• Frost/Nixon star Michael Sheen has been cast in New Moon as the leader of an Italian coven of vampires. Frankly, we were hoping for Charlie Sheen.
• Hannah Montana: The Movie topped the box office with $34 million. So should we just turn the keys to Hollywood over to the tweens now?
• Maggie Gyllenhaal will star opposite Emma Thompson in Nanny McPhee 2. The actress will receive third billing, after Thompson's comically oversized prosthetic nose.
• Seth Rogen would like to do a Pineapple Express sequel.
• Zac Efron is set to play cartoon hero Jonny Quest, with Dwayne Johnson being considered for pilot Race Bannon. Oddly, the project is going under a different title to distance itself from Speed Racer. So get ready for "Stevie Journey" in theaters soon.
• William Hurt is joining the cast of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood as the Earl of Pembroke.
Studios battle rough economy
from Variety.com - Peter Bart
Peter Bart: Shuberts rule Broadway -- In these tough times
the fringe operators are falling by the wayside, but the stalwarts like Village
Roadshow, Spyglass, Legendary and Relativity are still very much in the game.
Top-Tier Cable Networks Set to Take on Broadcast
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by bsteinberg@adage.com (Brian Steinberg)
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- There's little reason to smile
during these troubled financial times, but certain cable programmers might soon
show their pearly whites. Top-tier cable outlets are poised to do relatively
well in this year's upfront TV market negotiations, which many buyers suggest
will be onerous and protracted.
These are great times for the USA (cable network)
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID BAUDER
NEW YORK (AP) -- These may not be the best of times for the
United States, but they're great for USA.
Addressable Ads Are Here; Who's Ready?
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by ahampp@adage.com (Andrew Hampp)
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Advertisers and agencies have asked
for more-relevant TV advertising platforms for years, whether it's addressing
two different versions of the same ad to different household-income levels or
adding interactive capabilities. Now that such technologies are finally
available on a national basis, this could be the first upfront where buyers and
networks negotiate a different kind of TV ad model.
MTV Networks going high-def on Dish
from Hollywood Reporter by By Georg Szalai
Dish Network and Viacom's MTV Networks and BET Networks on
Friday unveiled an agreement to launch high-definition feeds of BET, CMT,
Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike TV and VH1 to Dish customers.
What'll Be the Breakout Star That Links TV to Net?
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by bbulik@adage.com (Beth Snyder Bulik)
YORK, Pa. (AdAge.com) -- Thanks to a confluence of factors
-- ubiquitous broadband, changing viewer habits and cheaper tech parts --
internet TV is on the verge of a breakout. However, there are still too many
interested parties trying to play a part in making a seamless connection -- and
nabbing a piece of the payoff.
FESTIVALS
Nashville Film Festival offers 258 movies
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NASHVILLE, April 12 (UPI) -- A total of 258 movies from 48
countries will be shown at the Nashville Film Festival to broaden attendees'
horizons, a festival official says.
Alexis Bledel wooed: First Look!
from EW.com: Movies
Sneak a peek at the Gilmore Girl in a new movie debuting at
the Tribeca Film Festival.
SoHo Apple Store ramps up for Tribeca Film Festival - Macworld
from TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL - Google News
Apple's trendy SoHo retail location will one again take part
in the upcoming 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Apple has a variety of
events planned that are open to the public during the festival.
MOVIES
Weekend Box Office: April 10-12, 2009
from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results
Hannah Montana The Movie tops the box office with an
estimated $34.0 million.
'Fast & Furious' tops overseas boxoffice
from Hollywood Reporter by By Frank Segers
Propelled by first-place openings in 18 fresh markets,
"Fast & Furious" handily out-muscled "Monsters vs.
Aliens" on the foreign circuit.
Weekend Estimates: "Anvil!" Top Debut; "Solo," "Nombre" Showing
Their Legs
The U.S. debut of Sacha Gervasi's "Anvil! The Story of
Anvil," a doc following the "demigods of Canadian metal," was the top
Easter weekend newcomer at the specialty box office, according to estimates.
The film - which debuted to great numbers in Canada last weekend - grossed
$34,800 from 3 screens this weekend. The Abramorama release's $11,600 was
the best per-theater-average of any reporting release - even overall box office
champ ...
'Hannah
Montana' Rules Easter Roost
from Box Office Mojo - Top Stories by by Brandon Gray
Hannah Montana The Movie rode high over Easter weekend with
an estimated $34 million, while Observe and Report and Dragonball Evolution
stumbled.
Balancing
Cuddliness and Reality
from NYT > Movies by By BROOKS BARNES
"Earth" heralds the Walt Disney Company's high-profile
return to the nature genre and presents it with a difficult balancing act.
Michael Sheen To Rule The Vampires In 'New Moon'
from Access Hollywood - Movies
Michael Sheen may have gone toe-to-toe with President
Richard Nixon as journalist David Frost in "Frost/Nixon," but he's reportedly
about to take on an even deadlier role - a "New Moon" vampire.
Movie
Review | 'Dragonball: Evolution': Possess Glittery Magic Orb, Do Martial Arts,
Save World
from NYT > Movies by By NATHAN LEE
"Dragonball" has been perfectly designed to blow the mind of
a 10-year-old boy.
Ray Liotta takes a (slight) comedic turn
from CNN.com - Entertainment
An ex-convict, a mobster, a serial killer -- after more than
two decades in the movie business, Ray Liotta is still perhaps best known for
these "bad guy" roles in such films as "Something Wild" and
"GoodFellas."
'American Violet'
from L.A. Times - Movie News
The film tells the story of a woman arrested and accused of
dealing drugs and her crusade to clear her name.
ABBA star opposes 'Mamma Mia!' sequel
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LONDON, April 12 (UPI) -- Swedish songwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus,
who helped write the ABBA tunes used in the movie "Mamma Mia!," says
he's opposed to a sequel despite the original's success.
Rob Zombie Posts First Official Image of Mike's H2 Shatner-Face
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Rob Zombie is now through with his principal photography on H2 (a
prequel to H20 and sequel to... er... H, non?) and is up to his beard
in post production.
Film:
In a World of Trailers, Unseen Stars
from NYT > Movies by By STEPHEN HEYMAN
A look at the varied talent that add a voice to coming
attractions.
Terminator Salvation Concept Art Reveals Post Apocalyptic San
Francisco
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Sarah Connor Society has gotten their hands on some new
concept art from Terminator Salvation.
'Fast And Furious 5' Already Revving Up Production
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
"Fast and Furious" star Paul Walker has revealed that the fifth
"F&F" is already revving up production.
Film:
They Really Need This Job. Watch Them Try to Get It.
from NYT > Movies by By SYLVIANE GOLD
"Every Little Step," a documentary about the audition
process for "A Chorus Line," captures every little element of what Broadway
gypsies endure to get onstage.
Early Buzz: Pixar's Up
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Pixar's new film Up has begun to screen for press,
here is some of the few bits of early buzz to leak onto the web and twitter.
Big shocker... people loved it
Fast and the Furious Five To Be Set in Brazil?
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
According to widespread reports, Paul Walker let slip some details of an
upcoming fifth film in the Fast and the Furious franchise when
appearing on the Valentine
in the Morning radio show. This isn't really a surprise - the fourth
installment had one heck of an opening, and the series overall is running at an
incredibly healthy total.
Film:
Mike Nichols, Master of Invisibility
from NYT > Movies by By CHARLES McGRATH
Mike Nichols is not an obvious choice for a retrospective at
a place as artsy and highbrow as the MoMA film department.
Now a Steve Lopez 'Soloist' Ad Draws Fire, Too
from The Wrap RSS by Sharon Waxman
The L.A. Times has found yet another way to anger readers and reporters both. A
four-page advertising section will be part of Calendar on Sunday, designed to
resemble editorial, promoting the Paramount movie, 'The Soloist.'
'Blart,' 'Observe and Report': Mall-cop comparison shopping
from USATODAY.com Movies - Top Stories
Tonally, Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Observe and Report
couldn't be more different than powdered sugar and battery acid.
American
Idol's Big Tease
from NYT > Television by By GUY TREBAY
A talented contender sets off the Web's gaydar. Some wonder
if a gay contestant can win. Others ask, why would it matter?
Simon Cowell may leave 'American Idol'
from MSNBC.com: Reality TV
"Most people do one show a year and I do three and they
involve a lot of traveling. One may have to go," Cowell, 49, told the U.K.'s
Mirror on Saturday.
'Friday Night Lights': Happy ending
from EW.com: Today's Latest Headlines by Ken Tucker
Ken Tucker recaps the fine finale of a superb season, and
(yes!) turns an eye to what comes next
MSNBC's "Friction Free," But Debate-Filled, Morning
Show
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
Newsweek's Seth Colter Walls profiles MSNBC's "Morning Joe" for the
upcoming edition of Newsweek in the wake of MSNBC topping CNN in the morning
(in A25-54 demo) for the first time since 2001.
Arts, Briefly: Promising Start for 'Parks' on NBC
from NYT > Television by By BENJAMIN TOFF; Compiled by DAVE
ITZKOFF
The debuts of "Parks and Recreation" and "Southland" gave
NBC a boost on Thursday night, according to Nielsen's estimates.
Pay attention: '24' is ticking again, and this one's a blast
from USATODAY.com Television - Top Stories
A great day is about to get better.
Fox's Glenn Beck announces comedy tour
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID BAUDER
NEW YORK (AP) -- Glenn Beck, Fox News Channel's latest
sensation, is taking a comedy show on the road for six live performances over
six days during the first week of June.
Hundreds attend 'Survivor' audition in Md.
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
CATONSVILLE, Md., April 12 (UPI) -- More than 400 people
gathered at a car dealership in Catonsville, Md., for a chance to be a
contestant on the reality TV series "Survivor," attendees say.
SNL: Zac Efron Hosts, Biden Welcomes Obama Home, Weekend Update
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
Zac Efron of "High School Musical" fame hosted
this week's Saturday Night Live.
Arts, Briefly: TNT Cancels 'Trust Me'
from NYT > Television by By STUART ELLIOTT; Compiled by DAVE
ITZKOFF
"Trust Me," a comedy-drama about a fictitious advertising
agency in Chicago, was canceled by TNT on Friday after a single season.
Glenn Beck and Larry King Get "Super"
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
Current TV's "SuperNews" regularly skewers celebrities and other
public figures (and Twitter). A couple recent segments have taken on the
cable news community. There's Glenn
Beck below and a Larry
King clip after the jump (one tip: check out the ticker on 2nd viewing)
'The Cougar' is on the prowl on TV Land
from L.A. Times - TV News
Stacey Anderson, 40, has her pick of much younger suitors.
Beware of the kiss of death.
'Big Bang's' success: It's not rocket science
from L.A. Times - TV News
The cast and creative forces behind CBS' breakout comedy
know the geek squad won't get the girl, but it gets the laughs.
'Dollhouse': A spy in the house of love
from EW.com: TV
By Ken Tucker
Ken Tucker on the extra eerie air of last night's episode: It gets better every
week, yet there seems less hope it will survive
'Sarah Connor' finale: Left you hanging?
from EW.com: TV
By Benjamin Svetkey
Benjamin Svetkey on the prospect all the unanswered questions from the season
finale may never get addressed if the series is axed.
Chuck Lorre keeps TV viewers laughing
from L.A. Times - TV News
Who says the sitcom is dead? With concurrent comedies 'Two
and a Half Men' and 'The Big Bang Theory,' the sitcom veteran proves there's
life in the old genre yet.
Television: 'Grey Gardens,' Back Story Included
from NYT > Television by By LARRY ROHTER
On Saturday HBO will begin showing a dramatized film version
of the famous documentary about the two Edith Beales, starring Jessica Lange
and Drew Barrymore.
MUSIC
Travis
from Variety.com
Music Reviews: Fran Healy, lead singer for the Scottish band
Travis, had a favorite stage move at the Wiltern on Friday night: He clambered
onto the drum riser, stepped atop Neil Primrose's bass drum and leapt onto the
stage.
Billy Bob Thornton's band cancels Canadian tour
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
TORONTO (AP) -- Billy Bob Thornton's band has canceled the
rest of its Canadian tour after the actor compared the country's fans to mashed
potatoes with no gravy in a testy interview that caused a sensation online.
ABBA tribute bands mired in lawsuit
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, April 12 (UPI) -- A Swedish woman who performs
tributes to the disbanded pop band ABBA has been unfairly criticizing a rival
tribute band, a New York lawsuit alleges.
ETC...
Film school set for Bronx
from Variety.com - Film News
Film News: Cinema School set to open its doors -- The South
Bronx is getting ready to raise the curtain on a first-of-its-kind public high
school dedicated to film studies.
BOOM!! - The Real Michael Bay Has Joined Twitter
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Finally sick and tired of Fake Michael Bay, the real Michael Bay
has finally joined Twitter.
The Last Hurrah of Hollywood's Hero Journalist?
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by sdumenco@adage.com (Simon Dumenco)
Watching "State of Play," I couldn't help but
think that I was witnessing the dying of a cinematic archetype: the Hero
Journalist.
Fabio blamed for wrecking Ferrari
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
CALABASAS, Calif., April 12 (UPI) -- Italian male model
Fabio wrecked a Ferrari belonging to World Class Driving while driving the
sports car near Calabasas, Calif., sources allege.
Alex Rodriguez, Bethenny Frankel Step Out Together: Report
from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post
News Team
When it comes to dating housewives, A-Rod likes to keep it "Real."
Woody Harrelson: TMZ/'zombie' tussle
from EW.com: Movies
By Mandi Bierly
''Zombieland'' actor issues statement about alleged airport altercation: ''I
was startled by a paparazzo, who I quite understandably mistook for a zombie''.
Kardashian Family Member Getting Plastic Surgery
from People.com Latest News by Linda Marx
Kim dishes on the big makeover and opening a clothing store
in Miami
