We Bought a Zoo: Film Review

This story first appeared in the Dec. 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsFrom 'The Artist' to 'War Horse,' 23 Awards Contenders That Prominently Feature Animals (Photos)The Making of 'The Artist''The Artist' Star Berenice Bejo to Wear Her 1920s Costumes on Red CarpetsHow Rin Tin Tin Ruined Any Oscar Shot for 'The Artist's' Jack RussellMichel Hazanavicius, the Artist Behind 'The Artist,' On the Great Crowd-Pleaser (Video) Somehow, Michel Hazanavicius managed to come up with something that even the French thought was loopy. For years, the Parisian writer-director -- an analytical guy who sees filmmaking as what he calls "playing with codes" -- had been captivated by an idea. But financiers got cold feet just hearing about it; the boutique television stations that typically fund sophisticated European films walked away. Even in a nation of cineastes and revival houses -- a country in which a major film movement was once launched by a band of movie critics -- his dream looked to be dead on arrival. PHOTOS: The Making of 'The Artist' "I wanted to make one for a long time," the director says about his fascination with doing a black-and-white silent set in the 1920s. His long limbs folded over a table at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, he talks about his heroes like F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang. "But it's even difficult to convince myself, or to convince anyone else, it is even possible. I found that some producers -- really all of them -- were a little bit cold." It didn't help that the 44-year-old Hazanavicius was known in France for the box-office-friendly, period-conscious OSS 117 spy parodies, in which a kind of Gallic Bond scampers through the 1950s and '60s. "What I needed was a crazy guy," he says. Enter Thomas Langmann, 40, whom Hazanavicius calls "the craziest producer in France." Langmann, the son of Oscar winner Claude Berri (who directed Manon of the Spring and produced Roman Polanski's Tess), worked a bit with Soderbergh and Coppola as a young man and produced some French smashes in his 30s. Langmann sees producing as a species of gambling. "It was always about betting on directors," he says of the philosophy his father passed down. "I knew if we made a film in black and white and we succeeded, it would be original." It took director and producer awhile to sync up -- early ideas such as a feature with an invisible protagonist didn't make the cut. "I really wanted to make an entertaining movie," Hazanavicius says, noting that many European silents were tragic romances. "I thought it was unfair to ask people to come to a black-and-white silent movie that was also dark -- it would be too much." But finally the two came up with an idea that worked: a film about a '20s matinee idol who struggles with the advent of talkies. PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes of our Directors Roundtable Photo Shoot With Michel Hazanavicius The movie that resulted is being talked about as the first silent film with real best-picture Oscar chances since Wings, the 1927 Clara Bow film that arrived soon before the talkies changed the game (it won). The Artist opened in the U.S. on Nov. 25 -- just two screens each in NY and Los Angeles -- but already has banked an impressive $12 million since its release in France in October. More important, the film took the best actor award at Cannes, where it played to rapturous audiences, and it has gone on to seduce judges at festivals around the world and sweep the season's audience awards from Chicago to the Hamptons to San Sebastien. "It is as wonderful a film as it is modern," says silent-film collector and producer Serge Bromberg, who has seen the movie six times at festivals, "with jaw-dropping cinematography, good acting, wonderful knowledge of classic cinema. And it has the flavor of the old. But it is not a film of the '20s; the pace is not the same, and its constant humor gives it some distance from what a film of the '20s would be." Hazanavicius was already an admirer of the silent era, but as he wrote, he immersed himself deeply for several months, reading actors' biographies, going to screenings of Murnau and Frank Borzage and early John Ford at Paris' Cinematheque, studying photographs and playing music of the '20s and early '30s. STORY: 'The Artist' Star Berenice Bejo to Wear Her 1920s Costumes on Red Carpets He wanted Jean Dujardin -- a bankable French star known mostly for comic roles -- to play the lead, Valentin. "Of course, I said: 'You're crazy. It's impossible,' " says Dujardin. Hazanavicius also asked his girlfriend, Berenice Bejo, the Argentina-born French actress who appeared in A Knight's Tale and in his OSS films, to play a studio extra named Peppy, shot into fame by a chance encounter. "I said, 'No way -- no way,' " recalls Bejo, who has two children with the director. "Not with me." The two eventually were persuaded, and their presence caused a change in the movie itself. The original vision for the film focused on Valentin's isolation. But as Hazanavicius got deeper into the film, Peppy began to seem major, and the movie became a romance. Dujardin had only ever scratched the era's surface. "I knew only the masterpieces of Keaton and Chaplin," he says. "It was a real discovery for me to find King Vidor's The Crowd," a film about a man lost in the big city of the 1920s that the actor calls "very modern, very touching; it helped me to assemble all the different references." PHOTOS: It's a Zoo This Season: 23 Awards Contenders Featuring Animals As a model for his character, he found Douglas Fairbanks -- the actor who started making films in 1915 and whose career faded as talkies ascended. "In all his films," Dujardin says, "he doesn't ask himself any questions," never straining against the limits of the swashbuckling style required by such films as Robin Hood and The Mark of Zorro. "It's pathetic when you know the talkies are coming, but he's also very generous. He's like my character George Valentin: He can be arrogant, but he has integrity. He believes in his art. He fights for it." (Valentin needs that integrity -- as he spirals downward, it's all he has, besides liquor and an attentive, scene-stealing dog to keep him warm.) Bejo's research found inspiration in Gloria Swanson -- who, unlike Fairbanks, excelled after the silent era. She fell for Swanson's autobiography, which describes a life very different from the desiccated former star she played in Sunset Boulevard. "She started in the silent period and then went to the talkies and then to TV," Bejo says. "I got a sense of the atmosphere of the period." To make a film about Hollywood, Langmann reasoned, you had to shoot there. By now he'd drawn some funding from French station Canal+ and invested considerably from his own company, La Petite Reine. But the costs of coming to America -- and surrendering French government subsidies -- raised the stakes substantially. (The film's eventual budget came close to $20 million.) STORY: 'The Artist': The Not-So-Silent Entry Shooting at the Paramount and Warner Bros. lots -- as well as locations like the beautifully lit center court of downtown L.A.'s 1893 Bradbury Building, known to film buffs for its role in Blade Runner -- inspired the crew over the 35-day shoot. (Dujardin was put up in an old house in the Hollywood Hills -- he thinks to amplify his isolation for his slide in the movie's second act.) "Hollywood, in my opinion, is the big star of the movie," says Hazanavicius. Also crucial to re-creating the era onscreen was the work of costume designer Mark Bridges, who worked on all of Paul Thomas Anderson's films, including Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood. Some of his vision for The Artist came from the MGM documentary 1925 Studio Tour. "You could see what the carpenters, what the plasterers wore," he says. "Even those guys in their bib overalls had a necktie. And a lot of hats, either for warmth or bad hair days." Surprisingly, director of photography Guillaume Schiffman shot the film in color because today's black and white is too sharp, not grainy enough. He used unusual filters to diffuse the whites and mute the blacks slightly -- and as the film went on, with its main character losing some of his sheen, the light got grayer. Although Hazanavicius deliberately had chosen very expressive actors -- Americans John Goodman, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller round out the cast -- they found the limitations were difficult at first. For Bejo, working without lines threw her off. (The actors improvised in English while onscreen, to give their mouths something to do, mixed with a few of the "lines" shown to the audience on intertitles.) But she eventually found a way to inhabit the role. "If it was a talking movie, she would have been the same -- would have moved the same way, winked the same way, danced the same way," she says. "The challenge was to try to focus on the body language, but the rest of it was finding a way of being an American actress. I think of American actors -- they take up a lot of space, they talk really loud, they talk with their hands. So I had to find that, since being a French actor, everything is more petite." STORY: How 'The Artist's' Fashions Are Impacting the Red Carpet To keep communing with the past, the director kept the music of the era -- George Gershwin, Cole Porter -- in constant rotation while they shot, and he brought cast and crew to see films at the Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax, and to the Nuart for its revival of Murnau's Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (a morality tale about the corrupting influence of the city Murnau made for Fox in 1927) . The director applied some of what he learned: Murnau, for instance, had instructed his protagonist from Sunrise to wear heavy, weighted shoes on set after he fell on hard times; Hazanavicius did something similar when he dressed his fallen star in suits slightly too big for him. "He's not as perfect as he was in the first act," he says. Hazanavicius credits the world's fascination with Hollywood for the film's international appeal, but the enormous enthusiasm of Harvey Weinstein is the reason it has exploded out of the gates during the festival season into the awards race. Weinstein, who had enjoyed the OSS films, had heard about the movie from Langmann and in March flew to Paris, where he saw the film alone in a screening room. Weinstein was not ambiguous in his praise. The Artist, he says now, "treasures the American cinema I love. It's an inspiration, everything about the movie -- where they shot the movie, the way they used American cast and crew. It's just a love letter to American cinema." Langmann was impressed with Weinstein's urge to pull the trigger without any associates along to vet the decision. It was still months before Cannes -- it was not even assured at this point that the film would be released in France -- but by the time of the festival, the deal to distribute in the U.S., the U.K. and other regions was done. The film ends with a tap dance that required more work than anything else in the film. "I think 95 percent of the preparation was for the tap dancing," Hazanavicius says. Bejo recalls her practice with both pleasure and exasperation: "Five months, every day." The film was shot in as close to real sequence as possible -- in part to give the actors time to learn to tap dance, and partly so they would travel the same journey as George and Peppy before arriving at the climactic scene. "The dance is all about their characters," Hazanavicius says. "If it's just a performance, it's not interesting." Bejo's attitude toward the conclusion captures some of the quality that makes her character -- and the film -- so winning. "I kept telling myself: 'Just smile, look at each other, enjoy the moment. The happier you are, the less people will look at your feet. Just act, don't try to be good -- your feet will follow.' " PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The Making of 'The Artist' Related Topics The Artist 1 2 next last

Daniel Radcliffe and 'Harry Potter' Pals Celebrate Franchise at Lunch in New You'll be able to (Video)

our editor recommends'Harry Potter' Films Dominate Home Video Chart Due to 'Deathly Hallows Part 2' Release'Harry Potter' Director Developing Large-Screen Undertake 'Doctor Who'Harry Potter's Parents' Dying Anniversary Sweeps Web'Harry Potter' Documentary Particulars the conclusion in the Film Franchise (Video)This mid-day, Warner Brothers and sisters situated a Peggy Siegal lunch at NY's fabled 21 Club in celebration of Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the eighth and final installment in the decade-spanning film franchise that has with one another made over $7.7 billion at box-offices around the globe and single-handedly elevated the decreasing British film industry. PHOTOS: Maturing 'Harry Potter': Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint Even though franchise's first seven obligations received only scattered Oscar nods in technical groups -- art direction/set direction (#1, #4, #7), cinematography, (6), costume design (#1), original score (#1, #3), and visual effects (#3, #7) -- the best the very first is considered to experience a extended while not impossible shot of cracking to the best picture category itself, possibly incorporated inside a Master in the Rings-like tribute. (Because you can recall, the next and final installment of the epic franchise wasn't only nominated for but won the most effective picture Oscar.) Participants at today's event incorporated the heavens Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Rickman, who in many eight films carried out the title character and villainous Severus Snape, correspondingly the director David Yates, who helmed some latest obligations (Chris Columbus did #1 and #2, Alfonso Cuaron did #3, and Mike Newell did #4) as well as the producer David Heyman, who bought the rights to J.K. Rowling's books about 10 years ago and contains brought the film franchise since. PHOTOS: 10 Finest Book-to-Silver Screen Adaptations in the Latter-and-a-half decades THR exclusively taken footage of remarks of gratitude that have been created by Heyman and Yates for the participants in the event. You will see them near the top of the publish or read them here... Heyman transcription... "Throughout the time from the, I guess, 10 years that individuals've been making these films, we increased to become household. You understand, Serta, Alan -- plenty of these people -- done all eight films, plus it only decided to function as the lovliest journey. Since it's over, it's somewhat strange -- you understand, that family's all gone a unique way -- but people 10 years are filled with fantastic recollections. Which I've had the pleasure of coping with good quality company company directors, but not one of them a lot more than David Yates, nobody had the daunting challenge of not just pointing one film but pointing four films -- he's still on holiday, incidentally. More youthful crowd introduced the series with a conclusion within this perfect method that I really think did justice to Jo Rowling's magnificent books. The simple truth is none people might be here were it not for Jo, which i recognize that they will get really pleased with this film -- she's a producer about it. She will get incredibly pleased with it. Which I thanks all to become here to assist us also to support it." Yates transcription... "There's almost no to incorporate aside from to convey gratitude to become here. It has been an incredible journey -- I've only been along for half from it, plus it just feels strange coming back. We finished the film four several days ago, and following a promotions as well as the premieres we felt we'd, kind of, left it behind. Nevertheless it's wonderful being back and basically talking about this, because we are happy using the final film. There's huge expectation and anticipation, far more of pressure, because this material which books mean a great deal to numerous people around the globe, which we moved that responsibility around around. We did a DVD launch yesterday in Orlando, which we met several of these youthful fans, and so they counseled me really wonderful, and also the one factor they saved telling us was, 'Thank you,' which was really, really touching. And then we left it behind within this summer time, but we're coming back to find out it again now. Appreciate being here and supporting the film. We greatly be grateful.Inch Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe Alan Rickman David Yates

Idina Menzel on Motherhood, Being Pigeonholed and Her PBS TV Special

TORONTO - Stage and screen star Idina Menzel has originated from the role in the eco-friendly-skinned Elphaba in "Wicked" and Maureen in "Rent."As well as the Broadway belter features a recurring guest star role as Rachel's biological mother on Fox's "Glee."But nothing comes even close to when Menzel and husband and "Private Practice" star Taye Diggs stood a choosing, Master Diggs."In my opinion, it absolutely was something special to own this intense passion for somebody that I'd never felt before, for any kid, making you're feeling a lot better than other activities you have carried out,In . Menzel mentioned backstage after undertaking over two nights with an approaching PBS TV special recorded in Toronto within the Royal Conservatory of Music's Koerner Hall.She referred to motherhood has changed her in the gifted, yet self-absorbed artist bedeviled by doubts to experiencing first-time fulfillment."Since I'd my boy, I have really a single cup half-full perspective on existence he (Master) has given me," Menzel mentioned getting an extensive smile."Essentially screwed up a greater note, The year progresses simpler on myself," she added, knowing just like a mother she's a baby boy home who loves her.Menzel marked another milestone in Toronto, while using Kitchener-Waterloo Orchestra and legendary maestro Marvin Hamlisch using a medley of hit tunes from "Glee," "Wicked" and "Rent," and tales in the career that needed her in the wedding singer in New You are able to, NY to arousing bravos on Broadway and screen looks.For Menzel, a preliminary-time TV special is about showing fans that connect her success with role-playing that she's far not just a Belle of Broadway by getting an acting bug."Everyone desires to pigeon-hole you, throughout my situation just like a eco-friendly witch for Wicked or possibly a rock singer to rent,Inch she mentioned."This (PBS special) gives you an opportunity to become myself and be genuine also to show a sizable spectrum of talents," Menzel added.That proposition will probably be examined very quickly as Menzel's PBS TV special to air in March 2012 will probably be then an energetic album together with a DVD release.The chance to become herself also follows Menzel and Hamlisch beautifying her one-lady concert show completed with numerous orchestras inside the U.S. at Royal Albert Hall london, England.Her solo amounts are associated with set-up tales that recall being told through a bandleader to carry on singing within a marriage gig just like a guy had cardiovascular disease round the party area "because the band always plays on, like it's the Titanic," or embarrassing herself attending college by singing Cole Porter's "Love Available" to please a teacher she'd a crush on who switched to become gay.She also notifies, and colorfully embellishes, an account about being overlooked inside a dining area table by Barbara Streisand after she completed on her behalf inside a Kennedy Center Honors concert, only to learn within the finish in the meal the Broadway legend did not remember her glasses and didn't create Menzel undertaking on stage.Menzel also spoke of meeting Taye Diggs in 1996 round the Broadway number of Rent "Did a touch too much tease back-stage, you know what happens I'm speaking about ladies?" in addition to landing a recurring role on "Glee" after questioning she'd have you ever gotten work again after having a baby.InchI have been getting a baby, I used to be really body body fat which i get yourself a script for 'Glee,'" she appreciated just before the Gleeks inside the Toronto audience skyrocketed with cheers on her behalf rendition of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face.""In my opinion you have to be vulnerable and intimate by getting a crowd,Inch Menzel states backstage as round her the PBS production crew packed up for your morning flight home within the border.As if to underline that point, Menzel for that finish of her PBS special walked for the front in the acoustically perfect Koerner Hall stage, dropped her microphone, and filled the quiet hall by getting a b cappella version of "Permanently" from Wicked."'For Good,' that's the most popular part of the show. It's removed lower, there's no orchestra you'll be able to hide behind," she referred to. The Hollywood Reporter

George Clooney: Ryan Gosling 'Wanted' Most sexy Guy Alive

You had been only some of the real person disappointed that Bradley Cooper needed home People Magazine's Most sexy Guy Alive title for 2011 over Ryan Gosling apparently Gosling was too! No less than if you feel noted prankster George Clooney, who told Extra the Gos "want[erection dysfunction]" very good. "He [Gosling] want,Inch Clooney joked to Extra at La premiere of 'The Descendants' on Tuesday evening. "He's been saying ... the whole time i had been round the number of 'Ides of March,' he was like, 'How perhaps you have pull that off?' Therefore I referred to as up Kaira Pitt which we labored with him for the days round the walk, we told him the best way to train ... everything." Apparently, it was not enough, as Cooper was selected rather. Gosling fanatics needed for the streets outdoors individuals Magazine offices in NY on Thursday to protest selecting a Cooper, possibly an ill-advised decision taking into consideration the particular protests happening around Manhattan. [via ExtraTV] [Photo: Getty] Ryan Gosling 2011 Photos See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Access Hollywood Live: Go Green With Meatless Monday Recipes!

First Published: November 14, 2011 3:54 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Billy Bush and Kit Hoover talk Meatless Monday with chefs Laurie David and Kristin Uhrenholt on Access Hollywood Live on November 14, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- To kick off NBCUniversals Green Week, author Laurie David and chef Kirstin Uhrenholdt stop by with some great recipes from their book, The Family Dinner, about how you can not only eat healthy but save the environment too! Moninas Wheat Berry Salad Ingredients: 2 cups wheat berries (wild rice or farro also are good) 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries 1/3 cup canola or toasted walnut oil Zest and juice of 2 oranges Zest and juice of 1 lemon Salt and Pepper to taste 1 cup frozen edamame beans, defrosted (no need to cook) 1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts Optional additions: feta, chopped dried apricots, chopped scallions, parsley, dill arugula, spinach, pine nuts, or whatever else your desires TO MAKE 6 SERVINGS: In a large pot, combine the wheat berries with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, for about 60 to 80 minutes, bearing in mind that they are quite unpredictable, so start tasting them after 45 minutes. When they are tender but still chewy, drain and let cool. Toss the wheat berries with the cranberries, oil, and zest and juice of the oranges and lemon. Season gener- ously with salt and pepper. Let the salad hang out for at least 2 hours so the ingredients get to know each other. Just before serving, toss with the edamame and nuts. ********** Lentil Stew with Potatoes and Warm Indian Spices Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium onions, chopped 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 1 tablespoon good quality garam masala 1 cup diced carrots 1 large potato, peeled and cut into small cubes 2 cups brown lentils, rinsed 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (or light coconut milk) 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted Salt and pepper to taste Yogurt, for garnish TO MAKE 46 SERVINGS In your soup pot, heat the olive oil and fry the onions until wilted and golden, then add the garlic, ginger, and spices and stir for a moment until they are fragrant. Be very careful not to burn the spices, as this will make them bitter. Take half of this mixture and set it aside for later. Add the carrots, potato, lentils, tomatoes, coconut milk, and stock. Let the stew simmer, without a lid, for about 30 to 40 minutes until the potatoes and lentils are tender. Fold in the remaining onion-and-spice mixture. Add the peas to the stew last to keep their brilliant color. Simmer for another few minutes until the stew is heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with a dollop of yogurt, warm naan bread or pita, and perhaps some brown rice, plain or cooked with a 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth cardamom pod. ********** Oven Grains, Greens and Cheese, Please Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium onions, sliced 2 cloves, garlic, chopped 2 cups sliced mushrooms Salt and pepper 2 bunches kale, chopped 2 bunches Swiss chard, chopped 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg, beaten Squeeze of lemon 6 cups cooked, mild-tasting grains, like quinoa, barley or wheatberries 6 cups Fragrant Tomato Sauce (p. 98 of our book or a basic marinara sauce like here or your favorite store-bought tomato sauce, plus extra to serve on the side 2 cups mixed cheeses, like a soft goat cheese, fresh mozzarella and Fontina To Make 6 Servings (plus leftovers): Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and drizzle in enough oil to cover the bottom. Saute the onions, garlic and mushrooms until they are soft and golden. Season with salt and pepper and dump them into a bowl. In a large pot or pan with a lid, steam the greens until tender, 4 to 5 minutes (you might have to do this in a couple of batches). Put the cooked greens in a clean dishtowel or salad spinner and wring out all the excess water. Toss the greens with the Parmesan cheese and egg. Season with a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Now treat all the ingredients just like a lasagna. Put a layer of grains in your baking dish, top with tomato sauce, a layer of greens, the mushroom mixture, and a layer of the mixed cheeses. . . .and so on until you finish with a layer of tomato sauce and cheese. Top the dish with foil or a lid, stick it into the oven, and bake until bubbling, about 35 minutes. Then take off the lid and return the dish to the oven for 10 minutes. To learn more, go to www.TheFamilyDinnerBook.com and www.MeatlessMonday.com. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Lionsgate Grants or loans Netflix Exclusive Movie Streaming Privileges For United kingdom And Ireland

This announcement comes 1 week after Netflix arrived an identical cope with MGM to exhibit movies within the pay TV window within the United kingdom and Ireland. Here’s the discharge for that new agreement with Lionsgate: BEVERLY Hillsides, Calif., November. 14, 2011– Netflix, Corporation. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and Lionsgate United kingdom, a subsidiary of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (New york stock exchange: LGF) today introduced a brand new multi-year certification agreement that can make Netflix the exclusive subscription streaming service within the United kingdom and Ireland for first-run movies in the studio. Lionsgate United kingdom game titles is going to be readily available for Netflix people within the United kingdom and Ireland to look at instantly within the pay TV window on the televisions, pills, video games, computer systems and cell phones, for any low monthly cost. Netflix introduced recently it would launch its service within the United kingdom and Ireland at the start of 2012. Showing up solely on Netflix within twelve months of the theatrical release is going to be such films as “The Hunger Games,” the highly-anticipated film according to Suzanne Collins’ best-selling teen novel and starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth “The Expendables 2,” the follow up towards the blockbuster hit starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis and Jet Li and also the lately-introduced remake from the beloved 1987 classic “Dirty Dancing.” Among recent Lionsgate United kingdom hits open to watch instantly within the United kingdom and Ireland are “The Auto technician,” “Saw three dimensional” and also the original “The Expendables” in addition to great catalogue game titles including “Reservoir Dogs,” “Blair Witch Project,” 𔄛:10 to Yuma,” and “Good Evening and Best Of Luck.” “Lionsgate is a vital and effective supplier of television series and films to us in most in our areas,” stated Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “We are proud to become the exclusive Pay TV home for Lionsgate theatrically-launched films within the United kingdom and Ireland.” “Netflix may be the leading worldwide brand in steaming movies and they've an amazing service in The United States. We're very excited to become dealing with them because they launch their service and produce our movies to audiences within the United kingdom and Ireland,” added Zygi Kamasa, Lionsgate United kingdom Boss.

Benicio wanted for 'Star Trek' villain

Del ToroAbramsThough most roles are cast in Vital and Skydance's "Star Trek" follow up, the mysterious villain part was still being available -- and today J.J. Abrams makes his choice. Sources near to the project tell Variety that Benicio Del Toro is anticipated to become offered the part, possibly prior to the weekend has gone out. Associates say Del Toro has met with Abrams but, in order to keep your role a secret, still does not know precisely what it's. Componen and Skydance didn't have discuss the casting process. Abrams has returned to direct with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof penning the script. Abrams, Kurtzman, Orci, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, and David Ellison will produce through Bad Robot and Skydance Productions. Production is anticipated to begin at the begining of 2012. Del Toro most lately finished production on Universal's "Savages." Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Screen Media Acquires Greta Gerwig's 'The Dish and the Spoon' (Exclusive)

Screen Media Films, noted for little movies with big talents (like Maggie Gyllenhaal in Laurie Collyer's Sherrybaby), has acquired Alison Bagnall's The Dish and the Spoon, which star Greta Gerwig filmed just after her Spirit Award-nominated breakout performance in Greenberg.our editor recommendsThe Dish & the Spoon: Movie ReviewGreta Gerwig, Adam Brody to star in 'Damsels in Distress'Greta Gerwig, Alison Pill Join Woody Allen Movie Olly Alexander (Bright Star) also stars in the movie, which centers on a woman who, after her husband admits to an affair, embarks on an unconventional romance with a stranded British teenage she discovers marooned on the beach. "A delicate brief-encounter indie set in the aftermath of betrayal," wrote The Hollywood Reporter's John DeFore of The Dish and the Spoon's March SXSW premiere. "The film has art-house potential and could raise the profile of costar Olly Alexander." Bagnall, an AFI alum who broke out as the writer of Buffalo '66, will screen the film in AFI's 2011 Young Americans section. After NY Times critic Manohla Dargis'Greenberg review said Gerwig "may well be the definitive screen actress of her generation," Gerwig began landing roles in such high-profile films as Nero Fiddled by Woody Allen, also on a career upswing. The Dish and the Spoon will come out on VOD and DVD in early 2012. The deal was brokered with Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment and Suzanne Blech, president of Screen Media Films. Related Topics Greta Gerwig

Sinclair To Buy Freedom Stations For $385M

Sinclair Broadcasting this morning unveiled third-quarter revenue of $180.8 million, which is down 3% from a year ago but beat Wall Street estimates, and the company used its sold earnings report to announce it has acquired eight TV stations from Freedom Communications for $385 million. The deal marks the second buy for Sinclair in two months after it purchased seven Four Point Media stations in September for $200 million. “It is our intent to continue evaluating television station transactions which are accretive and where we can use our expertise and presence to improve profitability and competitive position,” said Sinclair CEO David Smith. He also predicted that the fourth quarter will see low-teen percent growth in automotive spending as well as an upswing in political advertising revenue as the presidential elections ramp up. The company saw growth in automotive, retail, and schools during the third quarter, while services, media spending, telecommunications, and grocery were down the most. Year-over-year, Sinclair’s income was $19.2 million, or 24 cents a share, compared with $14.3 million, or 18 cents a share. It also today announced acash dividend of$0.12per share on the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock.

Keck's Exclusives: Andrew Dice Clay Pays Visit to Raising Hope

Andrew Dice Clay Andrew Dice Clay will get another chance to experience themselves (following a final season of HBO's Entourage). Fox's Raising Hope has requested the potty-mouthed stand-around are available in the November 29 episode. Inside the show, Dice might be the celebrity judge from the amateur designers convention attended with the Chance family. Because the Chances have high hopes their invention could make them super wealthy, they once again finish up round the losing finish of lady luck, due to a twist such as the Diceman'scharacter. Even though this is Dice's first appearance round the sitcom, a March episode found Jimmy (Lucas Neff) telling his father, "Father, I have stated a hundred occasions, I have not a clue who Andrew Dice Clay is." Well Jimmy, you will uncover! How will you all experience Andrew Dice Clay's revival this season? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!