," said Shuler.On the other hand, the upstairs lobby floor had been buffed with so much love last week that it was dangerously slippery underfoot. That will be adjusted, Shuler said.Back in the theater, sitting in the best Grand Tier seats, Shuler said she believed they were the best seats in the city, bar none they hang over row H, bringing one close to the stage, yet above it.Hopefully, she said, more people will know about them now."We think people are going to be aware now that they're coming to City Center," Shuler said.___If You Go... NY CITY CENTER: 130 W. 55th St., between Sixth and Seventh Avenues; http://nycitycenter.org or 212-581-1212. Easily reached by subway and bus (directions on the website.)WHAT'S ON: All offerings on City Center's Mainstage and at its two smaller stages are listed on its website. After the Oct. 25 reopening gala, the sold-out Fall for Dance Festival runs Oct. 27-Nov. 6, featuring five wildly diverse dance programs. Other upcoming highlights:American Ballet Theatre, Nov. 8-13."Richard II" from the Pearl Theatre Company, Nov. 8-Dec. 24.Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Nov. 30-Jan. 1.WHERE TO EAT: The City Center website lists 30 restaurants nearby, including Molyvos (Greek), the Russian Tea Room and Osteria del Circo (Italian). For quick snacks, try Dean & Deluca, 156 W. 56th St.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Coens Choose Oscar Isaac, and 5 Other Stories You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Friday! Also in today’s edition of The Broadsheet: What will they call the Zorro reboot?… John Singleton closes in on the Tupac biopic… The Whistleblower gets its UN close-up… You’ll never guess what opened the Mumbai Film Festival… and more. · Nicolas Cage… Gabriel Byrne… John Turturro… Jeff Bridges… George Clooney… Oscar Isaac? The actor last seen getting thoroughly bloodied and abused in Drive has now inherited the prestigious job of Coen Brothers’ leading man. Isaac will take the lead in Inside Llewyn Davis, the directors’ story of the ’60s NY folk scene. Congrats to Mr. Isaac! Here’s hoping it makes for a little longer Hollywood tail than, say, Michael Stuhlbarg’s [Deadline] · Someone’s been going through Sony’s domain registration habits again, discovering The Forging of Zorro, Zorro Begins, Zorro: The Legend Begins and Z: The Legend Begins as the likely finalists for the swashbuckling reboot. I’m still a fan of Zorro: Fuck Yeah!, but noooobody listens to me. [/film] · Coming off his underperforming comedy Abduction, John Singleton is rumored to the new frontrunner for Antoine Fuqua’s old gig directing a biopic about Tupac Shakur. [Deadline] · Finally: That long-awaited UN screening of The Whistleblower — the deeply underrated Rachel Weisz film about an American who uncovers UN complicity in human trafficking in the Balkans — is happening today. [Deadline] · And the opening night film of this year’s Mumbai Film Festival is… Moneyball. Like, naturally. [THR] · Don’t have an NHL team? Join the club! But now, just in time for the new season, there’s a solution for that… Go Oilers! Or something. [Grantland]

16 Zombie Stars Hurt On Resident Evil Set

First Released: October 11, 2011 12:16 PM EDT Credit: The new sony Pictures Caption Film Fan Forum: Will Resident Evil: Afterlife three dimensional Make Fans Ravenous For Any Fifth Film Within The Franchise? TORONTO, ONT -- Within this publicity image launched by The new sony Screen Gems Films, Ali Larter, left, and Milla Jovovich are proven inside a scene from, Resident Evil: Afterlife. A minimum of 16 stars outfitted as zombies were hurt around the group of a horror movie Tuesday, March. 11, 2011, once they fell off a moving platform in a studio in Torontos west finish. The incident happened right before 8 a.m. around the group of Resident Evil: Retribution, police stated. The sufferers were putting on costumes and makeup, which makes it harder for deck hands to evaluate their injuries, stated Toronto EMS spokesperson Peter Macintyre. (AP Photo/Screen Gems) TORONTO (AP) 16 stars outfitted as zombies were hurt Tuesday once they fell from the platform throughout filming of the new movie within the Resident Evil series, authorities stated. Toronto emergency medical spokesperson Peter Macintyre stated the sufferers costumes managed to get difficult in the beginning for deck hands to evaluate the seriousness of their injuries. Paramedics taken care of immediately the phone call from Cinespace Film Galleries around 8 a.m. to locate what made an appearance because of Hollywood effects makeup to become individuals who had experienced some untold catastrophe. I saw the appearance around the first paramedic, saying My dear God, Toronto emergency medical services Commander David Rob stated having a laugh. Toronto Police Sgt. Andrew Gibson stated responders rapidly determined which zombies were hurt and that have been just in character. It did type of catch us unawares whenever we walked in, he stated. Because it switched out, the sufferers had experienced leg, back and arm injuries. Twelve were come to a hospital. Authorities stated no injuries are thought existence-threatening. Police Constable Tony Vella stated the stars have been filming a scene on the high wheeled platform. The woking platform moved because they would another platform, departing a gap into that the zombies fell. Cinespace Film Galleries didn't immediately react to a request comment. Resident Evil: Retribution may be the fifth installment of the franchise in line with the popular gaming series and will also be written by Screen Gems and The new sony Pictures. Lead actress Milla Jovovich was this is not on set during the time of the accident, based on her representative Christine Tripicchio. Vella stated the incident is classified being an industrial accident. Canadas Secretary of state for Labor is looking into. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Friday B.O.: 'Real Steel' punches up $25 mil

'Real Steel'Early Friday box office returns indicate that Shawn Levy's "Real Steel" will hit at least $25 million this weekend, making it the first new wide-release to win the domestic B.O. in a month. Pic, budgeted at north of $110 million, is projected to earn between $9 and $11 million for Friday, making B.O. observers peg the film in the mid to high $20 million range. Some B.O. watchers say that the pic is likely to benefit from word of mouth buzz and family auds on Saturday. Second place will likely go to George Clooney's "Ides of March," which B.O. watchers say will earn between $3.5 and $4 million Friday, putting it on pace to gross around $11 million for the weekend. Meanwhile "Dolphin Tale," which won last weekend in its sophomore sesh, is once again holding over well, with a projected take of at least $10 million for its 3rd frame -- a 29% drop from last weekend. With the 3D re-release of "The Lion King" gobbling up admissions since its Sept. 16 bow, the last original pic to take first place was "Contagion," which opened Sept. 9. Among other holdovers, "50/50" is projected to earn a $4.5 million to $5.5 million for in its second week, while "Courageous" is expected to drop about 50% from last weekend and earn near $4.5 million. B.O. observers expect "Dream House" and "What's Your Number" to drop about 50% to 55% for the weekend, projecting $4 million and $2.5 million cumes, respectively. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Sell Comedy to ABC (Exclusive)

ABC has nabbed a multicamera comedy from Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.our editor recommendsWhite House Drama From 'Cowboys & Aliens,' 'Robot Chicken' Teams Lands at ABC The pair, along with long-time business partner James Lassiter, have sold the Untitled Romeo Project, with singerAnthony "Romeo" Santostapped to star. PHOTOS: Fall TV Death Pool: Which New Show Will Be Axed First? The project, which hails from ABC Studios and their Overbrook Entertainment, centers on a charasmatic Dominican-American (Romeo) from Washington Heights, who tries to please his very traditional, immigrant father while also creating a life that reflects his new vision of the American Dream. (While the character differs significantly from the singer's real life, the father-son relationship is reminiscent of Romeo's with his father.) STORY: Mark Gordon Sells Home Security Comedy to ABC Chris Pappas and Mike Bernier (Unhitched, One Night Stan) will serve as writers and executive producers on the project, with the Smiths and Lassiter attached as non-writing executive producers. If ultimately ordered to series, it would join a growing cadre of Smith projects, including films The Karate Kid and The Secret Life of Bees, along with Broadway's Fela! and TNT's since-canceled Hawthorne. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Topics ABC Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith TV Development

Imax to screen 'Mission: Impossible 4' early

'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'For the first time ever inside the U.S., Imax could possibly get first crack inside a major studio tentpole before almost every other exhib: Paramount's "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" launches in Imax on 12 ,. 16, before its country wide release on 12 ,. 21.Componen confirmed the move the other day, though Imax handled to obtain official around the finish Wednesday morning."Ghost Protocol," the fourth installment inside the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, can be a natural fit with an early Imax bow, since a part of the film (roughly 30 minutes) was shot with Imax cameras, put in their changing focus on fanboy product.Additionally, it's known that Componen cake cake toppers Kaira Grey and Make the most of Moore, additionally to "Ghost Protocol" helmer Kaira Bird and Tom Cruise, are particularly full of format. "'Mission: Impossible' will probably be among the highlights in the holiday movie season and that we are thrilled to talk about the film with audiences at the beginning of Imax," Moore mentioned.Imax Boss Richard Gelfond added: "We're feeling the first relieve this blockbuster film might help generate extra buzz and incremental revenue for Imax as well as the box office overall."The exclusive Imax bow for "Ghost Protocol" functions just like a trial run for potential future tentpoles beginning at the beginning of Imax. "The sequences shot with Imax cameras, combined while using visionary storytelling of Kaira Bird and incredible scope from the film will -- mark my words -- blow audiences away," mentioned Imax prexy Greg Promote.Formerly, Imax has launched photos overseas only, most recently with "Cowboys and Aliens." That pic didn't screen in your area in Imax because of their prior summer season obligations to films like "Transformers: Dark in the Moon" and "Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."Up next for Imax is Disney-DreamWorks' "Real Steel" on March. 7. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Shocking Elimination On Dancing!

First Published: October 4, 2011 10:36 PM EDT Credit: ABC Caption The cast of Dancing with the Stars, Week 3, Oct. 3, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A shockwave went through the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday when the latest celebrity was eliminated. (SPOILER this story contains the results of Dancing with the Stars.) Despite dancing a Beyonce-inspired samba to a score of 24 out of 30, and being cheered on by her former fiance, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, during Monday nights competition show, Kristin Cavallari was eliminated from DWTS on Tuesdays results show. Um, Im a little surprised to be honest, Kristin said, after learning the news, which left several of the DWTS cast members with their mouths agape. But Ive had such a great time and its been an awesome experience. So, you know, it is what it is. Kristins elimination also takes her professional partner, Mark Ballas, out of the competition. I was just really proud of Kristin, she had great potential and I thought she killed it last night, Mark said. I was honored to be her partner. This isnt the first time Mark has faced a shocking elimination. Back in 2007, during Season 5 of the show, Mark and his then partner, Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan, who many considered a frontrunner in the competition, were sent home in Week 6, after unusually low scores for the pair, following a foxtrot. On Tuesdays show, soccer star Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy were also placed in the bottom group, but were saved to dance again. AH Nation Poll: Did the right person go home on Dancing with the Stars? Click HERE to vote! Also carrying on, despite landing at the bottom of the leaderboard for two weeks in a row, was Chaz Bono and pro Lacey Schwimmer. Chaz learned he was safe early on in the elimination show and quickly hit Twitter to share his gratitude for the outpouring of support from the fans, which has continued to keep the couple in, despite their low scores. I wish I could thank each & every one of you personally for your votes. YOU are the reason @LaceySchwimmer & I ARE DANCING AGAIN next week!! he Tweeted, adding. This is the most amazing experience. #SAFE #DWTS. And next week, the experience is set to grow for the contestant. His mother, superstar entertainer Cher, revealed via Twitter on Monday night, she would be in the audience if Chaz made it through to week 4. hope Chaz hangs on till next week so I can come sit in the Audience & Watch, she wrote. Dancing with the Stars returns with a theme of Movie Scores on Monday at 8/7 on ABC. Former pro Julianne Hough will be back on set, dancing to promote her feature film, Footloose. She also hinted she would perform with brother Derek Hough. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Amazing Race's Ron and Bill: We Couldn't Recover From Two Bad Cabbies

Ron Zeitz and Bill Smith Flight attendants and domestic partners Ron Zeitz and Bill Smith started Leg 2 of The Amazing Race 19 in last place and stayed there, eventually becoming the second team axed in the show's first double elimination. Their fate was sealed when they were one of the eight teams who missed the additional clue at the orphanage, but the bad luck started with not one, but two bad cab drivers. Find out what you didn't see on the episode and what they think of the extra clue hidden in plain sight.Amazing Race's Ethan and Jenna: We prefer SurvivorYou were in last the whole leg. Why did you get off to such a bad start?Bill: We make no excuses at all, but - you hear this all the time on the Race - because they can't show everything that happens, you don't see what cab works, what cab didn't. But when we arrived in Jakarta, we were first at the train. The second we landed in Yogyakarta, it was downhill with taxis. Both of our taxis, which were the significant rides of that leg - nice drivers - could never get ahead. ... We never made a mistake until the orphanage. We just had the worst luck - again, it's not an excuse, but just a fact of what happened. With spelunking being a task that has to be done in the order of arrival, there's not a lot of opportunity to make up time. We just had a hard time recovering. You changed cabs once, but couldn't change again?Bill: No. One was in the middle of the night in an area we knew nothing about. The cab was lost. He was nice and all, but he pulled over and got on his cell phone for help. That put us behind. Then leaving to get to the caves, our cab driver was so afraid of all the activities that he wouldn't pull out to leave, so we ended up as the sixth cab in the line and we were in the second group. The whole time, he tried to pass people, but it was morning rush and there was no way to get around. We were stuck in that 11th spot that entire time.Ron: The only time our cab really kicked it in was when we left the spelunking and headed into the city center to do the dancing ... and then he flew right to the orphanage. He was just on it at that point, but of course, we had a lot of ground to cover. The showgirls were maybe two minutes ahead of us [leaving the Roadblock]. We knew we were right behind everything.It seemed like you were by yourselves at the Detour, or were you just at a different street corner? Ron: There were three different corners we could dance at. Jeremy and Sandy, and Marcus and Amani were just finishing when we were coming up. ... I don't know if the bikes were easier, but we were able to fly through dancing. It took, like, 15 minutes ... We knew we were still in last, but we felt like we could still make up some time. Bill: The fact that they were still there - Marcus and Amani were in the first group to leave spelunking - we were happy to see them knowing we left last. The ride from the caves to the next task was over an hour, and that's where our cab driver made up time.Amazing Race's Phil Keoghan: We have the most competitive cast yetWhat do you think of the extra clue twist?Bill: Early in the race, they said, what's cool about The Amazing Race is that they're always adding new twists, and I think that's what makes it so exciting and why we've loved it all these years. When you're a longtime fan, you're always looking for that clue box. When they gave us that emblem, that was what the clue box was, and that's what was so cool about this season. Nothing was what you expect it to be. To tag onto that with the sign - never in my wildest dreams would I have thought to look at a sign in a frame. It was a shock to us when we realized we missed it, but as racers, we never thought to look for it. We truly had to say to ourselves afterward - and I'm sure viewers did - "You now have to look at the entire surroundings because anything can be a clue." That was probably the biggest the moment. It wasn't just a clue or a clue box that could give you directions. It could be anything, including what we just thought was part of the desk. We didn't even notice it.So you never even glanced over?Ron: I think we were feeling excited that we had completed the task pretty quickly. We didn't know where we stood and then you walk in, your adrenaline's pumping, you see these young girls and you start chatting with them and you feel good about what you've been able to do. I'd say, as eight teams missed it, it was really easy to overlook.Bill: At that moment, because we knew we were 11th, we were so about taking in the moment. When we walked in and saw all those girls and the teachers, and they're clapping and yelling, I mean, truly, that moment was what we were there for. ... We were having a great time giving it to them and seeing their excitement. We should always be thinking game, but we weren't thinking game at that second because we knew what the task was. So we missed the clue, but I'll be honest, at that moment, I wasn't thinking about searching around the room for clues. Had you seen it, you would've been in ninth and safe. Does it the charity aspect of the task make it easier to swallow that you didn't?Ron: Absolutely. When we went back, we knew we were done. As we were running to the Pit Stop the first time, we saw other teams running back. We were thinking that the leg was continuing. Of course, no one's going to tell you they were turned back.Bill: When we went back, we were like, "We're back!" At that point, it was completely about the orphanage. We knew our Amazing Race was going to end, so we took the time to give it to them and wish them well because now it was just about, "Let's give them all this money. We can't change our destiny." We couldn't change anything and even if we could, it wasn't what that moment was about. Now we're giving them $300 U.S., so it's a great gift.How far behind Ethan and Jenna were you?Bill: Not far at all. They were checking in when we got to the Pit Stop. We had to wait to check in.Ron: I think there was probably 10 minutes between everyone checking in who had to go back. We passed each other going back and forth. It was also brutally warm and humid. I think part of the adrenaline in me was saying, maybe somebody was so tired they had to walk and we would miraculously pass somebody.Bill: We were struggling too and at that point, it would take an Olympic sprint to overtake somebody even 15 minutes ahead of you.Fall Preview: Get scoop on all your favorite returning showsWhat are you up to now?Ron: We're back at American [Airlines]. We're making people happy in the air. I also do home loans, so I continue to do that. ... We're waiting for Crest Whitestrips to call us because Bill was so impressed with how white our teeth were! We know Crest is going to be calling us any day now! [Laughs] But just enjoying life and taking care of our family. The reason we went on the Race was because there were a lot of medical issues with our family and they were kind of were at a nice place when we went on the Race. Now we're having some major setbacks with cancer battles, so that really is our priority as a family. Bill: We're also getting some really great messages and texts from our friends and family and [coworkers], so it's great to feel that that support too.

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TOLDJA! Paramount, New Regency Team For Darren Aronofskys Noah

BREAKING: Paramount and New Regency have formalized a deal to partner on Noah, the biblical epic that Darren Aronofsky will direct as his follow-up to the Oscar-nominated smash Black Swan. Deadline told you in late June that Paramount was going to win a project after a bidding battle with 20th Century Fox to partner with New Regency. Apparently it takes less time to build an ark and survive a biblical flood than it does to close a deal like this, but the partners have also locked in Gladiator scribe John Logan to rewrite the script by Aronofsky and Ari Handel. Aronofsky and Scott Franklin will produce it. The film is being fast tracked in hopes of getting it into production by next spring. It fits in to Paramount’s mandate to make films with global appeal.”Since I was a kid, I have been moved and inspired by the story of Noah and his family’s journey,” Aronofsky said. “The imaginations of countless generations have sparked to this epic story of faith. It’s my hope that I can present a window into Noah’s passion and perseverance for the silver screen.” Aronofsky and Logan were repped by CAA.