Daily Variety articles from February 2003

Daily Variety archives from February 2003

Mouse doubles up for man of 'Honor'.(historical epic "Love and Honor" )
February 3, 2003... Disney is near a double deal with writer-director Randall Wallace for his historical epic "Love and Honor. Accord will guarantee a greenlight to begin filming in the fall for a Christmas 2004 release while Disney-owned Hyperion will publish...

Off the Jersey turnpike.
February 3, 2003... Jersey Films will disband when its deal with Universal Pictures expires at the end of 2003. Partners Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher will no longer work with each other on an exclusive basis when the pact is up, and it is...

Winkler mining Cole.(Cole Porter biopic)
February 3, 2003... Kevin Kline is set to play composer and songwriter Cole Porter in "De-Lovely," a biopic to be directed by Irwin Winkler. United Artists is financing and holds worldwide rights to the film, which begins shooting May 5 in London. Kline and...

Spy guys fly high: 'The Recruit' edges New Line horror sequel.
February 3, 2003... Disney sleuther "The Recruit" captured the box office flag this weekend with an estimated $16.5 million, as second place proved the final perch for New Line horror pie "Final Destination 2" in a $16.2 million bow. A third opener,...

Viv mulls renewed bid for Universal from Davis.(Vivendi Universal )
February 3, 2003... PARIS -- Vivendi Universal is mulling a renewed offer for its American entertainment assets from billionaire oilman Marvin Davis, a Paris source told Daily Variety on Sunday, although CEO Jean-Rene. Fourtou would still like to see if he can get...

Frog's 'Creek' will run dry.("Dawson's Creek" ending after 5 years on WB)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- "Dawson's Creek" -- the show that turned the WB into a bona fide network -- will sail into the sunset this May after five angst-filled years. The WB plans to air a two-hour "Dawson's" finale May 14. The Sony Pictures...

Hollywood nervously maps its battle plans: looming Iraq conflict stirs issues of morale and morality in showbiz community. (The Back Lot).
February 3, 2003... THE PROSPECT OF WAR preoccupies the entertainment community on many levels. War disrupts business. Hence studios are cautiously reviewing locations of major productions. The subject matter of films and TV shows is being given...

Nets hunt Peacock for sweeps lead.(NBC takes early ratings lead)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- NBC has sprinted out to its customary early sweeps lead thanks to a big Thursday, but the other nets are serving notice that nothing will come easy for the Peacock this month. ABC scored a rare Friday victory behind "America's...

Welles kin raises 'Kane' suit.(daughter of Orson Welles sues for rights to "Citizen Kane")(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Beatrice Welles, the daughter of Orson Welles, has filed a lawsuit claiming she is the owner of the rights to film classic "Citizen Kane." Suit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, names Turner Entertainment...

Sony: consolidation leads to 'bland' TV.
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Sony Pictures Television and a major ad agency will argue today that the major broadcast networks couldn't care less about diverse programming, as evidenced by the glut of "bland" reality shows. SPE and MediaCom are part of...

Par pulls 'Core' trailer after shuttle disaster. (Inside Moves).(Paramount has pulled its trailer for "The Core")(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Paramount has pulled its trailer for "The Core," which shows the Space Shuttle in jeopardy, but the studio is holding to its March 28 release date for the sci-fi thriller. Par asked exhibs to stop screening the trailer...

Donaldson, MSNBC to talk. (Inside Moves).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... It may be too early to say if ABC News vet Sam Donaldson will have his own primetime cable news program on MSNBC, but both sides are sounding eager to get to the table. "I just got permission to negotiate (from ABC, which still has him...

'Internal' deal for Warners.(right to remake "Infernal Affairs" )(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Warner Bros. and producers Brad Grey and Brad Pitt have won a shootout for the right to remake "Infernal Affairs," the Andrew Lau-directed actioner that was Hong Kong's top-grossing film in 2002. WB beat out at least four other studios, paying...

'Reunion' back at WB: Frog jumps at second season after boffo bow.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- School's back in session for the WB's Mike Fleiss-produced reality hit "High School Reunion." Frog has greenlit a second seven-episode season of the hour-long skein, which takes a group of former classmates and brings them back...

Obst tied to Besman, reups at Par.(producer Lynda Obst )
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Veteran producer Lynda Obst has formed an alliance with producer Michael Besman ("About Schmidt") at her Paramount-based shingle and re-upped her deal with the studio. "Michael and I have been friends and allies since...

Baltimore's back at WB.(Baltimore-Spring Creek has signed a three-year first-look production deal at Warner Bros)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Barry Levinson and Paula Weinstein's Baltimore-Spring Creek has signed a three-year first-look production deal at Warner Bros. The two were based at the studio from May 1997 through August 2000, merging their shingles,...

WB TV picks up trio of pilots.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Add another trio of pilots to Warner Bros. TV's drama roster. The WB network has picked up the pilots "Fearless," which WBTV will produce with Jerry Bruckheimer TV, and "Raven," a WBTV co-production with Tollin-Robbins Prods....

Gotham goes out.
February 3, 2003... Today: American Foundation for AIDS Research benefit dinner honoring Richard Gere, Lorne Michaels and Anna Wintour at Cipriani's. Henry Louis Gates hosts Gotham preem of HBO's "Unchained Memories: Readings From the Slave Narratives" at the...

Magnet attracts Casale as senior VP.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Magnet Communications has named PR/marketing vet Lou Casale as senior VP and general manager of its Los Angeles office. Casale will manage day-to-day operations of the regional office, head up Magnet's national entertainment...

Fox exec sports new duties.(Fox Sports Networks president Bob Thompson)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Fox Sports Networks prexy Bob Thompson will now also oversee day-to-day operation of Fox Sports Net, the company confirmed Friday. Thompson will take over duties previously held by Fox Sports Net prexy Tracy Dolgin, who will...

TV Guide draws Lafavore.(Michael Lafavore likely editor-in-chief)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... TV Guide will likely tap candidate Michael Lafavore as its editor-in-chief. He replaces seven-year vet Steven Reddicliffe, who left the mag last June. The founding editor of the Rodale magazine Men's Health, Lafavore last worked for Dennis...

Music biz: deal appeal? (News Analysis).(major label merger rumors)
February 3, 2003... It's official: The showbiz gossip mill has generated deal rumors for all five major label groups. But what the execs inside those groups are now wondering is, who's buying? Reports last week that AOL Time Warner might unload its music unit...

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls. (Film Reviews).(Movie Review)
February 3, 2003... (Docu) A Trio presentation of a Freemantle Corp., Submarine Entertainment production. Produced by Rachel Talbot, Kenneth Bowser. Executive producer, Josh Braun. Executive producer for Trio, Andrew Cohen. Executive producer for BBC, Nick...

A Decade Under the Influence. (Film Reviews).(Movie Review)
February 3, 2003... (Docu) An IFC Films release of an IFC presentation of a Written in Stone, Constant Communications production of a Demme/LaGravenese film. Produced by Gini Reticker, Jerry Kupfer, Richard LaGravenese, Ted Demme. Executive producers, Alison...

Super Bowl ad likely brings auds to 'Anger'. (Business).(Sony Pictures/Revolution Studios' "Anger Management")(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Sony Pictures/Revolution Studios' "Anger Management" won top honors among Super Bowl movie commercials last week by boosting viewers "intent to purchase" by an impressive 200%, according to ad monitoring group Intermedia Advertising Group...

Showbiz stocks.
February 3, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Friday, January 31, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN -- ...

Viv U taps pic chief: Sichler tapped for key post at StudioCanal. (Business).
February 3, 2003... PARIS -- Frederic Sichler was named managing director of StudioCanal on Friday, ending months of suspense over who would get the top job at Vivendi Universal's Euro film arm. Sichler replaces managing director Richard Lenormand -- who...

Comcast crunching numbers for E!, QVC. (Business).
February 3, 2003... Comcast is facing its first major strategic and financial dilemma in its young life as the country's largest cable operator. Full control of its two successful cable nets, E! Entertainment and QVC, could be on offer this month; Comcast...

Banks win Westphalia cable assets. (Business).
February 3, 2003... BERLIN -- A bank consortium headed by Deutsche Bank and Citigroup has picked up the North Rhine-Westphalia cable assets formerly belonging to U.S. cabler Callahan for [euro]275 million ($296 million). The consortium, which includes...

2003 Drama Pilots.
February 3, 2003... 2003 DRAMA PILOTS Project Exec Producers ABC 10-8 Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent, Jorge Zamacona 111 Gramercy Park Bob Brush, Eric...

C4 remains on edge: opera, art skeins among push for 'new voices'. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... LONDON -- Channel 4 reinforced its commitment to taking risks and championing new talent in its annual statement of program promises for 2003, which was announced last week. Programming highlights for 2003 and early 2004 include a [pounds...

U.S. official views Manila piracy. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... MANILA -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce William Lash paid surprise visits to commercial centers in Manila known for openly selling pirated VCDs and DVDs and wound up buying a bootleg version of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"...

NHK marks 50th anni. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... TOKYO -- Japanese pubcaster NHK celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday with a 16-hour marathon on its terrestrial channel reminiscing on its last five decades of programming. It also marked the occasion with the opening of a digital archive...

Diverse trio wins at Rotterdam festival. (World News).
February 3, 2003... ROTTERDAM -- Films from South Korea, Argentina and Russia took the top prizes at the Intl. Film Festival Rotterdam on Friday as the 12-day event spun into its final weekend. "Extrano," by Argentine helmer Santiago Loza, "Jealousy Is My...

India taps b'cast minister. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW DELHI -- As part of a major Cabinet reshuffle, Ravi Shankar Prasad took over as India's minister for information and broadcasting last week. After taking his oath, the new minister told Daily Variety, "A lot of work is left on the...

MGM channels pix in cable deal. (Netherlands).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... MGM Worldwide Television Distribution has pacted with regional cable giant United Pan-European Communications (UPC) to launch the MGM Channel in the Netherlands. The channel will be distributed as part of the latter's digital cable...

Phoenix links for China rev. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HONG KONG -- News Corp. subsidiary Phoenix Satellite Television will be able to sell ads and programs to Chinese broadcasters and collect revenue from them under a new joint venture with Guangdong Television Broadcasting Center, a unit of the...

Nightlife Awards. (Cabaret Review).(Television Program Review)
February 3, 2003... (Town Hall; 1,500 capacity; $75) Produced by Scott and Barbans Siegel, Kati Meister and Vein T. Calhoun. Directed by Jeff Cohen. Hosts: Andrea Marcovicci, Lea DeLaria, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Performers: Robert Klein, Julie Wilson, Bill...

Normal. (Sundance Reviews).(Movie Review)
February 3, 2003... An HBO Films presentation of an Avenue Pictures production. Executive producers, Cary Brokaw, Lydia Dean Pilcher. Directed, written by Jane Anderson, based on her play "Looking for Normal." Camera (color), Alar Kivilo; editor, Lisa...

Dot the I. (Sundance Reviews).(Movie Review)
February 3, 2003... (U.K.-Spain) A Summit Entertainment presentation in association with Alquimia Cinema of an Arcane Pictures, Summit Entertainment production. Produced by Meg Thomson, George Duffield. Executive producers, David Garrett, Bob Hayward, Patrick...

Thirteen. (Sundance).(raw psychodrama about a girl who leapfrogs from preadolescent innocence to reckless rebel )(Movie Review)
February 3, 2003... A Fox Searchlight release of a Michael London Prods, presentation in association with Working Title Films of an Antidote Film production. Produced by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, London. Executive producers, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Liza Chasm, Holly...

Dylan Bruno ("The Pennsylvania Miners' Story") is set to star in Fox Television's Hawaii-based pilot "The Break" for director John Stockwell ("Blue Crush"). (Players).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Dylan Bruno ("The Pennsylvania Miners' Story") is set to star in Fox Television's Hawaii-based pilot "The Break" for director John Stockwell ("Blue Crush"). The police drama will begin filming March 3 on Oahu. The actor will next be seen...

Amy Madigan has joined the cast of upcoming HBO series "Carnivale," which gets rolling in Southern California this week. (Players).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Amy Madigan has joined the cast of upcoming HBO series "Carnivale," which gets rolling in Southern California this week. Madigan's role was added to the cast already featured in the pilot, part of which will be reshot.

Megan Mullally, an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild honoree for her work on NBC's "Will & Grace," will provide the voice of fashionable poodle Barbara Ann. (Players).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Megan Mullally, an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild honoree for her work on NBC's "Will & Grace," will provide the voice of fashionable poodle Barbara Ann in "Good Boy!" from Jim Henson and MGM Pictures. Pic, which mixes live action and CGI...

January's B.O. chill: New Line leads in a slow month for releases.
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- In a bleak January box office, New Line was looking fine. Thanks to the strength of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "About Schmidt," the mini-major grabbed the top spot at the January B.O. with $78 million. ...

ACE taps its wise guy.(American Cinema Editors )(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The American Cinema Editors has selected author Michael Ondaatje to receive the Robert Wise Award for his recent book "The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film." Kudos will be presented at the org's 53rd...

Oscar-winning composer Bill Conti will conduct the Academy Awards Orchestra for the 16th time. (Oscar Watch).(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Oscar-winning composer Bill Conti will conduct the Academy Awards Orchestra for the 16th time as musical director of the 75th Academy Awards. Conti has received six Emmy nominations, winning four, and has been nominated for two original...

'Home' on Alphabet's fast track.(ABC picks up "Hench at Home" pilot)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- ABC has renewed its family ties with Michael J. Fox, picking up the pilot "Hench at Home," which the ex-"Spin City" star wrote and will exec produce. The Fox network, meanwhile, held a White sale Monday, greenlighting two...

Cable tug of war: ops mull mergers as nets jack up costs.(cable operators and networks close to war)
February 4, 2003... A battle could be brewing between cable operators and cable networks, if ominous signs from Time Warner Cable about programming cost increases are indicative of the industry as a whole. According to a report by JPMorgan, rising programming...

Spector held on murder charges.(music producer Phil Spector)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Authorities have charged legendary music producer Phil Spector with murder in the shooting death of a woman at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Alhambra. Bail for Spector was set at $1 million, according to the Los...

DGA gets an A in history.(Directors Guildof America announces nominees for directorial achievement in TV movies)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The Directors Guild of America has included the late John Frankenheimer among nominees for directorial achievement in TV movies in 2002. Nomination, for his work on HBO's "Path to War," is the DGA's fourth TV mention for...

'Cinderella' fellas make formal date.(Russell Crowe will star in "Cinderella Man" )
February 4, 2003... Russell Crowe will star for director Ron Howard in "Cinderella Man," a Universal and Miramax co-production set for a mid-November start date. Imagine's Brian Grazer will produce and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman will come aboard for a...

Bush backs Arab net.(President Bush supports the American-style Arab TV network)
February 4, 2003... WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Monday threw his support behind an American-style Arab TV network that would replace traditional propaganda tools such as the staid Voice of America radio network with the latest in music and news. In his...

Just for variety. (Army Archerd).(multiple topics)
February 4, 2003... GOOD MORNING: The role of Edna Turnblad in the national touring company of "Hairspray" will be played by--Bruce Vilanch. He will make a personal sacrifice to play the role. He'll part with a close friend of 32 years--his signature beard. He...

Fifth of July. (Off Broadway: Charles Isherwood).(theater review)(Theater Review)
February 4, 2003... (Signature Theater Co.: 160 seats; $55 top) A Signature Theater co. presentation of a play in two acts by Lanford wilson. Directed by Jo Bonney. Sets, Richard Hoover; costumes, Ann Hould-Ward; lighting, James Vermeulen; music and sound,...

NBC scores in new Arena.(network has good ratings for Arena Football League)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... We're not talking NFL numbers here, but the Sunday-afternoon debut of Arena Football on NBC averaged a 2.2 rating, a more-than-respectable showing against the "Bob Hope Chrysler Classic" golf event on CBS (a 3.2 rating) and the "NHL All-Star...

NBC 'Kingpin' curbs ABC's 'Dragnet' bow.
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- In a competitive Sunday showdown, NBC'S "Kingpin" successfully blunted ABC's launch of "Dragnet," with the family crime drama leading the 10 o'clock hour in key demos and delivering nice gains for the Peacock. The first...

WGA kudos flow to Brooks.(Writers Guild of America awards Mel Brooks the Screen Laurel Award)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The Writers Guild of America West board of directors has selected Mel Brooks as this year's recipient of the Screen Laurel Award. Kudos will be presented March 8 at the 55th annual Writers Guild Awards, which will take place...

Oscar watch.(Salma Hayek to be presenter at the Academy Awards)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... Salma Hayek will make her third appearance as an Oscar presenter during the 75th Academy Awards on March 23. The "Frida" star-producer will next be seen in Robert Rodriguez's "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." Her directorial debut, "The Maldonado...

B'way B.O. buffeted: closings, bad weather help drive down biz.(Broadway box office sales drop)
February 4, 2003... A) Is the pie being cut too many ways? B) Has winter weather been less than cooperative? C) Or is it the economy, stupid? The answer. to last week'S B.O. plummet on Broadway is, of course, (D) All of the above. It didn't help...

NBC, Fillion fill pact for future deal.(Nathan Fillion)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- NBC has made a six-figure talent holding deal with former "Firefly" thesp Nathan Fillion. Pact calls for Fillion to star in either a drama or comedy project for the Peacock web. Fillion and his reps, along with NBC execs, have...

Fox 2000, Hedges suit up for 'Prada'.(Fox 2000 Pictures hires Peter Hedges to adapt "The Devil Wears Prada" )(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Peter Hedges, who wrote and directed Sundance Film Festival hit "Pieces of April," will adapt "The Devil Wears Prada" for Fox 2000. Based on Lauren Weisberger'S upcoming debut novel, pic will be produced by Wendy Finerman. The...

Tyro duo lead Soul Train noms.(Amerie, Ashanti top nomination list for Soul Train Music Awards)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... R&B newcomers Amerie and Ashanti topped the nomination list for the Soul Train Music Awards on Monday, garnering three noms each for the 17th annual soul-themed kudofest. Show, to be broadcast in national syndication beginning March 1,...

Harmony's in hiding: league wants music copyists out of union. (Business).(League of American Theaters and Producers wants music copyists out of Local 802 union)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... The battle lines are drawn. If the League of American Theaters and Producers gets its way, music copyists will no longer be members of Local 802, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York. The musicians' contract with the league is...

Multicanal bids to buy back debt. (Business).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... BUENOS AIRES -- Multicanal, Argentina's second-biggest cable TV operator, launched an offer Friday to buy back $100 million in debt it defaulted on last year as the country fell into its worst economic crisis in decades. Multicanal would...

'Robot' unplugged by Viacom. (Business).("Robot Wars" is dropped by Viacom)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... LONDON -- Viacom has scrapped the U.S. version of popular international show "Robot Wars," forcing U.K. producer Television Corp. to issue a profits warning Monday. "Robot Wars," produced by subsid Mentorn for pubcaster channel BBC2, has...

ITV tie-up gets review referral. (Business).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... LONDON -- Britain's Office of Fair Trading looks set to refer the proposed [pounds sterling]2.6 billion ($4 billion) merger between the two major shareholders in commercial web ITV--Granada and Carlton--to the Competition Commission later this...

Steve Jones has been named VP, general manager of radio for ABC News. (Exec Shuffle).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... Steve Jones has been named VP, general manager of radio for ABC News. In the position, Jones will oversee all domestic and international news, sports and information coverage for the five ABC Radio networks, which serve approximately 4,800...

Canal Plus bracing for job cuts, selloffs. (Business).
February 4, 2003... PARIS -- Canal Plus Group staffers, still reeling from the weekend's as-yet unconfirmed news that topper Xavier Couture is being replaced by chief operating officer Bertrand Meheut, are steeling themselves amid fresh reports that Vivendi...

Showbiz stocks.(list of entertainment companies and stock information)(Illustration)
February 4, 2003... Showbiz stocks Monday, February 3, 2003 Find stock prices and news about anycompany at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN --...

Verse averse to pic: Plath's daughter pens poem to protest feature. (World News).(Frieda Hughes opposes film about her parents, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... LONDON -- The daughter of poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes has written a poem attacking an upcoming movie about her parents, which stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig. The film, directed by Christine Jeffs and backed by BBC Films,...

Field ankles Rotterdam. (World News).(International Film Festival Rotterdam co-director Simon Field resigns)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... ROTTERDAM -- Simon Field, the British co-director of the Intl. Film Festival Rotterdam, resigned on Monday, one year into his latest two-year contract and one day after the close of the record-breaking 2003 event. His decision comes after...

Besson defends good-time 'Taxi'. (World News).(Luc Besson rejects accusations that his film incites drives to speed)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... PARIS -- Luc Besson's "Taxi 3" has run into speedbumps. With the government fretting over France's appalling road safety record, the producer has rejected accusations that his pic, which features car chases through Marseille, incites...

Chum fleshes out sked. (World News).(Canadian broadcaster Chum to broadcast shows featuring naked people)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... VANCOUVER -- "Naked News" and "Barely Cooking," featuring nude presenters and chefs, respectively, will bow Feb. 15 on Canuck broadcaster Chum's Citytv Vancouver and Citytv Toronto. "Naked News" is a weekly half-hour show on which male and...

Argentine's Campanella shoots for 'Moon'. (World News).(Juan Jose Campanella prepares "La luna de avellaneda")(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... BUENOS AIRES -- Argentine helmer-scribe Juan Jose Campanella is preparing "La luna de avellaneda" (The Moon of Avellaneda), his first feature since his foreign-lingo Oscar nominee "The Son of the Bride" in 2001. Argentina's Pol-ka...

French crix 'Have' praise for school doc. (World News).(French Union of Film Critics honors French film)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... PARIS -- "Etre et avoir" (To Be and to Have), Nicolas Philibert's documentary about a rural one-room school, was voted Gallic film of the year by the French Union of Film Critics at a gala dinner Monday. An annual distinction since 1946,...

Slanted Wheel launches. (World News).(Slanted Wheel Entertainment )(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... TORONTO -- Former Paragon topper Jon Slan has launched Slanted Wheel Entertainment, specializing in buying and adapting international literary properties for film and TV. Slan will head the new Toronto-based company as prexy. A veteran...

Sprightly ratings for 'Spirited' bow. (World News).("Spirited Away" ratings)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... TOKYO -- Blockbuster animated feature "Spirited Away" scored record TV ratings of 46.9% Jan. 24 on broadcaster Nippon TV. The Hayao Miyazaki film, which has won a clutch of awards including a Golden Bear at last year's Berlin Film Festival,...

A.U.S.A. (Television Review).(Television Program Review)
February 4, 2003... (Series; NBC, Tues., Feb. 4; 9.30 p.m.) Taped in LOS Angeles by Persons Unknown Prods., NBC Studios and 20th Century Fox TV Executive producer, Richard Appel; co-executive producers, Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger; producer, Shari Tavey;...

Baldwin in NBC'S 'EDNY'.(Billy Baldwin to play lead in "EDNY" drama)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2003... HOLLYWOOD - Billy Baldwin ("Backdraft") is finalizing a deal to lead the ensemble cast of "EDNY," a Peacock drama pilot from Tony Drazan ("The Negotiator"). Project, to be produced by NBC Studios, was one of two cast-contingent pilot...

Top 10 films in Manhattan.(for the weekend of January 31-February 2, 2003)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 4, 2003... TOP 10 FILMS IN MANHATTAN FOR THE WEEKEND OF JAN 31-FEB. 2 % change vs. last Week Rank Wknd. B.O. Film (distributor) wknd. ...

Exclusives report.(statistics for weekend of January 31-February 2, 2003 in New York and Los Angeles)(Illustration)
February 4, 2003... EXCLUSIVE REPORT FOR THE WEEKEND OF JAN. 31-FEB. 2 New York Film (distributor) Circuit Week Week Theater, city The Guru REG 1 Union Square 14 (U) AMC 1 ...

Film box office wrap.(for the weekend of January 31-February 2)(Illustration)
February 4, 2003... FILM BOX OFFICE WRAP FOR THE WEEKEND OF JAN. 31-FEB. 2 Ranking Reported This Last Weekend Pct. Week Week Title (Distributor) ...

Masked and Anonymous. (Film: Todd McCarthy).(movie review)(Movie Review)
February 4, 2003... A Sony Pictures Classics release (in U.S.) of a BBC Films and Marching Band Prods, presentation of a Spitfire Pictures and Grey Water Park production. Produced by Nigel Sinclair, Jeff Rosen. Executive producers, Anatoly Fradis, Joseph Cohen,...