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Film Review: ‘We Are Never Alone’
21 minutes ago
The stereotype of Eastern European cinema — bleak, feel-bad drama barely leavened by caustic humor — rings true for the ironically titled “We Are Never Alone,” the fourth feature from Czech helmer-writer Petr Vaclav. Employing a fractured narrative and images that occasionally switch from black-and-white to color for no particular reason, this often grotesque, sometimes blackly comic tale follows the interconnected lives of some not particularly likable people struggling to survive in a small provincial outpost. Still, “Alone” was named best film in the Berlin Film Festival’s Forum program by the Tagesspiegel Readers’ Jury, and select fest play should follow.
The setting is a one-horse town surrounded by forest and divided by a two-lane road that is bordered by indistinguishable low-rise housing. The town’s main attractions seem to be a prison, a nightclub brothel and a mini-mart/gas station, and it’s populated by miserablist characters, only a few of whom are named, »
- Alissa Simon
Miss Colombia to Play Vin Diesel’s Love Interest in ‘xXx’ Sequel
1 hour ago
Ariadna Gutiérrez, the first runner-up in the Miss Universe contest last year, has been cast as Vin Diesel’s love interest in “xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.”
Gutierrez, who was Miss Colombia 2014, gained massive international recognition at the Miss Universe pageant when host Steve Harvey announced her as the winner by mistake — when it was actually Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who won. The movie, which has been shooting in Toronto and the Dominican Republic, will mark her feature film debut.
Paramount announced last week that it had set a Jan. 20, 2017, release date.
The film, produced by Revolution Studios, Roth Kirschenbaum Films and Diesel’s One Race Film, is directed by
D.J. Caruso (“I Am Number Four”) from a script by Chad St. John, with current revisions by F. Scott Frazier.
Diesel starred in the original 2002 “XXX,” directed by Rob Cohen, as underground sports star Xander Cage, who was blackmailed by the U. »
- Dave McNary
Josh Brolin and Miles Teller to Star in Firefighter Action Movie ‘No Exit’ (Exclusive)
1 hour ago
Josh Brolin and Miles Teller are set to star in the firefighter action movie “No Exit,” sources tell Variety.
“Tron: Legacy” helmer Joseph Kosinski is directing the pic, which tells the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters that faced one of the deadliest wildfires in history in order to save an Arizona town, resulting in the tragic death of 19 crew members.
Ken Nolan developed the story on spec with the producers.
Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam, Jeremy Steckler, Dawn Ostroff, Mike Menchel, Black Label Media’s Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill are producing the film. Black Label is financing.
No production start date has been set for the film.
In the past year, Brolin has appeared in “Everest,” “Sicario” (which was also a Black Label media production) and, most recently, the Coen brothers’ black comedy “Hail, Caesar!” He’s also just finished shooting »
- Justin Kroll
Film Review: ‘Lantouri’
1 hour ago
Unreeling with near-cyclonic force in a nonlinear style, “Lantouri” marks another ambitious examination of the churning frustrations of Iran’s disenfranchised younger generation from multihyphenate Reza Dormishian (“I’m Not Angry”). At its most basic level, this social drama is about lex talionis, the “eye for an eye” retaliation justice permitted by Islamic law, but it also references a whirlwind of themes, including Iran’s human-rights violations, the struggle for women’s’ rights, corruption and a host of other contempo issues; meanwhile, on a meta level, it examines point of view and unreliable storytelling. While a must-see for those wanting to take the pulse of what’s happening in Iran, the film is a tough watch, signaling that fest play will likely trump sales.
Purporting to be an invesetigation of a shocking crime, “Lantouri” feels stylistically inspired by Godardian jump cuts, Tom Tykwer’s “Run Lola Run” photo montages, and Kamran Shirdel’s singular masterpiece, »
- Alissa Simon
Vivendi Ups Takeover Bid for French Game Developer Gameloft, Faces Major Resistance
1 hour ago
Paris — Vincent Bollore’s Vivendi is facing a wall of resistance as it attempts to gain control of Gameloft, the Paris-based mobile gaming company which is the sister-banner of “Assassin’s Creed” maker Ubisoft.
After acquiring 30.01% of Gameloft on February 18, Vivendi made an unsolicited offer of 6 Euros per share to take over the company. That offer, deemed “hostile” by Gameloft, was unanimously rejected by its board yesterday. Vivendi then upped its bid to 7.20 Euros per share, valuing Gameloft at around 610 million Euros.
Dominated by Yves Guillemot and his four brothers who founded the company in 1999, Gameloft’s board has until March 3rd to pronounce itself on the new Vivendi offer. Meanwhile, Vivendi has also just upped its stake in Ubisoft to 15.66% and is reportedly targeting to take over the vidgame powerhouse which has created franchises such as “Assassin’s Creed,” “Splinter Cell,” “Just Dance” and “Raving Rabbids.”
Yves Guillemot, who »
- Elsa Keslassy
Alice Arlen, ‘Silkwood’ Screenwriter, Dies at 75
3 hours ago
Alice Arlen, who was Oscar nominated for co-writing “Silkwood” with Nora Ephron, died Monday in Manhattan. She was 75.
Mike Nichols directed the 1983 film that told the story of Karen Silkwood, a lab worker who was killed in a suspicious car crash on her way to meet a reporter. Meryl Streep played Silkwood, who was attempting to expose dangerous radiation levels at the nuclear plant where she worked.
Arlen, who came from a family of prominent journalists, began her career as a journalist. After “Silkwood,” she took on another film based on true events, Louis Malle’s “Alamo Bay.” It was the story of the conflict in the Gulf of Mexico between Vietnamese immigrants and Texas shrimp fishermen.
Arlen and Ephron also collaborated on Susan Seidelman’s 1989 “Cookie,” about the daughter of a Mafia boss, on which Arlen was executive producer. Her other screenplays included the 2002 film “The Weight of Water, »
- Pat Saperstein
Lionsgate, Hulu Buy Thomas Middleditch Comedy ‘Joshy’
3 hours ago
Lionsgate and Hulu have teamed to acquire North American rights to the dark comedy “Joshy,” starring Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, Alex Ross Perry, Nick Kroll, Brett Gelman and Jenny Slate.
The film, which premiered in January at Sundance, will be released on the Lionsgate Premiere label and will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu following its theatrical run.
“Silicon Valley” star Middleditch plays the title character in “Joshy,” which takes place after his fiance commits suicide. He decides to take advantage of his bachelor-party plans with the few friends still willing to join him, but his self-absorbed friends refuse to confront the elephant in the room and ask him how he’s feeling.
The cast also includes Lisa Edelstein, Lauren Weedman, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie and Paul Reiser.
Jeff Baena directed from his own script. Producers are Liz Destro, Michael Zakin and Pally. Executive producers are Starstream’s Kim Leadford »
- Dave McNary
Jim Clark, Oscar-Winning Editor of ‘The Killing Fields,’ Dies at 84
3 hours ago
Jim Clark, who won an Oscar for editing Roland Joffé’s “The Killing Fields” and was also nominated for his work on the director’s film “The Mission,” died in the U.K. on Feb. 25. He was 84 and had been ill for some time.
News of his death was announced by the Guild of British Film and TV Editors on Feb. 26.
His credits also include Stanley Donen’s “Charade” (1963); John Schlesinger’s “Darling” (1965), “The Day of the Locust” (1975) and “Marathon Man” (1976); Michael Apted’s “Agatha” (1979), “Nell” (1994) and Bond film “The World Is Not Enough”; Michael Caton-Jones’ “Memphis Belle” (1990) and “City by the Sea” (2002); and Mike Leigh’s “Vera Drake” (2004) and “Happy-Go-Lucky” (2008).
In addition to the Schlesinger films listed above, he did uncredited work on the director’s “Far From the Madding Crowd” and served as a creative consultant on the helmer’s 1969 classic “Midnight Cowboy.”
Clark received the American Cinema »
- Carmel Dagan
New ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Photos Go Behind the Scenes
3 hours ago
Marvel Studios has given a new look at its upcoming superhero movie “Captain America: Civil War,” releasing nine new official photos to Entertainment Weekly.
The superhero fiction franchise’s latest installment features Captain America (Chris Evans) and the Avengers as they continue to defend the world against evil. Governmental pressures to regulate superhuman activity arise, creating conflict within the alliance and dividing the Avengers into two opposing teams led by Captain America — who’s supporting a system free of government interference — and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) — who’s pushing for government oversight.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio, “Captain America: Civil War” actor Anthony Mackie called the upcoming action pic Marvel’s best movie.
“‘Winter Solider’ and ‘Iron Man’ 1 are probably Marvel’s two best movies. I feel like this one beats both of those movies,” said Mackie of Marvel’s latest installment. The actor also predicted that »
- Alyssa Sage
Michael Keaton’s McDonald’s Movie ‘The Founder’s’ Release Moved Up
4 hours ago
The Weinstein Company has moved up “The Founder,” starring Michael Keaton as the founder of the McDonald’s chain.
TWC, which acquired the film’s rights last year, has changed the release date from Nov. 25 to Aug. 4. The story, developed in the vein of “The Social Network,” will focus on how Ray Kroc — a milkshake dispensers salesman — created one of the most powerful brands in the world. Kroc began working for the McDonald brothers as a franchising agent in 1954, at the age of 51, and bought the chain for $2.7 million in 1961.
Part of the story will focus on Kroc meeting Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making food and saw franchise potential.
Nick Offerman, Linda Cardellini, Laura Dern, B.J. Novak and John Carroll Lynch also star in “The Founder.”
John Lee Hancock directed the »
- Dave McNary
Publicity Chief Liza Burnett Fefferman Leaves Radius-twc
5 hours ago
Executive vice president of publicity Liza Burnett Fefferman is leaving Radius-twc after four years at the boutique indie label.
Fefferman was the driving force behind the promotions of all Radius titles, and helped steer documentaries “20 Feet From Stardom” and “Citzenfour” to win at the Academy Awards. In an email message to colleagues, Fefferman did not say where she planned to work in the future.
“It has been great working with you, and I look forward to doing so again in my next endeavor,” Fefferman wrote. “More info. on that soon.”
The company behind acclaimed titles as “Snowpiercer,” “It Follows” and “The Hunting Ground” is in a transition phase. Last fall, co-founders Tom Quinn and Jason Janego left to form their own company. Radius functioned as an arm of the Weinstein Company, with the goal of debuting films across multiple platforms, as well as in theaters.
In an interview with Variety in November, »
- Brent Lang
Gil Hill, Eddie Murphy’s Boss in ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ Dies at 84
5 hours ago
Gil Hill, who played Eddie Murphy’s boss in the three “Beverly Hills Cop” films, died Feb. 17 in Detroit. He was 84.
Hill, who was an actual Detroit policeman, had been battling respiratory problems. “We are relieved that his passing was peaceful and painless,” his family said in a statement.
While scouting locations in Detroit for the film, director Martin Brest met Hill. The cop was tasked with showing the director around town. On a whim, Brest asked him to read some lines.
“Not only was [Hill] able to put out a lot of hot-tempered emotion but, in a subtle way, convey an underlying love, the kind a father would have for a son,” Brest said in a January 1985 interview with People magazine. “That’s difficult for a professional actor, and the fact that Gil was doing it just blew my mind. I thought, ‘Holy smoke, there could be something here.' »
- Jacob Bryant
Young Barack Obama Movie ‘Barry’ Casts Devvon Terrell
5 hours ago
Devon Terrell and Anya Taylor-Joy have been cast as the leads in the independent film “Barry,” which follows President Barack Obama as a college student in New York City.
Vikram Gandhi is directing the film which begins hooting at the end of March. Ghandi’s “Kumare” won the 2011 audience award at SXSW, and he’s currently a correspondent and producer for the HBO series “Vice.”
The screenplay was penned by novelist Adam Mansbach, who wrote “Go the F**k to Sleep.” The logline is under wraps.
“Barry” is being produced by Black Bear Pictures (“The Imitation Game,” “Gold” and “Suburbicon”) and Cinetic Media. Producers are Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman and Ben Stillman, Cinetic’s Dana O’Keefe, and Gandhi.
Terrell was discovered by Steve McQueen and cast as the lead in his HBO pilot “Codes of Conduct.”
Taylor-Joy is the lead in A24’s “The Witch.” She’s starring in “Morgan, »
- Dave McNary
Netflix Acquires Doc ‘Sky Ladder’ on Chinese Artist Cai Guo-Qiang (Exclusive)
6 hours ago
Netflix is in final negotiations to acquire worldwide streaming rights to the Sundance documentary “Sky Ladder,” about celebrated Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, Variety has learned.
The film, directed by Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “Life in a Day”), chronicles Cai’s life history and inspirations through his signature works of art involving gunpowder and explosives. The story focuses on Cai’s attempts to stage his most ambitious project to date: a fireworks display in the shape of a sprawling ladder, cast over his hometown in China.
“Sky Ladder” premiered in the world documentary category at Sundance, where it received strong reviews. The film pulls back the curtain on a well-known figure to international audiences, and Netflix — which is now available in 190 countries, after an aggressive expansion in January — has been on a buying spree for product that will appeal to viewers around the world.
At Sundance, Netflix also »
- Ramin Setoodeh
AFI Fest Announces 2016 Dates, Seeks Submissions
7 hours ago
The 30th annual AFI Fest will be held Nov. 10 to 17, promising to again be a launch pad/showcase for awards hopefuls, as well as an assembly of international films for movie lovers.
Starting Tuesday, the fest will accept submissions from filmmakers for documentary, experimental, feature, narrative and short films at AFI.com/Afifest or through Withoutabox.com. The official submission deadline is May 6 and July 15 is the final submission deadline. The fest’s early submission deadline for short films (under 30 minutes) and feature films is April 1. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI Fest as a qualifying festival for live-action and animated short films for the Oscars.
Last year, Paramount’s “The Big Short” had its world premiere at the fest; two years ago, WB’s “American Sniper” and Paramount’s “Selma” bowed. All three films won Oscars.
In addition, the November berth has proven a good showcase for eventual nominees. »
- Tim Gray
Brad Pitt, Disney Developing Immigrant Doctor Movie ‘Dr. Q’
8 hours ago
Disney and Brad Pitt’s Plan B are developing “Dr. Q” — a movie based on the life story of an illegal immigrant who became the head of brain tumor surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Matt Lopez, whose credits include the Civil War play “The Whipping Man,” has been tapped to write the screenplay about Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa. Plan B, which is run by Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, began working on the project in 2007 when execs heard about Quinones-Hinajosa on the radio.
Quinones-Hinojosa crossed into the United States from Mexico in the late 1980s when he was 19 and began working on farms in California. He started his education at San Joaquin Delta College and completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley. He then received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and became a U.S. citizen.
He is currently a professor of neurosurgery and oncology at Johns Hopkins, »
- Dave McNary
Jeffrey Katzenberg Fantasizes About Merging DreamWorks Animation With Paramount
8 hours ago
DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg told investors he isn’t interested in buying a minority stake in Paramount Pictures, but he sounded pretty attracted to the prospect of one day merging the two studios.
“I could imagine that with a good financial partner coming with us, putting the assets of Paramount and DreamWorks together could be extremely valuable and we could bring a lot to that business,” said Katzenberg.
At this juncture, Viacom, Paramount’s parent company, has only said it will bring in an equity partner, but that didn’t stop Katzenberg from hinting to the crowd at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Tuesday, that he’s game to buy the company outright if someone else wants to join him.
He noted that he hadn’t looked under the hood of the company or spent a great deal of time thinking about such a union, but »
- Brent Lang
Sidney Kimmel Lands Film Rights to Sara Pennypacker’s ‘Pax’ (Exclusive)
8 hours ago
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment has secured film rights to Sara Pennypacker’s critically acclaimed, New York Times bestseller “Pax.”
Ske prevailed over several other companies in a highly competitive bidding race. It will develop and finance “Pax.” Ske President John Penotti and President of Production Carla Hacken made the announcement this morning.
Meaning “peace” in Latin, “Pax” tells the story of a boy separated from his pet fox, and their independent struggles to return to each other in the face of a devastating war.
Pennypacker is the author of 20 children’s books that have received numerous awards and honors, and is best known for her New York Times bestselling series “Clementine.”
Pennypacker was moved by reports of children injured, displaced and orphaned by wars around the globe and was inspired to write a novel that explores the costs of war, especially to children, through the eyes of a boy and his pet fox. »
- Justin Kroll
Film Review: ‘Shelley’
9 hours ago
A young Romanian housekeeper agrees to be a surrogate mother for her employers, a wealthy Danish couple living off the grid, only to get more than she bargains for in “Shelley,” an underdeveloped psychological horror exercise in which nothing adds up. A sinisterly picturesque location at the edge of a lake in an isolated forest supplies atmosphere aplenty, but that seems to be the only string on the bow of Danish helmer Ali Abbasi’s debut, and he plucks it repeatedly to diminishing returns. Home formats are where most viewers will likely encounter this unsatisfying item.
Practical-minded economic migrant Elena (Cosmina Stratan, who nabbed a Cannes best actress kudo for Cristian Mungiu’s “Beyond the Hills”) is working outside her homeland in order to more quickly accumulate the money she needs to buy an apartment back home. Meanwhile, her much-missed young son remains with her parents in Bucharest.
For reasons never specified, »
- Alissa Simon
Kyle Davies Leaving Relativity to Head Distribution at Paramount (Exclusive)
9 hours ago
Kyle Davies is nearing a deal to become Paramount’s head of distribution, Variety has learned.
No deal is signed yet, but one is expected. The veteran executive was serving as worldwide distribution president at Relativity and EuropaCorp’s distribution and marketing joint venture. He has been with Relativity since 2010, joining the studio when it acquired Overture Films’ marketing and distribution assets. Greg Forston will take over at Relativity and EuropaCorp’s distribution joint venture. He also joined the company as part of the Overture purchase.
Davies was under contract at Relativity and EuropaCorp, but Relativity chief Ryan Kavanaugh and EuropaCorp head Luc Besson both agreed to let him out of his pact, recognizing that positions like this at major studios rarely open up. Discussions about a possible move had taken place over six months.
Sources indicate that other executives outside of the company jockeyed for the post at the distribution joint venture, »
- Brent Lang and Dave McNary
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