On the latest episode of Real Time, Bill Maher remembered Norman Lear, who died earlier this month at age 101, as someone who “opened a lot of doors” in television.
The host is preparing to head into his 22nd year of doing the late-night talk show, which got him thinking. He explained how the sitcom genius’ death put things in perspective for him because “without somebody like that, I couldn’t do what I do.”
“I think he opened a lot of doors, but a lot of those doors are shut,” Maher added. “TV is not what it was in the ’70s.”
He proceeded to ask his guests, Laura Coates, a CNN anchor and senior legal analyst, and Walter Kirn, an American novelist and literary critic, if they thought people “could do anything like what he did back then because I don’t think you could?”
“Thinking about how he was...
The host is preparing to head into his 22nd year of doing the late-night talk show, which got him thinking. He explained how the sitcom genius’ death put things in perspective for him because “without somebody like that, I couldn’t do what I do.”
“I think he opened a lot of doors, but a lot of those doors are shut,” Maher added. “TV is not what it was in the ’70s.”
He proceeded to ask his guests, Laura Coates, a CNN anchor and senior legal analyst, and Walter Kirn, an American novelist and literary critic, if they thought people “could do anything like what he did back then because I don’t think you could?”
“Thinking about how he was...
- 12/16/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Real Time tonight Bill Maher paid tribute to the late, great Norman Lear, who passed away a week-and-a-half ago.
Maher emphasized, “I couldn’t do my show if it weren’t for what he did.”
The host went on to lament that, while Lear opened a lot of doors, “a lot of those doors have shut.”
He then said, “TV is not what it was in the ’70s.”
CNN’s Laura Coates, a guest on the show, replied, “Some of the most controversial shows…I don’t know that — as much as we’ve evolved as a society — we would have the ability to do those shows [now] without it ending up on the cutting room floor…Someone would be afraid that too many folks would clutch their pearls.”
Maher’s other guest, novelist Walter Kirn observed, “The great thing about that show is you never knew who the hero and the villain was.
Maher emphasized, “I couldn’t do my show if it weren’t for what he did.”
The host went on to lament that, while Lear opened a lot of doors, “a lot of those doors have shut.”
He then said, “TV is not what it was in the ’70s.”
CNN’s Laura Coates, a guest on the show, replied, “Some of the most controversial shows…I don’t know that — as much as we’ve evolved as a society — we would have the ability to do those shows [now] without it ending up on the cutting room floor…Someone would be afraid that too many folks would clutch their pearls.”
Maher’s other guest, novelist Walter Kirn observed, “The great thing about that show is you never knew who the hero and the villain was.
- 12/16/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Real Time With Bill Maher continues Friday, December 15 (10:00-11:00 p.m. Et/7:00-8:00 p.m. Pt). Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, the show continues with its opening monologue, one-on-one interviews with notable guests, roundtable discussions with panelists, and its signature “New Rules.” The series airs on HBO and is available to stream on Max. This week features an interview with Ray Romano, award-winning actor and comedian who directed, wrote, produced, and starred in the new film “Somewhere in Queens.” This week’s panel discussion includes Laura Coates, CNN’s Chief Legal Analyst and host of “Laura Coates Live” and Walter Kirn, novelist and co-host of the podcast “America This Week.” The Hollywood Reporter observed, ... Read more...
- 12/14/2023
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
Most late night talk shows nowadays aim to serve an audience that is, late at night, not watching their TV set. The calculated virality of bits from James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke” to Seth Meyers’ “A Closer Look” to Jimmy Fallon’s TikTok dances with Addison Rae — all of those things are meant to be disseminated on social media when morning comes.
It’s hard to imagine “Gutfeld!,” Fox News’ attempt to enter the late-night wars with a comedy-news hybrid show, accomplishing what these shows do and spreading its message beyond the people who happen to tune in live. For one, this show’s tone of acrid nihilism looks ugly in the light of day. Even by the standards of the network it’s on, this is a nasty, unappealing thing, preying on its viewers’ insecurities in a manner that Fox News, elsewhere, makes at least somewhat subtextual. For another,...
It’s hard to imagine “Gutfeld!,” Fox News’ attempt to enter the late-night wars with a comedy-news hybrid show, accomplishing what these shows do and spreading its message beyond the people who happen to tune in live. For one, this show’s tone of acrid nihilism looks ugly in the light of day. Even by the standards of the network it’s on, this is a nasty, unappealing thing, preying on its viewers’ insecurities in a manner that Fox News, elsewhere, makes at least somewhat subtextual. For another,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
Greg Gutfeld’s Gutfeld!, billed as a Fox News Channel alternative to late-night comedy, debuted to 1.69 million viewers and 318,000 in the adults 25-54 demographic.
That was enough to beat its cable news rivals at 11 p.m. Et, according to Nielsen numbers released by Fox News. MSNBC’s The 11th Hour with Brian Williams had 1.21 million viewers and 183,000 in the 25-54 demo, while CNN Tonight with Don Lemon posted 678,000 and 190,000 in the 25-54 demo.
Gutfeld! took the place of a newscast at 11 p.m. Et, Fox News@Night, which moved to midnight, with 879,000 total viewers and 187,000 adults 25-54. MSNBC’s replay of The Rachel Maddow Show posted 880,000 total viewers and 125,000 in the 25-54 demo. CNN, with a replay of Anderson Cooper 360, had 562,000 viewers and 161,000 adults 25-54.
Fox News said that the Gutfeld! debut topped the year-to-date average of other late-night shows except for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but the...
That was enough to beat its cable news rivals at 11 p.m. Et, according to Nielsen numbers released by Fox News. MSNBC’s The 11th Hour with Brian Williams had 1.21 million viewers and 183,000 in the 25-54 demo, while CNN Tonight with Don Lemon posted 678,000 and 190,000 in the 25-54 demo.
Gutfeld! took the place of a newscast at 11 p.m. Et, Fox News@Night, which moved to midnight, with 879,000 total viewers and 187,000 adults 25-54. MSNBC’s replay of The Rachel Maddow Show posted 880,000 total viewers and 125,000 in the 25-54 demo. CNN, with a replay of Anderson Cooper 360, had 562,000 viewers and 161,000 adults 25-54.
Fox News said that the Gutfeld! debut topped the year-to-date average of other late-night shows except for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but the...
- 4/6/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has given a script commitment plus penalty to Remedy, a medical drama from writer Katie Lovejoy (Dracula), Sheldon Turner and Jennifer Klein’s Vendetta Productions and 20th Century Fox TV, where Vendetta is based.
Written by Lovejoy, Remedy is an aspirational drama about Remedy Shaw, a young female medical professional with a rare neurological condition that allows her to literally feel her patient’s pain. As she enters the impersonal, evidence-based medical system for the first time, she discovers that her unique ability to empathize with patients allows her to do more than cure sickness; it heals people. And in the process, she may even heal herself.
The series is inspired by 30-year old Missouri woman Megan Pohlmann who has mirror-touch synesthesia, an extremely rare neurological condition that enables people to feel others’ emotions and physical pain. She uses her skills to help others as a nurse.
Lovejoy executive...
Written by Lovejoy, Remedy is an aspirational drama about Remedy Shaw, a young female medical professional with a rare neurological condition that allows her to literally feel her patient’s pain. As she enters the impersonal, evidence-based medical system for the first time, she discovers that her unique ability to empathize with patients allows her to do more than cure sickness; it heals people. And in the process, she may even heal herself.
The series is inspired by 30-year old Missouri woman Megan Pohlmann who has mirror-touch synesthesia, an extremely rare neurological condition that enables people to feel others’ emotions and physical pain. She uses her skills to help others as a nurse.
Lovejoy executive...
- 10/12/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sheldon Turner and Jennifer Klein and their Vendetta Productions are staying at 20th Century Fox Television. The duo have inked a two-year overall deal with 20th TV and its cable/digital division, Fox 21 TV Studios. Under the new pact, Turner and Klein will continue to develop new projects for network, cable and streaming services.
“Sheldon and Jen are gifted producers with smart, commercial instincts and they are brimming with ideas,” said 20th TV president of creative affairs Jonnie Davis. “We love working with them.”
Added Bert Salke, president of Fox 21 TV Studios, “Sheldon is a fantastic writer and he and Jen have been developing with Fox 21 since the early days of our company. I have known both of them forever, and was excited to continue our relationship.”
Vendetta moved to 20th TV two years ago after a three-year stint at Sony TV. One of the projects they developed and...
“Sheldon and Jen are gifted producers with smart, commercial instincts and they are brimming with ideas,” said 20th TV president of creative affairs Jonnie Davis. “We love working with them.”
Added Bert Salke, president of Fox 21 TV Studios, “Sheldon is a fantastic writer and he and Jen have been developing with Fox 21 since the early days of our company. I have known both of them forever, and was excited to continue our relationship.”
Vendetta moved to 20th TV two years ago after a three-year stint at Sony TV. One of the projects they developed and...
- 8/8/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
At this year’s Golden Globes, four films failed to translate any of their nominations into wins. “The Post” had six bids but was blanked while “Call Me By Your Name” and “Dunkirk” each lost three races and ”Get Out” was bested in two. Do these cross-the-board shutouts by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. hurt their hopes with the academy? After all, each of these four films is predicted to score multiple Oscar nominations, including bids for Best Picture.
The producers of these pictures need to remember what happened in 2010, the first year that the academy expanded the Best Picture race from five to 10 nominees. “The Hurt Locker,” which had lost all three of its Globe races, won six Oscars including the top prize. It also took home Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
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The producers of these pictures need to remember what happened in 2010, the first year that the academy expanded the Best Picture race from five to 10 nominees. “The Hurt Locker,” which had lost all three of its Globe races, won six Oscars including the top prize. It also took home Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
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- 1/20/2018
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
While Mike Mills may not have been the most prolific filmmaker since adapting Walter Kirn’s Thumbsucker for his first feature in 2005, his ability to get great performances out of his casts is undeniable, especially after Christopher Plummer won an Oscar for his role in Mills’ Beginners in 2010.
Mills’ new film 20th Century Women comes from a similarly personal place as Beginners, as it follows the coming-of-age of 15-year-old Jamie (newcomer Lucas Jade Zumann), living in a house in California with his overprotective single mother (Annette Bening), and two boarders, Abbey and William, played by Greta Gerwig and Billy Crudup, in 1979. At the behest of his mother, Abbey and Jamie’s best friend Julie (Elle Fanning) are coerced into helping Jamie learn what it’s like to be a man that’s sympathetic towards women.
It’s a really interesting take on a coming-of-age movie based a lot on Mills’ own teenage years,...
Mills’ new film 20th Century Women comes from a similarly personal place as Beginners, as it follows the coming-of-age of 15-year-old Jamie (newcomer Lucas Jade Zumann), living in a house in California with his overprotective single mother (Annette Bening), and two boarders, Abbey and William, played by Greta Gerwig and Billy Crudup, in 1979. At the behest of his mother, Abbey and Jamie’s best friend Julie (Elle Fanning) are coerced into helping Jamie learn what it’s like to be a man that’s sympathetic towards women.
It’s a really interesting take on a coming-of-age movie based a lot on Mills’ own teenage years,...
- 12/27/2016
- by Edward Douglas
- LRMonline.com
Downton Abbey
The BBC have released first-look cast photos from the sixth and final season of their period drama "Downton Abbey". The pics include the official cast photo along with portraits of key characters. The final season kicks off this Fall in the UK and January 3rd in the United States. [Source: Variety]
Arrow
A new piece of concept art has been released of Team Arrow's new headquarters in the upcoming fourth season of The CW's "Arrow". The new set is said to be a lot bigger than the old Arrow cave as well, but its location in Star City is unknown.
The new team is composed of the newly renamed and newly outfitted Green Arrow along with Felicity Smoak, Black Canary, John Diggle and Thea's new moniker Speedy as the group takes on Damien Darhk.
Blood Will Out
TNT is developing an eight-hour limited series "Blood Will Out" at Vendetta Productions and TriStar Television.
The BBC have released first-look cast photos from the sixth and final season of their period drama "Downton Abbey". The pics include the official cast photo along with portraits of key characters. The final season kicks off this Fall in the UK and January 3rd in the United States. [Source: Variety]
Arrow
A new piece of concept art has been released of Team Arrow's new headquarters in the upcoming fourth season of The CW's "Arrow". The new set is said to be a lot bigger than the old Arrow cave as well, but its location in Star City is unknown.
The new team is composed of the newly renamed and newly outfitted Green Arrow along with Felicity Smoak, Black Canary, John Diggle and Thea's new moniker Speedy as the group takes on Damien Darhk.
Blood Will Out
TNT is developing an eight-hour limited series "Blood Will Out" at Vendetta Productions and TriStar Television.
- 8/14/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
TNT is developing Blood Will Out, an eight-hour limited series from Sheldon Turner and Jennifer Klein's Vendetta Productions and TriStar Television. This marks the first limited series project from Sony’s recently relaunched TriStar TV banner to be set up at a network. Written by Turner and Walter Kirn, Blood Will Out is an adaptation of Kirn's autobiographical book Blood Will Out: The True Story Of A Murder, A Mystery, And A Masquerade. It chronicles the 15-year…...
- 8/14/2015
- Deadline TV
Sheldon Turner and Jennifer Klein’s Vendetta Productions has renewed its first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television where the company has been based for the past two years. The first project the duo will tackle under the new pact is one it originally set up at Sony TV last summer, a drama series adaptation of Walter Kirn’s autobiographical book Blood Will Out: The True Story Of A Murder, A Mystery, And A Masquerade. Kirn and Turner are set to co-write the script for…...
- 8/3/2015
- Deadline TV
Megan Ellison‘s Annapurna Pictures will produce writer-director Mike Mills’ next movie “20th Century Women,” the company announced Friday.
Ellison will produce alongside Anne Carey of Archer Gray and Youree Henley. The film will begin production later this year in Southern California. Casting for the film is currently underway.
Also Read: Annapurna Pictures and Vice Set Ana Lily Amirpour to Direct ‘The Bad Batch’
Set in the wonderfully disruptive days of punk’s arrival to suburban America, Jimmy Carter’s last summer in office and the oil and fiscal crises of the late 70’s, the story is about three very...
Ellison will produce alongside Anne Carey of Archer Gray and Youree Henley. The film will begin production later this year in Southern California. Casting for the film is currently underway.
Also Read: Annapurna Pictures and Vice Set Ana Lily Amirpour to Direct ‘The Bad Batch’
Set in the wonderfully disruptive days of punk’s arrival to suburban America, Jimmy Carter’s last summer in office and the oil and fiscal crises of the late 70’s, the story is about three very...
- 1/16/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Invisibility
Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the screen rights to David Levithan and Andrea Cremer's young adult supernatural romance novel "Invisibility". No writer or producer is currently attached.
The story follows a sixteen-year-old boy who is literally invisible. He then meets and falls for his new neighbor, the one person who can actually see him. The two the set out to discover the truth behind his affliction, uncovering curses and spells along the way. [Source: Heat Vision]
Black Man (aka. "Thirteen")
Producers Kate Cohen and Marisa Polvino ("Transcendence") have acquired the rights to Richard K. Morgan's 2007 futuristic noir thriller novel "Black Man" (aka. "Thirteen").
Kenny Golde will adapt the screenplay. The story follows a man hired to take down a dangerous genetically-enhanced soldier who has returned to Earth and has left a trail of brutally slain bodies in his wake. [Source: Heat Vision]
Blood Will Out
"Up in the Air" novelist Walter Kirn and scribe Sheldon Turner...
Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the screen rights to David Levithan and Andrea Cremer's young adult supernatural romance novel "Invisibility". No writer or producer is currently attached.
The story follows a sixteen-year-old boy who is literally invisible. He then meets and falls for his new neighbor, the one person who can actually see him. The two the set out to discover the truth behind his affliction, uncovering curses and spells along the way. [Source: Heat Vision]
Black Man (aka. "Thirteen")
Producers Kate Cohen and Marisa Polvino ("Transcendence") have acquired the rights to Richard K. Morgan's 2007 futuristic noir thriller novel "Black Man" (aka. "Thirteen").
Kenny Golde will adapt the screenplay. The story follows a man hired to take down a dangerous genetically-enhanced soldier who has returned to Earth and has left a trail of brutally slain bodies in his wake. [Source: Heat Vision]
Blood Will Out
"Up in the Air" novelist Walter Kirn and scribe Sheldon Turner...
- 5/7/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Four years after Sheldon Turner was nominated for an Oscar for adapting with Jason Reitman the Walter Kirn novel Up In The Air, Turner is teaming with Kirn for another book adaptation, this time on TV. Sony Pictures TV has put in development Blood Will Out, a limited series based on Kirn’s autobiographical book Blood Will Out: The True Story Of A Murder, A Mystery, And A Masquerade. Kirn and Turner will write together the adaptation, which Turner and Jennifer Klein will produce through their Sony TV-based company Vendetta Prods. The producers plan to attach talent to the project before pitching it to networks. Blood Will Out chronicles the 10-year friendship between Kirn and German con artist Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who went by the name Clark Rockefeller. Gerhartsreiter came to the U.S. in 1979 as a foreign exchange student. He went on to become a fixture in Boston...
- 5/6/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Sometimes you still see them, lurking around Greenwich Village, scurrying past Starbucks and Duane Reade drugstores under their crumpled fedoras, ink-smeared newspapers in their gnarled hands, ghosts. These are the living reminders of the days when any artist, intellectual, blowhard, genius, fakir, poet, or debutante with a diploma from one of the 'Seven Sisters' and a penchant for hard liquor and brittle conversation could turn the world on its head --all within a half-mile radius of Washington Square. That scene was even far gone when Dawn Powell wrote her satiric elegy to it in 1954. But it rings true today, not just as a nostalgia-trip, but as an x-ray of the way people, especially that unique subspecies known as New Yorkers, live and work and make love and generally get on with life.
The Wicked Pavilion is razor sharp social satire that simultaneously mocks and celebrates a poisoned world gone wrong.
The Wicked Pavilion is razor sharp social satire that simultaneously mocks and celebrates a poisoned world gone wrong.
- 7/13/2013
- by Ken Krimstein
- www.culturecatch.com
If you polled the collective talents who attend the Academy Awards, which will be televised live from Hollywood this evening, the majority likely would say that it.s a thrill to attend . the culmination of a life-long dream to rub elbows with the best and brightest in the film industry. But if you ask Walter Kirn, author of the book that inspired Jason Reitman.s Up in the Air, he.d tell you that it was .lame.. At best. In a column for New Republic, the writer conveys in colorfully bitter language how uncomfortable the experience of attending the Oscars ends up being. Granted, Kirn wasn.t initially invited to attend (as he recounts), and only after griping on Twitter . and receiving some beneficial press . was he able to secure two tickets to the Academy Awards. Big mistake. Kirn writes: My daughter and I took our distant, high-up seats, our...
- 2/24/2013
- cinemablend.com
If you polled the collective talents who attend the Academy Awards, which will be televised live from Hollywood this evening, the majority likely would say that it.s a thrill to attend . the culmination of a life-long dream to rub elbows with the best and brightest in the film industry. But if you ask Walter Kirn, nominated screenwriter for his script of Jason Reitman.s Up in the Air, he.d tell you that it was .lame.. At best. In a column for New Republic, the writer conveys in colorfully bitter language how uncomfortable the experience of attending the Oscars ends up being. Granted, Kirn wasn.t initially invited to attend (as he recounts), and only after griping on Twitter . and receiving some beneficial press . was he able to secure two tickets to the Academy Awards. Big mistake. Kirn writes: My daughter and I took our distant, high-up seats, our...
- 2/24/2013
- cinemablend.com
- 2/22/2013
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
Some people use the Bible to scold others, some to justify their political positions, and some to thank God for their feats on the athletic field or at the Academy Awards. Up in the Air author Walter Kirn, who has also done some writing for New York, used it to connect with his recently deceased mother when he found a copy among her things. Reading his mother's scribbled asides in the margins, he realized it was a way to have one last conversation with her, so he studied it anew and turned his humorous discoveries into a short e-book, My Mother's Bible. Kirn held a nontraditional Bible study class of sorts for Vulture, in which he shared his theories (Adam and Eve's Fall is a drug bust), chatted about his pal Val Kilmer, and gave some serious thought to the use of the term "douche bag."Sorry about the phone tag.
- 1/15/2013
- by Jennifer Vineyard
- Vulture
Los Angeles — "Killing Them Softly" is a stylish and violent dark comedy about low-level gangsters and thugs, set squarely within the U.S. economic collapse of autumn 2008. In rather heavy-handed fashion, it suggests that the mob functions as a microcosm of American capitalism. Thankfully, Brad Pitt is there to keep it from going under.
A lot of movies have tried to get their arms around this complicated topic that affected every single one of us in some way. Here's a look at five that did it successfully:
_ "Inside Job" (2010): Winner of the Academy Award for best documentary feature, director Charles Ferguson's film accomplishes the difficult task of taking an unwieldy subject and making it accessible to a wide audience. You don't have to know the difference between a credit default swap and a collateralized debt obligation to feel enraged all over again. Still, it's a daunting topic,...
A lot of movies have tried to get their arms around this complicated topic that affected every single one of us in some way. Here's a look at five that did it successfully:
_ "Inside Job" (2010): Winner of the Academy Award for best documentary feature, director Charles Ferguson's film accomplishes the difficult task of taking an unwieldy subject and making it accessible to a wide audience. You don't have to know the difference between a credit default swap and a collateralized debt obligation to feel enraged all over again. Still, it's a daunting topic,...
- 11/30/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
On TV this Friday: Tardy Doctor Whovians can catch up with a marathon of past seasons, Boss follows his… heart, The Hills are alive (at least for the weekend) and Top Model documents the first time in history a model’s ever been stuffed. Here are eight programs to look out for tonight.
7 am Friday – 5 am Saturday Doctor Who marathon (BBC America) | Before Season 7 starts tomorrow at 8 pm, settle in for Seasons 5 and 6, plus the specials Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol (10 pm), The Science of Doctor Who (11 pm), The Women of Doctor Who (midnight), The Timey-Wimey of Doctor Who (1 am...
7 am Friday – 5 am Saturday Doctor Who marathon (BBC America) | Before Season 7 starts tomorrow at 8 pm, settle in for Seasons 5 and 6, plus the specials Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol (10 pm), The Science of Doctor Who (11 pm), The Women of Doctor Who (midnight), The Timey-Wimey of Doctor Who (1 am...
- 8/31/2012
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
Secret mall trips. Dining out incognito. Michelle Obama has constructed a life inside the bubble-and has her own sense of her 2012 role, Lois Romano reports in this week's Newsweek.
The most recognizable woman in the world routinely ducks reporters to have what she calls a "normal" life. Hiding beneath a baseball cap, the first lady of the United States has picked through sale racks in the frenetic Tysons Corner, Va., mall with girlfriends, bought supplies for her dog at Petco using her own credit card, and dined at some of D.C.'s hippest eateries largely unrecognized. So secretive are her outings that when Washington Capitals hockey superstar Alex Ovechkin tweeted a photo in April with his arm around her at a busy Washington restaurant, media organizations were convinced it was a fake.
Related story on The Daily Beast: Should We Hit Gaddafi Next?
Michelle Obama laid down her markers...
The most recognizable woman in the world routinely ducks reporters to have what she calls a "normal" life. Hiding beneath a baseball cap, the first lady of the United States has picked through sale racks in the frenetic Tysons Corner, Va., mall with girlfriends, bought supplies for her dog at Petco using her own credit card, and dined at some of D.C.'s hippest eateries largely unrecognized. So secretive are her outings that when Washington Capitals hockey superstar Alex Ovechkin tweeted a photo in April with his arm around her at a busy Washington restaurant, media organizations were convinced it was a fake.
Related story on The Daily Beast: Should We Hit Gaddafi Next?
Michelle Obama laid down her markers...
- 6/6/2011
- by Lois Romano
- The Daily Beast
Many married men expect sex along with their room service, according to a Newsweek poll. But will the Strauss-Kahn scandal change the rules of the game? Jacob Bernstein and Jesse Ellison investigate the dirty secret about business travel in the current issue of Newsweek.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn won't go down in history as the next president of France, but he may well be remembered as the man who made the "hospitality industry" a lot less hospitable.
Related story on The Daily Beast: Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Life in Jail at Rikers Island
More than a few business travelers think of sex as a hotel amenity, like free shampoo or chocolates on the pillow, and before Strauss-Kahn's perp walk on charges that he sexually assaulted a cleaning woman, most hotels looked the other way. Not anymore. After an Egyptian businessman was carted out of New York's swanky Pierre hotel by the NYPD late...
Dominique Strauss-Kahn won't go down in history as the next president of France, but he may well be remembered as the man who made the "hospitality industry" a lot less hospitable.
Related story on The Daily Beast: Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Life in Jail at Rikers Island
More than a few business travelers think of sex as a hotel amenity, like free shampoo or chocolates on the pillow, and before Strauss-Kahn's perp walk on charges that he sexually assaulted a cleaning woman, most hotels looked the other way. Not anymore. After an Egyptian businessman was carted out of New York's swanky Pierre hotel by the NYPD late...
- 6/6/2011
- by Jacob Bernstein & Jesse Ellison
- The Daily Beast
They've conquered Broadway, talk radio, the U.S. Senate-and they may win the White House. Walter Kirn on why Mitt Romney and 6 million Mormons have the secret to success, in this week's Newsweek.
Say what you will about him, but Mitt Romney doesn't do, or not do, anything by accident. Take June 2, when the former Massachusetts governor traveled to a quaint farm in Stratham, N.H., to "announce" his foregone conclusion of a 2012 presidential campaign. Romney has to overcome several mountainous challenges before capturing the Republican nomination, and so he spent most of the day trying to reduce them to molehills. To thaw his icy persona, Romney passed out his "famous" family chili and surrounded himself with bales of hay. To account for his moderate governing record, he reminded listeners that the Bay State legislature was "over 85 percent Democrat." And to soften concerns about "Romneycare," he admitted it was "not perfect,...
Say what you will about him, but Mitt Romney doesn't do, or not do, anything by accident. Take June 2, when the former Massachusetts governor traveled to a quaint farm in Stratham, N.H., to "announce" his foregone conclusion of a 2012 presidential campaign. Romney has to overcome several mountainous challenges before capturing the Republican nomination, and so he spent most of the day trying to reduce them to molehills. To thaw his icy persona, Romney passed out his "famous" family chili and surrounded himself with bales of hay. To account for his moderate governing record, he reminded listeners that the Bay State legislature was "over 85 percent Democrat." And to soften concerns about "Romneycare," he admitted it was "not perfect,...
- 6/6/2011
- by Walter Kirn
- The Daily Beast
While Mike Mills is first and foremost a graphic artist who has done album covers and music videos for acts like Moby, the Beastie Boys and Sonic Youth, he transitioned into dramatic feature films in 2005 with his adaptation of Walter Kirn's Thumbsucker an understated and underrated film starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton and Vincent D'Onofrio. Mills' second dramatic feature Beginners is a more personal film but it also makes Thumbsucker seem conventional with its two-pronged non-linear story. It stars Ewan McGregor as Oliver Fields, a graphic artist whose 70-something father Hal, played by Christopher Plummer, comes out of the closet after the death of Oliver's mother and decides to start dating and become active in Gay Pride activism. He is only a few years into that...
- 6/1/2011
- Comingsoon.net
Sheldon Turner Of 'Up In The Air' Gets A "Story-By" Credit For His 'Magneto' Script Elements That Were Used How many screenwriters does it take to write an "X-Men" film? Or alternate lede: Screenplay credits are a tricky matter. Just ask "Up In The Air" screenwriter Sheldon Turner. He wrote the original draft of the Jason Reitman film, but things turned semi-ugly during the 2009 Oscar campaign when Reitman essentially said--perhaps in not so many words, but close--that he had never read Turner's draft and had adapted the screenplay on his own from Walter Kirn's novel. Still, Turner received his…...
- 4/27/2011
- The Playlist
Eric Bana hopes his next film is Sheldon Turner's By Virtue Fall. Turner, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated Up in the Air with director Jason Reitman (from Walter Kirn's novel) plans to both write and direct this drama-thriller, which tracks the downfall of two Atf (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives) agents. Bana, who is currently shooting the thriller Blackbird with Olivia Wilde, stars in the upcoming thriller Hanna (April 8). Bana tells the Lat that his agent is "not a great guy." James Spader, Ryan Phillippe and Carla Gugino are reportedly attached. Turner has over a dozen projects listed as being in development--from outer space drama Orbit to rom-com Kiss and Tell to Enron drama Conspiracy of Fools with Appian Way and Leonardo DiCaprio attached as producers. ...
- 3/29/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Here is the trailer for Mike Mills' Beginners starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Mélanie Laurent.
For those of you who do not know, Mills started designing album covers for such bands as the Beastie Boys, Beck, Sonic Youth, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. He then switched to directing music videos for Moby, Yoko Ono and Air. His directorial debut was 2005's Thumbsucker, based on the novel by Walter Kirn.
Beginnners is an independent drama about a young man (Ewan McGregor) who “is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father: that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young male lover.” Christopher Plummer plays Oliver’s father Hal, and Inglourious Basterd’s Mélanie Laurent plays a young French actress whom he meets at a costume party and develops a relationship.
Check out the trailer for the film below which will be released on June 3rd 2011 from Focus Features.
For those of you who do not know, Mills started designing album covers for such bands as the Beastie Boys, Beck, Sonic Youth, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. He then switched to directing music videos for Moby, Yoko Ono and Air. His directorial debut was 2005's Thumbsucker, based on the novel by Walter Kirn.
Beginnners is an independent drama about a young man (Ewan McGregor) who “is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father: that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young male lover.” Christopher Plummer plays Oliver’s father Hal, and Inglourious Basterd’s Mélanie Laurent plays a young French actress whom he meets at a costume party and develops a relationship.
Check out the trailer for the film below which will be released on June 3rd 2011 from Focus Features.
- 1/28/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
[1] Mike Mills is a famous New York graphic artist who designed promotional material and album covers for such acts as Beastie Boys, Beck, Sonic Youth, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. He moved on to directing music videos for such artists as Moby, Yoko Ono and Air, and became a very successful commercial director. Mills made his feature directorial debut in 2005 with a big screen adaptation of Thumbsucker, a novel by Walter Kirn. The film was met with moderately positive reviews, but was considered a disappointment by those who had been following Mills' short films (watch one of my favorite of his short films, Architecture of Reassurance [2]). His second feature film, Beginners, premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. The movie is an independent drama about a young man (played by Ewan McGregor) who "is rocked by two announcements from his elderly father: that he has terminal cancer, and that he has a young male lover.
- 1/28/2011
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Sheldon Turner became the original impetus for Jason Reitman's film Up in the Air when he wrote the original spec script based on Walter Kirn's novel, and he's got his own directorial debut set to film in the coming months. The revenge drama By Virtue Fall will be based on his own original screenplay, and now it has two possible leads: Colin Farrell and Eric Bana. Deadline says the two are in 'early talks' for roles, though Mike Fleming says the indie isn't offering quite the payday that each actor wants. (Or, more properly, that each actor's reps want.) Sounds at this point like Bana is a more likely lock -- not much of a surprise, given the number of pictures that Farrell has booked in the past couple months. (Horrible Bosses, Fright Night, possibly David Cronenberg's adaptation of Cosmopolis.) The film is being produced by Nicolas Chartier,...
- 6/29/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
The Oscar-nominated director of Thank You For Smoking, Juno and Up in the Air talks to Leigh Singer about romance, redundancy, and his father, Ivan (Ghostbusters) Reitman
Leigh Singer: You were working on Up in the Air for several years – how did the length of the process change your relationship to the film?
Jason Reitman: I basically became a man making this movie. When I started, I wasn't married; I wasn't a father. When I read Walter Kirn's book, I thought I could make a really interesting, dark satire about a guy who fires people for a living. As I wrote the script, my life changed. I grew up. I made it to answer a whole load of questions I had about life, questions about whether to be alone in the universe.
Ls: The main character lives and travels alone. Does that lifestyle make sense to you?...
Leigh Singer: You were working on Up in the Air for several years – how did the length of the process change your relationship to the film?
Jason Reitman: I basically became a man making this movie. When I started, I wasn't married; I wasn't a father. When I read Walter Kirn's book, I thought I could make a really interesting, dark satire about a guy who fires people for a living. As I wrote the script, my life changed. I grew up. I made it to answer a whole load of questions I had about life, questions about whether to be alone in the universe.
Ls: The main character lives and travels alone. Does that lifestyle make sense to you?...
- 5/24/2010
- The Guardian - Film News
There is no doubt (so far) the biggest movie of the summer of 2010 is “Iron Man 2″. It will be a while before “Iron Man 2″ will get knocked off the apex as the king of summer movies. One element of Iron Man 2 I appreciate is the simplicity of its title. Yes, the title is simply “Iron Man 2″. Not “Iron Man 2: The Revenge of Whiplash” or “Iron Man 2: The Teaming Up With War Machine” or “Iron Man 2: The Weight of The World”. Nowadays, it seems like every fan boy movie property Must have a subtitle in its subsequent sequel.
I remember when I first thought this was a ridiculous trend was during the summer of 2003 when Gore Verbinski’s “Pirates of The Carribean: The Curse of The Black Pearl”. I thought to myself, “This is the most ridiculous title I’ve ever heard.
I remember when I first thought this was a ridiculous trend was during the summer of 2003 when Gore Verbinski’s “Pirates of The Carribean: The Curse of The Black Pearl”. I thought to myself, “This is the most ridiculous title I’ve ever heard.
- 5/15/2010
- by Rudie Obias
- FusedFilm
You don't have to be a Louisiana native to be worried about the oil spill drifting toward its shores right now, and Ken Jeong and Christina Applegate both had the potential natural disaster on their minds today, as well as in their tweets.
Elsewhere in Twitter-Wood, TwitPic posting was a bit lighter, but Danny Masterson offered a behind-the-scenes look at his new Spike TV show "Playing With Guns" and Kim Kardashian showed what it looks like when she and her sister have a "Beach Bunny Party" together. It's all noted with Jon Hurwitz's thoughts on Sandra Bullock's child and the status of "Toy Story 3" in Twitter-Wood for April 29, 2010.
Twitter Pic of the Day:
@dannymasterson http://twitpic.com/1jdvjp - Oh snap. The cast of @playingwithguns Comin this fall...
-Danny Masterson, Actor ("That '70s Show," "Yes Man")
@kenjeong I hope the oil spill in my adopted home state will be contained soon.
Elsewhere in Twitter-Wood, TwitPic posting was a bit lighter, but Danny Masterson offered a behind-the-scenes look at his new Spike TV show "Playing With Guns" and Kim Kardashian showed what it looks like when she and her sister have a "Beach Bunny Party" together. It's all noted with Jon Hurwitz's thoughts on Sandra Bullock's child and the status of "Toy Story 3" in Twitter-Wood for April 29, 2010.
Twitter Pic of the Day:
@dannymasterson http://twitpic.com/1jdvjp - Oh snap. The cast of @playingwithguns Comin this fall...
-Danny Masterson, Actor ("That '70s Show," "Yes Man")
@kenjeong I hope the oil spill in my adopted home state will be contained soon.
- 4/29/2010
- by Brian Warmoth
- MTV Movies Blog
Tonight's episode of Lost requires a Spoiler Alert! for anyone who doesn't like going into episodes knowing the character focus of the story, because the title kinda gives it away, a la the Ben-centric "Dr. Linus." Hence -- Spoiler Alert! -- "Everybody Loves Hugo" is all about everyone's favorite lottery-winning ghost whisperer, Hurley. The title is a reversal on Hurley's season 2 episode "Everybody Hates Hugo;" you can refresh your memory of the story by reading the synopsis at Lostpedia, or EW.com's recap of the episode, which I think you'll find to be an informative, insightful, and entertaining narrative. Translation: I didn't write it.
- 4/13/2010
- by Jeff Jensen
- EW.com - PopWatch
Publisher's Note: The following is not a review of Up in the Air, it's a spoiler-heavy discussion. If you haven't seen the movie yet, please see Drew's review.
Jason Reitman's Up in the Air was my favorite movie of 2009. For me, it resonated louder than any movie I've seen in years. The quiet devastation of the film has lingered with me for months, and re-watching UitA doesn't exorcise that feeling, it only heightens it. Movie geeks like to discuss those elusive perfect movies; perfectly acted, perfectly scripted, perfectly executed. Flawless. I'd like to posit that Up in the Air is one of those movies. Even if you didn't like it, even if it didn't speak to you thematically, and even if you didn't care for the characters, I'm convinced that Reitman accomplished exactly what he set out to do, making Up in the Air one of those rare faultlessly executed films.
Jason Reitman's Up in the Air was my favorite movie of 2009. For me, it resonated louder than any movie I've seen in years. The quiet devastation of the film has lingered with me for months, and re-watching UitA doesn't exorcise that feeling, it only heightens it. Movie geeks like to discuss those elusive perfect movies; perfectly acted, perfectly scripted, perfectly executed. Flawless. I'd like to posit that Up in the Air is one of those movies. Even if you didn't like it, even if it didn't speak to you thematically, and even if you didn't care for the characters, I'm convinced that Reitman accomplished exactly what he set out to do, making Up in the Air one of those rare faultlessly executed films.
- 4/7/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
Sheldon Turner worked on a couple films that might be called...undistinguished (remake of The Longest Yard, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) but then wrote a spec adaptation of Walter Kirn's novel Up in the Air. That adaptation, to his great fortune, led to Jason Reitman's film of the same name and landed Turner an Oscar nod and wins at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, WGA awards and many critic circle awards. Now Turner will make his directing debut with By Virtue Fall, based on a script of his own devising. Variety reports Turner's move to the director's chair, noting that the film will be produced by Nicholas Chartier, one of the producers on The Hurt Locker. Turner's script is about "a man who is framed by his mentor and winds up in prison. Once released, he's fixated on getting revenge on his former partner, who has flourished...
- 3/31/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Up in the Air is one of the best looking movies on Blu-ray that I have seen this year. That may sound surprising given that it is not a special effects bonanza. From the opening sequence of aerial images to the final credits, though, this film is literally a picture of clarity in high-definition. It is not just the imagery that is sharp, too. Aside from a few brief lulls, the script is witty, original and touching, the dialogue is natural and convincing and the acting is top drawer. All that is missing from this release is some in-depth bonus features. A film of this quality cries out for more background material. The lack of it is the only thing that might stop Up in the Air from being one of my Top 10 Blu-ray releases of 2010.
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a calm, composed, charming professional terminator. Employment terminator, that is.
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a calm, composed, charming professional terminator. Employment terminator, that is.
- 3/26/2010
- CinemaSpy
Up In The Air (Blu-Ray)Paramount Home Entertainment2009/Rated R/109 minsNow Available – List Price $39.99Love or hate Jason Reitman for either his quirky films or seemingly self righteous attitude, the man is shaping up to be an incredibly good filmmaker. Reitman could probably learn a lesson or two in humility from his phenomenally successful dad Ivan, but within a short period he's managed to make three good films that have carried more dramatic weight than the comedies that made his father millions. That's not to say Thank You For Smoking and Juno were masterpieces, on the contrary. The latter in my opinion is highly overrated, yet it demonstrated Reitman Jr. has a knack for directing actors in stories more compelling and original than the current crop of major releases. If Reitman weren't so busy tooting his own horn and calling attention to himself he would realize that his works already...
- 3/19/2010
- LRMonline.com
Oscar nominees Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner have dismissed stories they hate each other, but confess they didn’t meet until acclaimed movie Up In The Air was completed.
Writer/director Reitman shares a screenwriting credit with Turner for adapting Walter Kirn’s book into a film - and the duo has already won a string of top awards.
But Internet film fans have suggested they’re reluctant partners.
It has been reported that Reitman, who admits he didn’t even read Turner's script before starting the film, is upset that he has to share a writing credit, and bloggers have suggested the pair has had a series of uncomfortable, awkward moments as they accepted honours at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
But Turner tells the Los Angeles Times that nothing could be further from the truth.
He says, “I think the source of the speculation comes from the fact that maybe there was the assumption that we did in fact write together. I met Jason for the first time after the movie was done, but now that we've been through this (awards) circuit... we've become friends. It's a unique situation.”
Turner wrote his screenplay in 2001 and sold it to film bosses at movie studio DreamWorks. Reitman then wrote his own screenplay of the book and presented it to his star George Clooney, who agreed to lead the cast.
Reitman adds, “When our credits went up the first time and they say you're sharing credit with this other guy, you go 'Who's Sheldon Turner?’
“Then I meet him and he's a great guy and, beyond that, we were actually drawn to this book for the same reason and we both sat down to write the same screenplay. Even though we never sat in the same room or shared a keyboard we actually did write this movie together in a way, and because of that I'm very proud to share the credit with him."
Reitman and Turner are favourites to land the Best Adapted Screenplay prize at the Oscars on Sunday.
Writer/director Reitman shares a screenwriting credit with Turner for adapting Walter Kirn’s book into a film - and the duo has already won a string of top awards.
But Internet film fans have suggested they’re reluctant partners.
It has been reported that Reitman, who admits he didn’t even read Turner's script before starting the film, is upset that he has to share a writing credit, and bloggers have suggested the pair has had a series of uncomfortable, awkward moments as they accepted honours at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
But Turner tells the Los Angeles Times that nothing could be further from the truth.
He says, “I think the source of the speculation comes from the fact that maybe there was the assumption that we did in fact write together. I met Jason for the first time after the movie was done, but now that we've been through this (awards) circuit... we've become friends. It's a unique situation.”
Turner wrote his screenplay in 2001 and sold it to film bosses at movie studio DreamWorks. Reitman then wrote his own screenplay of the book and presented it to his star George Clooney, who agreed to lead the cast.
Reitman adds, “When our credits went up the first time and they say you're sharing credit with this other guy, you go 'Who's Sheldon Turner?’
“Then I meet him and he's a great guy and, beyond that, we were actually drawn to this book for the same reason and we both sat down to write the same screenplay. Even though we never sat in the same room or shared a keyboard we actually did write this movie together in a way, and because of that I'm very proud to share the credit with him."
Reitman and Turner are favourites to land the Best Adapted Screenplay prize at the Oscars on Sunday.
- 3/7/2010
- WENN
Would Up In The Air still be a Best Picture contender if Jason Reitman hadn't cut its original, dream-sequence ending featuring George Clooney in a spacesuit? We'll never know. But if you're curious, it shows up on the DVD and Blu-ray, out March 9. What we learned from that deleted scene -- plus several others included in the release -- is that Reitman smartly pruned his film down to only the material that stayed true to his characters. Always open to sharing the secrets of his craft, Reitman's commentary track is not surprisingly in-depth, and bridges the gaps between the Walter Kirn-penned book the film is based on, the deleted scenes, and the final cut.
- 3/4/2010
- Movieline
When Jason Reitman was writing the screenplay for Up In The Air he would live life the same as his main character, played by George Clooney, a man who is constantly on the move, passing through one of America’s airports almost every single day of the year.
Reitman would check into an anonymous airport hotel, fire up his laptop and pound away at the keyboard, safe in the knowledge that distractions were kept to a minimum and confident that his surroundings, however bland, would feed into his story.
And whilst it wasn’t exactly the most enjoyable part of making Up In The Air – that came later directing Clooney and the rest of his cast - it was productive and completely appropriate to the poignant tale of a man who is constantly on the move and has lost touch with the important things in life.
“I wish I had a better system,...
Reitman would check into an anonymous airport hotel, fire up his laptop and pound away at the keyboard, safe in the knowledge that distractions were kept to a minimum and confident that his surroundings, however bland, would feed into his story.
And whilst it wasn’t exactly the most enjoyable part of making Up In The Air – that came later directing Clooney and the rest of his cast - it was productive and completely appropriate to the poignant tale of a man who is constantly on the move and has lost touch with the important things in life.
“I wish I had a better system,...
- 2/25/2010
- MoviesOnline.ca
Nathaniel: Hey, kids. It's probably not sane to "tape-delay" blog the BAFTAs -- you probably already know who one, actually -- but this blog isn't exactly of sound mind during awards season (or, ahem, otherwise). I haven't heard about the winners yet. The second I opened a browser I sensed spoilers from all corners so I had to look away. Why doesn't the BBC-America broadcast it live? It's not like anyone who cares wouldn't watch it in the afternoon on a Sunday. But if you've already heard who won on the internet wouldn't that cut down your desire to tune in and thus lower the ratings? I don't get it. So that they could rerun broadcass of nature documentary Life of Mammals? I don't really care about the sharpness of a squirrel's front teeth or how kangaroo rats (omg. idon'tevenknow whatthoseare and I Don't Want To Know) store their seeds.
- 2/22/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
The Writers Guild of America honored The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air at their ceremony on Saturday night, firmly establishing the films as front-runners in their respective Oscar categories.
Mark Boal certainly deserves the accolades after embedding himself with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team in Baghdad in 2004 and turning his journalist findings into a dramatic original screenplay. In his speech Boal thanked director Kathryn Bigelow for supporting “an unpopular story about an unpopular war that has now lasted twice as long as WWII with no end in sight.”
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner picked up the prize for their adaptation of Walter Kirn’s novel, and Mark Monroe won for the moving documentary The Cove.
The WGA Awards are a somewhat reliable indicator of the Academy Awards. ”Original Screenplay” has matched 10 out of the last 15 years, and “Adapted” has lined up 11 of 15, including Milk and Slumdog Millionaire last year.
Mark Boal certainly deserves the accolades after embedding himself with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team in Baghdad in 2004 and turning his journalist findings into a dramatic original screenplay. In his speech Boal thanked director Kathryn Bigelow for supporting “an unpopular story about an unpopular war that has now lasted twice as long as WWII with no end in sight.”
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner picked up the prize for their adaptation of Walter Kirn’s novel, and Mark Monroe won for the moving documentary The Cove.
The WGA Awards are a somewhat reliable indicator of the Academy Awards. ”Original Screenplay” has matched 10 out of the last 15 years, and “Adapted” has lined up 11 of 15, including Milk and Slumdog Millionaire last year.
- 2/22/2010
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Writer Mark Boal was given the best original screenplay award at the 2010 Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards for his screenplay for the film "The Hurt Locker" beating out other nominees "(500) Days of Summer," "Avatar," "The Hangover," and "A Serious Man."
"Up in the Air" writers Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won the best adapted screenplay award beating out "Crazy Heart," "Julie & Julia," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," and "Star Trek."
Winning the best documentary screenplay was Mark Monroe for "The Cove." Other documentary nominees were "Against the Tide," "Capitalism: A Love Story," "Earth Days," "Good Hair," and "Soundtrack for a Revolution."
Here's the complete list of WGA Awards winners (for the nominees and my accurate predictions, ahem, click here):
2010 WGA Awards Winners
Screen Winners
Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker, Written by Mark Boal; Summit Entertainment
Adapted Screenplay
Up in the Air, Screenplay by Jason Reitman...
"Up in the Air" writers Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won the best adapted screenplay award beating out "Crazy Heart," "Julie & Julia," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," and "Star Trek."
Winning the best documentary screenplay was Mark Monroe for "The Cove." Other documentary nominees were "Against the Tide," "Capitalism: A Love Story," "Earth Days," "Good Hair," and "Soundtrack for a Revolution."
Here's the complete list of WGA Awards winners (for the nominees and my accurate predictions, ahem, click here):
2010 WGA Awards Winners
Screen Winners
Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker, Written by Mark Boal; Summit Entertainment
Adapted Screenplay
Up in the Air, Screenplay by Jason Reitman...
- 2/22/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The novelist whose story inspired Jason Reitman's Oscar-nominated movie Up In The Air has been offered a seat at the ceremony next to George Clooney, after launching a bitter tirade at Academy Award bosses for failing to invite him.
Walter Kirn logged on to Twitter.com last week, slamming Paramount bosses for snubbing him ahead of the 7 March event. The film is nominated for six awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
In a message Kirn posted on Wednesday, Kirn wrote, "Caution to writers: Don't expect that because you write a novel that becomes an Oscar-nominated film that you'll be invited to the Oscars. Novelists are like oil in H'wood (Hollywood): they drill us, pipeline us, pump us and then burn us."
But movie bosses have moved quickly to settle the issue, giving Kirn a prime seat next to the film's star, Clooney.
Kirn confirmed his invitation via Twitter.com on Friday, writing: "Thanks to Paramount Pictures for coming through with Oscar tickets and proving true to its word, which I shouldn't have doubted."...
Walter Kirn logged on to Twitter.com last week, slamming Paramount bosses for snubbing him ahead of the 7 March event. The film is nominated for six awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
In a message Kirn posted on Wednesday, Kirn wrote, "Caution to writers: Don't expect that because you write a novel that becomes an Oscar-nominated film that you'll be invited to the Oscars. Novelists are like oil in H'wood (Hollywood): they drill us, pipeline us, pump us and then burn us."
But movie bosses have moved quickly to settle the issue, giving Kirn a prime seat next to the film's star, Clooney.
Kirn confirmed his invitation via Twitter.com on Friday, writing: "Thanks to Paramount Pictures for coming through with Oscar tickets and proving true to its word, which I shouldn't have doubted."...
- 2/22/2010
- WENN
"The Hurt Locker" and "Up in the Air" were the big winners at The Writers Guild of America awards on Saturday, February 20, landing the board's most prestigious honors. Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" received the prize for Best Original Screenplay for Mark Boal's writing, while "Up In The Air"'s scribes Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner were honored with Best Adapted Screenplay for their reworking of Walter Kirn's novel.
"The Cove", a film about the killing of dolphins in Japan, won the Best Documentary Screenplay for Mark Monroe.
In the TV categories, "Mad Men" was named Best Drama Series, while "30 Rock" landed the Best Comedy Series honor. Best New Series went to "Modern Family".
Other winners included "The Young and the Restless", which was named Best Serial, and "The Simpsons", which won a Best Animation award at the simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Full...
"The Cove", a film about the killing of dolphins in Japan, won the Best Documentary Screenplay for Mark Monroe.
In the TV categories, "Mad Men" was named Best Drama Series, while "30 Rock" landed the Best Comedy Series honor. Best New Series went to "Modern Family".
Other winners included "The Young and the Restless", which was named Best Serial, and "The Simpsons", which won a Best Animation award at the simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Full...
- 2/22/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
This year's Writers Guild of America honor for Best Original Screenplay was awarded to journalist-turned-screenwriter Mark Boal for his script, "The Hurt Locker." The Iraq-war drama won out over the following fellow nominees: "(500) Days of Summer," "A Serious Man," "Avatar," and "The Hangover." The Best Adapted Screenplay award was given to "Up in the Air" writer-director Jason Reitman and co-writer Sheldon Turner for adapting Walter Kirn's novel of the same name. The adapted screenplay nominees included: "Crazy Heart," "Julie & Julia," "Precious," and "Star Trek." Winning the guild's documentary screenplay award was Mark Monroe for "The Cove" - a documentary on Japanese fishing operations that slaughter dolphins. Traditionally, these awards increase the momentum for the night's big winners heading into the Academy Awards.
Earlier this year I spoke with Jason Reitman about his process and what motivated him to adapt "Up in the Air." Click here to watch the full interview.
Earlier this year I spoke with Jason Reitman about his process and what motivated him to adapt "Up in the Air." Click here to watch the full interview.
- 2/21/2010
- Makingof.com
The Hurt Locker and Up In The Air were the big winners at The Writers Guild of America awards on Saturday - landing the board's most prestigious honours.
Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker received the prize for Best Original Screenplay for Mark Boal's writing, while Up In The Air's scribes Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner were honoured with Best Adapted Screenplay for their reworking of Walter Kirn's novel.
The Cove, a film about the killing of dolphins in Japan, won the Best Documentary Screenplay for Mark Monroe.
In the TV categories, Mad Men was named Best Drama Series, while 30 Rock landed the Best Comedy Series honour. Best New Series went to Modern Family.
Other winners included The Young and the Restless, which was named Best Serial, and The Simpsons, which won a Best Animation award at the simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker received the prize for Best Original Screenplay for Mark Boal's writing, while Up In The Air's scribes Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner were honoured with Best Adapted Screenplay for their reworking of Walter Kirn's novel.
The Cove, a film about the killing of dolphins in Japan, won the Best Documentary Screenplay for Mark Monroe.
In the TV categories, Mad Men was named Best Drama Series, while 30 Rock landed the Best Comedy Series honour. Best New Series went to Modern Family.
Other winners included The Young and the Restless, which was named Best Serial, and The Simpsons, which won a Best Animation award at the simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
- 2/21/2010
- WENN
My Modern Met fun film art for the BAFTA best pic nominees. Speaking of... I will be live-blogging or rather tape-delay blogging the BAFTAs tomorrow night. Be here, 8 Pm ESTish.
New York Magazine have you heard the murmurs about Walter Kirn, the Up in the Air novelist? He ain't happy about the lack of an Oscar invite.
Geekologie disturbing Spider-Man fetish video. I wonder if Tobey Maguire ever spent time in his trailer doing this.
I Watch Stuff Owen Wilson to star for Woody Allen next. I could see that pairing working, couldn't you? The film is called... wait, you guessed it, Untitled Woody Allen Project.
Cinema Blend Kristin Scott Thomas to seduce Ethan Hawke in Paris. Can't wait! Parisians are totally into Ethan Hawke, haven't you heard?
Situated Laundry picks 10 favorite frames from 2009 movies (inspired by In Contention)
Vulture Christoph Waltz on The Green Hornet and working with Quentin Tarantino.
New York Magazine have you heard the murmurs about Walter Kirn, the Up in the Air novelist? He ain't happy about the lack of an Oscar invite.
Geekologie disturbing Spider-Man fetish video. I wonder if Tobey Maguire ever spent time in his trailer doing this.
I Watch Stuff Owen Wilson to star for Woody Allen next. I could see that pairing working, couldn't you? The film is called... wait, you guessed it, Untitled Woody Allen Project.
Cinema Blend Kristin Scott Thomas to seduce Ethan Hawke in Paris. Can't wait! Parisians are totally into Ethan Hawke, haven't you heard?
Situated Laundry picks 10 favorite frames from 2009 movies (inspired by In Contention)
Vulture Christoph Waltz on The Green Hornet and working with Quentin Tarantino.
- 2/20/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
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