Daily Variety articles from October 2003

Daily Variety archives from October 2003

Ban spurs niche bitch.(independent filmmakers complain about Hollywood studios' decision to ban Oscar screeners)
October 1, 2003... An ugly, storm cloud has gathered over the indie film biz after of the Hollywood studios" decision Monday to ban Oscar screeners. Rumors were even rampant Tuesday that Miramax might not adhere to the ban, but that wishful thinking on the...

Acad members run screening from room.(Academy members dislike the Motion Picture Association of America's decision to band the mailing of Oscar screeners)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- You've got to be kidding. That was the reaction from a cross-section of Academy members when confronted with the Motion Picture Assn. of America's decision to ban the mailing of screeners for Oscar consideration. Some were...

Fox embarks on crusades: epic 'Heaven' to shoot in Africa.(Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox are devleoping the film 'Kingdom of Heaven')
October 1, 2003... Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox are mobilizing the Crusadesera epic "Kingdom of Heaven" for a January production start in Morocco. The film will be Scott's next directorial effort and the first since he and brother Tony set their Scott...

Mogul plans to 'monetize' his VUE stock.(Barry Diller will 'monetize' his preferred shares in Vivendi Universal Entertainment by the end of the year)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Barry Diller said Tuesday that he has no "agenda" with Vivendi, is a fan of the GE deal and will "monetize" his preferred shares in VUE by year-end. Diller, speaking at the Goldman Sachs media conference in Gotham, said he would either...

The harried life of a celebrity look-alike: columnist faces up to his resemblance to 'ET' critic Leonard Maltin.(Tuning In)(Column)
October 1, 2003... ONE OFTHE PERKS of a job like this is having access to celebrities, beautiful people who cause heads to turn and tongues to wag when they enter a room. I'm talking, of course, about Leonard Maltin. As some of you might have noticed...

Gordon, Col cozying up.(Mark Gordon is negotiating a first-look production deal with Columbia Pictures)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Mark Gordon is close to signing a three-year first-look production pact with Columbia Pictures. Gordon's shingle had been based at 20th Century Fox since October 2001. Japanese exhibitor/distributor Toho-Towa will finance...

BAFTA/LA to honor Helmer Weir.(the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles will honor director Peter Weir)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles will honor director Peter Weir with the new John Schlesinger Britannia Award for artistic excellence at the 12th Britannia Awards on Nov. 8 at the Century Plaza Hotel in...

AFI to fete Sharif, Minghella.(the American Film Institute will honor Omar Sharif and Anthony Minghella)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The American Film Institute will salute actor Omar Sharif and "Cold Mountain" helmer Anthony Minghella during the 2003, AFI Intl. Film Festival, which kicks off Nov. 6 in Los Angeles. Tributes will be held as separate...

IFC, Leary team on Ted Demme tribute pic.(the Independent Film Channel works with Denis Leary on 'In Search of Ted Demme')(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The Independent Film Channel has commissioned "In Search of Ted Demme," a tribute to the late indie director of features including "Blow," "Beautiful Girls" and "The Ref." Denis Leary, who worked with Demme on "The Ref,"...

'Producers' takes Applegate to the Max.(Fred Applegate is added to the Broadway cast of 'The Producers')(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Fred Applegate is the new Max Bialystock on Broadway. He comes from the current L.A. production of "The Producers," where he plays Franz Liebkind. Applegate replaces Lewis J. Stadlen, who departs the show due to a hip injury. Stadlen had...

Book deal smells sweet to 'Love's' Rose.(screenwriter Isabel Rose signs a two-book deal with Doubleday)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Screenwriter Isabel Rose ("Anything but Love") has blossomed as a first-time novelist, inking a two-book deal with Doubleday. Editor Deb Futter made a pre-eruptive offer worth nearly seven figures for ""The J.A.P Chronicles." Story focuses...

Cablevision unveils Voom.(its new satellite platform)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Cablevision finally took the veil off its high-definition satellite platform late Tuesday, announcing that the soon-to-launch DBS platform will indeed be called Voom, featuring an exclusive package of 21 high-def channels from programming arm...

Leap for Frog execs: duo tapped to replace outgoing chair-CEO.(the WB names Garth Ancier and Jordan Levin as its replacements for chairman-CEO Jamie Kellner)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The WB is turning to Garth Ancier and Jordan Levin to replace outgoing chairman-CEO Jamie Kellner. Ancier has been tapped to serve as chairman of the Frog, while Levin is in line to become CEO. Jed Petrick, who was handed a...

Genies adventure rubs D'Works the right way.(DreamWorks is negotiating a seven-figure deal for the rights to the upcoming children's book 'The Akhnaten Adventure')(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- DreamWorks is hammering out a seven-figure deal for the rights to upcoming children's book "The Akhnaten Adventure," by British thriller writer Philip Kerr Steven Spielberg who has been instrumental in the acquisition, may...

ABC taps SR. VP, latenight.(ABC hires Danielle Green as senior VP of latenight)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... ABC said Tuesday it has hired former UPN exec Danielle Greene as senior veep of latenight, a new position largely dedicated to "'Jimmy Kimmel Live." The hire is effective immediately. "Danielle is the perfect person for this job. She...

Bloomberg vet heads to CNBC.(CNBC hires Beatrice Myers as news director)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Signing another Bloomberg veteran, CNBC said Tuesday it has tapped Beatrice Myers to fill the newly created position of news director. Hire is effective today. At Bloomberg Television, Myers was exec producer for the network's 24/7...

Charges of greed: hearing probes RIAA's fight against piracy.(News Analysis)(a Senate hearing disucsses the Recording Industry Association of America's legal approach in fighting online piracy)
October 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- There was one common denominator at Tuesday's colorful piracy vs. privacy Senate hearing: the accusation that corporate greed is the real culprit all everyone else is a victim of the money chase. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.)...

Group urges FCC to act on embedded ads.(Business)(Commercial Alert wants the federal government to push for more honesty in television advertising)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Watchdog group Commercial Alert wants more honesty in TV advertising and wants the feds to enforce it. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, the group called on the agencies to...

NATPE offers enticements.(Business)(NATPE is creating a VIP Buyer membership category for TV program acquisition executives)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- NATPE is creating a VIP Buyer membership category aimed at facilitating the day-to-day activities of TV program acquisition execs in both the United States and throughout the world. Rick Feldman, president and CEO of the...

THX: vidgame biz is listening.(Business)(THX is launching a certification program for audio and visual standards in video games)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- THX is getting into the vidgame business. launching a new certification program for audio and visual standards in games. George Lucas-founded company, best known for its booming intros to films, already certifies the audio and...

AFTRA leaders hail new recordings pact.(Business)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- AFTRA leaders have blessed the union's tentative deal for a new sound recordings contract, citing the pact's expanded health coverage. AFTRA made the announcement Tuesday after unanimous approval by its national board. Deal...

Showbiz stocks.(entertainment industry stock prices)(Illustration)
October 1, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Tuesday, September 30, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC...

Living Out.(theater review)(Theater Review)
October 1, 2003... (Second Stage Theater; 296 seats; $55) A Second Stage theater presentation of a play in two acts by Lisa Loomer. Directed by Jo Bonney. Sets, Neil Patel; costumes, Emilio Sosa; lighting, David Weiner; sound, John Gromada; production stage...

Piano Blues.(television program review)(Television Program Review)
October 1, 2003... (Documentary; PBS, Sat., Oct. 4, 9 p.m.) Filmed in Northern California by Vulcan Prods. and Road Movies as part of "Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues." Producers, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Ricker; co-producer, Susan Motamed; associate...

Tarzan.(television program review)(Television Program Review)
October 1, 2003... (Series; WB, Sun. Oct. 5, 9 p.m.) Filmed in Toronto by Laura Ziskin Prods and the Gerber Co. fro Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Laura Ziskin, David Gerber, P.K. Simonds, Eric Kripke; co-executive producer, Molly Newman;...

Smallville.(television program review)(Television Program Review)
October 1, 2003... (Series, WB, Wed. Oct. 1, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Vancouver by Trollin/Robbins Prods. in association with Warner Bros. Television Executive producers, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Ken Horton, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Bjoe Davola, Greg Beeman;...

Core series help NBC rule ratings.(NBC sweeps premiere week in all key demographics)(Illustration)(Industry Overview)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The balanced Peacock net, boosted by expanded episodes of its core series. swept premiere week in all key demographic categories as it looks to defend its title as the top-rated network among young adults. According to...

Original series haven't pumped nets' ratings.(broadcast networks do not benefit from original series during the summer)
October 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- The broadcast networks funneled a record number of original series to their summer schedules, hellbent on stopping rerun-hating viewers from tuning out. But, according to a survey of the third-quarter primetime ratings, the strategy...

Gaul news goal set: multilingual net plans launch in Europe, NYC.(World News)(the French news channel will launch in the U.S.)
October 1, 2003... PARIS -- France's answer to CNN will begin broadcasting in Europe and Africa by fall or winter 2004, with a single U.S. transmitter simultaneously bringing the net to New York, according to a plan unveiled Tuesday. To ensure the web...

ZDF tunes in N.Y. Times TV.(World News)(ZDF and New York Times Television are in discussions about working together)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... COLOGNE -- German pubcaster ZDF is in talks to add New York Times Television to its partnership network. A ZDF spokesman said the pubcaster hoped to reach agreement by late November, when boss Markus Schaechter will be in New York. ...

'Evil' touches Scandi Oscar try.(Scandinavia)(Sweden submits Mikael Hafstrom's 'Evil' as its Oscar candidate)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... With Sweden's decision Tuesday to submit Mikael Hafstrom's "Evil" as its official candidate, all five Nordic countries have now entered the race for consideration in Oscar's foreign-language film category. "Evil" sold 108,000 ducats its...

Norway lifts bans.(Scandinavia)(on several hundred films)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Norway's film censors will lift a 90-year ban on several hundred features. "Many of the films were prohibited in times with different standards for society," said Tom Loland, managing director of the Norwegian Film Control. "They were denounced...

WB inks pay TV pact.(U.K.)(Warner Brothers International Television Distribution signs a pay teleivsion deal with Jasmine TV in Israel)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Warner Bros. Intl. Television Distribution has inked a "significant volume" pay TV deal with Jasmine TV in Israel that includes broadcasting rights to the "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" pics. Mickie Steinmann, sales director at...

Bollywood's Shah guilty in mob case.(World News)(film mogul Bharat Shah is found guilt in Mumbai, India, of withholding information)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... NEW DELHI -- Bollywood film mogul Bharat Shah was found guilty in a Mumbai court Tuesday of withholding information that the criminal underworld had muscled in on his 2000 pic "Chori chori, chupke chupke" (On the Quiet, Hush Hush). The...

Lion taps biz exec.(U.S.)(MGM Worldwide Television Distribution promotes Lisa Klein Fitzpatrick to senior VP of business and legal affairs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Lisa Klein Fitzpatrick lifts has been upped to senior VP of business and legal affairs at MGM Worldwide Television Distribution. Fitzpatrick reports to MGM TV distrib division prexy Jim Griffiths and to Jay Rakow, senior exec VP/general...

Dulgaro ABC exec.(Australia)(Australian Broadcasting Corp. hires Augustus Dulgaro as manager of worldwide program sales)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Pubcaster Australian Broadcasting Corp. has tapped Augustus Dulgaro as manager of worldwide program sales. Dulgaro joins Nov. 20 from the government's docu production arm Film Australia, where he is director of sales. He succeeds Kaye Warren,...

Ronan Tynan.(concert review)(Concert Review)
October 1, 2003... Ronan Tynan is a burly tenor with a big silvery voice and a warm, winning personality. In his turn at Feinstein's at the Regency last week, the Irish singer reached out to all. His varied program included peppery and plaintive Irish folk songs,...

DVD ban will hurt L.A. exhibs' holiday biz.(exhibitors complain about Hollywood studios' plan to not send out screening copies of films)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... ORLANDO, Fla. -- L.A. exhibs attending the ShowEast trade show reacted with dismay to news of the Hollywood studios' agreement Monday to nix mailings of Academy-consideration screening videos this year. Theater operators in L.A., and to a...

Eve high on 'Ally' gal for future laffer.(Jane Krakowski signs a talent deal with CBS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Jane Krakowski ("Ally McBeal") has sealed a talent deal with CBS, which hopes to develop a comedy vehicle for the actress. Krakowski recently won a Tony Award for her starring role in Roundabout Theatre Company revival of...

Exex eye radio ad woes: conglom toppers talk radio sales, sports.(Viacom COO Mel Karmazin discusses the shrinking revenue at Infinity radio)
October 1, 2003... Viacom's perennially upbeat chief operating officer Mel Karmazin tread more carefully Tuesday trying to explain to hundreds of investors the shrinking revenue at the conglom's giant Infinity radio. Infinity's ad growth is slower than the...

'Oprah,' 'Dr. Phil' see strong syndie starts.(syndicated television ratings)
October 1, 2003... "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Dr. Phil" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" charged out of the starting gate during the first week of their new season in firstrun syndication, and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "The Sharon Osbourne Show" stepped...

Remembrance of pop culture past.(Guest Column)(a list of things that have changed in entertainment)(Column)
October 1, 2003... I never thought I'd be one of those people. You know, those grownups given to extolling the glory days of yesteryear when things were simpler and, therefore, better. As a 32-year-old new parent, however, I must confess to getting a few of...

Screener mortis.(Editorial)(the Motion Picture Association of America halts the use of screening copies of films)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
October 1, 2003... The major studios have put up a united front in declaring an end to screeners this Oscar season. Behind that show of strength, however, lie conflicting agendas and a nagging sense of futility. Banning DVDs and videocassettes is an attempt...

Jackson jackpot.(A Variety Of Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... To the Editor: Regarding Peter Bart's column ("Studios go ape over this helmer deal," Daily Variety, Sept. 22), while the $20 million against 20% of the gross is very high, it is not groundbreaking. That payment includes all writing...

Trumbo-jumbo.(A Variety Of Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... To the Editor: If Dalton Trumbo had been a supporter of Adolf Hitler instead of Josef Stalin, few would now be wasting effort celebrating his life, talents or martyrdom ("Trumbo" review, Daily Variety, Sept. 3). The "dark period" of...

'Beautiful' team paint 'Da Vinci' pic.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Akiva Goldsman--the Oscar-winning triumvirate from "A Beautiful Mind"--are reteaming to make "The Da Vinci Code" for Sony Pictures Entertainment. Howard will direct a Goldsman adaptation of the...

Mechanic's diving into 'Dark Water'.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Capping months of negotiations, helmer Walter Salles is finally set to direct "Dark Water," a remake of the 2002 Japanese film by director Hideo Nakata. Pic is the first to be greenlit al Bill Mechanic's Disney-based...

Battle of the ban: foes vow to counter MPAA screeners plan.(For Your Consideration)
October 2, 2003... As the studio-backed MPAA ban on Oscar screeners transitions from proposal to reality, the independent film production and distribution community continued to simmer Wednesday. Separate meetings took Ray place between studio specialty...

Eye builds laffer for 'Seinfeld' vet.
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Jason Alexander's going to be a dad. Former "Seinfeld" thesp is heading to CBS, pacting with producer Lindy DeKoven and Regency Television for a half-hour family comedy based on the writings of Washington Post journo Tony...

Pic duo guns for Fox.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Feature scribe Sheldon Turner is teaming with helmer-producer John Woo for an hourlong drama project set up at Fox Broadcasting. Untitled hour, from Woo's 20th Century Fox TV-based Lion Rock Prods., is described as an epic...

Army Archerd: just for variety.
October 2, 2003... GOOD MORNING: While one actor is readying to head to Sacramento, another is in D.C. today. You know who the former is. The latter's Michael Douglas, one of the United Nations' Messengers of Peace. Today he appears twice, first at the United...

Web crix rage against MPAA screener ban.
October 2, 2003... Marking the first of the national critics orgs to air views on the MPAA's Oscar screener ban, the Online Film Critics Society has come forward to protest the decision and voice its skepticism about the validity of the ban as an antipiracy...

Indie distribs vexed by accelerated sked.
October 2, 2003... ORLANDO, Fla. -- This year's accelerated Academy Awards season has complicated releasing and marketing decisions for specialty distribs. But while there was broad agreement on that score, panelists at a ShowEast session on independent film...

Correction.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... "The Hulk," "Bruce Almighty" and "2 Fast 2 Furious" will not all go to Starz in the pay TV window; HBO will get one of two of them in a pattern still to be decided. Information was incorrect in the Sept. 25 paper.

FCC chief skeds diversity hearings.
October 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Having taken a beating for leading the charge to relax limits on media ownership, Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell held out a small olive branch Wednesday. Powell announced that the FCC plans to hold a...

ABC Laffers deliver: 'With Her,' 'Jim' strong; Cubs homer for Fox.
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- ABC's comedy block delivered more impressive numbers on the second Tuesday of the season, with the new "I'm With Her" holding up very well and "According to Jim" getting the best of "Frasier." Fox also hit a homer with its...

Recall calls to networks.
October 2, 2003... NEW YORK -- The big broadcast news anchors will soon wing their way westward to cover the Oct. 7 California recall election--and all are prepared for a bumpy ride, Coverage of election night is proving to be as chaotic as the race itself,...

Papadopoulos joins BWR praisery.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Talent praiser Christina Papadopoulos has joined Baker, Winoker, Ryder Public Relations as a senior VP She was formerly a V P at Wolf Kasteler & Associates. Based in Gotham, Papadopoulos brings a client list to BWR (an Ogilvy...

Outkast debut success beyond the pale in first.(Industry Overview)
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- The top-selling six discs in the country were all debuts for the week ending Sunday, led by Outkast's "Speakerboxxx/the Love Below" (Arista/La Face) which sold more than 509,000 copies. The two-CD rap collection bested new...

Palm takes a shot at Thai pic 'Last Life'.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... Continuing its association with cutting-edge Thai filmmaking after horror hit "The Eye," Palm Pictures has acquired North American rights to "Last Life in the Universe," director Pen-ek Ratanaruang's romantic drama about a bored Bangkok hooker...

Strand sez 'Bonjour' to U.S.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... Strand Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Israeli writer-director Shemi Zarhin's "Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi," the distrib's second collaboration with producer Eitan Evan after "Under the Domin Tree." The comedy-romance centers on a boy,...

Blanchett catches Oz 'Fish'.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... SYDNEY -- Cate Blanchett will return home to star in "Little Fish," her first Oz film since the Fox-produced "Oscar and Lucinda" in 1997. Thesp will play a woman who struggles to escape her past in the pic set in the Little Saigon district of...

NBC, Viv U near deal; Gore circles News net.
October 2, 2003... Vivendi Universal and NBC are on track to meet their self-imposed deadline and sign their definitive merger agreement today, enabling the creation of showbiz's newest integrated media con-glom. Viv U CEO Jean-Rene Fourtou was due in Gotham...

Showbiz stocks.(statistical table)(Industry Overview)
October 2, 2003... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Wednesday, October 1, 2003 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC...

Global dirge heard; IFPI: Piracy sours worldwide music sales.(Industry Overview)
October 2, 2003... Illegal file-swapping and other commercial piracy continues to eat into global music sales, says recording industry body the IFPI, which Wednesday reported that world sales of recorded music sales dropped 10.9% (a 10.7% unit decline) for the...

Liberty stock buy aids Rupe.
October 2, 2003... John Malone is putting his money where Rupert Murdoch's mouth is. Liberty Media is buying $500 million in News Corp. preferred limited shares, in keeping with an agreement inked in March between Malone's Liberty and Murdoch's News Corp....

Ex-Adelphia exex plead not guilty in fraud case.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... Former Adelphia Communications chairman John Rigas, 78, was the latest corporate wrongdoer to make a New York court appearance this week, as the cabler's founder, two of his sons, and former finance exec Michael C. Mulcahey pleaded not guilty...

Azteca ad hikes pressure rival.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... MEXICO CITY -- TV Azteca, Mexico's second-largest broadcaster, is looking to make a move on decade old rival Televisa; On Tuesday, it will up 2004 ad rates by 5%-20%. Insiders said the hike is aimed pressuring Televisa into a rise--an...

The Corporation.
October 2, 2003... (Docu-Canada) A Big Picture Media Corp, production in association with TV Ontario, Vision TV, Knowledge Network, Saskatchewan Communications Network and ACCESS the Education Station. Produced by Mark Achbar, Bart Simpson. Executive...

Married to the Kellys.
October 2, 2003... (Series; ABC, Fri. Oct. 3; 8.30 p.m.) Taped in Studio City, Calif., and Los Angeles by Grey Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Executive producer. Tom Hertz; series co-executive producers, Michelle Nader, David...

Blessings.
October 2, 2003... (Movie; CBS, Sun. Oct. 5. 9 p.m.) Filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by the Sanitsky Co. Executive producer, Larry Sanitsky; producer, Sherri Saito; director, Arvin Brown; writers, Joyce Eliason; camera, Thom Best; editor, Scot Kelly; music,...

TV and cable production chart.(Industry Overview)
October 2, 2003... PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbreviations; SUPR EXP-Supervising executive producer(s); EXP-Executive producer(s); CO-EXP-Co-executive producer(s); SUPR PROD-Supervising producer(s); PROD-Producer(s); CO-PROD-Co-producer(s); DIR-Director(s);...

CNN rocks youth vote world.
October 2, 2003... CNN is getting in on some Rock the Vote action, hoping to lure the MTV generation to its political coverage. In a first-ever partnership, CNN and Rock the Vote will co-host a 2004 Democratic presidential forum on Nov. 4 for hundreds of...

Miramax goes in for the 'kill'.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... HOLLYWOOD--Like "Kill Bill Vol. 1," Quentin Tarantino's homage to everything from old kung-fu pics to spaghetti Westerns, the film's after-party presented some raucous aesthetic juxtapositions Monday night. The old Hollywood Athletic Club...

Madonna stops by LAB to pluck honor.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... Gee, that's no way to treat a 45-year-old lady! Monday night at the Daryl Roth Theater, Philip Seymour Hoffman presented Madonna with the LABrynth Theater's inaugural Dave Hoghe Award, for her support. Apparently, she had five free...

Fall's high 'Time'.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... Nothing says autumn in New York... like a film noir set in Florida. Monday marked the Gotham bow of "Out of Time," and the natives gladly braved the first nip of fall to attend the unspooling. Swanning around the after-party at the...

Jersey crowd pulls into 'station'.(Brief Article)
October 2, 2003... The shy, lonely-hearted suburbanites in "The Station Agent" might have felt more comfortable in a Regal Cinemas multiplex and dive bar in Hoboken than the ritzy Walter Reade Theater and ultra-sleek Time Lounge, which hosted Ethan Hawke, Marisa...

Morgan Creek's taking a U turn.(Morgan Creek Productions signs a three-year distribution deal with Universal Pictures)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Ending its longstanding relationship with Warner Bros., Morgan Creek Prods. has inked an exclusive three-year distrib pact with Universal Pictures. Morgan Creek will continue to produce and finance all of its films,...

Calling it quits: Sony Pix chief segues to production.(John Calley steps down as chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment)
October 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- After seven year's and increasing rumblings about when John Calley would step down as chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, the exec has relinquished his duties, the Culver City studio announced Thursday. Calley...

Toons catch reality fever.(Comedy Central orders eight episodes of 'Drawn Together,' an animated program)
October 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- It had to happen: Comedy Central has ordered eight episodes of "Drawn Together," the first animated "reality" show. Former "The Man Show" scribes Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser will write and exec produce the skein, which...

Queen takes 'Chicago' Mama down new road.(Queen Latifah is working with Creative Battery, AEG/Live, and Vector Recordings to work on her musical ventures)
October 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Queen Latifah, who earned an Oscar nom for her portrayal of Mama Morton in "Chicago," has partnered with Broadway presenter Creative Battery, concert promoter AEG/ Live and Vector Recordings to create a team that will oversee her...

Helmer joins 'Fun' quest.(Dean Parisot will direct Columbia Pictures' 'Fun With Dick and Jane')(Brief Article)
October 3, 2003... "Galaxy Quest" director Dean Parisot has joined "Fun With Dick and Jane," the Columbia Pictures-based remake of the 1977 comedy that will star Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. Parisot has been working with scribes Judd Apatow and Nick Stoller...

Cube in for Vin on 'XXX'.(Revolution Studios hires Ice Cube to star in the sequel to 'XXX')
October 3, 2003... HOLLYWOOD -- Revolution Studios has enlisted a new secret agent: Ice Cube has stepped in to replace Vin Diesel in the studio's sequel to its action franchise "XXX," to be helmed by Lee Tamahori. Cube will play a new character recruited by...

Nat'l critics join chorus bashing ban.(the National Society of Film Critics criticizes the MPAA"s band on screening copies)
October 3, 2003... Adding its voice to those of critics orgs that spoke out Wednesday against the MPAA's ban on awards-season screeners, the National Society of Film Critics slammed the studio-backed edict. "The MPAA decision to ban screeners will do little...