'Life' of the Party

New to DVD and Blu-Ray today is the fantastic drama "A Better Life." When it opened earlier this year, I had high praise for director Chris Weitz and star Demian Bichir, who I think delivers one of the finest performances of the year as an illegal immigrant looking to provide a positive future for his 14-year-old son. In an interview with Weitz, I praised the film and the director's steady hand with material that could have easily gone maudlin or condescending.Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the DVD release party for the film, hosted by Mary-Louise Parker at Culina. It took me a second to make the connection, but of course, Bichir played Parker's lover on the Showtime series "Weeds." Like anyone who loves great actors, I've long held Parker in high regard. But until I saw her in person that night, I had no idea how unbelievably stunning she is in person. She was also very gracious and affable, and went out of her way to thank us for coming. "I so appreciate your support of this movie," she told me. "It means so much that people get the word out about it. It's very special."So if you won't take my word for it, listen to Parker, and check out one of the best films--and performances--of the year.READ MORE ON BEHIND THE SCENES

Awesome Tintin Concept Art

Observe Spielberg etc modified the booksThe Adventures Of Tintin:The Important Thing In The Unicorn hits cinemas next Wednesday, and that we are rather searching toward it. With bananas action moments, a spirit that's consistent with Hergé's books and several really funny moments, it's a helluva summer season blockbuster in many but, er, release date. Therefore we are pleased to produce you some exclusive concept art within the connected book, The Ability Of The Adventures Of Tintin, by Weta's Chris Guise with forewords from StevenSpielberg and Jackson.Awesome Tintin Concept ArtAlso featuring introductions from effects tales Joe Letteri (Avatar) and Richard Taylor (The Our god In The Rings) and interviews from people involved, it charts the whole process of turning Hergé's sketches into convincing 3d images, and mixes art with interviews while using cast and crew.The ability of The Adventures of Tintin (HarperCollins) is going now.

Bingham Ray Named Executive Director from the Bay Area Film Society

Bingham Ray, an experienced from the indie film scene, continues to be named executive director from the Bay Area Film Society.our editor recommendsGraham Leggat, Former Executive Director from the Bay Area Film Society, Dies at 51 Dealing with the brand new role November. 7, he works Graham Leggat, who died August. 25 after an 18-month fight with cancer. Leggat, who was simply the organization's executive director since 2005, walked lower in the job in June due to health problems. Ray, who started his career like a manager and programmer from the Bleeker Street Cinema almost 30 years ago, cofounded October Films in 1991 and offered since it's co-leader until its purchase to USA Systems in 1999. He subsequently went U . s . Artists since it's leader from 2001 to 2004. In 2007, he became a member of Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, where he spent 3 years, first as leader of Kimmel Distribution after which as leader of creative matters. Most lately, he's offered like a programming consultant for that Film Society of Lincoln subsequently Center, executive consultant to SnagFilms and adjunct professor at NY University's Tisch School from the Arts. "Couple of veteran industry professionals tend to be more highly regarded as, have larger experience or perhaps a better history of success in most areas of the film world than Bingham. Together with his extensive background like a major studio executive, founding father of October Films, adjunct professor at NYU and consultant to several film communities, festivals and firms, Bingham is an ideal and timely fit to continue Graham's legacy and develop the building blocks in our year-round exhibition, education and filmmaker services programs," Pat McBaine, SFFS board leader stated. "This chance defines the saying 'too good to be real' for me personally,Inch Ray stated. "To become asked to mind among the world's finest, most exclusive film communities, within the world's finest metropolitan areas, is beyond remarkable. Walking in behind Graham Leggat is really a challenging task. He elevated the Bay Area Film Society and it is great festival to world-class levels and put together a remarkably gifted staff, which are based on a progressive, passionate and involved board of company directors. I'm thrilled to stay in such great company and welcome the difficulties in the future within this exciting new personal and professional chapter." Additionally to managing year-round programming, the SFFS presentes the annual Bay Area Worldwide Film Festival, that will next take place April 19 to May 3, 2012. Related Subjects

Late Actor John Belushi Makes His Gaming Debut in New Social Game

New social games author Entertainment Games is focusing around the fastest-growing segment from the web, gamers 40 and older. The business is joining track of Hollywood symbols for hooking up using this older gaming demographic. Inside the new Retro World free-to-play social game, players will have a way to buy avatars of famous Hollywood symbols within the '50s, '60s, '70s and eighties.our editor recommendsSocial Gaming Market Forecasted to feed $1 Billion in 2011Social Gaming Firm Zynga Files for $1 Billion IPO Comedian John Belushi might be the most recent Hollywood celebrity which will be available just like a player avatar inside the new gaming, which launches the next month. He joins Elvis together with other soon-to-be-introduced stars which will be accessible in the sport world on Facebook, Google+ and mobile items. Entertainment Games has furthermore inked handles Getty, Corbis and Spiegel to produce photographs and fashions readily available decades to the sport world. The rights to take advantage from the title and photographs of John Belushi were licensed through CMG Worldwide, a respected agency representing probably the most recognized names in sports, music and entertainment. John Belushi burst towards the comedy scene in 1975 becoming an original cast part of Saturday Evening Live. More youthful crowd starred in box office hits like Animal House (1978) as well as the Blues Brothers and sisters (1980) that established him just like a predominant cultural icon of his era. PHOTOS: The Hollywood Reporter's 80th Anniversary: 'The Tales' Problem "Everyone recalls the comic genius of John Belushi," mentioned Gene Mauro, Leader of Entertainment Games. "He introduced laughter all over the world, which is truly exciting to cast him in new roles and also have him on virtual goods inside our new social game. We're honored being associated with CMG Worldwide and John Belushi and anticipate announcing really our game's celebrity cast people approaching our internet affiliate marketing.Inch According to eMarketer, clients 40 and older harder and funds online than almost every other demographic. 50 percent of online grownups over 40 use Facebook, according to Forrester Research. Well as over 60 million 40+ clients are saved to Facebook, according to internal Facebook advertising. Mauro mentioned that although game the kind of Zynga attract gamers 40 and older, nobody has designed casual games particularly with this particular demographic. Retro World, including adventure games and small-games, remains designed to bring the decades these gamers were living to existence. Continue, the business will probably be getting games based on classic Hollywood Tv shows to Retro World, along with additional stars. Related Subjects

Friday Box Office: Let's Give Footloose a Hands!

I’m squeaking and bopping like Deniece Williams, because the new Footloose is both considerably recognized together with a box office success. Kenny Wormald’s large debut tops the Friday countdown, leading all beginners having a significant margin — specially the not-so-Large Year. 1. FOOTLOOSE $5,565,000 2. REAL STEEL $4,517,000 ($39,957,000) 3. The Main One Factor $3,200,000 4. THE IDES OF MARCH $2,250,000 ($16,904,000) 5. MONEYBALL $1,715,000 ($53,927,000) 6. DOLPHIN TALE $1,675,000 ($54,002,000) 7. 50/50 $1,356,000 ($21,375,000) 8. The Big YEAR $1,150,000 Daily Box Office [Box Office Mojo]

Cohans prep Pineiro adaptation 'Betibu'

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Miguel Cohan, director of "No Return," is working on a new project, "Betibu," an adaptation of Argentine Claudia Pineiro's latest novel. "Betibu" is set up at Argentina's Haddock Films, the co-producer of 2010 Oscar winner "The Secret in Their Eyes" and Viggo Mortensen-starrer "Everybody Has A Plan." Cohan is working on the screenplay with sister Ana Cohan, co-scribe of "No Return," and Pineiro. A thriller, "Betibu" turns on an ageing, jaundiced crime journalist, a famous woman writer and a thrusting young journalist who investigate a suspected murder in a gated community outside Buenos Aires. "The story is a crime suspenser set in the backrooms of journalism," Haddock topper Vanessa Ragone told Variety at the Rio Festival market. Miguel Cohan could well make "Betibu" his sophomore outing, Ragone said. Project is co-produced by Gerardo Herrero and Mariela Besuievsky's Madrid-based Tornasol Films, which co-owns Haddock. It is skedded to shoot second half 2012 in Buenos Aires and, most probably, Spain's Ciudad de la Luz studios. Argentine broadcaster Telefe will associate produce. Budget is "big by Argentine standards, mid-budget by Spanish standards," Ragone said. Haddock optioned Pineiro's second novel, which became Marcelo Pineyro's 2009 Argentine B.O. hit "Thursday's Widows." "No Return," Cohan's debut, shared the Golden Spike at Spain's Valladolid fest, establishing Cohan as a director to track and specialist in drama thrillers. "Betibu" explores a similar register. The Rio Festival runs Oct. 6-18. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Exclusive: Sam Worthington Faces Off Against a Perp in Michael Mann-Produced Texas Killing Fields

Someone’s been dumping bodies in the marsh lands outside of small town Texas City, and cops Sam Worthington, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Jessica Chastain are determined to catch the killer. In her sophomore directorial effort, Ami Canaan Mann (daughter of Michael, who produced) helms Texas Killing Fields, a cop thriller based on grisly true events. After the jump, watch Worthingon and Chloe Moretz in Movieline’s exclusive look at a scene from the October 14 release. The synopsis: Inspired by true events, this tense and haunting thriller follows a local homicide detective (Sam Worthington) in a small Texan town and his partner, a transplanted cop from NY City (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as they track a sadistic serial killer dumping his victims’ mutilated bodies in a nearby marsh locals call “The Killing Fields”.The killer changes the game and begins hunting the detectives, teasing them with possible clues at the crime scenes while always remaining one step ahead. When a familiar local girl, Anne (Chloe Grace Moretz) goes missing the detectives find themselves in a race against time to find the killer and save her life.Directed by Ami Canaan Mann & Produced by Michael Mann, Texas Killing Fields also stars Jessica Chastain (Tree of Life, The Help), Jason Clarke (Public Enemies, FOX’s “Chicago Code”) and Stephen Graham (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”). Texas Killing Fields is in theaters October 14.

SAG honors Marlee Matlin

Published: Thu., March. 6, 2011, 6:13pm PTBy Marlee Matlin has brought the Screen Stars Guild Harold Russell Award, which honors entertainers with disabilities.The kudo -- which came like a surprise to Matlin -- was presented Thursday in the Media Access Honours in the Beverly Hilton Hotel while Matlin was hosting the breakfast event.Matlin stated in her own acceptance speech that that her co-workers have to seek more recognition of stars with disabilities."We are dirty yet and we are likely to keep noise, to create unexpected things happen, and to really make it equal for every single among us," Matlin stated.Matlin, who's hard of hearing, won the very best Actress Oscar for "Kids of a smaller God." Other credits include "The L Word," "CSI: Crime Scene Analysis," "Law & Order: SVU," "Seinfeld," "Free Airline Wing" and "Dwts.InchJohn David Hall ("CSI: Crime Scene Analysis") presented the award to Matlin. Other those who win in the Media Access Honours include:AFTRA Disability Awareness Award Geri Jewell ("The Details of Existence")Casting Society of America Award Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas ("Breaking Bad")Producers Guild of America George Sunga Award Paul Stupin ("Switched at Birth")Authors Guild of America West Evan Somers Memorial Award Jason Katims ("Being a parent")Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Scholarship Teal Sherer ("Warm Springs")RJ Mitte Diversity Award Abbey Umali ("Lucky") Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Darren Aronofsky to helm Noah

He's handled from paranoid specialised mathematicians to cleaned up wrestlers to crazy ballet ballroom dancers, but this time around Darren Aronofsky gets Scriptural on our asses."Since I Have would be a kid, I've been moved and inspired through the story of Noah and the family's journey," the Black Swan director stated."The creativeness of numerous decades have sparked for this epic story of belief. It's my hope will be able to present a window into Noah's passion and perseverance for that big screen.InchNoah is a lengthy-time passion work for Aronofsky, who had been inspired to create a poem known as The Finish Around The Globe Through Noah's Eyes when he was 13 and won a contest at his school."Noah was the very first person to plant wineries and drink wine and obtain drunk. It's there within the Bible - it had been among the first things he did when he arrived at land. There is some real survivor's guilt happening there. He's a dark, complicated character," the director stated in 2007.As TF reported in June this film had been recommended like a "large fantasy epic", therefore it is no real surprise to determine The Fountain author Ari Handel aboard.Aronofsky and Handel will hands their script for Noah to Academy Award-nominated film writer John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator) for any rewrite.Scott Franklin and Aronofsky will produce the film. Outdoors to the fact that Vital Pictures and New Regency Productions have became a member of forces with this production, that's all we all know at this time.Fairly sure there will be an ark inside it though!