Thursday, 12 December 2013
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Disney CFO Talks 'Star Wars,' ESPN Competition, Deal Outlook
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NEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co.'s acquisition plans and the outlook of its ESPN and studio businesses were in focus here Tuesday as CFO Jay Rasulo spoke at a big annual investor conference.
Appearing at the 41st Annual UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, he was asked about his appetite for acquisitions, saying "we don't have anything on the scale of Marvel or Lucasfilm right now." He added: "I don't feel there is anything we need," but "you will continue to see us do acquisitions in the future."
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When asked about potential divestitures, he said: "We look at the portfolio at all times" and are currently "happy" with all the assets.
Asked about the potential launch of an online pay TV provider, Rasulo echoed Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman's Monday prediction that it would happen sooner or later, but didn't name the likely company to launch first. He also said "we would certainly be happy to license our content" to such digital pay TV providers, but emphasized they would have to buy the whole bundle of Disney channels that traditional pay TV firms pay for. The current pay TV system is "still the most valuable system" of distributing TV content from a consumer's standpoint, he said, suggesting that a la carte offers wouldn't be consumer-friendly.
Questioned how quickly C7 ratings could become the standard in TV upfront advertising negotiations, he said it won't be this coming year yet.
Asked about Disney's decision to offer Disney Channel TV content via free-to-air networks in such countries as Germany and Russia, Rasulo said it allows the conglomerate "to distribute more strongly something that is quite important to us."
Discussing key growth drivers for Disney, he said he expected growth contributions from all units in the coming years. After the recent box office successes of Marvel, Lucasfilm's Star Wars VII, set for a 2015 release, will be a key driver of Disney's studio performance, Rasulo said. He also said there will be much more in terms of Star Wars consumer products on offer around that release. Overall, he said investors should expect Lucasfilm to follow the successful Marvel path now that it is part of Disney as the company would look to push its content across various Disney and other platforms just like in the case of the Marvel acquisition.
Asked about the recent decision to create four Marvel series for Netflix rather than a traditional TV network, Rasulo said the firm did content for Disney XD to keep things close to home before launching Marvel's Agents of SHIELD on ABC. The Netflix deal came when the company was ready to look outside for distribution, he added. "It's a little bit like the Avengers strategy" with four superhero creation stories that should eventually lead the heroes together, he explained about the blueprint for the Netflix series.
"I'm not sure I would call [Netflix] our go-to SVOD partner," Rasulo emphasized Tuesday when asked if it was the main go-to-place for the company nowadays, highlighting that the firm has also done deals with Hulu and other digital distributors. And he said the Marvel show deal was also pitched to others. "We try to be even-handed and, of course, advantageous to Disney," he said about Disney's approach to deciding where to take content. "We are out there playing the field."
Asked about Disney's position in sports amid the recent launch of Fox Sports 1, Rasulo said ESPN has always seen competition, and new competition hasn't hurt advertising demand at the sports giant and he continues to feel good about ESPN. "The ratings haven't changed a lot," he said, touting ESPN's bigger audience. But he emphasized that "we are not going to cede our position" or become complacent.
He predicted that Disney would end up getting NBA rights again, which ESPN and ABC currently share, but signaled he was expecting a lot of competition for them. He said they are the last remaining piece of the sports puzzle for Disney after other big league deals that it has already sealed.
Rasulo also said Tuesday that the firm's upcoming Shanghai Disneyland theme park could become the company's second-largest behind Disneyworld. And he signaled that after its planned 2015 launch, the firm could invest in it further. The park is within three hours of 300 million-plus people.
More Star Wars rides are likely to come to the firm's parks over time, he added as part of a broader theme parks discussion.
Asked about the latest feedback for the MyMagic+ digital wristbands at Disney's World Disney World theme park in Florida, Rasulo said it encourages users to plan their visits more. "When people plan at home, they tend to plan for a lot more time," he said, explaining that the main benefit for Disney is the expanded time people spend at the parks. He said it was still "early days" to assess the financial impact, but said the company is planning to roll the service out across the operation.
Discussing the importance of mobile devices, Rasulo said "it provides a huge opportunity to get our content out to consumers" previously not reached, particularly in international markets. He said content companies, for example, can't wait for India to launch its 4G mobile network.
"Investors should not expect a departure" from the successful strategy at Disney, Rasulo also told investors when asked about possible changes. Summarizing the three key pillars of the strategy are a focus on creative excellence, a conviction that technology must be embraced to increase content and a focus on international growth opportunities.
E-mail: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
TV Ratings: Bravo's Sunday Thrives Without Zombie Competition
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"The Real Housewives of Atlanta"If you're not in the NFL or fighting the living dead, it can be hard to get attention on Sunday night. But with AMC's The Walking Dead now off the air until Feb. 9, the battle for non-sporting eyeballs just got a lot more interesting.
PHOTOS: The 'Ex-Real Housewives' Club
During the first Sunday in two months without The Walking Dead, cable crowned a new victor in Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The most successful installment of the reality franchise hit a season high, improving 21 percent in adults 18-49 for 2.1 million in the key demo. That's a 1.7 rating. Among total viewers, the show improved 22 percent for 3.7 million, another season high.
Bravo topped the night in the key demo across cable, the first Sunday it's held that distinction since April 7. At 9 p.m., Shahs of Sunset was also at a high with 1.97 million and a 0.9 rating among adults 18-49. (Freshman Fashion Queens pulled 766,000 adults 18-49 and 1.4 million viewers -- both up 22 percent to series highs.)
Still, Bravo's biggest growth came outside of primetime. Andy Cohen talker Watch What Happens Live pulled season highs with 1.9 million viewers and 1.1 million adults 18-49 (0.8 rating) -- growth of 21 and 41 percent, respectively.
Ylvis' 'The Fox' Is YouTube's Top Trending Video of 2013
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Ylvis still doesn't know what the fox says, but the Norwegian duo can take comfort: Its viral hit exploring that question has been named YouTube's top trending video of 2013.
PHOTOS: 20 Best and Worst Music to Movie Crossovers
Also in the top trending videos category revealed Wednesday: a military version of "Harlem Shake," a Chatroulette take on Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" and Jean-Claude Van Damme's "Epic Splits" for Volvo.
YouTube also unveiled the top trending music videos and channels gaining the most followers in 2013.
In the music video category, the big winners were Psy ("Gentlemen") Miley Cyrus ("Wrecking Ball" and "We Can't Stop"), Katy Perry ("Roar") and P!nk ("Just Give Me A Reason") taking the five top spots.
When it comes to the YouTube channels seeing the biggest gains in subscribers, Swedish video game commentator Pewdiepie took the top spot, with Chilean comedian Hola Soy German, comedy duo Smosh, Beyonce and One Direction rounding out the top five.
Find the complete list below, with links of where to watch.
Top Trending Videos of 2013
1. Ylvis - The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?), tvnorge
2. Harlem Shake (original army edition), kennethaakonsen
3. How Animals Eat Their Food | MisterEpicMann, MisterEpicMann
4. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (Chatroulette Version), SteveKardynal
5. baby&me / the new evian film, EvianBabies
6. Volvo Trucks - The Epic Split feat. Van Damme, VolvoTrucks
7. YOLO (feat. Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar), thelonelyisland
8. Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise, CarrieNYC
9. THE NFL : A Bad Lip Reading, BadLipReading,
10. Mozart vs Skrillex. Epic Rap Battles of History Season 2., ERB
Top Trending Music Videos of 2013
1. PSY - GENTLEMAN M/V, officialpsy
2. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball, MileyCyrusVEVO
3. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop, MileyCyrusVEVO
4. Katy Perry - Roar (Official), KatyPerryVEVO
5. P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess, PinkVEVO
6. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell, RobinThickeVEVO
7. Rihanna - Stay ft. Mikky Ekko, RihannaVEVO
8. Naughty Boy - La La La ft. Sam Smith, NaughtyBoyVEVO
9. Selena Gomez - Come & Get It, SelenaGomezVEVO
10. Avicii - Wake Me Up (Official Video), AviciiOfficialVEVO
11. One Direction - Best Song Ever, OneDirectionVEVO
12. Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man [Official Video], ElektraRecords
13. One Direction - One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks), OneDirectionVEVO
14. MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - CAN'T HOLD US FEAT. RAY DALTON (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO), RyanLewisProductions
15. Demi Lovato - Heart Attack (Official Video), DemiLovatoVEVO
16. Daft Punk - Get Lucky (Official Audio) ft. Pharrell Williams, DaftPunkVEVO
17. Avicii - Wake Me Up (Lyric Video), AviciiOfficialVEVO
18. David Guetta - Play Hard (Official Video) ft. Ne-Yo, Akon, davidguettavevo
19. Pitbull - Feel This Moment ft. Christina Aguilera, PitbullVEVO
20. Justin Timberlake - Mirrors, justintimberlakeVEVO
21. Taylor Swift - 22, TaylorSwiftVEVO
22. Calvin Harris - I Need Your Love ft. Ellie Goulding, CalvinHarrisVEVO
23. Ariana Grande - The Way ft. Mac Miller, ArianaGrandeVevo
24. 23 (Explicit), MikeWillMadeitVEVO, 112,861,589
25. Lady Gaga - Applause (Official), LadyGagaVEVO
Channels that gained the most subscribers in 2013
1. PewDiePie
2. HolaSoyGerman
3. smosh
4. RihannaVEVO
5. OneDirectionVEVO
6. portadosfundos
7. ERB
8. JennaMarbles
9. SkyDoesMinecraft
10. EminemVEVO
11. TheEllenShow
12. KatyPerryVEVO
13. machinima
14. TaylorSwiftVEVO
15. ElektraRecords
16. MileyCyrusVEVO
17. nigahiga
18. officialpsy
19. JustinBieberVEVO
20. TheFineBros
Brad Pitt and Brad Grey break: Plan B for Paramount exit (exclusive)
The relationship between the production of Brad Pitt and CEO of Paramount Brad Grey company is about to end, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Production company Plan B of Pitt, which is the highest on the recent hit 12 years a slave and World War Z, out of his home in eight years when his contract with Paramount expires at the end of 2013. Plan B, Pitt running with Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, is directed to a three year contract with Arnon Milchan'snew Regency, producer for 12 years. RatPac Entertainment, the company's production and financial upstart founded by Australian billionaire James Packer and filmmaker Brett Ratner, will be a partner finance on Plan B films.
"Our society is built on working with the best talent in the business. '' "By providing Plan B, with their filmmaker solid relationships and stellar pool of talent into the fold with RatPac, we do just that," Brad Weston, president and CEO of new Regency, said in a statement.
"There very few partners in this company who are able to balance artistic integrity and commercial viability. Working hand in hand with the new Regency and RatPac, we feel that we have found a perfect fit, "a spokesman for Plan B, in a statement.
Gray, formerly a producer director before taking the position of head of the Paramount studio, co-founded the Plan B with Pitt and Jennifer Aniston woman in 2002. The company has had an agreement with Paramount since 2005.
During the paramount relationship, Pitt company had done a number of independent-style films (time of nothing, The Tree of Life) with other partners, but his biggest hit by far (and the only Pitt starring himself) was the epic of zombie World War Z, which grossed 540 million $ worldwide this summer. THR reported earlier Tuesday that a sequel is being prepared with Director Bayona, who has helmed the tragedy of tsunami in 2012 the Impossible.
PHOTOS: 12 years slave ": exclusive Portraits of Star-producer Brad Pitt and his cast"
There were tensions between Paramount and Plan B during the production of Marc Forster- World War Z and more recently more than 12 years a slave. In October, THR reported that a dispute arose because the Paramount executives believed that plan B had breached the deal by the company with the studio failing to provide an opportunity to finance and distribute 12 years. In April 2012, a few weeks before Director Steve McQueen began filming the drama of slavery, new Regency agreed to co-finance and distribute the image via Fox Searchlight. The film won the first award buzz and running well at the box office, having narrated more than 35 million $ to this day.
However, the relationship between Pitt and grey would always amicable, and the studio will continue to collaborate on projects that have been developed during the term of Plan B at Paramount.
Plan B is familiar with the new Regency. More than 12 years, the two companies partnered with Mr. and Mrs. Smith and have just wrapped shooting on a true story, based on the book "true story: murder, memoir, Mea Culpa" by Michael Finke. This film starring James Franco, Jonah Hill and Felicity Jones and released by 20th Century Fox.
RatPac made a big push in Hollywood. Earlier this year, the company reached an agreement to supply up to 400 million $ in financing to Warner Bros.
"Plan B has become a consistent supplier of equipment of high level and talent. As a new company, we are able to partner with Arnon and his team at new Regency on this case, it gives us a big jolt to what we are trying to accomplish,"Packer and Ratner said in a statement.
THR COVER STORY: How a Mantra of Brad Pitt, "game on, F - ers!,' powered his Oscar competitor 12 years a slave"
Paramount has recently added producer Jerry Bruckheimer to its list, perhaps to fill the void of Plan B.
E-mail: Kim.Masters@THR.com
Twitter: @KimMasters
Disney déclenche une arme secrète en quête de « Banques » et « Congelé » Oscar gloire : son histoire
Legends Disney pose for a "class picture".For lovers of Hollywood history as me - or former members of the Academy who have lived it - it really is not much more exciting than festivities the past two nights on the parcel of Disney, in which the House of mouse pulled the string of awards voters and tastemakers in favour of the promotion of its primary live-action and animation awards contenders, save Mr. Banks and frozen.
Monday night, the studio hosted the first Los Angeles-banks - he already played at London and AFI film festivals - followed by an after party to return to the studio commissary.
PHOTOS: The Making of Disney Animation Oscar Contender 'frozen '.
On hand for the festivities were not only main creative talent from the movie - director John Lee Hancockand writer Kelly Marcel stars Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Giamatti and Annie Rose Buckley - but also the talent principal film that inspired the film, features Mary Poppins Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. A man fell into two categories: 85 years Richard Sherman, who with his brother Robert, composed songs and the score for Poppins - winning Oscars for both - and which was also consultant musical on the banks, in which he is played by Schwartzman. (The whole group of them gathered to sing "Let's Go Fly a Kite" before the festivities began).
Andrews and Van Dyke left early in order to yield the spotlight to banks stars, who were joined at the after-party of young stars such as Jason Segel and Alison Williams. But Sherman undoubtedly was the toast of the party – just as it was in a November 9 Poppins sing-along songs that was also designed to evoke nostalgia and to channel towards the nomination of Oscar for banks.
Come Tuesday night, Sherman was back on the lot again, with dozens other legends of Disney, to celebrate the 90th year of Disney's Animation operations. At the event, which is held in a heated tent erected 'Legends Plaza', wisely studio President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger has hosted guests, touted the rich history of Disney explained how proud he was of the 53rd animated feature of the studio and the best animation feature frozen hope Oscar, which is submitted before the festivities began for the people who did it have not already seen it.
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(Frozen was number one at the box office last weekend, its second weekend in theaters.) Oddly, no pure and simple-Disney film won best animated film Oscar, which was founded only in 2001. Since then, Pixar-produced films have dominated the competition, claiming the prize in seven to 12 years.)
With studio President Alan Horn, President Ed Catmull and CEO Andrew Millstein , searching the public, introduced Iger - with a hug - her creative director John Lasseter, the closest thing that there is today Walt Disney himself. Lasseter explained how his admiration for the rich and unrivalled Disney history brought back to Disney in 2006, 23 years after being fired by him to push the idea of animation tirelessly by computer, but this time with its operation of Pixar in tow.
Lasseter has presented many of the "Disney legends" who played an important role in the studio, inviting each to take a bow. Among those on hand: Tony Anselmo, the voice of Donald Duck. Kathryn Beaumont, the voice of Alice in Alice in the Wonderland (1951) and Wendy in Peter Pan (1953); Bill Farmer, the voice of goofy; Floyd Norman, host first African American woman to Disney, which has worked on the beautiful sleeping beauty (1959) and the book of the Jungle (1967); Stan Freberg, voice of the Beaver in the Lady and the tramp (1955); 100 years Milton Quon, who worked on Fantasia (1940) and Dumbo (1941); Russi Taylor, the voice of Minnie Mouse; and 103 years old Ruthie Thompson, who has worked at the studio for 40 years as an Inker.
The whole group - more Josh Gad, the voice for the character of instantly iconic snowman of frozen Olaf - then Lasseter joined for a class picture, which, unfortunately, is not recreatable when the studio celebrates its 100th anniversary of 10 years. To its credit, the studio decided to seize the moment and hope that Oscar voters will elect to do the same for the account of his films.
Twitter: @ScottFeinberg
'Switched at Birth' Creator Developing Family Thriller for ABC Family (Exclusive)
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ABC Family is doubling down on Switched at Birth creator Lizzy Weiss.
The youth-skewing cable network is reteaming with Weiss for Into Thin Air, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Into Thin Air is described as a high-concept family drama with thriller elements. Exact story details are being kept under wraps.
STORY: ABC Family Renews 'Switched at Birth,' 'Orders More 'Twisted,' 'Fosters'
Weiss created the project and will executive produce alongside Switched at Birth EP Paul Stupin. Into Thin Air marks the duo's second project at the cabler, following the Vanessa Marano-Katie Leclerc starrer, which will return for its third season on Jan. 13.
Switched has been a sturdy performer for ABC Family, earning a third-season renewal in July after taking home the Peabody Award and Television Critics Association prize for youth programming in 2012.
Weiss, who also penned the feature film Blue Crush, is repped by UTA and attorneys Bryan Wolf and Pam Black. Stupin, who served as an exec producer on Dawson's Creek, Beautiful People and Make it or Break It, is with WME.
Into Thin Air arrives as ABC Family is readying three comedy pilots from Tori Spelling, Ashley Tisdale and Bunheads duo Grant Levy and Dominik Rothbard. On the drama side, the youth-skewing cabler is readying an adaptation of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle as well as The Final Girls, a horror-thriller starring Jamie Lee Curtis. This year, ABC Family successfully launched dramas Twisted and The Fosters, which have both been picked up for additional episodes.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
Scripps Networks Interactive Shares Jump on Speculation Discovery Could Make Bid
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Shares of Scripps Networks Interactive, the parent company of HGTV, the Food Network, the Travel Channel and more, jumped 14 percent in after-hours trading on Tuesday after reports surfaced that Discovery Communications might be interested in acquiring the company.
Shares of Scripps Networks Interactive closed fractionally higher Tuesday at $75.25, but surged another $10.90 after the closing bell.
At the stock's closing price on Tuesday, Scripps Networks Interactive was valued at $11 billion, while Discovery had a market capitalization of $30 billion.
Scripps Networks Interactive did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for Discovery said the company does not respond to speculation.
E.W. Scripps, an owner of newspapers and TV stations, launched HGTV in 1993, then followed up with several more channels until spinning them off under the umbrella of Scripps Networks Interactive in 2008. Its stock has under-performed relative to most media companies, rising about 90 percent in a little more than five years.
David Oyelowo on the Unusual Experience of Being Directed by Lee Daniels (Video)
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During The Hollywood Reporter's recent inaugural "Breakthrough Performers Panel," which I moderated, best supporting actor Oscar hopeful David Oyelowo had all of the other panelists entranced as he described what it is like to be directed by Lee Daniels, for whom he worked twice over the past year, on The Paperboy and Lee Daniels' The Butler.
From the way Oyelowo explained it that day -- and other stars of The Butler, including Forest Whitaker and Cuba Gooding, Jr., have described it to me since -- Daniels certainly sounds like one of the most unconventional filmmakers of all time.
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Daniels wears his emotions on his sleeve, Oyelowo explained, and will often break into tear of joy or sadness while on set. Moreover, the actor added, "He is not a respecter of persons," and will not hesitate to yell "Fake!" at his actors, sometimes in the middle of a take, no matter how famous or respected they are. (The Butler's Jane Fonda and Oprah Winfrey have both said that he yelled it at them -- Winfrey in the middle of her first take on the film, which was her first acting gig on a film in 15 years.)
But, Oyelowo emphasizes, he is just as generous with his compliments (he will often yell "Genius!" after a good take) -- and, he adds, "He is as hard on himself as he is on his actors."
For more, check out the video of Oyelowo's comments at the top of this post.
Twitter: @ScottFeinberg
Fox News Reporter Won't Have to Testify in Aurora Theater Shooting Case
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Fox News reporter Jana Winter has been saved from possible jail time by a New York appeals court.
After a shooting rampage at an Aurora, Colo., midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in July 2012, Winter cited law enforcement sources as revealing that suspect James Holmes had sent a University of Colorado psychiatrist a notebook previewing his attack. In seeking to compel Winter's testimony about the identify of her sources, Holmes' attorneys made the argument that law enforcement illegally compromised the legal process and attempted to influence a high-profile death penalty case.
EARLIER: Fox News Tries to Save Reporter From Jail in Aurora Theater Shooting Case
That set off a legal debate over whether Winter, a New York resident, could lean on New York's strong reporter shield law to quash a subpoena. Holmes' lawyers argued that Winter did her work in Colorado -- with less generous protections on source identification -- and that criminal law procedure provided for the availability and testimony of out-of-state residents.
At a lower court, Winter lost, and was facing the possibility of having to travel to Colorado for a hearing next month in Holmes' ongoing criminal prosecution. There, she was prepared to remain mum and face the possibility of months in a jail cell.
But in a 4-3 ruling on Tuesday, a New York appeals court won't let that happen.
"Although there are uncertainties concerning the application of the outer reaches of our statute, particularly the scope of the qualified privilege for nonconfidential news which must be determined on a case-by-case basis," wrote Victoria Graffeo in the majority opinion, "there is no principle more fundamental or well-established than the right of a reporter to refuse to divulge a confidential source. And that concern is directly implicated here given that the only purpose for Winter's testimony is to ascertain who leaked the information regarding the discovery of the notebook."
Judge Graffeo added that as a New York reporter, Winter relied on the protection of New York's shield law and was entitled to have the issue adjudicated in her home state. The judge rejected the suggestion of big ramifications. In legal papers, Holmes' lawyers argued that states could protect classes of favored citizens -- including oilmen in Texas, movie stars in California, gamblers in Nevada, socialists in Vermont. It "will not, as Holmes suggests, have the effect of expanding the territorial effect of New York law beyond our borders," writes the judge.
In dissent, Judge Robert Smith disagreed.
"This seems to me an excessive expansion of New York's jurisdiction, one that is unlikely to be honored by other states or countries or to attain the predictability that the majority says is its goal."
EARLIER: Fox News Reporter Pressured to Reveal Sources
The effort to protect Winter has been one that has gathered the attention of Fox News' full brass.
In a statement after the ruling, Fox News CEO Roger Ailes said, "Today's ruling is a major win for all journalists. The protection of Jana Winter's confidential sources was necessary for the survival of journalism and democracy as a whole. We are very grateful that the highest court in New York State agreed with our position."
E-mail: Eriq.Gardner@THR.com
Twitter: @eriqgardner
CBS Plays 'Africa' Over Mandela Memorial Footage, Toto Does Not Approve (Video)
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Nelson Mandela's memorial coverage was bound to take something of a celebratory tone -- but CBS News may have taken things a step too far.
During Tuesday's coverage of the late South African president and anti-apartheid revolutionary's Soweto stadium memorial, CBS This Morning played Toto's "Africa" over shots of grieving ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
PHOTOS: Nelson Mandela's Many Hollywood Friends
The song could be seen as fitting, given Mandela's status as one of the most famous individuals to ever come out of the continent -- only it was written and recorded by white American men who had admittedly never traveled to Africa prior to the song's 1982 release.
"CBS This Morning utilized "Africa" as the audio bed for a segment they aired this morning," said Toto keyboardist and "Africa" lead vocalist David Paich, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "As the co-writer of the song, if I had been asked for sync approval, the answer would have been a decline with a recommendation they honor the musicians of South Africa setting their sights on indigenous repertoire. This is an important day, and both I and Toto, have always held a commitment towards supporting initiatives that benefit the populace of South Africa, the continent of Africa and the entire Southern Hemisphere. We honor Nelson Mandela and will continue to support initiatives he committed his life towards."
Among those raising an eyebrow at the song choice was NPR TV critic Eric Deggans, who took to Twitter: "I love CBS This Morning, but couldn't you end a segment on Mandela's funeral with real African music instead of Toto's Africa?"
To CBS' credit, This Morning also devoted a segment to how Mandela used music to inspire social changes. Watch both clips below.
Shirley Halperin contributed to this report.
Top 20 from Tim Goodman cable dramas of 2013
"Breaking Bad," "Orange Is the New Black"Never have we had more and better TV - numerous platforms, countless series. And 2013 may ultimately prove to be one of the strongest TV seasons in many years, with a head-shaking number of quality options to consider for any "Best of 2013" year-end list.
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So it's a good thing I don't believe in top 10 lists. Particularly in these bountiful and qualitatively impressive times do such lists seem archaic and pinched-off pointlessly. As I've said before, my goal is to celebrate and reward the very best of television, not to punish or overlook greatness because it doesn't fit some total preordained.
Now, here's the odd thing: I ended up with 20 dramas without trying to get a round number. Like lots of critics, I wrangled with my choices, dropping series that had been on this list in years past, thought long and hard about strong newcomers, etc., but ultimately did what I always do: I thing based on greatness, originality and potential (for greatness - not every show is perfect right out of the oven). And then I ranked them in order, which I think is essential if you're even going to bother to do a list. And the number was 20.
However, I made a separate list (of 11) for network dramas. That's because I believe those shows are on an uneven playing field with cable and, in some ways, part of a different business. As such, they deserve acclaim for succeeding within their constraints - goal couldn't crack this list. As for comedy, I think that's a broadcast network strong following and a genre that plays more evenly across network and cable, so I combined that list (totaling 17).
All year-end lists should have caveats (my pal James Poniewozik from Time magazine is a master at that and I defer to him). As a critic who loves television and takes this kind of list-making pretty damned seriously, the most important note I can give you before proceeding is this: No, I didn't 'forget' any shows. If they're not on my list, then I didn't want them on it.
PHOTOS: ' Game of Thrones ' Most Gruesome Deaths: From Robert Baratheon to the Red Wedding
Here we go:
1 Breaking Bad (AMC). What more could possibly be said about this show that I (and many others) haven't said already? I'll tell you this - it's inconceivable to me how this could be anything other than No. 1.
2 Broadchurch (BBC America). Impressively concise and a perfect melding of place, plot and people. This murder mystery just gutted you at every turn, but the next episode couldn't come fast enough.
3 The Returned (Sundance Channel). Absolutely mesmerizing and one of the creepiest, most compelling and original series I've seen in ages.
4 Game of Thrones (HBO). This is epic storytelling at its finest.
5 Orphan Black (BBC America). A brilliant dark-horse entry into the drama race that was ignored until the phenomenal performance of its star, Tatiana Maslany, couldn't be ignored. What a wonderful story and a surprise.
6. The Walking Dead (AMC). It's not about the zombies. This enormous hit was (like stablemate Breaking Bad), one of the few series most viewers had to watch immediately in real time. Gripping television.
7 The Americans (FX). My pick for the best new American drama, this Cold War spy story has great writing, superb actors and never dips into the absurd. Excellent period details and plot.
PHOTOS: 'Breaking Bad': Stars Look Back at 5 Seasons of Acclaimed TV
8 Orange Is the New Black (Netflix). Although House of Cards got most of the early attention, this is the show that plunged the Netflix flag deepest into the drama field. Wildly entertaining, funny, heartfelt and original.
9 Rectify (Sundance Channel). Slow TV at its finest - a series that was contemplative, disturbing and surprisingly life affirming down to its troubled soul.
10 Mad Men (AMC). It may be the new sport to tear down Mad Men - and some episodes and a varnish of familiarity made that easier than in years past - but this is still one of the brightest lights in television and has spent six seasons (more than any other series on this list) in the realm of greatness. That can't be diminished.
11 Southland (TNT). The last great cop show.
12 Top of the Lake (Sundance Channel). This disturbing series had its own rhythm and pace, shot through with exceptional acting and distinctly untamed writing. A strange, sad delight.
13 Boardwalk Empire (HBO). Even though it often lacks the compelling watch-it-immediately narrative track of others shows, Boardwalk Empire has never lacked for ambition and finesse (writing, acting) - and this season the series grandly realized its potential.
14. The Fall (Netflix). Gillian Anderson is completely riveting as the enigmatic British detective called in to help a flagging case of unsolved murders in Northern Ireland. This five-episode series slipped under almost everyone's radar, thus making it one of the bigger surprises of the year, creatively.
15 Justified (FX). In the same year that Elmore Leonard died, the best embodiment of his work lived on in this series, which gets increasingly better each season.
PHOTOS: 'Masters of Sex': Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan Celebrate Showtime's New Series
16 Masters of Sex (Showtime). This is a series that's smart about sex, provocative in all the right places and another bright light in the freshman class of American shows.
17 The Wrong Mans (Hulu). What a refreshing find this was - a tone-shifting thriller cut up with comic moments and a clever sense of small-town absurdity in the face of real-world danger that never felt forced.
18. The Bridge (FX). Another strong freshman series (again from FX), but with less polish and confidence than The Americans. Nevertheless, there was a lot to like here heading into next season and a lot of potential built into it.
19 Luther (BBC America). In this third season, Luther was prone to more crazy twists than really necessary but otherwise had enough grit in the dialogue and more than enough material for Idris Elba to elevate with his magnificent acting and commanding presence.
20 House of Cards (Netflix). It could be the hype, the big-name castmembers (and director) combining with Netflix spending lavishly on it that somehow created this unfortunate narrative that House of Cards wasn't all that good. Not true - it was actually very good (and entertaining) in all the right places. It got overshadowed by Orange Is the New Black, but that doesn't diminish the fine work weaved throughout this series.
Tomorrow: Best Comedies of 2013.
Email: Tim.Goodman@THR.com
Twitter: @BastardMachine
'Sons of Anarchy' Showrunner Kurt Sutter on the Finale of "Heart-wrenching" (Q & A)
Many fans know that Sons of Anarchy showrunner Kurt Sutter was inspired by Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. And while the outspoken showrunner tells THR he'll "cringe a little bit" when people bring up that comparison, there is no. denying that Shakespearean tragedy struck Charming during season six's final episode on FX.
[Warning: Spoilers from Tuesday's season six finale.]
Gemma (Katey Sagal), thinking that Tara (Maggie Siff) had ratted on Jax (Charlie Hunnam), went over to Tara's house and attacked her, slammed her head into a sink full of water, and then stabbed her to death. It was bloody, it was shocking and it was messy.
PHOTOS: 'Sons of Anarchy' is Most Dramatic Deaths 11
At the end of the episode, Gemma found out that Tara had not ratted at all, and that Jax had volunteered to give himself up in order to protect his wife. But by then, of course, it was too late.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Sutter about the final bloody, killing off major characters and what season seven will look like.
I wanted to start off by asking what exactly you meant when you Tweeted this about the final: "I think it will make you smile."
Sutter: That's just me reminding people that they should never believe anything I say on Twitter. [Laughs.]
That's what I thought. So let's talk about Tara's death. When did you know that her death would wrap up season six?
Sutter: I knew early on in the series. I won't say from the very beginning, but fairly early on, I knew I wanted for that final season, I knew wanted Tara's death to end season six. I knew probably has season or so after that that it would be ultimately be Gemma. So, I've known for a few seasons. Obviously, I wasn't quite sure of the circumstances that would get us there, but I knew that that's what we were ultimately writing towards.
How did you come up with the way she does die?
Sutter: I cringe a little bit sometimes when people reference all the Shakespearean overtones. But I do really feel like when I have the opportunity to keep the show in that wheelhouse I enjoy doing that. So for me, I knew I wanted Tara's death to really feel like straight-up Shakespearean tragedy. And the device of mistaken information, it's right from Romeo and Juliet. I knew I wanted it to be visceral and just f - ing heartbreaking. With that, I knew it had to feel organic. You needed to believe that Gemma was doing it for what she thought were the right reasons. And then also, one could thematically could argue that Tara, once again, was misled by love. She had hardened herself all season, and has woken up and realized that this relationship could not be saved, that the love was doomed, that what she needed to do was be a strong mother. She needed to break the bonds and get the f - out. Had she stuck to her guns, had she not let her heard deceive her, she would have given Jax up, she would have been in WitPro and she would have been in custody and none of that would have happened.
PHOTOS: Kurt Sutter and Wife Katey Sagal on the Set of 'Sons of Anarchy'
In Hamlet Ophelia drowned. Was Tara's dip in the sink water a parallel that was on purpose?
Sutter: A little bit. I also love the idea - the episode is called "A Mother's Work" - I just like the idea of it being something that is so innocent, and so pedestrian. That it wasn't a gun, it wasn't a knife. We see Gemma washing dishes in that first mounting. It's just this sort of simple, pedestrian sink of water and she ends up killing her with a carving fork that's just this innocent serving tool. I just like the idea of the simple, pedestrian nature of that, and then obviously it's a brutal, brutal death and brutal to watch, but it's not necessarily tools of the world. It's tools of Gemma's world, it's tools of Tara's world that killed her. But yes, the idea of the drowning, was sort of fun to wink at that as well.
You killed off both Clay (Ron Perlman) and Tara this season. Tell me about how that process works with the actor. How much heads up do they get?
Sutter: Maggie and Ron are leads in the show. For me, it's always been Jax, Gemma, Clay and Tara in terms of the hierarchy and so I always try to give people as much heads up as possible. I try to make sure we're actually going there, but I gave Ron a heads up right at the beginning of the season. So that they can begin to wrap their heads around it emotionally in terms of character, but also so they can wrap their brains around it in terms of the separation because they've all been here a long time and we're a big dysfunctional family here. And also, quite honestly, so they can begin to think of it in terms of career. The worst thing you can do is f - ing have someone read it in the script.
What can you say about what this sets up for Jax for season seven?
Sutter: I would say that this is the season coming up where Jax needs to decide. There is no. more debate. I think it's the season where he's in or out. Obviously we lay track to not just the emotional impact of the death of Tara and will it lead to revenge, will he find out who did it, and I also like to lay track to things organically to things that happen in the world. I liked the idea of setting up the potential threat of the Mayans and Chinese. All that feels organic and real because those are relationships that are constantly flipping in that world. I've had experiences on this show. There were clubs that I had around first season and second season doing extra work, and I found out there were beefs between a couple of clubs and then I couldn't have those guys around set. I feel like that's an organic place to lead to. To the extent of what that looks like next season, I don't know.
Do you think there will be a passage of time, or will it pick up right away?
Sutter: There might be a little bit of a passage of time, maybe similar to what we did this season, which I think was a few weeks. I don't think it'll be more than that. I don't want to lose the potency of everything that s happened.
I know you've spoken about possible spin off about the original founders of the club. What would you say needs to happen for that to happen for you?
Sutter: I brought the concept of the first nine to them very early on, a couple in season. They were intrigued by the idea. Now that FX has expanded and they're looking at doing standalone seasons and miniseries, I think it's a probably a lot more viable than it was a few years ago. I love the idea of doing the origin story, even if it's a standalone 12-episode thing. I love the idea of doing a period piece. It definitely would have different energy, it would be a different kind of show, but I think the real fans would plug into it. We would probably want to rest the mythology for a season or two, meaning that I don't think we would end sounds and begin the prequel. I think we would let it breathe for a couple years.
E-mail: Rebecca.Ford@THR.com
Twitter: @Beccamford
What DC Superhero (or Villain) is Jason Momoa Tackling?
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As reported yesterday, Game of Thrones' Jason Momoa is in talks to join the 2015 follow-up to Man of Steel -- but who will he play? Names like Doomsday and the Martian Manhunter have been thrown around, but as the recent addition of Gal Godot as Wonder Woman -- and the rumored inclusion of the Flash -- demonstrate, everyone in the DC superhero universe appears to be up for grabs. Here, then, are five other possibilities for Momoa's superheroic debut.
H'El: A relatively recent addition to the Superman mythos, the unfortunately named H'El -- insert "On my planet, it means hope" joke here -- is a fellow survivor of Krypton's destruction who arrived on Earth with one simple plan: to change history so that the planet was never destroyed. While it would, admittedly, make little sense to follow Man of Steel with a movie featuring a villain with similar backstory and plan to Zod, there's no denying that the character bears a certain resemblance to Momoa, if that actor's skin was pale white as the result of interplanetary travel.
STORY: Jason Momoa in Talks to Join Batman-Superman Movie (Exclusive)
Bizarro: Staying on the subject of Superman villains with chalk white skin, there's always the imperfect clone of the Man of Steel that first appeared in an issue of Superboy way back in 1958. While he may not share a hairstyle with the actor -- currently, Bizarro sports something closer to a mohawk -- the idea of Momoa playing the closest thing to an brutish evil twin to Superman is oddly appealing. I wonder how well he'd handle "Bizarro Talk"?
Orion: Admittedly, the idea of seeing Momoa as the hero of Jack Kirby's classic New Gods series seems a little unlikely at first blush, but it's not outside of the realms of possibility. After all, the character is currently a supporting character in the Wonder Woman series, and we know that she's appearing in the movie, and utilizing Orion would mean that the movie franchise has introduced DC's Fourth World mythology, complete with Darkseid, Orion's father and a character many consider DC's strongest bad guy. As for Orion himself, he's a barely-restrained natural warrior with an internal sense of honor constantly at war with his better nature. A role Momoa could handle easily, surely…?
Lobo: Of course, if there's one DC Comics character who just seems perfect for Momoa, it's the self-styled "Main Man,", a violent, sociopathic intergalactic bounty hunter who'll let nothing get in the way of getting the job done. Not only would the muscular Momoa have no problem with Lobo's scrappy, fightin' ways, but come on -- he looks just like the character. The only problem with this idea is just how to bring Lobo into a movie that's already filled with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman without it seeming entirely disjointed -- he doesn't really have any natural connection with any character, despite making an appearance in the Superman animated series during the '90s. But as a cameo setting up the once-rumored solo Lobo movie, I could see it.
Aquaman: Okay, this one might seem like a bit of a long shot at first -- Momoa's not even blonde! -- but bear with me. We know that the Man of Steel sequel will definitely feature three members of the Justice League, and possibly a fourth if the Flash rumors pan out, so the idea of adding a fifth doesn't seem that outside of the realms of possibility, especially if it's a cameo to set something bigger up down the line. Adding Aquaman makes sense, in terms of Justice League membership -- he's one of the founding members of the team in every incarnation, and he's a bridge between Wonder Woman and the World's Finest partnership of Batman and Superman, by being (a) royalty and (b) an alpha male prone to being an ass at times.
Momoa may seem like an odd choice to play the traditional version of Arthur, King of Atlantis -- a character who was all wet in more ways than one -- but in recent years, DC has been attempting to portray the character as a warrior king, perhaps overcompensating for his being the butt of so many jokes throughout the years. If Warners/DC Entertainment decide to go that route for a movie Aquaman, then it's possible Momoa could be a convincing choice. We'd just have to hope that he could wear a convincing wig during production, is all.
Convinced by any of these choices? Feel free to leave your own selections in the comments -- and explain who'd make a better Aquaman, as well. I'm stumped.
'SNL' Promos: John Goodman Freaks Out Over 'Roseanne' (Video)
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John Goodman is getting into the Christmas spirit.
The veteran actor, currently seen on the big screen in the Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis, takes the Saturday Night Live stage this weekend for an astonishing 13th time as host. With the help of SNL's Taran Killam, Goodman got into a festive mood outside Rockefeller Center.
VIDEO: 'SNL' Recap: 'Anchorman 2' Cast Battles One Direction
Only two promos were unveiled this time around for a brief 37-second teaser, with the first focusing on Goodman's 13th time taking the stage. It just so happens that Friday is also Friday the 13th, so does this mean Goodman's SNL gig was destined to happen this week? A black cat that "scurries" past would seem to disagree.
In the second, Goodman travels back in time when Killam gets giddy over his love of Roseanne, the sitcom Goodman starred on opposite Roseanne Barr. Well, Goodman doesn't take it very well.
Watch the promos below.
Saturday Night Live airs at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on Saturday. Kings of Leon is the musical guest.
Email: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
Twitter: @insidethetube
'Divorce Court' Renewed Through 2015
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Divorce Court will remain in session through the 2014-15 season, producers 20th Television announced Tuesday.
The legal franchise -- currently celebrating its 15th anniversary season -- has been renewed through 2014-15 and will continue to run on Fox Television, Tribune, Sinclair, Meredith and Scripps-Howard stations
The news comes after Divorce Court -- with Judge Lynn Toler -- delivered its highest November sweep average since 2010, rising 23 percent versus the same period a year ago (1.6 household rating vs. 1.3). In addition, the series just hit a two-year weekly ratings high, delivering Divorce Court's best household number (1.7) since December 2011. Among first-run syndicated fare, Divorce Court ranks third in growth year-over-year (up 15 percent with a 1.5 vs. 1.3).
"Divorce Court continues to thrive on daytime television thanks to Judge Lynn Toler and the outrageous couples that enter her courtroom each day," 20th Television exec vp and general sales manager Paul Franklin said. "Lynn’s ability to simultaneously entertain viewers while compassionately counseling her litigants is translating to ratings highs; we are thrilled that Divorce Court will remain a key component on local stations' daytime blocks."
Divorce Court is the longest-running court show on TV, reinventing itself three times on daytime TV (from 1957-69, 1985-92 and in its current form since 1999). The series is produced by Monet Lane Productions and distributed by 20th Television. Gail Steinberg serves as executive producer.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
21st Century Fox COO Chase Carey: Fox Sports 1 Is A 'Work in Progress'
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It will take a couple of years before the success of Fox Sports 1 can be judged, says 21st Century Fox COO Chase Carey.
PHOTOS: Fox Sports 1 Launch: Meet the Star-Studded Cast
Speaking at the 41st Annual Global Media and Communications Conference, organized by UBS, Carey acknowledged that not all was perfect with the new national cable sports network. He said that Fox Sports 1 had fulfilled its first goal of lining up rights, and its second priority of establishing distribution across cable and satellite, but said, "The ratings side has been more mixed. The programming we are producing is a work in progress."
Carey added that some of FS1's event programming in baseball, Nascar, and golf hasn't yet been shown, and he predicted this will give the nascent network a boost.
"That doesn’t mean we don't need to continue to improve in improving," he said. "It's always been a process that is beyond two or three months, but rather two or three years. We have challenges."
PHOTOS: 10 All-Star Female Sports Reporters
At the investment conference, Carey endorsed some of the moves that the company's other cable networks have been making. He said that FXX's acquisition of rights for The Simpsons was "a defining event for us. I think it is best written show in history of television... This will be a branding force and not just fill hours in days," adding the network will look to exploit the show digitally.
He also commended Fox News for its recent shake-up of its primetime lineup. "The double digit ratings growth for all of those franchises is testament that Fox News is not resting on its laurels," he said.
Commenting more broadly on the TV industry, Carey says the industry hasn't done a great job executing the promise of "TV Everywhere," but he rejected too much flexibility in the system. He noted, "A la carte is a farce... People want bundles, they just want different bundles."
'Sons of Anarchy' Recap: Season Six Ends With Death, Deception and Destruction
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Sons of Anarchy’s sixth season wrapped up on Tuesday night with a shocking, bloody episode that resulted in more than one dead body on the floor.
[Warning: Spoilers from Tuesday's finale below.]
It’s been a dramatic season already, with the death of Clay (Ron Perlman) several episodes ago, but things progressed ever further in the finale. Many fans called the episode where Clay died the “most shocking ever,” but we think that title might go to this finale.
The season six finale episode saw Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and his motorcycle club dealing with the fact that Tara (Maggie Siff) had taken Jax’s kids, and likely made a deal with the D.A.
PHOTOS: 'Sons of Anarchy's' 11 Most Dramatic Deaths
The episode began with the D.A. discovering that Tara had gone missing with her two kids. She goes to visit Jax to find out if he knows where Tara is.
Jax meets with the club, and they decide they have to find Tara first, and convince her not to rat. Juice and Bobby will follow her new lawyer.
Tara calls her lawyer and says she’s ready to meet.
The Mayans meet with Jax, and express their disappointment that Jax gave Damon Pope’s old group their gun business. The Mayans are also planning on opening a charter in Stockton.
Jax arranges a meeting between the two groups, but after SAMCRO leaves, the Mayan gun down their adversaries.
“It ain’t easy giving up the crown boys. Every peasant and whore is going to be fighting for your jewels,” Charles Barosky tells the SAMCRO guys.
Nero, who was working with the Mayans, says he can’t be part of this new dispute. The Mayans agree that he’s welcome to step away because things will get bloody for a while as they expand their territory.
Tara meets with her lawyer as Juice and Bobby watch on. He gives her the paperwork, and says the D.A. is following through on everything she offered -- immunity and witness protection, in exchange for the bullet and court testimony.
Jax surprises Tara at the park. She breaks down, crying, sure that Jax will kill her. But he says he’s not going to hurt her, and that she doesn’t need to run. “Just be a good mother, save our boys,” he says.
PHOTOS: TV’s Top Offices: Where the Showrunners of 'Mad Men,' 'New Girl,' 'Sons of Anarchy,' Work and Play
Gemma meets with Nero, who is very much giving her the cold shoulder. He asks her if she would leave Charming and start a new life with him. She says she can’t because of her family, but he says he needs to go. She realizes he’s dumping her, it seems, and so she storms out.
When the D.A. arrives at Tara’s motel, she’s greeted by Tara -- and Jax. Jax is offering to turn himself in as the source of the gun that was used in the school shooting. He says Tara has to be cleared of all crimes, and that she’ll be free to take her kids and leave. The D.A. agrees, and Tara and Jax...make up.
Jax tells Bobby and Chibs, and they aren’t happy. But Jax insists there’s no other option. He says Tara’s lawyers thinks he’ll get 25 years, parole in 10, maybe 7 years. Jax also says that Bobby needs to take over the club, and focus on getting them on track with legitimate business. He adds that he was wrong about Juice, and that he feels he can’t be trusted. That’s because he found out that Juice -- while recovering from his Oxy overdose -- told Nero about killing the kid’s mom.
Unser, who dropped Wendy off at rehab, visits Gemma, who is nursing her heartache with booze and weed. He tells her he’s heard that Jax will be arrested. She tricks him into grabbing some pills for her in the restroom, and then she grabs his car keys and takes off.
PHOTOS: Kurt Sutter and Wife Katey Sagal on the Set of 'Sons of Anarchy'
After Unser tells Jax that Gemma has run off, Juice volunteers to go find her. On his way out, Jax hugs him, and whispers “You betrayed me.” Juice freezes, and -- just guessing here -- probably sees his life flash before his eyes.
Eli drops Tara off at her house. They both notice Unser’s truck in the driveway, but don’t really think anything of it. Tara goes into the kitchen after Eli heads outside, and Gemma attacks her. They brutally fight, and Gemma shoves her head into the kitchen sink and stabs her to death.
Juice arrives and tells Eli that Gemma had Unser's truck. They run into the house, but it’s too late. Gemma is sitting on the floor next to Tara’s body saying, “It had to be done.”
Eli tells Gemma that Tara didn’t rat -- Jax volunteered to turn himself in to keep her safe. Before Eli can call in the murder, Juice shoots him in the back.
When Jax arrives home, he finds the bloody bodies of Tara and Eli. He breaks down, cradling Tara’s body, and the D.A. arrives on the scene.
It was a heartbreaking finale, and leaves plenty of questions unanswered for next season. What did you think of the episode? Sound off in the comments section below.
E-mail: Rebecca.Ford@THR.com
Twitter: @Beccamford
'Arrested Development' Creator to Direct Comedy 'Guinea Pigging' for Fox 2000
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In a hefty seven-figure deal, Fox 2000 has picked up Guinea Pigging, a comedy project to which Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of TV’s acclaimed cult comedy Arrested Development, is attached to direct.
Night at the Museum writers Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant are attached to pen the script.
Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and David Ready of Chernin Entertainment are producing along with Peter Principato of Principato Young Entertainment as well as Conde Nast Entertainment’s Jeremy Steckler.
STORY: 'Arrested Development,' 'Breaking Bad' and CNN Score PGA Nominations
Pigging is based on a 2008 New Yorker article by Carl Elliott that looked at the community of semiprofessionals who spend their lives as test subjects for drug companies, hospitals and universities.
Lennon and Garant’s pitch is described as a “sophisticated comedy about a human drug-test subject who volunteers for testing at a pharmaceutical company and experiences unusual side effects.”
Rodney Ferrell is overseeing for Fox 2000.
The comedy project could be the feature directorial debut for Hurwirtz.
CAA helped put the talent pieces in place as it reps Hurwitz, Lennon and Garant, and Elliott.
Hurwitz, Lennon and Garant are additionally repped by Principato Young Entertainment and Jackoway Tyerman. Elliott is also repped by Andrew Blauner at Blauner Books
Trailer for 'Godzilla': this is the end of the world as we know it
The first trailer for Godzilla Legendary restart came out, and if you ask what if wait, the answer seems to be: "a story of destruction claustrophobic, epic says on a human scale."
With little dialogue - outside an opening speech given to soldiers about to fall in a town partially destroyed by the giant monster - and almost no clear vision of the titular Monster itself, the trailer gives the impression of film of this next year, helmed by Gareth Edwards, will offer a man more serious and realistic steel-esque take on this kind of giant monster than the summer Pacific coastfocusing on the people affected by the surprising raging beast.
History: M.U.T.O. Research Site teases 'Godzilla' Remake
For those hoping for pleasure more similar to the original Toho movies suitable rubber, this trailer can disappoint - but for those who are ready for a summer blockbuster of large scale science fiction, get ready: next year could see competition crushed by a giant mutated lizard, embodying the scientific pretensions of man gone mad.
Godzilla to be released May 16, 2014.
'The Voice' Recap: Two Coaches Bring Top 3 Singers to the Finale
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Cee Lo Green has a friend on the outside now. Tuesday night's elimination episode of The Voice not only revealed which three singers would compete for the championship next week, but also pushed another coach out of the competition.
PHOTOS: 'The Voice' Teams: Meet Season 5's Finalists
With no Instant Save to wait for, the first elimination sent James Wolpert packing, after singing U2's "With or Without You" on Monday night. Though accurately predicted by last week's #VoiceSave – the only upside of the very alienating Twitter experiment – Wolpert's leave also marked Adam Levine's first loss of the season's top 12, making him the first coach to have three singers in the top five.
Also sent home was Cole Vosbury, the final contestant of Blake Shelton's team. While he didn't take the title, he settled well into his artistic sound when performing Garth Brooks' rendition of Billy Joel's "Shameless" the night before. Vosbury's leave does mean that Shelton's three-time winning streak has officially been broken.
That leaves Christina Aguilera's Jacquie Lee, Levine's Tessanne Chin and Will Champlin in the top three -- all of whom love a good power ballad with a very climactic bridge. Finally, a Levine vs. Aguilera singing showdown (remember when they squabbled during every single episode of season two?).
The episode was filled with Voice alumni appearances. Season three champion Cassadee Pope performed "I Wish I Could Break Your Heart" and season four winner Danielle Bradbery sang "Never Like This," each from their debut albums. (Coincidentally, the night that Shelton's three singers returned to perform on the show was when he was eliminated from the current season as a coach).
VIDEO: 'Hart of Dixie': 'Voice' Winner Danielle Bradbery Wows Bluebell
Season four's Michelle Chamuel of Team Usher took the stage to sing "Go Down Singing" and The Swon Brothers of Team Blake also played their new single "Later On." Season two breakouts Jamar Rogers and Chris Mann were in attendance as well.
What did you think of Tuesday’s elimination? Was the right singer sent home, or do you wish the Twitter’s #VoiceSave was available this week? Who will take the title: Lee, Chin or Champlin? Levine or Aguilera? Sound off in the comments below.
Twitter: @cashleelee
A24, Demarest Films Pick Up Kevin Smith's Monster Movie 'Tusk'
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A24 has teamed up with Demarest Films for Kevin Smith's latest film, Tusk.
The New York-based company plans to release the film, which stars Justin Long, Michael Parks, Genesis Rodriguez and Haley Joel Osment, in the third quarter of 2014.
Tusk, written and directed by Smith, is considered a "modern-day monster movie" and is currently in production. Sam Englebardt, David Greathouse and Shannon McIntosh are producing.
STORY: Kevin Smith on Why Quentin Tarantino Said No to 'Tusk' (Guest Column)
In the film, Long plays a journalist who finds the story of a lifetime in Mr. Howe (Parks), a worldwide adventurer with amazing tales and a curious penchant for walruses.
"I'm as happy as the day Miramax bought Clerks back in '94!" Smith said in the announcement. "We're so lucky A24 fell in love with our walrus picture and jumped in the pool with us. I was a big fan of how they released The Bling Ring and Spring Breakers, so I was praying Tusk would take root there."
A24's 2013 releases included Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers and James Ponsoldt's Spectacular Now. Upcoming titles for 2014 include David Michod's The Rover, Steven Knight's Tom Hardy starrer Locke and Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, starring Scarlett Johansson.
Comedy Central Orders Three More Seasons of 'Tosh.0'
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Comedy Central is tripling down on Tosh.0. The cable network announced Tuesday that it has ordered three additional seasons of the weekly show, keeping it on the air through at least 2016.
“We believe Tosh.0 has the potential to resonate with our audience, and we want to give it time to connect." said Comedy Central president of content development and original programming Kent Alterman.
Currently in its fifth season, Tosh.0 is set to begin its sixth, a 30-episode order, on Feb. 18. The renewal is for seasons six, seven and eight.
"I am extremely fortunate and very grateful that I can continue to work with such fun and talented people on a very supportive network," said star and creator Daniel Tosh. "Sorry for the lack of snark -- I will leave that open for the comments section."
Tosh.0 has been a ratings boon to Comedy Central. Four years in, it ranks as the top entertainment series across all of TV among men 18-24 on Tuesday nights. It's averaging a robust 3.0 million viewers and a 2.2 rating among adults 18-49, season-to-date.
Tosh has extended his relationship with Comedy Central into animation as well. The network recently ordered a third season of cartoon Brickleberry, on which Tosh serves as both an executive producer and a voice actor.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
NBC s'engage à une autre Production musicale en direct en 2014
NBC is looking to start a new tradition.
After the success of the ambitious sound of music Live! last week attracted 18.6 million viewers, the network undertakes to pay to the staging of another family live musical production for the holidays in 2014, NBC confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
TV REVIEW: The Sound of Live Music!
NBC Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt said in an interview with the New York Times that they were "circling a couple of titles" which could be staged next year, to be led by the producers of the melody of happiness Neil Meron and Craig Zadan.The only rules are that they must be conventional Broadway with a bunch of familiar songs.
"All weekend, people were us calls and sending us an e-mail," Greenblatt told the Times. "Musicals rights holders have said,"Please make one of our shows." We are delighted to try again. »
Greenblatt also confirmed that direct comedies can become an annual thing for the network come the holidays, expressing his belief that the event television is crucial for the future of the broadcast.
AUDIO: Listen to NBC 'Sound of Music' Soundtrack
'There are enough to make a handful of these years to come, if we continue to increase the learning curve', said Greenblatt. "There may be a bit of a phenomenon in the first of them. Who knows what happens two, three or four. But you gotta have happened. I think we could do it again--and again and again. »
Although the melody of happiness took 18 months to develop, Greenblatt said that the next concerts will not take nearly as long. "Now that we have done once, we still have 18 months," he said. "We know a lot about how to do.
THR indicated previously that the price to pay for the three-hour show that aired December 5 nearly 9 million $. A 22-song soundtrack featuring Carrie Underwood is available on iTunes, with an encore broadcast sometime before Christmas and a DVD/Blu-ray release on December 17.
Meron had suggested in an interview with THR that he and Zadan had high hopes for several events live TV in the future if the melody of happiness turns out to be successful. "Our hope is in the success that we open the door to another type of entertainment that may exist on television," Meron said at the time.
E-mail: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
Twitter: @insidethetube
Erica Huggins Promoted to President of Imagine Entertainment
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Erica Huggins has been promoted to president of Imagine Entertainment, the production company run by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Michael Rosenberg.
Huggins has been with Imagine since 2004, when she joined the company as senior vp motion pictures. She was promoted to exec vp in 2006 then to co-president of production in 2010.
Currently she is producing the James Brown biopic Get on Up, starring Chadwick Boseman, and is exec producing The Heart of the Sea, which is in production with Chris Hemsworth starring.
EXCLUSIVE: Dan Aykroyd, Jill Scott Join James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'
Among the movies Huggins has worked on are J. Edgar, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Clint Eastwood; Restless, directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Mia Wasikowska; Rush, directed by Howard and starring Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl; Flightplan, directed by Robert Schwentke and starring Jodie Foster and Peter Sarsgaard; and the music documentaries Made in America and Katy Perry: Part of Me.
"For nearly 10 years Erica has proven to have true talent as a filmmaker," said Grazer. "She has been a valued part of the Imagine team in helping design film strategy for our future. Her unique sensibility and tenacity with writers, directors and studio executives has served Imagine well."
Said Howard, "Working closely with Erica over the years I can attest to her impeccable taste, her love of books, and her unique ability to work closely with talent. She never gives up on something she believes in."
"Erica's credits speak to her love of both film and television but most of all she believes in the power of great taste and has continued to make that the driving force of Imagine's development slate. She is a natural leader and wonderful choice to continue to keep imagine relevant," added Rosenberg.
Huggins had an interesting start for an executive. She began her career as a film editor, working on several John Waters films, including Hairspray, Cry-Baby, and Serial Mom. She also edited Michael Cimino's The Sicilian and Desperate Hours.
TV ratings: 'Bonnie & Clyde' pulls 9.8 million viewers through three nets
Broadcast on three networks: A & E, history and life - on Sunday night, the first instalment of the original mini-series Bonnie & Clyde recovered nearly 10 million viewers for the family of A + E cable.
TV review: Bonnie & Clyde
The total of 9.8 million makes shy of recent efforts Hatfields & McCoy, which culminated with a respective 14.3 and 13.1 million viewers on the history and the Bible. Excluding these two efforts, the ranks of Bonnie & Clyde as the mini more regarded opening since Broken Trail 2006.
Breaking ratings by network, the public was spread out fairly regularly. History, current champion mini-series cable, garnished with 3.7 million viewers - and life expectancy (3.1 million) and A & E (3 million) followed, elbow to elbow. Simulcasting scored 4.2 million adults 25-54 years.
Bonnie & Clyde embodies Emile Hirsch and Holliday Grainger the famous duo of embezzlement of the Bank. Automate production of Sony Pictures Television, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, marks the first simultaneous across the lifespan, from A & E and history.
Unlike these minis last net A + E, Bonnie & Clyde only has a deployment of two nights. The conclusion will be broadcast on December 9 at 21 on the three networks following a recall of the first instalment.
Tom Cruise Developing Another 'Jack Reacher' Movie
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Get ready for another Jack Reacher movie.
Tom Cruise is looking to make a sequel to Reacher, the 2012 thriller based on the books by Lee Child.
Paramount and Skydance Productions are reteaming to put another movie in development, this one based on Never Go Back.
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Cruise, who would reprise his role as a former military police officer, and the companies are looking for writers to tackle the script. Christopher McQuarrie wrote and directed the first one but now is focused on Mission: Impossible 5.
Never Go Back, published in September, has critics calling it one of the best of the 18-book (so far) series. The book sees Reacher on a cross-country run after facing trumped-up charges, a woman claiming he fathered her child and a female commanding officer.
While the first Reacher film made only $80 million domestically, the worldwide total was $218 million. The movie cost around $60 million to produce.
Sundance Film Festival Unveils 2014 Premieres Lineup
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Anton Corbijn's A Most Wanted Man is among a particularly strong group of narrative and documentary features premiering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the festival on Monday unveiled this year's lineup of premieres, which also will include the Michael Fassbender starrer Frank, Lynn Shelton's coming-of-age comedy Laggies featuring Keira Knightley in the role that Anne Hathaway famously abandoned and David Wain's send-up of the romantic comedy genre They Came Together, starring Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd.
PHOTOS: Sundance's Greatest Hits: The Movies That Broke Through
A Most Wanted Man has been generating heat thanks to the source material (John le Carre's best-selling thriller) and a cast that includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright and Willem Dafoe.
Documentaries include Alex Gibney's Finding Fela, about the late Afrobeat pioneer and human rights activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and a look at the Penn State college football program's pedophilia scandal, Happy Valley, as well as films about Mitt Romney and James "Whitey" Bulger.
STORY: Sundance Film Festival Unveils 2014 Competition Lineup
"The Premieres and Documentary Premieres sections of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival feature new work from many established independent filmmakers who began their careers at our festival years ago, which allows us to reflect on the impact, legacy and growth of the independent film movement over the past 30 years," Sundance Film Festival director John Cooper said.
Added director of programming Trevor Groth: "In many of the films selected for our 2014 Sundance Film Festival, we see fascinating characters and subjects throughout. Whether portrayed by recognized actors taking on more challenging and diverse roles or in the stranger-than-fiction reality of our documentaries, we look forward to sharing these incredible stories with audiences at our festival."
The festival runs from Jan. 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
Sundance already announced films in the U.S. and World Competition, NEXT, Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, New Frontier and Sundance Kids sections. On Tuesday, the festival will unveil its Shorts lineup.
PREMIERES
Calvary / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: John Michael McDonagh)—Calvary is a blackly comedic drama about a priest tormented by his community. Father James is a good man intent on making the world a better place. When his life is threatened one day during confession, he finds he has to battle the dark forces closing in around him. Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Marie-Josée Croz.
Frank / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Lenny Abrahamson, Screenwriters: Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan) — Frank is an offbeat comedy about a wannabe musician who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant garde rock band led by the enigmatic Frank—a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head. Cast: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy.
Hits / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Cross) — A small town in upstate New York is populated by people who wallow in unrealistic expectations. There, fame, delusion, earnestness, and recklessness meet, shake hands, and disrupt the lives around them. Cast: Meredith Hagner, Matt Walsh, James Adomian, Jake Cherry Derek Waters, Wyatt Cenac.
I Origins / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Mike Cahill)—A molecular biologist and his lab partner uncover startling evidence that could fundamentally change society as we know it and cause them to question their once-certain beliefs in science and spirituality. Cast: Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Steven Yeun, Archie Panjabi.
Laggies / U.S.A. (Director: Lynn Shelton, Screenwriter: Andrea Seigel)—Laggies is a coming of age story about a 28-year-old woman stuck in permanent adolescence. Unable to find her career calling, still hanging out with the same friends, and living with her high school boyfriend, Megan must finally navigate her own future when an unexpected marriage proposal sends her into a panic. Cast: Keira Knightley, Sam Rockwell, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ellie Kemper, Jeff Garlin, Mark Webber.
Little Accidents / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Sara Colangelo) —In a small American coal town living in the shadow of a recent mining accident, the disappearance of a teenage boy draws three people together—a surviving miner, the lonely wife of a mine executive, and a local boy—in a web of secrets. Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Boyd Holbrook, Chloë Sevigny, Jacob Lofland, Josh Lucas.
Love Is Strange / U.S.A. (Director: Ira Sachs, Screenwriters: Ira Sachs, Mauricio Zacharias)—After 39 years together, Ben and George finally tie the knot, but George loses his job as a result, and the newlyweds must sell their New York apartment and live apart, relying on friends and family to make ends meet. Cast: John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, Darren Burrows, Charlie Tahan, Cheyenne Jackson.
A Most Wanted Man / Germany, U.S.A. (Director: Anton Corbijn, Screenwriter: Andrew Bovell) — Based on John le Carré's bestselling book, Anton Corbijn directs this modern-day thriller with Academy Award–winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright, and two-time Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe headlining an ensemble cast. Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright.
Nick Offerman: American Ham / U.S.A. (Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Screenwriter: Nick Offerman) —WARNING: MINOR NUDITY AND NOT SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS. This live taping of Nick Offerman's hilarious one-man show at New York's historic Town Hall theater features a collection of anecdotes, songs, and woodworking/oral sex techniques. The routine includes Offerman's 10 tips for living a more prosperous life, so hearken well. Cast: Nick Offerman.
The One I Love / U.S.A. (Director: Charlie McDowell, Screenwriter: Justin Lader) — Struggling with a marriage on the brink of falling apart, a couple escapes for the weekend in pursuit of their better selves, only to discover an unusual dilemma waiting for them. Cast: Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss, Ted Danson.
The Raid 2 / Indonesia (Director and screenwriter: Gareth Evans) — Picking up where the first film left off, The Raid 2 follows Rama as he goes undercover and infiltrates the ranks of a ruthless Jakarta crime syndicate in order to protect his family and expose the corruption in his own police force. Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad.
Rudderless / U.S.A. (Director: William H. Macy, Screenwriters: Casey Twenter, Jeff Robison, William H. Macy) — When a grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles upon a box of his deceased son's original music, he forms a rock 'n' roll band, which changes his life. Cast: Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin, Felicity Huffman, Selena Gomez, Laurence Fishburne, William H. Macy. CLOSING NIGHT FILM
They Came Together / U.S.A. (Director: David Wain, Screenwriters: Michael Showalter, David Wain)—This subversion/spoof/deconstruction of the romantic comedy genre has a vaguely, but not overtly, Jewish leading man, a klutzy, but adorable, leading lady, and New York City itself as another character in the story. Cast: Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Ed Helms, Cobie Smulders, Max Greenfield, Christopher Meloni.
The Trip to Italy / United Kingdom (Director: Michael Winterbottom, Screenwriters: Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, Michael Winterbottom)—Michael Winterbottom reunites Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon for more delectable food, some sharp-elbowed rivalry, and plenty of laughs. Cast: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon.
The Voices / U.S.A., Germany (Director: Marjane Satrapi, Screenwriter: Michael R. Perry) —This genre-bending tale centers around Jerry Hickfang, a lovable but disturbed factory worker who yearns for attention from a woman in accounting. When their relationship takes a sudden, murderous turn, Jerry's evil talking cat and benevolent talking dog lead him down a fantastical path where he ultimately finds salvation. Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, Jacki Weaver.
White Bird in a Blizzard / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Gregg Araki)—Based on the acclaimed novel by Laura Kasischke, White Bird in a Blizzard tells the story of Kat Connors, a young woman whose life is turned upside down by the sudden disappearance of her beautiful, enigmatic mother. Cast: Shailene Woodley, Eva Green, Christopher Meloni, Shiloh Fernandez, Gabourey Sidibe, Thomas Jane, Jacob Artist.
Young Ones / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jake Paltrow)—When a series of events is set into motion, altering his young life forever, Jerome is forced to make choices that no child should ever have to make. Cast: Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Elle Fanning, Kodi Smit-McPhee.
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES
The Battered Bastards of Baseball / U.S.A. (Directors: Chapman Way, Maclain Way)— Hollywood veteran Bing Russell creates the only independent baseball team in the country—alarming the baseball establishment and sparking the meteoric rise of the 1970s Portland Mavericks.
Finding Fela / U.S.A. (Director: Alex Gibney)— Fela Anikulapo Kuti created the musical movement Afrobeat and used it as a political forum to oppose the Nigerian dictatorship and advocate for the rights of oppressed people. This is the story of his life, music, and political importance.
Freedom Summer / U.S.A. (Director: Stanley Nelson) — In the summer of 1964, more than 700 students descended on violent, segregated Mississippi. Defying authorities, they registered voters, created freedom schools, and established the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Fifty years later, eyewitness accounts and never-before-seen archival material tell their story. Not all of them would make it through.
Happy Valley / U.S.A. (Director: Amir Bar-Lev)— The children of "Happy Valley" were victimized for years, by a key member of the legendary Penn State college football program. But were Jerry Sandusky's crimes an open secret? With rare access, director Amir Bar-Lev delves beneath the headlines to tell a modern American parable of guilt, redemption, and identity.
Last Days in Vietnam / U.S.A. (Director: Rory Kennedy) — During the chaotic final weeks of the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese Army closes in on Saigon as the panicked South Vietnamese people desperately attempt to escape. On the ground, American soldiers and diplomats confront a moral quandary: whether to obey White House orders to evacuate only U.S. citizens.
Life Itself / U.S.A. (Director: Steve James) — Life Itself recounts the surprising and entertaining life of renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert. The film details his early days as a freewheeling bachelor and Pulitzer Prize winner, his famously contentious partnership with Gene Siskel, his life-altering marriage, and his brave and transcendent battle with cancer.
Mitt / U.S.A. (Director: Greg Whiteley) — A filmmaker is granted unprecedented access to a political candidate and his family as he runs for President.
This May Be the Last Time / U.S.A. (Director: Sterlin Harjo)— Filmmaker Sterlin Harjo's Grandfather disappeared mysteriously in 1962. The community searching for him sang songs of encouragement that were passed down for generations. Harjo explores the origins of these songs as well as the violent history of his people.
To Be Takei / U.S.A. (Director: Jennifer Kroot)—Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei journeyed from a World War II internment camp to the helm of the Starship Enterprise, and then to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband, Brad, on a wacky and profound trek for life, liberty, and love.
We Are the Giant / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Greg Barker) — We Are The Giant tells the stories of ordinary individuals who are transformed by the moral and personal challenges they encounter when standing up for what they believe is right. Powerful and tragic, yet inspirational, their struggles for freedom echo across history and offer hope against seemingly impossible odds.
WHITEY: United States of America v. James J. Bulger / U.S.A. (Director: Joe Berlinger) — Infamous gangster James "Whitey" Bulger's relationship with the FBI and Department of Justice allowed him to reign over a criminal empire in Boston for decades. Joe Berlinger's documentary chronicles Bulger's recent sensational trial, using it as a springboard to explore allegations of corruption within the highest levels of law enforcement.
Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com
Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27
'Fifty Shades of Grey' Casts Anastasia's Stepfather Ray Steele
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Fifty Shades of Grey has cast Callum Keith Rennie as Ray Steele, the stepfather of Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson).
Universal's and Focus Features' adaptation of EL James' erotic novel is currently shooting in Vancouver, Canada.
Johnson plays Anastasia Steele, a somewhat naive college student who falls for a mysterious and handsome billionaire, Christian Grey, played by Jamie Dornan. Ray is Anastasia's mother's (Jennifer Ehle) ex-husband, whom Anastasia considers her "real" father. In the book, Ray meets Anastasia's new love interest at her college graduation.
Anastasia has more than one stepfather. In the book, her mother, Carla, is married to a man named Bob, who will be played by Dylan Neal.
PHOTOS: 'Fifty Shades of Grey's' Jamie Dornan and 18 More Male Models Turned Actors
Already starring in the film are Rita Ora as Mia Grey, Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey, Eloise Mumford as Anastasia’s best friend, Kate Kavanagh, Victor Rasuk as Anastasia’s close friend Jose and Max Martini as Grey’s bodyguard.
Fifty Shades of Grey is produced by Michael de Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside James. Sam Taylor-Johnson is directing. Kelly Marcel wrote the initial draft of the screenplay, with subsequent script work from Patrick Marber and Mark Bomback.
Rennie recently completed The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet and the indie Ride. He is repped by APA, Elizabeth Hodgson of Hodgson Management Group and attorney Bob Lange of Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo.
Fifty Shades of Grey is slated to hit theaters Feb. 13, 2015.
E-mail: Rebecca.Ford@THR.com
Twitter: @Beccamford