Film portrays fugitive Mladic as neurotic gardener (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - The most wanted man in the Balkans is being portrayed on the big screen this month as a vindictive army captain obsessed with gardening in a tragicomic film set during the dying days of Yugoslavia.

Victims' relatives say 9/11 film not profiteering (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

In this undated publicity photograph from Universal Pictures, passengers Jean and Donald Peterson, portrayed by actors Becky London and Tom O'Rourke, are shown in a scene from the film 'United 93' by writer/director Paul Greengrass. The film tells the story of the passengers and crew, their families on the ground and the flight controllers as United Airlines Flight 93 became the fourth hijacked plane on the day of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The film is scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on April 25, 2006 and open in the United States April 28. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES  REUTERS/Jonathan Olley/Universal Studios/HandoutReuters - A film about the hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania has raised questions about whether Americans are ready for Hollywood's take on the September 11 attacks, but some relatives of those who died support "United 93."


Director Haggis crashes Banff TV festival (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) presents a proclamation designating April 4, 2006 'Crash/Film L.A. Day' in Los Angeles to the film's director, producer and co-writer Paul Haggis (R) during ceremonies at Los Angeles City Hall April 4, 2006. 'Crash' which was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, recently won the Academy Award for best picture. Bobby Moresco, co-writer and producer is shown (C.) REUTERS/Fred ProuserReuters - Oscar-winning "Crash" writer/director/producer Paul Haggis will be honored at the Banff World Television Festival in his native Canada on June 12. Event organizers said Tuesday Haggis also will conduct a master class. The annual forum for TV executives and producers is set to run June 11-14.


Discovery May Be Rare Silent Movie Footage (AP)

April 18, 2006

AP - Discovered in an attic, the 50-foot scrap of film runs for only 38 seconds. It may turn out to be rare footage of a silent movie released in 1923. The Library of Congress Motion Picture Conservation Center has done the detective work and reached a conclusion.

New stars shine in "Hard Candy," "Silent Hill" (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - One is 11 years old and likes to giggle and wear pink sunglasses. The other is 19 and super serious. They would have little in common if both weren't being touted as rising Hollywood stars.

Matthew Perry getting 'Numb' for indie comedy (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Matthew Perry has signed to play a mentally unstable screenwriter in "Numb," an indie dark comedy that marks a rare foray to the big screen for the former "Friends" star.

Zellweger takes 'Case' of thriller (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Actress Renee Zellweger arrives at the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 16, 2006. Zellweger has signed to star in the horror thriller 'Case 39,' playing a social worker who saves an abused 10-year-old girl from her parents only to discover that things are not as they appear. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)Reuters - Renee Zellweger has signed to star in the horror thriller "Case 39," playing a social worker who saves an abused 10-year-old girl from her parents only to discover that things are not as they appear.


Film studios begin shipping next-gen DVDs (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

A display of HD DVDs is shown at the HD DVD booth during the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas January 6, 2006. The first HD-DVD titles are slated to go on sale Tuesday and, contrary to speculation, Toshiba players have arrived at Best Buy and should be on sale in at least some of the chain's locations. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)Reuters - Two Hollywood studios on Tuesday started shipping DVDs in the high definition format, ushering in a new era of home viewing and a multi-billion dollar DVD standards war that has left Hollywood and the electronics industry divided.


Oscars Moving Back to February (AP)

April 18, 2006

A worker rigs lights outside the Kodak Theatre in preparation for the 78th Academy Awards in Hollywood, March 3, 2006. Next year's Academy Awards will take place on the last Sunday in February, returning to a slot they vacated this year to avoid competing with the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)AP - The Oscars are moving back to February.The 79th annual Academy Awards will be held Feb. 25, 2007 — the last Sunday of the month — at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. It will be televised by ABC-TV.


'Die Hard' Director Facing Wiretap Sentence (AP)

April 18, 2006

John McTiernan, director of such hit movies as 'Die Hard' and 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' departs from federal court Monday, April 17, 2006 in Los Angeles. McTiernan has entered a plea agreement with the government in a case tied to a ballooning Hollywood scandal over alleged wiretaps, his attorney disclosed Monday at the filmmaker's arraignment. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)AP - A somber "Die Hard" director John McTiernan stood before a federal judge and said he made "knowingly false" statements to an FBI agent about Anthony Pellicano, the celebrity private eye he admitted hiring to wiretap a business associate.


Director Pleads Guilty in Wiretap Case (AP)

April 18, 2006

John McTiernan, left, director of such hit movies as 'Die Hard' and 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' departs federal court Monday, April 17, 2006 in Los Angeles with his attorney John Carlton. McTiernan has entered a plea agreement with the government in a case tied to a ballooning Hollywood scandal over alleged wiretaps, his attorney disclosed Monday at the filmmaker's arraignment. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)AP - A somber "Die Hard" director John McTiernan stood before a federal judge and said he made "knowingly false" statements to an FBI agent about Anthony Pellicano, the celebrity private eye he admitted hiring to wiretap a business associate.


Ace Spanish reporter finds lens mightier than pen (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Few investigative journalists can say their articles altered the course of history. Those who can are studied in journalism schools and become the subject of movies.

"Superman" stars pull double duty on film, game (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - "Superman Returns: The Videogame" will reach stores June 26 -- four days before the Man of Steel returns to the big screen in North America, but the similarities go deeper than their release dates.

Zellweger takes "Case" of thriller (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Renee Zellweger has signed to star in the horror thriller "Case 39," playing a social worker who saves an abused 10-year-old girl from her parents only to discover that things are not as they appear.

Producers Guild eyes Herskovitz for top job (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Filmmaker Marshall Herskovitz is in the running to take over as president of the Producers Guild of America, as Kathleen Kennedy prepares to step down after five years in office, sources said Monday.

Australian actress gains role in War drama "Loss" (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Australian actress Abbie Cornish has signed on to play the female lead in "Boys Don't Cry" director Kimberly Peirce's Iraq War drama "Stop-Loss."

Heigl getting "Knocked Up" in Apatow comedy (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl is set to get "Knocked Up" in writer/director Judd Apatow's follow-up to "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."

High-definition DVD finally in stores (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - The first HD-DVD titles are slated to go on sale Tuesday and, contrary to speculation, Toshiba players have arrived at Best Buy and should be on sale in at least some of the chain's locations.

Oscar moves back to February (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Actress Jessica Lange poses with filmmaker Albert Maysles at the Film Society of Lincoln Center Gala Tribute to Jessica Lange, Monday, April 17, 2006, in New York. The annual Gala Tribute honors the career accomplishments of major figures in the film world, and this year Jessica Lange was celebrated for her career which includes two Oscars, for Best Actress in 'Blue Sky' and Best Supporting Actress in 'Tootsie,' and four Golden Globes. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)Reuters - Next year's Academy Awards will take place on the last Sunday in February, returning to a slot they vacated this year to avoid competing with the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.


Author Jakes lands inspiring deal with Sony (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Bishop T.D. Jakes, the self-help author behind the religious-themed drama "Woman Thou Art Loosed," has signed a production and distribution deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Matthew Perry getting "Numb" for indie comedy (Reuters)

April 18, 2006

Reuters - Matthew Perry has signed to play a mentally unstable screenwriter in "Numb," an indie dark comedy that marks a rare foray to the big screen for the former "Friends" star.