Daily Variety articles from December 2007

Daily Variety archives from December 2007

Murdoch rises and Shines with Reveille.
December 3, 2007... U.K. "super-indie" Shine, owned and run by Elisabeth Murdoch, is close to acquiring U.S. shingle Reveille. Shine is believed to be paying some $200 million for Reveille in a unique move by a British indie. Such a deal could elevate...

Princess bides at No. 1.
December 3, 2007... Disney's "Enchanted" was princess of the domestic box office for the second weekend in a row, bringing its cume to $70.6 million in its first 12 days of release and putting the pic on track to perform well through the holidays for the Mouse...

Gamer's high score: duo link in game biz's biggest deal ever.
December 3, 2007... The makers of "Guitar Hero" and "World of Warcraft" are joining forces to create the world's biggest vidgame publisher. In a deal that shocked the biz on Sunday, Activision and Vivendi Games announced that they will merge. Combined...

Fox designs Gucci biopic.
December 3, 2007... Fox 2000 will fashion the story of the Gucci dynasty into a feature directing vehicle for Ridley Scott. Scott Free will produce with Giannina Facio. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Charles Randolph ("The Interpreter") will write the drama once...

Biz gloomy on strike.
December 3, 2007... With both sides back at the barricades, many believe the writers strike won't be resolved until March at the earliest. Optimism for a quick resolution as negotiations resume Tuesday has faded to nearly nonexistent. In the aftermath of last...

Opportunity in chaos.
December 3, 2007... In the latest strike-related twist, more top-tier movie stars are available to work than at any time in recent memory, and a substantial number of TV stars may be poised to join them. George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and...

KenCen honors pack in the glitterati.
December 3, 2007... Five titans of the performing arts were celebrated Sunday in the 30th edition of the Kennedy Center Honors. The affair honored the lifetime achievements of pop musicians Diana Ross and Beach Boy Brian Wilson, comedian-writer Steve Martin, film...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
December 3, 2007... Jim Cramer did not receive an enticement from Fox Business Channel to move his "Mad Money" series from CNBC. Information was incorrect in Friday's paper. 25/7 Prods. produces "The Biggest Loser" with Reveille and 3Ball Prods. Information...

FCC plans cabler caps.
December 3, 2007... The Federal Communications Commission ended an already busy week with a quadruple play--approving the $1.3 billion Clear Channel sale, planning to take a look at product integration, granting Tribune its needed waivers and taking another shot...

Martin: a seriously funny clown.
December 3, 2007... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a business steeped in larger-than-life characters, Steve Martin has always been a distinct anomaly. Comics are always born in Brooklyn and learn their craft on the borscht circuit, but Martin grew up in Garden Grove and...

Par's pic pack on Showtime path.(Inside Moves)
December 3, 2007... It appears Paramount's "Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" will be making its exclusive pay TV debut on Showtime after all. "Crystal Skull" is the most high-octane of the Par titles that Showtime is negotiating to buy as...

Bale hails cyborgs: thesp takes role in fourth 'Terminator'.
December 3, 2007... Christian Bale, cyborg foe. Thesp is closing in on the role of John Connor in Warner Bros.' reboot of the "Terminator" franchise. Project puts Bale in two consecutive summer tentpoles for the studio: He will reprise his role as the...

Mandate posts for trio.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Mandate Pictures has bolstered its production team by upping Nicole Brown to senior veep of production and hiring Tendo Nagenda and Candice Grabois as veep of production and director of marketing and publicity, respectively. Brown, who was...

Method Man.(Players)
December 3, 2007... Method Man has booked a guest starring role in an episode of "Law & Order: SVU." He also is co-starring in features "Meet the Spartans" and "The Wackness," starring Ben Kingsley, and the fifth season of "The Wire" on HBO. Method Man's credits...

Derek Carter.(Players)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Derek Carter has joined the cast of "Serious Moonlight," directed by Cheryl Hines. He also has booked recurring roles on Starz comedy series "Hollywood Residential" and ABC Family pilot "Happy Campers." His credits...

'Urinetown' suit settled.(LEGIT BITS)(Dept. intervention in Mullen v. SSDC et al.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... The creators of the Broadway production of "Urinetown! The Musical" have settled a lawsuit against the production team of a 2006 Chicago incarnation that allegedly included plagiarized staging choices from the Rialto original. Chicago...

Espinosa tops U Mexico ops.(appointment of Jose Ernesto Espinosa at Universal Pictures International)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Jose Ernesto Espinosa has been tapped managing director of Universal Pictures Intl.'s operating company in Mexico. Espinosa will oversee marketing and distribution for all pics released under the Universal banner in Mexico. He will report...

Cymbeline.(Theater review)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Vivian Beaumont Theater; 1,047 seats; $90 top) A Lincoln Center Theater presentation of a play in two acts by William Shakespeare. Directed by Mark Lamos. Sets, Michael Yeargan; costumes, Jess Goldstein;...

Awake.(Movie review)
December 3, 2007... An MGM release of a Weinstein Co., Greenestreet Films presentation of a Deutsch/Open City Films, Greenestreet production. Produced by Joana Vicente, Jason Kilot, Bob Weinstein, Fisher Stevens. Executive producers, Bob Weinstein, Harvey...

'Halloween' team ready to get 'Hurt'.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Producers of the recent "Halloween" redo have picked up the horror thriller spec "Hurt" from scribes Anthony Grieco and Jeff Drongowski for tyro helmer Adam Finberg to direct. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fittingly, Trancas Intl. Films, Left...

Anni release for 'Thriller'.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... A 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" will be released on Feb. 12 by Epic/Legacy Recordings. "Thriller" is recognized as the world's biggest-selling album of all time. The deluxe edition will include the original...

Kudo rat race is on: Pixar, Sony toons lead Annie noms.
December 3, 2007... Pixar's latest hit, "Ratatouille," topped this year's list of Annie Award nominees, followed closely by Sony Pictures Animation's sophomore effort "Surf's Up." Those two toons are joined in the animated feature category by DreamWorks...

Mungiu the man at EFAs.
December 3, 2007... Romanian helmer Cristian Mungiu was the major victor at the 20th European Film Awards on Saturday, taking both the picture and director prizes for his Palme d'Or winner "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pic, which...

'Stranded' tops Amsterdam's docu fest.
December 3, 2007... Gonzalo Arijon's "Stranded" picked up the top award at the Amsterdam Intl. Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) on Saturday. The feature-length docu recounts how the survivors of a 1972 plane crash endured 10 weeks in the Andes. The jury...

Turin opens 'Garage' door.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... The first edition of the Turin Film Festival under Nanni Moretti's direction wrapped Sunday with the main prize of 25,000 [euro] ($36,680) going to Cannes-preemed Irish meller "Garage" in a ceremony Saturday. This year's fest received a...

Lensers tap nominees.
December 3, 2007... The American Society of Cinematographers has announced its nominees in the two television categories for the org's 22nd annual Outstanding Achievement Awards. Nominees for TV movie/miniseries/pilot are Oliver Bokelberg for the "Raines"...

Badland.(Movie review)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Copex Distribution release. Produced by Olimpia Lucente, Jorg G. Neumann. Executive producers, Claudia Dummer-Manasse, Joseph Bitonti, Gordon Guiry, Michel Shane, Anthony Romano. Directed, written, edited by...

Sex and Breakfast.(Movie review)
December 3, 2007... A First Look Studios release of a Brandman Prods. presentation of a CinemaLab production. Produced by Michael Brandman, Chip Diggins, Andrew Adelson. Executive producers, Steven Molasky, Steven Brandman. Co-producer, Joanna Miles. ...

Mama's Boy.(Movie review)
December 3, 2007... A Warners Bros. release of a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of a Carr/Santelli production. Produced by Heidi Santelli. Executive producers, Ravi Mehta, Steve Carr, Mark Gill. Directed by Tim Hamilton. Screenplay, Hank Nelken. Camera...

Europa posts profit: 'Arthur,' 'Taxi 4' spark uptick for shingle.(World News)(Financial report)
December 3, 2007... Luc Besson's EuropaCorp reported a 120% rise in revenues in the first half of the French financial year, compared with the same period last year. Ancillary sales were responsible for much of the bump, especially for kidpic "Arthur and the...

Filmmakers cash in at Tbilisi fest.(MOSCOW)
December 3, 2007... Georgia's Tbilisi Film Festival opens for its eighth annual edition today with debut cash prizes for film and director. Fest, which runs through Sunday in the capital of the small Caucasian country, showcases competition films that focus on...

Set design talk set.(BERLIN)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Set designer Alex McDowell, who created the look of films "Fight Club" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," will be one of the guest lecturers at the upcoming Berlinale Talent Campus, which runs Feb. 9-14 as part of the Berlin Film...

Film school raising coin.(World News)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Mike Leigh has launched a 7 million [pounds sterling] ($14 million) appeal to raise funds for the expansion of the London Film School. Leigh, an alumnus of the school, is chairman of the governors. The appeal is backed by 13 patrons of the...

TV extras get union pay lift.(World News)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... BUENOS AIRES -- After weeks of negotiations, some 3,000 unionized TV extras in Argentina have secured 18% to 200% pay increases from networks and producers, the Union of Public Entertainment Workers said Friday. Deal, which takes effect...

Euro org lauds Bart.(World News)(Peter Bart)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Peter Bart, editor-in-chief of Variety, has been named the recipient of the 2008 RAAM Intl. Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to film production and the media. RAAM is a U.K.-based conference, trade show and awards...

How It Works.(Theater review)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Tarragon Theater Main Space, Toronto; 200 seats; C$32 ($32) top) A Tarragon Theater presentation of a play in two acts written and directed by Daniel MacIvor. Sets and lighting, Kim Purtell; costumes, Shawn...

Showbiz stocks: Friday, November 30, 2007.
December 3, 2007... Showbiz Stocks Friday, November 30, 2007 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 4.48 +.17 -48.6 AcmeCm ACME 3 3.15 ...

The Broadway incarnation of "Rent" is slashing prices in a bid to snare post-strike auds.(LEGIT BITS)
December 3, 2007... The Broadway incarnation of "Rent" is slashing prices in a bid to snare post-strike auds. For all perfs through Dec. 23 (excluding Saturday evening shows), top ticket price is discounted from $110 to $65. Mezzanine seats are $55 and $40,...

Looks like auds never sought out "Desperately Seeking Susan.".(LEGIT BITS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Looks like auds never sought out "Desperately Seeking Susan." The West End tuner, which opened at the Novello Theater on Nov. 15, will close Dec. 15. A revival of the William Nicholson play "Shadowlands," fresh off an 11-week run at the...

Guillermo Diaz.(Players)
December 3, 2007... Guillermo Diaz ("Half Baked") has landed a recurring role on CBS' "Cane" as a Cuban gangster. He recurs on Showtime's "Weeds" and will star in two films next year, "Evilution" and "The Butcher." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Alexandra Paul.(Players)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alexandra Paul ("Baywatch") will star as a lesbian mother in "Tru Loved" and as a lawyer in "A Date With Murder." Her recent credits include "Benny Bliss and the Disciples of Greatness" and "Demons From Her Past."

Hector Luis Bustamante.(Players)
December 3, 2007... Hector Luis Bustamante has signed for a multi-episode arc on NBC-produced daytime drama "Passions," playing a hitman. Bustamante's recent TV credits include "Heroes" and "Big Shots." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Devin "Poetri" Smith.(Players)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Devin "Poetri" Smith has joined the cast of "Yes Man," Alongside Jim Carrey. Smith starred for three seasons on HBo's "Def Poetry."

Leno to pay 'Tonight' staff after all.
December 3, 2007... Stung by criticism from several of his own staffers, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno has promised to pay employee salaries through at least this week. According to a source close to Leno, the host will pay around 100 "Tonight Show" staffers...

'Beowulf' top dogs o'seas.(WORLD WATCH)
December 3, 2007... "Beowulf" remained king of the foreign box office, winning for the third straight weekend with $19.4 million at 6,700 playdates in 60 markets. The moderate frame also saw domestic winner "Enchanted" conjure solid returns with $10.7 million...

'Savages' ravages B.O. in limited bow.
December 3, 2007... Writer-director Tamara Jenkins' dramedy "The Savages" acted more than civilized in its limited box office debut, nabbing Fox Searchlight the best per-screen average of the weekend at $38,280. "Savages," toplining Laura Linney and Philip...

Romark takes Shaink into fold.(Rock Shaink)(Romark Films)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Rock Shaink is exiting as senior executive of Tyrese Gibson's HQ Pictures for a post at the newly minted Romark Films. where he will be partnered alongside writer-director Mark Jonathan Stanley. Shaink is set to produce the Patrick...

Cecil B. DeMille honoree: Steven Spielberg.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The latest to receive the HFPA honor for "outstanding contribution to the entertainment field," the helmer has won six previous Globes. Two have come for directing ("Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan"),...

Flack magic turns Globes: growing in numbers, specialization and clout, studio awards teams take control of the kudos race.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
December 3, 2007... With the trophy race now encompassing more than 50 pics and several dozen kudofests, and the spectrum of tastemakers proliferating beyond the trade pubs to an ever-growing gantlet of daily newspapers and blogs, it has become the studio "awards...

Sunday safe again as Wisteria hysteria ebbs: kudocast returns to original slot after 'Desperate Housewives' ratings cool.(THE BROADCAST: SKED STRATEGY)
December 3, 2007... The ladies of Wisteria Lane are still scaring up big auds on Sunday night, but they no longer frighten the folks at the Golden Globes. After a two-year run on Monday nights--in a bid primarily to get away from ABC juggernaut "Desperate...

Camara gets candid on plans for fifth prexy term: discusses everything from TV deals to tix for agents.(HFPA POLITICS)
December 3, 2007... It's not mentioned during lunch at Morton's, but Jorge Camara's Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.'s electoral career has outlived the restaurant. When the eatery opened in 1979, Camara was on his first term as HFPA president. And though...

Noms reflect global taste: why HFPA voters tend to take a world view when it comes to tube selections.(TRENDS: FOREIGN TV STARS)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nearly four years ago, Golden Globes voters stunned awards watchers by naming the original BBC version of "The Office" the season's best comedy-and star Ricky Gervais as the top TV comedy thesp. In collecting...

Will cable's sizzling summer trump broadcast's fizzling fall?(FROSH SKEINS)
December 3, 2007... Broadcast networks, watch your backs: 'This could be the year freshman cable skeins dominate the Golden Globes' TV categories. While the traditional webs managed to drum up only lackluster buzz and Nielsen ratings during this strike-struck fall...

Mirth and music.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
December 3, 2007... While the rest of awards season may be overrun with weighty specialty-division fare, the Golden Globes' "comedy/musical" categories offer a unique place for pics that don't necessarily fit into the dramatic mold. Here's a brief look at 20...

HFPA members.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
December 3, 2007... Below are the 82 active members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. who vote on the Golden Globes; also listed are the territories they represent Paoula Abou-Jaoude (Brazil) Maria Amaya (Colombia) Vera Anderson (Mexico) Ray...

Rumer confirmed for Miss duties.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] While good old-fashioned nepotism alV ways rocks the hardest, getting the Miss Golden Globe gig--bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. each year to the daughter of a celebrity--has also proved a powerful...

Winners circle: a look at Globes honorees of recent years.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
December 3, 2007... 2007 FILM Picture--Drama: "Babel" Actor--Drama: Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland" Actress--Drama: Helen Mirren, "The Queen" Picture--Musical or Comedy: "Dreamgirls" Actor--Musical or Comedy: Sacha Baron...

Gallery of golden glee.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
December 3, 2007... Snapshots of Globes winners, nominees and hangers-on from decades past Rock Hudson, Marilyn Monroe: 1962 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Catherine Deneuve, Robert Evans, Faye Dunaway: 1975 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shirley Jones, Kim...

Pols prep probe of FCC's gung-ho boss.
December 4, 2007... Having recently angered almost everybody, Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin J. Martin is now the target of a congressional investigation into whether he is abusing his authority and if his leadership has led to "a breakdown in...

Crowe keeps 'State' in play.(Russell Crowe )(Brief article)
December 4, 2007... Russell Crowe has committed to star for Universal in "State of Play" in a development that keeps the Kevin Macdonald-directed film on course to begin production this year. Crowe joins Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Jason...

Serve and volley: scribes to counter moguls' offer.
December 4, 2007... As pact talks resume today after a four-day respite, both writers and the AMPTP are curious-but few are optimistic. Exactly one month after the strike began, Writers Guild of America leaders are expected to deliver a counteroffer, with a...

Nets start sked shifts.
December 4, 2007... With hopes for a quick settlement of the Writers Guild of America strike dimming, the networks are starting to move ahead with programming plans for winter. Plenty of nonscripted programming is in the works: CBS officially greenlit the...

CEO cozies up to DreamWorks.
December 4, 2007... Speaking in the very same Gotham hotel where he asserted that a DreamWorks exit would have "no material impact" on Viacom's balance sheet, the conglom's chief exec, Philippe Dauman, changed his tune Monday. "We are very happy to have one...

Big easy.(Only at Variety.com)
December 4, 2007... Brad Pitt kicks off a campaign to rebuild neighborhoods in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Post-strike spike: box office bounces back on B'way.
December 4, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Broadway shook off the strike last week, and a string of returning shows hit the ground running, playing five or six perfs over the flame after Wednesday's resolution of the work stoppage. Take "Cyrano de...

Shock jock back in the 'Morning'.
December 4, 2007... The new-model Don Imus returned to Gotham's airwaves Monday, sounding a lot like the oldmodel Imus but with a big dollop of humility and a promise to mind his words more carefully from here on out. Imus signed on to his "Imus in the...

'Tin' proves its mettle.
December 4, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sci Fi Channel's "Tin Man" looks like ratings gold, with Sunday's premiere installment of the six-hour miniseries notching the cabler's biggest ratings ever. According to prelim fast national Nielsen data, night...

RDF USA taps exec quartet.
December 4, 2007... With a growing roster of primetime skeins, RDF USA is beefing its executive roster with four hires. Andy Lennon has signed on as exec veepee of finance, reporting to RDF USA prexy Chris Coelen. A 17-year veteran of the U.K.'s financial services...

Taylor sews up vidgame post.
December 4, 2007... Rich Taylor, a former exec at the Motion Picture Assn. of America, is set to become senior VP for communications and research at the Entertainment Software Assn., the videogame industry's lobbying outfit. Serving under former MPAA topper...

Thesp's 'Curtains' call.(LEGIT BITS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2007... David Hyde Pierce has reupped with "Curtains," extending his run in the Broadway tuner by six months. His stint in the show now will end Aug. 31. Winner of a 2007 Tony for his lead role in the musical; Pierce is a major selling point for...

The Farnsworth Invention.(Theater review)
December 4, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (The Music Box; 1,009 seats; $101.50 top) A Dodger Properties and Steven Spielberg for Rabbit Ears presentation in association with Fred Zollo and Jeffrey Sine, Dancap Prods., Latitude Link/Pelican Group of a...

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.(Movie review)
December 4, 2007... A DreamWorks-Paramount (in U.S.), Warner Bros. (international) release and presentation of a Parkes/MacDonald production and a Zanuck Co. production. Produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, John Logan. Executive...

Film box office wrap: for the weekend of Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
December 4, 2007... Film Box Office Wrap FOR THE WEEKEND OF NOV. 30-DEC. 2 Ranking Reported This Last Weekend $ Pct. Week Week Title (Distributor) ...

Weekend stats.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 4, 2007... Weekend Stats Domestic Box Office $84.0 million November 30-December 2, 2007 vs. last week -48% vs. last year -10% Daily Breakdown (in millions of $) FRI. $25.7 SAT. $36.7 SUN. $21.6 ...

Heckler.
December 4, 2007... (Docu) A Jizzy Entertainment production. Produced by Jamie Kennedy, Michael Addis. Co-producer, Chris Roletter. Directed by Michael Addis. Camera (color, video), Addis; editor, Alex Ward, Tom McArdie; sound, Jeffrey Alan Jones;...

Top 10 films in Manhattan: for the weekend of November 30-December 2, 2007.
December 4, 2007... Top 10 Films In Manhattan For the weekend of November 30-December 2, 2007 % change vs. last Week Rank Wknd. B.O. Film (distributor) ...

Broadway top 10: Nov. 26-Dec. 2.
December 4, 2007... Broadway Top 10: Nov. 26-Dec. 2 Week's Show Net Receipts (Theater)(Prod. Potential Prev Week's $Change Category) (Seats) Net Receipts Net Receipts...

The screening room.
December 4, 2007... THE SCREENING ROOM The Screening Room runs Tuesdays and Fridays. Send schedules at least five days prior to the screening date to jeffrey.sneider@variety.com. Screenings are open to Academy and guild members. For a complete list, visit...

Queens Boulevard (the musical).(Theater review)
December 4, 2007... (Peter Norton Space: 160 seats: $20 top) A Signature Theater Company presentation of a musical in one act by Charles Mee. Directed by Davis McCallum. Musical direction, Matt Castle. Choreography, Peter Pucci. Sets, Mimi Lien; costumes,...

Showbiz stocks: Monday, December 3, 2007.
December 4, 2007... Showbiz Stocks Monday, December 3, 2007 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 4.46 -.02 -48.9 AcmeCm ...

Black Nativity.(Theater review)
December 4, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (The Duke on 42nd St.: 299 seats, $50 top) A New 42nd Street, Classical Theater of Harlem presentation of a musical in one act by Langston Hughes. Directed by Alfred Preisser. Music direction, Kelvyn Bell....

Cake; The Detroit Cobras.
December 4, 2007... (Orpheum Theater; 2,000 seats; $37.50 top) Presented by Bill Silva Presents. Bands: (C): John McCrea, Vince DiFiore, Xan McCurdy, Gabe Nelson, Paulo Baldi; (DC): Rachel Nagy, Mary Ramirez, Nick Lucassian, Joey Mazzola, Kenny Tudrick. Also...

U bumps up 'Charlie' bow.
December 4, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Universal Pictures has moved up the debut of "Charlie Wilson's War," starting Tom Hanks, by four days to Friday, Dec. 21. The Mike Nichols-helmed satire about covert dealings by a Texas congressman is expected...

Super Bowl gig for Petty.(Petty, Tom)(Brief article)
December 4, 2007... Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will perform the halftime show at Super Bowl XLII, to be held Feb. 3 at the U. of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Fox made the announcement in its pregame show Sunday. Petty has a tough act to follow...