Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Aniston, Streisand & More To Be Honored By ELLEs Women In Hollywood Gala

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- ELLE, the worlds largest fashion magazine, has announced the lineup for this years 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills Hotel on Monday, October 17, 2011. ELLE, together with presenting sponsors Calvin Klein Collection and LOral Paris, and additional sponsor David Yurman, will bring together an extraordinary group of Hollywoods best and brightest talent for a celebratory dinner honoring womens achievements in film. The tribute features a diverse group of women who have had a profound impact on the film industry. This years honorees include an incredible group of actresses including Academy Award winner Barbra Streisand and Academy Award nominees Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Naomi Watts. Several of todays most acclaimed women in film will also be honored including Jennifer Aniston, Frieda Pinto and Evan Rachel Wood, as well as, DreamWorks CEO, Stacey Snider. Emerging actress Elizabeth Olsen will receive the Calvin Klein Collection Emerging Star Spotlight Award. LOral Paris, another presenting sponsor, is proud to honor Barbra Streisand with the LOreal Paris Legend Award. As has long been our tradition, this year we honor an extraordinary group of women who continue to redefine what is possible in Hollywood, said ELLE editor-in-chief Robbie Myers. From icons to stars to emerging talent, we are thrilled to celebrate their contribution to understanding what it means to be a woman in the wider world. Last years honorees included Gwyneth Paltrow, Diane Kruger, Kate Hudson, Kerry Washington, Sofia Coppola, Hilary Swank, Diane Keaton, Jodie Foster and Jessica Chastain. Past recipients of this honor include Meryl Streep, Charlize Theron, Julie Andrews, Emily Blunt, Katie Holmes, Julianne Moore, Zoe Saldana, Jane Fonda, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Salma Hayek, Anne Hathaway, Sigourney Weaver, Isla Fisher, and Anjelica Huston. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Breakfast of Champions: Watch Theatrical Trailer for 'Human Centipede 2'

What better way to kick off your Tuesday than with the trailer for 'Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)'? Maybe not. Judging from reviews out of Fantastic Fest -- where 'Centipede 2' premiered last week -- the Tom Six-directed film is as disgusting, vile, foul, degrading and altogether disheartening as your imagination leads you to believe. Wrote Variety reporter Jeff Sneider on Twitter: "If you're an actor in 'Human Centipede 2,' how do you show that movie to your parents, or put it on your reel?" Considering he later called it "fecal porn," you probably don't? With that, here's the trailer. Enjoy! (Just don't watch if you've eaten in the last 30 minutes.) 'Human Centipede 2' is out on Oct. 7. [via Yahoo!]

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Miramax ink Offer Japan

In another proceed to electronically exploit its library, Miramax has inked an offer with Hulu in Japan for choose library game titles. Photos include "Chocolat," "The British Patient," "From Dusk Till Beginning," "Gone Baby Gone," "Good Will Hunting," "Jackie Brown," "Pulp Fiction," "Swingers," "You Will See Bloodstream," "Scream" and "Spy Kids "Beginning immediately, Hulu customers in Japan will have the ability to instantly watch the game titles on platforms including Televisions, Blu-ray gamers, and gaming systems, Computers, pills and mobile phones.In June, Hulu and Miramax introduced an offer for 100s of Miramax films to stream around the Hulu Plus subscription service as well as for choose Miramax films to stream through the ad-supported Hulu service within the U.S"We're very happy to partner with Hulu in Japan, that has built a compelling platform inside a market we're very centered on,Inch stated Mike Lang, Boss of Miramax. "We anticipate making our terrific movies open to a lot more television and digital platforms in Japan, along with other marketplaces throughout Asia, because the audience is constantly on the expand tremendously and new platforms still proliferate." Financial particulars from the deal weren't revealed. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Sunday, September 25, 2011

As Obama Involves Hollywood, Showbiz Heavies Plan More Democratic Party Fundraiser

our editor recommends'Extreme Transformation: Home Edition': Michelle Obama to Guest Star round the ABC Reality Series'American Idol' Judge Jennifer Lopez to check out Super Bowl With ObamaMorgan Freeman Notifies CNN's Piers Morgan That Tea Party Is Racist Leader Obama may be going to town Monday mid-day for some fundraiser, but people occasions are merely the start of an energetic week for the majority of the Dems' major Hollywood contributor. Numerous occasions intended for the party's Congressional candidates will also be planned. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi will be the large attract a Tuesday evening fundraiser event situated by director J.J. Abrams and also the wife,Katie McGrath. The large event will probably be held round the roof of Abrams' Santa Monica production studio Bad Robot, wonderful proceeds going to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. PHOTOS: Stars Who've Carried out People in politics Dems ready to pop for $10,000 and $5,000 tickets could possibly get a distinctive half-hour alone while using former Speaker at 5:30 p.m. A $1,000 contribution allows you to definitely another face inside the 6-8 p.m. crowd. Abrams and McGrath are becoming one of the Dems go-to Youthful Hollywood energy couples. In June, they situated First Lady Michelle Obama and, earlier, carried out a pivotal role in showing Kamala Harris, then Da of San Francisco Bay Area, for the entertainment industry's Democratic community. Harris, presently the California party's smartest star, ongoing to win a lesser-the-wire election as Condition Atty. General, with many different her crucial financial support supplied by Hollywood. The Pelosi event's report on co-hosts can be a virtual who's-who of Democratic Hollywood's heavy-gamers, including Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ari Emanuel, Barbara Mandel and James L. Brooks, Barbra Streisand and James Brolin, gay rights activist and political strategist Chad Griffith and Barack Obama's guy-on-the-scene Andy Spahn. STORY: Obama Hollywood Fundraising event Event Sets Artists Abrams and McGrath have formerly given $35,800 to Obama's re-election campaign this year, plus another $100,000 for the Democratic Super Pac, Priority USA Action. Abrams' efforts dovetail people of Katzenberg, who grew to become one in the Dems' key money raisers. (Katzenberg recently gave $2 million to Priority USA, plus 1000's more for the Democratic Party.) Katzenberg and Obama's other Hollywood supporters are actually busy drumming up support for your leader's occasions Monday in your own home of Blues and Fig & Olive on chic Melrose Place, where the per-couple tariff is $33,800. (In the event you're considering driving round the Westside, beware: Site visitors will begin coming at House of Blues at 4:30 p.m., just with time to complicate hurry hour traffic along Sunset Boulevard. The dinner on Melrose Place could possibly get showed up around 6 p.m.) STORY: Disappointed Hollywood Giving Obama Cold Shoulder The best choice's two occasions, however, won't function as the sole political fundraiser round the Westside on Monday. Sid Sheinberg and also the wife,Lorraine,are likely to host a evening time fundraiser event for Congresswoman Lois Capps, who's running against former California Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado. Maldonado has introduced extensive support within the Republican Party as well as in the Super Pac run by former Rose rose bush White-colored House political strategist Karl Rove. As Monday's full dance card signifies, it's apt to be a frenetic fund-raising season west of la Cienega between now and November 2012. STORY: Morgan Freeman on Obama: 'He Might be a Small Bit Too Regular being the best choice' Throughout a year ago's mid-term elections, the entertainment industry elevated greater than $Thirty Dollars million to help fund your dream for control of the house and Senate. Even though some Hollywood activists are chilly on giving to Obama at this time, the continues to be keen to assist its congressional faves. Email: TinaDaunt@gmail.com Related Subjects Obama J.J. Abrams Jeffrey Katzenberg Kate Capshaw Steven Spielberg

Friday, September 23, 2011

Mo Rothman, Who Designed the Return of Charlie Chaplin inside the '70s, Dies

Mo Rothman, a skilled studio executive whose landmark deal with Charlie Chaplin inside the seventies reinvigorated the career in the Hollywood legend, died Sept. 15 in La carrying out a extended bout with Parkinson's disease. His age wasn't immediately available.our editor recommendsLong-lost Charlie Chaplin film discoveredMarilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Charlie Chaplin Costumes being Offered by AuctionRelated Subjects•Obituaries In 1971, Rothman paid out Chaplin a reported $6 000 0000 plus fifty percent royalties for your distribution rights to 11 Chaplin classics like the Great Dictator, City Lights, Modern Timesand The Child and arranged for your reissue in the films inside the U.S. through Columbia Pictures. More substantially, the pact also incorporated that "The Little Tramp" make personal looks intended for the movies, so Chaplin made the decision to complete his self-enforced 20-year exile and return to the U.S., first for just about any 1972 tribute within the Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center Film Society in NY after which it soon after to just accept an honorary Oscar in the repentant Hollywood. (Chaplin had left the country among tax problems and accusations he was involved with anti-American activities.) Rothman and Chaplin made millions round the deal, which came just like a blow to Chaplin's boy, Sydney, who had previously been told he'd be allowed to broker the arrangement. Before his business with Chaplin, Rothman labored at Universal Pictures from 1946-52 just like a manager in India, Singapore and Venezuela at United states . Artists in Paris from 1952-59 as continental manager for Europe at Columbia from 1960-71 as Boss of the worldwide arm after which it v . p . worldwide marketing. He offered as Columbia's liaison with director Stanley Kubrick on 1964's Dr. Strangelove or: Generate An Earnings Learned to avoid Worrying and Love the Blast. In 1982, Rothman was granted a purchase of Merit with the Italian government for intend to Italian cinema and offered round the juries within the 1985 Cannes and Venice film festivals. Rothman's wife Lyn elevated funds to create the Parkinson's Appeal for Deep Brain Stimulation london in 2001 after her husband was recognized with Parkinson's disease. DBS utilizes chronic, high-frequency electrical stimulation to help ease tremor, rigidity and dyskinesia of a quantity of movement disorders. Furthermore to Lyn, children include children Keith, Nicole and Monique stepchildren Sebastian and Arabella Serrell-W and seven grandchildren. Related Subjects Obituaries

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Liberty Media Anticipates Reasonably Limited Tier For Movie

It’s “more likely these days”that new movie streaming companies for example Amazon . com will offer you some programming on the premium tier — a contrast with Netflix’s single-pricepackage –Liberty Media Boss Greg Maffei stated today in the Goldman Sachs Communicopia conference. He broadly suggested that his company’s need to charge extra for Starzwas a large reason the premium funnel lately ended discussions to increase its carriage cope with Netflix. The present arrangement, he states,is “inconsistent” with theway customers receive Starz on pay TV. More broadly, Maffei states that Liberty is on the right track to separate off its Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz monitoring stocks by tomorrow since it's beat back a court challenge by bondholders.The dealtransfers some assets towards the spun-off companies, breaking some bond contracts. However the Delaware Top Court yesterday upheld a lesser court decision nevertheless the split-off is alright since it isn’t a part of what it really known as an “overall plan” to harm bondholders. That likely won’t alter the overall technique for the organization that’s controlled through the notoriously tax-averse former cable titan John Malone — which some experts have to say is nothing more than a portfolio of stock holdings. “Finding items to buy at attractive prices may be the greatest chalenge we now have today,” Maffei states. Additionally to repurchasing Liberty shares, the organization has “looked at stuff that are downtrodden,” he states. That’s how Liberty found own major stakes in Sirius XM and Barnes & Noble.Liberty attempted to purchase it store chain since it likes the potential for e-book sales for this Nook e-readers and “we think the retail business will probably decline in a reduced rate than people anticipate.” Talks fell apart when B&N wanted a greater cost just like “the real estate markets were leaving us.” Maffei states that at QVC “we do remarkably well within the U.S. given what consumer confidence is.” The organization’s focusing more about electronic devices than jewellery, but nonetheless really wants to target women. Additionally, it wants toavoid evaluations with Amazon . com, which Maffei calls “a fearsome, strong competitor.” Liberty might consider pursuing HSN, but “not at today’s cost.”

Fall TV Recognition Contest: Have You Search The X Factor or Revenge?

Steve Johnson, Nicole Sherzinger, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid The anticipation finally has ended. On Wednesday, Fox's The X Factor first showed, getting back The American Idol Show idol judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. Was your competition show as exciting while you expected? Or perhaps is it simply another singing reality series? Election: Which fall premieres won you over? Which flopped? On ABC, Emily VanCamp came back to television with Revenge, a contemporary, soapy retelling from the literary classicThe Count of Monte Cristo. Are you currently totally hooked on the Hamptons-set mystery? Election now! And make certain to inform your buddies along with other fans to election. Take a look at all of the familiar faces coming back to TV this season Return to determine what TVGuide.com customers think about your preferred - and least favorite - new shows for fall and also the final ratings for that debuts. When are you able to election next? Here is a calendar that will help you keep a record.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A Great Arrangement

A Kurm Event and Produ., Secret Pact production. Produced by Sarovar Banka. Co-producer, K.M. Das. Directed, put together by Sarovar Banka.With: Adam Laupus, Shabana Azmi, Lethia Nall, Diksha Basu, Shreya Sharma, Farid Currim, Navniit Nisshan, Vikram Kadapia. (British dialogue)A vivid, remarkably accomplished version in the mix-cultural romantic comedies that regularly appear at Indian diaspora fests, Sarovar Banka's "A Great Arrangement" reps a complete cut above average. Shot on Super 35 and supported having a magnificent score by Neel Murgai, the pic juxtaposes its American-born hero's comical search for an Indian wife by getting a wide open-ended look for the wide streets and colorful byways of Chandigarh, the Le Corbusier-designed capital of Punjab. More "Darjeeling Limited" than typical Bollywood bride movie, Banka's wry twist on cultural confusion will probably be best appreciated by festgoers. Though born and elevated in the united states, Ashok (Adam Laupus) decides to locate an Indian bride for reasons never entirely apparent extending its love to themselves. In Chandigarh, the candidates are arranged and mix-suggested with callous efficiency by Ashok's older cousin Preeti (award-bathed actress Shabana Azmi, excellent here) and pored over and stated on by Preeti's lively teenage daughter, Suriya (Shreya Sharma). But Ashok's casual dress and laid-back approach don't attract his status-minded prospective in-laws and regulations and rules, and also the unapologetic inadequate ambition (or worse, his vague need to become "real" author instead of penning ad copy) sabotages lots of Preeti's effort on his account. After numerous comic mismatches, Ashok finally meets a contender whose candor and cultural ambivalence echo their very own. Amita (Diksha Basu), an elegant, well-educated modern lady in their late 20s, takes Ashok aside to see him she's marriage to purely to impress her traditional parents, warning him they wants nothing associated with love. The Two prove compatible enough fostering pals, as shots of Ashok perched easily around the rear of Amita's motorbike attest -- but hearts, flowers and sex are plainly absent. The plans proceed apace, Ashok's parents originating from America for your wedding. But Ashok has met Lorie (Lethia Nall), a backpacking American who's touring India not, she quickly assures him, for "enlightenment," but basically to obtain a society different then her own. With Lorie, Ashok discovers no India strained through anxiety over ethnic identity, but a panoply of sights and sounds that strike responsive guitar guitar chords within him. Though Laupus and a few of the other stars never completely inhabit their roles, their clumsiness well reads as discomfort by getting a new culture. Nevertheless, their non-professional kind of thesping could pose an problem for distribs. Amol Rathod's awesome-well toned lensing captures the first charm of Chandigarh's sights, highly abetted by Murgai's layered score, including many facets of classical Indian music.Camera (color, Super 35), Amol Rathod editor, Tom Quinn music, Neel Murgai art director, Priten Patil costume designer, Roopa Sood appear designer, Anita Kushwaha casting, Avani Parikh, Gita Reddy. Examined at Montreal World Film Festival (Focus on World Cinema), August. 21, 2011. Running time: 97 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Wilderness' to Animal Planet

The Vikings are coming to pillage Animal Planet: Discovery Communications' fauna-centric cabler has ordered a four-part mini called "Viking Wilderness" that will explore the Arctic regions of Europe, including footage of volcanic fires and duels between musk oxen. Show is produced by Carl Hall and Amanda Theunissen for Parthenon Entertainment; Mick Kaczorowski produces for the network. Each HD seg will run an hour; the series is set to premiere on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 9 p.m. Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com

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Monday, September 19, 2011

Netflix Announces DVD-Streaming Split, Does not remember to see if @Qwikster Is Taken

Late Sunday evening, Netflix Boss Reed Hastings required to the organization’s official blog to describe further the current news of Netflix’s streaming-DVD service split and prices changes with another announcement: Inside a couple of days, Netflix will split up into two companies, keeping its reputation for streaming-only services and separating DVD rental fees right into a new separate company known as Qwikster. Hastings introduced the Qwikster news having a mea culpa for shocking Netflix customers the 2009 summer time with sudden cost hikes, explaining his and the organization’s thinking at length: Many people love our DVD service, when i do, because virtually every movie available is released on DVD, plus plenty of TV series. You want to advertise the breadth in our incredible DVD offering to ensure that as numerous people as you possibly can realize it still is available, which is an excellent selection for individuals who would like the large and comprehensive selection on DVD. DVD by mail might not last forever, but we would like it to last as lengthy as you possibly can.I additionally love our streaming service since it is built-into my TV, and that i can view anytime I would like. The advantages of our streaming service are actually not the same as the advantages of DVD by mail. We're feeling we have to concentrate on rapid improvement as streaming technology and also the market evolve, without needing to maintain compatibility with this DVD by mail service.Therefore we recognized that streaming and DVD by mail have become two quite different companies, with completely different cost structures, different benefits that should be promoted in a different way, and we have to let each grow and operate individually. It’s hard that i can write this after over ten years of mailing Dvd disks with pride, but we believe it is necessary and finest: Inside a couple of days, we'll relabel our DVD by mail plan to “Qwikster”. Underneath the new system, customers will need to visit Netflix and Qwikster websites individually to be able to use both services, because the two companies won't share information or perhaps be integrated. Bothersome for many clients? Sure. Great news for players, who'll soon have the ability to rent game titles? Yes. Finish around the globe for DVD-tenants or streamers? Surely not, right? (Individuals prices hikes introduced last This summer, however, may be deal-breakers for a lot of current clients.) Regardless, it appears Hastings and Netflix and ex-Netflix mind Andy Rendich (the Boss of Qwikster) really are a) very apologetic to Netflix customers (although the new prices stay in place) B) moving ahead rapidly around the Qwikster front. They promise the split will require effect inside a couple of days. At that time, can they have wrestled the Twitter handle @Qwikster from the guy who presently has it that has an image of Elmo smoking weed as his avatar? (Hat tip to @ryangallagher.) #embedly_twitter_14356605styles/theme1/bg.png) #C0DEEDpadding:20px#embedly_twitter_14356605 p#embedly_twitter_14356605 .embedly_tweet_content#embedly_twitter_14356605 p span.metadataobvious:bothmargin-top:0pxheight:40pxpadding-bottom:12px#embedly_twitter_14356605 p span.metadata span.author#embedly_twitter_14356605 p span.metadata span.author a#embedly_twitter_14356605 p span.metadata span.author img#embedly_twitter_14356605 p a #embedly_twitter_14356605 p a:hover#embedly_twitter_14356605 .embedly_timestamp#embedly_twitter_14356605 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp#embedly_twitter_14356605 a #embedly_twitter_14356605 a:hover#embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-screen-title #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-full-title #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions#embedly_twitter_14356605 .components-above span.tweet-actions#embedly_twitter_14356605 .controls#embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions a #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions a b#embedly_twitter_14356605 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b#embedly_twitter_14356605 .components-above .tweet-text#embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-image #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-user-block-image #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-row #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-user-block #embedly_twitter_14356605 .stream-item #embedly_twitter_14356605 .simple-tweet-image img #embedly_twitter_14356605 .simple-tweet-content #embedly_twitter_14356605 .in-reply-to-border #embedly_twitter_14356605 .in-reply-to-text #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions i symbols.png) no-repeatwidth:15pxheight:15pxmargin: 4px 3pxoutline:nonevertical-align:baselinedisplay:inline-block#embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i #embedly_twitter_14356605 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i @QwiksterJason Castillo Bored as shyt wanna blaze but simultaneously I don’t ugh fuck it where’s the bowl at spark me up llsJun 23 via Twitter for BlackBerryFavoriteRetweetReply A Reason plus some Insights [Netflix blog]

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Before party

Jeffrey Katzenberg with Neil Patrick Harris and David Burke GALLERY: The Evening Before partyThe setting is elegant, the foods divine as well as the swag impressive. But, it's the hobnobbing making the Evening Before party the can't-miss affair in the pre-Emmy social swirl.The fifth annual event, raising $1.5 million for your Film and tv Fund, came its usually eclectic guest report on professionals, talent, tenpercenters together with other bizzers on Saturday for the Lawn at Century Park.Showing sponsors Target, H . p ., People and Revlon saved partygoers entertained with working areas featuring games and freebies (Target's Missoni collection free gifts were a substantial hit). Nevertheless the most fun as of this government-created outdoors party space was watching for interesting couplings -- for instance Jim Parsons giving Edie Falco a bear hug as she turned up, or Margo Martindale inside an animated conversation with Leslie Bibb, or J.J. Abrams and Conan O'Brien talking about deep ideas, or Eric Stonestreet and John Stamos getting fun.But during this high-powered group, there has been outbreaks of fandemonium. "OK, you're awesome," a girl gushed to Aziz Ansari since the "Parks and Entertainment" star made his way using the crowd. "Large Bang Theory" professional producer Bill Prady confessed with a "total fanboy moment" while he and "Large Bang" trouper Kunal Nayyar anxiously anxiously waited outdoors the men's room for that chance to shake hands with "Wager on Thrones" thesp Jon Snow. GALLERY: The Evening Before party Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Verizon increases VOD play

'X-Men: First Class'Verizon Communications is stepping up to compete more aggressively for a share of the growing VOD biz, locking down film deals with all of the major studios and using a two-day rental period as an incentive to get consumers to rent more movies.Company will start promoting its 48-hour VOD rentals through FiOS TV with 20th Century Fox's "X-Men: First Class" today; the film was released on homevideo a week ago. Future pics include Universal's "Fast Five," Sony's "Zookeeper," New Line's "Horrible Bosses" and Disney's "Winnie the Pooh."Most VOD services, especially from cable and satellite companies, rent new titles for 24 hours. But they're now likely to follow suit with their own two-day rentals.For years, Hollywood has been unwilling to lengthen the digital rental window, but now that VOD revenue has become significant enough to boost bottom lines, studios are warming up to experimenting.During the first half of 2011, VOD earned $929 million, up 4% over last year, while electronic sales of pics also rose 4% to $270 million, according to the Digital Entertainment Group. Subscription-based streams of rented fare through the likes of Netflix rose 46% to nearly $1.6 billion.Verizon's argument to studios was that the additional day will increase sales since consumers will be able to start a film one night and finish it the next. "We've been working with (the studios) to move into this direction for a while," said Garrett Rieman, who manages on-demand programs for Verizon's FiOS TV. "The value proposition to the customer is significantly greater" with the extra time. "It just makes sense."The company didn't disclose just how many people start and stop their rentals, but Verizon is eager to stand out from its cable and satcaster rivals any way it can as it builds up its VOD library, which contained 24,000 titles in April, with 15,000 of those free to view. Among those, 3,800 are in HD each month. Comcast claims a library of around 25,000 VOD titles, while Netflix has more than 20,000.Verizon rents titles as streams for $4.99 in standard definition, while HD versions are $5.99. It sells pics for $16.99.Studios have been eager to get their films onto as many digital platforms as possible, believing incremental sales will add up over time to become a lucrative business that will make up for DVD's decline.Thus the studios have been attracted to Verizon's Flex View service, which lets FiOS TV subscribers rent and purchase films day-and-date with their homevid bows and move those titles to their computers and mobile devices like tablets and cellphones -- similar to how Comcast offers VOD fare through its cable boxes, online and its Xfinity TV iPad app that launched in May. More of that's expected in the future, with the mobility of purchases seen as another lure to increase digital sales of films and TV shows and get consumers to move away from rentals. Even Virgin America's revamped in-flight entertainment service rolling out late next year, will push the sale of VOD titles onto mobile devices.That's especially going to be the case as companies from Disney and Apple to the consortium behind UltraViolet promote digital lockers to consumers who don't want their digital files tethered to a single device."X-Men: First Class" is the first Fox title the studio is selling on Flex View, which offers 3,000 titles to purchase.Verizon will promote the newer Hollywood releases on the Flex View guide and through banner ads, as well as to the 4 million subs that receive its Spotlight magazine and another 2 million that opt in to its email blast."We're open to new ideas and trying things out," Rieman said. "And over time when you're the MSO that's doing that others are willing to try new things with you."Only FiOS TV customers can currently use Flex View. But that could soon change as Verizon looks to pair up with other platforms like Sony's PlayStation 3 and Roku to allow access to the VOD service the way Netflix, Amazon, Vudu and Hulu have apps on devices.Deals come as Verizon's FiOS TV and AT&T's U-verse are in expansion mode. Whereas cablers and satcasters have seen subscriber numbers decline during the second quarter (down to 100.9 million from 101.4 million), Internet Protocol TV (also known as IPTV) providers like Verizon and rival AT&T U-verse boosted their numbers by 366,000 to 7.9 million subs during the period and are expected to grow 7.2% each year through 2015, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.At last count, Verizon had 3.8 million FiOS TV customers and another 4.5 million FiOS Internet customers. There are 1.2 million Verizon FiOS TV households in Southern California. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Actress Sarah Sutherland Signs with Gersh (Exclusive)

Sarah Sutherland has booked her first acting job, landing a guest role on the upcoming HBO series Veep. Sutherland also has signed with Gersh for representation in all areas. The daughter of actor Kiefer Sutherland and granddaughter of Donald Sutherland, she graduated from Tisch School of the Arts in May and has opted for the family business. On Veep, Sutherland will play the daughter of starJulia Louis-Dreyfus. The comedy, set in the fictional office of a U.S. vice president, is slated to premiere next year. Sutherland ismanaged by Adam Albrecht and Leanne Coronel at The Coronel Group. Both Kiefer Sutherland and Donald Sutherland are represented by CAA, where Kiefer's brother, Roeg Sutherland, is co-head of the agency's film finance and sales group. Email: Daniel.Miller@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Topics Kiefer Sutherland

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Your Sister's Sister: Toronto Review

Following up Humpdaywith another low-rent charmer in regards to a thirtysomething dude looking for his way, Lynn Sheltonmoves from two- to 3-character dynamics inside your Sister's Sister. Although it lacks the crazy premise that assisted the final film break through, the author/director's growing status should ensure an eager audience at theaters. Coming back from Humpday(and in some way finding time between their own burgeoning behind-the-camera career with brother Jay), Mark Duplassplays Jack, who's deeply in love with closest friend Iris (Emily Blunt) but hasn't had the opportunity to pursue her because the dying of his brother, Iris's ex-boyfriend, last year. Seeking some mind-clearing time alone at Iris's father's island getaway in Puget Seem, Jack rather finds Iris's sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), licking her wounds after ending a seven-year lesbian relationship. The 2 stars play superbly off one another -- DeWitt dryly tolerating undesirable company, Duplass endearingly over-explaining every infelicitous act or comment. One bottle of tequila plus some very funny banter later, the 2 possess a sexual encounter so one-on the sides and quick it could guarantee Hannah stays with females later on. The inevitable morning-after clumsiness is magnified when Iris turns up surprise and Jack intuitively knows she mustn't discover what went down in her own mattress. Shelton could easily have remained here, mining clumsiness and anxiety for any laugh-filled 30 minutes before giving Jack and Iris a rom-com connection. But she pushes the scenario, adding a whopper of the unfaithfulness that moves the needle from comedy to family-crisis mode, and (thanks simply to continually-engaging performances) proves she's range beyond cringe comedy. The sober, reflective moments such as the following are convincing, and when the film's sweetly serious resolution scene plays a little too easily, we love to the figures an excessive amount of to object. PHOTOS: 13 Films to understand in the Toronto Film Festival Though competent within its very own realm, the image's HD photography is less lovely of computer may have been, specifically in landscape shots where gorgeous Puget Seem landscapes are afflicted by video pixelation. The director's preference at a lower price costly video in moments including plenty of improvised dialogue is understandable, but trees often stay with the script, along with a slightly more potent visual palette might have extended this worthy tale's appeal. Venue: Toronto Worldwide Film Festival Production Company: ADA Films LLC. Cast: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mark Duplass, Mike Birbiglia. Director-film writer: Lynn Shelton. Producer: Steven Schardt. Executive producers: Jennifer Roth, Vallejo Gantner. Director of photography: Benjamin Kasulke. Production designer: John Lavin. Music: Vinny Cruz. Editor: Nat Sanders. Sales: UTA/Submarine Entertainment. No rating, 89 minutes. Toronto Worldwide Film Festival Emily Blunt