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Samuel L. Jackson And Michael Caine To Headline HARRY AND THE BUTLER

Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson (PULP FICTION) and two-time Oscar winner Michael Caine (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, HANNAH AND HER SISTERS) will star in the heartwarming drama, HARRY AND THE BUTLER, to be directed by George C. Wolfe, winner of the Directors Guild Award for “Lackawanna Blues,” it was announced today by producers Philippe Rivier of Spirit Films and Colin Callender of Playground Entertainment.

The film, written by Damian F. Slattery, will start shooting on location in Louisiana in spring 2014.

HARRY AND THE BUTLER is the story of Harry (Sam Jackson), a one-time jazz virtuoso living in New Orleans who has given up on his dreams and now spends his days as the mechanic for a derelict rollercoaster and his nights in his makeshift home – a converted train caboose. When his former mentor bequeaths him a large sum of money, Harry – in a drunken celebration –decides to hire himself an aging, down-on-his-luck English butler (Michael Caine) – an act of impetuous generosity that changes their lives forever.

Mimi Steinbauer’s Radiant Films International is handling foreign rights and will introduce the project to buyers at the American Film Market this week.

CAA/ICM Partners arerepresenting North American rights.

“We are very proud to bring together these two great movie icons, Sam Jackson and Michael Caine, under the direction of the great George C. Wolfe. HARRY AND THE BUTLER follows in the honorable tradition of so many classic films in which a chance encounter between two disparate characters transforms them forever. This is a deeply moving comedy about two men from very different backgrounds whobecome unlikely friends and help each other to re-discover themselves,” said producers Philippe Rivier and Colin Callender.

“The great Sam Jackson and the legendary Michael Caine instantly elevate any project they are in and combined, their exceptional talent will make for great chemistry on screen in this moving, humorous story. We expect buyers to embrace this touching and heartwarming film at AFM,” said Mimi Steinbauer.

Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic performances include starring as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, with last year’s critically acclaimed THE AVENGERS grossing over 1.5 billion worldwide and most recently in Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED. His many film credits include JACKIE BROWN, SHAFT, STAR WARS, CHANGING LANES, A TIME TO KILL and PULP FICTION, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. His upcoming projects include Spike Lee’s OLD BOY in theatres at the end of November and Columbia Pictures’ ROBOCOP, due out in February 2014. He will reprise his role as Fury in Marvel’s next installment, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, set for release through Disney in April 2014. He has several films in production including BARELY LETHAL with Hailee Steinfeld and Jessica Alba and Matthew Vaughn’s THE SECRET SERVICE opposite Colin Firth.

Two-time Oscar winner Michael Caine received his statuettes for his performances in Lasse Hallström’s THE CIDER HOUSE RULES and Woody Allen’s HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, and has been nominated an additional four times for ALFIE, SLEUTH, EDUCATING RITA and THE QUIET AMERICAN. His other credits include starring as Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s global box office phenomenon, THE DARK KNIGHT trilogy, INCEPTION, CHILDREN OF MEN and MISS CONGENIALITY. He is currently filming Nolan’s much anticipated sci-fi film INTERSTELLAR, with Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, a 2014 Paramount Pictures release.

Caine is repped byICM Partners and 42. Jackson is repped by ICM Partners and Anonymous Content.

George C. Wolfe recently finished shooting YOU’RE NOT YOU starring Hilary Swank, Emmy Rossum, Josh Duhamel and Marcia Gay Harden. Hisfirst feature film was Warner Bros.’ NIGHTS IN RODANTE starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane. He won the Director’s Guild Award and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Television Movie for “Lackawanna Blues.”

SUNSET STRIP Doc Debuts On VOD; Available On DVD December 10

Lise Romanoff’s Vision Films has announced that they will be releasing the iconic documentary SUNSET STRIP directed by Hans Fjellestad (WHEN THE WORLD BREAKS) today across multiple VOD platforms such as iTunes, Xbox, Playstation, Amazon, Blockbuster, Vimeo and direct to consumers via the Yerka player. The film will debut on DVD on December 10th.

The Special Collectors’ Edition DVD will contain a lot of extraordinary bonus material such as extended interviews with the stars revealing their favorite Sunset Strip memories, an animated tour of the Strip, plus a series of thematic featurettes including “SEX” with Tom Arnold, Dita Von Tese, Pamela Des Barres, Hugh Hefner, Slash, Duff McKagan and Dave Navarro; “ROCK ‘N ROLL” with Slash, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins,Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp and Len Fagan (rock promoter); “COMEDY” with Tom Arnold, Paul Mooney, Richard Lewis, Argus Hamilton, Tim Reid, Bill Knoedelseder, Maz Jobrani, and Dom Irrera; and “RIOTS!” with Alice Cooper, Peter Fonda, Rodney Bingenheimer, Mickey Rourke, Art Mahoney (Tattoo artist), Pamela Des Barres and Hugh Hefner.

SUNSET STRIP was written and directed by Hans Fjellestad, and produced by Joe Mundo, Tommy Alastra, Donovan Leitch and executive produced by Matt Sorum. It features live performances from America, Diva Von Teese, Jane’s Addiction, The Head Cat, The Pussycat Dolls, RATT, Slash featuring Fergie, Smashing Pumpkins, Steel Panther and X.

CEO Lise Romanoff said, “This film is the definitive story of Sunset Strip, the epicenter of pop culture,” commented Lise Romanoff. “It takes the viewer on a fantastical journey back in time, and covers everything that has happened on “the Strip” – from the nightclubs of the glamorous Golden Era, the excesses of the Punk and Rock N’ Roll scene, the Stand-up Comedy explosion, through decadence and untimely deaths, up to today’s newest musical acts.”

To kick off its International release at the American Film Market, Vision Films and Producers 13^th Sign will hold a star-studded special screening for film buyers at the House of Blues Foundation Room in West Hollywood, appropriately located on the infamous Sunset Strip.

To learn more about “Sunset Strip” and where to watch, visit www.sunsetstripthemovie.com.

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Aaron Eckhart To Star In Robert Salerno’s Thriller FADE OUT

Golden Globe nominee Aaron Eckhart (OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN, THE DARK KNIGHT, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING) will star in the psychological thriller FADE OUT, to be directed by Robert Salerno, award-winning producer of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 21 GRAMS, Tom Ford’s A SINGLE MAN, Lynne Ramsay’s WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN and ARBITRAGE starring Richard Gere, it was announced today by producers Anthony Bregman from Likely Story (ENOUGH SAID, upcoming CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE?, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND) and Naomi Despres from Artina Films (KILL THE MESSENGER, HIGH CRIMES).

Salerno will direct from an original screenplay by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cristofer (ORIGINAL SIN, CASANOVA, GIA, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK).

The Solution Entertainment Group’s (“The Solution”) Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel will executive produce alongside John Penotti and Tim Williams.

Recovering from a nervous breakdown, screenwriter Jim Connelly (Eckhart) spends his days in a tropical beachfront villa being cared for by his glamorous wife Anne. He starts writing a new screenplay about a jealous husband who murders his unfaithful wife, but his intense paranoia and hallucinations cause fiction and reality to blur. As the events in Jim’s screenplay appear to materialize, he becomes a suspect in his own wife’s disappearance and must outrun the police as he pieces together the puzzle seemingly designed by his very own mind.

Currently in pre-production, principal photography on the film will commence in mid-February 2014 in Puerto Rico.

The Solution will represent international rights and will introduce the project to buyers at the American Film Market this week. Producers are currently handling US rights.

“FADE OUT is as irresistible as a potent Caribbean cocktail: a twisted mind-bending thriller set in a sun-soaked beach town — from a smart script full of surprising twists, and with true artists in front of and behind the camera,” said Anthony Bregman.

“Aaron is a versatile actor who has shown immense range across his performances and is the perfect actor to bring the character to life in this Hitchcockian thriller. We’re delighted to be partnering with Bob Salerno on his directorial debut and debuting the project at AFM,” said Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel.

Aaron Eckhart was seen earlier this year in FilmDistrict’s OYMPUS HAS FALLEN opposite Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman, which earned over $160 million worldwide. His other film credits include the role of Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT, ERIN BROCKOVICH, RABBIT HOLE, BATTLE: LOS ANGELES and THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

He is currently shooting the lead in INCARNATE produced by Jason Blum, and will next be seen starring in Lionsgate’s 3D IMAX action thriller I, FRANKENSTEIN opposite Bill Nighy, set for release in January 2014.

Eckhart is repped by CAA and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman.

Michael Cristofer is a veteran playwright, screenwriter and director who holds both a Writers Guild and Directors Guild Award for his work on such films as ORIGINAL SIN with Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas, CASANOVA with Heath Ledger, FALLING IN LOVE with Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep, GEORGIA O’KEEFFE with Joan Allen, and many others including GIA which introduced Jolie. He is currently developing a mini-series on the life of Catherine the Great for ABC and will be directing his own screenplay, THE NIGHT CLERK, next summer.

Other titles on The Solution’s AFM slate include three films currently in production: THE FORGER with John Travolta, Christopher Plummer and Tye Sheridan; HOW TO MAKE LOVE LIKE AN ENGLISHMAN with Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Jessica Alba and JENNY’S WEDDING starring Katherine Heigl, Tom Wilkinson, Linda Emond and Grace Gummer. They will also be offering LAGGIES starring Keira Knightley, Chloe Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell; 5 TO 7 with Anton Yelchin and Bérénice Marlohe; David Mamet’s BLACKBIRD to star Cate Blanchett; FELONY starring Joel Edgerton and Tom Wilkinson which world premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival; GRAND PIANO starring Elijah Wood and John Cusack which world premiered at Austin’s Fantastic Fest and was the opening night film at the Sitges Film Festival; NOVEMBER MAN starring Pierce Brosnan and TWO NIGHT STAND with Miles Teller and Analeigh Tipton.

TURBO, DESPICABLE ME 2, EPIC Among 19 Animated Features Submitted For 2013 Oscar Race

Nineteen features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 86th Academy Awards.

The 19 submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”
“The Croods”
“Despicable Me 2”
“Epic”
“Ernest and Celestine”
“The Fake”
“Free Birds“
“Frozen”
“Khumba”
“The Legend of Sarila”
“A Letter to Momo”
“Monsters University”
“O Apóstolo”
“Planes”
“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Rebellion”
“Rio: 2096 A Story of Love and Fury”
“The Smurfs 2”
“Turbo”
“The Wind Rises”

Several of the films have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying runs. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and comply with all of the category’s other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process. At least eight eligible animated features must be theatrically released in Los Angeles County within the calendar year for this category to be activated.

Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category may also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.

The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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Ron. Champ. Brian. Brick. Check Out The ANCHORMAN 2 News Team Posters

News Flash!

America’s most trusted news team take on New York City in 4 new character posters from ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES.

With the 70’s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.

Also back for more are Ron’s co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) – All of whom won’t make it easy to stay classy…while taking the country’s first 24-hour news channel by storm.

It’s Movember! Give yourself an incredible mustache! Come on- show you care without growing facial hair.

ANCHORMAN 2 will be reporting from theaters on December 20th.

Official Site: http://www.AnchormanMovie.com/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/ronburgundy
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anchormanmovie

Win A FREE BIRDS Prizepack

Hey there all you movie lovers… and turkeys!

FREE BIRDS, the animated comedy about two turkeys who travel back in time to change the course of history and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu, just came out in theaters, and we’re celebrating the only way we know how… with a contest!

One Lucky Winner with receive a FREE BIRDS Prizepack that includes:

a FREE BIRDS back-pack
a FREE BIRDS drawstring bag
a FREE BIRDS light-up chick
1 FREE BIRDS coloring wheel
a FREE BIRDS turkey hat
Turkey cookie cutter
FREE BIRDS soundtrack (digital download)
Fandango Gift Card ($30)

TO ENTER:

1. YOU MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT WITH A U.S. SHIPPING ADDRESS. NO P.O. BOXES.

2. PLACE YOUR NAME, A VALID EMAIL, AND ANSWER TO THE QUESTION BELOW IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW.

3. What is your favorite (non-turkey) Thanksgiving dish, and why?

4. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

Relativity Media and Reel FX Animation Studios recently held a press conference for their new animated comedy FREE BIRDS, and WAMG was there. Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler star in the upcoming holiday film about two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks, who must put their differences aside and travel back in time to change the course of history.

Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks (voiced by Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson) must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history – and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good.

Also starring Amy Poehler, Dan Fogler, Lesley Nicol, Colm Meaney, Keith David, Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, Dwight Howard and George Takei as S.T.E.V.E.; the film is directed by Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who!) and releases in 2D and 3D formats on November 1st – just in time for Thanksgiving.

Follow FREE BIRDS on:

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FREE BIRDS is in theaters now

See THOR: THE DARK WORLD Tonight At A Special 3D Advance Screening In St. Louis

THOR: THE DARK WORLD opens in theaters on
Friday, November 8TH, 2013.

WAMG invites you to enter to win a pass (good for 2) to the advance screening TONIGHT at 7PM!!

All you have to do is send your name to michelle@wearemoviegeeks.com

We will let you know if you win and all the details and location.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

From Marvel Studios comes the highly anticipated THOR: THE DARK WORLD, continuing the big screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that pre-dates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness.

Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Marvel’s THOR: THE DARK WORLD is directed by Alan Taylor, produced by Kevin Feige, p.g.a., from a story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat and screenplay by Christopher L. Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, and is based on Marvel’s classic Super Hero Thor, who first appeared in the comic book “Journey into Mystery “ #83 in August, 1962.

http://marvel.com/thor
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First Look At Salma Hayek in EVERLY

Here’s a first look at Salma Hayek in director Joe Lynch’s action thriller EVERLY.

EVERLY co-stars Togo Igawa (LAST SAMURAI; MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA), Masashi Fujimoto (SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE) and Hiroyuki Watanabe. The Black List script by Yale Hannon is an intense action thriller centered on a down-on-her-luck woman (Hayek) who is forced to fend off waves of assassins sent by her ex, a dangerous mob boss, while trying to save her estranged mother and daughter. The film is set entirely in one apartment, and is based on a concept created by Lynch.

The film just wrapped principal photography in Belgrade, Serbia and is financed by Vega, Baby! and produced via Everly Productions in conjunction with Adam Ripp, Rob Paris and Luke Rivett and Andrew Pfeffer. Rizal Risjad and Ricky Budhrani are the executive producers. Brett Hedblom is the co-producer.

Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales and will be presenting footage to distributors at the American Film Market this week. CAA is representing the US rights.

WAMG AT The FREE BIRDS Press Conference

Check out the press conference below:

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twitter.com/FreeBirdsMovie

Watch The Sneak Peek Of THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG; Plus Official New Poster

On Monday, eager HOBBIT fans got the chance to meet new cast members – Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace and Luke Evans – joining the highly anticipated second film in “The Hobbit” Trilogy, THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, as part of a global fan celebration.

Held simultaneously around the world, each of the satellite-linked cinemas in Los Angeles, New York, London and Wellington, New Zealand broadcast director Peter Jackson, members of his cast and filmmaking team as they showed exclusive footage from the film and answered questions in front of a live audience.

Below is one of the fantastic surprises they had in store.

Additionally, in cities across the globe – including Brussels, Belgium; Hamburg, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Mexico City, Mexico; Miami, Florida, USA; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Sydney, Australia; and Toronto, Canada – fans were invited to gather at select cinemas to be among the first to see the extended footage debut and watched the festivities unfold live.

The event was streamed live online so in case you missed it, here’s a replay of the LIVE Q&A.

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, the second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all – a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself – the Dragon Smaug.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield.

The international ensemble cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. The film also stars (in alphabetical order) John Bell, Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Lawrence Makoare, Sylvester McCoy, Graham McTavish, Dean O’Gorman, Mikael Persbrandt, and Aidan Turner.

The creative behind-the-scenes team is led by director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, editor Jabez Olssen, and hair and makeup designer Peter Swords King.

The costumes are designed by Bob Buck, Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of armour, weapons, creatures and special makeup, which are once again being made by the award-winning Weta Workshop.

Weta Digital is taking on the visual effects for the film, led by senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri. The visual effects supervisor is Eric Saindon, with David Clayton and Eric Reynolds serving as animation supervisors. The music is by Howard Shore.

The film opens nationwide on December 13, 2013.

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