Legendary composer John Barry dies at 77

The Hollywood Reporter- Legendary James Bond composer John Barry died in New York on Sunday at the age of 77 after a heart attack, his family said in an announcement. 

Barry was known for lending his talent in some of the most iconic soundtracks, Midnight Cowboy, Dances With Wolves, Out of Africa and Born Free . But he would be most remembered for his long-tenure with the Bond franchise, in which he was responsible for 11 Bond movie soundtracks including Goldfinger, From Russia With love and You Only Live Twice.    

A statement released by his family said: "It is with great sadness that the family of composer John Barry announce his passing on the 30th of January 2011 in New York."

Longtime friend and Bond collaborator David Arnold posted a message on Twitter to Barry fans, showing support. "I am profoundly saddened by the news but profoundly thankful for everything he did for music and for me personally."

Here are some of his greatest hits...

Tudors Star to be cast as Superman in new film

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a new Superman has been revealed. Showtime's "The Tudors" star Henry Cavill has been cast as the new Superman in a film which is to be directed by Zack Snyder. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures confirmed in a statement Jan. 30.

 "In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen," Snyder said. "He is the perfect choice to don the cape and 'S' shield."

The 27-year-old actor was reportedly on the shortlist for "Superman Returns" when McG was to direct it, but when Bryan Singer took over the project he went with Brandon Routh instead.

Some Sundance Film Festival 2011 Highlights

As you know its Sundance season and all the indie flicks are hitting the stage for the masses to come and see. I have highlighted a few that I personally would like to see and some that just might surprise us and get some nationwide pub, its happened before!! Take a look and see what Sundance has to offer for the indie lover!

 
*Beats, Rhymes, & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
-Michael Rapaport 2011
Having forged a 20-year run as one of the most innovative and influential hip-hop bands of all time, A Tribe Called Quest has kept a generation hungry for more of its groundbreaking music since the group’s much-publicized breakup in 1998. The band shaped a unique sound by wedding jazz-infused musicscapes to Afrocentric rhymes espousing unity and community. Its music became the anthem for cool and broke down barriers for people who had never before connected with hip-hop. In spite of unparalleled artistic success, however, the group encountered pitfalls that eventually caused its tumultuous breakup.
Beats, Rhymes & Life, the feature directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Rapaport, documents the inner workings and behind-the-scenes drama that follow the band even today and explores what's next for a group many claim are the pioneers of alternative rap. Rapaport’s passion for his subjects allows them to open up to the camera, resulting in a remarkably honest, emotional portrait that does justice to this seminal band.

Film Contact

Edward Parks, Rival Pictures
Email: edparks@rivalpictures.net

*An African Election
 -Jarreth Merz 2010
In a world plagued by stolen elections, secret government agendas, and a renewed interest in the exploitation of African natural resources, what value does democracy offer, particularly in the tumultuous region of West Africa? For Ghana, a nation that has been Africa’s barometer of political stability, democracy may mean the difference between peace and prosperity—and murderous chaos under military coup.
An African Election is a remarkable documentary that grants viewers unprecedented access to the anatomy of Ghana’s 2008 presidential elections. Capturing the intrigue of electioneering, the intensity of the vote-counting process, and the mood of the countrymen whose fate lies precariously in the balance, director Jarreth Merz’s coverage unfolds with all the tension of a political thriller, revealing the emotions, passions, and ethical decisions that both threaten—and maintain—the integrity of the democratic process. An African Election illuminates a beacon of hope for Africa and for the value and vitality of democracy today.

Film Contact

Jarreth Merz, Urban Republic
Email: info@urbanrepublic.org

*All Your Dead Ones
-Carlos Moreno 2010
In this eerie and fantastically shot tragicomic satire, an ordinary farmer’s morning routine is interrupted when he makes a grim discovery in the middle of his cornfield—a huge pile of dead bodies. Aghast, he reports the mysterious massacre on what happens to be Election Day. When the small-town mayor and police lieutenant take notice, fearful of unleashing a public scandal, they stall and intimidate the farmer and his family. Meanwhile, the sun beats down, and the eerie corpses remain, refusing to be ignored.
All Your Dead Ones unspools a disquieting allegory, a silent indictment of Colombia’s ongoing civil war. The imagery and sound, crafted with unsettling intensity, illustrate a frightening crisis of social conscience. Tinged with mordant surrealism, director Carlos Moreno’s return to Sundance (Perro Come Perro screened at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival) demonstrates a rare ability to transcend genre and a remarkable storytelling vigor, anchored within a haunting and arresting visual motif.
Film Contact
Diego Ramírez
Email: diego@64afilms.com

*The Guard
-John Michael McDonagh 2010
Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a salty village cop in Ireland, has a subversive sense of humor, a caustic wit, and an uncanny knack for keeping people at arm’s length. When a straitlaced FBI agent chasing an international drug-smuggling ring hits town, Boyle has no intention of letting the arrival disrupt his routine of hookers and wisecracks. Initially, he relishes offending and ridiculing the agent, but a murder and a series of peculiar events draw the reluctant sergeant into the investigation.
John Michael McDonagh’s crisply written debut feature transcends the rules of the buddy cop comedy, wryly offering genuine humor and thrills against an unexpectedly moving portrait of its protagonist. Brendan Gleeson’s beguiling portrayal of Boyle defies easy definition as hero or buffoon, hinting instead at the lonely, intelligent man behind the sharp retorts. The Guard is a clever, fresh character study, as well as a snappy joyride of an action comedy.

Film Contact

Chris Clark
Email: chris@reprisalfilms.com

*Another Happy Day 
- Sam Levinson 2011
A wedding at her parents’ Annapolis estate hurls high-strung Lynn into the fire of primal, Byzantine family dynamics. It’s the wedding of Lynn’s son, whom she was deprived of raising because of her acrimonious divorce, and a feud still rages between Lynn and her ex-husband’s hot-tempered wife. Meanwhile, the three children Lynn did raise display a panoply of disturbing behaviors like cutting and drug addiction, which Lynn’s mother and sisters alternately ridicule and blame her for. As Lynn attempts catharsis, her mother sweeps issues under the rug, but painful truths bubble and spurt. Clan members deploy ricocheting arrows to protect themselves—and wound others—as the fine lines between victims and perpetrators blur.

Film Contact

Celine Rattray, Mandalay Vision
Phone: (212) 725-3550
Email: celiner@mandalay.com

*The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement

-Gail Dolgin, Robin Fryday 2010

An African American barber in Birmingham, Alabama, experiences the fulfillment of an unimaginable dream: the election of the first African American president.
Film Contact
Robin Fryday, Purposeful Productions, Inc.
Email: tgirfryday@aol.com

*Becoming Chaz
-Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato 2010
Chaz Bono was a male trapped in a female shell for as long as he can remember. Growing up as Sonny and Cher’s adorable golden-haired daughter in a body he felt wasn’t his own was a crucible it took years to transcend. Now, as he undertakes gender reassignment, he’s bravely decided to share the process on camera. Becoming Chaz invites us along on Chaz’s remarkable journey of transformation. As hormone shots give way to top surgery, down-to-earth, unflappable Chaz beams with a sense of liberation and goes public with his story to put a face on a misunderstood issue. Meanwhile, his gregarious girlfriend grapples with the realities of suddenly living with a man, and it’s clear sex change isn’t solely a physical transition. Intimate and nakedly honest, the film reveals the humanity and courage it takes for Chaz to ultimately embrace his true self. His moving struggle will reverberate profoundly for anyone to whom authenticity matters.

Film Contact

Mona Card, World Of Wonder
Email: mcard@worldofwonder.net

For more information about the festival and to check out more films, please go to http://www.sundance.org/festival/

Will Smith to possibly pursue 'Annie' adaptation with Willow as the star...

Looks like the acting bug has hit Lil Miss Willow Smith as well, following suit after her brother Jaden.

Could another box office hit be in the making? 

Dad Will Smith is considering doing another remake of the musical 'Annie' with daughter Willow as the star. Although still in the development stages, Variety states that through his film company Overbrook, Smith would produce the film with megastar rapper Jay-Z collaborating on the music.

Superstar, box-office actor/dad Will Smith hit payday when he did a remake of  'The Karate Kid' with Jaden as the star, grossing more than $350 million worldwide.

Willow made her acting debut in her dad's film I Am Legend,  and later appeared in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, alongside Abigail Breslin.

Tyler Perry Poster Revealed for Madea's Big Happy Family

Lionsgate has just released the poster to Tyler Perry's  Madea's Big Happy Family, starring Shad "Bow Wow" Moss, Loretta Devine, Cassi Davis, Lauren London, David Mann, Tamela Brown Mann, Isaiah Mustafa, Rodney Perry, Shannon kane, Natalie Desselle Reid, and Teyana Taylor. A jam-packed cast! 
 
And of course Perry serves as director and two-time star (as Madea and her brother, Joe). Check it out!

Madea (Tyler Perry) jumps into action when her niece, Shirley (Loretta Devine), receives distressing news about her health. All Shirley wants is to gather her three adult children around her and share the news as a family. But Tammy (Natalie Desselle-Reid), Kimberly (Shannon Kane) and Byron (Bow Wow) are too distracted by their own problems: Tammy can't manage her unruly children or her broken marriage; Kimberly is gripped with anger and takes it out on her husband; and Byron, after spending two years in jail, is under pressure to deal drugs again. It's up to Madea, with the help of the equally rambunctious Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis), to gather the clan together and make things right the only way she knows how: with a lot of tough love, laughter...and the revelation of a long-buried family secret.


The film will be in theaters April 22, 2011.

For My Atlanta Folks!! "Women in Film & Television" Annual Kick Off Celebration

invites you to attend the

2011 Annual Kick Off Celebration

An Evening of Information,
Inspiration and Learning

535 Means Street NW, Atlanta, GA, 30318

Thursday, January 27, 2011

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Special Guests:
Melissa Goodman, Executive Director of SAG
Kathilynn (Kat) Phillips, Writer/producer/director

This year's kick-off celebration is a great networking opportunity for both women and men interested in joining WIFTA; take this opportunity to meet members who are connected in the entertainment industry; get introduced to the newly appointed Board of Directors; find out about upcoming WIFTA programs and events; and get more involved in Georgia's film and television industry!

Get the information you need to start down the path of shorts, independent films, and webisodes.

RSVP REQUIRED
FREE for WIFTA Members
$10 for Non-Members :: $5 for Students with valid ID
(Cash, Check or Credit Card payments accepted)

Go to this link for Registration 

(http://wifta.org/events?eventid=261637&EventViewMode=EventDetails)

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Food and Beverages provided

2011 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Its that time of year again.... the 2011 OSCAR NOMINATIONS ARE IN!! Nominations for the 83rd Academy Awards were announced on today (January 25) this morning by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak and 2009 Oscar® winner Mo'Nique. I must say there are definitely some obvious ones listed and others that may have sneaked in under the radar. Check it out:

Oscar Nominations List 2011

Best Picture

'Black Swan'
'The Fighter'
'Inception'
'The Kids Are All Right'
'The King’s Speech'
'127 Hours'
'The Social Network'
'Toy Story 3'
'True Grit'
'Winter’s Bone'

Best Director

Darren Aronofsky, 'Black Swan'
David O'Russell, 'The Fighter'
Tom Hooper, 'The King's Speech'
David Fincher, 'The Social Network'
Joel and Ethan Coen, 'True Grit'

Best Actor

Javier Bardem, 'Biutiful'
Jeff Bridges, 'True Grit'
Jesse Eisenberg, 'The Social Network'
Colin Firth, 'The King's Speech'
James Franco, '127 Hours'

Best Actress

Annette Bening, 'The Kids Are All Right'
Nicole Kidman, 'Rabbit Hole'
Jennifer Lawrence, 'Winter's Bone'
Natalie Portman, 'Black Swan'
Michelle Williams, 'Blue Valentine'

Best Supporting Actor

Christian Bale, 'The Fighter'
John Hawkes, 'Winter's Bone'
Jeremy Renner, 'The Town'
Mark Ruffalo, 'The Kids Are All Right'
Geoffrey Rush, 'The King's Speech'

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, 'The Fighter'
Helena Bonham Carter, 'The King's Speech'
Melissa Leo, 'The Fighter'
Hailee Steinfeld, 'True Grit'
Jacki Weaver, 'Animal Kingdom'

Best Animated Feature Film

'How to Train Your Dragon'
'Illusionist'
'Toy Story 3'

Best Foreign Film

Mexico - 'Biutiful'
Greece - 'Dogtooth'
Denmark - 'In a Better World'
Canada - 'Incendies'
Algeria - 'Outside the law'

Best Original Screenplay

'Another Year'
'The Fighter'
'Inception'
'The Kids Are All Right'
'The King's Speech'

Best Adapted Screenplay

'127 Hours'
'The Social Network'
'Toy Story 3'
'True Grit'
'Winter's Bone'

Best Art Direction

'Alice in Wonderland'
'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I'
'Inception'
'The King's Speech'
'True Grit'

Best Costume Design

'Alice in Wonderland'
'I Am Love'
'The King's Speech'
'The Tempest'
'True Grit'

Best Original Song

'Coming Home' - 'Country Strong'
'I See the Light' - 'Tangled'
'If I Rise' - '127 Hours'
'We Belong Together' - 'Toy Story 3'

Best Original Score

'How to Train Your Dragon' John Powell
'Inception' Hans Zimmer
'The King's Speech' Alexandre Desplat
'127 Hours' A.R. Rahman
'The Social Network' Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Best Documentary

'Exit through the Gift Shop'
'Gasland'
'Inside Job'
'Restrepo'
'Waste Land'

Best Film Editing

'Black Swan'
'The Fighter'
'The Kings Speech'
'127 Hours'
'The Social Network'

Best Makeup

'Barney's Version'
'The Way Back'
'The Wolfman'

Best Sound Editing

'Inception'
'Toy Story 3'
'TRON: Legacy'
'True Grit'
'Unstoppable'

Best Sound Mixing

'Inception'
'The King's Speech'
'Salt'
'The Social Network'
'True Grit'

Best Visual Effects

'Alice in Wonderland'
'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1'
'Hereafter'
'Inception'
'Iron Man 2'

Best Documentary (Short Subject)

'Killing in the Name'
'Poster Girl'
'Strangers No More'
'Sun Comes Up'
'The Warriors of Qiugang'

Best Visual Short Film (Animated)

'Day & Night'
'The Gruffalo'
'Let's Pollute'
'The Lost Thing'
'Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)'

Best Short Film (Live Action)

'The Confession'
'The Crush'
'God of Love'
'Na Wewe'
'Wish 143'

So what do you think? Was it accurate or were there some folks who got cheated or maybe got lucky... And what are your predictions thus far!! 

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will take place on February 27th, 2011.