Dustin Hoffman's 'Quartet' to Star Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly

LONDON Oscar winner Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins are all singing from Dustin Hoffman's song sheet for his U.K. set directorial debut "Quartet."Hoffman's cast, looking like a who's who of British talent, also includes Sheridan Smith and Michael Gambon and is set to shoot for nine weeks, beginning this week.BBC Films and DCM Productions are backing a Headline Pictures and Finola Dwyer Productions movie in association with Decca and sales and finance label HanWay Films.Based on Ronald Harwood's stage play of the same name, "Quartet" is billed as a film about redefining old age and growing old with hope.It tells the tale of a group of old folks who live in a home for retired opera singers. Every year on Giuseppe Verdi's birthday, the residents unite to give a concert to raise funds for their home. A new resident comes in and upsets the balance as old rivalry's appear.Hoffman's film is produced by FinolaDwyer and Stewart Mackinnon."Quartet" is bankrolled by BBC Films, DCM Productions and Decca.Executive producers are Jamie Laurenson (BBC Films), Dario Suter, Christoph Daniel and Marc Schmidheiny (all from DCM), Dickon Stainer (Decca), Xavier Marchand (Momentum) and Hoffman.HanWay is handling international sales.Deals inked already include Momentum for the U.K., Transmission for Australia / NZ, Delphi for Germany, Lusomundo for Portugal, A Film for Benelux, Vertice for Spain, Odeon in Greece, Elite Film AG in Switzerland, MG Film in former Yugoslavia, Front Row in the Middle East, Ster-Kinekor in South Africa and Atom Cinema in Taiwan. The Hollywood Reporter

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Rampart First Look: The Nasty, Nastier Side of Woody Harrelson

The buzz circulating around Rampart at the Toronto Film Festival has it either right on the fringe of the Oscar crop (with a few judicious cuts) or simply a curio with a ferocious turn by Woody Harrelson. And now viewers at home can finally get a look at what may or may not materialize as one of the season’s awards candidates — a bundle of NSFW clips have arrived online for your viewing pleasure. Well, maybe not pleasure, but you know. Harrelson tangles with everyone from lawyers like Sigourney Weaver and Robin Wright to his Messenger co-star Ben Foster, the latter of whose wheelchair-bound criminal gets a bit of a smackdown here. I’m surprised the producers have released as much of this film as they have here, even with their imperative to hustle up as much early buzz as possible for the awards derby to come. THR managed the first look; feast your eyes (and maybe switch to headphones) below…

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I Don't Know How She Does It: Film Review

In I Don't Know How She Does It, Kate Reddy is the "she" in question -- a fortysomething modern woman struggling to juggle the demands of motherhood and a high-pressure career. Portrayed with an effortless verve by ever-affable Sarah Jessica Parker, the central character in Douglas McGrath's comedy is easy to root for, even if the vehicle itself feels less than fresh and inspired. Based on the bestselling 2002 debut novel by Allison Pearson, the film conjures up aspects of everything from Bridget Jones's Diary (the book was originally set in London) to Baby Boom, while playing safely within the well-established parameters of formulaic romantic comedies. Still, thanks to Parker's empathetic performance and the fine work of her top-notch supporting cast, the Weinstein Company release should prove relatable to female audiences of a certain age and stage whose comparatively carefree Carrie Bradshaw days are, alas, behind them. Moving the setting to American soil, the screen version finds Parker's Kate lying awake nights mentally composing her all-important lists when not dashing to her job at a Boston financial management firm or back home to tend to her two young children and her unemployed architect husband, Richard (Greg Kinnear). But her carefully-honed balancing act is thrown off-kilter when a career-making new account means flying back and forth to New York, where she works closely with smooth exec Jack Abelhammer (reliable Pierce Brosnan) at the expense of being away from her resentful family. So how does she do it? As directed by McGrath (Emma, Infamous) and penned by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, 27 Dresses) with a lot of stopping to address the camera (a trait shared by several other cast members) and other tired, sitcom-y bits of business that would seem more at home on the small screen. Fortunately McGrath ultimately moves beyond the shtick and keeps things moving at an agreeable pace, relying on his talented ensemble to capably close the deal. Whether she's frantically trying to pass off a deli-purchased cherry pie as homemade for her daughter's kindergarten bake sale or discovering she's suffering from an unpleasant attack of head lice at an inopportune moment, Parker makes unforced, amusing work out of the physical comedy while convincingly relaying Kate's heavier, more introspective dilemmas. As the professional/personal men in her life, Brosnan and Kinnear also do an effective job of underplaying their respective characters, maintaining a nice vulnerability; while Olivia Munn handily steals most of her scenes as Kate's coldly officious junior assistant, Momo. Opens: Friday, September 16 Production companies: The Weinstein Company Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Christina Hendricks, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Meyers, Olivia Munn Director: Douglas McGrath Screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna Executive producers: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Kelly Carmichael, Aline Brosh McKenna, Scott Ferguson, Ben Silverman Producers: Donna Gigliotti Director of photography: Stuart Dryburgh Production designer: Santo Loquasto Music: Aaron Zigman Costume designer: Renee Ehrlich Kalfus Editors: Camilla Toniolo, Kevin Tent Rating: PG-13, 95 minutes. Greg Kinnear Sarah Jessica Parker

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Film Fest Marks Terror Attacks That Stranded Stars

TORONTO (AP) The Sept. 11 attacks left plenty of Hollywood types stranded north in the border within the Toronto Worldwide Film Festival. This year, planners have produced a short film to mark the tenth anniversary in the tragedy.Some-minute film featuring reminiscences from festival bosses and filmmakers might have before every screening Sunday, the ten-year anniversary in the attacks. The recording clip will run rather than the sponsor reels have a tendency to precede festival tests."It appears back which that was like, this very strange atmosphere from the film festival that's about praising art and becoming fun, then to own this terrible event happen tomorrow,Inch mentioned festival co-director Cameron Bailey.Also marking the anniversary might be the Paul McCartney documentary "The Romance We Make," which tales the first sort Beatle's formulations for just about any memorial concert in New You'll be able to City monthly following a attacks. McCartney have been receiving the plane at New York's JFK airport terminal terminal waiting to fly to London when the attacks happened, as well as in the tarmac, he frequently see smoke billowing in the World Trade Center towers.Premiering Friday, every day before it begins airing on Showtime, the film features footage of McCartney practicing such Beatles hits as "Yesterday" and "Ensure It IsInch and interview segments through which he recalls how his parents' generation relied on music to handle the adversity of World War Ii.The festival shut lower for your relaxation from the following day from the attacks, getting rid of all films together with other occasions. Stars and filmmakers in Toronto to market their movies abandoned their interview agendas, holing up inside their suites to check out what is the news on tv or milling regarding luxury hotels to discuss information and commiserate with people searching to obtain word from family people in New You'll be able to City.Planners considered calling in the relaxation in the festival, which was only half way through and scheduled to use five more days using the following weekend. Nonetheless they felt it may be better to continue, yet in the subdued manner."We made a decision we'd continue the festival, but continue really different kind of way," mentioned festival director Piers Handling. "We folded away the red-colored-colored carpets, canceled the parties, canceled the sponsor bulletins. We needed the chilling out from this.InchWith planes grounded for the as well as the U.S.-Canadian border closed on and off following a attacks, stars, filmmakers, studio professionals while others within the festival required to make alternative travel plans. They leased cars and chartered buses to acquire home, although some who had films playing another half in the festival never handled to get at Toronto.Canadian actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley, who lives in Toronto, is at the festival in 2001 getting a relevant video clip she directed. Following a attacks, she pitched in to relieve the spirits of many people stranded in Toronto."We'd total the Us citizens we understood, my cousin which i, to own dinner and be together and spend some time watching television, because everyone was kind of alone in resort rooms and losing it,Inch mentioned Polley, who's within the festival again this time around around with "Take This Waltz," the second feature film she's directed.Tom Bernard, co-leader from the new the new sony Pictures Classics, immediately abandoned his festival plans and strategized how he may get where you can New You'll be able to City."I referred to as Hertz, leased an automobile with U.S. plates, bought a Toronto Walnut Leafs T-shirt together with a hockey stick," mentioned Bernard, who figured he might be capable of add to the united states . States by having an Indian reservation that straddles the border between Canada and New You'll be able to condition.It labored. The Customs agent saw his T-shirt, "asked for me how a Leafs i did so and let me through," Bernard mentioned. "You just felt just like you required to return. You've family, all the people at the office. It absolutely was an undesirable time."Many Hollywood affiliates were inside a press and industry screening of Mira Nair's "Monsoon Wedding" the morning of Sept. 11. They left of the marvelous, advantageous film in to a changed world two several hours following a attacks happened, hearing the scream of emergency vehicle sirens as Toronto government physiques ongoing alert while using relaxation from the U . s . States.According to Bailey, inside the festival's Sept. 11 online video, Nair recollects how "Monsoon Wedding" was one of the primary showing again when planners began again tests the following day from the attacks."The story she notifies happens when frightening it absolutely was simply to walk in on Sept. 12 thinking, is anybody stretching its like to be there?" Bailey mentioned. "And really, it absolutely was packed. People just made an appearance to require to obtain together."Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Five Reasons 'Warrior' Is Your Next Must-See Movie

With the summer movie season officially wrapped, it's time to turn our filmgoing focus toward the generally more appealing fall fare. The first of this season's must-see movies is "Warrior" starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte, directed by Gavin O'Connor ("Miracle"). This film is about many things: honor, duty, love, family, but mainly it is the story of two brothers beaten down by bad luck and personal demons, who when left with no other options, enter a mixed martial arts tournament with the hope of being able to fulfill promises made to their loved ones. And O'Connor, who also co-wrote the film, pulled no punches (pun intended) in exposing audiences to the intense, gritty world of MMA. Check out five reasons why this film is a must-see after the jump. It Will Change The Way You Think About MMA Fighting I know nothing about MMA, nor do I like watching it, but the way in which O'Connor weaved it into and around the story, you come away with an understanding and appreciation for the artistic elements involved in the sport. For Tom Hardy, Superstar In The Making Those who have seen Hardy in "Bronson," have been privy to a glimpse of the British actor's crazy talent. From his swagger to his stare to his silence, Hardy's intensity as the damaged, estranged brother and son Tommy is unnerving. Not to mention his total bad-assery as a take-no-prisoners fighter in the cage. It's the way he plays out the subtle, nuanced cracks in the character's hardened exterior that really get to you, however. Grown Men Are Reduced To Tears If I haven't already made this point clear, a warm and fuzzy movie, "Warrior" is not. It is an almost nonstop, adrenaline-fueled assault on your emotions, each and every one of them, which is why members of all audiences will be moved to tears. (I saw at least two men dabbing at their eyes and sniffing as they walked out of the two screenings I attended - yes, I had to see it twice.) When is the last time you heard of a film that moved grown men to tears? Bear Witness To Nick Nolte's Soon-To-Be-Nominated Performance I can't think of a film in which Nolte has turned in a finer performance. And frankly, who thought he had any greatness left in him? Not me. But wowza. Nolte just knocks it out of the park as the broken and dejected formerly alcoholic father to Hardy and Edgerton's characters. There is one particular scene so devastating that when it played out onscreen I immediately thought, 'I will be seeing this again in clip form come awards season.' The Unconventional Ending No spoilers here, I promise, but by the time you get to the climax of this film, you feel as though you've been through a fight yourself. Even if you think you know what's coming. And you won't, which is a beautiful thing. Roger Ebert wrote that "This is a rare fight movie in which we don't want to see either fighter lose," and he is absolutely correct (See: "Grown Man Are Reduced To Tears" from above). "Warrior" is in theaters today, September 9. Will you be going to see "Warrior?" Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

Beetlejuice Follow up May Now Happen

With Seth Grahame-Cruz spearheading itThe concept of a follow up to Tim Burton's ace 1988 spook comedy Beetlejuice is a which has sailed between your mobile phone industry's of fact and rumour just like a lost soul for a long time. Now, following a lengthy period lost in limbo, it might appear it's back, with Abraham Lincoln subsequently: Vampire Hunter author Seth Grahame-Cruz speaking in the idea because he launches his new production company. While there's been loose chatter in regards to a follow-as much as the Michael Keaton film, with even Burton themself handing Mars Attacks! author Jonathan Gems the idea of a Hawaii-set follow up (which experienced several script drafts but never found an effective solution of day), it certainly is appeared to break out from time to time, usually when the cast or even the director themself are requested about this, after which die out again. Well, like Beetlejuice themself requiring to possess his title known as several occasions before he'll appear, it appears as if the follow up continues to be pointed out enough to create it to existence. It is simply one mooted movie being come up with by Grahame-Cruz and creating friend David Katzenberg, who've signed a 2-year cope with Warners for his or her KatzSmith Productions company. Striving to operate similar to Qq Abrams' Bad Robot or Ron Howard and John Grazer's Imagine, they'll generate their very own output in becoming movies and much more. And it is nothing like Grahame-Cruz does not curently have a Burton connection. He authored the script for that presently shooting Dark Shadows and Burton is really a producer about the film version of Abraham Lincoln subsequently. Plus, we wager it does not hurt that Katzenberg may be the boy of Jeffrey...Still, in the sounds from it, they have got a great deal bubbling away and also have already proven themselves with books, scripts along with a Television show to their name. When the privileges could be exercised, Grahame-Cruz intends to write the Beetlejuice script, that is apparently likely to "reboot it by evolving the story from the original" (Unsure quite how that actually works, but we might yet discover). We are just crossing our fingers that Michael Keaton is going to be back...

Skins star subscribes for Love Bite

Speleers, Szohr & Pasqualino. Not a chance, it isn't an attorney - it is the cast from the horror comedy Love Bite.Andy p Emmony is pointing Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl), Luke Pasqualino (Skins, The Borgias) and Erectile dysfunction Speleers (Eragon) inside a movie four buddies who find their nowheresville town stalked with a werewolf.Once the creature begins consuming local virgins, the 4 nonwinners decide you're ready to pop their cherries.You can, should you be hankering for any poster quote, say it is the Inbetweeners with teeth. Just saying.Love Bite begins shooting in Scotland on 9 October 2011.

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