Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hunger Games Ebook Download

The Hunger Games is actually a Next year U . s . science fiction steps movie instructed simply by H Ross, using the fresh the exact same label simply by Suzanne Collins. The actual movie ended up being manufactured by Nina Jacobson and also Jon Kilik, having a movie script simply by Ross, Collins, and also Billy Beam. The idea stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woodsy Harrelson, Age Banking institutions, and also Mark Sutherland. The storyline develops inside of a dystopian post-apocalyptic upcoming inside the country involving Panem, featuring its a wealthy metropolis, called the Capitol, between 10 much less rich districts. Seeing that punishment for the prior rebellion up against the government, your Capitol caused the Hunger Games-a public once-a-year occurrence during which a person young man then one female by every single 10 districts usually are picked inside of a lottery since "tributes" and so are essential to battle to your dying in the arena right until there's a person staying victor. If your protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) learns her younger sister's label called as the female tribute for their centre, she volunteers to consider her placed in obtain to conserve her by needing to play a part. Accompanied by her district's man tribute Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), Katniss journeys to the Capitol to learn regarding the Hunger Games within the guidance involving ex- victor Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson). The actual movie was introduced about Walk 7, Next year, with France along with countries and also globally about Walk 3, Next year, in both regular concert halls and also electronic IMAX concert halls. During release, your movie set your document for the finally best cracking open weekend pack place of work income from a flick ($152.Five mil) with The usa guiding Harry Knitter as well as the Deathly Hallows ( blank ) Element Two ($169 mil) as well as Darker Knight ($158 mil) called the most significant pack place of work debut for the non-sequel. Oahu is the initially movie because The movie avatar to be on the first page on the pack place of work regarding some consecutive saturdays and sundays. The Hunger Games ended up being praised simply by the majority of pundits, who highly regarded it is designs and also mail messages, and Lawrence's effectiveness since Katniss. Just like the fresh, your movie features attracted criticism due to the resemblances to other is effective, just like the Japan fresh Combat Royale as well as its movie adapting to it, plus the U . s . brief report "The Lottery". It is documented, nevertheless, that will Collins' fresh and also movie script own important disparities simply by using types of motivation just like the belief involving Theseus, Roman gladiatorial games, fact television system, as well as the Iraq Warfare. The Hunger Games Online may be the main topics different understanding, like allusions to help feminist, politics, and also non secular allegory. The world involving Panem, established originating from a post-apocalyptic The usa, has a wealthy Capitol and also 10 lesser encircling districts. As a punishment for the previous rebellion up against the Capitol by the districts, a person young man then one female between 10 and also 16 by every centre usually are picked simply by a lottery (called the "Reaping") to participate with the Hunger Games. The actual members (or even "tributes") involving the Hunger Games need to deal with in the arena operated by the Capitol right until one is always alive; your victor is definitely rewarded using popularity and also huge selection. Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old female by Region 10, volunteers for the 74th once-a-year Hunger Games, for taking place of her younger sis Primrose, who was simply picked by the lottery. Peeta Mellark, a baker's boy who when gave Katniss breads any time her household ended up being famished, can also be picked. Katniss and also Peeta usually are taken to your Capitol, in which their particular drunk guru, ex- Games victor Haymitch Abernathy, teaches these phones observe and also understand the capabilities from the other tributes, specially the "Careers", who are skilled by labor and birth to help participate inside the Games. Throughout a pre-Games interview using Tv set persona Caesar Flickerman, Peeta all of a sudden uncovers the love regarding Katniss. She is initially outraged, believing it to be a trick to achieve crowd aid, since "sponsors" may well give in-Games products involving foodstuff, medicine, and also instruments. The actual Games commence with half your tributes slaughtered for the initially evening, while Katniss depends on her well-practiced tracking and also outside ability to survive. Peeta types a good unsure coalition while using the Jobs, like Cato, Clove, Amazing, and also Shine, and with her following help that they part Katniss inside the woods. Katniss develops a joint venture using Region 13 tribute Repent in the event the young child indicates a unit jacker nesting, which in turn Katniss lowers for the Jobs, killing Shine. Repent cares about you regarding Katniss since she recuperates by unit jacker poisoning, however the joint venture ends any time Repent is definitely fatally injured simply by Amazing, which Katniss eliminates inside their immunity. Katniss continues to be using Repent since she is disapated, in that case arises roses over her entire body being a symbol of regard. Once this is definitely public, this leads to a riot with Region 13. With Katniss and also Peeta offered to the general public since "star-crossed lovers" ( blank ) as well as the Gamemakers looking to prevent inciting additional riots ( blank ) a rule alter is definitely declared half way from the Games, on the grounds that not one but two tributes with the same centre could acquire your Games being a set of two. After experiencing the following, Katniss seeks Peeta and also sees the pup, injured simply by Cato having a blade. Seeing that Katniss nurse practitioners Peeta here we are at overall health, she provides micro since excited about the pup to achieve crowd prefer and also sponsorship. As soon as she attempts to get back medicine regarding Peeta, Clove problems her. Thresh would seem and also eliminates Clove, sparing Katniss with reminiscence involving Repent. "Foxface" is disapated by having nightlock all types of berries thieved by Peeta, who were not sure these were very noxious. A wrap up involving inappropriate hound-like animals are released, killing Thresh and also pressuring Katniss and also Peeta to your Cornucopia, in which that they come across Cato. From a raw deal with, Katniss limbs Cato through an arrow to conserve Peeta's life. Cato declines to the animals, and also Katniss limbs the pup to help sacrifice the pup a prolonged dying. With Peeta and also Katniss obviously victorious collectively, your Gamemakers all of the sudden turn back tip alter allowing for not one but two victors, setting these people approximately duel each other to the dying. Instead, Katniss takes a cache involving nightlock all types of berries and also fingers one half to help Peeta. Realizing that their particular suicide would probably deny the general public from a victor, your Gamemakers rapidly announce both of them since victors from the 74th Hunger Games. Although they usually are dealt with to your hero's allowed inside the Capitol, Katniss is definitely informed simply by Haymitch she has turn into a politics adversary soon after this kind of general public defiance involving her society's authoritarian commanders. Seeing that Katniss and also Peeta resume Region 10, Lead designer Snowfall considers how to deal with your articulation victors as well as the emotions involving rebellion they will include encouraged.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

ABC News enhances two at 'GMA'

GoldstonCibrowskiABC News has elevated the most effective professional at "Hello America" with a bigger role in news reports division. "GMA" senior executive producer James Goldston remains promoted to senior V . p . of content and development at ABC News. All of the programs within the broadcaster's news division, including "Nightline" and "20/20," will report into Goldston, who can also be charged with creating new news programming across broadcast, cable and digital. Goldston grew to become part of ABC News in 2004 from ITV within the native U.K., first overpowering "Nightline" inside the wake of Ted Koppel's exit. Altering Goldston inside the top role at "GMA" is his second-in-command around the program is Tom Cibrowski. Promotion has come about as "GMA" is closing the area round the morning race's longtime leader, NBC's "Today." "I'm delighted are coping with more responsibility after we seek new techniques to assist our audience start to see the whole picture," mentioned ABC News leader Ben Sherwood, with whom Goldston will report. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

L.A. sees slow start to pilot lensing

With TV pilot shoots going later than usual, offlot production in Los Angeles has cooled off compared to the year-ago period. Weekly overall production slid 17% from the same week last year to 523 days, according to figures provided Tuesday by the FilmL.A. permitting agency. TV shoots declined 23% to 309 days, or 90 days less than the same week a year ago. "We're seeing some half-hour single-camera pilots begin to pull permits, but we're still waiting for the one-hour drama pilots to show up," said FilmL.A. spokesman Todd Lindgren. "We've been told that many are planning a mid-March start." Fox's "Touch" was the most active offlot shoot last week with seven days. Other shows shooting locally include "Awake," "Ringer," "True Blood," "America's Got Talent," "Broken Minds," "Pretty Girls Rock," "New Girl," "The Office" and "Up All Night." Features totalled 95 days last week. "Channeling" was the most active film shooting last week with 18 days. Other films currently shooting offlot in Los Angeles include "Burt Wonderstone," "Finchley Dreams," "HH Project," "Supremacy" and "Watercolor Postcards." Commercials declined from the previous week's robust activity, when the total was 251 days, to 119 days. A GDF spot was the most active with 14 days. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Adele scores early Grammy wins

Adele, the presumed major champion at tonight's 54th annual GrammyAwards kudocast, obtained early in the pre-telecast show in the L.A. Convention Focus on Sunday.The British vocalist's mega-selling album "21" was selected as well as pop vocal album, while her clip on her hit "Moving within the Deep" Up for record and song of the season tonight - required best short-form video.On the day once the music biz mourned losing Whitney Houston, a psychological moment came when Tony Bennett collected a Grammy for the best pop performance with a duo or group, for "Body and Soul," recorded with Amy Winehouse. The British singer died this past year at 27 after openly battling with drug abuse. Created by Bennett, Winehouse's father Mitch, who made an appearance onstage together with his wife, stated, "We should not be around - our darling daughter ought to be here. Fundamental essentials cards we are worked."Bennett also won the standard pop album trophy "Duets II," his all-star No. 1 album. He received his first Grammy 49 years back: an archive of the season recognition, for "I Left My Heart in Bay Area.InchAn additional possible harbinger of the large evening for Adele was Paul Epworth's win as non-classical producer of the season. Epworth helmed and co-authored "Moving within the Deep." Holding his trophy wonderingly, producer stated, "Never imagined I'd hold one of these simple.InchDigitalOrdancing artist Skrillex, among the day's top nominees with five nods, were built with a breakthrough mid-day with three wins, taking best dance/electronica album (for "Frightening Monsters and Nice Sprights"), best dance recording (for that album's title track) and finest remixed recording (for Benny Benassa's "Cinema").Skrillex (born Sonny Moore) - who noted he'd been returned from his L.A. apartment for living there unlawfully just last year - stated of his honours, "I suppose there is no formula or format any longer, and that we can perform something that we would like.InchDocumenting Academy faves Foo Martial artists capped four slots: best rock album (for his or her "Wasting Light") best hard rock/metal performance (for "Whitened Limo"), best rock song (for "Walk," in the same set) and finest lengthy form video (for "Foo Martial artists: Backwards and forwards,Inch directed and co-created by James Moll).Volatile rapper Kanye taken three honours to increase his 14 previous wins, for the best rap/sang collaboration and finest rap song (for "All the Lights") and finest rap album ("My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy").Taylor Quick added two Grammy honours to her career total of 4, winning best country solo performance and finest country song for "Mean." The youthful star can also be up for the best country album, on her 2010 bestseller "Speak Now."Americana duo the Civil Wars' "Barton Hollow" won as both best folk album, while its title track won best country duo/group performance.As always, some old faves won in the p.m. show.Paul McCartney, who had been honored as MusiCares' person of the season on Friday, collected his 15th Grammy - a best historic album recognition, for last year's reissue of his 1973 album "Band On the move.InchAlison Krauss, probably the most compensated female artist in Grammy history, received her 27th trophy for "Paper Plane," her latest release together with her group Union Station, that was named best bluegrass album.Complete listing of those who win (to date):6. Best Pop Duo/Group PerformanceBody And Soul, Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse7. Best Pop Instrumental AlbumThe Road From Memphis, Booker T. Jones8. Best Pop Vocal Album21, Adele 9. Best Dance RecordingScary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex 10. Best Dance/Electronica AlbumScary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex11. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Duets II, Tony Bennett & Various Artists13. Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Whitened Limo, Foo Martial artists 14. Best Rock SongWalk, Foo Martial artists, songwriters (Foo Martial artists)*** 15. Best Rock AlbumWasting Light, Foo Fighters16. Best Alternative Music Album Bon Iver, Bon Iver 17. Best Traditional R&B PerformanceFool For You Personally, Cee Lo Eco-friendly & Melanie Fiona18. Best R&B PerformanceIs This Love, Corinne Bailey Rae19. Best R&B SongFool For You Personally, Cee Lo Eco-friendly, Melanie Hallim, Jack Splash, songwriters (Cee Lo Eco-friendly & Melanie Fiona)22. Best Rap/Sang CollaborationAll From The Lights, Kanye, Beyonce, Kid Cudi & Fergie23. Best Rap SongAll From The Lights, Shaun Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Johnson, Warren Trotter & Kanye, songwriters (Kanye, Beyonce, Kid Cudi & Fergie)24. Best Rap AlbumMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West25. Best Country Solo PerformanceMean, Taylor Swift26. Best Country Duo/Group PerformanceBarton Hollow, The Civil Wars27. Best Country SongMean, Taylor Quick, songwriter (Taylor Quick)29. Best Modern AlbumWhat's Everything About, Pat Metheny30. Best Improvised Jazz Solo500 Miles High, Chick Corea, soloist31. Best Jazz Vocal AlbumThe Variety Project, Terri Lyne Carrington & Various Artists32. Best Jazz Instrumental AlbumForever, Corea, Clarke & White33. Best Large Jazz Ensemble AlbumThe Good Feeling, Christian McBride Large Band34. Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music PerformanceJesus, Le'Andria Johnson35. Best Gospel SongHello Fear, Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)36. Best Contemporary Christian Music SongBlessings, Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)37. Best Gospel AlbumHello Fear, Kirk Franklin38. Best Contemporary Christian Music AlbumAnd If Our God Is Perfect For Us..., Chris Tomlin39. Best Latin Pop, Rock, Or Urban AlbumDrama Y Luz, Man40. Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano AlbumBicentenario, Pepe Aguilar41. Best Banda Or Norteo AlbumLos Tigres Del Norte And Buddies, Los Tigres Del Norte42. Best Tropical Latin AlbumThe Last Mambo, Cachao43. Best Americana AlbumRamble In The Ryman, Levon Helm44. Best Bluegrass AlbumPaper Plane, Alison Krauss & Union Station45. Best Blues AlbumRevelator, Tedeschi Trucks Band46. Best Folk AlbumBarton Hollow, The Civil Wars47. Best Regional Roots Music AlbumRebirth Of Recent Orleans, Rebirth Brass Band48. Best Reggae AlbumRevelation Pt 1: The Main Of Existence, Stephen Marley49. Best World Music AlbumTassili, Tinariwen50. Best Children's AlbumAll About Bullies... Large And Small(Various Artists), Jim Cravero, Gloria Domina, Kevin Mackie, Steve Pullara & Patrick Robinson, producers51. Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audiobooks & Story Telling)Should You Request Me (Not To Mention You Will not), Betty White52. Best Comedy AlbumHilarious, Louis C.K.53. Best Musical Theater AlbumThe Book Of Mormon54. Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual MediaBoardwalk Empire: Volume 1, (Various Artists) Stewart Lerman, Randall Poster & Kevin Weaver, producers55. Best Score Soundtrack For Visual MediaThe King's Speech, Alexandre Desplat56. Best Song Written For Visual MediaI Begin To See The Light (From Twisted), Alan Menken & Glenn Slater, songwriters (Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi)57. Best Instrumental CompositionLife In Eleven, Bla Fleck & Howard Levy, composers (Bla Fleck & The Flecktones)58. Best Instrumental ArrangementRhapsody In Blue, Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Gordon Goodwin's Large Phat Band)59. Best Instrumental Arrangement Associated Singer(s)Who Are Able To I Use (When Nobody Needs Me), Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett & Full Latifah)60. Best Recording PackageScenes In The And surrounding suburbs, Caroline Robert, art director (Arcade Fire)61. Best Boxed or Special Special Edition PackageThe Promise: The Darkness Around The Fringe Of Town Story62. Best Album NotesHear Me Howling!: Blues, Ballads & Beyond As Recorded Through The Bay Area Bay By Chris Strachwitz Within The 1960s63. Best Historic AlbumBand On The Move (Paul McCartney Archive Collection - Luxurious Edition)64. Best Designed Album, Non-ClassicalPaper Plane, Neal Cappellino & Mike Shipley, engineers Kaira Blackwood, learning engineer (Alison Krauss & Union Station)65. Producer Of The Season, Non-ClassicalPaul Epworth66. Best Remixed Recording, Non-ClassicalCinema (Skrillex Remix), Sonny Moore, remixer (Benny Benassi)67. Best Multichannel Audio AlbumLayla Along With Other Assorted Love Tunes (Super Luxurious Edition)68. Best Designed Album, ClassicalAldridge: Elmer Gantry69. Producer Of The Season, ClassicalJudith Sherman70. Best Orchestral PerformanceBrahms: Symphony No. 4Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (La Philharmonic)71. Best Opera RecordingAdams: Physician AtomicAlan Gilbert, conductor Meredith Arwady, Sasha Cooke, Richard Paul Fink, Gerald Finley, Thomas Glenn & Eric Owens Jay David Saks, producer (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Metropolitan Opera Chorus)72. Best Choral PerformanceLight & GoldEric Whitacre, conductor (Christopher Glynn & Hila Plitmann The King's Performers, Laudibus, Pavo Quartet & The Eric Whitacre Performers)73. Best Small Ensemble PerformanceMackey: Lonely Motel - Music From SlideRinde Eckert & Steven Mackey Eighth Blackbird74. Best Classical Instrumental SoloSchwantner: Concerto For Percussion & OrchestraGiancarlo Guerrero, conductor Christopher Lamb (Nashville Symphony)75. Best Classical Vocal SoloDiva DivoJoyce DiDonato (Kazushi Ono Orchestre P L'Opra National P Lyon Choeur P L'Opra National P Lyon)76. Best Contemporary Classical CompositionAldridge, Robert: Elmer GantryRobert Aldridge & Herschel Garfein77. Best Short Form Music VideoRolling Within The DeepAdeleSam Brown, video director Hannah Chandler, video producer78. Best Lengthy Form Music VideoFoo Martial artists: Back And ForthFoo FightersJames Moll, video director James Moll & Nigel Sinclair, video producers Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

'Gnomeo' shop Arc nabs 'Thomas' series

Arc Productions, the visual effects and animation studio behind "Gnomeo and Juliet," has signed on as animation studio for Hit Entertainment's CG-animated kid television series "Thomas & Pals," marking the toon shop's first global TV serial. "Thomas & Pals" presently airs in 185 areas, with 16 series produced for your brand up to now. "We are proud being entrusted while using stellar assignment of animating the highly regarded as as and loved 'Thomas & Friends' TV series," mentioned Arc COO Rob Youthful. "You'll find effective brands, together with a few become franchises. Then you need people precious handful of that rise to legendary stature." Toronto-based Arc provides you with animation for individuals 11-minute cases of the arrival series, additionally to some one-hour "Thomas & Pals" special feature. The completely new episodes are likely to air Fall 2013. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Friday, February 3, 2012

Hardin, Tilly star in 'Dress'

Melora Hardin, Jennifer Tilly and Brit thesps Ben Daniels and Adam James are saved to tap to star in "Don't Dress for supper,In . the Roundabout Theater Company's approaching Broadway staging in the Marco Camoletti spouse-altering farce. Daniels, who returns to Roundabout after starring inside the theater's Rialto output of "Ces Liaisons Dangereuses," may have the identical character referred to by Mark Rylance inside the 2008 revival of "Boeing-Boeing," another Camoletti farce that "Don't Dress" can be a follow-up. James ("The Pride") assumes Bernard, the level of smoothness carried out by Bradley Whitford in "Boeing." Hardin ("WorkInch) plays Bernard's wife while Tilly, who was simply inside the cast in the Roundabout's 2001 output of "The Women,In . is aboard as his mistress. Spencer Kayden ("Urine-town") plays the prepare. John Tillinger helms the show getting a script modified within the original French by Robin Hawdon. Play preemed in Paris later and ongoing with a London run, but has not carried out Broadway. The Roundabout's production lands in Gotham carrying out a profile boost presented to "Boeing-Boeing" following a 2008 staging, which acquired a Tony for play revival additionally to some thesping trophy for Rylance. "Don't Dress" begins previews March 30 before an April 26 opening within the Roundabout's American Airline carriers Theater. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

Trailer For That Blind Guy Online

A Besson mystery starring Lambert WilsonWhile we are getting you Luc Besson / Europacorp trailers, here's a different one, although it may be slightly further through your radar than Lock-Out. This a person's for that French-languageÀ l'aveugle (The Blind Guy), starring Lambert Wilson and Jacques Gamblin, and directed by Xavier Palud.Require a translation? We believe we are able to nearly cope. Gamblin is detective Lassalle, who's looking into a chilly situation that does not appear quite as cold any longer. There is a brand new murder, and also the killer always uses exactly the same method, which would be to cut his victim into small pieces. Law enforcement generate everybody who made an appearance on surveillance cameras within the time preceding the murder, among whom is Wilson's blind Narvik. He's requested if he saw anything as he was using the killed lady. He states he saw nothing. Well duh.Lassalle has unshakeable belief that Narvik may be the killer, but can't prove it. Narvik states he's flattered that many people consider him an invalid but Lassalle thinks he's a criminal: "It is a promotion!". Within the court docket in the finish from the trailer, Lassalle asks "The reason for carrying this out?Inch, and Narvik states he and also the detective convey more in keeping than Lassalle want to admit. There is the feeling of a larger conspiracy afoot, and also the tag-lines are "Sometimes looks could be deceitful."There is a definite flavour of giallo about all of this, through which we mean the slasher-whodunnit genre, not the new Dario Argento farrago from a few years ago. Palud directed the superb Ils (Them) in 2006, after which decamped to Hollywood to remake The Attention. About this evidence, it is good to determine him back on home turf. Also it's always a pleasure to determine The Merovingian.Besson, natch, authored the script, and also the French release date is March 7. You will find no dates to date for that United kingdom or elsewhere. We are liking the poster's tagline too:"Within the kingdom from the murders, the blind guy rules.Inch

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Brad Pitt on 'Moneyball,' Films He Loves, and Exceeding Expectations

Brad Pitt on 'Moneyball,' Films He Loves, and Exceeding Expectations By Jenelle Riley January 25, 2012 Brad Pitt in "Moneyball" Brad Pitt is a bit of a puzzle. One of the best character actors working today, he's trapped in a leading man's bone structure. And his choices defy traditional Hollywood logic; after bursting onto the scene in 1991 as the small-time hustler who seduces Geena Davis in "Thelma & Louise" and as the beatific brother of 1992's "A River Runs Through It," he likely had his pick of big movie roles. Instead, he grew a wild beard, had his front tooth chipped by a dentist, and appeared not to wash his hair for weeks to play a crazed killer in the indie "Kalifornia."Pitt's career would continue this somewhat schizophrenic pattern; for every big-budget blockbuster he appeared in ("Interview With a Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles," "Ocean's Eleven," "Troy"), he would lend his star power to a smaller movie that likely wouldn't have gotten made without his participation ("The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," "The Tree of Life"). Sometimes he found projects that combined prestige with box-office appeal, such as "Inglourious Basterds" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." But what seemed most important to Pitt was to work with the best filmmakers in the businessDavid Fincher, Quentin Tarantino, the Coen brothers, Terrence Malick. The size of his roles seemed secondary to being part of a great story.So it's no surprise that Pitt frequently cites great films of the 1970s and filmmakers such as Hal Ashby or actors such as Gene Hackman when talking about the works that inspired him. Last year, Pitt produced and starred in two features that he was drawn to largely because they reminded him of the films he loved growing up. In Malick's experimental drama "The Tree of Life," Pitt won raves for playing the strict father of two boys growing up in 1950s Texas. But it is "Moneyball" that has earned Pitt some of the best reviews of an esteemed career. As Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who implemented a scientific formula to assemble a winning baseball team with little money, Pitt charms, rages, and obsesses in a performance that is exhilarating to behold. And just this week, it earned Pitt his third Oscar nomination for acting.It would be easy to resent Pitt, an actor who makes everything he does look so natural. Take it from his "Moneyball" co-star Jonah Hill. "You know what sucks about Brad?" Hill says with a laugh. "Here's what sucks about him: He's super good at acting, he's got a great career, he's a great guy, and he's funnier than me! It's bullshitI am so sick of it. He can't let me have that one thing!"In addition to speaking at a recent Q&A, Pitt sat down with Back Stage to talk about his lengthy career.Back Stage: When did you first realize you wanted to be an actor? Brad Pitt: I grew up in Oklahoma and Missouri, and I just loved film. My folks would take us to the drive-in on summer nights, and we'd sit on the hood of the car. I just had this profound love for storytelling. I think it's just an amazing thing we get to do. We're so complex; we're mysteries to ourselves; we're difficult to each other. And then here's this storytelling that reminds us we're all the same. I consider it such a privilege. Back Stage: Did you have anyone who mentored you or really guided you in those early years? Pitt: When I first moved to L.A., I discovered Roy London. I didn't know anything about the arts, the profession; I had no technique, I knew nothing, I'm fresh from Missouri. I sat in on a few classes, and they just felt a little guru-ish and just didn't feel right to me. Until I met Roy. Back Stage: How did you find him? Pitt: I was taking all these odds jobs, and one of them was driving strippers around to bachelor parties. My job was to get them there, get them home, collect the money, play the music, and catch the clothes. For real. It was a very interesting education and paid really well, so I did it for three months and then decided I was going to move on. The boss said, "All right, but just come in one last night. I need you to do Sunday; I'm in a pinch." And this woman turned out to be dating an actor. I didn't know any actors or know anyone who knew any actors. She said she started this class an actor told her to go to. I asked for the name and went to check it out and felt like this was a really good direction. I learned so much from that man. I miss him. Back Stage: Did he teach a specific method or kind of create his own? Pitt: It was kind of based on Uta Hagen, but I think [Roy] really made it his own. He was tough, lovely, compassionate, tough. I give him full credit for pointing me in this direction. I studied with him for three years, I think, then started getting some work. Then I would work with him individually on projects. He loved film, and he loved storytelling. And he loved the individual and looking at what each person could bring to something.Back Stage: From the beginning of your career, you've made really interesting choices in your roles and collaborators. You could have just made big studio blockbustersand there's nothing wrong with those; I like them Pitt: You and me both. I enjoy them. But I actually wouldn't be very good at them. Back Stage: Why not? Pitt: It's just not my interest. I grew up on certain movies, particular movies that said something to me as a kid from Missouri, movies that showed me places I'd yet traveled, or different cultures, or explained something, or said something in a better way than I could ever say. I wanted to find the movies like that. It was less about a career than finding the films I wanted to see. Back Stage: You obviously play leading men, but I think of you as a character actor Pitt: I appreciate that!Back Stage: But because you are a star, did you ever worry you wouldn't get the character roles? Have you ever felt underrated as an actor? Pitt: No, I thought I could always get there or make that turn as long as they let me stay in the game. Listen, I've been pretty fortunate. And if I've been underrated, it's actually been something I've been able to work with; I can surprise people. It sets me up to exceed expectations, so I don't mind.Back Stage: What's your favorite part about being an actor? Pitt: I'm at an age now where I get to start looking back, I guess. And there are some really amazing people I've been able to hang out with and work with. Hollywood gets dubbed this place of extreme vanity and needinessand I guess it's therebut that's not the crowd I've seen or run with. I've found the most interesting, curious, engaging people in this funny thing we call storytelling. I love working with them, and I love the moment right before "Action" and the bell rings, and you don't know exactly what's going to happen; you just start following a vein of thought. And I love the surprises that come from that. And I love stories. I think it's an amazing thing we get to do; we get to contribute to the Zeitgeist of our time. I don't know how much relevance that haswe're not eradicating T.B.but I don't diminish it either. I think there's really something to getting to tell stories that investigate or laugh at what paradoxes and quizzical things we are.Back Stage: You've also gotten into producing, and spent years trying to get "Moneyball" made. How did the story find its way to you, and what attracted you to it? Pitt: Aaron Sorkin described the making of this film the other day. He said, "There are easy films, there are difficult films, then there's 50 feet of crap, then there's 'Heaven's Gate,' then there's us." It was an arduous undertaking. There was a first attempt at a script, and I felt there was something there, but it was geared to more of a major league kind of slant, more comedic. Then I read the book and became rather obsessed with this man's story, who was labeled a failure in some ways. And these ideas of valuehow we value ourselves, what are we worth to each other, and is this system even accurate? And then we started. Economics is not the most edge-of-your-seat subject matter, so it took us a few years to get it right. And we found [director] Bennett Miller. He's not getting enough credit for how much authorship he has of the film. I think he's going to be one of our best. Back Stage: What was the most unusual or difficult part about making the film? Pitt: Something that I think is particularly interesting to actors: Bennett was intent on bringing in real baseball insiders. Therefore they're not actors, a lot of the baseball players and scouts; they're not trained as we are. And he very wisely said, "Don't say the lines; put them in your own words." Then it became incumbent on us to respond to that, which can be very exhausting. You've got to be on your toes at all times. And these guys know baseball certainly more than we do. The interesting thingand it was the same thing in "Tree of Life," working with kids who didn't know the script and weren't actorsthere's a spontaneity that happens; there's a freshness that happens that's up on the screen that I really, really enjoy. I'm questioning myself how to bring it into future projects, because I think it makes that little bit of difference in what we do become more alive. You are really in the moment. I hope to be able to do more of that. Back Stage: You were also a producer on "Tree of Life." Is it true you didn't originally intend on acting in it? Pitt: Yeah. Our actor fell out, and suddenly the film was in jeopardy, and it was looking like it was going to go away. So I said, "Fuck itI'll do it." That movie was a challenge to get made and get the money for. Terry and I grew up in similar kind of country environments, and we certainly have a kinship.Back Stage: Another director you've collaborated with a lot is David Fincher. Pitt: He's a great friend. Sharp as a knife and wickedly funny. I will absolutely be working with him again. Back Stage: What do you make of his reputation for doing multiple takes of a scene? Pitt: It's not [Laughs.] You know, it's not true. There are times when it's a big technical thing and that happens. But it is this moniker he's received. But once it's down, it's there, it's in concrete. Back Stage: And isn't it a good thing to be able to do lots of takes? Pitt: It can be. But on "Tree of Life" we just did two takes on everything. And the second take was completely different from the first. So I can go either way.Back Stage: Although I'm assuming you haven't had to audition in years, what is your take on the audition experience? Pitt: Bennett talks about this a lot; a lot of times, what it takes to get elected to office has nothing to do with what it takes to govern. I find that true about the auditioning process, as well. You're sitting in a room, and you all kind of look alike, and you're all going over your lines, and you can hear the audition going on inside. And you have these few pages of black lines on white paper, and it says you smile here, you do this there. You start hearing the same thing over and over. Now you think of the people on the other side there, the people that are running the casting sessions. By the third, the fourth, the 10th, the 20th, they're hearing the same thing, and then suddenly somebody comes in and does something different. And it lands. Now you can't be different for different's sake, and this doesn't always work, but you have to separate yourself from the normal read. Of course, it has to be truthful. If it's not truthful, don't waste your time. I think that's a key thing that took me a while to figure out. Back Stage: Is there anything else you know now that you wish you'd known at the beginning of your career? Pitt: When you first get opportunities, suddenly you get surrounded by a lot of people who want to make money off you but also are there to help. But they start telling you so much what you need to be and what you need to do to maintain some idea of career maintenance. When you start out, it's very discombobulating, and you are ill-defined at that point as far as direction, what stories are personal to you. So there's two things I'm saying here; at that point, I wish I knew just to follow what was interesting to me. Because we're actors, we want to tell stories, we want to tell personal stories. And not just something you can plug any one of us in and basically get the same thing. Get into something that's really personal that means something to you, where you have something to say and is something really individualized. I wish I was more aware of that then instead of doing a few things I was told would be good for me. And they weren't, because it left me empty, so I didn't do a good job anyways. I think that's what's key to what we do: It's got to be personal.What's So Funny? At a Jan. 15 Q&A sponsored by Back Stage and SAG Foundation, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill spoke to a packed house about their work on "Moneyball." One topic of discussion was a blooper reel on the DVD that features Pitt laughing hysterically for almost a full three minutes. The scene in question is one near the end of the film, when Hill tries to show him video of a baseball player who hit a home run without realizing it, and Pitt attempts to collect himself several times, to no avail. When asked what he was laughing about, Pitt put the blame on his co-star. "I can't tell you what he said. It's so wrong. So wrong," Pitt said. "This is the guy who did 'Superbad.' Just head in that direction, then go further." Though he wouldn't reveal what he said, Hill responded, "Movie shoots, sometimes you're there for like 12 or 15 hours, and sometimes you get joy out of trying to make the other person laugh when you're not on camera. I think that is one of the gifts of being an actor, is trying to see how someone handles it when they're getting told the dumbest things on the planet, and they have to actually react like they're watching something serious or they're moved by something. I had a really great time." Quipped Pitt, "I know you did." Brad Pitt on 'Moneyball,' Films He Loves, and Exceeding Expectations By Jenelle Riley January 25, 2012 Brad Pitt in "Moneyball" Brad Pitt is a bit of a puzzle. One of the best character actors working today, he's trapped in a leading man's bone structure. And his choices defy traditional Hollywood logic; after bursting onto the scene in 1991 as the small-time hustler who seduces Geena Davis in "Thelma & Louise" and as the beatific brother of 1992's "A River Runs Through It," he likely had his pick of big movie roles. Instead, he grew a wild beard, had his front tooth chipped by a dentist, and appeared not to wash his hair for weeks to play a crazed killer in the indie "Kalifornia."Pitt's career would continue this somewhat schizophrenic pattern; for every big-budget blockbuster he appeared in ("Interview With a Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles," "Ocean's Eleven," "Troy"), he would lend his star power to a smaller movie that likely wouldn't have gotten made without his participation ("The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," "The Tree of Life"). Sometimes he found projects that combined prestige with box-office appeal, such as "Inglourious Basterds" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." But what seemed most important to Pitt was to work with the best filmmakers in the businessDavid Fincher, Quentin Tarantino, the Coen brothers, Terrence Malick. The size of his roles seemed secondary to being part of a great story.So it's no surprise that Pitt frequently cites great films of the 1970s and filmmakers such as Hal Ashby or actors such as Gene Hackman when talking about the works that inspired him. Last year, Pitt produced and starred in two features that he was drawn to largely because they reminded him of the films he loved growing up. In Malick's experimental drama "The Tree of Life," Pitt won raves for playing the strict father of two boys growing up in 1950s Texas. But it is "Moneyball" that has earned Pitt some of the best reviews of an esteemed career. As Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who implemented a scientific formula to assemble a winning baseball team with little money, Pitt charms, rages, and obsesses in a performance that is exhilarating to behold. And just this week, it earned Pitt his third Oscar nomination for acting.It would be easy to resent Pitt, an actor who makes everything he does look so natural. Take it from his "Moneyball" co-star Jonah Hill. "You know what sucks about Brad?" Hill says with a laugh. "Here's what sucks about him: He's super good at acting, he's got a great career, he's a great guy, and he's funnier than me! It's bullshitI am so sick of it. He can't let me have that one thing!"In addition to speaking at a recent Q&A, Pitt sat down with Back Stage to talk about his lengthy career.Back Stage: When did you first realize you wanted to be an actor? Brad Pitt: I grew up in Oklahoma and Missouri, and I just loved film. My folks would take us to the drive-in on summer nights, and we'd sit on the hood of the car. I just had this profound love for storytelling. I think it's just an amazing thing we get to do. We're so complex; we're mysteries to ourselves; we're difficult to each other. And then here's this storytelling that reminds us we're all the same. I consider it such a privilege. Back Stage: Did you have anyone who mentored you or really guided you in those early years? Pitt: When I first moved to L.A., I discovered Roy London. I didn't know anything about the arts, the profession; I had no technique, I knew nothing, I'm fresh from Missouri. I sat in on a few classes, and they just felt a little guru-ish and just didn't feel right to me. Until I met Roy. Back Stage: How did you find him? Pitt: I was taking all these odds jobs, and one of them was driving strippers around to bachelor parties. My job was to get them there, get them home, collect the money, play the music, and catch the clothes. For real. It was a very interesting education and paid really well, so I did it for three months and then decided I was going to move on. The boss said, "All right, but just come in one last night. I need you to do Sunday; I'm in a pinch." And this woman turned out to be dating an actor. I didn't know any actors or know anyone who knew any actors. She said she started this class an actor told her to go to. I asked for the name and went to check it out and felt like this was a really good direction. I learned so much from that man. I miss him. Back Stage: Did he teach a specific method or kind of create his own? Pitt: It was kind of based on Uta Hagen, but I think [Roy] really made it his own. He was tough, lovely, compassionate, tough. I give him full credit for pointing me in this direction. I studied with him for three years, I think, then started getting some work. Then I would work with him individually on projects. He loved film, and he loved storytelling. And he loved the individual and looking at what each person could bring to something.Back Stage: From the beginning of your career, you've made really interesting choices in your roles and collaborators. You could have just made big studio blockbustersand there's nothing wrong with those; I like them Pitt: You and me both. I enjoy them. But I actually wouldn't be very good at them. Back Stage: Why not? Pitt: It's just not my interest. I grew up on certain movies, particular movies that said something to me as a kid from Missouri, movies that showed me places I'd yet traveled, or different cultures, or explained something, or said something in a better way than I could ever say. I wanted to find the movies like that. It was less about a career than finding the films I wanted to see. Back Stage: You obviously play leading men, but I think of you as a character actor Pitt: I appreciate that!Back Stage: But because you are a star, did you ever worry you wouldn't get the character roles? Have you ever felt underrated as an actor? Pitt: No, I thought I could always get there or make that turn as long as they let me stay in the game. Listen, I've been pretty fortunate. And if I've been underrated, it's actually been something I've been able to work with; I can surprise people. It sets me up to exceed expectations, so I don't mind.Back Stage: What's your favorite part about being an actor? Pitt: I'm at an age now where I get to start looking back, I guess. And there are some really amazing people I've been able to hang out with and work with. Hollywood gets dubbed this place of extreme vanity and needinessand I guess it's therebut that's not the crowd I've seen or run with. I've found the most interesting, curious, engaging people in this funny thing we call storytelling. I love working with them, and I love the moment right before "Action" and the bell rings, and you don't know exactly what's going to happen; you just start following a vein of thought. And I love the surprises that come from that. And I love stories. I think it's an amazing thing we get to do; we get to contribute to the Zeitgeist of our time. I don't know how much relevance that haswe're not eradicating T.B.but I don't diminish it either. I think there's really something to getting to tell stories that investigate or laugh at what paradoxes and quizzical things we are.Back Stage: You've also gotten into producing, and spent years trying to get "Moneyball" made. How did the story find its way to you, and what attracted you to it? Pitt: Aaron Sorkin described the making of this film the other day. He said, "There are easy films, there are difficult films, then there's 50 feet of crap, then there's 'Heaven's Gate,' then there's us." It was an arduous undertaking. There was a first attempt at a script, and I felt there was something there, but it was geared to more of a major league kind of slant, more comedic. Then I read the book and became rather obsessed with this man's story, who was labeled a failure in some ways. And these ideas of valuehow we value ourselves, what are we worth to each other, and is this system even accurate? And then we started. Economics is not the most edge-of-your-seat subject matter, so it took us a few years to get it right. And we found [director] Bennett Miller. He's not getting enough credit for how much authorship he has of the film. I think he's going to be one of our best. Back Stage: What was the most unusual or difficult part about making the film? Pitt: Something that I think is particularly interesting to actors: Bennett was intent on bringing in real baseball insiders. Therefore they're not actors, a lot of the baseball players and scouts; they're not trained as we are. And he very wisely said, "Don't say the lines; put them in your own words." Then it became incumbent on us to respond to that, which can be very exhausting. You've got to be on your toes at all times. And these guys know baseball certainly more than we do. The interesting thingand it was the same thing in "Tree of Life," working with kids who didn't know the script and weren't actorsthere's a spontaneity that happens; there's a freshness that happens that's up on the screen that I really, really enjoy. I'm questioning myself how to bring it into future projects, because I think it makes that little bit of difference in what we do become more alive. You are really in the moment. I hope to be able to do more of that. Back Stage: You were also a producer on "Tree of Life." Is it true you didn't originally intend on acting in it? Pitt: Yeah. Our actor fell out, and suddenly the film was in jeopardy, and it was looking like it was going to go away. So I said, "Fuck itI'll do it." That movie was a challenge to get made and get the money for. Terry and I grew up in similar kind of country environments, and we certainly have a kinship.Back Stage: Another director you've collaborated with a lot is David Fincher. Pitt: He's a great friend. Sharp as a knife and wickedly funny. I will absolutely be working with him again. Back Stage: What do you make of his reputation for doing multiple takes of a scene? Pitt: It's not [Laughs.] You know, it's not true. There are times when it's a big technical thing and that happens. But it is this moniker he's received. But once it's down, it's there, it's in concrete. Back Stage: And isn't it a good thing to be able to do lots of takes? Pitt: It can be. But on "Tree of Life" we just did two takes on everything. And the second take was completely different from the first. So I can go either way.Back Stage: Although I'm assuming you haven't had to audition in years, what is your take on the audition experience? Pitt: Bennett talks about this a lot; a lot of times, what it takes to get elected to office has nothing to do with what it takes to govern. I find that true about the auditioning process, as well. You're sitting in a room, and you all kind of look alike, and you're all going over your lines, and you can hear the audition going on inside. And you have these few pages of black lines on white paper, and it says you smile here, you do this there. You start hearing the same thing over and over. Now you think of the people on the other side there, the people that are running the casting sessions. By the third, the fourth, the 10th, the 20th, they're hearing the same thing, and then suddenly somebody comes in and does something different. And it lands. Now you can't be different for different's sake, and this doesn't always work, but you have to separate yourself from the normal read. Of course, it has to be truthful. If it's not truthful, don't waste your time. I think that's a key thing that took me a while to figure out. Back Stage: Is there anything else you know now that you wish you'd known at the beginning of your career? Pitt: When you first get opportunities, suddenly you get surrounded by a lot of people who want to make money off you but also are there to help. But they start telling you so much what you need to be and what you need to do to maintain some idea of career maintenance. When you start out, it's very discombobulating, and you are ill-defined at that point as far as direction, what stories are personal to you. So there's two things I'm saying here; at that point, I wish I knew just to follow what was interesting to me. Because we're actors, we want to tell stories, we want to tell personal stories. And not just something you can plug any one of us in and basically get the same thing. Get into something that's really personal that means something to you, where you have something to say and is something really individualized. I wish I was more aware of that then instead of doing a few things I was told would be good for me. And they weren't, because it left me empty, so I didn't do a good job anyways. I think that's what's key to what we do: It's got to be personal.What's So Funny? At a Jan. 15 Q&A sponsored by Back Stage and SAG Foundation, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill spoke to a packed house about their work on "Moneyball." One topic of discussion was a blooper reel on the DVD that features Pitt laughing hysterically for almost a full three minutes. The scene in question is one near the end of the film, when Hill tries to show him video of a baseball player who hit a home run without realizing it, and Pitt attempts to collect himself several times, to no avail. When asked what he was laughing about, Pitt put the blame on his co-star. "I can't tell you what he said. It's so wrong. So wrong," Pitt said. "This is the guy who did 'Superbad.' Just head in that direction, then go further." Though he wouldn't reveal what he said, Hill responded, "Movie shoots, sometimes you're there for like 12 or 15 hours, and sometimes you get joy out of trying to make the other person laugh when you're not on camera. I think that is one of the gifts of being an actor, is trying to see how someone handles it when they're getting told the dumbest things on the planet, and they have to actually react like they're watching something serious or they're moved by something. I had a really great time." Quipped Pitt, "I know you did."

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Win a visit to New You'll be able to With 'The Artist' Contest

The Weinstein Customers are offering a completely new contest through Facebook for fans from the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning film, "The Artist." "'The Artist' Praising Stars Around The Globe Contest" will fly a champion to NY City to fulfill getting a senior Weinstein Company production executive together with a casting agency executive. Until 11:59 p.m. EST on Jan. 30, people who want to participate may visit internet.myspace.orgOrTheArtist.TWC, click on the promotion banner and finished and submit the web entry form, together with a person's title, e-mail address and age. The grand prize champion will receive a a vacation in NY for three days and a pair of nights for just two people. Airfare and hotel lodging will probably be provided. See the official rules here. The Artist was released November. 25, 2011 and stars Oscar-nominees Jean Dujardin and Brnice Bejo, additionally to John Goodman and James Cromwell. The film is directed by Oscar-nominee Michel Hazanavicius.This publish is backed with the Weinstein Company.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Start Looking at Greys Anatomy's Alt-Reality: That Has Kids? Who's Dating Who?

Ellen Pompeo and Justin Chambers Dallas Sophistication is going to get switched upside-lower. The Thursday, February. 2 episode of Grey's Anatomy will feature another reality where Ellis Gray (Kate Burton) never was stricken with Alzheimer's disease, resulting in a really different upbringing for Meredith Gray (Ellen Pompeo). The once dark and twisty doc has become vibrant and shiny. Unhealthy news? Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Addison (Kate Walsh) will also be still married. Grey's Anatomy Scoop: MerDer happiness, a Cristina-Owen explosion and also the alt-reality What am i saying for that relaxation from the Dallas Sophistication-rs? In line with the just-launched photos for that episode, you will find two most unlikely pairs, a couple of the paperwork may really have children together along with a lengthy-dead cohort is in action. Browse the photos here to find the scoop around the alt-reality episode. Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Bachelor's Harrison on Kacie's Emotional Date, Blakeley's Outfit and Next Week's Mystery Lady

The Bachelor, Kacie and Ben While some dates on The Bachelor turn into an emotionally bonding moment, others are all about making out in the pool. In this week's chat with host Chris Harrison, he tells us why Kacie B's Sonoma stroll and theater date fortified her status as a front-runner, how Blakeley's breasts earned her a rose and that next week's mystery woman gets a big beating. Catch up on The Bachelor with our recaps On Kacie and Ben's date, they watched home videos. Was that too much too soon?Chris Harrison: It was a lot to put on them, but the only reason I'd disagree with that is that we could already tell that he and Kacie had something going and it worked. Ben is this dichotomy; he's metropolitan and loves San Francisco, but he's more of a small-town guy. That's what the death of his dad brought him, that life and getting back to what's important. I think Kacie reminds him of his dad and that life and what he's looking for. You notice how quickly he let his guard down and was relaxed with her. She brings out a side in him he likes. Kacie is in it for the long haul and she cemented herself as a front-runner. Courtney and Ben may get along well, but there doesn't seem to be too much there between them.Harrison: You'll notice that's a running theme with him. He likes her and she's a front runner, but the more you hear them talk and he's like, "Our relationship is going really well," I'm like: Is it? Eventually he will also realize this and [and say] "Is she really saying anything? Is she really here for me?" Watercooler: The Bachelor's new bad girl Is Courtney the new Michelle Money where she comes off a certain way, but is a different person?Harrison: I think Courtney will get a much worse rap and a worse beating than she deserves, much like Michelle Money. She has a very dry sense of humor and it's in the delivery and inflection of what she says. Even talking to Ben about it recently, he's like she is getting a beat down already, but once you get to know her it'll turn. Did Blakely get the group date rose for any reason other than her making a big move on him in the pool?Harrison: It was pretty much her [outfit] and the pool. The one thing about Ben is that he's a dude. Sometimes it's like, "Oh, he's so deep and so sweet" [but] he's also a dude. I think if you talked to him he'd be like, "Yep, guilty." But Blakely was cool, they had a good time and they got along. He didn't see the drama that was going on until the rose ceremony. The Bachelor's Chris Harrison: We thought Jenna would be a front-runner! The women were pretty angry she still went after him at the cocktail party despite being safe. Harrison: It's the great debate of whether or not there are unwritten rules on The Bachelor - that once you get a rose you have to sit on the sidelines and let everyone get their time. Or is all fair in love and war and I'm going after this guy and I'm going to take as much time as I can? After she got the rose she kept talking to him. But why wouldn't she? I'm guessing you weren't shocked Jenna got the boot.Harrison: She barely got a rose by the skin of her teeth last week, it was more Ben saying, "I'm going to give her half an extra chance to redeem herself next week" because he was sympathetic to the fact that it was such an experience that first night. But it didn't take her much to hang herself this week. I hope she'll come back to the Women Tell All because I bet she will have such good perspective. I hope she'll laugh it off. VIDEO: The Bachelor's Ben shares his thoughts on the premiere Next week the mystery woman shows up. What can you preview?Harrison: It is someone from Ben's past, but also someone from our past. The contestants immediately assume it's an ex-girlfriend ... and it's definitely a he-said/she-said thing [for the woman and Ben]. It ends up being a huge benefit for Ben, who realizes just how much the girls like him and how serious they are. But [the person who returns] takes a beating and she didn't anticipate that, we didn't and he didn't. With Bentley [coming back] on Ashley's season, that was really off-putting for the guys. They were ... mad at Ashley that she was still taken with him. This is the opposite. This is, "Wow, these girls really care." Don't forget to catch Chris Harrison hosting the Miss America Pageant on Saturday at 9/8c on ABC.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Kanye West, 'Jetsons' Movie Creative Director? Not So Fast

Was there anything to Kanye West's claim -- made during his massive 86-tweet spree the other day -- that he's the "creative director" on the 'Jetsons' movie? "There is no such thing on a movie," Denise Di Novi, who's producing the project, told Vulture, in case you needed clarification on that. But, West, who's a huge fan of the '60s jet-set family, did talk to Di Novi and partner Donald De Line and may end up involved in the film in some capacity. Just not as the non-existent "creative director." Among the rapper's many far-out tweets was this puzzling entry: "I was just discussing becoming the creative director for the Jetson movie and someone on the call yelled out.. you should do a Jetsons tour!" De Line explained that the 10-minute conference call with West was "preliminary and exploratory and introductory. "We explained how our process usually works, that usually there's a screenplay, and a director in place first, and that this was ... a nontraditional way, but then, he's a guy with his fingers in a lot of pies, and who likes to work out-of-the-box." No kidding. Turns out West has long been trying to get on board the project. "The last two years I had various forms of communication from the studio that he had this real love and interest in 'The Jetsons' as an artist," explained De Line, "My response was always ... 'Well, that's great. We'll let him know when we have a screenplay.' I was thinking he was interested in it on a musical level, but apparently he's deeply interested in art and architecture and wanted to be involved." Despite the title mix-up, Di Novi was impressed by West. "I don't know him; until yesterday, I'd never talked to him in my life ... but I loved his passion for 'The Jetsons.' He gets the whole thing about the future that never was. He sees us living on a precipice of technology -- cameras in your eye, your mind as a remote control to fire lasers -- and wonders how things are going to break, for good or for bad." So is West working on the movie or not? Di Novi says no, but that their "free-form conversation" ended in a "'If you come up with any ideas, let us know,' kind of way." [via Vulture] [Photo: AFP/Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Exclusive: Eric Johnson, Michael Eklund Head to Alcatraz

Eric Johnson, Michael Eklund Fringe's Michael Eklund and Smallville's Eric Johnson have been tapped to portray escaped prisoners on Fox's new drama Alcatraz, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. J.J. Abrams' new sci-fi series centers on a cop (Sarah Jones) and a team of FBI agents who track down a group of missing Alcatraz prisoners and guards who have reappeared in the present day after disappearing 30 years earlier. Fox announces midseason schedule Eklund, whose credits also include Flashpoint and Caprica, will play Kit Nelson, a terrifying kidnapper who always returns his victims to their homes... after he's killed them. He'll appear in Episode 103, airing Monday, Jan. 23. Johnson, who currently stars on Rookie Blue, will portray Cal Sweeney, a smooth talking bank robber whose interests lie in safety deposit boxes and the secrets they contain. He'll appear in Episode 104, slated to air Monday, Jan. 30. VIDEO: Get a first look at J.J. Abrams' Alcatraz Check out a sneak peek of Alcatraz, which debuts with a special two-hour event on Monday, Jan. 16 at 8/7c on Fox.