Universal Having Fun With Ouija Again

Michael Bay's Platinum Dune team is backLast year, Universal were built with a large, budget-driven spasm and appeared to jettison nearly every film it had been developing under its cope with games giant Hasbro that wasn't known as Battleship. One of the casualties would be a undertake spooky spirit conjuring lark Ouija overseen by Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes company with Micrograms mounted on direct. However it has risen in the development grave because of Paranormal Activity.How so? Well, Paranormal producerJason Blum, that has designed a reputation for themself developing low-budget disasters and thrillers, has become associated with the Ouija film after joining up track of Platinum Dunes' Bay, Kaira Larger and Andrew Form. Based on Deadline, the idea continues to be seriously retooled from the blockbuster budget to some thrifty $5 million. The brand new cost become a huge hit to Universal (which in fact had been threatened having a penalty when the movie wasn't made inside a certain deadline anyway) and it is back on.It's not known whether Micrograms continues to be involved by any means (we'd guess the different companies will would rather go the Project X/ Chronicle route and employ a fresh, cheaper person to call the shots) or that has written the brand new script. We attempted asking individuals questions about work Ouija board, but all we've got was bloodstream running lower the walls along with a fire demon within the loo. You realize: the typical, every single day occurrence at Empire Towers...

Pilot Season: Heroes Alum Hayden Panettiere Joins ABC's Nashville

The Walking Dead [Warning: This story contains major spoilers about AMC's The Walking Dead and the comic book series it originated from.] AMC may have just spoiled what might turn out to be the worst-kept TV secret of 2012. On the AMC website early Thursday, The Walking Dead's second season limited edition Blu-ray set was being promoted. One problem: The item's description included a major spoiler, touting that the bonus features include "Shane's last episode." Does this mean Jon Bernthal's character will soon meet his demise? The Walking Dead Boss: Lori has become Lady Macbeth Bernthal's future on the zombie drama has been in question since his character, the increasingly hot-headed former deputy, died in Issue 6 of the comics on which the series is based. That means Bernthal's incarnation has long outlived his comic-book counterpart. Furthermore, news that Bernthal was in talks for Frank Darabont's new TNT pilot only increased fans' suspicions that the TV series Shane would soon be a goner. "You know the Shane character was killed off in the comic book very, very early," Walking Dead executive producer Glen Mazzara recently told TVGuide.com. "We are a show that is going to surprise people. People can speculate. I haven't read the Frank script, but it is conceivable that Bernthal's character gets offed in that [TNT] pilot. I haven't read it. So I don't want to say anything about secrets or spoilers or anything like that, but I think fans will be satisfied with our story, and I'm just going to focus on that, not other material." By Thursday night, the website had been shut down (you can see a photo of the site below). "The post on the AMC store was completely unauthorized," an AMC spokesperson said in a statement. "The matter is currently under investigation." Have the clues that Bernthal might be leaving the series ruined the season for you? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

New Hunger Games image arrives

The Hunger Games has released another new image of one of its key players, with Donald Sutherland taking centre stage as the villainous President Snow.The President is the autocratic ruler of Panem, and despite his smooth public persona, he's not a very nice chap. After all, it is he who insists on the sadistic practice of pitting teenagers against each other in a televised fight to the death!Sutherland looks suitably heartless in this new snap, coming off as a cross between a slippery politician and a demented preacher. Sticking with the quasi-religious theme, that podium looks very much like a pulpit, doesn't it?The President doesn't have a great deal of involvement in the series' first book, so we won't be expecting to see too much of Sutherland first time around. However, he becomes a more significant player as the trilogy progresses, with his iron-fist style of leadership coming to the fore as Katniss's rebellion gathers pace.The Hunger Games opens in the UK on 23 March 2012. Tired of watching perma-tanned halfwits talk garbage on national television? The Hunger Games' brand of reality telly could be right up your street...

Cablevision profit falls by almost half

Cablevision's net income plunged by nearly half in the fourth quarter absent contributions from AMC Networks, which was spun off last year. Revenue for the NY area company rose 7.3% to $1.7 billion, including the acquisition of smaller cabler Bresnan during the year. Core revenue from cable operations grew 8.3% to $1.51 billion as a slight dip in video subscribers was offset by growth in data and voice. Shares were up 2.1% at $15.97 in early trading. Cablevision profit fell to $60 million from $113 million. Earnings from continuing operations excluding AMC fell 18%. Operating income rose 28% to $346 million Chairman James Dolan called 2011 ''an important year for Cablevision as it marked the culmination of several multi-year initiatives -- spinning off MSG and AMC, completing the Bresnan acquisition, paying quarterly dividends and actively buying back stock. Dolan noted during a conference call that Cablevision hasn't raised its rates for 2012 but is eliminating some low-priced packages. Cablevision ended the year with 3.62 million customers. Video subs dipped by 11,000 own from third quarter but high-speed data and voice were up by 21,000 and 30,000 respectively. Commercial biz Optimum Lightpath saw revenue rise 9.7% to $79 million and operating income more than double to $16 million. Cablevision's other assets include Newsday, News 12 Networks, MSG Varsity, Clearview Cinemas and Cablevision Media Sales (formerly Rainbow Advertising Sales). Revenue fell 5.5% to $117 million, mostly on advertising declines at Newsday. Losses narrowed to $81 million. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Vincent Graeff dies at 80

Vincent Graeff, a youthful child actor who came out inside the "Our Gang" quantity of shorts using the type of George "Spanky" McFarland and Robert Blake, died Feb. 8 in Henderson, Nev. He was 80. Credited as Billy Ray Cruz, Graeff made his debut at 6 in 1937's "The Pigskin Palooka." At the begining of 19 forties he came out in MGM shorts including "Baby Blues," "Fightin' Fools," "Robot Wrecks," "Helping Hands" and "Prone to Press." While he elevated just a little older, the youthful actor came out in several uncredited feature roles, including in notable films for instance "A Tree Evolves in Brooklyn," "The Valley of Decision," "The Harvey Women," "The Dark Corner," "Sister Kenny," "The Babe Ruth Story," "The Set-Up" and "Cheaper with the Dozen." Graeff ended his acting career in 1951. Born in San Ysidro, Calif., Graeff offered inside the Marine Corps through the Korean War, producing a Crimson Heart. He'd work just like a sheet metal worker. Graeff's brother Paul, who also came out in films becoming an adult actor, died this season. Graeff is managed to get by his wife, Pat five children and diverse grandchildren and great-children. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

REVIEW: Appalling Act of Valor gets a War, And Everybody's Requested

Well, it finally happened. The street separating America from America: The Film found a means to arrange itself in to a stick figure and walk in the scene in disgust. In Act of Valor, a more elaborate branding exercise for your U.S. Navy Shuts by way of a Hollywood action blowout, the two mingle freely and freely finally. The film opens getting an argument from company company directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh. They describe the value of casting real Navy Shuts the best action heroes famous them, in line with the films press notes to possess film much-preferred feeling of authenticity. It absolutely was all for people, McCoy and Waugh agree. They preferred to exhibit everyone else what it really feels as if to fire place a mechanical weapon and burst somebody's mind open from 50 foot away. And in addition they drawn two chiseled people (uncredited, they're as Dork and Rorke), from active duty even though watching camera and forced those to perform inside a bad war movie. Act of Valor was produced by getting an unequalled amount of Government cooperation. four years ago, when the film was produced, the Navy was trying to find 500 new recruits, together with a film made an appearance like only the one factor. Top Gun infamously elevated recruitment by 500 percent, as well as the military now uses popular entertainment automobiles to produce its pitch needs to be course. Americas Military, the 2002 gaming created with the military to mimic free free war games like Cod, now seems as being a proper part of the run-around the Iraq war. So with the audience McCoy and Waugh mean American boys. And also the goal of showing them the actual way it feels to become SEAL means mixing the look of war they understand from movies and gaming while using exhilaration of revealing actual American might. There is however a larger us addressed with the heavily written narration (the script, by 300 film author Kurt Johnstad, gives new meaning for the phrase fog of war). All Valor is built to stress the direct impact of military action on American safety, within the opening save from the female CIA agent (Roselyn Sanchez) who's being tortured to in a inch of her existence (as well as the integrity of her tshirt) inside the Costa Rican jungle for the interception of high-tech suicide vests making their approach to major American urban centers. The plot might be summed up using this method: Americas obtaining a war, and everybodys requested! Everybody, oddly enough, except Iraq and Afghanistan. After an inexplicable explosion kills a u . s . states diplomat together with an entire mess of youngsters in Manila, we meet a SEAL platoon around the Hillcrest beach, where they are planning deployment. Chief Dork has transpired his Tom Brady genes onto five kids Lieutenant Rorke will have his first child. Like a father appears a good deal. They never use each other between kill shots and swap being a parent tips, however when they managed to get happen would your look to the scripts awkward try to jam portrayal directly into both of these beefy avatars. You can't help thinking these males got hosed: Everything lethal know-how and theyre bested by dopey dialogue. Inadequacies in continuity, both within and between moments, comprises a reasonably simply set-up oddly strict. The crooks are childhood pals Abul Shabal (Jason Cottle), a Ukrainian become Islam who's mad about Chechnya, and Christo (Alex Veadov), an arms dealer with unclear motivations. But they are desultory villains, there to provide minimal narrative hinge action. The bigger story is always that we are fighting an international enemy with weapons connections without any respect for own lives or perhaps the lives of anybody else. Within the Philippines and Panama And Nicaragua , we remain in Somalia, Mexico, and regions of Eastern Europe, and so they hate us everywhere. There exists a couple of competitors within our edges: the media as well as the economy are reported as key allies in any terrorist plan to take lower the united states . States. Each location offers a stage for a lot of serious military peacocking: The opening save has some thrilling shots from the amphibious operation watercraft dropped from helis! as well as the showing up from the nuclear submarine is actually colossally breathtaking its hard to believe that it is no action of character. Much gadgetry is wielded to no noticeable purpose, at virtually every stop live ammunition discharges as being a five-cent video slot on somebodys lucky evening. There is however little sense of how these teams work and plan together, exactly what may really lead to an amazing story. The finale can be a first-person-palooza round the Mexican border, a crescendo of incoherent carnage that requires one of the Shuts to complete their very own dying. The sacrifice and ceremony of the performance is most sickening if the spreads throughout the protective layer of numbness that builds up throughout the time associated with a movie getting an appearance count this high. To feel something means the ignoble plan's working. Yeah, its another movie with things approaching in highly realistic fashion, however it includes the insidiousness from the culture attracted by sensation and jingoism. Because despite the fact that last decade of war is doing much to convince us otherwise, america is not a film we are watching, and people do die ultimately. Follow Michelle Orange on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

New Avengers Still Emerges Online

Strutting out the pages of Empire...Empire subscribers will have already seen this brand new Avengers still of course, but just as a tease for those of you still looking forward to pick up a copy tomorrow, here's a picture of Cap', The Black Widow and Hawkeye strutting towards the camera to get you all excited.{Avengers Strutting Still}Giving us a much clearer look at Captain America's new, modernised outfit - in particular his more rounded head gear - it also tells us more about how the team will inevitably seperate to kick extra Loki ass.So take a look at the snap above and let us know what you think. Have you barely handle the excitement?Are you still desperate to see more Ruffalo's Hulk?Have you worked out who the other bad guys in the film will be?Let us know in the comment box below.Elsewhere in the new issue, there's a interview with the man behind Marvel's superhero supergroup, Joss Whedon himself, where he reveals more about how on earth he's going to pull off such the monumentally difficult task of making sure it's not another Iron Man /CaptainAmerica / Thor /Hulk movie.The Avengers is out on April 27, and Empire's new blockbuster special is on shelves tomorrow, February 22.

Clients Designers Guild Honours: Dragon Tattoo, W.E., Harry Potter, Glee, Boardwalk Empire, Downton Abbey

La, CA February 21, 2012 The individuals who win in the 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Honours were introduced tonight within the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The large event was situated by actress, Jane Lynch. The Guild given out competitive honours for costume design excellence in seven groups including films, television and ads: EXCELLENCE IN CONTEMPORARY FILM The Woman while using Dragon Tattoo Trish Summerville EXCELLENCE IN PERIOD FILM W.E. Arianne Phillips EXCELLENCE IN FANTASY FILM Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Jany Temime OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES Glee Lou Eyrich & Jennifer Eve OUTSTANDING PERIOD/FANTASY TELEVISION SERIES Boardwalk Empire John A. Dunn, Lisa Padovani OUTSTANDING Created For TELEVISION MOVIE OR Small SERIES Downton Abbey Susannah Buxton EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL COSTUME DESIGN Swiffer: Country Muck Cowgirl Roseanne Fiedler Furthermore, four honorary honours were presented within the Honours Gala: This year, the Guild honored gifted screen and stage actress Kate Beckinsale while using LACOSTE SPOTLIGHT AWARD. Beckinsale was handed the award by Columbus Short, her costar inside the film Whiteout. Famous costume designer Marlene Stewart was honored using this years DISARONNO CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM AWARD. A montage highlighting her amazing career was produced by model and actress, Amber Valletta. Two-time Emmy Award nominated costume designer, Lou Eyrich was honored using this years CAREER ACHIEVEMENT IN TELEVISION AWARD. Ryan Murphy, co-creator and executive producer of Glee, presented her while using Award. The DISTINGUISHED COLLABORATOR AWARD was handed to Emmy award-winning costume designer, Deborah Hopper, and four-time Oscar champion, Clint Eastwood, who've labored with on greater than 22 films throughout the final 2 decades. A montage featuring such considerably acclaimed films as Flags within our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, Mystic River, Big Baby, Changeling, Gran Torino, Invictus and several recently, J. Edgar was produced by actress, Marcia Gay Harden. Actor Ken Watanabe (who labored while using duo on Letters from Iwo Jima) surprised the two because he showed up in this area from backstage to supply these with the statuettes. In recognition from the centennial anniversary, Western Costume was handed a distinctive SERVICE AWARD reflecting the business’s a hundred years of professional contributions within the quiet era to the present, together with its continuous support in the Costume Designers Guild.

SNL Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston, Zooey Deschanel Features a Dance Party with Jean Dujardin

Zooey Deschanel, Saturday Evening Live The tragic dying of Whitney Houston went unmentioned throughout Saturday Evening Live, nevertheless the variety show paid out quiet tribute by going to commercial getting an image in the pop star with Molly Shannon in the 1996 Mary Katherine Gallagher sketch. (Strange timing: Up With The Evening star and former cast member Maya Rudolph, who did a Houston impression when she was around the program, is hosting inside a couple of days.) Host Zooey Deschanel opened up in the show along with her ukulele to do a humorous song relating to this guy who not remember Valentine's and tries to hide it with Happy Birthday balloons, a vintage copy of USA Today plus an 11:15 "reservation" at Olive Garden: Maya Rudolph to host Saturday Evening Live Furthermore to her pretty pipes, Deschanel reached demonstrate her dance moves alongside the star in the Artist, Oscar nominee Jean Dujardin. In the black-and-white-colored episode of SNL's Ces Jeunes p Paris skit - a apparent homage for the Artist - Dujardin competes for Deschanel's affections with muscle-flexing and fancy work: Deschanel let herself function as reason for "Bein' Awesome with Zooey Deschanel." Abby Elliot carried out the adorkable New Girl star, while Deschanel nailed her impression of Mary-Kate Olsen, full of extra-large shades, an enormous Local coffee shop cops which disturbing stare. With looks from Michael Cera and Bjork, it absolutely was every hipster's dream be realized: Nicolas Cage, who stars inside the approaching Ghost Driver follow-up, developed a surprise appearance on Weekend Update alongside Nicolas Cage - also called Andy Samberg getting a prosthetic temple. Inside the segment, referred to as Go into the Cage, Samberg mentioned themselves being the particular Nicolas Cage and mentioned Cage was his cloned twin - an experiment to make sure that Cage could fulfill his imagine turning up in every single film ever released. Can you be sure which Cage is which? The very first is an "exaggerated, screaming psychopath" as well as the other is, well, not: Whoever else consider Dechanel's shot at SNL?

Pilot Season: Jon Voight and Elliott Gould Join Showtime's Ray Donovan Drama

Jon Voight, Elliot Gould Jon Voight and Elliott Gould have became a member of the Showtime drama pilot Ray Donovan, the network introduced Thursday. Ray Donovan will star Liev Schreiber as Los Angeles' best professional trouble shooter who are able to make anybody anyone's problems disappear, except individuals of their own family. Liev Schreiber to remain in Showtime's Ray Donovan Voight, 73, will have Mickey, the daddy of Ray (Schreiber). A recently freed ex-convict, Mickey would go to La suspiciously wishing to reunite together with his estranged family. Gould, 73, will recur around the project as Ray's lawyer mentor and confidante, Ezra Goodman, who's starting to show signs and symptoms of dementia. Voight, an Oscar champion for enjoying charge role in 1978's Returning Home, is better noted for his roles in Night time Cowboy and also the Rainmaker. He last starred in Fox's short-resided drama Lone Star last season. Gould, recognized to small-screen fans as Monica and Ross' father on Buddies, can also be famous for his roles in M*A*S*H the film and Ocean's Eleven. Stay current around the latest pilot news Voight and Gould join formerly introduced cast people Paula Malcomson, who'll play Ray's wife, Dash Mihok and Eddie Marsan. Ray Donovan is produced and executive-created by Southland creator Ann Biderman, who'll executive-produce together with Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) and Bryan Zuriff. The drama is anticipated to start production at the begining of 2012.

Full Iron Sky Trailer Lands

Space Nazis must fly!A moon base run with a secret, secluded number of Nazis created from individuals who fled towards the negative side of this foreboding rock years back? A war-happy leader searching to help keep her election prospects safe while kicking at the receiving end from the Third Reich remains? Zeppelins? Udo Kier? It may truly simply be one film: Iron Sky. The ultimate trailer is here now and may be viewed below.Yes, the OTT Finnish comedy is finally, um, finished and, after finding funding and making its way via a extended publish-production process, the madness is able to invade movie theaters.The crazed plot posits the Nazis were built with a space base hidden around the moon that handled to outlive the finish of The Second World War. They have been gradually creating their intends to return and reclaim their self-announced position because the dominant pressure on the planet. However when their hideout was discovered accidentally by US astronaut James Washington (Christopher Kidby), they made the decision to maneuver things in front of schedule. The United States Leader (Stephanie Paul carrying out a blatant Sarah Palin) decides to reply to the invasion with pressure and it makes sense a large, honkin' fight. (Incidentally, the President's wrong about one factor a minimum of: beginning a war did not get George HW Rose bush re-chosen for any second term).It appears like an enjoyable experience, and will also be touching lower here on April 20. Watch the skies!

House Postmortem: Can Chase and House Exist together After "No one's Fault"?

Jesse Spencer [WARNING: This story consists of spoilers from Monday's House. Read at the own risk.]"They have made the decision that the being stabbed was no one's fault. They are wrong. I apologize."Individuals were the shocking words spoken by Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) to Dr. Chase (Jesse Spencer), who throughout the path of Monday's House found themself stabbed within the heart with a patient suffering a psychotic episode, and then, paralyzed in the waist lower. And despite the fact that impartial arbitrator Dr. Cofield (guest star Jeffrey Wright) ruled that House and the unorthodox diagnostic processes weren't the reason for the accident, Dr. Crankypants did not let themself off so easily.Have more scoop in your favorite shows within our Winter TV previewBut what am i saying for future years? Can House and Chase still interact? "Hopefully. Otherwise the show finishes," Spencer informs TVGuide.com having a laugh. "But this appears the warmth much more on that relationship."Spencer states that despite the fact that House accepted he was wrong - a rarity - Chase does not always feel much better concerning the situation. "I believe it's another stone on his back," Spencer states. "It simply verifies his finest fear. He's recognized he's working within maniac. It pulls the show to center, because [they] continues to be within thought process for such a long time that people can't even observe that any longer. We have become accustomed to these brash techniques that will not be permitted in almost any other hospital."So, if House accepts the culprit, why did Dr. Cofield allow him to free? "I do not believe that he was copping in his decision," states executive producer Greg Yaitanes, who directed the episode. "It was a number of unfortunate occasions. Hopefully, just because we have examined it, it might allow it to be safer for future years. I really like the final shot of Jeffrey within the episode. Next decision, as he sees House's reaction and House storming away, I believe there's a feeling of pity he has for him. This man's not going to learn."House Start Looking: Jeffrey Wright puts Dr. House on trial!Yaitanes demands the admission House makes within this episode will not you need to be forgotten. "One thing I really like concerning the show is it does not have TV amnesia," he states. "It's impossible moving forward not to have what happened be at the back of House's mind, whether he outwardly implies that constantly or otherwise. We examine it a little, but most commonly it is there."Indeed, House's actions within this episode is going to be dissected further in next Monday's Chase-centric episode, fittingly entitled "Chase." Following a couple of days in physical rehabilitation, Chase begrudgingly returns towards the hospital and bonds having a patient who's weighing if you should take her final vows and be a nun. It is a fitting parallel for Chase, who attended seminary before being a physician. But Spencer states Chase's advice goes past belief."He totally empathizes, and finds an association with this particular girl," Spencer states. "Regrettably, the belief factor kind of drops away. He becomes very scientific about this and a lot more like House about this. He desires to question her reasons, and challenge her why she's engaging in what she's doing. Could it be really logical? Could it be the best decision? It is a large existence question."Take a look at photos of the home castChase will even request themself some large existence questions too. Can he forgive House? Or, more to the point, does he have to?InchRun after holds a grudge, because his existence was nearly taken," Spencer states. "He absolutely places blame House, but he's also shocked and angry he let themself be placed into that situation. Chase ended up getting psychologically involved as he should not have and skewed his objectivity. So, House seems right. Chase isn't blame-free."What have you think about "No one's Fault"?

First images from Disney's Wreck-It Ralph

The first few images have arrived for Disney's Wreck-It Ralph, the arcade-set animation about an unloved character from a popular videogame.The film stars John C. Reilly as Ralph, the in-game villain who longs to be as popular as designated "good guy", Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer). Sick and tired of playing second fiddle, Ralph manages to sneak his way into a new game, a first person shooter where he can prove his heroism.However, all does not go to plan, and it isn't long before Ralph unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. His only hope? A game-sabotaging glitch named Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) who might just be able to throw a spanner in the works...As premises go, it's pretty out there, and yet you can see how Disney's trademark humour will come into play, with lots of videogame clichés to riff with.Even more encouraging are the film's lush visuals, as you can see from the new images. The FPS section looks particularly exciting, and who would bet against it being released as an actual videogame before too long? Wreck-It Ralph opens in the UK on Boxing Day 2012.

'Welcome Back Kotter's' Epstein, Actor Robert Hegyes, Dies at 60

The Flynn & Boy Funeral Home in Fords, NJ was informed in the actor's dying on Thursday by his family.Hegyes happen to be moved for the JFK Clinic in Edison, NJ that morning entirely stroke and died, the Star-Ledger reviews.Hegyes got his large break on Kotter, a seventies TV series of a teacher who returned to have an inner-city NY school he visited becoming an adult to coach students frequently recognized to as "Sweathogs." The cast incorporated Travolta Qantas Video, who carried out Vinnie Barbarino.Hegyes later came out in other Tv shows, including "Cagney & Lacey." More youthful crowd had stints on "CHiPs," "Diagnosis Murder," "The Came Carey Show" and "Lewis & Clark."Born in 1951 within glasgow - Perth Amboy, Hegyes was elevated the first child from the Hungarian father and Italian mother in Metuchen, NJ. He headed to NY City following graduation at Rowan College, where he'd frequently return to train master classes. The Hollywood Reporter

Pilot Season: Paula Malcomson to Star Opposite Liev Schreiber in Showtime's Ray Donovan

Paula Malcomson Paula Malcomson remains cast since the female lead in Showtime's Ray Donovan pilot, Deadline.com reviews. Liev Schreiber to star in Showtime's Ray Donovan The drama stars Liev Schreiber since the titular character, a specialist fixer for your wealthy and famous in La who's unable to flee their very own family issues. The Deadwood and Caprica star will portray his wife Abby, a hard Boston native who finds it tough to sit down within the Hollywood lifestyle. The project arises from Southland creator Ann Biderman, who'll executive-produce along with Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) and Bryan Zuriff.

Oprah Confident Obama Will Win Re-Election

First Published: January 22, 2012 2:04 PM EST Credit: AFP Caption Oprah Winfrey gestures while in conversation with the press during the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) in Jaipur, India on January 22, 2012JAIPUR, India -- Oprah Winfrey says she is confident that President Barack Obama will win another four-year term in this years U.S. election. The talk show host was addressing a literary festival Sunday in the northwestern Indian town of Jaipur. Winfrey praised Obamas handling of the presidency. She said his next four years would be even more successful, with people able to get back to work. Winfrey backed Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign in her first-ever political endorsement. She was among the biggest crowd pullers at the annual Jaipur Literary Festival, which brings together top writers, poets and critics and around 50,000 literary fans from around the world. Winfrey has been in India for a week filming programs for her new TV network. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kickstarter stretches Sundancers' budgets

Sundance dramatic competition player 'Keep the Lights On' was aided by crowdfunding. While traditional traders may have become skittish, film fans are walking around help fund the indies they most need to visit. In just its newbie, the Sundance Institute's partnership with film crowdsourcing fundraiser event Kickstarter has aided raise roughly $1.5 million for 50 projects -- about $35,000 per film normally -- according to Ernest Beyer, the Institute's director of digital initiatives.This year, 15 Kickstarter-assisted films were recognized to the festival itself. That's up from five (including breakout hit "Pariah") round the 2011 slate, the initial year the fest felt the impact in the crowdsourcing giant since its founding in Spring 2009 by Yancey Strickler and Perry Chen.A year ago, Kickstarter's film projects saw $32.5 million in film funding from around 310,000 people, an origin notes in the initiatives, that could repay encouraging cineastes with under a DVD in the finished film upon release. (Whether it doesn't meet its fundraising event goal, traders promises should never be collected.) "If you think (hundreds of 1000's) clients undertaking money to films that don't exist yet, it suggests that even though some regions of the organization might be in (bad) shape, you'll find other options people are searching toward.InchIn compliance to Beyer, the attention in Kickstarter among Sundance-connected filmmakers remains overwhelming, but he sometimes finds themselves speaking prospective producers from the Kickstarter campaign. "Lots of people have mentioned, 'This is a lot more work than I anticipated,' and then we make them by saying, 'This is not to suit your needs,A?Inch according to him getting fun. As Strickler describes, "It tests the acumen from the filmmaker to market a film and acquire an audience.InchThe mix-promotion boosts potential conflict-of-interest questions when Sundance Institute films funded with the Kickstarter partnership are recognized to the festival (seven were this year, and Institute emails marketing certain Kickstarter projects go out regularly), but Beyer states strict rules established yourself forbidding fest designers from buying and selling in or showing preference to people photos.This year, really the only Kickstarter-funded film in U.S. dramatic competitors are Ira Sachs' "Keep the Lights On." Parts and Labor's Jay Van Hoy, who professional produced, notes that online buying and selling inside the project allowed classical backers with bigger handbags to gauge the quantity of fascination with the film, encouraging those to come aboard.Other Kickstarter-funded Sundance features include documentary competition records "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry," "Me @ the Zoo" and "Indie Game: The Film.Inch Evening time selection "Black Rock" is within the mix, similar to Next features "Mosquita y Mari" and "My Best Day," and experimental New Frontiers projects "Abacus" and "Room 237."Like Sachs, the majority of the helmers are Sundance vets, some with fans the filmmakers have cultivated to invest in their new projects. The Austin-based Zellner brothers and sisters used momentum utilizing their 2008 Sundance feature "Goliath" together with a cult DVD shorts compilation to help fund the next entry "Kid-Factor." The Zellners attempted a short, two-week campaign becoming an experiment to enhance beginning funds, and needed in $10,000 -- a part of their budget -- from greater than 120 traders.People buying and selling around the certain threshold obtain a special mention inside the credits, yet another way filmmakers involve and cultivate their fanbase inside the crowdsourcing era."It can help to inform others,Inch states co-director David Zellner. "In hindsight, we'd did a long campaign for further money." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

BAFTA to fete Martin Scorsese

LONDON -- Martin Scorsese is planned to be honored getting a BAFTA fellowship as of this year's film honours ceremony. The fellowship, that's granted yearly by BAFTA, is presented upon an individual in recognition from the outstanding and exceptional contribution to film. Scorsese will probably be honored for his celebrated career spanning across six decades, through which he's helmed works for instance "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "Gangs of NY," "The Aviator," "The Departed" which year's 3d pic "Hugo." He's been nominated for just about any BAFTA nine occasions, garnering three wins in 1991 for "Goodfellas." "Martin Scorsese can be a legend within the lifetime an authentic inspiration to all or any youthful company company directors all over the world,Inch mentioned BAFTA chairman Tim Corrie. "We are delighted to recognition his contribution to cinema background anticipate needing to pay tribute to him london on February 12." Formerly honored Men include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Bette Davis, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave. Congressman Congressman Christopher Lee received the fellowship within the BAFTA film honours a year ago. The BAFTA film honours ceremony will unspool at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 12. Nominations will probably be introduced Jan. 17. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com