Nokia Truer Than Fiction Award: Heather Courtney

Courtney Har'el DennisHeather Courtney Five years ago, Heather Courtney returned to her small hometown of Hancock, Mich., to make a documentary about growing up in rural America. The result is "Where Soldiers Come From," which follows the four-year journey of three Afghanistan-bound soldiers forever changed by war.Though Courtney traveled to the mountains of Afghanistan, she doesn't consider her work a film about war."At its core, it's a coming-of-age story about a group of friends, their town and how a faraway war changes all of them," she says.Courtney intentionally steered clear of any politics and focused instead on larger social issues through personal stories. It's a principle she stuck by while helming her previous immigration-related docs "Letters From the Other Side" (2006) and "Los Trabajadores" (2001).As for her next project, Courtney says it's always hard to switch gears: "It's a really a big hurdle to get the funds to start another film. This award was just the boost and encouragement I needed."RUNNERS-UP Alma Har'el "Bombay Beach" Israeli musicvideo helmer Har'el's non-fiction hybrid "Bombay Beach," about the idiosyncratic inhabitants of the Salton Sea, includes choreographed dancing and other surreal touches. "I used many different techniques that some purists might not accept as documentary," Har'el says. "But I don't really think defining it as something else would be accurate."Danfung Dennis "Hell and Back Again" Dennis' debut, the Oscar-nominated "Hell and Back Again," captures a Marine's life during and after his stint in Afghanistan. "Through my work I hope to shake people from their indifference to war, and to bridge the disconnect between the realities on the ground and the public consciousness at home," he says.FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS 2012FIND finds fresh Spirit guidesHonoreesPiaget Producer's Award | Audi Someone to Watch Award | Nokia Truer Than Fiction Award Contact Addie Morfoot at news@variety.com

MPTF Uncovers New $350M Fundraiser Campaign

Movie Television Fund board member George Clooney today introduced the launch of the $350 million fundraiser drive in the organization within the next 3 years. Throughout a breakfast in the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hillsides, MPTF brass stated that $238 million was already elevated within the effort, with key contributions from the kind of Clooney, Steve Bing, Tom Cruise, Craig Diller, Fox Entertaiment Group, David Geffen, Michael Lewis, Jerry Perenchio, Joe Roth, Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Todd Phillips, Patrick Soon-shiong, Thomas Tull and John Wells, amongst others. That’s additionally towards the $100 million already available based on Katzenberg, chairman from the MPTF Foundation. In the last two decades, the fund has elevated $200 million. MPTF leader Bob Beitcher stated the fundraiser push may come as an75,000 baby seniors is going to be retiring in the industry within the next two decades. “This is really a back-up on their behalf,” he stated today.The fund’s greatest fundraiser event of the season, the annual “Night Before” Oscar party, is placed for Saturday in the Beverly Hillsides Hotel. It’s been an assorted bag of news in the MPTF — Clooney, a board member for any year, stated today that Katzenberg told him, “If you believe the Sudan is difficult, just try the MPTF.”The organization that delivers lengthy-term healthcare and services for people from the entertainment industry was penalized $80,000 through the condition yesterday because of its part within the dying of the patient this year. Beitcher addressed the citation today, saying the MPTF introduced in outdoors safety consultants and carried out special practicing staff so “this won’t happen again,” he stated. “This is essential but is ancient history for all of us.”The Woodland Hillsides-based nursing facility recently introduced it had reorganized enough to reverse a 2009 decision to seal it lower — a move that came critique and legal cases. The reopened facility will house as much as 40 patients at any time moving forward.Final week, the MPTF also introduced a tie-track of UCLA Health System and it is Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital which will offer ageriatric psychiatry unit in the fund’s Wasserman Campus. It'll provide inpatient and outpatient services and it is likely to be ready to go at the begining of 2013.

Ratings: The Forest Runs Weakly NCIS Sustains Strong Amounts with 200th Episode

Joe Anderson, Paulina Gaitan ABC's thriller The Forest first demonstrated to a smaller amount strong amounts than a few of the network's other drama premieres this year's season (along with a couple of them got canceled). Still, it exercised better for your network than any type in the time is right slot since the fall ending of Dwts. The season's top show, NCIS, marked its 200th show with another large audience, although trumping Fox's Glee inside the coveted grownups-18-to-49 demographic. The CBS ratings stalwart didn't set a collection record, however. See the relaxation in the day's news on TVGuide.com 8 p.m.CBS: NCIS 20.82 million audiences (4.1 demo rating)ABC: Last Guy Standing 7.75 million (2.3) Last Guy Standing 7.96 million (2.5)Fox: Glee 7.72 million (3.2)NBC: The Finest Loser 6.35 million (2.3) CW: 90210 1.36 million (.7) 9 p.m.CBS: NCIS: La 16.12 million audiences (3.1 demo rating)ABC: The Forest 7.51 million (2.4) Fox: New Girl 6.92 million (3.5) Raising Hope 4.67 million (2.2)CW: Ringer 1.15 million (.5) 10 p.m.CBS: Memorable 11.70 million audiences (2.2 demo rating)NBC: Motherhood 4.64 million (1.6)

'Smash' helmer to direct NBC drama pilot

As "Smash" readies because of its premiere in a few days, NBC has drawn on helmer Michael Mayer to direct another Peacock pilot, "Don' Harm." The Jekyll and Hyde-designed drama involves an excellent neurosurgeon who wresles together with his harmful alter-ego. David Schulner composed the pilot and professional producers with Rachel Kaplan and Peter Traugott for Universal TV. Mayer will function as a co-professional producer. Mayer makes his mark on Broadway recently after helming tuners "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot." NBC's tuner-drama "Smash" marked his first TV pilot. He most lately helmed the Primary Stem revival of "On the Obvious Day You Can Observe Forever" with Harry Connick Junior. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Producers Guild Honours The Artist

Searching strong but quiet for OscarsThe temperature around the honours season kettle increased another couple of levels last evening because the Producers Guild of America introduced their honours, and also the Artist ruled triumphant. TheAdventures Of Tintin:The SecretOf The Unicorn required the Animated category, and Beats, Rhymes and Existence: The Travels of the Tribe Known as Mission required the Documentary prize.The PGA honours (to not be mistaken with golf) are most likely the only best predictor of the greatest Picture champion in the Oscars - although an archive of picking 15 from the last 22 those who win is in no way an ideal score. Still, it'll have because of the Oscar about both Michael Hazanavicius and StevenSpielberg a lift in front of tomorrow's AcademyAward nominations and Feb 26' ceremony.The entire listing of Producers Guild those who win is below:The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Movies:THE ARTISTBRIDESMAIDSTHE DESCENDANTSTHE GIRL Using The DRAGON TATTOO The Assistance HUGO THE IDES OF MARCH Night time IN PARIS MONEYBALLWAR HORSEThe Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion PicturesTHE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN CARS 2 KUNG FU PANDA 2PUSS IN BOOTS RANGOThe Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion PicturesBEATS, RHYMES & Existence: THE TRAVELS Of The TRIBE Known as QUESTBILL CUNNINGHAM NYPROJECT NIMSENNATHE UNIONThe television nominees and those who win are:The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Lengthy-Form TelevisionCinema VeriteDownton AbbeyThe KennedysMildred PierceToo Large To FailThe Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy30 RockThe Large Bang TheoryGleeModern FamilyParks and RecreationThe Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, DramaBoardwalk EmpireDexterGame of ThronesThe Good WifeMad MenThe Award for Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television The Colbert ReportThe Ellen DeGeneres ShowReal Time with Bill MaherSaturday Evening LiveThe 64th Annual Tony AwardsThe Award for Outstanding Producer of Competition TelevisionThe Amazing RaceAmerican IdolDancing using the StarsProject RunwayTop ChefThe Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television30 for 30American MastersAnthony Bourdain: No ReservationsDeadliest CatchUndercover BossNews ProgramsAnderson Cooper 360BBC World News AmericaNBC News with John WilliamsThe Rachel Maddow Show60 MinutesSports Programs (*There is a tie, and that's why you will find six nominees.)Monday Evening FootballReal Sports with Bryant GumbelSports Center30 for 302010 FIFA World CupU.S. Open Tennis ChampionshipChildren's ProgramsDora the ExploreriCarlyPhineas and FerbSesame StreetSpongeBob SquarepantsWeb SeriesAsk a NinjaThe GuildParks and Entertainment Presents: 'April & Andy's Road Trip'30 Rock Presents Jack Donaghy, Executive SuperheroWeb Therapy

10 Large Shockers Approaching on Glee: It's Proposal-O-Rama on "Yes/No"

Glee Valentine's comes early to McKinley Filled with Tuesday's new episode of Glee (8/9c, Fox). TVGuide.com got an early on think about the love-drenched hour (titled "Yes/No") - that is love-drenched. You'll find a few plans, a shotgun wedding, broken hearts, an Oscar champion together with a genuine Regular folks star at their bitchiest, a great encouraging Coach Sue... wait, what?! Large shockers ahead. Have a look at 10 teases: Start Searching: Glee's Michael Jackson tribute 1. The amount of occasions might be the question sprang? No less than three people increase the risk for grand gesture. THREE! Only one will receive a solution. Which, kids, happens when you spell high high cliff-hanger. 2. Oh, and someone returns to school already betrothed. Surprise! The epiphany happened at Wendy's as well as the knot was tied inside the holiday getaway, elopement-style. 3. Why, it might be Grease lightnin'! No, the glee club isn't mounting a spring output of the enchantingly raunchy musical (darn!) but this week's episode does start getting a unique, shot-by-shot remake in the oh-so-swoony "Summer season Lovin'" - and you also get only one guess regarding which couple might be reminiscing in what happened over people several days. Clearly, Kurt and Santana split the role of Rizzo. 4. The week's whitened board assignment? Romance Emma. Mr. Schue will enlist the kids to help him romance the socks off Emma. (It's Glee - overcome it, people.) Fortunately, these kids carry out the most awesome job ever. (If you possess the looked the net for your playlist, you realize it will appear good, mind to ft.) Ultimately though, only one of the ideas - Sam's wet and wild one - will get the job done. The most effective and worst performances on Glee (up to now!) 5. Mercedes kinda sorta totally makes her mind up about Mike and Shane. How? She'll be singing one of the better love tunes as well as the winning man's face just jumps into her mind - much less she's prepared to do just about anything relating to this immediately. 6. Here's something Helen Mirren reaches say since the inner voice of [SPOILER!]: "Let go, haters. OK, get realz." Right?! OK, OK, here's another: "No Chang do - I'm no grain full." Oh, to become fly round the wall when Mirren hit it studio... 7. Speaking about Chang: Artie + Mike = Gold. First, they gave us "PYT," now they achieve move like Jagger. Swoon. We're not able to wait to find out them reunited again inside the Michael Jackson episode. A specific Warbler will give them something to, ahem, scream about. 8. Coach Sue stays the entire episode being encouraging. That's correct. It's like she's still got the Christmas spirit running through her veins or something like that like this. And acquire this: Her advice is on the way to handle associations. Just call her McKinley's new guidance counselor! You now request ,: How extended does it last? Helen Mirren to cover a royal visit to Glee 9. Finn can get some deeply troubling information from his mother. It will turn his world upside lower and propel him to produce a existence-changing decision. The good thing? Finn and also the mother will break your heart in to a million pieces which is definitely welcome. 10. Someone's got a nipple that's under another. And chances are it will strange out guest-star NeNe Leakes Coach Roz. Furthermore a no-no? Pee inside the pool. Excited to find out what is going to happen next? Who you think was already married? Who's got nipple issues? Is there a problem to find out happen next on Glee? Appear off inside the comments below.

My Eye post house taps Feingold

Feingold Kiers Former Fox Entertainment senior VP and Landmark Entertainment exec Rodd Feingold has been tapped chief financial officer at post production house My Eye Media.The Burbank, Calif.-based company has also upped Ken Kiers to executive VP of post production services. He formerly was senior VP of operations, and will now lead the charge in developing the company's digital workflows.In his new role, Feingold will be responsible for shephering the strategic fiscal growth of the post house."Rodd brings significant expertise and experience in corporate and entertainment finance," said My Eye Media CEO Michael Kadenacy. "We are very fortunate to fill the CFO post with such an accomplished and proven executive who possesses exemplary business skills, judgment, and a seasoned approached to cultivating financial resources for robust expansion and development.""Similarly," continues Kadenacy, "promoting Ken only underscores our commitment to progressing our business and aligning our management team, as we quickly move toward the realization of My Eye Media as a leading, full capability post facility."Founded in 2004, My Eye Media provides postproduction services to Hollywood's studios and independent producers. It boasts one of the largest digital file testing facilities on the West Coast, and connects its Burbank headquarters to downtown Los Angeles with a 10 gigabit-per-second fiber optic connection. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

First picture of Jermain Clement that face men In Black 3

A completely new on-set image remains launched inside the Nz Herald, giving us our start searching at Jermain Clement that face men In Black 3, and boy does he look hairy!Sporting an enormous grey beard, some Aviator shades together with a black bandana, Clement looks every inch the badass biker. The fact he's searching in a large motorbike helps for the reason that too...Clement may have Yaz, the villain in the piece who attempts to kill Agent K (Tommy Lee Manley) formerly, compelling Agent J (Will Cruz) to start a period of time-travelling save mission.According to Clement, his character is, "creepy but charming." He ongoing to explain that, "I am an alien with prosthetics which i look hideous. But it's funny, there are many action."Exactly how he evaluates to Vincent D'Onofrio's grotesque parasite remains to look, but no less than the Flight In The Conchords star will most likely bring some laughs to proceedings. Males In Black 3 is released inside the Uk on 25 May 2012.

Demi Moore Added to Lovelace Cast

Alongside Adam Brody & Eric RobertsNow that Howl duo Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman are hard at work shooting Linda Lovelace biopic Lovelace, they're adding a few faces to the cast, with Demi Moore, Adam Brody and Eric Roberts all signing on.Lovelace tells the tale of Linda Boreman (Amanda Seyfried) who shot to infamy as the world's first erotic superstar when she was plucked from obscurity by Chuck Traynor (Peter Sarsgaard) to star in Deep Throat. But her life was filled with addiction, abuse and depression and she eventually campaigned against pornography.Moore is aboard to play Gloria Steinem, the activist who founded Ms Magazine and penned a key article about Lovelace's unhappy life. Brody is on as Throat co-star Harry Reems, while Roberts will be Nat Laurendi, who carried out a lie detector test on Linda at the request of the publisher when she wrote her memoir Ordeal.The three newcomers join a cast that already includes Seyfried, Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Wes Bentley, Hank Azaria, Bobby Carnavale, Chris Noth, Robert Patrick and, assuming he has the time, James Franco in a cameo as Hugh Hefner.Moore will be seen this month in Margin Call, Brody's next is The Oranges and Eric Roberts will show up in Intent.

2012 Movie Preview: Big Directors, from Steven Soderbergh to Quentin Tarantino

With 2011 in its death throes, what better time to look ahead to 2012. All this week, Moviefone is previewing the seemingly endless supply of big-time films hitting theaters during the next 12 months -- from from 'The Devil Inside' to 'Django Unchained' and everything in between. Next up: the 12 big-name directors with new films out in 2012. 2012 Preview: Big Directors Steven Soderbergh ('Haywire'/'Magic Mike')Wes Anderson ('Moonrise Kingdom')Ridley Scott ('Prometheus')Woody Allen ('Nero Fiddled')Oliver Stone ('Savages')David O. Russell ('The Silver Linings Playbook')Alfonso Cuaron ('Gravity')Peter Jackson ('The Hobbit')Ang Lee ('Life of Pi')Kathryn Bigelow (Untitled Bin Laden Film)Quentin Tarantino ('Django Unchained')Baz Luhrmann ('The Great Gatsby')Bonus: Steven Spielberg ('Lincoln') See All Moviefone Galleries » EARLIER: 2012 Movie Preview: Blockbusters 2012 Movie Preview: Comedies 2012 Movie Preview: Family Films 2012 Movie Preview: Romance 2012 Movie Preview: Action [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

X Factor Final 3 Reveal Their Plans For $5 Million Prize

First Released: December 22, 2011 1:22 PM EST Credit: FOX Caption X Factor final 3: Chris Rene, Melanie Amaro and Josh KrajcikLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Using the The X Factor crown and it is $5 million prize inside their achieve, the shows final three participants, Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro, have previously begun planning their first large purchases whenever they collect the hefty salary throughout tonights finale. Im thinking about buying my Mother a home, Melanie told Access Hollywood following a shows finals in Hollywood on Wednesday. A brand new house along with a top class ticket to Hawaii. 28-year-old Chris , a recuperating drug abuser, told Access hed place the money to get affordable use, with intends to create a treatment facility for addiction. Invest, save, invest, save. Obtain a vehicle, obtain a place, Chris stated, when requested how hed spend the money. Start focusing on creating a rehab [facility]. Ohio native Josh Krajcik stated he's one priority if he wins a brand new ride. I'd say most likely a brand new truck, he told Access of his purchase plans. My truck is junk. Its dying. May possibly not attempt after i go back home! See which contestant can get to create their dreams a real possibility once the X Factor crowns a champion tonight at 8 PM ET/PT on FOX. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Robert Downey Junior.'s 'Sherlock Holmes' Accent Is Perfect, Unlike Robert Downey Junior., Guy Ritchie States (VIDEO)

Get Robert Downey Junior. and Guy Ritchie inside a room and provide them the liberty to discuss anything they want, as Moviefone did for the latest edition of Unscripted, and you will expect a freewheeling discussion about 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows,' if the pair will synergy for future, non-Sherlock, projects, and RDJ's British accent. Does Ritchie think Downey Junior. does the director's home country proud? Discover, in addition to what Mister Arthur Conan Doyle would think about 'Sherlock Holmes' and why any youthful actor with sights on overtaking for Downey as Holmes later on may want to think hard about challenging the A-lister. Watch Moviefone Unscripted: 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows' above. For any bonus, take a look at which character RDJ has more enjoyable "having fun withInch: Tony Stark or A Virtual Detective. 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows' is within theaters on Friday. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Embed in your site:

Downton Abbey Christmas Special Screens In London; More To Come

Downstairs at Londons Mayfair Hotel was Downton Abbey central this afternoon as ITV screened the shows upcoming 2-hour Christmas Day special for the press. Several key cast members were there including Dan Stevens – who was just named a Man Booker Prize judge for 2012 and is starring in and producing Summer In February beginning next month along with Brendan Coyle, Lesley Nicol and Rob James-Collier, among others. The Julian Fellowes-created show has become a phenomenon in Britain where it recently concluded its second season on ITV with a 21% uptick over the first, making it the most popular drama series on Brit TV in over a decade. (In the States, season 2 kicks off on PBS in January.) A 3rd series begins shooting on February 13 and will be set in the early 20s, but producer Liz Trubridge couldnt give away many details saying theyd had just a glimpse of Fellowes first drafts. The 3rd season will also include a 2-hour telefilm, Trubridge confirmed to Deadline. Fans of the show (who, according to Siobhan Finneran – aka devious ladys maid OBrien include Tom Hanks) should be mighty satisfied with the special screened today that takes place over a tumultuous holiday period in 1919. With regard to continuing the show, Trubridge told Deadline that its a wait-and-see game since commissioning is done at the end of the current season. Im sure wed all want to do it, she said. Coyle said the cast had been optioned only through 3 seasons and joked he wouldnt mind a spinoff for his character called Mr Bates Investigates. Meanwhile, the busy Stevens said he might look for more producing projects depending on how Summer In February goes and told Deadline, Im just happy to be booked through October.

Ryan Seacrest as Potential Matt Lauer 'Today' Replacement: What the Media Is Saying

Chuck star Zachary Levi is the latest celebrity to host Spike TV's Video Game Awards show, which will be broadcast live on December 10 at 8pm ET from Los Angeles. Levi, who is finishing the final season of Chuck, follows in the footsteps of famous gamers like Jack Black and Samuel L. Jackson as host of the event.our editor recommends'Chuck' Star Zachary Levi to Host Spike TV's Video Game Awards (Exclusive)'Chuck's' Vik Sahay Wraps on Lester: 'Don't Know If I'll Ever Feel the Same Singing Again' Mark Burnett (Survivor), executive producer of this year's ceremony, reached out to Levi to bring a gamers' sensibility to the show. The actor talks about the emergence of video games as an art form and the future of interactive entertainment in this exclusive interview. PHOTOS: 10 Broadcast and Cable TV Show Most Watched By Men The Hollywood Reporter: Why did you decide to host this year's VGAs? Zachary Levi: I want to pay homage and tribute to all the developers and gaming companies that have continued to mold my own life and my entertainment. THR: What role will celebrities play in the VGAs this year? Levi: I personally don't want it to be an awards show where it's just about putting celebrities in there for celebrities' sake. I'm hoping that the celebrities that I get are all people who have some kind of legitimate love or involvement in the world of gaming, as I do. That's at least where I stand on it. "I think it will ultimately have a resonance and a weight that some of the other more, I suppose, prestigious awards shows have now." THR: Do you believe the VGAs will eventually become for games what the Academy Awards or Emmys are for film and television? Levi: I believe that if the VGAs continue to do right by the gaming community, be true to it, cater to gamers, and have that cool, fun, atmosphere, but respect for the genre itself, then they will just continue to gain respect as an awards show. I think it will ultimately have a resonance and a weight that some of the other more, I suppose, prestigious awards shows have now. THR: How do you see the VGAs comparing to other awards shows you've been involved with? Levi: A lot of it is just patting each other on the back, whatever the industry is, whether it's the Emmys, the Oscars, or the Video Game Awards. I think one of the most important things is that it's entertaining, fun, and pays tribute to those that have been continuing to lead the charge in whatever that medium is. THR: How have you seen the importance of story evolve in gaming today? Levi: Having a great story line is important because games are becoming more and more like these interactive movies that you spend a lot of your time with. I think the Uncharted games have done an incredible job at that. The guys at Naughty Dog have just continued to make a fantastic title. Obviously, Infinity Ward and Treyarch are constantly going back and forth and bringing us a lot of fun in their first-person world with Call of Duty games. And Bethesda (Softworks) continues to up the ante with the Elder Scrolls games like Oblivion and the new Skyrim. THR: Now that you're wrapping up Chuck, what's next for you? Levi: As somebody who works in entertainment and is an avid gamer, I have a lot of ideas. I really want to start making and bridging the gap between gaming entertainment and live action entertainment. I want to start making interactive shows where you're watching actors like myself portray characters that, once we go into battle, you can be prompted to either opt-out or opt-in to controlling the outcome of that battle...almost like a choose your adventure. That's where I see the future going. The more interactive you can make entertainment, or even giving people options of passive or active entertainment, the better. I love what Kinect is doing. You don't need a remote control anymore. You can either voice command or wave your hand around and be able to tap into wherever and whenever you want. It's fascinating. THR: Gamers have been streaming content in record numbers online. How do you see that impacting the future of television? Levi: For years now, my philosophy has been that your television will only be a word for your monitor. It won't be a service, necessarily, anymore. Everything will just be plugged in, as you're going to be streaming everything. It's going to open up and really broaden the world of entertainment for independent entertainment producers to be able to essentially make whatever they want to make and sell it directly to their fan base, which is going to be incredible. If they're making something that's good, people can find it and watch it. THR: What does this mean for the current prime time television model? Levi: Television will continue to exist in the model that we see it, but more and more it will become more about sporting events and reality competitions; things that people have to watch live. As an advertiser, more and more people are DVRing their programming or watching it online, you're not getting your money out of the advertisement investment, so it's going to change the model drastically. Related Topics Jack Black Mark Burnett Samuel L. Jackson Zachary Levi Oscars Video Games Chuck Emmys 2011

Bernal launches Spellbound Entertainment

Aida Bernal, a vet of Jennifer Lopez' Nuyorican production banner, has released talent management-production company Spellbound Entertainment. Spellbound clients including Mexican film and tv actress, Gabriela P La Garza British actress India Wadsworth who definitely are making her giant screen debut in "The Dark Dark night Increases" and Mexican television star Fernando Noriega and Ana Layevska. First Spellbound project is really a Maria Montez's biopic starring Celines Toribio -- a Domincan actress like Montez, who had been a significant Hollywood star within the 1940's. The film is funded with support of Dominican government and film commission with production scheduled to begin early in the year. West Hollywood-based Spellbound will concentrate on repping talent and filmmakers from Latin America, the U.K. along with other European areas. Around the production side, it'll develop and convey comedies and dramas for TV and film. Bernal labored for seven years at Nuyorican as Vice president of film and television development until this past year. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

First Look: 227 Stars' Southland Reunion

Marla Gibbs, Regina King Regina King was just 14 when she started playing Brenda, the smart, sassy daughter of Marla Gibbs' Mary Jenkins on the NBC sitcom 227. Two decades later, King is taking care of 80-year-old Gibbs in the January 24 episode of TNT's Southland. "This is the first time we've acted together since 227," says Gibbs. "But Regina's still my daughter. I just love her." Gibbs, all recovered from a stroke she suffered a few years back, plays the grandmother of a falsely accused suspect. "My character has a little Alzheimer's, so I call Regina 'Brenda,' thinking she's my grandson's ex-girlfriend." King was touched to reunite with her former TV mom. "It was just like old times," she says. "She's as sharp-witted as she was 20-plus years ago." Now let's get Jackée in there next! Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Glee Club TV Competition Shows in Copyright Infringement Dispute

Fox Searchlight's Shame opens Dec. 2 with a restrictive NC-17 rating, but that may be a good thing for similarly classified films in the future.our editor recommendsNudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to Oscar'Shame' Officially Rated NC-17FEINBERG FORECAST: Can 'Shame' Crack the Major Categories Despite NC-17 Rating? National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) president John Fithian tells the Associated Press that the Steve McQueen-directed drama "is potentially an important step in the legitimate use of the NC-17." STORY: Nudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to Oscar "There just aren't very many movies released in the NC-17 rating anymore. We get maybe one or two a year. Filmmakers and movie studios are inappropriately afraid of the rating." Fithian reveals that in a recent survey, 97 of 100 theater owners said they would play an NC-17 movie. He argues that filmmakers and studios should embrace, not fight, the classification, "What we currently have is a system that's slightly flawed in the reluctance of filmmakers and distributors to use the NC-17. PHOTOS: 'Shame' Star Carey Mulligan at THR's Actress Roundtable "What they'll do is cut and trim and try to cram a movie into the R rating category so that it escapes the NC-17, and that's not a legitimate use of the system. We end up with a very broad R category." Box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian thinks Shame can capitalize on its uncommon status. He told AP, "R-rated movies are a dime a dozen. If Fox Searchlight can harness the power of the NC-17, they can turn it into a plus." VIDEO: 'Shame' Director Steve McQueen at THR's Directors Roundtable The MPAA said that the drama earned the rating because of "some explicit sexual content," which includes full-frontal nudity, oral sex performed on men and women, and group sex. Joan Graves, head of the group's ratings system arm, believes the "stigma" of NC-17 is due in part to negative press. She told AP, "I've always considered it a shame that for some reason some people consider it (a death sentence), and I blame the media in a way because they always act like it's gotten the kiss of death." "I think NC-17 is a badge of honor, not a scarlet letter. We believe it is time for the rating to become usable in a serious manner," Searchlight president Steve Gilula told The Hollywood Reporter. "The sheer talent of the actors and the vision of the filmmaker are extraordinary. It's not a film that everyone will take easily, but it certainly breaks through the clutter and is distinctive and original. It's a game changer." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The Dirty Dozen: Films that Narrowly Avoided an NC-17 Related Topics Carey Mulligan Michael Fassbender International Steve McQueen Shame

NBC Picks Up Imagines Sarah Silverman Comedy To Pilot

EXCLUSIVE: NBC continues its aggressive push this development season with early pilot orders. The latest project to get the green light is the comedy starring Sarah Silverman, which the network landed in August after a bidding war with a hefty put pilot commitment. The half-hour, from 20th Century Fox TV and Imagine TV, is a pet project of Imagine principal Ron Howard. Loosely based on Silvermans life, the untitled single-camera comedy stars the comedian as a woman readjusting to the single life after a decade-long live-in relationship. Silverman wrote the script with Dan Sterling and Jon Schroeder, who were writer-producers on her self-titled Comedy Central series. Silverman, Sterling and Imagine’s Howard, Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo are executive producing, with Schroeder serving as co-exec producer. The order for the Sarah Silverman project follows NBC’s recent pilot pickups for Beautiful People, a futuristic drama by Michael McDonald, and comedies Isabel and Save Me, which are now casting. Additionally, the J.J. Abrams/Eric Kripke adventure thriller Revolution and crime drama Blue Tilt have pilot production commitments at the network. NBC now houses 3 female comedians known for their raunchy, no-holds-barred standup: Silverman, Whitney Cummings, creator and star of her own eponymous comedy series, which has received a full-season pickup by the network, and Chelsea Handler, who is behind the midseason series Are You There, Chelsea?, which will be paired with Whitney.

Has Dr. Drew Sold Out?

Dr. Drew Pinsky On a recent episode of Dr. Drew Pinsky's new daytime show Lifechangers, 17-year-old fame oddity Courtney Stodden laid on an examination table in front of a live studio audience while an ultrasound technician poked and prodded her before making this pronouncement: Stodden's breasts are real!VIDEO: Are Courtney Stodden's boobs real? (And spectacular?)The whole spectacle seemed a bit beneath Pinsky, who is often considered the stark voice of reason in an age of overexposed celebrities and tabloid rumors. Had Pinsky officially sold out? Pinsky acknowledges that he agreed to "settle the score" regarding Stodden's plastic surgery, but that, in exchange Stoddard and her husband, Lost actor Doug Hutchison, 51, were supposed to discuss their controversial January-December relationship. It didn't work out that way. "We didn't set it up properly; we didn't get anywhere in understanding their relationship," Pinsky confesses. "So yea, it was... 'one of those episodes.' It's a new show and we're still trying to figure out how to do this stuff."In his defense, Pinsky probably can't be expected to get it right every time. Between Lifechangers, Loveline, his self-titled show on HLN, his part-time medical practice, and Celebrity Rehab, the guy's got a lot on his plate.Sean Young, Michael Lohan and Bai Ling check in to Celebrity RehabNext up: Rehab's sixth season premieres Sunday, Nov. 20 on VH1, and it's being called Celebrity Rehab "Revisited." Unlike previous seasons, Pinsky will check in on some of the show's most notorious former patients, including Rodney King, Andy Dick, Heidi Fleiss, and Janice Dickinson.When Pinsky, 53, was pitched the series five years ago, he doubted it could ever work. He worried about two things: the cameras and the motivation. "Most of the people come on to this program because they want to be on TV and they want to make money," he says. "I don't really want to help people that are not interested in getting well."Check out our holiday guideFive seasons later, though, Pinsky understands the show's effectiveness. "So many of the patients ended up really valuing the treatment that they got," he says. "And even if they didn't fully embrace sobriety, they still had a transformative experience." Take Tom Sizemore, for example, he says. "Tom is an amazing success story. We worked with him for years before he ever came on Celebrity Rehab and we could never get him sober. And by the grace of God he got sober on the show - and that's amazing."Pinsky's track record is comparable to that of non-celebrity rehab programs: Some stay sober, but many continue to battle the disease. The show features both eventualities. For every Sizemore success story, there are also tragic endings. Mike Starr, of the band Alice in Chains, cleaned up on Season 3; less than a year later, he died at age 44. Those closest to Starr say he died of a drug overdose.Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr dies at 44"Our original intent was just to show the work we do," he says. "We got tired of people not understanding what treatment was, and how difficult, painful, and tough it is."Pinsky insists that his show is 100 percent real - no producers meddling with the patients. "If we ever hear of a story producer pulling somebody aside the way they do on other shows, I would bring the wrath of God down on them," he says. "These are patients in a hospital. They're sick and they're unhappy. If they get near the patients, I will walk off the set."Celebrity Rehab Revisited premieres Sunday, Nov. 20 at 9/8c on VH1.

George Clooney's 'The Descendants' Opens Strong

Behold, the energy of George Clooney. Based on the Hollywood Reporter, the actor's latest movie, 'The Descendants,' is off and away to a powerful begin in limited release. Despite opening in just five theaters on Wednesday evening, the film made $39,777, with typically $7,955 per location. That may not appear like a great deal of dough (specially when you consider the possibility $125+ million opening of 'Breaking Beginning, Part I' a few days ago), but it is pretty solid thinking about the amount of theaters. To place it in perspective, 'J. Edgar' made $52,645 from seven theaters to have an average $7,521 if this opened up in limited release last Wednesday, that is just beneath the 'Descendants' haul. (Take that Leo!) Starring Clooney, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard and Shailene Woodley (who spoke about Clooney's fart machine the 2009 week), 'The Descendants' follows the storyline of Matt King (Clooney) who looks to reunite together with his kids after his wife falls right into a coma. The film will open countrywide November. 23. [via THR] [Photo: Fox Searchlight] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook