Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Basketball Ratings Go Lin-sane!

Charlie Sheen's return to television is imminent - his sitcom, Anger Management, will premiere at 9/8c on Thursday, June 28, Foreign exchange introduced Tuesday. Adding towards the thrillOrinsanity, comedian Russell Brand's talk show, Oddly Advantageous, will debut the identical evening at 11/10c. Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Charlie SheenSelma BlairShawnee SmithRussell BrandLouieWilfred

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Start Searching: Happy Being Gives Hanks

Katy Perry Katy Perry will jail - but it's only for her guest role just like a prison guard on Raising Hope.The 27-year-old pop-star can to research the Fox comedy's March 6 episode, the network introduced Wednesday.Katy Perry and Russell Brand finalize divorce"[Cast member] Shannon Woodward described that her friend Katy was considering carrying out a chapter which i figured, 'Why not? Let's do your friend Katy a large favor,AInch mentioned executive producer Greg Garcia in the statement. "Then she showed up and did an incredible job. She was amusing. Now people say that Katy is yet another singer. I really hope her appearance around the program helps her get her singing career started. It's a tough business."Inside the episode, Sabrina (Woodward) finds herself beneath the careful eye of Rikki (Perry), after being jailed throughout an Occupy Natesville protest. Rikki does all things in her energy to produce Sabrina's stay an unsatisfied one - until she realizes the two are actually old pals.Russell Brand files for divorce from Katy PerryPerry married comedian Russell Brand in October 2010, nevertheless the two completed their divorce captured.Growing Hope moves towards the new timeslot on Tuesday, March 6 at 8/7c on Fox.

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Alcon acquires Oren Peli's 'Chernobyl Diaries'

Alcon Entertainment has acquired United States and worldwide release privileges in Germany, The country and Japan for Oren Peli's horror-thriller "Chernobyl Journals." The film is going to be launched by Warner Bros. via Alcon's output deal on Memorial Day weekend this season. "Chernobyl" is created by Peli and John Witten ("Dark City") and directed by Kaira Parker. It had been funded and offered worldwide by FilmNation Entertainment. Alcon co-cake toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Manley are professional producers. Production happened in September and October in Eastern Europe. An authentic story by Peli, "Chernobyl Journals" is occur the town of Prypiat that when located the employees from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Story follows several buddies who, while travelling in Europe, end up stranded within the abandoned city simply to uncover that they're not by yourself. Dork Fierson, Alcon's SVP of economic Matters, introduced the film into Alcon. The offer was discussed by Alcon CFO Scott Parish, Scott Edel of Loeb & Loeb and Nancy Bruington of O'Melveny & Myers with respect to Alcon by Alison Cohen, Linda Lichter and Micah Eco-friendly with respect to Oren Peli and FilmNation. Peli authored and directed "Paranormal Activity" and it is the creator of ABC's "The Forest,Inch a paranormal jungle adventure which opened a week ago having a two-part debut. Parker offered because the visual effects supervisor on 2010's "Allow Me To In" and makes his directorial debut with this particular project. Peli is repped by CAA. Parker is repped by Paradigm. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Friday, 10 February 2012

Full House seals deals at Berlin

Following its global outlook, Paris-based Full House's first productions, "7 Days in Havana" and "11 Flowers," have started to rack up worldwide sales as well. Repped by Wild Bunch, and produced by Spain's Morena Films, Full House and Havana Club Intl., omnibus feature "Havana" has pre-sold to 35-plus territories. These include Italy (BIM Distribuzione), U.K. (Soda Pictures), Japan (Comstock) and CIS (CP Digital). Rezo releases "Havana" in France, while Golem has the pic in Spain; both aim to open before summer, Domehri said. NY's First Run Features has acquired theatrical and DVD/VOD rights to the Films Distribution-sold coming-of-age tale "11 Flowers" from China's Wang Xiaoshuai ("Chongking Blues"), the first official France-China co-production. U.S. release is skedded for around late 2012. Australia's Palace Films, Benelux's Imagine, Israel's New Cinema and Austria's Thim Film are additional buyers. Haut et Court handles French distribution. Full House was founded in 2009 by Didar Domehri, a former Films Distribution sales head; Laurent Baudens, formerly of Wild Bunch; and Gael Nouaille, who's still at Wild Bunch. The trio have knowledge of the international market, plus talent and production connections few young shingles can match. "The challenge is to secure financing. With a good script and director, and a bit of creativity, it is usually possible," said Baudens. A challenge often yields distinctive results. On "7 Days in Havana," a multi-part fictional portait of contempo Cuba, Morena and Full House had to service and cashflow the needs in Cuba of seven directors from different countries: Benicio del Toro, Pablo Trapero, Juan Carlos Tabio, Laurent Cantet, Elia Suleiman, Gaspar Noe and Julio Medem. Full House is ready to to roll on the 13 million-15 million ($17 million-$20 million) Third Reich vampire pic "I Am Legion," from a Richard Stanley script. Nacho Cerda ("Abandoned") directs. "Legion" is now out to A list European and American actors, Domehri said. Pierre Spengler's U.K. shingle Clubdeal will co-produce "Legion" with Full House and Spain's Apaches ("Intruders," "The Impossible"). Luxembourg's Red Lion ("Dust") is co-producing Full House's first French production, crime thriller "La Confrerie des larmes," from Jean Baptiste Andrea ("Dead End," "The Big Nothing"). It is skedded to roll in September, said Domehri. "Confrerie's" Luxembourg financing and co-production deal was put through in association with Paris-based consultancy Backup Films. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Monday, 6 February 2012

Nominees for best animated film

"A Cat in Paris"Why it'll win: Directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, this charming French mystery thriller starring a light-fingered cat, a little girl and the photogenic back alleys and rooftops of Paris is the other surprise wildcard in the nominations. Aimed squarely at kids, the 2D toon tells the story of 7-year-old Zoe who discovers that her cat is moonlighting as the real thing -- a cat burglar who helps a local thief steal from the rich. And its Oscar chances got a boost thanks to its Annie and European Film Award noms.Maybe not: Although the animation is pretty and the jazzy score effective, the very short feature (a mere 65 minutes) ultimately feels a little lightweight for adults. And two cat-centric films may be one too many for Oscar voters -- especially fans of "Tintin"'s Snowy who's already been kicked off the podium by a lizard and a panda."Chico & Rita"Why it'll win: In a year that's snubbed some very high-profile projects -- including "Cars 2" (making it the first Pixar film to not be nommed since the category was created 10 years ago), "The Adventures of Tintin," "Rio," "Arthur Christmas" and "Happy Feet 2," the Spanish film "Chico & Rita" is one of two little pics that could to make the cut. And it's easy to see why the winner of the European Film Award beat out some of the big boys. Co-directed by Fernando Trueba (whose "Belle Epoque" took the 1993 foreign-lingo prize), designer Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando, the small-budget ($13 million) but ambitious film for adults tells an epic story of love, passion and heartbreak set in the jazz worlds of Cuba, NY, Paris and Vegas across several decades, and is the only nom starring people rather than animals.Maybe not: While it showcases classic hand-drawn 2D animation, and also features infectious music (and animated cameos) by such jazz greats as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Cole Porter, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Tito Puente and Chano Pozo, it may be too retro for its own good."Kung Fu Panda 2"Why it'll win: The sole sequel among the bunch, the boisterous CG comedy has a lot going for it: a stellar, international voice-over cast that includes Angelina Jolie, current Oscar nom Gary Oldman and Jack Black, and its lively storyline, colorful animation and celebration of Chinese culture and art helped make it a critical and global hit (it pulled in over $653 million, of which $500 million was international). It was also the first DreamWorks Animation feature directed by a woman -- Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who graduated from such projects as "Madagascar" and "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." And that may resonate with many voters.Maybe not: Harder-hearted voters may resent the occasionally heavy-handed, self-help book approach to abandonment issues, repressed memories and the power of tears to heal."Puss in Boots"Why it'll win: Directed by "Shrek 3's" Chris Miller with an appropriately light and charming touch, executive produced by Guillermo del Toro, and produced by DreamWorks Animation, the CG 3D family-friendly feline feature, which once again stars Antonio Banderas (in his eighth performance as Puss), did surprisingly well, both critically and at the box office. Set in a golden, romanticized version of old Spain, the visually captivating prequel to the "Shrek" films racked up nearly half a billion dollars worldwide and was nominated for animated film by such bellwethers as the Globes, the Annie Awards, the PGA and the BFCA. And strong voice-over work from Puss sidekicks Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws and Zach Galifianakis as Humpty Dumpty, as well as Bill Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris as the murderous villains Jack and Jill, adds to its luster.Maybe not: Voters may feel the tabby tale is just too fluffy. And in an era of outsourcing-backlash, the fact that "Puss in Boots" was partly animated in India may not sit well."Rango"Why it'll win: With "The Adventures of Tintin" out of the running, the first animation film for both "Pirates of the Caribbean" veteran Gore Verbinski and industry VFX powerhouse ILM looks stronger than ever. Paramount pic scored universally glowing reviews (an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and charmed auds to the tune of over $242 million worldwide, making it the 18th highest-grossing film of the year. And its victory at the BFCA awards -- a reliable predictor of Oscar gold, along with a rack of crix wins can only help its chances. Aesthetically, it also marks a distinct change of pace from the usual toon offerings. Instead of cute, warm and fuzzy characters and corny jokes, this subversive Western starred a delusional bug-eyed chameleon antihero and went for offbeat humor, quirky sight-gags and a photo-real scuffed look that intentionally blurred the line between animation and live action.Maybe not: Despite critical kudos and impressive BO, its lizardy hero, unconventional attitude and funky outside-the-box visual approach may be a bit too much for play-it-safe Oscar voters.EYE ON THE OSCARS: BEST PICTURE NOMINEESBest Picture | Director | Animated Film | Documentary | Foreign Language Film Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com