Daily Variety articles from May 2010

Daily Variety archives from May 2010

'Idol' ready for 2011 tune-up.(American Idol)
May 28, 2010... Can "American Idol" be saved? And for Fox, does it matter? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Execs at the network, of course, would say "yes" to both questions. But there's a reason the network backed the Brinks truck up to Simon Cowell's driveway...

Blurb blizzard in forecast.
May 28, 2010... Network ad sales execs and media buyers are bracing for a frenzy of upfront buying and selling that is likely to hit by the end of next week. The Big Four nets and CW are hopeful that the upfront market will rebound significantly from last...

U haul of pix via MRC pact.
May 28, 2010... Media Rights Capital's new deal with Universal represents the biggest rent-a-studio pact with a major since Disney joined hands with DreamWorks. Agreement calls for Universal to distribute 20 MRC pics over five years beginning in 2011. The...

Oz bonanza Roadshow raises $1 bil.
May 28, 2010... It was only a year ago that Village Roadshow was on the brink of being unable to bankroll movies. Not anymore: The Australian independent financing and production company has raised $1 billion in a credit facility to fund its current and...

Dooley newly upped: Viacom appoints chief operating officer.
May 28, 2010... Thomas Dooley, the top corporate lieutenant to Viacom prexy and CEO Philippe Dauman, has been upped to chief operating officer of Viacom. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dooley previously served as senior exec VP, chief financial officer and chief...

Finance guru Starr facing fraud charge.
May 28, 2010... Financial adviser Kenneth I. Starr has been accused of bilking big-name clients of more than $30 million, in charges brought Thursday in separate complaints from the U.S. attorneys office and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Starr's...

No paper Monday.
May 28, 2010... Daily Variety will not publish on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. Next issue will be Tuesday, June 1.

NatGeo hooks skeins.
May 28, 2010... National Geographic Channel is prepping a summer slate with premieres of four weekly series and two miniseries, along with the return of four shows. "Expedition Great White" bowing June 6, follows 126-foot-long ship "Ocean" on its study of...

Concert biz feels U2 pain.
May 28, 2010... The decision to postpone U2's U.S. concerts until next year because of Bono's back surgery not only has affected the bottom line for concert promoter Live Nation and the organizers of the Glastonbury Festival, where U2 was scheduled to headline...

Old theme songs tune up remakes.(music NOTES)
May 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a year when the TV Academy nearly abolished its Emmy "main title theme" category, classic TV themes are turning out to be incredibly valuable properties--especially when it comes to remakes. An update of "Hawaii...

Vidgames gaining more time.
May 28, 2010... Core garners are the lifeblood of the video game industry, buying more titles and playing more frequently than anyone else. According to a study from the NPD Group, which also tracks retail sales of videogames, "extreme" garners spend 48.5 hours...

'Putty' to hit U.S. this fall.(Cinema Guild has acquired the rights to 'Putty Hill')(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... The Cinema Guild has picked up U.S. fights to Matt Porterfield's drama "Putty Hill" for a fall release. Pic--about a group of Baltimore friends and neighbors who gather on the eve of a funeral--premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, screened...

Gotham city west: u redesigns N.Y. backlot destroyed by fire.
May 28, 2010... New York City has officially risen from the ashes of Universal Studios' backlot. On Thursday, Universal officially unveiled 13 city blocks of production-ready streets that it will offer filmmakers beginning at the end of June. In the...

'X' marks spot for thesp.(James McAvoy to star in 'X-Men: First Class')(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Fox has found its young Professor X. James McAvoy will play the character popularized by Patrick Stewart in "X-Men: First Class," the origins take on the Marvel tale to be directed by Matthew Vaughn. The "Wanted" star will play Charles...

WB skeds 'Holmes 2' for Xmas '11.
May 28, 2010... "Sherlock Holmes" will once again take on the Christmas box office. Warner Bros. said Thursday its sleuth sequel is set to bow mid-December 2011, reuniting stars Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams. Based on the enduring Arthur...

Midnight 'Sex' express.
May 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Femmes turned out in force Wednesday for midnight showings of "Sex and the City 2," shelling out $3 million for the Warner Bros. and New Line pic. Pic, which opened wide Thursday at 3,445 locations, kickstarts the...

Spain cuts cap.(World News)(government subsidy for local movies)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Governmental austerity cuts are biting into Spain's newly hiked subsidy caps for homegrown movies. National film funding board, the Instituto de la Cinematografia y de las Artes Audiovisuales, will halve the maximum subsidy coin a local movie...

'Skins' gets pic itch: Blighty skein to start bigscreen prod'n in fall.(World News)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... After a year of speculation, Blighty's cult hit TV show "Skins" is headed for the bigscreen with production set to begin at the end of September. Producers Company Pictures and Stormdog Films, and film financiers and distributors CinemaNX and...

Transylvania fest unfurls.(World News)
May 28, 2010... The ninth Transylvania Film Festival, set in Romania's mountain valley of Cluj-Napoca, kicks off today with a slate of 12 competish films by new helmers. Fest's noncommercial spirit is typified by artistic director Mihai Chirilov's official...

Kudos for Kaufman.(World News)(Charlie Kaufman to be honored at Italy's Biografilm Festival)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Helmer-scribe Charlie Kaufman will be feted at Italy's sixth Biografilm Festival, where U.S. documaker John Scheinfeld will also be on hand to celebrate the memory of actor Peter Sellers with rare film footage. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Film to tell kidnap tale.(World News)(the story of kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Bernd Eichinger is set to produce a film based on the story of Natascha Kampusch, the 22-year-old Austrian kidnap victim who spent more than eight years in a windowless underground cell in Vienna. Kampusch was abducted in 1998 at the age of...

'Voltaire' to bigscreen.(POLAND)(Boulevard Voltaire)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Polish actress-director Malgorzata Potocka is set to make a film with novelist scribe Andrzej Bart. Bart will begin working with Potocka on the script of "Boulevard Voltaire" later this year. "Boulevard Voltaire"--likely to go into production...

'Circles' lines up director.(SERBIA)(Srdan Golubovic to direct movie 'Circles')(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Serbian helmer Srdan Golubovic is set to direct "Circles," a $1.8 million psychological drama based on a 1993 incident in Belgrade during the Bosnian war. "Circles" is produced by Jelena Mitrovic at Serbia's Film House Bas Celik and Alexander...

DRG finds format 'Dance' partner.(U.K.)(Get Up and Dance)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... U.K. distributor DRG has acquired rights outside the U.S. and the U.K. for new entertainment format "Get Up and Dance." Show, produced by the Gurin Co., will bow this year on CMT in the U.S., where it will be exec produced by Phil Gurin. U.S....

Paradise Found.
May 28, 2010... (Menier Chocolate Factor, London," 144 seats; 25 [pounds sterling] ($36) top) A Menier Chocolate Factory presentation of a musical in two acts, music by Johann Strauss II adapted by Jonathan Tunick, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, book by Richard...

Dusk Rings a Bell.(Theater review)
May 28, 2010... (Atlantic Stage 2; 95 seats; $50 top) An Atlantic Theater presentation of a play in one act by Stephen Belber. Directed by Sam Gold. Set, Takeshi Kata; costumes, Theresa Squire; lighting, Ben Stanton; sound, Jill BC DuBoff; projections, Peter...

Losing It With Jillian.(Television program review)
May 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Series; NBC, Tues. June 1, 10 p.m.) Produced by Reveille in association with Empowered Media. Executive producers, Jillian Michaels, Giancarlo Chersich, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Noah Oppenheim, Ellen Rakieten,...

Dad Camp.(Television program review)
May 28, 2010... (Series; VHI, Mon. May 3l, 10:30 p.m.) Produced by 3 Ball Prods. Executive producers, JD Roth, Todd A. Nelson, Adam Greener; line producer, Jessica Navarro; supervising field producer, Susanne Shropshire; senior story producer, Scan Jennings;...

Syfy cooks up more unscripted skeins.(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Syfy is continuing its reality push by greenlighting three skeins that are aimed to raise the nonfiction profile of the NBC Universal cabler. "Marcel's Quantum Kitchen" taps into the cooking craze as chef and...

Trio keep top PGAE posts.(Producers Guild of America East's Mark Marabella, John Hadity, and Dana Kuznetzkoff)(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Incumbents John Hadity, Dana Kuznetzkoff and Mark Marabella have been re-elected as top officers of the Producers Guild of America East. All three--chair Hadity and vice-chairs Kuznetzkoff and Marabella--ran unopposed in the org's 2010...

Thesp hired by 'Bosses'.(Jason Sudeikis is joining the cast of 'Horrible Bosses')(Brief article)
May 28, 2010... Jason Sudeikis is rounding out the cast of New Line's workplace comedy "Horrible Bosses." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thesp joins Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. Seth Gordon's directing with Brett...

It's 'Sex' vs. Sand: girls and prince duke it out over holiday.
May 27, 2010... Memorial Day Weekend is looking like a battle of the sexes at the domestic box office. Warner Bros. and New Line will get a shapely leg up on the competish as "Sex and the City 2" launches today at 3,445 salons, while Disney's "Prince of...

'Runway' accessorizes.
May 27, 2010... Lifetime is once again expanding its "Project Runway" universe. The femme-centric cabler is developing two new projects with the Weinstein Co. that comes with a "Runway" sheen. The first one features former "Runway" contestants Santino Rice and...

CBS rewrites fall 'Rules'.
May 27, 2010... One of the biggest winners in last week's upfront frenzy was a four-year-old show that many people in the biz often forget is still on the air: CBS' "Rules of Engagement." The Sony Pictures TV/CBS TV Studios couples comedy from Adam Sandler's...

Mouse trap?
May 27, 2010... Beware the assistant with the shady boyfriend and a taste for expensive shoes. On Wednesday, the SEC charged the assistant to Disney corporate communications head Zenia Mucha with fraud in an insider-trading scheme gone horribly awry. The...

Fox sports shuffle: net ups Goren, taps DirecTV's Shanks.
May 27, 2010... Fox Sports has undergone a major transition in its hierarchy, bringing in DirecTV topper Eric Shanks as president and elevating Ed Goren to vice chairman. Both will report to David Hill, who remains Fox Sports media group chairman and CEO. ...

Buyers hail 'Hawaii'.
May 27, 2010... The In-N-Out truck serving lunch was nearly as popular as a certain island-based pilot that unspooled at Paramount Wednesday as global TV buyers continued their weeklong trek from studio to studio as part of the L.A. Screenings. CBS Studios...

WMA vet joins FishBowl.
May 27, 2010... WMA veteran Susan Brooks has joined FishBowl Worldwide Media as general counsel and exec veep of business affairs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] She'll oversee all business and legal affairs for the startup shingle and will be a key player in...

Amiable TV host known for humor.(ART LINKLETTER: 1912-2010)(Obituary)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Art Linkletter, a genial mainstay of early unscripted TV best remembered as host of the long-running "Kids Say the Darndest Things," died Wednesday in Bel-Air of natural causes. He was 97. Linkletter also hosted...

Visionary shaped CBS.
May 27, 2010... Former CBS chairman Michael Jordan, who orchestrated Westinghouse Electric Corp.'s purchase of the Eye in 1995, died Tuesday of complications from cancer in New York. He was 73. Growing up during the Depression in Kansas, he sought a career...

High school hotties: 'Glee' kids score another No. 1 debut.
May 27, 2010... For the second time in five weeks, a new package of "Glee" tunes tops the U.S. album chart, as "Showstoppers" enters at No. 1. The Columbia title arrives with first-week sales of 136,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan data for the...

USA looking for laffs.(USA Network)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... USA Network is going the laffer route, picking up a half-hour comedy script from Linda Bloodworth. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Titled "Driven," the series is about an out-of-work Austin, Texas, resident who launches a limo business. Bloodworth...

Disney scrubs Soap for kids.
May 27, 2010... Disney is shutting down its SoapNet channel, and entering the competitive 24-hour preschool kids TV arena. Disney Junior, which will target tykes aged 2-7, will launch in 2012. Channel replaces SoapNet, currently seen in 75 million homes. ...

Focus eyes early 2011.(Focus Features )
May 27, 2010... Focus Features has set release dates for three pics in the first quarter of 2011, taking advantage of a period that is typically light on specialty fare. Sked is led by helmer Kevin Macdonald's "The Eagle of the Ninth," set to open wide Feb....

Solon pushes for limits on NBC U deal.
May 27, 2010... A key lawmaker is urging the FCC and the Justice Department to impose major conditions on Comcast's proposed union with NBC Universal, including steps to limit the new entity from favoring its content on its programming platforms and even a...

Helmer circles WB 'Run'.
May 27, 2010... The long-in-development remake of "Logan's Run" appears to be gaining momentum with commericals director Carl Rinsch in talks to direct the sci-fi actioner for Warner Bros. and producers Joel Silver and Akiva Goldsman. Project, focused on a...

Thesp opts for Reitman pic.(Cary Elwes, Ivan Reitman )(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... Cary Elwes has been cast as a lead in Paramount's untitled Ivan Reitman comedy opposite Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elwes plays a physician who works with Portman's character and develops a flirtatious...

U.K.'s five faces uncertain future.(Channel Five Holdings Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... Pan-European broadcast group RTL may be about to give up on its underperforming U.K. terrestrial web Five. A spokesman for Luxembourg-based RTL, majority owned by Bertelsmann, refused to comment on local reports that it is prepping a sale but...

BBC's iPlayer gets social.(World News)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... The U.K.'s hugely successful video-on-demand service, the BBC iPlayer, is embracing social media. A new beta version of the iPlayer, launched Wednesday, enables users to customize the device, tailoring the service to their preferences, and to...

'Glee' creator joins Banff lineup.(World News)(Ian Brennan to Banff World Television Festival)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Glee" co-creator Ian Brennan has joined the list of speakers set to attend Canada's Banff World Television Festival, which runs June 13-16. Musical dramedy "Glee," inspired by Brennan's high school show choir...

Perry's blighty bow: Lionsgate will open franchise this summer.(World News)(Tyler Perry, Lionsgate U.K. )
May 27, 2010... Lionsgate U.K. is bringing the Tyler Perry franchise to Blighty, starting with the theatrical release of "Why Did I Get Married Too?" on Sept. 3. It's the first time one of Perry's pics, which have grossed $482 million domestically, will hit...

Duo cooks format for U.S.(World News)(BBC Worldwide Channels and ITV Studios America)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... The international ITV format hit "Come Dine With Me" is being added to the viewing menu in the U.S. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BBC Worldwide Channels and ITV Studios America will produce a U.S. version of the show for its international...

'Lion' roars in a Big way.(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... LONDON -- Reliance MediaWorks' Big Cinemas is set to release "Singam" (Lion) on more than 30 screens in 24 cities in the U.S., the biggest release for a Tamil-language pic Stateside. Ten of the 30 screens showing the film are owned by Big...

The Special Relationship.(Television program review)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Movie; HBO, Sat. May 29, 9 p.m.) Filmed in London and Washington by Kennedy/Marshall Prods. and Rainmark Films in association with BBC Films and presented by HBO Films. Executive producers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank...

White People.(Theater review)
May 27, 2010... (Lankershim Arts Center, North Hollywood; 44 seats; $30 top) A Road Theater Company presentation of a play in one act by JT Rogers. Directed by Douglas Clayton. Sets, Helen Harwell; costumes, Holly Poe Durbin; lighting, Christian Epps; sound,...

Studios walk risky tightrope in 3D.(tech BYTES)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The visual effects industry's ability to handle huge changes at the last minute has cultivated some dubious habits at the studios. One exec sardonically Calls it "postponing creative decisions." Basically, it means...

Hollywood Post Alliance.(Bits & Bytes)
May 27, 2010... The Hollywood Post Alliance has announced the opening call for entries for the fifth annual HPA Awards. Rules and entry information at hpaawards.net.... david.cohen@variety.com

Animal Logic has hired vfx producer Matt Lynch.(Bits & Bytes)
May 27, 2010... Australian vfx/animation studio Animal Logic has hired vfx producer Matt Lynch. Animal Logic is in production on two pics for helmer Zack Snyder: "Sucker Punch" and "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole." david.cohen@variety.com

I Wish I Knew.(Movie review)
May 27, 2010... (Shanghai chuanqi) (Docu--China) A Shanghai Film Group Corp., Xstream Pictures, NCU Group, Star Art Vision and Bojie Media presentation. (International sales: MK2, Paris.) Produced by Wang Tianyun, Yu Likwai, Meg Jin, Lin Ye, Xiong Yong....

Rebecca H. (Return to the Dogs).(Movie review)
May 27, 2010... (France-U.S.) A Los Films du Worso, SK Films production. (International sales: Wild Bunch, Paris.) Produced by Lodge Kerrigan, Sylvie Pialat. Executive producer, Steven Soderbergh. Directed, written by Lodge Kerrigan. Camera...

Rubber.
May 27, 2010... (France) A Magnet Releasing release (U.S.) of a Gregory Bernard presentation of a Realitism Film production, in association with Elle Driver, 1.85 Films, Arte France Cinema, Rubber Films, Sindika Dokolo, with the participation of Canal Plus,...

Starry Knight: from the Royal Shakespeare Company to 'Prince of Persia,' Ben Kingsley has attracted regal attention his entire career.(A DIAMOND IN THE POCKET)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even devout cineastes may not know Ben Kingsley started out as a comedian and songwriter-performer in the Bob Dylan mode, with serious hair, and was so good at it that Brian Epstein offered to manage him at the urging...

Endemol expanding: company opens Gotham office, adds veepees.
May 27, 2010... Reality behemoth Endemol USA is getting bigger, opening a New York office in order to expand its East Coast presence. As part of its growing ranks, Endemol is also hiring three new vice presidents--including two in development and one in...

Teuton exhibs nix 3D World Cup.
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Excitement about planned 3D theatrical telecasts of the World Cup soccer tournament, due to kick off in South Africa on June 11, is fizzling out in Germany, where major exhibs have given a thumbs-down to the technology...

Kino nabs 'Poetry' rights.
May 27, 2010... Kino International has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the South Korean Cannes winner "Poetry." Kino announced the deal Wednesday and will release the film this fall. Written and directed by Lee Chang-dong, "Poetry" screened in...

Stones in Exile.(Movie review)
May 27, 2010... (Docu--U.K.) A Passion Pictures, M Street production. Produced by John Battsek, Victoria Pearman. Executive producers, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Andrew Ruhemann. Co-producer, George Chignell. Co-executive producers, Jane...

Vevo in concert.
May 27, 2010... In a move to boost its live music profile and capitalize on top music acts, Vevo, the premium Web service launched by the Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in December, will globally stream the FIFA World Cup "Kick-Off...

Greek bears giant gift to bizzers.(V)(Get Him to the Greek)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] U went large--way large--for Tuesday's preem of "Get Him to the Greek": the Greek Theater as open-air screening venue; 3,000 guests; and a football field-sized after-party on a nearby parking lot with three dozen bars...

Party carries on.
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carrie look-alikes of all ages, sizes and eras dotted Monday night's Radio City Music Hall world premiere of Warner Bros./New Line's "Sex and the City 2" along with Carrie herself, Sarah Jessica Parker and cohorts...

'Hoity-toity' crowd's kudo.(Film Society of Lincoln Center award)(Brief article)
May 27, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael Douglas received his Film Society of Lincoln Center award from father Kirk and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, who pinched he hubby on the butt. Accepting the kudos Monday at Alice Tully Hall, Douglas said, "At...

TV's wrap party: Fox, CBS top season.
May 26, 2010... Fox and CBS are sizing up their ratings crowns as the 2009-10 season wraps tonight. The year will be remembered for a slight shift in audience taste, as viewers flocked to event programming and new programs lighter in tone--and stopped...

Lion keeps TV purring.(MGM)
May 26, 2010... James Bond may be on hold at MGM, but "Teen Wolf" is a go. Even as the Lion faces a very uncertain future, execs on the TV side of the studio are quietly working to set up new business and expand existing ventures, such as the This TV digital...

$1 bil 'Wonder'.
May 26, 2010... With less than a week until Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" hits DVD shelves on June 1, the 3D fantasy is about to hit the $1 billion mark worldwide on the theatrical side. The Tim Burton pic has topped the box office in Japan for six straight...

Tuning up.(VARIETY.COM)
May 26, 2010... Variety's Soundcheck blog keeps tabs on the music world. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] variety.com/soundcheck

Gregorian chants marketing.
May 26, 2010... Lisa Gregorian has expanded her duties at Warner Bros. TV Group, where she's just been given chief marketing officer stripes. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gregorian will serve as both exec VP and chief marketing officer of the division, Warner...

Fey to be feted with Twain prize.(Tina Fey to receive this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor)(Brief article)
May 26, 2010... Tina Fey has been selected by the Kennedy Center to receive this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Honor, to be taped for national TV broadcast, will be presented Nov. 9 at the center's Concert Hall. A gaggle of entertainers is...

Warner appeal denied.
May 26, 2010... A California appeals court upheld producer Alan Ladd Jr.'s legal victory over Warner Bros., ruling that the studio breached "good faith and fair dealing" in determining his share of the returns on a dozen movies be produced. The state Court...

DVRs squeeze TV's late shift.
May 26, 2010... WE'RE ACCUSTOMED TO BEING faced with either/or choices. Republican or Democrat. Paper or plastic. Angelina or Jen. In television, however, don't underestimate the impact of a ballot with an option for "both of the above"--and the difficulty...

Rupe set to up Shine stake.
May 26, 2010... Rupert Murdoch is keeping it in the family. His U.K. pay box BSkyB is poised to increase its stake in the Shine Group, the super-indie run by Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth, which includes L.A.-based Reveille in its group of production...

Thesp delivers for MRC.
May 26, 2010... Jesse Eisenberg is set to reteam with his "Zombieland" helmer Ruben Fleischer for MRC's "30 Minutes or Less." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Danny McBride and Aziz Ansari have already boarded the comedy, which will begin lensing in July in...

Fox jumps into Xmas B.O. battle.
May 26, 2010... Fox is looking to get into a holiday battle, snapping up comedy pitch "The Fight Before Christmas" from Adam Sztykiel ("Due Date") and setting it up with Shawn Levy at his Fox-based 21 Laps banner. Fox made the preemptive purchase late last...

2 key execs log off: Microsoft duo's exit shocks tech world.
May 26, 2010... Two of the most visible faces in Microsoft's entertainment and devices division are leaving the company. Microsoft on Tuesday announced the departures of president Robbie Bach and chief experience officer J. Allard. Bach is retiring this...

WB game for more vidgame platforms.
May 26, 2010... After watching how digital distribution has affected how consumers bur music and movies, Warner Bros. is taking steps to make sure its videogames are available on a variety of platforms as well. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The studio has tapped...

Octavia Spencer.(Players)(The Help)(Brief article)
May 26, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Octavia Spencer ("Halloween II") has landed the lead role of Minny in DreamWork's "The Help." The movie also stars Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard and Emma Stone. Pic tells the story of two African-American maids in...