FAME National Talent Search

The FAME National Talent Search officially launched today on GenerationFAME, MySpace, and Six Flags. Here’s to us discovering the next big talent!

* MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fame
* FAME website: http://www.generationfame.com/
* Six Flags: http://www.sixflags.com/fame

PIRANHA 3D

DIMENSION FILMS

A sneak preview!
http://www.mtv.com/videos/movies/403920/piranha-3-d-cast-promises-blood-
and-boobs.jhtml#name=news&id=1614664

Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project Names the Top 15; Awards June 24 at Florida Theatre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jacksonville, Fla.– The heat wave got even hotter when Producer Mac McDonald announced the films that will show at the June 24 Awards Screening and Ceremony. This Wednesday’s awards will be the culmination of the 2009 Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project, scheduled to return in spring 2010. Tonight, nearly 200 filmmakers and fans gathered to hear if their film made it in, but they’ll have to wait a few more days to find out who actually won. Here are the top 15 in random order. The list includes film title, team name and team leader.

1. “Sketchy” – Hutch’s Heroes Part Deux (Keith Hutchison)
2. “Echoes of Elizabeth” – X4 Productions (Glen Vandermolen)
3. “The Forgiven” – Sixth Floor Museum (Mark O’Brien)
4. “Under” – Somebody Call An Ambulance Productions (Paul Melian)
5. “Static Lullaby” – AI Jax Team Red (Nadia Ramoutar)
6. “The Last Soul” – Jacksonville.com’s 14B448 (Tracy Collins)
7. “P.S. I Love U” – Team Distracted (Joseph Murphy)
8. “Romance” – Pick Me! (Marc Boese)
9. “Cars, Tows, Who Knows” – Chicken (Justin Suttles)
10. “The Unwelcome” – Wyldestone Films (Shain Gillete)
11. “There Is No Glass” – Dream Crushers (Marion Scott)
12. “In Every Lie” – AI Jax Team White (Chris Stagl)
13. “Disposable” – KCP Lite Productions (Anthony Kilburn)
14. “The Room” – Mugwump Moving Pictures (Samuel Smid)
15. “Hey, What Are Buds For?” – PB&J Productions (Parker Benedict)

“There were some real surprises,” says McDonald. “We had first-year participants nudging out some of the most recognized teams from past years. When it came to audience voting, we had to count one of the nights three times because there were only two votes separating the winner from the runner-up.”

As for the quality of the films, there was some outstanding work that Jacksonville should be very proud of. Three of the top 15 films were made by students and two of this year’s breakout stars turned out to be a regular guy with one arm and a lovelorn puppet. And then there was Sketchy, a character brought to life by local actor Kenny Logsdon --- whose significant other and their daughter were on a competing team that didn’t make the finals --- made such an impact on audiences that many say they’re coming back Wednesday just to see it again. The short film is a mockumentary about a guy obsessed with drawing chalk outlines like the ones used at crime scenes.

“I was impressed with the level of creativity,” says first-year Assistant Producer Masarra Sandage. “All three nights I had audience members telling me how hard it was to pick their favorites.”

There’s a close race in the judges’ scores too, but McDonald wasn’t sharing any of those secrets even though he has the official results. You’ll have to be there Wednesday night, he quipped, when hopeful competitors tried to pump him for information.

Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project Awards Screening & Ceremony
Wednesday, June 24
7 p.m. @ Florida Theatre
128 E. Forsyth Street,
Jacksonville, Fla. 32202 (doors open at 6)
Tickets only $10 (plus handling)

The required elements for all of this year’s films were as follows:
Character: Peter or Penny Dupree, Car Salesperson
Prop: Disposable camera
Line of Dialogue: "What did you do that for?"

Now appearing for its third consecutive year, the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project is presented by PRI Productions; other 2009 sponsors include Digital Video Arts and Comcast Spotlight. Keep up with all the happenings at www.48hourfilm.com/jacksonville.

About the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project

Presented by PRI Productions and produced for its third year by Mac McDonald, the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project is a wild and sleepless weekend during which teams make a movie — write, shoot, edit and score it — in just 48 hours. At the Friday night kickoff, teams get a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre; 48 hours later the movie must be complete with the required elements. The Jacksonville films show at the Florida Theatre, where the audience and judges will determine the “Best in Jacksonville 2009.” In 2008, some 30,000 filmmakers made films in 70 cities around the world. Contact the Jacksonville team at Jacksonville@48hourfilm.com or 904-622-6800.

Michael Moore’s new as-yet-untitled documentary

Michael Moore’s new documentary will be released by Overture Films domestically on October 2, 2009 and internationally by Paramount Vantage. The as-yet-untitled film will explore the root causes of the global economic meltdown and take a comical look at the corporate and political shenanigans that culminated in what Moore has described as “the biggest robbery in the history of this country” – the massive transfer of U.S. taxpayer money to private financial institutions.

James Bond announcement

MORGAN, PURVIS & WADE TO WORK ON BOND, JAMES BOND

LOS ANGELES, CA – Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures have today announced that Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale) will be the screenwriters of the 23rd James Bond adventure.

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in the film, which will be a MGM release of an EON production. Bond 23 is the latest installment in the longest-running franchise in motion picture history and will be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. A date for the start of production is yet to be confirmed.

“Peter, Neal and Robert are extraordinarily talented and we’re looking forward to working with the three of them,” commented Wilson and Broccoli.

Peter Morgan is the award-winning writer of such films as The Last King of Scotland, The Queen and Frost/Nixon, which was based on his play. He has also scripted the upcoming The Special Relationship for HBO and Hereafter for DreamWorks. He will turn his attention to Bond 23 on completion of these duties. Morgan is represented by UTA (US) and Independent Talent Group (UK).

Since 1991 Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have collaborated on a diverse range of projects including The Italian Job, Johnny English and the past four Bond films. They recently adapted John Le Carre's The Mission Song and are also working on the upcoming sequel The Brazilian Job. Purvis and Wade are represented by Endeavor (US), Casarotto Ramsay & Associates (UK).

Overture Gets Clooney’s ‘Goat’

Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges also star in
Grant Heslov-directed satire

(Beverly Hills, CA) May 18, 2009– Overture Films announced today its acquisition of The Men Who Stare at Goats. The Smokehouse production stars Oscar®-winner George Clooney (Syriana) and is directed by Oscar®-nominee Grant Heslov (producer and co-writer of Good Night,and Good Luck.). The comedy ensemble is rounded out by Golden Globe®-nominee Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!), Oscar®-winner Kevin Spacey (American Beauty, The Usual Suspects) and Oscar®-nominee Jeff Bridges (The Contender). ‘Goats’ is produced by Clooney, Heslov and Paul Lister. Barbara A. Hall serves as executive producer.

Based on true events described in Jon Ronson’s 2004 book of the same title, ‘Goats’ involves a down-on-his-luck reporter (McGregor) who gets more than he bargains for when he meets a special forces agent (Clooney) who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit whose goal is to use paranormal powers to end war as we know it.

“George chooses the most unique and thought-provoking projects of any leading actor today and ‘Goats’ is no exception,” said Overture CEO Chris McGurk and COO Danny Rosett. “It is no surprise that the tremendous ensemble Grant assembled for this picture has resulted in a hilarious and intelligent film that we think will captivate audiences.”

Clooney and Heslov’s Smokehouse began principal photography on the project in October 2008 and wrapped in January 2009. Winchester Capital co-financed the film with BBC Films contributing to the financing of development. Creative Artists Agency packaged the film and brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.

Screenwriter Peter Straughan (How to Lose Friends & Alienate People) adapted the story from Ronson’s novel.

Overture Films currently has the Big Beach Films specialty hit Sunshine Cleaning in theaters, starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin. It will next release Sundance award-winner Paper Heart, starring Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera, on August 7.

CORALINE on DVD/Blu-ray

From the Director of The Nightmare Before Christmas Comes an Astonishing, Fun and Suspenseful Adventure in Eye-Popping 3-D Unlike Anything You’ve Seen Before! CORALINE Available for a Limited Time Only on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD featuring 2-D and 3-D Versions of the Movie, Four pairs of 3-D glasses, plus a Digital Copy of the Film coming July 21st, 2009 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment

“A Magical Tale. A Remarkable Feat of Imagination!”
– Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times



Universal City, California, May 26, 2009 – From the visionary imagination of filmmaker Henry Selick, director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and based on the award-winning novel by Newbery Medal winner Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book, Sandman) comes the remarkable handmade, stop-motion animated feature film Coraline, available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def combo pack, 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD and single disc DVD July 21st, 2009 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. While all editions feature both the 2-D and 3-D versions of the film and four pairs of 3-D glasses, the Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD also include a digital copy of the movie, as well as an astounding array of bonus features that take you inside the intricate hand-crafted world of this incredibly unique film. The Blu-ray™ Hi-Def combo pack also includes a standard definition DVD of the film, as well as even more bonus features, including additional filmmaker interviews and behind-the-scenes exclusives within Universal’s U-Control and BD-LiveTM features.

An instant classic that will captivate audiences, Coraline, the first feature film from Portland Oregon-based animation studio LAIKA, is the first stop-motion animated feature originally produced in stereoscopic 3-D. A startlingly original tale, Coraline’s vibrant flights of fantasy will keep kids and adults enthralled as it underlines one of life’s most essential truths: be careful what you wish for.

Coraline’s stellar voice cast includes Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds), Teri Hatcher (“Desperate Housewives”), John Hodgman (“The Daily Show”), Ian McShane (“Deadwood”) and Keith David (Crash), with an enchanting musical score by Bruno Coulais (Winged Migration, The Chorus). Henry Selick is one of the leading directors working in animation today. He directed the 1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas, which has achieved classic status and the remastered 3-D version is bringing Selick a whole new generation of fans. Selick is also the director of James and the Giant Peach, which won the top prize for animated feature at the Annecy Film Festival, and Monkeybone. He also created the celebrated animation sequences for Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Coraline is based on Neil Gaiman’s book, a New York Times and international bestseller and enormous critical success. Among its many honors are: the British Science Fiction Award, the Hugo, the Nebula, the Bram Stoker and the Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla awards. Preorder close is June 2, 2009. Coraline on Blu-rayTM Hi-Def is priced at $39.98 SRP. The 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD is priced at $34.98 SRP and the single disc DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP.

CRITICS ADORE CORALINE
Coraline mesmerized and delighted critics across America with its wondrous and thrilling story and visually stunning stop-motion animation. Leonard Maltin of Entertainment Tonight proclaims Coraline is “the best 3-D movie I’ve ever seen!” It is “a magical tale…a remarkable feat of imagination,” according to Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times. Claudia Puig of USA Today calls it “a visual marvel,” while Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly calls the film “a thrilling stop-motion adventure!” Peter Travers of Rolling Stone says the film is simply “dazzling!” Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle awards it “5 stars! Beautiful!” “Frame by frame, Coraline is a treat,” adds David Edelstein of New York Magazine.

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAYTM HI-DEF:
· U-CONTROL ON 2-D FEATURE – Universal’s exclusive signature feature allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. Through picture-in-picture, fans can enhance their understanding of how the movie was made by viewing tours of the sets, animatics and behind-the-scenes moments, including voiceover sessions.
· CREEPY CORALINE – Director and screenwriter Henry Selick and Coraline author Neil Gaiman take fans deeper into the darker intricacies of Coraline’s alternative worlds.
· BD-LIVETM – Fans can access exclusive online and interactive features through their Internet connected Blu-rayTM player, including:
· MY SCENES SHARING – Show your BD-LiveTM friends your favorite scenes from the film.
· THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HENRY – In this feature, director Henry Selick discusses his approach to the film adaptation of the award-winning book and what he loves about Coraline.

BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAYTM HI-DEF
& THE 2-DISC COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD:
· DELETED SCENES
· THE MAKING OF CORALINE – Director and screenwriter Henry Selick hosts this behind the scenes feature about how this hand-crafted, stop-motion animated film was made.
· VOICING THE CHARACTERS – Coraline’s acclaimed cast and filmmaker Henry Selick talk about their experiences working on the film, including defining the perfect voice for their characters.
· DIGITAL COPY OF CORALINE – Transfer the included digital copy to your iPod, Mac or PC and experience Coraline anywhere, anytime!

BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAYTM HI-DEF,
2-DISC COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD & SINGLE DISC DVD:
· FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR HENRY SELICK & COMPOSER BRUNO COULAIS

SYNOPSIS
11-year-old Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) has just moved with her parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) to a new home in Oregon. With no friends and her parents distracted by work, the feisty and adventurous Coraline sets out to find some excitement in her isolated new environment. She is befriended—or, as she sees it, pestered—by a local boy close to her age, Wybie Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.) and visits her older neighbors, eccentric British actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible (Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French) as well as the arguably even more eccentric Russian, Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane). Just as she’s beginning to think her new home is utterly uninteresting, she uncovers a secret door which leads to a parallel existence much like her own life—but much better. The adults, including the solicitous Other Mother (also voiced by Teri Hatcher) welcome her warmly. And Coraline gets far more attention there—even from the mysterious Cat (Keith David). She begins to think that this Other World might be where she truly belongs. But when her wondrously off-kilter, fantastical visit turns dangerous, Coraline must summon all her resourcefulness, determination and courage to get back home—and save her real family.

H2 First Look Poster

PIRANHA 3D

Dimension Films is pleased to confirm that Jessica Szohr – best know for her role on “Gossip Girl” – has joined (previously announced) cast members Elisabeth Shue, Richard Dreyfuss, Ving Rhames, Adam Scott and Dina Meyer in the upcoming film PIRANHA 3D and
EW.com breaks the news that Jerry O’Connell has joined the cast.

NEW MOON teaser poster