Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Trailer

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Movie Reviews and News

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

... who is the highest-grossing actor of them all?

Apparently, it's Samuel L. Jackson.

Read more here.

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Movie Reviews and News

ENTERTAINMENT ONE UK ADDS THE SWEENEY TO THEIR LINE UP

28th October. Entertainment One UK is pleased to announce the acquisition of all UK and Irish rights to the explosive feature film adaptation of cult TV Show THE SWEENEY.  The film is directed by Nick Love (The Football Factory, The Firm), co-written by BAFTA winning John Hodge (Trainspotting) and co-produced by Vertigo Films and Embargo films.  The deal for UK rights was negotiated by Alex Hamilton, Director of Entertainment One UK and Vertigo’s MD Rupert Preston.

Set in modern day England, THE SWEENEY is packed full of fast cars, faster action and smart arse wise cracks delivered by the legendary Ray Winstone as Flying Squad detective Jack Regan and the uniquely talented Ben Drew (aka Plan B) as George Carter. They are joined by Hayley Atwell (Captain America), Damien Lewis (The Escapist), Steven Mackintosh (Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans) and Paul Anderson (The Firm).

(I think Ray Winstone is a great choice for the role and am happy to see Damien Lewis' name in the cast list too.)

The film, set to start shooting in and around London on October 30th, will be released in autumn 2012.

Producer Allan Niblo of Vertigo states: "We are delighted to be working with Alex Hamilton and his team at Entertainment One UK for the UK release of the movie. They have an instinctive understanding of the UK market and a phenomenal track record for releasing high-grossing movies, THE SWEENEY is sure to be one of the biggest hits of 2012.

“What’s there not to like?” asks Hamilton, “Actors, Director, Script, Producers, Genre, THE SWEENEY!”

THE SWEENEY is a co-production between Vertigo Films and Embargo Films. Producers are Allan Niblo, James Richardson, Rupert Preston for Vertigo Films and Christopher Simon and Felix Vossen for Embargo Films. Square One has taken German rights. Protagonist Pictures will handle international sales in all other territories.


ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT ONE:


Entertainment One (LSE:ETO) is a leading international company that specialises in the acquisition, production and distribution of entertainment content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, kids programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,400 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

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Movie Reviews and News

Tower Heist Trailer

When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.



Directed by Brett Ratner, starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy.

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Movie Reviews and News

Ides of March - Trailer

"An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the play by Beau Willimon."

Ides of March is directed, co-written and stars George Clooney; also stars Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

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Movie Reviews and News

Anonymous - Trailer

Another one that's been causing a lot of controversy...

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Movie Reviews and News

"The Help" Trailer

This is one that's been causing a lot of controversy recently...

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Movie Reviews and News

Melancholia Trailer

Not sure about this one... but hey, it's Kirsten Dunst so at least there's one thing going for it. 2 sisters bicker and a planet appears that's been hidden for millennia and is going to smash into planet earth.

So this is going to be a quiet movie, then...

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Movie Reviews and News

The Secret World of Arrietty Trailer

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and released by Studio Ghibli, The Secret World of Arrietty is an anime movie inspired by The Borrowers by Mary Norton, and... well, looks as good as we've come to expect from Studio Ghibli. This is Hiromasa Yonebayashi's directorial debut but he's worked as an animator on some of my favourite anime movies including Spirited Away.  Anime legend Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa wrote the screenplay.  I really hope I get a chance to see this one at the cinema.

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Movie Reviews and News

What a Girl Wants (2003)

In What a Girl Wants, Amanda Bynes is cute and sparky as Daphne Reynolds, the long-lost daughter of Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a politician from a staid English family who never knew that a passionate affair in his wilder days with Libby Reynolds (Kelly Preston) had resulted in a child. Lots of predictable and wild adventures ensue, and eventually of course father-daughter relations are all nice and rosy.

It's reasonably good fun, although Daphne's love interest is completely ludicrous and seems to have about a hundred jobs, all involving the royal family. Bad guy Alistair Payne (Jonathan Pryce) is bad and his daughter Glynnis (Anna Chancellor) is very snobbish - while HER daughter Clarissa (Christina Cole), Daphne's arch-nemesis, is even worse. I've only seen Anna Chancellor in 2 things now (this and The Hour), and I already like her very much - she's got a lot of charisma.

So yeah, What a Girl Wants is predictable and sometimes funny. Obviously early teenage girls will enjoy it most. Director Dennie Gordon creates a simple story that young girls will easily follow and relate to, which was probably the main aim of this movie. Adults will find it rather trite (but it's far from the worst film to watch with your daughter!!)

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Movie Reviews and News

The Hobbit Trailer

So, they are actually going to finish making this and release it, right?

Right?

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Movie Reviews and News

Hugo Trailer

Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

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Movie Reviews and News

MICHAEL JACKSON: THE LIFE OF AN ICON

THE STORY OF THE 'KING OF POP' PRODUCED BY FRIEND DAVID GEST AND FEATURING THOSE THAT KNEW HIM BEST INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS KATHERINE JACKSON, TITO JACKSON & REBBIE JACKSON

AVAILABLE ON DVD AND BLU-RAY™ OCTOBER 31^st 2011

- GLOBAL FAN LAUNCH EVENT TO BE ANNOUNCED –

London, August 31st, 2011 – Prepare to go behind the headlines as producer and television star David Gest, Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine, brother Tito, sister Rebbie and more than fifty friends, peers and associates share intimate and fascinating stories about the singer’s celebrated life.  Released on DVD and Blu-ray™ on October 31^st 2011 from Universal Pictures International Home Entertainment, and featuring performance footage as well as never-before-seen family photography, Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon is a powerful behind-the-scenes account of the star’s life, providing fresh insight into his early years with the Jackson 5, his rise to global solo-stardom through to the final moments before his sudden death in 2009. 

Directed by Andrew Eastel and produced by Michael Jackson’s close childhood friend David Gest, Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon gives Katherine Jackson the first chance to tell her side of the story about Michael’s upbringing in Gary, Indiana, his relationship with father Joe, her support for her son during the court cases he challenged and her thoughts on the life he faced afterwards.  Rebbie Jackson, Michael’s eldest sister, gives a very rare interview and recounts the star’s childhood growing up in Gary, Indiana, as well as his difficulties with father Joe, his extraordinary bond with mother Katherine, and his decline in later years. Gest’s other best friend, Michael’s brother, Tito, provides an in-depth look into Jackson’s history and what his mother and family went through during the sensational molestation trial in 2005.

Michael’s mother Katherine says, “Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon is a truly remarkable film that captures the true character, wit and sensitivity of my son. Producer David Gest takes you on an emotional roller coaster that will bring people to tears as well as really understand who the man behind the music was and is.”

Producer and close friend David Gest says, “I have tried to show Michael in a truly unique light. I have spent the past fifteen months travelling the world interviewing people who were most important in his life. I believe this film will entertain and educate in equal measures about who the real Michael Jackson was. I hope this will serve as a lasting testament to the compassion and love that he had for all mankind. He was a very complex individual and this film reveals the many different facets of his personality.”

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY™ & DVD

Katherine Jackson – Additional Interview footage – 32:21

Tito Jackson – Additional Interview footage – 25:35

Rebbie Jackson – Additional Interview footage – 12:47

Additional contributors Interview footage – 27:00

SYNOPSIS

Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon

Producer, narrator and best friend to Michael Jackson, David Gest has pieced together the most important facts about Jackson’s life based on unseen first-hand accounts he has recently recorded with an important group of people who knew the star well.  In addition to celebrating his many achievements as the biggest selling artist of all-time, the film will finally answer some of the speculation surrounding Jackson’s life.

Also included in the show is rare, in-studio and live television performance footage of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 as well as unforgettable original music from the Motown period by Michael, the Jackson 5 and other artists who Jackson respected and was influenced by. The soundtrack includes more than twenty-one classic tunes.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

Street Date:     October 31^st 2011

Releasing on:   Blu-ray

                        DVD

Copyright:        Film © 2011 David Gest Production, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Packaging © 2011 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Rating:             TBC

Languages/Subtitles:  TBC    

Sound:             Dolby Digital 5.1

Run Time:       149mins

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

David Gest and Michael Jackson began their friendship in 1969 and more than thirty years later the two formed a successful business venture, World Events LLC, where Gest produced and Jackson starred in the highest rated music television special in history ‘Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration’ on the CBS Network. It was seen in more than 100 countries throughout the world. Gest produced these historic last live concerts of Jackson at Madison Square Garden in 2001 which also featured the last reunion of Michael and his brothers, The Jackson 5.

The other friends, peers and associates who took part in the film include:

• Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir (original member of the legendary Motown recording group ‘The Four Tops’, ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)’)
• Billy Paul (singer, ‘Me & Mrs Jones’)
• Bobby Taylor (lead singer of ‘Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers’, discovered the Jackson 5 and produced their first album at Motown)
• Brenda Holloway (Motown recording artist)
• Legendary Motown song-writing team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland (responsible for more than 150 hits for the Supremes, Four Tops, Isley Brothers, Kim Weston, etc.)
• Dennis Edwards (Grammy-Award winning lead singer of The Temptations on ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’ and ‘I Can’t Get Next To You’)
• Dexter Wansel (writer and producer for The Jacksons when they signed to CBS)
• Dionne Warwick (legendary recording artist)
• Don Black (legendary songwriter, ‘Ben’)
• Eddie Floyd (Stax Records singer/songwriter, ‘Knock On Wood’)
• Frank Cascio (Michael Jackson’s assistant, long-time friend and un-indicted co-conspirator at Michael’s second trial for child molestation)
• Frank DiLeo (Michael’s manager 1984-1989, 2010)
• Freda Payne (singer, ‘Band Of Gold’)
• J. Randy Taraborrelli (close friend and best-selling biographer of Michael Jackson)
• Jimmy Ruffin (legendary Motown recording artist, ‘What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?’)
• Keith & Ronald Jackson (Michael’s first cousins)
• The song-writing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (who were responsible for The Jacksons’ first hits after leaving Motown including ‘Enjoy Yourself’ and ‘Show You The Way To Go’)
• Kim Weston (Motown recording artist)
• Marilyn McCoo &  Billy Davis, Jr. (original lead singers of ‘The 5^th Dimension’)
• Martha Reeves (legendary Motown recording artist, ‘Dancing In The Street’)
• Mickey Rooney (legendary actor)
• Milford Hite & Robert Hite (Milford was an original member of the Jackson 5 and his brother Robert managed them prior to Joe Jackson)
• Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson (legendary Motown songwriters and recording artists)
• Paul Anka (legendary singer & songwriter, ‘This Is It’ and ‘My Way’)
• Peabo Bryson (legendary singer, ‘Beauty And The Beast’, ‘A Whole New World (Alladin’s Theme)’)
• Percy Sledge (legendary soul singer, ‘When A Man Loves A Woman’)
• Petula Clark (legendary UK singer, ‘Downtown’)
• Reynaud Jones (original member of the Jackson 5)
• Ron Alexenberg (Former Vice-President of Epic Records who signed The Jacksons to CBS when they left Motown)
• Ronnie Rancifer (member of the Jackson 5 between 1966 and 1976)
• Russell Thompkins, Jr. (former lead singer of the Stylistics on all their hit records)
• Smokey Robinson (legendary Motown recording artist & songwriter as well as former Vice-President of Motown)
• Thomas Mesereau (Michael’s attorney at his sensational molestation trial in 2005)
• Weldon A McDougal III (helped discover the Jackson 5, promoted their records on Motown and was the group’s official photographer)
• Whitney Houston (legendary recording artist &  actress)

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Movie Reviews and News

‘Black Gold’: a New Historical Era of Arab Film

Director, Producer and Key Cast of the film discuss ‘Noble, Universal’ themes at DTFF

Doha, 25 October 2011 – The director, producer and key cast members of Black Gold, the Doha Film Institute’s first international co-production, were on hand Tuesday, October 25, at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) to discuss the film ahead of its glittering opening night world premiere in the Festival’s spectacular Katara Open Air Cinema (KOAT).

The packed press conference saw the film’s producer Tarak Ben Ammar, director Jean Jacques Annaud, cast Freida Pinto, Mark Strong and Tahar Rahim discuss the making of the film on location in Tunisia which coincided with the revolution in the country during the recent Arab Spring and Black Gold’s four weeks of location shooting in Qatar at the spectacular sand dunes of Mesaieed.

Set in 1930’s Arabia, ‘Black Gold’ tells the story of two warring Emirs who make a truce that binds them to respect a no man’s land between their desert kingdoms. However, after oil is discovered, the stage is set for control of the area and the riches it promises to yield.

At the press conference Tuesday morning, Tarak Ben Ammar, the film’s producer and CEO of co-production partner Quinta Communications, said: “We are proud to be here presenting the film at DTFF which is being seen here at the same time by the Qatari people, six years after I first came to Doha,” and said the film wouldn’tve been possible without the involvement of the Doha Film Institute.

                                                                                                                       

Ben Ammar spoke of his pride in filming the movie during the Tunisian revolution, comparing the new openness of Tunisia after the fall of former Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and yesterday’s elections as reflective of some of the key themes of the story of Black Gold – revolution, freedom, and a changing future depicting a new view of the Arab world. 

The film’s director, Jean-Jacques Annaud, said: “My experiences of being on holiday in the Arab region were very different from what I had heard and read in the media. This world became my passion, and I wanted to make a film about the Arab world made in the Arab world.”

Ben Ammar praised the “wonderful authenticity” of Tahar Rahim in creating the central character of the Emir in the film as an Algerian actor playing an Arab character. Rahim called Black Gold “a noble movie that portrays lofty ideas and a new vision of the Arab world.”

British actor Mark Strong agreed, saying: “The film is about dignity, integrity, honesty, and being a good father, universal themes which cross cultural boundaries. As King Amar, I didn’t feel like I was playing ‘An Arab,’ it just so happened that he is an Arab character. I felt like I was playing a father who just happened to have those qualities.”

Freida Pinto was asked about playing an Arab woman in the film, and stated that her character was brought up in a different time with different traditions: “Princess Lallah wants freedom, but she pushes delicately against her tradition by respecting her father as opposed to rebelling against it outright.”

Pinto joked that if there were a Black Gold 2 her character would be very different and be about the changing freedoms of young women in the Arab world and how to balance that while remaining true to Arab culture.

In closing, director Jean-Jacques Annaud said that “Black Gold is not just a film about the Arab world. At the heart of the film is an open discussion about what the future will hold, how we deal with modernity, which every civilization in the world has had to deal with. It is in keeping with the time period in which the film is set.”

Black Gold stars Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong and Liya Kebede. In a novel collaboration, legendary composer James Horner (Titanic,Troy, Avatar) composed the film’s score, featuring Qatari vocalist Fahad al Kubaisi on the moving opening track and collaborating with Qatari composer Abdullah al Manai on an adaptation of a traditional Bedouin song.  

For additional information relating to Festival screenings, tickets, venues or transportation please visit: http://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival.

The official website for Black Gold is: http://blackgold-themovie.com. The site will be live from 5pm AST

About Doha Film Institute (DFI):

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is an independent cultural organisation established in 2010 to incorporate Qatar’s film initiatives under one banner.

Located at Qatar’s new cultural hub, Katara, DFI’s many initiatives include film and television funding for MENA and international films, year-round education programs, film screenings, and the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF).

In addition, DFI has established a number of strategic cultural partnerships with leading local and international organisations including Katara Cultural Village Foundation, Tribeca Enterprises, World Cinema Foundation, Maisha Film Labs and Giffoni Film Festival.

DFI was founded by H.E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Along with Her Excellency, DFI leadership comprises DFI Board Vice-Chair and Festival Board Chair, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Fahad Al-Thani; DFI Board Member and Festival Board Vice-Chair, H.E. Dr. Hassan Al-Nimah; DFI Board Member, Mr. Mansoor Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud; Festival Board Member, H.E. Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousuf Al Thani; and DFI Executive Director, Amanda Palmer.

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Movie Reviews and News

Third Annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival

Celebrities and Stars to Bring Glamour and Excitement to Third Annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival

Famous Actors, Filmmakers and Musical Talent Will Shine at Star-studded Events at Katara Cultural Village, October 25-29

World-renowned actors Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Michelle Yeoh, Omar Sharif and internationally-acclaimed directors, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Luc Besson, Morgan Spurlock and  Pawel Pawlikowski will join a host of other A-list celebrities at this week’s Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF).

Celebrities and big-screen stars from the Arab World will attend the five-day event including Egyptian film icons Mahmoud Abdel Aziz and Yosra, Egyptian actors Nabila Obaid, Khaled El Nabawy, Ghada Adel and Magdy El Hawary, and influential director Khaled Youssef. Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk is also set to attend along with Lebanese stars Carmen Lebbos and Nadine Labaki.  Beloved Syrian actor Jamal Suleiman will also be in attendance as well as Kuwaiti stars Hayat Al Fahad, Mohammed Al Bushahri and Dawood Hussain.

Banderas and Pinto will be among the international stars delighting crowds as they walk down the red carpet at the Katara Open Air Theatre (KOAT) and take part in opening night festivities on October 25, ahead of the world premiere of Arabian epic Black Gold, accompanied by co-stars Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim and Riz Ahmed, as well as a host of other local and international celebrities.

Black Swan star Vincent Cassel will attend while Harry Potter actor David Thewlis will join internationally-recognised actors Robin Wright, Rob Lowe and James Cromwell in Doha for the five-day Festival.

Other luminaries in attendance will include: four-time Academy Award-winning visual effects artist, Joe Letteri; Master cinematographer Christopher Doyle; acclaimed documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield; legendary film composer James Horner; Award-winning directors Eric Khoo, Najwa Najjar and Cherien Dabis; internationally-renowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe; leading fashion designers Manish Malhotra and Stephane Rolland; Tunisian film producer Tarak Ben Ammar;  CEO of Miramax Films Michael Lang; esteemed musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawhney; and Syrian filmmaking auteur Mohammed Malas, who will serve as the Narrative Jury President for DTFF’s Arab Film Competition.

Set to entertain Doha audiences with spectacular musical performances will be some of the world’s best loved recording artists including three-time Grammy-nominated singer Leona Lewis, Grammy Award-winning African Diva Angelique Kidjo and local Qatari sensation Fahad Al Kubaisi, who sings the title track for Black Gold. Coinciding with Diwali celebrations, the Festival will also see the recent winners of India’s Got Talent, Suresh and Vernon Group, perform their dynamic mix of spectacular choreography and electrifying stunts for audiences.

The third annual DTFF (October 25-29) will see more than 50 films from 35 countries screen before an expected audience intake of more than 50,000 people, showcasing nine world premieres, four international premieres and 26 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) premieres.

In addition to indoor and outdoor film screenings, the Festival will host a broad range of activities for  attendees, including: the Doha-Giffoni Experience for young aspirant film jurors; the publicly accessible, interactive ‘Doha Talks’ series; an evolved Brigitte Lacombe multimedia exhibit; the ‘Doha Projects’ mentoring program for DFI grantees; educational workshops, masterclasses and exhibits; and the Festival’s highlight Family Day program, which will provide a specially curated family-friendly film slate including a special screening of Steven Spielberg’s and Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated 3D animated film The Adventures of Tintin, as well as arts & crafts, performances workshops, games, stage performers and more.

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Movie Reviews and News

"Today in Movie History" - app for iOS and Android

Do you like following the Hollywood scene? Do you like knowing when your favorite actor or actress was born or maybe when your favorite movie was released? Jebs Apps, LLC is pleased to announce the release of their newest mobile application, “Today in Movie History” for iOS platforms, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! Also available for Android; the app just received a major update in conjunction with this release for iPhone.

Today in Movie History is a mobile application that displays historical facts for any given date, covering topics from birth dates, death dates, movie release dates, anniversaries and even important dates from your favorite movies (just to name a few). The app allows you to share these facts to Twitter, FaceBook, email or Text Message (on compatible devices). So tell your friend which famous celebs share their birthday!

For example, did you know on November 5, 1955 - Dr. Emmett Brown (Back To The Future) hits his head on the sink and awakens to idea for the flux capacitor (requiring 1.21 jiggawatts)? Maybe you're more interested to know that December 5, 1901 - Producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor and animator Walter 'Walt' Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Other apps may provide facts about history, but "Today in Movie History" has just expanded their database to over 3000 facts (and growing), it allows you to share them via Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, email, and it's available for Android, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! If you feel there is a fact missing that should be included, you can even submit your own from within the app!

While the application was designed with movie enthusiasts in mind, it's fun for everyone.

"Great app! Stable and reliable. But most importantly, F-U-N! Don't know what movie to pick? Open up this app and get an inspired idea. Get ideas for new movies and be reminded of favorites. Love this app!!!" said Lisa915m on the App Store.

"Awesome app for movie buffs! A great way to share film facts via email, Twitter, or FaceBook." said hydeandgeek on the Android Market.



Today in Movie History is available on the App Store (for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/today-in-movie-history/id424389321?mt=8

Android users can find it on the Android Market at:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jebsapps.moviehistory

For more information, visit http://moviehistory.jebsapps.com

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Movie Reviews and News

It's a Boy Girl Thing (2006)

Weird movie. Using the old body swap formula, for 70 minutes this film is crass, vulgar (with the tagline "He's trying to get out of her knickers", perhaps that's not so surprising) - and almost completely unfunny. Then for the last 20 minutes, it turns into a really good film. So, not recommended, but those last 20 minutes give you a glimpse of just how good it might have been.

Samaire Armstrong and Kevin Zegers struggle gamely on in the lead roles, saddled by an atrocious script for over an hour, while the supporting cast are okay.  Could, and should, have been much better than it is.

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Movie Reviews and News

Over One Hundred Industry Professionals to Convene at DTFF 2011 to Support Emerging Arab Filmmakers

DFI Launches Innovative Industry Program, ‘Doha Projects’, to Nurture Film Grant Recipients from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

Doha, Qatar, 10October 2011 - In a significant move for Qatar’s evolving film industry and Middle Eastern creative talent, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) today announced ‘Doha Projects’ - a unique industry initiative that will see over 40 DFI grantees receive mentoring across all facets of the film business, with aims to holistically nurture regional filmmakers and maximise the full potential of DFI-funded film projects.

Taking place during the third annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), ‘Doha Projects’ will lead DFI grantees through a curated series of one-on-one meetings, plenary sessions, panels and networking events with key international sales agents, financing bodies, script consultants, distributors and producers relevant to the region.

Over 100 diverse industry professionals from around the world will participate in the four-day program including: Chairman of multi-national film production, sales and distribution company, Fortissimo Films, Michael J. Werner; Renowned Egyptian producer and Founder of Film Clinic, Mohamed Hefzy; Emmy nominated producer, Co-Founder and CEO of Louverture Films, Joslyn Barnes; Managing Director of Front Row Filmed Entertainment LLC, Gianluca Chacra; film producer and Head of Acquisitions for Wild Bunch, Rita Dagher; Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation of India, Nina Lath Gupta; Producer and Special Advisor to ART, Antoine Khalife; Canadian film distribution veteran and Head of Acquisitions at D Films, Tony Cianciotta; and Group Director of Services at  MBC Group, Fadi Ismail.

The unique initiative builds upon DFI’s film financing division, which was launched in May 2011 to provide vital financial support for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) filmmakers. The Program will attempt to link projects with mentors and financiers for long-term support, a relationship that will help see a film from development through to production, post-production, marketing and distribution.

DFI‘s Executive Director, Amanda Palmer, explained that ‘Doha Projects’ is not only the next natural step towards building a strong regional infrastructure to support Arab storytellers but also an important strategic move for opening up the MENA region as a viable market for international film production and distribution.

She said: “With the launch of ‘Doha Projects’, we hope to really take our relationship with regional filmmakers beyond finance, and into a realm where we can have long-term impacts on their development. There is no doubt that we believe in these filmmakers and their stories, and as a financier we have a responsibility to ensure that films are not only made, but made to their full potentials – that means from creative, authentic and business perspectives. The program aims to show the international industry that there is a growing market here that has been truly underexplored and to increase access to the MENA region for international investment. This region has a quickly growing market, filmmakers and audiences are interested, and the opportunities for strong investment and co-production are greater now than ever before.”

Participating grantees will be given the opportunity to meet with members of the international film community, who will share their knowledge and expertise, focusing on current trends and market needs. These professionals will then provide individual creative and strategic feedback to the selected works in progress, with the aim of having such continue throughout the life-cycle of the projects.

Palestinian filmmaker Basil Khalil, who received a development grant for his project A Gaza Weekend, said “For me, one thing that really stuck out was that the organisers of ‘Doha Projects’ made it their priority to carefully assess my project’s needs, to discuss them with me and to suggest the right people to help me move it to the next level.”

The makers of Tunisian film, Challat of Tunis, production grant recipients, are also set to participate in the Program. The film’s Producer, Habib Attia, commented: “We are very happy to participate in this initiative. Our main goal now is to bring on a main French or European broadcaster as co-producer or main pre-buyer of the film. We are also seeking a world sales agent to ensure good distribution of the film worldwide and are convinced that the participation of our project in ‘Doha Projects’ can be fruitful for us.”

Commenting on his involvement in the Program, Industry representative, Mostafa Nagy, Head of Programmes at Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, said: “Participating in ‘Doha Projects’ is a brilliant opportunity to be a part of the developing Media and Film industry scene in the MENA region. This initiative really enhances the efforts made by DFI in mentoring this regions talent and people. We are very excited to be part of this wonderful vision helping the region develop into a sustainable knowledge-based society. This is only the start of a new milestone in our industry’s progress and we look forward to mentoring the grantees into potential world class filmmakers and storytellers.”

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Movie Reviews and News

"W.E" to be on released on Friday 20th January 2012

‘You have no idea how hard it is to live out the world’s greatest romance.’ – Wallis Simpson

STUDIOCANAL is delighted to announce that Madonna’s directorial debut, W.E., will release widely on Friday 20th January 2012 in cinemas across the UK and Ireland.

The love story stars Andrea Riseborough (Brighton Rock, Made in Dagenham), Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch, Limitless) James d’Arcy (Master and Commander), Oscar Isaac (Drive, Robin Hood), Richard Coyle (Prince of Persia), Laurence Fox (‘Lewis’, Becoming Jane), Natalie Dormer (Captain America: The First Avenger) and James Fox (Sherlock Holmes).

W.E. is a beautifully crafted, passionate tale about the search for true love in the modern world, viewed through the prism of one of history's most fabled romances. The year is 1998, and Manhattan is abuzz with anticipation about the upcoming auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. But the auction is far more than a diversion for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a transplanted Southerner trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Transfixed by the exquisite artefacts of the Windsors' lives, Wally becomes obsessed with the love story of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the chic, charismatic American who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy). As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness.

Directed by Madonna, the film is co-written by Madonna and Alek Keshishian and produced by Madonna and Kris Thykier (The Debt, Kick-Ass). The highly acclaimed and award winning production team include Director of Photography, Hagen Bogdanski (The Lives of Others, The Young Victoria), Production Designer, Martin Childs (London Boulevard, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), Costume Designer, Arianne Phillips (Walk the Line, A Single Man) and Hair and Make Up Designer, Jenny Shircore (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Clash of the Titans).

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Movie Reviews and News

‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’

Doha Film Institute Partners with Acclaimed Filmmaker Mira Nair on New International Production

‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’

Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson, Liev Schreiber,

Kiefer Sutherland, Om Puri, Shabana Azmi, to Star

Doha, October 5, 2011 – Internationally acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake) brings Mohsin Hamid’s bestselling novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist to the big screen. 

Adapted by Bill Wheeler, Mohsin Hamid, and Ami Boghani and produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, is the second major international production to receive financing from the Doha Film Institute (DFI). The film started shooting this week on location in Atlanta, New York, Lahore, Delhi and Istanbul.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a riveting thriller about Changez, a young Pakistani man chasing corporate success on Wall Street in the era of globalization. After September 11^th , Changez experiences a seismic shift in his own attitude, unearthing allegiances more fundamental than money, power, and maybe even love.

Riz Ahmed (Four Lions, Black Gold) stars in the lead role of Changez alongside actors Kate Hudson (Bride Wars, Nine, Something Borrowed), Liev Schreiber (Salt, X-Men: Origins, The Manchurian Candidate), Kiefer Sutherland (24).  Also appearing in the film are Nelsan Ellis, Martin Donovan, Om Puri, Shabana Azmi, Haluk Bilginer, and Meesha Shafi.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a Mirabai Films and Cine Mosaic production, marks DFI’s first financing involvement in an independent feature film.  The project underscores DFI’s ongoing goal to foster creativity and storytelling by supporting key independent productions from international filmmakers around the world.

Commenting on The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Nair said: “My father lived in Lahore before the partition of India and Pakistan. I am inspired to make a contemporary film about Pakistan, especially in this day and age when the perceived schism between Islamists and the Western World becomes more pronounced each day. In Doha Film Institute, I have a like-minded partner who shares a common belief in this story and its ability to affect change, having supported this project from the very beginning. In this day and age to have creative freedom to make a film that is political, timely and multi layered is a gift.  

Hamid is often cited in the media regarding Pakistani politics and culture. He adds, “Right now in Pakistan there is a feeling of intense isolation. So this film means a great deal to me - It is a rare case of artistic collaboration between Pakistanis, Americans, and Indians. It tries to humanise what too often is stereotyped. And it tries to break down the walls that separate us, to expand our sense of empathy, and to let us reconnect as artists, as people, and as citizens of a shared planet.

Executive Director of DFI, Amanda Palmer, commented: “Mira Nair is one of the most recognised filmmakers working today, someone who Qatar has long admired for her talent and commitment to making films that tackle strong subject matters with enduring humanity.  And with the tenth anniversary year of September 11, the importance of this story cannot be understated. From the moment DFI was introduced to this script, we have believed in the strength of its story and the profound and important message that it conveys, and we’re thrilled to have a stellar cast of Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Liev Schreiber and Riz Ahmed, on board with us to help take it to wider audiences.”

She added: “At the very core of DFI’s film financing mandate is to contribute to World Cinema and ensure that great stories continue to be told. From that perspective, we hope to provide people in the MENA region with opportunities to be involved in international filmmaking, whether as interns, production staff or on screen talent. We started this process by sending production staff to work on the sets of Black Gold in Tunisia and Qatar. This experience for them and for DFI was transformative, and part of an ongoing multifold strategy to build creative industries in this region, as well as international film relationships. With The Reluctant Fundamentalist, we will again send a regional team on-location with Mira’s crew to learn their craft.”

Mira Nair is a prolific filmmaker who moves between Hollywood and independent cinemas and has directed 10 narrative feature films, including Salaam Bombay!, which was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Camera D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Monsoon Wedding which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Other team members in the film include cinematographer Declan Quinn (Monsoon Wedding, In America, Rachel Getting Married), costume designer Arjun Bhasin (The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding, Life of Pi), production designer Michael Carlin (The Last King of Scotland, The Duchess, In Bruges), and editor Shimit Amin (Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, Chak de India!).

DFI’s first ventured into international production earlier this year with Arabian epic Black Gold, alongside Quinta Communications.  Shot jointly in Tunisia and Qatar during the Tunisian revolution, and directed by French auteur Jean-Jacques Annaud, Black Gold will world premiere as Opening Night Film at this year’s DTFF.

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Movie Reviews and News

Mike Newell’s Great Expectations to start shooting

5^th October 2011, London.  David Nicholls’ big screen adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic will be directed by Mike Newell and will start shooting on 10^th October for 10 weeks in the UK.  Starring a stellar British cast, the film will be produced by Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen from Number 9 Films and David Faigenblum produces on behalf of Ulti-Media.

Mike Newell, BAFTA award winning director of Four Weddings and A Funeral and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, directs a high calibre ensemble cast including BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech, Alice in Wonderland) as Miss Havisham, BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes (Schindler’s List, The English Patient) as the convict Magwitch, Robbie Coltrane (Bond, Harry Potter) as Jaggers and newcomer Jeremy Irvine, fresh from his lead role in Spielberg’s War Horse, as Pip.  They are joined by Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting), Jason Flemyng (X-Men: First Class), Sally Hawkins (Happy Go Lucky, Made in Dagenham), Tamzin Outhwaite (‘Sweet Charity’), David Walliams (‘Little Britain’) and Holliday Grainger ('The Borgias') as Estella.

Young orphan Pip is given a chance to rise from his humble beginnings thanks to a mysterious benefactor. Moving through London’s class ridden world as a gentleman, Pip uses his new found position to pursue the beautiful Estella; a spoilt heiress he’s loved since childhood. Yet the shocking truth behind his great fortune will have devastating consequences for everything he holds dear.

This adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic and finest novel is produced by award winning partners Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley (Made in Dagenham, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, The Crying Game) and written by acclaimed screenwriter and novelist David Nicholls (One Day).  The film has been financed by BBC Films, the BFI Film Fund and US based Ulti-Media Group, Inc.  Ulti-Media's David Faigenblum (360, A Late Quartet) will produce and Ulti-Media Group, Inc, will also handle North American rights.  Zygi Kamasa from Lionsgate UK will also executive produce.  HanWay Films will handle worldwide sales and the film has already been sold in the UK to Lionsgate Films, in Germany to Senator and in Australia to Universal.

Mike Newell said: “‘Great Expectations’ has been a book that has haunted me since childhood and it is a privilege to bring to the screen one of the greatest stories in the world. David Nicholls' screenplay has brought Charles Dickens' work to life for a new audience young and old, reminding us that, in two hundred years, so little has fundamentally changed in our world. And, as always, human nature triumphs over adversity.”

Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley at Number 9 Films commented: “We are very excited about making Great Expectations, the jewel in the crown of Charles Dickens double centenary year. We will be working very closely with Lionsgate in the UK and with our partners Ulti-Media in America to make Great Expectations a truly theatrical event. It’s doubly thrilling to be working with the wonderful Mike Newell and once again with Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Flemyng, Robbie Coltrane, Sally Hawkins as well as a fabulous young new cast.”

Chris Collins, Senior Production Executive at the BFI, added: “The BFI is delighted to help make this film possible. Dickens' classic story, brilliantly adapted by David Nicholls, along with Mike Newell's direction and the superb array of British acting talent suggest that this production will itself become a classic of British cinema.”

ABOUT NUMBER 9 FILMS:

Award-winning producing partners Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen established Number 9 Films after a long collaboration at both Palace and Scala Productions.  In 2005 the company was awarded one of the much sought after Slate Development Funding schemes by the UK Film Council. The company quickly went on to establish itself as one of the UK’s leading independent production companies forging relationships with a wide range of talent in the UK, across Europe and in the States. The company aims to produce between 2 and 3 films a year with a young and vibrant production and development team, headed by Kate Lawrence, who has been with the company for over 8 years.

2010 saw the release of the UK number 1 hit Made in Dagenham, a social comedy set during the 1968 Ford machinists strike, written by Billy Ivory (Women in Love), directed by Nigel Cole (Calendar Girls) and starring Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Rosamund Pike and Miranda Richardson. The film was nominated for four BAFTA awards. It was released in the States by Sony Picture Classics. Also released last year was Mark O’Rowe’s (Boy A, Intermission) Perrier’s Bounty directed by Ian Fitzgibbon and starring Cillian Murphy and Jim Broadbent.

This year Number 9 Films is currently in pre-production on two films. Firstly an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations scripted by David Nicholls (One Day), to be directed by Mike Newell, starring Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane and Jeremy Irvine (Spielberg’s War Horse). It will be lit by Oscar-nominated cinematographer John Mathieson, with production design by BAFTA-winning Jim Clay, hair and makeup by Oscar-winning Jenny Shircore and costume by Beatrix Aruna Pasztor. It will be released by Lionsgate UK.

Secondly, Byzantium, a vampire story written by Moira Buffini (Jane Eyre, Tamara Drewe)  is to be directed by Neil Jordan and star Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton. Hyena, a low budget second feature by writer-director Gerard Johnson about a corrupt policeman working in London’s Albanian and Turkish communities, will go into production in early 2012. 

Future Number 9 projects include Strangers, a chilling ghost story adapted by Conor McPherson, The End of Sleep written by Mark O’Rowe, The Limehouse Golem adapted from Peter Ackroyd’s novel by screenwriter Jane Goldman (X:Men, Kick Ass), and Carol, Phyllis Nagy's adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel.

ABOUT BBC FILMS:

BBC Films is the feature filmmaking arm of the BBC. It aims to make strong British films with range and ambition, bringing the best of British talent to audiences. BBC Films is firmly established at the forefront of British independent filmmaking and co-produces around eight films a year, working in partnership with major international and UK distributors. Christine Langan is the Head of BBC Films, responsible for the development and production slate, strategy and business operations.

Recent releases include David Mackenzie’s You Instead, Cary Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre, James Marsh’s Project Nim, Justin Chadwick’s The First Grader,Andy de Emmony's West is West, Rowan Joffe's Brighton Rock, Nigel Cole's Made in Dagenham, Stephen Frears’ Tamara Drewe, Debs Gardner-Paterson’s Africa United and Max and Dania’s StreetDance - Britain’s first-ever 3-D movie.

Forthcoming films include, David Mackenzie’s romantic thriller Perfect Sense which releases on 7 October 2011 and Lynne Ramsay’s adaptation of the Winner for the Orange Prize for Fiction We Need to Talk About Kevin which opens on 21 October 2011. Nick Murphy’s supernatural mystery The Awakening opens on 11 November, alongside Jes Benstock’s documentary feature on artist Andrew Logan The British Guide to Showing Off. Simon Curtis’ comedy drama My Week With Marilyn opens on 18 November after opening the New York Film Festival. Also coming soon are Ralph Fiennes’ contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, Lasse Hallström’s romantic comedy Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and Fernando Meirelles’ contemporary drama 360. 

BBC Films has an impressive back catalogue, which includes titles such as Lone Scherfig’s Academy Award® nominated and BAFTA award-winning An Education; Armando Iannucci’s Academy Award® and BAFTA award-nominated In the Loop; Jane Campion’s Academy Award® nominated Bright Star; and Andrea Arnold’s BAFTA award-winning Fish Tank.

bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms

Twitter @BBCFilms

ABOUT BFI FILM FUND:

The Film Fund funds bold and exciting British films and brilliant filmmakers.

Great Expectations was supported by the British Film Institute’s Film Fund. On 1 April 2011, the Film Fund moved from the UK Film Council to the BFI, which became the lead body for film in the UK.

Films backed by the Film Fund through the UK Film Council include Steve McQueen's Shame and Andrea Arnold's Wuthering Heights, Lynne Ramsay's We Need To Talk About Kevin, shown In Competition at Cannes this year, Phyllida Lloyd's The Iron Lady, Fernando Meirelles’s 360, Ken Loach’s The Angel’s Share, Terence Davies’s The Deep Blue Sea, James Marsh's Project Nim, Ben Wheatley's Kill List, Peter Strickland’s Berberian Sound Studio, Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna, and Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin.  Recent releases include the American Academy® award-winning The King’s Speech directed by Tom Hooper, Joe Cornish's Attack the Block, Richard Ayoade’s Submarine, Clio Barnard's The Arbor, Nigel Cole's Made in Dagenham, Mike Leigh's Another Year, Peter Mullan's Neds and Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini’s Streetdance 3D.

The Film Fund has worked with a number of filmmakers whose films have been selected for the major international festivals this autumn including Steve McQueen’s Shame and Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights which have just won awards at the Venice Film Festival and Terence Davies’ The Deep Blue Sea, which screened recently at San Sebastian. These films were also at Toronto alongside Lynne Ramsay’s We Need To Talk About Kevin, Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna, Fernando Meirelles’s 360 written by Peter Morgan, Pawel Pawlikowski’s Woman In The Fifth, Mark Cousins’s The Story of Film and the David Cronenberg co-production A Dangerous Method.  In addition, 360 and The Deep Blue Sea have been selected as the opening and closing gala premieres at the 55th BFI London Film Festival.

The BFI’s ambition is to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:

• Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema
• Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations
• Championing emerging and world class film makers in the UK
• Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work
• Promoting British film and talent to the world
• Growing the next generation of filmmakers and audiences

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Movie Reviews and News