2012 Sundance Film Festival Sets Competition Slate

BREAKING: The Sundance Institute has unveiled the US and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary competition films for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival that runs January 19-29.There is a total of 110 features. At the Gotham Awards, both agents and distributors felt there would a bounty of promising films with no distribution. That could make for a lot of deal making, which is certainly the way it went down last January in Park City. Here are the selections in all categories: U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION The world premieres of 16 American narrative feature films. Beasts of the Southern Wild / U.S.A. (Director: Benh Zeitlin, Screenwriters: Benh Zeitlin, Lucy Alibar) Waters gonna rise up, wild animals gonna rerun from the grave, and everything south of the levee is goin under, in this tale of a six year old named Hushpuppy, who lives with her daddy at the edge of the world. Cast: Quvenzhan Wallis, Dwight Henry. The Comedy / U.S.A. (Director: Rick Alverson, Screenwriters: Rick Alverson, Robert Donne, Colm O’Leary) Indifferent even to the prospects of inheriting his father’s estate, Swanson whiles away his days with a group of aging Brooklyn hipsters, engaging in small acts of recreational cruelty and pacified boredom. Cast: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rassmusen, Gregg Turkington. The End of Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Mark Webber) A young father unravels following the loss of the mother of his child. Cast: Mark Webber, Shannyn Sossamon, Michael Cera, Jason Ritter, Amanda Seyfried, Frankie Shaw. Filly Brown / U.S.A. (Directors: Youssef Delara, Michael D. Olmos, Screenwriter: Youssef Delara) A Hip Hop-driven drama about a Mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through music. Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Edward James Olmos. The First Time / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jonathan Kasdan) Two high schoolers meet at a party. Over the course of a weekend, things turn magical, romantic, complicated and funny, as they discover what it’s like to fall in love for the first time. Cast: Brittany Robertson, Dylan O’Brien, Craig Roberts, James Frecheville, Victoria Justice. For Ellen / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: So Yong Kim) A struggling musician takes an overnight long-distance drive in order to fight his estranged wife for custody of their young daughter. Cast: Paul Dano, Jon Heder, Jena Malone, Margarita Levieva, Shay Mandigo. Hello I Must Be Going / U.S.A. (Director: Todd Louiso, Screenwriter: Sarah Koskoff) Divorced, childless, demoralized and condemned to move back in with her parents at the age of 35, Amy Minsky’s prospects look bleak until the unexpected attention of a teenage boy changes everything. Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott, John Rubinstein, Julie White. DAY ONE FILM Keep the Lights On / U.S.A. (Director: Ira Sachs, Screenwriters: Ira Sachs, Mauricio Zacharias) An autobiographically inspired story of a passionate long-term relationship between two men driven by addiction and secrets but bound by love and hopefulness. Cast: Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth, Julianne Nicholson, Souleymane Sy Savane, Paprika Steen. LUV / U.S.A. (Director: Sheldon Candis, Screenwriters: Sheldon Candis, Justin Wilson) An orphaned 11-year-old boy is forced to face the unpleasant truth about his beloved uncle during one harrowing day in the streets of Baltimore. Cast: Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton. Middle Of Nowhere / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ava DuVernay) When her husband is incarcerated, an African-American woman struggles to maintain her marriage and her identity. Cast: Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Touissant, Edwina Findley. Nobody Walks / U.S.A. (Director: Ry Russo-Young, Screenwriters: Lena Dunham, Ry Russo-Young) Martine, a young artist from NY, is invited into the home of a hip, liberal LA family for a week. Her presence unravels the familys carefully maintained status quo, and a mess of sexual and emotional entanglements ensues. Cast: John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, India Ennenga, Justin Kirk. Safety Not Guaranteed / U.S.A. (Director: Colin Trevorrow, Screenwriter: Derek Connolly) A trio of magazine employees investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. One employee develops feelings for the paranoid but compelling loner and seeks to discover what hes really up to. Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karen Soni. Save the Date / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Mohan, Screenwriters: Jeffrey Brown, Egan Reich, Michael Mohan) As her sister Beth prepares to get married, Sarah finds herself caught up in an intense post-breakup rebound. The two fumble through the redefined emotional landscape of modern day relationships, forced to relearn how to love and be loved. Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend, Mark Webber. Simon Killer / France, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Antonio Campos) A recent college graduate goes to Paris after breaking up with his girlfriend of 5 years. Once there, he falls in love with a young prostitute and their fateful journey begins. Cast: Brady Corbet, Mati Diop, Constance Rousseau, Michael Abiteboul, Solo. Smashed / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Susan Burke, James Ponsoldt) Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and… drinking. When Kate decides to get sober, her new lifestyle brings troubling issues to the surface and calls into question her relationship with Charlie. Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally. The Surrogate / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ben Lewin) Mark O’Brien, a 36-year-old poet and journalist with an iron lung, decides he no longer wishes to be a virgin. With the help of his therapist and the guidance of his priest, he contacts a professional sex surrogate to take him on a journey to manhood. Cast: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy. U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The world premieres of 16 American documentary films. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry / U.S.A., China (Director: Alison Klayman) Renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has garnered international attention as much for his ambitious artwork as his political provocations and increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government. The Atomic States of America / U.S.A. (Directors: Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce) In 2010, the United States announced construction of the first new nuclear power plant in more than 32 years. A year later, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Fukushima Power Plant in Japan sparking a fierce debate in the U.S. over the safety and viability of nuclear power. Chasing Ice / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Orlowski) Science, spectacle and human passion mix in this stunningly cinematic portrait as National Geographic photographer James Balog captures time-lapse photography of glaciers over several years providing tangible visual evidence of climate change. DETROPIA / U.S.A. (Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady) The woes of Detroit are emblematic of the collapse of the U.S. manufacturing base. This is the dramatic story of a city and its people who refuse to leave the building, even as the flames are rising. ESCAPE FIRE: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare / U.S.A. (Directors: Matthew Heineman, Susan Froemke) What can be done to save our broken medical system? Powerful forces are trying to maintain the status quo in a profit-driven medical industry, but a movement to bring innovative methods of prevention and healing is finally gaining ground potentially saving the health of a nation. Finding North / U.S.A. (Directors: Lori Silverbush, Kristi Jacobson) A crisis of hunger looms in America and is not limited to the poverty stricken and uneducated. Can a return to policies of the 1970s save our future? The House I Live In / U.S.A. (Director: Eugene Jarecki) For over 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests, made America the world’s largest jailer and damaged poor communities at home and abroad. Yet, drugs are cheaper, purer and more available today than ever. Where did we go wrong and what is the path toward healing? How to Survive a Plague / U.S.A. (Director: David France) The untold story of the intensive efforts that turned AIDS into a manageable condition and the improbable group of (mostly HIV-positive) young men and women whose amazing resilience broke through a time of rampant death and political indifference. The Invisible War / U.S.A. (Director: Kirby Dick) An investigative and powerfully emotional examination of the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the U.S. military, the institutions that cover up its existence and the profound personal and social consequences that arise from it. Marina Abramovi The Artist is Present / U.S.A. (Director: Matthew Akers) Marina Abramovi prepares for a major retrospective of her work at The Museum of Modern Art in NY hoping to finally silence four decades of skeptics who proclaim: ‘But why is this art?’ ME at the ZOO / U.S.A. (Directors: Chris Moukarbel, Valerie Veatch) With 270 million hits to date, Chris Crocker, an uncanny young video blogger from small town Tennessee, is considered the Internet’s first rebel folk hero and at the same time one of its most controversial personalities. The Other Dream Team / Lithuania, U.S.A. (Director: Marius Markevicius) The 1992 Lithuanian National Basketball Team went from the clutches of Communism to the Summer Olympics in Barcelona a testament to the powerful role of sports as a catalyst for cultural identity. The Queen of Versailles / U.S.A. (Director: Lauren Greenfield) Jackie and David were triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot palace inspired by Versailles when their timeshare empire collapses and their house is foreclosed. Their rags-to-riches-to-rags story reveals the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. DAY ONE FILM Slavery By Another Name / U.S.A. (Director: Sam Pollard) As slavery came to an end with Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, a new system of involuntary servitude took its place with shocking force, brutalizing, terrorizing and ultimately circumscribing the lives of hundreds of thousands of African Americans well into the 20th century. Love Free or Die: How the Bishop of New Hampshire is Changing the World / U.S.A. (Director: Macky Alston) One man whose two defining passions are in conflict: An openly gay bishop refuses to leave the Church or the man he loves. We’re Not Broke / U.S.A. (Directors: Karin Hayes, Victoria Bruce) As American lawmakers slash budgets and lay off employees, leaving many people scrambling to survive, multibillion-dollar corporations are concealing colossal profits overseas to avoid paying U.S. income tax. Fed-up Americans are taking their frustration to the streets. WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION Fourteen films from emerging filmmaking talents offer fresh perspectives and inventive styles. 4 Suns / Czech Republic (Director and screenwriter: Bohdan Slma) Immature Fogi attempts to straighten up and accept his responsibilities as a new husband and father, as well as role model to his troubled son from a previous relationship, but finds himself unable to change his nature, leaving him to watch haplessly as his family begins to crumble. Cast: Jaroslav Plesl, Aa Geislerov, Karel Roden, Ji Mdl, Klra Melkov. World Premiere About the Pink Sky / Japan (Director and screenwriter: Keiichi Kobayashi) A high school girl finds a wallet full of money and tracks down its owner, leading to unexpected consequences for the girl and her friends. Cast: Ai Ikeda, Ena Koshino, Reiko Fujiwara, Tsubasa Takayama, Hakusyu Togetsuan. International Premiere Can / Turkey (Director and screenwriter: Rasit Celikezer) A young married couple live happily in Istanbul, but their decision to illegally procure a child threatens their future together. Cast: Selen Ucer, Serdar Orcin, Berkan Demirbag, Erkan Avci. World Premiere Father’s Chair (A Cadeira do Pai) / Brazil (Director: Luciano Moura, Screenwriters: Elena Soarez, Luciano Moura) Following the trail of his runaway teen son, Theo confronts his own identity as a son, a father and a man along the way. Cast: Wagner Moura, Lima Duarte, Mariana Lima. World Premiere L / Greece (Director: Babis Makridis, Screenwriters: Efthymis Filippou, Babis Makridis) A man who lives in his car gets caught up in the undeclared war between motorcycle riders and car drivers. Cast: Aris Servetalis, Makis Papadimitriou, Lefteris Mathaios, Nota Tserniafski, Stavros Raptis. World Premiere The Last Elvis (El Ultimo Elvis) / Argentina (Director: Armando Bo, Screenwriters: Nicols Giacobone and Armando Bo) A Buenos Aires Elvis impersonator who believes that he is the reincarnation of the King struggles to shake free from reality and live his musical dream. Cast: John McInerny, Griselda Siciliani, Margarita Lopez. World Premiere Madrid, 1987 / Spain (Director and screenwriter: David Trueba) The balance of power and desire constantly shifts during the meeting of an older journalist and a young student, of two generations completely foreign to one another. Cast: Jos Sacristn, Mara Valverde, Ramon Fontser. International Premiere My Brother the Devil / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Sally El Hosaini) A pair of British Arab brothers trying to get by in gangland London learn the extraordinary courage it takes to be yourself. Cast: James Floyd, Sad Taghmaoui, Fady Elsayed. World Premiere Teddy Bear / Denmark (Director: Mads Matthiesen, Screenwriters: Mads Matthiesen, Martin Pieter Zandvliet) Dennis, a painfully shy 38-year-old bodybuilder who lives with his mother, sets off to Thailand in search of love. Cast: Kim Kold, Elsebeth Steentoft, Lamaiporn Sangmanee Hougaard, David Winters, Allan Mogensen. World Premiere Valley of Saints / India, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Musa Syeed) Gulzar plans to run away from the war and poverty surrounding his village in Kashmir with his best friend, but a beautiful young woman researching the dying lake leads him to contemplate a different future Cast: Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Mohammed Afzal Sofi, Neelofar Hamid. World Premiere Violeta Went to Heaven (Violeta se Fue a Los Cielos) / Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain (Director: Andrs Wood, Screenwriters: Eliseo Altunaga, Rodrigo Bazaes, Guillermo Caldern, Andrs Wood) A portrait of famed Chilean singer and folklorist Violeta Parra filled with her musical work, her memories, her loves and her hopes. Cast: Francisca Gaviln, Thomas Durand, Luis Machn, Gabriela Aguilera, Roberto Faras. International Premiere Wish You Were Here / Australia (Director: Kieran Darcy-Smith, Screenwriters: Felicity Price, Kieran Darcy-Smith) Four friends embark on a carefree holiday, but only three return home. Who knows what happened on that fateful night? Cast: Joel Edgerton, Teresa Palmer, Felicity Price, Antony Starr. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM WRONG / France (Director and screenwriter: Quentin Dupieux) Dolph searches for his lost dog, but through encounters with a nympho pizza-delivery girl, a jogging neighbor seeking the absolute, and a mysterious righter of wrongs, he may eventually lose his mind… and his identity. Cast: Jack Plotnick, Eric Judor, Alexis Dziena, Steve Little, William Fichtner. World Premiere Young & Wild / Chile (Director: Marialy Rivas, Screenwriters: Marialy Rivas, Camila Gutirrez, Pedro Peirano) 17-year-old Daniela, raised in the bosom of a strict Evangelical family and recently unmasked as a fornicator by her shocked parents, struggles to find her own path to spiritual harmony. Cast: Alicia Rodrguez, Aline Kuppenheim, Mara Gracia Omegna, Felipe Pinto. World Premiere WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION Twelve documentaries by some of the most courageous and extraordinary filmmakers working today. REVOLUTION / Denmark (Directors: Omar Shargawi, Karim El Hakim) In January 2011, two filmmakers captured the reality of the Egyptian revolution as it occurred out of view from the world’s media in the alleyways and streets away from the square and in the process were arrested by the secret police. North American Premiere 5 Broken Cameras / Palestine, Israel, France (Directors: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi) A Palestinian journalist chronicles his villages resistance to a separation barrier being erected on their land and in the process captures his young sons lens on the world. International Premiere THE AMBASSADOR / Denmark (Director: Mads Brgger) What happens when a very white European man buys his way into being a diplomat in one of Central Africa’s most failed nations? Welcome to the bizarre and hidden world of African diplomacy, where gin and tonics flow and diamond hustlers and corrupt politicians run free. North American Premiere BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!* / Sweden (Director: Fredrik Gertten) The behind-the-scenes story of a full-scale attack on freedom of speech. When Dole set its sights on the WG Film production Bananas!* in May 2009, confusion was the method, aggression was the tactic and media control was the story. North American Premiere China Heavyweight / Canada, China (Director: Yung Chang) In central China, where a coach recruits poor rural teenagers and turns them into Western-style boxing champions, the top students face dramatic choices as they graduate should they fight for the collective good or for themselves? A metaphor for the choices everyone in the New China faces now. World Premiere Gypsy Davy / Israel, U.S.A., Spain (Director: Rachel Leah Jones) How does a white boy with Alabama roots become a Flamenco guitarist in Andalusian boots? A tale of self-invention and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of the cost to others. International Premiere The Imposter / United Kingdom (Director: Bart Layton) In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappears from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in Spain with a shocking story of kidnap and torture. But all is not what it seems in this tale that is truly stranger than fiction. World Premiere Indie Game: The Movie / Canada (Directors: Lisanne Pajot, James Swirsky) Follow the dramatic journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world. World Premiere The Law in These Parts / Israel (Director: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz) Israel’s 43-year military legal system in the Occupied Palestinian Territories unfolds through provocative interviews with the systems architects and historical footage showing the enactment of these laws upon the Palestinian population. International Premiere Payback / Canada (Director: Jennifer Baichwal) Based on Margaret Atwoods best-selling book, Payback explores how debt is a central organizing principle in our lives influencing relationships, societies, governing structures and the very fate of this planet. World Premiere Putin’s Kiss / Denmark (Director: Lise Birk Pedersen) 19-year-old Marsha is a model spokesperson in a strongly nationalistic Russian youth movement that aims to protect the country from its enemies. When she starts recognizing the organizations flaws, she must take a stand for or against it. North American Premiere Searching for Sugar Man / Denmark, United Kingdom (Director: Malik Bendjelloul) Rodriguez was the greatest 70s US rock icon who never was. Hailed as the greatest recording artist of his generation he disappeared into oblivion rising again from the ashes in a completely different context many miles away. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM

Liev Schreiber to Star in Showtime's Ray Donovan

Liev Schreiber Liev Schreiber has been tapped to star in Showtime's new drama Ray Donovan, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Scream and Salt actor will portray the titular character, a professional fixer for the rich and famous in Los Angeles who's unable to escape his own family issues. Showtime green-lights three new projects The project comes from Southland creator Ann Biderman, who will executive-produce along with Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) and Bryan Zuriff. The drama is expected to begin production in early 2012.

USA, HBO & Lifetime Set Premiere Dates

USA Network has firmed up its midseason schedule, which will feature the return of White Collar on Jan. 17 and Royal Pains on Jan. 18 and the premiere of new drama Common Law on Jan. 26. White Collar and Royal Pains will air on the same nights they did in the summer, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, but will slide from 9 PM to 10 PM. Common Law, which stars Michael Ealy and Warren Kole as a pair of detectives forced to attend couples counseling, will air Thursdays at 10 PM. For the first time in awhile for a rookie USA series, Common Law will launch with no original lead-in from an established show. This past midseason, Fairly Legal launched on Thursdays 10 PM behind Royal Pains. HBO’s off-beat comedy series Eastbound & Down will return for a third season on Feb. 19, followed by the debut of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s latest series, Life’s Too Short. The comedies will air in the 10 PM hour, following new drama Luck, which launches on Jan. 29 following a preview after the season finale of Boardwalk Empire on Dec. 11. Life’s Too Short is a faux documentary starring actor Warwick Davis as a fictionalized version of himself: a down-and-out little person desperately trying to hustle and connive his way back into the spotlight. Gervais will be able to promoteLife’s Too Shortwith his stint as host of the Golden Globes in January. Lifetime has set a Jan. 5 premiere date for Project Runway All Stars, which features 13 previous contestants competing in front of judges Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman, with model Angela Lindvall as host and Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles as mentor.

Director Ken Russell Dies at 84

Ken Russell Ken Russell, the avant-garde filmmaker behind Women for each other and also the Boy Friend, has died. He was 84. Russell died Sunday following multiple strokes, his boy Alex Verney-Elliott told The Connected Press. "My dad died quietly. He died having a smile on his face," he stated. Begin to see the stars we lost this season Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell was created in Southampton, England. He gone to live in London in the 20s, analyzed photography and grew to become a documentary filmmaker in the BBC. His first feature film was the 1964 romantic comedy French Dressing. In 1967, he directed the spy movie Big Brain with Michael Caine. Russell gained his first Academy Award nomination for his 1969 film adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's Women for each other. The film, that was censored for featuring full-frontal nudity from the two male leads, won star Glenda Jackson an Oscar for the best Actress. Music seemed to be a large affect on Russell's films. In 1971, he authored and directed The Boy Friend, an homage towards the musicals from the nineteen thirties. The film starred supermodel Twiggy, who won two Golden Globes on her performance. Russell also modified the rock opera Tommy, which took it's origin from music in the Who. In 1991, Russell directed his last questionable film entitled Whore, which received an NC-17 rating. Russell - whose films incorporated 1980's Changed States and 1987's Medieval - was honored in 1995 through the American Cinematheque having a retrospective of his work known as Shock Value. His sometimes over-the-top films might be polarizing, and triggered Pauline Kael to express they "cheapen everything they touch." More lately, Russell made an appearance around the British reality show Celebrity Your Government in 2007, but left inside the first week. Russell, who had been married four occasions, is made it by his wife Elise Tribble and the children.

Lear sees politics the American way

Michael B. Keegan, Norman Lear and Alec Baldwin attend individuals for your American Way Basic principles 30th anni celebration in October.People for your American Way will mark its 30th anniversary inside a 12 ,. 5 fete within the Beverly Wilshire, despite the fact that you will notice plenty of references for the org's roots just like a counter for the religious right, founder Norman Lear sees an even more urgent link to the current.InchIn my experience what is happening at this time around with joblessness, the confluence in the neoconservative movement and religious right and enormous, large money... brought to that which you want at today in this particular country," he mentioned in the recent interview from his Beverly Slopes office, still sharp and energetic at 89. "So considering the children in Occupy Wall Street..youthful people are actually telling us, 'Enough,' that will become clearer after we complement.InchHe added, "Among the most popular of all the mythical American expressions is always that eternal vigilance might be the price you spend, because the seed items remain.InchIn creating People for your American Way, Lear was among only numerous industry figures to translate personal activism in to a lasting advocacy organization (he'll be among the honorees along with board member Alec Baldwin the same anniversary event happened in NY on March. 6). One of the org's finest early victories showed up 1987, if the together with other groups effectively fought against from the nomination of Robert Bork for the Top Court, a thing that presaged the polarizing nomination battles later on. More recent work has incorporated campaigns for marriage equality and much more in the influence of corporate profit politics.3 decades ago, Lear was during the time of the astonishing run of sitcoms that transformed primetime entertainment and was probably the most active figures in Hollywood's political scene, a pacesetter in a number of influential liberals who got the nickname the "Malibu mafia." He appreciated watching tv one morning at the begining of when he heard Jimmy Swaggart asking audiences to require for getting rid of a high Court justice. His company then had seven shows round the air, but Lear mentioned he am incensed by Swaggart's remarks that within an executive retreat just a couple of days later, he told his affiliate marketers, "Are searching for my alternative.""I used to be scared to dying," according to him in the televangelist's claims. "That frightened the hell from me."He made a decision to carry out a number of television spots, including one in which a hard-hatted forklift operator spoken in the ministers arriving on Radio and television "telling us that individuals are wonderful Christian followers or bad Christian followers according to their perspective.Inch The man's last line was "That is not the American way."While he walked to the culture wars, Lear mentioned he was conscious of he'd two large strikes against him -- he was from Hollywood, which he was Jewish -- so he travelled to South Bend, Ind., to fulfill with Father Ted Hesburgh, a pal after which it leader of Notre Dame, who thought the area was "terrific" and switched him onto other chapel leaders. With elevated supporters onboard, Lear paid out to offer the ad run in Washington, D.C., knowning that the systems would have it just like a report. Another chapel leader advised him to start a company around it and suggested the title People for your American Way.Their initial event will be a two-hour ABC show in 1982, "I Like Liberty," designed to show diversity included in the American fabric. The special featured Lady Bird Manley and Gerald Ford as co-hosts, and "it had Craig Goldwater and Jane Fonda on one stage," Lear appreciated. As nonpartisan since the special specific being, Falwell's Moral Majority first seen it becoming an effort to market liberal politics, including Lear's own.The televangelists, recognizing liberal Hollywood just like a target, fought against against back. Lear easily recited a line in the letter he received from Pat Robertson telling him that his "arms were short to box with God. Let go him.""And Jerry Falwell sent a e-e-newsletter calling me the 'No. 1 enemy in the American family inside our generation,' which i'd serious dying risks consequently," he mentioned.Since the influence of televangelism abated inside the late eighties, also did the energy to assist People for your American Way, Lear noted. Nevertheless the organization has elevated lately, and he's especially hopeful about its fortunes under Michael Keegan, leader since 2009, along with programs like the Youthful Selected Government bodies Network for progressive leaders. Lear also started a deal couple of years ago referred to as Born Again American, designed only to exhibit that patriotism is not ceded just like a concept right.People for your American Way now encourages a progressive agenda, but Lear still talks of the roots as not "liberal" but "American." He's pals with Nancy Reagan, who requested him and also the former business partner Jerry Perenchio to fly by helicopter to Simi Valley in September to visit the Republican debate within the Taxation Presidential Library. "I used to be possibly the main Democrat there, certainly really the only liberal, but that is the America I really like,In . he mentioned.It shojuld 't be an unexpected that Lear wasn't impressed in what he heard in case. On television, he's also expressed some reservations in regards to the current administration's performance and may support Leader Obama's re-election. "In my opinion the most effective factor Obama has choosing for him will be the nine people running for your Republican nomination. Once they were moving Obama signs, they might not perform a more acceptable job.InchNumerous high-profile figures from showbiz now utilize Lear, but among people he singles out is Make the most of Reiner, co-star of "All inherited,In . which has attempted issues different from early childhood education to same-sex marriage. "I am unsure what Make the most of knows. ...I have my passions. I have my concerns. I realize a good deal about a number of things, however don't begin to understand what some handful of (activists) know since they become students round the issues, which i avoid that."While a scenario could be produced the agenda in the religious right has not successful, due to the growing acceptance of gay rights as well as the failure (up to now) to overturn Roe versus. Wade, Lear doesn't purchase it. Bork is certainly a real estate agent to Mitt Romney's campaign, he highlights. "I learned in the beginning at People for your American Method that a number of these born-again Christian followers were used against their particular needs,Inch Lear mentioned. "That's the identical factor today. The Tea Party is stuffed with people just searching for their way, without real leadership within the Dems, without real leadership within the moderate Republicans. The extremes get it, and they have the cash since they hold the backing of individuals billionaire sources." Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

J.J. Abrams Certifies Benicio Del Toro's 'Star Trek 2' Interest

The villain of "Star Trek 2" remains unknown, though director J.J. Abrams certainly has his eye on someone for your role: Oscar-winning actor Benicio del Toro. It's still up in mid-air regarding who BDT might take part in the "Trek" follow-up, supposing he happens board whatsoever, but Abrams confirmed to MTV News that he's greatly considering obtaining the "Traffic" actor aboard for his next interstellar voyage. "Well, we're just in discussions, we're in discussions," Abrams told us round the red-colored-colored carpet for your "Super 8" Blu-ray and DVD release in La. "It is not even discussions just being debated. However I must use him. I've desired to utilize him for any very long time, which felt as being a pretty good possibility.Inch Abrams wouldn't enter specifics in regards to the role he's in your head for del Toro. Speculation has ranged from del Toro coping with the legendary role of Khan Noonien Singh to him putting that prominent temple to obtain affordable use just like a Klingon villain. Nevertheless the "Star Trek" director would just offer that whoever the level of smoothness is, del Toro is fantastic for the part. "It's too early to go over just what the role is, but he's this type of amazing actor," mentioned Abrams. "He's so versatile. He could type of do just about anything.In . "Except play Uhura," he joked. "I wouldn't buy that." Though the situation is enigmatic at this time, Abrams guaranteed the role might be a more compact amount mysterious as soon as casting is finished, whether del Toro eventually ends up inside the follow-up. "As soon as everyone knows who it will beand I'd love to ensure that it's himthat'll be public understanding," he mentioned. Reveal everything you consider the "Star Trek" follow-up news inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

Strong ratings week for ABC

The fall finale of Greys Anatomy helped boost ABC to its best ratings week this season.The Big Bang Theory was the weeks top scripted series in young adults, leading CBS pack of successful laffers. A nice boost from the CMA Awards, the fall finale of "Grey's Anatomy" and more strong numbers from new drama "Once Upon a Time" carried ABC to its most competitive finish of the season last week. According to Nielsen, the Alphabet placed a close second to Fox among young adults, racking up its best demo score since premiere week and its largest overall audience for any non-Academy Awards sesh in two years. Last week was also another good one for the CBS comedies, which took the top five spots in adults 18-49, and for football, as the nets airing primetime pigskin action racked up victories on Monday, Saturday and Sunday. Overall for the Nov. 7-13 sesh, Fox led in adults 18-49 with a 3.0 rating/8 share, followed by ABC (2.8/7), CBS (2.6/7), NBC (2.4/6), Univision (1.6/4) and top cabler ESPN (1.4/3). ABC and CBS tied for the lead in adults 25-54 (3.5/8), while the Eye still prevailed in total viewers (10.8 million to 10.3 million for ABC). At ABC, top-rated "Modern Family" was preempted, but the net still racked up its best Wednesday of the season with "The 45th Annual CMA Awards" (4.8/13, 16.40m), which matched a seven-year high in adults 18-34 (4.1/12). Thursday saw "Grey's Anatomy" (4.1/10, 11.29m) match its best 18-49 score since early last spring. Net also had a strong weekend with its "Saturday Night Football" game between Oregon and Stanford (3.0/9, 8.73m) and a winning perf Sunday by "Once Upon a Time" (3.8/9, 11.36m), which has stayed at a lofty level after its premiere last month. Fox was led by "The X Factor" on Wednesday (3.8/10, 10.25m) and "New Girl" on Tuesday (3.5/9, 6.84m), though the latter doesn't look quite as hot as in its early weeks. The net narrowly led Thursday in 18-49, though both the "X Factor" results show (3.3/9, 10.13m) and "Bones" (2.6/6, 8.64m) declined from their first pairing of the previous week.The net scored on Saturday with its first UFC telecast (3.0/9, 5.67m), which became the league's most-watched event ever; it was neck-and-neck with ABC's college football among adults 18-49 in the 9 o'clock hour, and the Fox fight led in men 18-34 (4.3/15 to 3.5/12). At CBS, "The Big Bang Theory" (5.3/15 in 18-49, 15.89m) "Two and a Half Men" (5.2/12, 14.71m), "2 Broke Girls" (4.6/11, 11.43m), "How I Met Your Mother" (4.4/12, 10.28m) and "Mike and Molly" (4.2/10, 11.93m) were the week's top scripted series among young adults, with "Broke" standing as the season's top-rated newcomer in 18-49. Also for the Eye, "NCIS" (4.1/11, 20.38m) became the first drama to top 20 million viewers this fall. NBC's best news was probably the showing of "Whitney" (2.1/5, 4.28m), which held steady even though its lead-in from "The Office" (3.0/8, 5.96m) declined; the 9:30 p.m. comedy also isn't getting much backend support from 10 p.m. drama "Prime Suspect" (1.3/3, 4.28m). The Peacock also saw "Harry's Law" edge up (1.3/3, 7.11m), matching its season high in 18-49 although that still left it well behind the offerings on the other major nets. "Rock Center" struggled for a second straight week (1.0/3, 3.46m), barely finishing ahead of Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" (3.40m) as Monday's most-watched primetime news show. CW, led as usual by "The Vampire Diaries" (1.4/4, 3.17m), also saw some season highs for "90210" (0.8/2, 1.55m), which did a 1.0/3 in adults 18-34. In cable, ESPN saw one of its best "Monday Night Football" perfs with its Chicago-Philadelphia matchup (6.9/18, 16.85m). The net also did well with its Veteran's Day college basketball game between North Carolina and Michigan State on an aircraft carrier in San Diego (1.6/5, 3.86m). The top original scripted series among young adults remained hot: AMC's "The Walking Dead" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 6.12m) and FX's "Sons of Anarchy" (2.0/6, 3.93m) and "American Horror Story" (1.6/4, 2.83m). Following "Walking" on Sunday, AMC newbie "Hell on Wheels" declined in its second week but was still saw a solid number (1.5/4, 3.84m). And Friday saw nice perfs from Discovery's "Gold Rush" (1.6/5, 4.15m) and Disney Channel's movie "Geek Charming" (0.8/2, 4.91m), whose delivery among persons 12-34 (1.7/7) was the best for any English-language primetime program (broadcast or cable) on the night. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Startling breakthroughs

FELICITY JONESWhen Felicity Johnson browse the outline for "Constantly,Inch she understood immediately she needed to participate it. "It had been something in only the very first couple of lines," states Johnson from the role that won her a unique jury prize in the Sundance Film Festival. "I understood this character and the kind of relationship she was getting." Even when the storyline and also the character counseled me there for Johnson, one factor wasn't -- dialogue. The lines in "ConstantlyInch counseled me improvised, in line with the outline from helmer Drake Doremus. "I really like dealing with Drake because he's willing to visit individuals places inside a relationship which make people uncomfortable but resonate with the much truth," states Johnson. The British-born thesp -- who this past year handled Shakespeare and switched heads as Miranda in Julie Taymor's "The Tempest" -- was clearly ready with this type of creative challenge. Though she's just 28, the actress found the spend a lot more than fifteen years of expertise. Johnson is going to be observed in Doremus' next film, which co-stars Guy Pearce as well as handles relationship styles. "And i believe people like watching most of these movies," states Johnson, "because we are all interested in each other peoples associations in ways."BRIT MARLINGBrit Marling wasn't the only real actress with multiple films at Sundance this season, but she's the only person who used multiple hats around the set of photos by which she made an appearance. Working together with two company directors she'd met at Georgetown U., Marling co-authored, created and starred within the features "Another Earth" and "Seem of My Voice," generating her instant "it girl" status. "What's strange concerning the (Sundance) experience is you were exactly the same actor before when you are after, however, you all of a sudden get access to many of these beautiful tales," states Marling, whose stint in Park City introduced her to Robert Redford and brought to some role in the next film, "The Organization You Retain,Inch about radical '70s group the elements Subterranean. For Marling, Sundance was the proof that she'd made the best decision in scrapping her "grown-up" investment banker intends to pursue her long term adoration for acting. "I had been reading through 'The Little Prince' yesterday," states Marling. "All of a sudden, I recognized I'd lost sight of the one thing I enjoy do, which being unsure of how to pull off doing the one thing you like isn't any excuses for not doing the work.InchADEPERO ODUYE & KIM WAYANSFor Adepero Oduye and Kim Wayans, representing a lesbian teen visiting terms together with her sexual identity and also the mother who ultimately rejects her in "Pariah" was excruciating business. "There is a scene where I tell Kim, who plays my mother, which i love her," states Oduye, who well plays a teenager within the movie despite her 33 years. "Which was maybe probably the most difficult scene within the entire movie for me personally due to how she responds." Oduye, an old pre-mediterranean student who fell deeply in love with acting, has been around front of audiences in excess of ten years such films as "Half Nelson" and tv shows like "Louie" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." "I believe this character is effective because we have all felt like outsiders, like you will find there's secret that's embarrassing or that can make people judge us," states Oduye, that has just completed several shorts and it is thinking about new projects. "It comes down to becoming completely what you are.Inch For Wayans, the fabric am strong she fought against to see for negligence Audrey, a parent who struggles together with her daughter's sexuality. "I believe everybody knows me as part of this large Wayans family that does lots of comedy films," she states. "However I wanted to exhibit them which i could do that.Inch Wayans' technique is working. Since dealing with "Pariah," she hopes to prove she's the following inside a lengthy type of comedy alums who're also solid dramatic entertainers. "Now I'm able to get within the room to see for any part," states Wayans, who credits helmer Dee Rees for giving her the opportunity. "I'll continually be grateful for your."ELIZABETH OLSENElizabeth Olsen is living proof so good things arrived at individuals who wait. The more youthful sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen states she designed a deliberate choice to avert being a young child star. Rather, she went after acting attending college classes and through theatrical roles. She delay film auditions until no more than last year. She won the title role of "Martha Marcy May Marlene" just 2 days before shooting started. "I'd only began who audition but it was the only real script that needed me to complete work," she states. "That actually excited me." Helmer Sean Durkin urged the film's stars to supply input, which become a huge hit to Olsen. "Whenever we shot 'Martha,' it had been the perfect quantity of collaboration," she recalls. "Nobody walked on anyone's ft. I really like dealing with people and that i love learning. Individuals would be the a couple of things I've found most satisfying now." Searching ahead, Olsen hopes to tackle period pieces from different eras "be it NY within the '40s or NY in the turn from the century or France in 1920. I recieve to make use of my voice. I recieve to make use of my body system. I recieve to make use of my speech in a different way. Working out all individuals different muscles is one thing I am searching toward at this time.Inch SHAILENE WOODLEYWith rave reviews on her recent breakout performance in "The Descendants" along with a regular role on ABC Family's "The Key Existence from the American Teen," it might be simple for Shailene Woodley to obtain swept up in becoming all of a sudden thrust within the showbiz spotlight, but that is simply not her factor. "I really like acting and that is what drives me," states Woodley, who plays George Clooney's teenage daughter who in the beginning seems edgy but eventually ends up being the grounding pressure in "The Descendants." "My parents never pressed me to get this done however they were always very encouraging." Following the Simi Valley native, who just switched 20, discovered acting, which she approaches instinctually, her parents was adamant she could only continue happening auditions if she stored her grades up. Woodley will go back to TV in "The Key Existence," and aims to remain grounded while keeping focused on finding roles that resonate together with her. "I believe Natalie Portman isn't good ass because everything she does originates from such passion," laughs Woodley. "I truly admire her and hope I'm able to work exactly the same way.InchHonor Season Focus: The WomenThesps seize career reins Brains and brawn fuel nouveau action heroines Longtime collaborators help dress the various components Startling breakthroughs Contact Karen Idelson at news@variety.com

Grey's Anatomy's Speculating Game: Who's Dr. Blank?

Ellen Pompeo Fact: The midseason finale of Grey's Anatomy could make you bawl your vision out. In the finish of last week's episode, Teddy (Kim Raver) came the place to find find husband Henry (Scott Foley) paying bloodstream. His visit to Dallas Sophistication will not be the sole heart-preventing moment within the midseason finale, though. As you may know in the episode description, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek's (Patrick Dempsey) custody of the children issues arrived at a mind, Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Jackson (Jesse Williams) are blamed for any patient's publish-op complications and Alex (Justin Chambers) and Meredith land inside a harmful situation. While we are sworn to secrecy from revealing, well, virtually anything, we have made the decision to lighten the atmosphere having a pretty tough speculating game. 1. Dr. ______ offers Dr. ______ his/her ______. Amusingly, we believe. 2. Dr. ______ needs to tell wrong in order to save someone. 3. Dr. ______ and Dr. ______ lose their ______, leading to one of these to get rid of hope. 4. Dr. ______ stops working following a surgery. 5. Dr. ______ manages to lose his/her ______ though he/she does not realize it yet. Our one hint: Only a couple of the blanks are identical. Hit your comments ought to together with your guesses. Best of luck! Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday at 9/8c on ABC.

Woody Harrelson is a Psychopath, and 5 Other Stories You'll Be Talking About Today

Happy Thursday! Also in today’s edition of The Broadsheet: Remembering new Oscar producer Brian Grazer’s own “gay” controversy… The Criterion Collection comes to iTunes (but not without issues)… Clint Eastwood’s thing for Herman Cain… and more. · Woody Harrelson has joined the cast of Seven Psychopaths, which reunites In Bruges writer/director Martin McDonagh and star Colin Farrell in the story of a screenwriter (Farrell) seeking inspiration for his next script. When that inspiration arrives in the form of a dognapping caper targeting a psycho gangster (Harrelson), all hell breaks loose. Tom Waits, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken are signed up as well — should be a hoot and a half. [Deadline] · I hate to bring this up so soon after Brian Grazer landed his new Oscar producing gig, but remember that whole flap that came down last year around the trailer for Grazer and Ron Howard’s film The Dilemma? The one where Vince Vaughn’s character called electric cars “gay”? And which Universal pulled from circulation? It’s like dj vu all over again! Except this time you should shoot me in the face, seriously, just make it stop. [LAT] · There’s good news and bad news for fans of the Criterion Collection: The good news is that you can now rent and/or buy a selection of the distributor’s titles on iTunes. Alas, the selection is woefully small (under 50 films!) to start with, and purchases don’t include the special features that arguably make Criterion what it is in the first place. Oh well! Baby steps, etc. [/film] · As foreseen, remake plans for the Toronto Film Festival sensation The Raid have trickled from rightsholder Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group to its affiliated genre kingpins Screen Gems. Gareth Evans, who wrote and directed the Indonesian action spectacle, will executive produce. [Deadline] · “I love Cain’s story,” Clint Eastwood has said of the dark horse GOP presidential contender Herman Cain. “He’s a guy who came from nowhere and did well, obviously against heavy odds. He’s a doer and a straight-talker, which I don’t see enough of from either party.” Doer? Cain hardly knew her! Ahem. [LAT] · Speaking of GOP presidential candidates, RIP Rick Perry. Good luck finding a more cringe-inducing self-destruction. Relive the anguish below, and check out Andrew Sullivan’s terrific debate liveblog for a full recap. [The Daily Beast]

Julie Taymor files 'Spider-Man' suit

Julie Taymor claims the 'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark' producers have unsuccessful to pay on her ongoing focus on the Broadway musical.Julie Taymor, the helmer of megabudget Broadway tuner "Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark," has filed a suit from the producers from the show."Because the suit filed today makes obvious, the accused have violated Ms. Taymor's creative privileges being an author of 'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark,'" stated Taymor's lawyer, Charles Spada, inside a statement. "Furthermore, the producers have unsuccessful to pay Ms. Taymor for his or her ongoing utilization of her work up to now."Captured, happens Director and Choreographers' Society (SDC) filed an arbitration claim from the show's producers over delinquent pointing royalties to Taymor.Taymor and also the show's producers have experienced a patchy relationship because the helmer was driven to consider one step from the musical spectacle toward the finish from the production's lengthy, rocky preview period. She did, however, attend the show's June opening, where she was one of the designers to consider a bow.Regardless of the additional staging contributions of director Philip William McKinley, it had been Taymor who had been lately considered qualified that need considering for any Tony nomination within the musical director category. Taymor is credited using the "original direction" from the show. She's also listed as co-book author and mask designer. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Harry Potter Licorice Portrait: Awesome Alternative Movie Art Debuts

What's the only factor harder than shooting a sex scene? Shooting a very graphic sex scene for just about any movie that will (eventually) be rated NC-17. Just request actor Michael Fassbender, who stars inside the approaching movie 'Shame.' Within it, he plays Brandon, a sex addict dwelling in NY City. So, how did he prepare to shoot among his sex moments with actress Amy Hargreaves? In line with the L.A. Occasions, by smoking cigarettes "and downing a tumbler of tequila." No matter the graphic character in the movie, Hargreaves mentioned that she's "so pleased with that which you did inside the film." Though she's quick to incorporate, "I'm glad it's getting an NC-17 -- my parents will not ever notice.In . The L.A. Occasions also discusses the issue of casting the women that Fassbender's character has sex within 'Shame,' especially because most of them was with no dialogue inside the film. "I'd lots of passes I possibly could not really inform you,In . recognized casting director Avy Kaufman. Read a little more about your building of 'Shame' on 24 Frames. The film opens inside the U.S. on 12 ,. 2. [via LA Occasions] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook