All Articles

Lesher Landing at Paramount

It won't be a surprise if/when Paramount announces Thursday that they have hired John Lesher to run the specialty division at the studio. Confirming what David Poland's Movie City News has been saying for some time now, Anne Thompson in the Hollywood Reporter, Chris Gardner in Variety, and David Halbfinger in the New York Times are all reporting that Lesher is in. While none cite sources on the record, it sounds like a done deal. Thompson's story in the Reporter is particuarly insightful, saying that the studio will change the name of the company when Lesher replaces David Dinerstein and Ruth Vitale. Sounds to us like a (very) lowercase "indi...

Focus Features and Random House Enter Filmmaking Partnership

Random House, Inc., the book publishing division of Bertelsmann AG, and Focus Features, part of NBC Universal, have agreed to a multi-year creative and strategic filmmaking partnership they say will provide authors with a "wider range of audiences and readers, and will provide filmmakers with access to a diverse array of material." The agreement was announced today by Focus co-presidents David Linde and James Schamus and Random House chairman and CEO Peter Olson. The terms of the deal call for the companies to develop movies together and co-finance and co-produce a substantial slate of feature films for theatrical release, all based on books ...

AP: Clooney to Get Award at Film Festival

George Clooney will receive the 2006 Modern Master Award during the upcoming Santa Barbara International Film Festival. "The Modern Master Award is about somebody who has shown versatility someone who has worn more than just one hat," Roger Durling, the festival's executive director, said Tuesday. "...

The Guardian: Jake's progress

He's the crown prince of Tinseltown. A 24-year-old with acting in his blood - he even had driving lessons from Paul Newman. But Jake Gyllenhaal isn't content to live in the comfort zone Here, he talks to Fred Schruers about Hollywood dynasties, loneliness and kissing cowboys.

"Farce of the Penguins"...THINKFilm Says Yes

An insider commenting on a press release received today by indieWIRE doubted that it was legit, but here it is...THINKFilm has announced the acquisition of a new movie dubbed "Farce of the Penguins." The movie, by Bob Saget (featured in "The Aristocrats" and star of "Full House"), is described as "comedic adventure that will combine spectacular and heartwarming wildlife photography with an irreverent and decidedly R-rated theme and soundtrack." In the spirit of his voiceovers from "America's Funniest Home Videos," Saget will give life to penguins images after coming up with the idea "organically" -- "I was watching the "March" movie at a scre...

Strange Brou...HaHa

Wal-Mart Rep Accused of Pirating Doc

'Awesome' Beasties Sign with THINKFilm

The AFM challenge