Tate Taylor, director of The Help, is now turning his efforts to adapting Peace Like a River, based on the 2002 book by Leif Enger.
GoogleBooks: Hailed as one of the year's top five novels by Time, and selected as one of the best books of the year by nearly all major newspapers, national bestseller Peace Like a River captured the hearts of a nation in need of comfort. "A rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and healing..."
The Playlist: The novel follows the story of an asthmatic young boy who joins his family in a search for his brother, who escaped police custody after having gunned down two thieves that broke into the family home. Set in 1962 Minnesota, the novel deals with many of the era’s social problems and controversies, and won critical praise upon its release.
Peace Like a River (2012)
ANONYMOUS - new trailer and movie photos
This new trailer shares additional scenes from the upcoming "Anonymous", starring Rhys Ifans as De Vere, Earl of Oxford who some believe to be the authentic author of the works attributed to William Shakespeare.
September in Toronto (tiff)
(Wider release in October 2011)
New images from movie below...
Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans, Jamie Campbell Bower)
Queen Elizabeth I (Vanessa Redgrave and daughter Joely Richardson)
William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall)
Earl of Southampton (Xavier Samuel)
Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto)
Lord William Cecil (David Thewlis)
Sir Robert Cecil (Edward Hogg)
Earl of Essex (Sam Reid)
More photos posted here
Mirkwood - upcoming film based on J.R.R. Tolkien
Steve Hillard has signed a deal with EMO Films to develop and secure financing for a film version of his novel Mirkwood, which centers around a fictional version of The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien. [THR]
Description: “Mirkwood,” named after a forest that appears in many of Tolkien’s works, fictionalizes the accounts of his days spent as a code breaker in World War II. The novel mostly focuses on what would happen if Tolkien’s creations took literal shape in his everyday life. Hillard has been involved in a legal battle with the Tolkien estate for quite some time regarding the fictionalization of the famed author’s life as portrayed in the book. Hillard apparently argued that the book is a work of literary criticism, and he settled with the Tolkien estate, but must include a disclaimer on his book that reads, “This is a work of fiction which is neither endorsed nor connected with The J.R.R. Tolkien Estate or its publisher.” [The Playlist]
Effie (2012)
Emma Thompson has written the screenplay for Effie, the period biopic of Euphemia Gray who was married to the art critic John Ruskin in 1850s London, and later fell in love with his protegé John Millais.
CAST:
John Ruskin - Greg Wise
John Everett Millais - Tom Sturridge
Ruskin's parents - Derek Jacobi and Julie Walters
Lady Elizabeth Eastlake - Emma Thompson
Sir Charles Eastlake - Edward Fox
The Woman in Black (2012) - trailer
starring Daniel Radcliffe in this ghost story written by Susan Hill.
Release date: February 2012
Winnie (2011)
"This film reveals the enigma that is Winnie Mandela. A sensitive depiction, Winnie portrays her life's journey amidst the unwavering love between her and Nelson Mandela, and their unfaltering commitment to the struggle for democracy in South Africa. Winnie takes the audience on an epic voyage of understanding — painting a vivid portrait of one of the world's most remarkable women."
Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Terrence Howard, Elias Koteas and Wendy Crewson.
Song featured in trailer for THE HELP
I'm not the only one wanting to know which song was used in the trailer for THE HELP!
It's called "Change the World" sung by Taylor Dayne.
Written by Stacy & David Wilde - official site
The entire song has just been posted on Youtube...
"The Help" opens with a bang!
The Help has joined the elite club of only 15 movies that have received an A+ rating from moviegoers on CinemaScore. Scanning the other movies on that list, I'm pleased to see most of them are movies that I have loved!
[See list]
Cast members answer questions
The Personal History of Rachel Dupree
Viola Davis, who is receiving early accolades for her role in The Help, has picked up the rights to “The Personal History of Rachel DuPree” written by Ann Weisgarber.
Description from The Playlist:
The story follows the titular Rachel, who falls for the son of a boardinghouse owner who agrees to marry her on one condition: she must give up her 160 acres from the Homestead Act so he can double his spread. Fast forward to 1917 and living with her husband on a ranch in the west—as one of the few black families in the area—a pregnant Rachel struggles to keep her family fed while her proud husband refuses to move from the land, which is a source of a pride, to better care for her and her children.
Three Musketeers - music video "When We Were Young"
British pop group Take That have recorded the official theme song "When We Were Young" for the upcoming swashbuckler The Three Musketeers.
The Three Musketeers - official site launched
Mention has been made that this version of The Three Musketeers would be akin to Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. and visiting the official website (which has been launched today) makes me think that the two films do indeed have a similar feel!
~ The Villains ~
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2011)
Looks sweet!
Trailer for 'The Flying Machine'
Take to the skies in The Flying Machine, a spectacular adventure combining 3D stop-motion animation, live action and the music of Fryderyk Chopin. Academy Award winning Hugh Welchman and famed pianist Lang Lang introduce Chopin to new audiences in this modern fairy tale. Featuring: Heather Graham
New images for The Three Musketeers
Here are new photos fromTHE THREE MUSKETEERS due out in October 2011.
More photos found at The Fan Carpet.
Cast includes: Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Matthew Macfadyen, Christoph Waltz, Logan Lerman, Mads Mikkelsen, Milla Jovovich, Juno Temple
Just Henry (2011)
From ITV: Rising star, Josh Bolt (Nowhere Boy, The Be All and End All), will lead a prestigious cast including; Elaine Cassidy (A Room with a View, Felicia's Journey), Dean Andrews (Marchlands, Ashes to Ashes), Stephen Campbell Moore (He Knew He Was Right, Thorne, Ben Hur), Barbara Flynn (Miss Potter, The Forsyte Saga, Cranford), and BAFTA nominated actress Shelia Hancock (The Buccaneers, Bedtime, Moving On), in ITV1’s new drama Just Henry.
Set in post-Second World War Britain Henry is growing up in a fraught and unsettled household that includes his mother Maureen (Cassidy), stepfather, Uncle Bill, (Andrews) and his paternal grandmother (Hancock).
Henry is a troubled young man who suffers bad nightmares which everyone puts down to the aftermath of living through a war and the fact that he’s never really got over his father’s death or his mother’s remarriage.
In his last year of school and about to become an adult Henry’s grandmother has encouraged him to show a disinterest in his education because his father, Joseph Dodge (Campbell Moore), thought it was a waste of time.
When his father’s war medal for bravery gets posted through the door Henry wants to know more about the circumstances of his father’s death, something his mother has always preferred him not to know too much about.
At school, Henry keeps himself to himself but when he gets a new teacher, Mrs Beaumont (Flynn), who encourages his passion for film, he slowly starts to see the world differently. She wants him to show more compassion towards his classmate Paul Jeffries (Perry Millward - Monroe, Christopher and his Kind), a very talented writer and the son of a deserter who’s ostracised for that very reason. Together with Grace Ellis (Charlie May-Clark - South Riding), a new student who can’t read but has an exquisite singing voice, they are tasked with presenting a school project about cinema and are forced to spend time together. That is until Henry’s research leads him to believe that the man who killed his father was none other than Jeffries father!
Whilst visiting his father’s grave a man introduces himself to Henry as his dad – Dodge. Overwhelmed with happiness Henry doesn’t think to question the facts of his death. But things just don’t add up. If Dodge isn’t in that grave who is?
Grace has come to care too much for Henry to let his dad manipulate him and is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. With the help of Mrs Beaumont she seeks the help of the police but will it be too late for all involved?
Just Henry also stars John Henshaw (Red Riding, Looking for Eric, Confessions of a Diary Secretary), an ex-soldier and now the Commissionaire at the Plaza Cinema. Pooky Quesnel (Scott & Bailey, Five Days, Criminal Justice) plays Paul’s mother Mrs Jefferies.
“Just Henry is a really heart-warming script which follows the journey of one boy’s discovery that will change his life, family and friends forever. It’s rich with detail from the post war era and has a very sympathetic and engaging young character at its heart. The 90 minute film will be a wonderful treat for the Christmas schedule.” said Laura Mackie, ITV.
Produced by Paul Frift (Instinct, Crooked House, Room at the Top) and directed by David Moore (Monroe, Merlin, Sweeney Todd) for ITV Studios, Just Henry will be filmed on location in Leeds throughout August and will be scheduled this Christmas on ITV1.
Updated trailer for Anonymous (2011)
A few new scenes added to this trailer but it's looking even darker than I originally anticipated.
Anonymous stars Rhys Ifans as Edward De Vere who some suggest is the real author of the works attributed to William Shakespeare. Read more here...
New trailer for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Here's the updated international trailer for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy based on LeCarré's novel.
Starring: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, Ciarán Hinds and Toby Jones
First look at Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII in W.E.
We get our first peek at the next group of actors to take on this infamous couple, thanks to the Toronto film fest where it will have its North American premiere. Madonna's royal biopic W.E., stars Andrea Riseborough and James D'Arcy portray Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII. It also features Abbie Cornish and Oscar Isaac in a parallel love story 60 years later. More information here
Press tour for Downton Abbey's 2nd season
For those looking for more news regarding Downton Abbey's upcoming second season, here are a selection of tidbits from yesterday's press tour!
who any of these things will happen to.”
What we know...* Downton Abbey will air in a total of 9 episodes: beginning in September 2011 with 8 episodes on ITV in UK, followed by a break with the 9th episode airing around Christmas time
* PBS Masterpiece will air the series in its entirety in January 2012 in 7 episodes, the Christmas episode included. [Keep in mind PBS does not have commercials and formats it differently with some episodes 90 minutes vs. 60 minutes across the pond.]
* Two cast members are not returning: We'll miss Gwen (Rose Leslie) but will have to be content with imagining her enjoying her new post as a secretary, the job she longed to pursue. "Maybe we'll bring her back at some point in a secretarial role, as a professional woman," Gareth Neame says. The other "character" not returning is the original dog that was Lord Grantham's 'Pharaoh'. Seems that he caused problems for the real dogs at Highclere Castle so 'he' has been replaced with a 'she' who will be named 'Isis'.
"This time around, we won't even lose 20 minutes of footage"... "The US version of "Downton's" [season] 2 will feature every minute, every frame, of what airs in the UK". The British episodes 1 and 2 will be episode 1 for us [in the U.S.], and we're combining near the end as well but every frame that they see, you'll see", says Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton. [The Fien print, IMDb Twitter, aoltv]From Deadline:
When questioned about two hours being cut from the PBS edit of Downton Abbey, Rebecca Eaton replied,
"I'm glad you brought this up. This was a story in the Daily Mail. Do I have to say anything more? And they got it wrong and they made a big deal out of it, that we'd taken two hours out. It wasn't true. Our version was overall 20 or 25 minutes shorter and had to do with (advertising) and the need for different formatting. We didn't chop it up to make it more palatable to the dummies in the American audience -- as it was implied." Eaton was quick to add, "By the way, that reporter's name was Christopher Hastings."
From Star News:Everyone has accepted that Matthew is going to inherit the place. “That story was really dealt with in the first series,” [producer Gareth] Neame said. “He is the heir. They’ve all welcomed him. They’re all disappointed that Mary made the wrong call and in the end she hedged her bets so she didn’t marry him.”
And don’t be misled by his eagerness to flee Downton and return to a life of lawyering in the finale. “He’s gone,” Neame said. “(But) the fact that he’s left Downton doesn’t mean he’s not still the heir. He’s just saying ‘I’m going to hang around with you people.’ ”
And as Matthew heads to battle, the stakes raise beyond the fate of a piece of land. “The war throws everything into turmoil all over again,” Stevens said.
The war will give Dan Stevens some scenes with actor Rob James-Collier, who plays Thomas, the trouble-making gay footman who we last saw joining up with the medical corps to avoid enlisting. Stevens said Thomas was one of the characters he wished Matthew spent more time with the first time around.
“I didn’t really have a great deal to do with (him) in the first series,” he said. But this season, “I’m a soldier in the army and we have an encounter at the front. So I have a couple of scenes with him, which is nice. We get to play with different characters a bit (this season).”
Siobhan Finneran's transformation into O'Brien (seasons 1 and 2)
Has O'Brien changed in Series Two? "She's carrying quite a lot of guilt with her about what she did. But she doesn't turn into Mother Theresa, you'll be pleased to know," Siobhan Finneran says, referencing the unfortunate incident involving the soap.
Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery are asked about the restrictions, emotionally, of playing characters from that period. "Very often the emotional intention of the scene runs directly parallel to the verbal intentions," Stevens says, calling it one of the best things of doing costume dramas. "It's interesting to play those scenes where the emotions and true feelings are repressed," Dockery says. "It's very English," adds Stevens. Dockery says that today everything is more "exposed." Neame adds that in almost every single scene, there's a subtext and a gap between what's said and what's intended.
From Radio TimesA subtler theme is also set to emerge: the social change wrought by the First World War, as class boundaries become less rigid. Later in the run, Branson the Irish chauffeur (Allen Leech) will even bring Sunday-night ITV viewers a taste of the Easter Rising.
Some things never change. Maggie Smith still provokes a laugh out loud with everything she says as the dowager countess. Penelope Wilton still sparkles as the stubborn Isobel Crawley. As Lord Grantham, Hugh Bonneville still hears bad news while putting on or removing a jacket, before reporting the calamity to Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) later on, in pyjamas. Episode one also features the series' best ever use of implausible eaves-dropping.
From aoltv:
"When the show returns, Matthew and Lady Mary haven't seen each other for two years."
Cora, who's usually calm and collected, is unsettled when the show returns, McGovern said. "It takes her a while to acclimate herself, and I think she's very derailed by the situation," McGovern said. "In the first couple of episodes, she's just lost."
Rahoul Ghose/PBS
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North America
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