ADMISSION, starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd for director Paul Weitz, begins production

Production begins this week in New York and New Jersey on Focus Features’ Admission, directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Weitz. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.

The comedy/drama stars Screen Actors Guild Award winner Tina Fey (30 Rock), Paul Rudd (soon to be seen in This is 40), BAFTA Award nominee Michael Sheen (The Queen), Golden Globe Award nominee Gloria Reuben (ER), Wallace Shawn (of the upcoming A Late Quartet), and Academy Award nominee Lily Tomlin (Nashville). The screenplay is adapted by Karen Croner (One True Thing) and Mr. Weitz from Jean Hanff Korelitz’s 2009 novel of the same name.

Mr. Weitz, an Academy Award nominee as one of the screenwriters of About a Boy, most recently adapted and directed Being Flynn for Focus. He is producing Admission with Andrew Miano, his partner in the production company Depth of Field, and Kerry Kohansky-Roberts (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist). Academy Award nominee Caroline Baron (Capote) is executive-producing the movie. Admission director of photography Declan Quinn, production designer Sarah Knowles, editor Joan Sobel, and costume designer Aude Bronson-Howard are all reteaming with Mr. Weitz following their work together on Being Flynn. Focus holds worldwide rights to Admission, and will commence sales at this month’s Cannes International Film Festival. Focus director of development & production Christopher Kopp is supervising Admission for president of production Jeb Brody.

In the movie, Ms. Fey is portraying Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University. Evaluating thousands of hopeful college students, the exceedingly bright and driven woman lives her life by the book, both at work and in her relationship with a faculty colleague, Mark (Mr. Sheen). Visiting an experimental New Hampshire high school submitting applicants, Portia is caught off guard when its co-founder John Halsey (Mr. Rudd) turns out to have attended college with her. She is then floored when reminded of the life-altering decision that she made while still a student herself; she had a son, who she gave up for adoption, and who she now realizes may be one of John’s students, the precocious misfit Jeremiah. As Portia’s emotions surge forth, she finds her life turning upside down in embarrassing ways and begins to bend the admissions rules – in the hopes of getting Jeremiah on the best path while perhaps righting her own as well.

Mr. Schamus said, “Everyone at Focus is delighted to be continuing our collaboration with Paul Weitz, a truly humane filmmaker. As always, Paul has joined with an amazing cast, for a story that promises not only laughs and tears, but the deep pleasures of understanding and empathy.”

Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as Focus Features in North America, and as Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world, and is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary in 2012.

THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

CBS Films announced today it has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the action thriller ENDS OF THE EARTH.  CBS Films Co-President, Wolfgang Hammer and EVP of Acquisitions & Co-Productions Scott Shooman, who acquired the film preemptively ahead of Cannes, made the announcement jointly.

Written and directed by Derek Lee and Clif Prowse, ENDS OF THE EARTH follows two best friends on a whirlwind trip around the world.  Things take a turn for the surreal when they encounter an impossible phenomenon that will change one of them forever.  Chris Ferguson and Zach Lipovsky produced the film with backing by Telefilm Canada. IM Global's Stuart Ford, Automatik's Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Alliance's Charles Layton are on board as executive producers.

The deal was negotiated by Ford, IM Global's Jonathan Deckter, Kavanaugh-Jones and Verve, who represent the filmmakers.  Jack Bleck and Scott Shooman negotiated for CBS Films.  IM Global will be handling the sale of international territories at the Cannes Film Festival, with Alliance holding the rights to the film in Canada, the U.K. and Spain.

About CBS FILMS

CBS Films is a division of CBS Corporation. CBS Films will release four to six movies a year, spanning all genres.  For more information, log on to www.cbsfilms.com.

About AUTOMATIK ENTERTAINMENT

Automatik Entertainment is a thriving strategic production joint venture backed by leading Canadian entertainment company Alliance Films and Stuart Ford's IM Global.  Since its inception in mid-2010 Automatik has spawned the $100 million global box office hit "Insidious" and currently has four features in post-production. The company enjoys a distribution output agreement with Alliance on its own productions in Canada, the U.K. and Spain.

About IM GLOBAL

Stuart Ford founded IM Global in 2007.  The company is one of the leading film financing, sales and distribution companies in the world, championing a wide variety of cinema, including mainstream commercial, art house, foreign language and genre fare.  The company is now comprised of six divisions: IM Global Opus, for mainstream, commercial cinema; IM GlobalAcclaim, for critically acclaimed arthouse and specialty cinema; IM Global Anthem, for the best of non-English language cinema from around the world; IM Global Octane, for branded genre fare; IM Global Apsara, a rights acquisition and distribution vehicle that serves the rapidly evolving Asian markets across growing theatrical, digital and VOD distribution platforms; and Automatik, a production and financing joint venture with Alliance Films focused on films in the $5 million - $15 million range.  In May 2010, Reliance Entertainment, part of Indian conglomerate Reliance ADA Group, acquired a majority shareholding in the company.

About ALLIANCE FILMS

Alliance Films, Inc. is one of the top five independent filmed entertainment companies in the world. A leading multinational distributor, co-financier and producer of filmed entertainment, its member companies, Alliance Films and Alliance Vivafilm (Canada); Momentum Pictures (UK) and Aurum Producciones (Spain), offer integrated delivery of content in all media.

Strategic partnerships include exclusive distribution rights to films from Relativity Media in Canada and the UK and Summit in Spain; Focus Features, Lionsgate, The Weinstein Company, and CBS Films in Canada; as well as ongoing relationships with FilmNation Entertainment, Exclusive Media, IM Global, Lionsgate International, Wild Bunch, Constantin Films, EuropaCorp and Nu Image in all three territories.

ROBERT DE NIRO SET TO STAR ALONGSIDE MICHAEL DOUGLAS IN LAST VEGAS

CBS Films and Good Universe announced today that two-time Oscar®-winner Robert De Niro will star in the comedy LAST VEGAS alongside two-time Oscar®-winner Michael Douglas.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure, While You Were Sleeping) from a screenplay by Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love, Tangled),  LAST VEGAS is a comedy about four old friends who decide to throw a Las Vegas bachelor party for the only one of them who has remained single.  De Niro will play the party-averse Paddy Connelly, who reluctantly agrees to fly to Vegas at the request of his friends. Douglas will play Billy Gerson, a lifelong bachelor, who has finally decided to take the plunge. 

Good Universe, which launches its global sales operation in Cannes this month led by principal Joe Drake, is handling international sales.  The ensemble comedy is being produced by Laurence Mark (Julie & Julia, Dreamgirls) and Amy Baer.  Good Universe's Nathan Kahane and Nicole Brown will executive produce.  Matt Leonetti will co-produce.

Executive Vice President of Production Maria Faillace and Creative Executive Alex Ginno are overseeing the project for CBS Films.

Michael Douglas is represented by WME and Robert De Niro by CAA. Legal for Douglas is handled by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP and legal for De Niro is handled by Grubman, Indursky & Schindler.  Dan Freedman and Allison Mella Strina negotiated the deals for Good Universe.

"Paul Williams Still Alive" Opening in June!

Directed by Stephen Kessler

PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE will be released theatrically in New York on June 8th at The Angelika and in Los Angeles on June 22nd at the Nuart with a national rollout to follow.

*PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE premiered to acclaim at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival and had its U.S. premiere at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival.*

Synopsis:

From the company that brought you ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL comes PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE which critics are hailing as a "remarkable achievement in a documentary" and a "stirring and sweet story of survival."

He won Grammys and an Academy Award; wrote many #1 songs from Barbara Streisand's "Evergreen" to the Carpenter's "We've Only Just Begun" as well as Kermit the Frog's biggest hit, "The Rainbow Connection"; starred in a Brian DePalma movie; put out his own hit records and albums; was a guest on The Tonight Show fifty times; and is the president of ASCAP... and you might not have heard of him. In the 1970's, Paul Williams was the singer / actor / songwriter that emotional, alienated teenage boys all over the world wanted to be, a sex symbol before MTV, when sex symbols could be 5"2 and sing songs about loneliness with the Muppets. One of those boys was Steve Kessler, a chubby kid from Queens. Thirty years later, Kessler discovered something amazing: Paul Williams didn't die. And no one had ever tried to make a documentary about him. A wistful musical journey  that will re-introduce a new generation to Williams' soulful classics, Paul Williams: Still Alive is the charmingly self-narrated story of Stephen Kessler's lifelong obsession with the former superstar-and what happens when the nostalgic filmmaker finally catches up with him.

TRT: 84 minutes 

Obama documentary "Dreams From My Real Father" on DVD

Highway 61 Entertainment announces the home viewing release of DREAMS FROM MY REAL FATHER, A Story of Reds and Deception for worldwide distribution on DVD.  Called "A game changer for the 2012 Presidential election" and "A tour de force that changes our view of the President" this may be the most innovative and controversial political documentary ever made.The Obama Nation author Dr. Jerome Corsi writes, "A must watch film!" 

Film Description:

At age 18, Barack Obama admittedly arrived at Occidental College a committed revolutionary Marxist.  What was the source of Obama's foundation in Marxism?  Throughout his 2008 Presidential campaign and term in office, questions have been raised regarding Barack Obama's family background, economic philosophy, and fundamental political ideology. Dreams from My Real Father is the alternative Barack Obama "autobiography," offering a divergent theory of what may have shaped our 44^th President's life and politics.   

In Dreams from My Real Father, Barack Obama is portrayed by a voiceover actor who chronicles Barack Obama's life journey in socialism, from birth through his election to the Presidency. The film begins by presenting the case that Barack Obama's real father was Frank Marshall Davis, a Communist Party USA propagandist who likely shaped Obama's world view during his formative years. Barack Obama sold himself to America as the multi-cultural ideal, a man who stood above politics. Was the goat herding Kenyan father only a fairy tale to obscure a Marxist agenda, irreconcilable with American values? 

This fascinating narrative is based in part on 2 years of research, interviews, newly unearthed footage and photos, and the writings of Davis and Obama himself. Dreams of My Real Father weaves together the proven facts with reasoned logic and speculation in an attempt to fill-in the obvious gaps in Obama's history. Is this the story Barack Obama should have told, revealing his true agenda for "fundamentally transforming America?" Director Joel Gilbert concludes, "The 'Birthers' have been on a fool's errand. To understand Obama's plans for America, the question is not 'Where's the Birth Certificate?,' the question is 'Who is the real father?'"

Complete Q and A with director Joel Gilbert:

http://mvdb2b.com/i/press/MVD5424D/MVD5424D_Director_Q_And_A.pdf  

Film Website and Trailer: www.obamasrealfather.com

Link to Purchase Item(s): http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=MVD5424D

The Story Of Rock 'N' Roll Comics: NYC DVD Release Party, Theatrical Screening, and more

The Story Of Rock 'N' Roll Comics is coming to NYC for a multi-event celebration of the DVD release on April 24...

On April 23, Forbidden Planet (840 Broadway, NYC) will host a release party/artists signing from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Original Rock ‘n’ Roll Comics artists will be in attendance signing old issues of RnR Comics, trade paperbacks, DVDs, etc. Original copies of the actual comics will be randomly given away to attendees. Artists confirmed include Jay Allen Sanford, Spike Steffenhagen, and Robert V. Conte. Also in attendance will be director Ilko Davidov, doing a Q&A session and signing DVDs.

Following the release party, Cinema Village (22 East 12th Street, NYC) will host a screening of the film at 9:00pm. It will be followed by a Q&A with the director and artists. Free copies of the DVD will be given away to random attendees at the theater.

Then on April 28 and 29, Nitehawk Cinema (136 Metropolitan Avenue - Brooklyn, NY 11249) will host a "Rock N Roll Comics" brunch at 12:00pm. The brunch includes food, drinks and a screening of the film, followed by a special Q&A session with cast and crew.

The Story Of Rock 'N' Roll Comics charts the short and controversial life of publisher Todd Loren, whose scandalous series of unauthorized comic book biographies of rock stars enraged and sometimes charmed his subjects, provoked numerous lawsuit threats from the likes of Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses and Skid Row, and eventually led to a landmark First Amendment case, all before he was savagely murdered in 1992.

This documentary mixes animation and eerie home video of Todd Loren along with interviews and commentary that reflect the range of opinions regarding his cultural legacy - Including firsthand accounts from many of the artists and writers who were inspired and exploited by Loren, all peppered with insights from both the Rock & Roll and comic book communities from such luminaries as Alice Cooper, Gary Groth, Ian Shirley, Mojo Nixon and more.

Details:

* S.R.P.: $19.99

* Running Time: 80 minutes

* Features: Over two hours of bonus features, extended interviews, TV news clips, commercials, trailers and a Revolution Comics/ Rock 'N' Roll Comics cover art gallery. Liner notes from Rock 'N' Roll Comics co-creator Jay Allen Sanford, as well as from rock critic Rob O'Connor.

* Release Date: April 24, 2012

http://www.wildeyereleasing.com

Celebrate Earth Day with a double feature this Saturday!

Saturday, April 14 @ 7:00pm

 

The Song of the Cloud Forest
from The Jim Henson Hour
Directed by Jim Henson
1989/25min

Fraggle Rock: "River of Life"
Directed by Eric Till
1987/25min

Recommended for ages 6+

For Center Members ONLY | Cost: FREE 
Museum exhibits open at 5:30pm | Cash Bar opens at 6:15pm

Not a Member?
Join today to enjoy free admission to ALL movies in our Film Series!

For reservations or to purchase a Membership
call 404-873-3391.

 

Up Next in our Film Series: Chinese Shadows: The Amazing World of Shadow Puppetry in Rural Northwest China Thursday, May 10 @ 7:30pm

This documentary follows shadow puppet performers on their journey from village to village presenting energetic shows in cave dwellings and temples. Directed by Frank Kouwenhoven 2007/58min/Chinese (English subtitles) Recommended for ages 14+ Cost: $7 | FREE for Members

 

www.puppet.org • 404.873.3391 • 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Center for Puppetry Arts supported in part by:

Left column photos from top to bottom: Making War Horse: Photo by Simon Annand • Classics in Miniature: Courtesy of Classics in Miniature • Mozart in China: Courtesy of Delphis Films • Henson's Place: © 2011 The Jim Henson Company • Being Elmo: Photos by Scott McDermott • The Lady from Sockholm: Photo by Craig Waller

Right column photos from top to bottom:The Muppet Christmas Carol: © 2011 The Muppet Studio, LLC • The Great Muppet Caper: © 2011 The Muppet Studio, LLC • Babe: © Universal Studios, Inc. • Celebrate Earth Day: © 2011 The Jim Henson Company • Chinese Shadows: Courtesy of Frank Kouwenhoven / CHIME Foundation

Photo Credits: Celebrate Earth Day: © 2011 The Jim Henson Company; Chinese Shadows: Courtesy of Frank Kouwenhoven - Chime Foundation

Its Friday the 13th and he's back ...

Friday The 13th: Extraction from samuel farmer on Vimeo.

Check out this short film directed and co-written by local Jax filmster and long time MOVEMENT contributor, Sam Farmer! Thanks Sam for making this a great Friday the 13th!

Cinemark Presents Release of Academy Award-Winning® “The Godfather Part 2”

Cinemark and Paramount Pictures Celebrate the Coppola Restoration of “The Godfather Part 2” with Special Cinemark Events at Theatres Across the US

Plano, TX, April 12, 2012 Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), a leading motion picture exhibitor, is following up the successful presentation of the Francis Ford Coppola’s restored version of his Academy Award®-winning “The Godfather,” with an exclusive, one-night only XD presentation of “The Godfather Part 2” on Thursday, April 19, 2012. The “Coppola Restoration” of the film, presented by Paramount Pictures, was meticulously restored using 5.1 digital surround sound and re-mastered using state-of-the-art technology, all under the watchful eyes of director Francis Ford Coppola, archivist Robert Harris and cinematographer Gordon Willis.

“The response to the first Godfather movie in Cinemark XD was incredible, so it is natural to present “The Godfather Part 2” to our customers,” states James Meredith, Vice President of Marketing for Cinemark Theatres. “We are very pleased to once again work with Paramount to show this award-winning classic film on our XD screens and give it the true big-screen treatment it deserves.”

The brilliant companion piece to “The Godfather” continues the saga of two generations of successive power within the Corleone Family from a screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola based on Mario Puzo’s novel.  Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, “The Godfather Part 2” tells two important stories: the roots and rise of a young Don Vito, played with uncanny ability by Robert De Niro, and the ascension of Michael (Al Pacino) as the new Don. Reassembling many of the talents who made “The Godfather”, Coppola produced a movie of staggering magnitude and vision, and undeniably the best sequel ever made. Robert De Niro won an Oscar, and the film received six Academy Awards ®, including Best Picture in 1974. The film has been rated R by the MPAA.

The Coppola Restoration of “The Godfather Part 2” 40th Anniversary Edition as a project began in 2006 between Paramount Pictures and the director. Archivist Robert Harris joined the project, followed by the original cinematographer of the film Gordon Willis, to complete the team who worked arduously on the film for over a year going through the original prints, re-release prints, and negatives, shot by shot, foot by foot, frame by frame and even sprocket hole by sprocket hole.

The Cinemark XD Extreme Digital Cinema auditorium offers a complete entertainment environment featuring a wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor screen, plush seating and a custom JBL sound system with higher end components and 7.1 capable digital surround sound. The digital images will be delivered by a Doremi server and a Barco DLP digital projector, which offers the brightest light standards in the industry. A full list of participating Cinemark XD locations, advance ticket purchases and show time information can be found at www.cinemark.com.

THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL Sold Out Los Angeles, CA Premiere: One Hell of a Good Time!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT HTTP://THEDEVILSCARNIVALTOUR.EVENTBRITE.COM/

Last Thursday, April 5^th, the sold out premiere of THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL kicked off the tour with a bang! Director Darren Bousman, co-writer and star Terrance Zdunich, as well as stars Jessica Lowndes, Bill Moseley, Paul Sorvino, Dayton Callie, M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan, Sean Patrick Flanery, and more appeared on the red carpet at the Laemmle Royal Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. See below for some great photos of the premiere!

Actress Briana Evigan, Director Darren Bousman, and Co-Writer/Actor Terrance Zdunich

Actress Jessica Lowndes

 

Actor Paul Sorvino

 

Actor Sean Patrick Flanery

 

Co-writer and actor Terrence Zdunich and the sold out Laemmle Royal Theater!

Do you want to meet the stars and minds behind the new musical movie sensation, THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL, face-to-face? Now is your chance! THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL team recently confirmed the list of cast and crew appearing on each date of this exclusive road tour and are now revealing this list to the world!

The creators of the film, director Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich (Lucifer), are scheduled to appear at each tour stop and will be joined at several exclusive showings by numerous stars of the film. The stars will participate in meet & greets, Q&A forums, sing-a-longs, and more! See below for a list of the cast and crew currently confirmed to appear on the tour and stay tuned for more appearance confirmations for the remainder of the tour coming soon.

***Stars CONFIRMED to join THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL creators Darren Lynn Bousman and Terrance Zdunich on the tour are:

TUCSON, AZ

Marc Senter

EL PASO, TX

Hannah Minx

HOUSTON, TX

Hannah Minx

AUSTIN, TX

Hannah Minx

DALLAS, TX

Hannah Minx

NASHVILLE, TN

J LaRose

ATLANTA, GA

J LaRose

ORLANDO, FL

J LaRose

TAMPA, FL

Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch

CHARLOTTE, NC

Ivan Moody

RICHMOND, VA

Ivan Moody

J LaRose

PITTSBURGH, PA

Briana Evigan

BALTIMORE, MD

Briana Evigan

NEW YORK CITY, NY

Briana Evigan

CHICAGO, IL

Emilie Autumn

DES MOINES, IA

Emilie Autumn

M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan

KANSAS CITY, KS

Emilie Autumn

MORE BEING ADDED SOON!

***All celebrity special guests are confirmed on tour but are subject to cancellation due to professional commitments outside of THE DEVIL'S CARNIVAL'S control. Please visit our official Facebook page for tour news and updates: www.facebook.com/devilscarnival.

  

Buy your tickets NOW to experience the devilish insanity in person with your favorite actors and musicians. Keep in mind, THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL can only be seen on this exclusive tour, so you must attend a showing to witness the madness!

See below for all CONFIRMED cities and theaters showing THE DEVIL’S CARNIVAL and buy your tickets here: http://thedevilscarnivaltour.eventbrite.com/

4/9 – Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Loft Cinema

4/11 – El Paso, TX @ El Paso Starplex

4/12 – Austin, TX @ Alamo South Lamar

4/13 – Houston, TX @ Alamo Drafthouse

4/14 – Dallas, TX @ Lakewood Theater

4/17 – Nashville, TN @ The Nashville Limelight

4/18 – Atlanta, GA @ The Plaza Theater

4/19 – Orlando, FL @ The Premiere Cinema 14 (at Fashion Square Mall)

4/20 – Tampa, FL @ The Tampa Pitcher Show

4/21 - Charlotte, NC @ The Neighborhood Theater

4/22 – Richmond, VA @ The Byrd

4/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Hollywood Theater

4/25 – Baltimore, MD @ The Charles Theatre

4/26 – New York, NY @ Times Scare NYC

4/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Painted Bride

4/28 – South Hadley, MA @ The Tower Theater

4/29 – Boston, MA @ The Foxboro Theater

5/1 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Toronto Underground Theater

5/2 – Toledo, OH @ Collingwood Arts Center

5/3 – Chicago, IL @ The Music Box Theater

5/4 – Des Moines, IA @ The Fluer Cinema Cafe

5/5 – Kansas City, KS @ Leawood Cinema Theater

5/6 – Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater

5/7 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Tower Theater

5/9 – Seattle, WA @ The Admiral Theater

5/10 – Portland, OR @ The Clinton St. Theater

5/11 – Sacramento, CA @ The Colonial Theater