Publicists award to David Stapf

Hollywood publicists have selected David Stapf, leader of CBS Television Galleries, to get the tv Showman of the season award. Kudo will be provided in the 49th annual Publicists Honours Lunch in the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February. 24. The publicists are area of the Intl. Cinematographers Guild. The Wednesday announcement from ICG leader Steven Poster and honours committee chairman Henri Bollinger noted that Stapf, an old publicist, was named to his present position in 2004. He runs all the studio's program development and production for series and tv movies for that broadcast, fundamental cable and premium funnel marketplaces. Stapf became a member of CBS in 1999 following stints at Warner Bros. Television and Embassy Television. "The truth that David Stapf started his career like a publicist clearly validates his appreciation of the significance of publicity within the ultimate success of entertainment items," Bollinger stated. "His background in publicity and also the inordinate success he's loved as leader of CBS Television Galleries makes him distinctively capable of receive this recognition." Last Century Fox Television chairs Gary Newman and Dana Walden were the newest readers from the award. Other recent those who win have incorporated Chuck Lorrie, Peter Roth, Nina Tassler, Jerry Bruckheimer and Aaron Sorkin. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Christian Bale passes on 'Noah' Fassbender in?

FassbenderBaleChristian Bale has happened on Darren Aronofsky's "Noah," as well as the filmmaker is becoming concentrating on Michael Fassbender for your title role in Vital and New Regency's spiritual epic.While Fassbender hasn't received the state offer, sources tell Variety he's spoken concerning the spend Aronofsky. Fassbender finds themselves presently available that WB's "Londongrad" has postponed carrying out a departure of helmer Rupert Wyatt, whom Fassbender was keen to make use of.Aronofsky and Ari Handel written the first script, which was subsequently rewritten by "Gladiator" scribe John Logan. Aronofsky is creating with Scott Franklin ("Black Swan").Vital has elevated levels of belief-based project due to its global appeal, and production is predicted to start in the year.Fassbender, repped by CAA and Troika, is amongst the looked for-after stars in Hollywood due to his well-received turns in four films this year -- "Jane Eyre," "X-Males: Top Quality,In . "A Dangerous Method" and "Shame," the NC-17 drama that he's garnering honours attention. However, unlike most stars, the picky Fassbender doesn't attach themselves to numerous projects. He's supporting roles in Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire" and Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" coming, nevertheless the only other project he's dedicated to is "Twelve Years a Slave," which will reunite Fassbender along with his "Hunger" and "Shame" helmer Steve McQueen.Bale just wrapped Christopher Nolan's last Batman pic "The Dark Dark evening Increases" which is set to star in some Terrence Malick films, "Lawless" and "Dark evening of Cups." Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

Fishing pic lures scribe

RobinsonJen Robinson has been brought onboard to pen the untitled fishing movie for Gil Netter and FLW Outdoors, the sanctioning org for many sports-fishing tournament tours. Netter will produce and help develop the project with FLW principals Irwin Jacobs and Trisha Blake. Plot details were not revealed. Besides the movie, Irwin Jacobs and his daughter Trisha are also behind the Walmart FLW Tour and are hoping to help build the popularity of professional angling. "This movie will have all of the elements that represent great family entertainment. We see a real demand in today's society for clean family fun, and the sport of fishing represents exactly that," Irwin Jacobs said. Robinson penned the scripts for "Flicka 2" and "Flicka 3" for Netter at Fox. She is repped by ICM and Magnet Management. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Heavy D Appreciated By Diddy, Leader Obama at Memorial

Stylish-hop star Heavy D was appreciated through laughter and tears inside a memorial Friday within the home town of Mount Vernon, N.Y. that incorporated anecdotes from longtime friend Diddy and words of encouragement for his youthful daughter, shipped in the letter from Leader Obama.our editor recommendsHeavy D's 'Now That Individuals Found Love' Elevated in the accurate Billboard ChartsHeavy D Dies: 5 Things to learn about the Rapper-ActorHeavy D Autopsy Results Not proven, Pending Toxicology ReportsHeavy D's Funeral Searching For November. 18 PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths "We extend our sincere condolences as of this difficult time. He'll be appreciated for his infectious optimism and many contributions to American music. Please understand that your loved ones are available in our ideas and hopes," see the Obama note, in line with the Rev. Al Sharpton, who reported out of this through the service. Xea Myers, Heavy D's 11-year-old daughter, told everyone else that her father was "still here, not inside the flesh, in the spirit." Heavy D, whose real title was Dwight Myers, was influential in the development of rap since it elevated into phenomenon inside the late eighties and also the 19 nineties. STORY: Rapper Heavy D Dies at 44 His hits incorporated "Since We've Found Love" and "Nuttin' But Love" lots of his music marked the "New Jack Swing" era in urban music, which he separated itself within the pack along with his rhymes, typified by an positive vibe together with a lightheartedness that endeared him to numerous. Sophistication Baptist Chapel am crowded the overflow area was setup. Among people attending were Usher, Full Latifah, Don King, Q-Tip, John Legend and Rosie Perez. A wake held on Thursday attracted famous pals including Chris Rock, Flavor Flav and Russell Simmons. VIDEO: Heavy D's Friend and Friend, Russell Simmons Recalls the Rapper Heavy D died the other day in La at 44. His family mentioned the dying was due to complications from pneumonia. The self-introduced "Overweight Lover" was produced in Jamaica but reared in Mount Vernon, N.Y., where the service happened. He named the city "Money Earnin' Mount Vernon," plus it appeared to become home of Sean "Diddy" Hair hair combs. Through jokes, Hair hair combs spoken about how precisely Heavy D aided supply him with his begin without anyone's knowledge music business, and the way their decades-extended friendship ongoing until Heavy D's dying. Singer Johnny Gill was tearful, saying: "Want to tell Heavy: Nice job.Inch He later gave a effective rendition the gospel hit "Never May Have Handled To Obtain.Inch Related Subjects Obama Sean "Diddy" Hair hair combs Heavy D

Rami Malek Talks 'Twilight,' Teases Paul Thomas Anderson Collaboration

Rami Malek has it good. He'll let you know so, much like he told MTV News around the red-colored carpet for "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part 1." Apart from dealing with play a vampire within the most widely used film franchises ever, on the set that's full of beautiful women, believe it or not, Malek shared he reached perform a a bit more. "I am lucky," he stated. "It's among the perks to be on the movie such as this. You awaken, show on set and hug beautiful women all day long lengthy. Derive it." Even though Malek's character Benjamin, a vampire from an Egyptian coven, does not appear before the other half of these two-part finale, the actor was still being wanting to celebrate the very first half's launch. He told MTV News that starring in "Twilight" switched to be beyond anything he was ever expecting. "Finding yourself in movies generally is excellent, because I can not read," he joked. "Browse around. It does not have any bigger or splashier than this, fans who camping out for the days on finish. That's pretty devoted in my experience.Inch Malek was, however, less forthcoming if this found particulars about his character. He continued to be tight-lipped on Benjamin and the forces, but spoke highly of his co-star, Angela Sarafyan, who plays his character's mate, Tia. "She's an attractive youthful factor, very gifted. I acquired privilege. Like I only say, wake up and check out these gals every single day, it is a good existence." On the top famous this, Malek lately arrived a job within the next, yet-to-be-entitled film by "You Will See Bloodstream" director, Paul Thomas Anderson. He plays the boy-in-law of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's religious leader character. Based on Malek, the expertise of dealing with an auteur like Anderson continues to be "staggering." "It had been among the best encounters of my existence," he stated. Which was all he was prepared to reveal, but guaranteed the mysterious film could be "great.Inch Are you currently searching toward Paul Thomas Anderson's next film? Tell us within the comments below as well as on Twitter!

Studios hope early releases have kudos traction

'Midnight in Paris''Win Win'In Hollywood, awards season has become fixed on the calendar, starting with the late summer and early fall festivals in Venice, Toronto and Telluride and running through to the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.But despite the kudos industry's focus on autumn, there are good films and performances that are seen and acknowledged the other eight months of the year. They all have unique challenges as they battle for attention with the late bloomers.Among this year's crop of awards movies and perfs looking to buck the seasonal odds are a pair of Fox Searchlight releases -- the March-debuting "Win Win" and May's "The Tree of Life" -- as well as the latest Woody Allen pic, "Midnight in Paris," which first hit theaters over the summer. There's also "The Help," which was released in August and has been receiving tons of positive awards buzz.All of these films come from directors and performers with plenty of awards pedigree. "Win Win" lead Paul Giamatti has a previous supporting actor nomination, as does writer-director Tom McCarthy. Allen, of course, has a bountiful number of noms and wins to his credit, and "Tree of Life" boasts heavyweights such as Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and writer-director Terrence Malick. All three films played at major festivals -- Sundance for "Win Win" and Cannes for "Tree of Life" and "Midnight."In the case of "Midnight," Sony Pictures Classics decided an early release was better for the film's awards chances for a number of reasons."We thought we would face less of a challenge to be considered for awards if we opened early," explains co-prexy Michael Barker. "At the end of the year, there are so many films being considered for awards that your film is fighting for attention, fighting to be seen. If you're not in the top 12 or 15 or even the top 10, it's too difficult to be seen."Instead of fighting for a fall slot, "Midnight" was intentionally opened opposite "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.""Often that really works for films to be considered for awards," Barker says. "It becomes something to be compared against."The approach deviated significantly from the release pattern for Allen's previous film, last year's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger." That film also played at Cannes, but Sony Pictures Classics took the more conventional approach and released it in September. With "Midnight," however, the studio saw a chance to make a good early impression that could last into the fall awards season, a premise strengthened by the solid reaction to the film and its impressive $55 million in box office receipts."There are pictures where it makes sense not to open in such a competitive time period," says Barker. "The notice you'll get earlier will stay in people's minds over time."Robert Marich, author of "Marketing to Moviegoers," says awards marketing is all about momentum and always difficult to predict. While most box office release strategies are based around the idea of making the most money, awards are an area where the usual logic does not always apply."Studios have deep pockets. They are the 900-lb. gorilla in the room," he says. "They will do things for non-economic reasons."Sony Pictures Classics' strategy is to keep "Midnight" in theaters as long as possible, send out DVDs and host screenings with the cast and producers and wage a moderate ad campaign."This is not the movie you do a lot of overkill on ads," says Barker. "You have to trust in the movie in a way."AWARD SEASON TALENT PREVIEWSupporting vs. lede debate an annual discussion | Ingenues have tradition of landing lead actress nom | Studios hope early releases have kudos traction | Motion capture perfs under review Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

New Movie Reviews: 'J. Edgar,' 'Jack and Jill,' 'Immortals,' 'Melancholia' Hitting Theaters

Moviegoers have a bounty of options at the box office this weekend, including Clint Eastwood's awards contender J. Edgar, the Adam Sandler cross-dressing comedy Jack and Jill, the Greek gods actioner Immortals and Melancholia, featuring an award-winning performance fromKirsten Dunst.our editor recommendsBox Office Report: Clint Eastwood's 'J. Edgar' Grosses $53,000 From 7 Cities'J. Edgar': What the Critics Are SayingLeonardo DiCaprio Talks J. Edgar Hoover's Homosexuality; Slashed Fee 90 Percent for Clint Eastwood'Immortals'' Mickey Rourke Blasts Marvel Over 'Iron Man 2'Inside the 'Immortals' Premiere: Director Tarsem Laments '300' Comparisons'London Boulevard': Keira Knightley Admits Feelings for Colin Farrell in New Clip (Video)Best Actress Kirsten Dunst Thanks Cannes for Allowing Lars von Trier's 'Melancholia' 'To Still Be in Competition' (Cannes 2011)British Distributor of Lars Von Trier's 'Melancholia' to Go Ahead With Release PlansCANNES Q&A: 'The Conquest' Director Xavier Durringer'Elite Squad 2' Is Brazil's Highest-Grossing Domestic FilmSundance Selects Picks Up Werner Herzog's 'Into the Abyss' J. Edgar, which had its world premiere Wednesday at the 25th annual AFI Fest at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, stars Leonardo DiCaprio as legendary FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. The movie, a collaboration between Eastwood and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, also stars Naomi Watts and Armie Hammer. The biopic opened first in select markets before its nationwide expansion Friday. PHOTOS: 'J. Edgar' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals Meanwhile, Sandler plays both title characters in Jack and Jill, in which Jack's perfect life turns nightmare when his twin sister, Jill, comes for a visit. Katie Holmes plays Sandler's wife, and Al Pacino appears as himself, as Richard III and as Don Quixote. The movie is directed by Dennis Dugan and co-written by Sandler and Steve Koren. Director Tarsem Singh's Greek god mythology film Immortals boasts visual effects reminiscent of300 (it's also from the same producers). Henry Cavill -- the British actor who was tapped to play Superman in 300 director Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel -- stars as Theseus, a peasant man defending the world from the evil King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke). Freida Pinto plays the goddess Sybelline Oracle Phaedra. PHOTOS: 'Immortals' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals In other new releases, moviegoers will get their first look atLars von Trier's Melancholia. Dunst, who plays a depressive whose wedding must compete with the end of the world,was named best actressat the 64th Cannes Film Festival in May for her performance. Von Trier made more headlines than Dunst at the May festival after hejokingly boastedof being a Nazi at the press conference following the movie's screening. And Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan makes his directing debut with London Boulevard. The movie, a mix of 1960s Brit gangster-movie flourish and 1940s Hollywood noir, stars Colin Farrell as an ex-con trying to go straight who gets pulled back into the criminal underworld. Keira Knightley plays his love interest. VIDEO: Clint Eastwood's 'J. Edgar' Trailer Premieres Read what The Hollywood Reporter'sfilm critics have to say about all the films opening this weekend, and find out how they are expected to perform at the box office. J. Edgar Written by Dustin Lance Black, the Warner Bros. film features Armie Hammer, Judi Dench and Naomi Watts as the historic FBI Boss' closest companions. Click here to read Todd McCarthy's review. THR COVER STORY:Leonardo DiCaprio Talks J. Edgar Hoover's Homosexuality; Slashed Fee 90 Percent for Clint Eastwood Immortals Henry Cavill stars as a Theseus, a peasant tasked with defending the world from the evil King Hyperion in Tarsem Singh's Greek God epic. Click here to read Todd McCarthy's review. Jack and Jill Adam Sandler stars as Jack, whose life is turned upside down when his twin sister, Jill (also played by Sandler), comes for a visit. Click here to read David Rooney's review. Melancholia The Danish director's brooding contemplation of the planet's demise is a bit of a bore, writes Todd McCarthy. Click here to read Todd McCarthy's review. VIDEO: Adam Sandler's 'Jack and Jill' Trailer Hits the Web London Boulevard Irish crime writer Ken Bruen has a stylish line in mean-streets poetry that Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan sashays winningly into "London Boulevard," his first feature as director. Click here to read Ray Bennett's review. The Conquest Xavier Durringer's highly anticipated chronicle of current French president Nicholas Sarkozy's rise to power is an amusing yet lightweight political farce. Click here to read Jordan Mintzer's review. VIDEO: 'Melancholia': Second Trailer Shows Stunning Cinematography Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within "Elite Squad 2" is the most successful film in Brazilian film history, co-written by "City of God" writer Braulio Mantovani.Click here to read Stephen Farber's review. Eames: The Architect and the Painter The James Franco-narrated documentary looks at husband and wife design team Charles and Ray Eames. Click here to read Sura Wood's review. VIDEO: Colin Farrell in 'London Boulevard' Into the Abyss Werner Herzog's second non-fiction film of the year is a troubling inquiry into capital punishment in the U.S. Click here to read Sheri Linden's review. Also opening this weekend are 11-11-11, About Fifty, The Binary Universe, Cook County and Rockstar. Related Topics Elite Squad 2 Melancholia The Conquest J. Edgar Immortals Jack and Jill London Boulevard Eames: The Architect and the Painter Into the Abyss Adam Sandler Clint Eastwood Colin Farrell Freida Pinto John Hurt Katie Holmes Keira Knightley Kirsten Dunst Leonardo DiCaprio Mickey Rourke Naomi Watts Al Pacino Jose Padilha Armie Hammer Lars von Trier

Brett Ratner Steps Down as Oscars Producer Following Gay Slur

Brett Ratner Director Brett Ratner resigned as producer of the 84th annual Academy Awards telecast Tuesday after coming under fire for making a gay slur. "He did the right thing for the Academy and for himself," Academy President Tom Sherak said in a statement issued late Tuesday. "Words have meaning, and they have consequences. Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable. We all hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the harm that is caused by reckless and insensitive remarks, regardless of the intent." While promoting his latest directorial effort, the comedy Tower Heist, Ratner made several controversial remarks to the press. When asked about his creative process at a Los Angeles film screening, Ratner said "Rehearsal is for fags." He later apologized, but then discussed his personal sexual preferences, which included several degrading remarks about actresses Lindsay Lohan and Olivia Munn on Howard Stern's radio show. Brett Ratner and Don Mischer to produce Oscars ceremony Ratner also issued a lengthy statement to The Hollywood Reporter calling his invitation to help produce the Oscars "the proudest moment of my career," but said he had decided to resign because he did not want his comments to take away from the ceremony. "Over the last few days, I've gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I've hurt and offended, I'd like to apologize publicly and unreservedly," Ratner said. "As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments. And they pale in comparison to what any gay, lesbian, or transgender individual must deal with as they confront the many inequalities that continue to plague our world." "So many artists and craftspeople in our business are members of the LGBT community, and it pains me deeply that I may have hurt them. I should have known this all along, but at least I know it now: words do matter. Having love in your heart doesn't count for much if what comes out of your mouth is ugly and bigoted." Eddie Murphy to host the Oscars In the statement, Ratner also promised to take "real action" over the coming weeks and months, and said he looked forward to working with GLAAD. "I deeply regret my actions and I am determined to learn from this experience." It is unclear how else Ratner's resignation will affect the Oscars. After he was named a producer, Ratner asked Eddie Murphy to host the show after working with him on Tower Heist. Murphy was considered a surprising choice for the gig after several years of avoiding the spotlight. Do you think Ratner did the right thing?

Malaventura

An Axolote, Circo, Labofilms presentation in association with CCC, Bamboo Audiovisual, Zamora Films, KI Visual. Produced by Milko Luis Coronel, Michel Lipkes, Paula Astorga. Directed by Michel Lipkes. Screenplay, Fernando del Razo, Lipkes. Based on an idea by Lipkes.With: Isaac Lopez, Reynaldo Gavino, Cynthia, Jose Alfredo "El parajito" Martinez, Graciela Castillo, Manuel Valderrama.An elderly man's final day alive in Mexico City is rendered with intensity and rigor by filmmaker Michel Lipkes in the aptly titled "Malaventura." Lipkes' debut feature vigorously flies the flag of the "slow cinema" movement, now especially strong among young Latin American and Asian directors. A distinct absurdist attitude leavens this existential journey, in which the old man's routines and dreams create a destabilizing effect. Result should find a warm welcome on the quality fest circuit. Recent Mexican films such as Carlos Reygadas' "Battle in Heaven" and Nicolas Pereda's "Perpetuum Mobile" have taken on the Mexico City megalopolis as both character and staging area, but it could be argued that Lipkes takes this notion one step further in "Malaventura." In sequence after sequence, the old man (as he's identified in credits, played with rough majesty by non-pro actor Isaac Lopez) is seen in relief against the city's streets, plazas and public spaces. He's an archetype of a man often seen, but more often ignored. The opening nine-minute shot places the old man in his humble apartment, after an extremely slow fade-in as he awakens, does his morning chores and gets ready to go out, his movements counterpointed arrestingly by composer Galo Duran's disturbing music, abetted by Alejandro de Icaza's and Jose Miguel Enriquez's uncompromising sound design. It's probably no accident that the camera views the old man from a kind of "Ozu angle," the low angle that was a signature of Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu, whose several films about the elderly and their fading away echo here. As he's seen walking down his neighborhood streets, the man is dwarfed by his environs, and sounds (such as a destitute man reciting the lyrics of the Mexican national anthem, or a police car) take on sinister qualities. Lipkes frames the spots on the old man's rounds -- a subway car, a park, a taco stand -- as stages on which incidents, observations or nonverbal exchanges take place. The taco-stand action suggests "Malaventura" doesn't take itself grimly seriously, as the stand owner (Reynaldo Gavino) is seen, and heard, chopping up every imaginable part of a cow, one of the film's several details of the city's unique and often hilarious textures. It becomes eventually clear -- though the impatient may give up at some point, even in a pic with a short 66-minute running time -- that the film will unwind as the old man does, following him through his mundane, sometimes lovely, sometimes inexplicable actions. He does have a job, it turns out, selling balloons in a park, but even that is colored by the dangers of the city. More disturbing are sojourns to a porn cinema that plays as if out of a creepy '70s flashback, as well as moments when the old man appears to have lost his bearings altogether. A super-sleazy bar in which a man continually re-recites a single poem plays like the ultimate dead end for those with no future. The finale is less surprising (nor intended to be) than it is a natural last step in a downward spiral, in which, tellingly, the presence of God is nowhere in sight. Credits list the film's widescreen process with the cheeky invented term "Chamagoscope," Lipkes' joke on some local critics who have labelled his and other young Mexican cineastes' films as "Chamago cinema," slang for "dirty cinema." Digital video lensing by Gerardo Barroso artfully emphasizes graininess and desaturated colors, whether in blinding daylight or sepulchral night. Duran's music skillfully worms its way into the subconscious.Camera (color, widescreen, DV), Gerardo Barroso; editors, Lipkes, Leon Felipe Gonzalez; music, Galo Duran; production designer, Nohemi Gonzalez; set decorator, Fernando Barroso; costume designer, Gonzalez; sound (Dolby Digital), Federico Gonzalez; sound designers, Alejandro de Icaza, Jose Miguel Enriquez; re-recording mixer, Alejandro de Icaza; digital effects supervisor, Jose Luis Salazar; assistant director, Maria Fernanda de la Peza; casting, Adrian Arce. Reviewed at Morelia Film Festival (competing), Oct. 21, 2011. Running time: 66 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com