GNOOZ

'Avengers' outguns 'Battleship' at box offices

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 02:13 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - New action movie "Battleship" collided with Iron Man, The Hulk and the rest of "The Avengers" this weekend at movie theater box offices, and the super heroes came out on top. "Avengers" from Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios added an estimated $55.1 million to its U.S. and Canadian ticket sales and held the No. 1 box office spot for the third straight weekend, according to studio forecasts on Sunday. The strong performance left big-budget "Battleship," which launched in theaters on Friday, drifting in second place with $25.3 million. ...

Cannes director Haneke faces death in moving "Love"

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:53 PM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - It is a subject rarely tackled in cinema, but Austria's Michael Haneke forces us to confront the reality that will befall us all - the end of life - in "Love", his beautiful and devastating film at Cannes. The French-language feature "Amour" follows an elderly married couple, former music teachers, who are enjoying a comfortable retirement in Paris before Anne, played by Emmanuelle Riva, suffers a stroke. "It's a very powerful film and it's a very sober film. ...

Danish child abuse film shocks Cannes crowds

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 08:37 AM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - Danish director Thomas Vinterberg burst on to the scene in Cannes in 1998 with the acclaimed "Festen", and critics say he is close to his best again this year with "The Hunt", a shocking take on child abuse and its impact on a small community. Unlike some movies on the same theme, The Hunt leaves no doubt as to the main character's innocence. Lucas, played by Danish star Mads Mikkelsen, is a nursery school teacher adored by the children and an integral part of a closely-knit circle of friends. ...

Tough times for small U.S. films despite bumper Cannes

Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012 07:39 AM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - In a bumper year for U.S. productions in Cannes, director John Hillcoat, presenting prohibition-era drama "Lawless" at the film festival on Saturday, said the state of smaller-budget American movies was "distressing". Lawless is in fact an international production - Hillcoat and two of his leading cast are Australian, as is scriptwriter and musician Nick Cave. But the 1930s tale of three bootlegging brothers in Virginia also features leading U.S. actors Jessica Chastain and Shia LaBeouf and is backed by the Weinstein Company. It is one of five U.S. ...

"Battleship" bomb may hit studio's profits: analysts

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 03:15 PM

(Reuters) - "Battleship," Universal Picture's big budget science fiction film, is likely to dent the studio's profits after it opened with lower than forecast ticket sales, according to analysts. The film, which Comcast unit Universal has said cost $209 million to produce, generated $23.4 million in ticket sales at theaters in the U.S. and Canada during its opening weekend, according to figures compiled by Hollywood.com. It had been projected by tracking services used by Hollywood studios to have ticket sales of between $35 million and $40 million. ...

Joke on Europe as Madagascar sequel comes to Cannes

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 09:58 AM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - The joke is on Europe, and in particular France, with the third animated "Madagascar" adventure, which has its world premiere at the Cannes film festival on Friday bringing big names in comedy to the red carpet. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", from DreamWorks Animation, is the first installment in the franchise to be shot in 3D, and studio bosses will be hoping it can match the box office magic of its predecessors. ...

Exploitation, loneliness in sex tourism film at Cannes

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 11:40 AM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - Just who exploits and who is exploited in the sex tourism industry is the question asked in director Ulrich Seidl's "Paradise Love", a powerful and unsettling exploration of female loneliness and economic imbalance in Africa. Called "Paradies: Liebe", the German-language movie is in competition at the Cannes film festival and had its world premiere on Friday. The Austrian director chose as his subject white European women in their 50s who go on holiday in Kenya where they meet so-called "Beach Boys," young men who become their lovers. ...

Reality TV, celebrity obsession hit Cannes screens

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 07:27 AM

CANNES (Reuters) - Obsession with celebrity is the focus of Italian director Matteo Garrone's new movie "Reality" at the Cannes film festival, one of two pictures in the lineup exploring the corrosive power of instant fame and the desire to be watched. Garrone is best known for his last film, the gritty "Gomorrah" about a Naples crime syndicate. But with "Reality" he switches gears, creating a modern day fairy tale whose protagonist's soul is slowly and inexorably eroded by the lure of fame. ...

"Avengers" may sink "Battleship's" U.S. launch

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 08:44 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The big-budget action film "Battleship", produced by Comcast's Universal Pictures, is shaping up to become the next film to fall victim to "The Avengers'" record box office march. Universal's new sci-fi blockbuster, which opens on May 18 in 3,690 U.S. and Canadian theaters, is projected to rake in ticket sales of $35 million to $40 million over its first weekend, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Hollywood.com's box office division. "The Avengers," which had ticket sales of $395. ...

Mila Kunis stalker enters not guilty plea

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 06:50 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A 27 year-old man pleaded not guilty on Friday to stalking "Black Swan" actress Mila Kunis at her gym despite a previous court order to stay away. Stuart Lynn Dunn could face up to four years in prison if convicted of stalking Kunis and violating a previous restraining order. Dunn was first arrested in January when he broke into a vacant apartment owned by Kunis in West Hollywood. He pleaded no contest was told to stay away from the actress. But he was arrested again in May after showing up for three days at a gym to try and make contact with her, police said. ...

"Hysteria" is a feel-good victorian vibrator comedy

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 06:48 PM

(Some sexual content throughout) LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Hysteria" is a fun fling of a movie about medical science at its shakiest. Literally. This amusing period comedy chronicles the invention of the vibrator in the late Victorian era, when doctors used early versions of the electrical device to bring women to sexual satisfaction. This was done in the name of treating women thought to be suffering from "hysteria," a vague diagnostic catch-all that covered pretty much all female complaints from melancholia to mania. ...

"What to Expect" no better than pickles and ice cream

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 06:47 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - It's said that the only reason women are capable of giving birth more than once is that they forget about the pains of labor once it's all over. Here's hoping that audiences unfortunate enough to see "What to Expect When You're Expecting" undergo a similar bout of amnesia. This insipid comedy uses the best-selling pregnancy guide as a jumping-off point for multiple overlapping storylines, almost all of them banal, trite and hackneyed. ...

Relativity acquires Liam Hemsworth thriller "Paranoia"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 07:31 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Relativity Media has acquired domestic rights to "Paranoia" starring Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford and Lucas Till. IM Global is handling international rights for the thriller, which stars Hemsworth as a blue-collar worker trying to move up the ladder at Wyatt Telecom. His boss catches him committing a crime, and Adam must spy on the competition to keep his secret. Jason Dean Hall penned the script based on the novel by Joseph Finder. ...

Review: sheer adrenaline keeps "Battleship" afloat

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 06:46 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - As a defender of the 1985 comedy "Clue," I can't automatically reject the idea of basing a feature film on a board game. But the game Clue comes with characters and a plot and a house. Battleship comes with a grid and boats and pegs. All those things turn up in "Battleship," a big, loud, stupid Hollywood movie that winds up looking all the better by virtue of not being as elephantine and deafening and moronic as a Michael Bay "Transformers" adventure. ...

Peter Berg discusses bringing "Battleship" to film

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:36 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Peter Berg parlayed successful acting work on TV shows like medical drama "Chicago Hope" to an even greater directing career of movies such as "Friday Night Lights," which later became a TV series, and the Will Smith action flick "Hancock." On Friday, Berg's latest film, alien-invasion actioner "Battleship," steams into theaters. It takes its title from the Hasbro board game in which two players engage in a guessing game to see who can sink the other's naval ships. ...

Philip Roth's "American Pastoral" to be movie

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 02:13 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Philip Roth's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "American Pastoral" will be made into a movie from director Fisher Stevens. The book is one of Roth's most critically heralded and offers a look at the social upheavals of the 1960s and 70s as seen through the eyes of a once legendary high school athlete, Seymour "Swede" Levov. "American Pastoral" helped kick off a career renaissance for the author and is the first novel in Roth's American postwar trilogy - a grouping that also includes "I Married a Communist" and "The Human Stain. ...

UCLA Film Festival honors "Hugo" and "Walking Dead" makers

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:49 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "The Walking Dead" producer Gale Anne Hurd and "Hugo" screenwriter John Logan are among those who will be honored at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Film Festival this year. Hurd and Logan will be joined by fellow honoree Julie Dash, director of "Daughters of the Dust" and "The Rosa Parks Story." Dash, a UCLA MFA '85 graduate, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award during the festival's opening night on June 8 at the James Bridges Theater. ...

Sorkin says Jobs movie won't be straight biography

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 06:10 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin hasn't yet figured out how to put the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on the silver screen, but he is certain it's not going to be a straightforward biography. Sorkin, who won an Oscar for his screenplay of Facebook film "The Social Network" and created TV drama "The West Wing", said on Thursday he would be looking for an element of tension or an obstacle in Job's life on which to hang the movie. ...

Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine reunite in "Wild Oats"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:48 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Jack Black must have really enjoyed working with Shirley MacLaine on the recent indie comedy "Bernie," because he's already planning a cinematic reunion with his brassy co-star. The "School of Rock" funnyman is in talks to join MacLaine in "Wild Oats" for director Howard Deutch ("Pretty in Pink"). The film's cast also includes Jacki Weaver, who earned an Oscar nomination for her villainous turn in "Animal Kingdom," and Academy Award winner Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine"). "Wild Oats" is billed as a cross between "Sideways" and "Thelma and Louise. ...

Andy Garcia joins Anchor Bay for "Admissions"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:39 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Anchor Bay Film has partnered with Andy Garcia's CineSon productions for the upcoming romantic comedy "Admissions." Garcia and Vera Farmiga will star as two strangers who develop an extraordinary relationship in the course of a day. Farmiga portrays Edith, a mom accompanying her daughter on a college tour, while Garcia is George, joining his son on the same tour. Anchor Bay and CineSon released "City Island," which Garcia starred in and produced. ...

Cannes festival opens with quirky comedy and a camel

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11:56 AM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - The Cannes film festival kicked off on Wednesday with quirky U.S. comedy "Moonrise Kingdom", Wes Anderson's exploration of childhood and young love centered around two 12-year-olds who fall in love and run away together. The touching tale, set in 1965 on an island off the coast of New England, was a popular opening movie in the French Riviera resort, drawing laughs and warm applause at a press screening ahead of the official evening world premiere. ...

Philip Seymour Hoffman to star in "A Most Wanted Man"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 04:39 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Philip Seymour Hoffman will star in a film adaption of John Le Carre's "A Most Wanted Man." The Oscar winner and Tony nominee will play the leader of a covert Germany spy group looking into the case of Issa, a tortured part-Chechen, part-Russian with a claim to his family's fortune. While a series of people, including a banker and a female lawyer, try to help Issa, assorted intelligence agencies begin to dig into his true identity. Hoffman is currently performing on Broadway in "Death of a Salesman. ...

Jane Lynch to Republicans: "Money To be Made in Gay Marriage"

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 02:14 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Jane Lynch has a message for Republicans and it's all about dollars and cents. On "The Rachel Maddow Show" Wednesday night, the "Glee" star said that the GOP should embrace gay marriage, as President Barack Obama did last week, not just because she believes it's the right thing to do, but because it offers an economic opportunity. ...

Second Travolta accuser drops suit, hires celebrity attorney

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012 02:45 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The second masseur who accused John Travolta of sexual battery dropped his lawsuit against the Hollywood star on Thursday and hired celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who said she may file a new complaint in a different court. Allred now represents the Atlanta-based man, known as John Doe No. 2, as well as the original Travolta sexual battery accuser, a Texas masseur known as John Doe No. 1. "We believe that the lawsuit should be filed in another court and, therefore, the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice," Allred said in a statement. ...

Michael Rapaport to star in "My Man Is A Loser"

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 06:57 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Michael Rapaport will star with Bryan Callen of "The Hangover" in "My Man is a Loser." The comedy, written and directed by Mike Young, starts production this June in New York. It follows two married man who try to be better husbands by using their "playboy buddy." Of course, those attempts backfire. David Goldin and Eric Bamberger of Step One of Many Entertainment are producing with Michael Becker of Imprint Entertainment. Imprint recently acquired a biography of Pam Grier to adapt and is in post-production on "Pawn," starring Forest Whitaker and Ray Liotta. ...

"Prometheus" writer teases possible sequels

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 06:57 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - There is a thick veil of secrecy surrounding "Prometheus," but co-writer Damon Lindelof hinted to fans this week that the upcoming science-fiction chiller may lead to sequels. The indication that more deep-space terrors could await even after the final credits roll on the film came during a studio-sponsored question-and-answer session on Twitter Wednesday. In response to a question about a possible "Prometheus" franchise, Lindelof replied, "If you like it and want more, there is TOTALLY a design for this story to continue in cool and unexpected ways. ...

SXSW hit "See Girl Run" gets North American distribution

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 07:18 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Phase 4 Films has acquired the North American rights to "See Girl Run," the romantic drama starring Adam Scott and Robin Tunney. The film made its debut at South by Southwest and will be released in theaters and on VOD later this year. Tunney stars as a 30-something who becomes preoccupied with missed opportunities and unaccomplished dreams. She decides to revisit past relationships to try and enlighten her life. Nate Meyer wrote and directed the film. ...

Stealth Media Group co-producing "The Devil's Banker"

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 03:59 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Stealth Media Group will co-produce the thriller "The Devil's Banker," the London-based company said at the Cannes Film Festival. Stealth will also structure financing, as well as package and sell the $30 million film to international buyers. "The Devil's Banker" depicts a political scandal that involves both the Mafia and the Catholic Church. These powerful institutions cause headaches for a British police Inspector investigating a murder in Rome. ...

Joel Edgerton writing and starring in "Felony"

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 03:58 PM

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The Aussie up-and-comer is taking matters into his own hands by writing "Felony," a new thriller in which he will also take a starring role. Edgerton isn't a household name on this continent yet, but he's racked up some high profile roles since his acclaimed turn in last year's "Warrior." He will be seen opposite Jennifer Garner in this summer's family drama "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," and will appear with Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in "The Great Gatsby," which hits theaters later this year. ...

FilmDistrict acquires horror film "Oculus"

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 04:48 PM

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Do you believe in haunted mirrors? Film District will try to make you. The financing and distribution company has acquired Intrepid Pictures' horror flick "Oculus," which is based on Mike Flanagan's short film of the same name. Flanagan will direct from a script he co-wrote with Jeff Howard with production starting later this summer. Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans will both produce and finance the project. Focus Features International is shopping its international rights at Cannes. ...

Cannes 2012: upcoming highlights May 21-27

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 12:42 PM

Screenings, awards, galas, special tributes: key events scheduled at the 6th Cannes Film Festival from May 21 to 27.

Feminist group protest at Cannes premiere

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 02:32 PM

A French feminist group upset about the lack of female directors at this year's Cannes Film Festival is protesting on the red carpet.

Dancing With The Stars Alum Shannon Elizabeth Reveals Her Pick For Season 14 Champ

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 02:00 PM

Shannon Elizabeth has an eye for dancing - the "American Reunion" actress partnered with three-time "Dancing with the Stars" champion Derek Hough for the show's sixth season.

Gerard Butler messing about on boats in Cannes

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 02:08 PM

Gerard Butler is at the Cannes Film Festival, but he's avoiding the famous red-carpeted stairs.

'Avengers' sinks 'Battleship" to remain No. 1

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 01:47 PM

"The Avengers" continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival "Battleship" and other new releases.

'Coal Miner's Daughter' Lynn married at 15, not 13

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 01:44 PM

Country music legend Loretta Lynn is three years older than she has led people to believe, an age change that undermines the story she told of being married at 13 in "Coal Miner's Daughter," documents obtained by The Associated Press show.

Cannes director Haneke faces death in moving "Love"

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:53 PM

CANNES, France (Reuters) - It is a subject rarely tackled in cinema, but Austria's Michael Haneke forces us to confront the reality that will befall us all - the end of life - in "Love", his beautiful and devastating film at Cannes. The French-language feature "Amour" follows an elderly married couple, former music teachers, who are enjoying a comfortable retirement in Paris before Anne, played by Emmanuelle Riva, suffers a stroke. "It's a very powerful film and it's a very sober film. ...

Denmark's Vinterberg brings 'The Hunt' to Cannes

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 11:40 AM

Thomas Vinterberg is aware his new movie, "The Hunt," may touch a raw nerve. Several, in fact.

Yahoo launches Movieland game for summer films

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 10:49 AM

In anticipation of the blockbuster releases this summer with a cinematic hit each week, Yahoo will launch Movieland, an interactive online game including 35 of the upcoming films.

In the shadows of art, Cannes' market flourishes

Published: Sunday, May 20, 2012 10:46 AM

The movie market at Cannes is such a dramatic sideshow that this year it's getting its own film.