Rosemarie DeWitt Joins Matt Damon And John Krasinski In Guaranteed Land

EXCLUSIVE: Rosemarie DeWitt may have the feminine lead in Guaranteed Land, the primary focus Features/Participant Media film that Gus Van Sant will direct with Matt Damon and John Krasinski starring. Damon and Krasinski written the script. The film, that have an initial draft from Dork Eggers when its title was Gold Mist, can be a Capraesque tale through which Damon and Krasinski play rival corporate professionals. Damon plays a sales executive who comes to a small town only to have his whole existence referred to as into question. Chris Moore is creating. DeWitt starred with Emily Blunt within your Sister’s Sister, that will get released in June, and Neighborhood Watch, that is released within this summer time. She’s repped by ICM and Troy Nankin.

Gravitas And Variance Team To Acquire 7-8 Films For Theatrical/VOD: SXSW

Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films will jointly release seven to eight specialty titles per year theatrically in the U.S. and Canada as well as on VOD via cable, satellite, telco and online platforms. The two companies acquisition teams will be at the SXSW Film Festival seeking content for their theatrical/VOD initiative, though both companies will continue to acquire films independently at the festival. Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films have joined forces to acquire and co-release 7-8 independent films a year in theaters across the US and Canada and on VOD with over 100 cable, satellite, telco and online video on demand operators. This new distribution offering will allow filmmakers a comprehensive turn-key distribution solution in two areas of the independent film world, theatrical and digital, that have shown year-over-year growth. Beginning at this years SXSW Film Festival, Gravitas and Variance will utilize their acquisitions teams to seek out the best independent, documentary, and foreign films that will benefit from a day and date theatrical/VOD release. While both companies will continue to acquire films separately for their individual slates, the companies expect to be making joint offers on select SXSW titles. Utilizing a P&A fund created by Gravitas, the films and filmmakers chosen for this release strategy will benefit from working with specialists while retaining their key long-term rights, instead of surrendering them for 15-20 years to a traditional distributor. Variance will execute a theatrical release using the aggressive combination of grassroots, outreach, and traditional marketing its become known for, while Gravitas will window and merchandize the film across VOD operators to maximize the financial success in the digital realm The non-exclusive initiative between the two companies is a natural extension of a relationship built over the last two years covering over a dozen films. Previous titles where Variance has handled theatrical and Gravitas has handled VOD include SXSW favorite American: The Bill Hicks Story as well as renowned titles Amigo, Ip Man, Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster, Until the Light Takes Us, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, The Lottery, White on Rice, Passport to Love, and De Mai Tinh (Fool For Love). In recent years, consumers have resoundingly shown their willingness to watch more independent films both in theaters and in an on-demand setting. We are thrilled to acquire and co-release with Variance Films in particular because both of our companies have a proven track record of helping to set films apart from the crowd. says Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures. This partnership breaks down yet another barrier for filmmakers, creating an exciting and financially viable new alternative for those who might otherwise be forced to either accept a less-than-adequate arrangement or be forced back into the world of fundraising to search for P&A, said Dylan Marchetti, Founder of Variance Films. Day and date VOD/theatrical releasing isnt a panacea for the independent film industry, and its only going to work for the right films. But for those films, it opens the door to a national audience and theres nobody wed rather kick that door down with than Gravitas Ventures, one of the most forward-thinking companies in the industry. For those attending SXSW, Nolan Gallagher and Dylan Marchetti will be part of a case study on the film American: The Bill Hicks Story called How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love VOD. The panel will take place on Monday March 12 from2:00 – 3:00 PM at the Austin Convention Center, 4th Floor, Room 15. About Gravitas Ventures Gravitas Ventures connects independent filmmakers, producers and distribution companies to leading cable, satellite, telco and online distribution partners. Working with more than 500 content partners, Gravitas Ventures aggregates and distributes worldwide thousands of hours of feature films, documentaries, animation, alternative sports, comedy, and music concert programming. About Variance Films Variance Films is a NY City based theatrical distribution company whose sole mission is to bring the best in independent cinema to theaters, while allowing filmmakers to retain all rights to their work. Founded in 2008 by Dylan Marchetti, Variance distributes films using innovative release strategies that focus on collaborative, filmmaker-centric grassroots marketing and outreach to drive audiences to theaters. Recent Variance Films theatrical releases include John Sayles AMIGO, Brazils official submission for the 2011 Academy Awards, Jos Padilhas ELITE SQUAD: THE ENEMY WITHIN, AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY, and martial arts sensation IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER. Current and upcoming releases include the highest-grossing film of all time in China, Jiang Wens hilariously dark action-comedy LET THE BULLETS FLY, and Anne Rentons dysfunctional family comedy THE PERFECT FAMILY, starring Kathleen Turner (May 4th). For more information, visit www.variancefilms.com.

Rob Kupsky to go away The very best spinner's

LONDON -- Turner Broadcasting System stalwart Rob Kupsky, the prexy for Europe, Middle East and Africa, is quitting after 3 decades using the organization. Kupsky, who grew to become part of Turner three decades ago, will exit over the following day or two. The professional re-situated to Europe from Turner's Atlanta headquarters in 1997 to make a regional business development office. He increased being leader in 2007. Kupsky's decision to prevent is understood to pre-date last month's announcement that RTL Group Boss Gerhard Zeiler happen to be hired as leader of the greatest spinner's Worldwide. The very best spinner's chairman and Boss Phil Kent mentioned: "There's no funnel, acquisition or growth of Turner's business in EMEA that Rob isn't directly connected with. "He's been consistent in the industry acumen, discussions and calm attitude, which he leaves Turner with this particular gratitude and respect." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The Initial Empire Podcast Will Be Here!

Reviews, news and Paddy Considine galoreNo, you aren't seeing things.Extended following a world and also the wife experienced the podcast game, here you decide to go:the very first Empire Podcast.We're this really is this is not on iTunes at this time around, causeing this to be a great choice to listen to the initial episode, featuringEmpire authors Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Phil p Semlyen andAli Plumb reading through using the major movie speaking points in the filmic week.In addition - there exists a unique interview while using great Paddy Considine, author/director of Tyrannosaur, while he talks us with the love for your Rocky movies.Exactly what are you waiting for?Click on the connect with hear our first show - and we want to listen to suggestions and ideas which we could do to be able to improve inside the future. Reply to this ad at podcast@empireonline.com.

Dish Network Beats Q4 Earnings And Customer Forecasts

You'll be able to wager that lots of experts are grumbling today inside the odd method that Dish Network reported its Q4 results: The business launched a news release with very handful of statistics — but furthermore filed its 300+ page annual report within the SEC. The thing is, while traders scramble to get the particulars they require, they could realize that the essential amounts can be better than the street expected. The business had internet gain of $313M, up 24.2% versus the season-finish quarter this season, on revenues of $3.63B, up 13%. The revenue figure was slightly greater in comparison to $3.62B consensus forecast. But earnings, at 70 cents a share, were well while watching expected 62 cents. Dish also states it added 22,000 clients inside the quarter, to complete the season with somewhat under 14M. Many experts only expected Dish to attain 5,000 — and several thought it could lose clients. For the entire year, Dish is gloomier 166,000. “By showing new Blockbuster-high quality services, we’ve began to show the tide in customer deficits while ongoing to handle elevated competitive demands,” Boss Joe Clayton mentioned. While traders have an interest in Dish’s performance, they’re interested in its plans. Dish is gathering airwave spectrum to supply wireless broadband services — and it is seen as potential candidate being whether buyer or possibly selling real estate in the large merger deal.

REVIEW: Condemned This Means War Gives New Meaning to Counter-Intelligence

If males originate from Mars and girls from Venus, This Means Wardrifts in cold, empty space roughly the two orbits, where, since the famous tagline goes, no-it's possible to hear you scream. The film, the first ones to be directed by Micrograms since 2009'sTerminator Salvation, is type of an action movie getting a rom-com twist, and type of a screwball comedy with explosions and shootouts, but doesn't commit enough in both direction to really please whichever half from the theoretical couples inside the audience drawn their reluctant significant others along for the theater. Is really a film about how precisely the CIA's finest partnership is almost destroyed by competition for your affections from the winsome blonde from Atlanta, or possibly could it be one about how precisely mentioned blonde needs to select from two dashing males keeping some serious secrets, minimal that is they are fully aware each other and so are alsoacquaintedwith one another peoples courtship plans? Bromance or romance,This Means Warfeels like something scrawled by enterprising teens who developed their concepts of love and espionage from films and tv shows they caught around the handful of weekends of fundamental cable surfing (Timothy Dowling, ofRole Modelsand Go From It, and Simon Kinberg are credited for your script). This leaves you with no option but to place back and take advantage of the film-star wattage in the cast, that's considerable and unforeseen, and don't consider what they have to are actually doing or saying.Reese Witherspoon shores through familiar territory asLauren, a product tester who gone after La for just about any guy (Warren Christie), broke things off after catching him cheating, then hidden herself in their work rather than trying to maneuver onto a new person. I really like her a lot more becoming an actress when she handles to flee the normal sorority-girl-with-a-spine-of-steel, but she does bubble away seriously here, lecturing herself inside the mirror about being "a great lady" and dancing in their under garments to "This Is One Way Perform It." In the less comfortable role is Tom Sturdy, playing the a very different number of movie spy than he did within the last onscreen appearance as Ricki Tarr in Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (though both figures have moments through which their ladyfriends bring them around in aconvertible). Hardy's still greatly watchable as Tuck, but he seems conscious of he's a awkward fit for just about any light romp from the film, especially since the sweet and sensitive reason behind the romance triangular - he looks more vulnerable to steal a hug after mugging you than mood-light his chic loft with wax lights. He's doing release because the film goes along, but he's energetic hazing his bestie/rivalFDR Promote (Chris Pine) than wooing Lauren with dates for the Santa Monica Pier and paintball range. Pine hasn't had an chance to consider many roles between Star Treks, and he's proves themselves being okay just like a smarmy eterna-bachelor whose selected target for many factor serious calculates,sadly,being the woman Tuck just ongoing a web-based date with. Unlike Sturdy, they are fully aware a lot better than to bother looking for any sincere emotion in FDR, who is probably not Lauren's favorite (let me 't be billed with spoilage) but is obviously the director's. Inside the film's peculiar conception in the CIA, there's seems to become a lot more murder happening in comparison to secretive gathering of intelligence (without any one describes why a Brit is working there). Carrying out a allegedly covert opp dissolves in to a roof firefight getting a helicopter swirling money to the air together with an appearance quickly decreasing off a highrise, FDR and Tuck are grounded by their boss (Angela Bassett, given nothing to do), which describes why they have a great deal time to misuse Company assets to evaluate Lauren and, after they accept permit her to select from then, monitor one another peoples activities. If The Means Warfinally works itself around with this spy/dating overlap, it's a cute joke that's too quickly encounter the ground - Tuck sniping FDR getting a tranquilizer to prevent him from sealing the sale with Lauren is funny, the two males listening in on her behalf account conversation regarding the subject along with her nearest friend Trish (Chelsea Handler, painful) can get strange, a place full of surveillance males watching her have intercourse is really creepy. The knowledge subplot, which handles a baddie carried out byTil Schweiger who's out seeking revenge or something like that like this, is nonsensical and, worse, shot and edited by doing this - fight moments are cut up beyond recognition, choreography impossible to follow along with together with. The film's two cell phone industry's meet up in the sequence that handles being disappointing in terms ofstunt-workand if this involves fixing its romantic conflict, in the thrill-less vehicle chase. But whileThis Means Wardoesn't goal high if this involves its ambitions (celebrate Mr. & Mrs. Cruz andTrue Lies appear like works of astounding genius), it doesn't shy away from referencing the very best. A lecture Lauren gives on why The Lady Vanishes is lesser Hitchcock doesn't come in character, but no less than it is not the interest-curler this is the later jerk for the Godfatherin a nightclub scene. This can be a bold choice for an homage in any film, but particularly in a single which regularly queues up "Me So Horny" just like a joke whenever it cuts toTrish trading time along with her chubby husband in your house. Follow Alison Willmore on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Hugo Leads Oscar Nominations

First Launched: The month of the month of january 24, 2012 9:18 AM EST Credit: Vital Caption Asa Butterfield in Vital Pictures HugoLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Martin Scorseses Paris adventure Hugo leads the Academy awards with 11 nominations, incorporated within this best picture as well as the latest director slot for your Oscar-winning filmmaker. Also nominated for top picture Tuesday: the quiet film The Artist your family drama The Descendants the Sept. 11 tale Very Noisy & Incredibly Close the Deep South drama The Help the romantic fantasy Evening amount of time in Paris the sports tale Moneyball your family chronicle The Tree of Existence as well as the The Very First World War epic War Equine. The nominations produce a best-picture showdown involving the top films within the Golden Globes: best musical or comedy recipient The Artist and greatest drama champion The Descendants. The Artist went second with 10 nominations, incorporated within this writing and pointing nominations for French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius, a best-actor recognition for Jean Dujardin together with a supporting-actress slot for Berenice Bejo. Because of helpful information change requiring films to obtain a particular volume of first-place votes, the most effective-picture area has only nine nominees instead of the ten that have been inside the running the ultimate couple of years. Dujardin, who won the planet for top actor in the musical or comedy just like a quiet-era star whose career goes kaput while using arrival of speaking pictures, will probably be facing Globe dramatic actor champion George Clooney for your Descendants, in which the Oscar-winning celebrity plays a parent trying to carry his Hawaiian family together carrying out a boating accident puts his wife in the coma. Other best-actor competitors are: Demian Bechir becoming an immigrant father in the Better Existence Gary Oldman as British spymaster George Smiley in Mess Tailor Soldier Spy and Kaira Pitt as Concord As gm Billy Beane in Moneyball. Globe individuals who win Meryl Streep (best dramatic actress as Margaret Thatcher inside the Iron Lady) and Michelle Williams (best musical or comedy actress as Lana Turner throughout my Week with Marilyn) acquired Oscar nominations for top actress. Two-time Oscar champion Streep padded her record since the most-nominated actress, raising her total to 17 nominations, five greater than Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, that are tied for second-place. Streep went two-for-four on her behalf account first nominations, winning supporting actress for 1979s Kramer versus. Kramer and greatest actress for 1982s Sophies Choice. But she's lost her last 12 occasions, as well as the Globe win on her behalf place-on personification of Thatcher seems like her best chance yet to destroy that losing streak. Along with Streep and Williams, best-actress nominees are: Glenn Close just like a 1800s Irishwoman masquerading just like a male butler in Albert Nobbs Viola Davis just like a black maid going public with tales of white-colored Southern companies inside the Help and Rooney Mara just like a traumatized, vengeful computer genius inside the Girl while using Dragon Tattoo. Octavia Spencers win within the Globes as supporting-actress for your Help, through which she plays a fiery maid whose mouth constantly can get her at risk, could leave her with front-runner status for a similar prize within the Oscars. The identical may hold true for supporting-actor nominee Christopher Plummer, who won a Globe for his role becoming an senior citizens father being launched as gay in Beginners. An esteemed film and stage actor, Plummer went nearly all his 60-year career unacknowledged within the Oscars until producing a supporting-actor nomination couple of years ago as Leo Tolstoy in the last Station. If he wins this time around around, the 82-year-old Plummer would finish up being the first acting recipient ever Jessica Tandy now holds that position on her behalf best-actress win in Driving Miss Daisy at 80. Also in contention for supporting actor: Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier throughout my Week with Marilyn Jonah Hill just like a statistics whiz in Moneyball Nick Nolte just like a derelict father making amends in Warrior and Max von Sydow just like a mute mystery guy in Very Noisy & Incredibly Close. Bejo, the romantic partner in the Artist creator Hazanavicius, was nominated on her behalf role just like a new star in the appear era inside the late 20's and early `30s. The Help co-star Jessica Chastain also was nominated on her behalf role as Spencers lonely, desperate boss. Also up for supporting actress are Melissa McCarthy as crude but caring part of the wedding in Bridesmaids and Jesse McTeer just like a lady showing up just like a male laborer in Albert Nobbs. McCarthy can be a rare funny lady competing within the Oscars, which rarely recognition performances in mainstream comedies for instance Bridesmaids. Copyright 2012 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.