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Daniel Radcliffe set to star in ‘The Woman in Black’

Mr. Daniel Radcliffe, a.k.a Harry Potter, is leaving his wand at home in exchange for professional growth. He has just been chosen to star in a new movie called THE WOMAN IN BLACK about a young lawyer and some secrets involving a ghost. Read up on the press release sent to us this morning…

“Daniel Radcliffe will take the lead in The Woman in Black, Hammer Films and Alliance Films hotly anticipated adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel, it was announced today by  Simon Oakes, and Nigel Sinclair of Exclusive and Hammer.
 
To be directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake) and written by Jane Goldman (Kick Ass, The Debt) The Woman in Black follows a young lawyer, Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe), who is ordered to travel to a remote corner of the UK and sort out a recently deceased client’s papers. As he works alone in an old and isolated house, Kipps begins to uncover its tragic secrets, and his unease grows when he discovers that the local village is held hostage by the ghost of a scorned woman set on vengeance.  Production is expected to begin in the Fall of 2010.
 
Exclusive and Alliance Films will co-finance the film. Alliance Films will also distribute the film in the United Kingdom (Momentum), Spain (Aurum) and Canada (Alliance Films).  Exclusive Films International, headed by Chairman Guy East and President of International Sales and Distribution Alex Walton, is handling worldwide sales.
 
Daniel Radcliffe is of course, best known for his portrayal of the bespectacled wizard Harry Potter, in the hugely successful series of feature films based on J. K. Rowling’s publishing phenomenon. He has starred in all eight films and collaborated with respected directors Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell and David Yates. He also starred in Brian Kirk’s My Boy Jack (written by and also co-starring David Haig), playing the role of Rudyard Kipling’s tragic 17 year old son who went off to fight in the First World War. Most recently Radcliffe has proved him self an accomplished stage actor, receiving tremendous reviews and acclaim for his portrayal of Alan Strang in Peter Shaffer’s Equus in the West End and on Broadway. Radcliffe will return to Broadway next Spring to star in the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
 
“’When I met Dan, it was quite uncanny how closely our thoughts on the story mirrored each other: I can’t wait to get down to work with him to fashion a compelling character and a classy ghost story that tugs at the heart and chills to the bone,” says James Watkins.
 
Simon Oakes continues, “We’re thrilled to have Daniel on board, I can think of no better actor to play the role of Arthur Kipps.  I’m confident that under the direction of James Watkins, he’ll take Jane Goldman’s script and deliver an utterly intense and compelling performance.”
 
Daniel Radcliffe said, “I am incredibly excited to be part of The Woman In Black. Jane Goldman’s script is beautifully written – both tender and terrifying in equal measure. It is thrilling to be working with James Watkins. From his brilliant work on Eden Lake and also having met him and heard his vision for the film, I know he will make a fantastic film.”
 
The Woman in Black is produced by Simon Oakes for Exclusive’s Hammer Films label and Richard Jackson at Talisman Films. Exclusive’s Nigel Sinclair and Guy East are serving as Executive Producers, along with Roy Lee for Vertigo Entertainment (The Ring). Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass) is adapting the screenplay, based on Susan Hill’s best-selling novel.
 
Susan Hill’s novel has become a modern classic, appearing on the national curriculum in the United Kingdom. The Woman in Black was also adapted into a stage play by Stephen Mallatratt, first performed at the Theatre-By-The-Sea in Scarborough, UK in 1987. It moved to the Fortune Theatre in London’s West End in 1989, where it still successfully runs today, over twenty years later, and has been performed the world over.
 
Exclusive is currently in post-production on three films: Matt Reeves’ Let Me In starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz, Elias Koteas and Richard Jenkins (produced through its Hammer Films label, Overture Films will release the film in October 2010); Antti Jokinen’s The Resident starring Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lee Pace and Christopher Lee (produced through Hammer Films); and Peter Weir’s The Way Back starring Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Strong and Colin Farrell.  The company recently premiered Spitfire Pictures’ The Last Play at Shea, about Billy Joel and his last performance at Shea Stadium, at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival and is currently in production on the authorised history of Formula 1.”

Greenberg

Rated: R for some strong sexuality, drug use, and language.
Release Date: 2010-03-26
Starring: Noah Baumbach, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/greenberg

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Our Family Wedding

Rated: PG-13
Release Date: 2010-03-12
Starring: Wayne Conley, Malcolm Spellman
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.ourfamilyweddingmovie.com

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Gene Hackman’s Hollywood return!

Whatever happened to Gene Hackman? If you have ever seen him in The Conversation, Unforgiven, The French Connection or even Superman, you’ll know he’s one of the best actors Hollywood has ever bestowed upon us.

So where did he go and why? The last movie he did on record was the real bad comedy Welcome to Mooseport with Ray Romano in 2004. Not the best way to leave your legacy, but sounds like he wants to make amends with himself and his fans.

So read on you “Hacks” (Hackman fans), our good friend Casper Martinez over at LatinoFilmChatter.com has the exclusive scoop on his comeback.

The Tony Awards moving to Washington Heights?

‘In the Heights’ is no longer just a Broadway show, but a reference to where The Tony Awards will be next year. As a passionate fan and advocate of Broadway and the arts for the Hispanic community, I’m exhilirated and yes, shocked as well, to hear that The Tony Awards, Broadway’s most prestigious and distinguished award show, is leaving Radio City Music Hall and moving to Washington Heights for 2011. Wow! I’m still pinching myself!

According to Michael Reidel of the New York Post, who broke the story, this is absolutely true. If so, this an exciting time for the Broadway community and the Hispanic one. Why? Because both groups need each other especially now when diversity is a key issue for every business, including The Great White Way. I think next year they should do it at The Apollo and expose their great event to the African American residents of Harlem. Soon we might be seeing them change their nickname to The Great Melting Pot of Broadway, who knows.

Reidel’s report says that the Tony’s new home will be The United Palace on 175th street on Broadway (that’s Washington Heights). Even though the area is historically a Caucasian neighborhood, culturally today, it is home to the largest population of Dominicans outside of the Dominican Republic. Funny enough, or just coincidence, Reidel never mentions the obvious relevance of the matter.

Broadway in Latino territory. Even though the visuals of these two are strange, we do live in the Obama world and Broadway seems to be making an effort to reach out and make new friends. I’ll tell you this much, I am going to be one of the first ones on line to this historic event and I am also sure that hundreds of Latino spectators will also be paying to see The Tony’s because it is in their backyard. A win win situation. Viva Broadway! (There’s a slogan they should go with!)

Focus Features Films announces 2010/2011 line-up!

THE AMERICAN
Release: September 1Director: Anton Corbijn (“Control”)
Writers: Rowan Joffe (“28 Weeks Later”); Based on the novel A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth
Cast: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Thekla Reuten, Paolo Bonacelli

Story: Academy Award winner George Clooney stars in the title role of this suspense thriller, filmed on location in Italy. Alone among assassins, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. An assignment, as specified by a contact, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of “In Bruges”), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian stage and screen veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY                                                  
September 24 (select cities)
Writer/Directors: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (“Half Nelson,” Sugar”); Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini
Cast: Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Viola Davis, Zoë Kravitz, Lauren Graham, Jim Gaffigan
MPAA Rating: PG-13  

Story: In this New York City-set comedy-drama, 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist of “United States of Tara”), stressed out from the demands of being a teenager, checks himself into a mental health clinic. There he learns that the youth ward is closed – and finds himself stuck in the adult ward. One of the patients, Bobby (Zach Galifianakis of “The Hangover”), soon becomes both Craig’s mentor and protégé. Craig is also drawn to another 16-year-old, Noelle (Emma Roberts of “Valentine’s Day”). With a minimum five days’ stay imposed on him, Craig is sustained by friendships on both the inside and the outside as he learns more about life, love, and the pressures of growing up.

SOMEWHERE                                                                                
December 22 (select cities)
Writer/Director: Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation,” “The Virgin Suicides,” “Marie Antoinette”)
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius
MPAA Rating:R   

Story: From Academy Award-winning writer/director Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation,”  “The Virgin Suicides,” “Marie Antoinette”), “Somewhere” is a witty, moving, and empathetic look into the orbit of actor Johnny Marco (played by Stephen Dorff). You have probably seen him in the tabloids; .Johnny is living at the legendary Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood. He has a Ferrari to drive around in, and a constant stream of girls and pills to stay in with. Comfortably numbed, Johnny drifts along. Then, his 11-year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) from his failed marriage arrives unexpectedly at the Chateau. Their encounters encourage Johnny to face up to where he is in life and confront the question that we all must: which path in life will you take? Filmed entirely on location, “Somewhere” reunites the writer/director with “Lost in Translation” editor Sarah Flack and production designer Anne Ross. Stacey Battat (“Broken English”) is the costume designer, and Harris Savides (“Elephant”) is the director of photography, on “Somewhere.”

THE EAGLE (formerly titled THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH)      
February 25, 2011
Director: Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “State of Play,” “One Day in September”)
Writers: Jeremy Brock (“The Last King of Scotland”); Based on the novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim
MPAA Rating: PG-13  

Story: A Roman epic adventure, based on the classic novel of the same name, set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain. In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (played by Channing Tatum of “G.I.  Joe: The Rise of Cobra” and “Dear John”) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Jamie Bell of “Defiance” and “Jumper”), Marcus sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia – to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the lost legion’s golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

JANE EYRE                                                                                            March 11, 2011 (select cities)
Director: Cary Fukunaga (“Sin Nombre”)
Writers: Moira Buffini (“Tamara Drewe”); Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Holliday Grainger, Sally Hawkins, Tamzin Merchant, Imogen Poots

Story: Based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, the romantic drama stars Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland”) and Michael Fassbender (“Inglourious Basterds”) in the lead roles. In the story, Jane Eyre flees Thornfield House, where she works as a governess for wealthy Edward Rochester. The isolated and imposing residence – and Mr. Rochester’s coldness – have sorely tested the young woman’s resilience, forged years earlier when she was orphaned. As Jane reflects upon her past and recovers her natural curiosity, she will return to Mr. Rochester – and the terrible secret that he is hiding…

HANNA                                                                                                    April 8, 2011
Director: Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “The Soloist”)
Writers: Seth Lochhead, David Farr, Joe Penhall, Joe Wright
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana, Jason Flemyng, Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams

Story: The title character of this adventure thriller, filmed in Europe, Hanna (played by Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan [“Atonement”]) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a soldier; these come from being raised by her father (Eric Bana of “Star Trek”), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

ONE DAY                                                                                             
3rd Quarter 2011
Director: Lone Scherfig (“An Education,” “Italian For Beginners”)
Writer: David Nicholls; Based on his novel
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess

Story: Adapted from the internationally praised bestselling novel, “One Day” charts an extraordinary relationship. Emma (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) meet on the night of their college graduation – July 15th, 1988. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground. For the next two decades, every July 15th reveals to us how “Em” and “Dex” are faring, as their friendship ebbs and flows with the passing of the years. Through love and loss, heartbreak and success, hopes fulfilled and dreams shattered, they experience the grandeur of life. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they are searching and hoping for has been there for them all along.

Elvis Presley returns to the big screen!

It is funny how Hollywood is always trying to revive Elvis Presley every other year. This time there is a remastered version of “Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration.”

The film will be shown July 29 at more than 460 movie theaters across the country. The movie will feature remastered footage of Elvis on tour and in concert as part of the 75th anniversary of his birth.

The film also will include performances and interviews from the 1972 documentary “Elvis on Tour” and a retrospective from his former wife, Priscilla Presley.

Some of the tour footage has not been released. The event also will include sequences produced by director Martin Scorsese showcasing Elvis’ early movies.

I am excited to see this one. Let’s hope the remasterization is really good.