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Category: Movies

  • Director Guy Ritchie’s new King Arthur movie goes on floors

    Director Guy Ritchie’s new King Arthur movie goes on floors

    MUMBAI: Acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie brings his dynamic style to an original King Arthur epic, a sweeping fantasy action adventure starring Charlie Hunnam for Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures.

     

    Principal photography has begun at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, UK.

     

    The bold new story introduces a streetwise young Arthur who runs the back alleys of Londonium with his gang, unaware of the life he was born for until he grasps hold of the sword Excalibur – and with it, his future. Instantly challenged by the power of Excalibur, Arthur is forced to make some hard choices. Throwing in with the Resistance and a mysterious young woman named Guinevere, he must learn to master the sword, face down his demons and unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern, who stole his crown and murdered his parents, and become King.

     

    Starring with Hunnam is Astrid Berg?s-Frisbey as Guinevere; Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou as Resistance leader Bedivere; Aidan Gillen as Goosefat Bill; Oscar nominee Jude Law as Vortigern; and Eric Bana as Arthur’s father, King Uther Pendragon.

     

    Ritchie will direct from a screenplay by Joby Harold. Ritchie will also produce the film, alongside producers Lionel Wigram and Steve Clark-Hall, Akiva Goldsman, Joby Harold, and Tory Tunnell. David Dobkin and Bruce Berman will executive produce. Max Keene will serve as co-producer and James Herbert as associate producer.

     

    The creative team joining Ritchie behind the scenes includes two-time Oscar-nominated director of photography John Mathieson, Oscar-nominated production designer Gemma Jackson, editor James Herbert, costume designer Annie Symons, makeup and hair designer Christine Blundell, and Oscar-nominated VFX Supervisor Nick Davis.

     

    The film will shoot primarily at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, and on location in Wales and Scotland.

     

    Slated for release on 22 July, 2016, it will be distributed in North America by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

  • Sonakshi Sinha trains with Tiger Shroff’s fitness trainer for Murgadoss’ next

    Sonakshi Sinha trains with Tiger Shroff’s fitness trainer for Murgadoss’ next

    MUMBAI: In her four-year career, Sonakshi Sinha has been part of several action films. But for the first time in her career, Sinha is getting the chance to actually perform extensive stunts in her next with director AR Murgadoss. The untitled woman-centric action film is ready to go on floors soon.

     

    Sinha has already started prepping for her role, and has been intensively training to sport a super fit body. She has been training with Bollywood’s famous fitness expert, Kuldeep, who has also trained Tiger Shroff, amongst others.

     

    A source said, “Sonakshi has started rigorous workout sessions to improve her flexibility and core strength. Her regimen includes stretching, exercises for flexibility, acrobat training as well as Yoga. Throughout this period, her diet excluded all kinds of oily, sweet and junk food, and featured more high-protein food items.”

  • ‘American Sniper’ becomes highest-grossing film of 2014

    ‘American Sniper’ becomes highest-grossing film of 2014

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ American Sniper has surpassed two more major milestones, emerging as the top-grossing domestic release of 2014. The film has also surpassed half a billion dollars worldwide, and still climbing. 

     

    To date, the film has grossed an estimated $337.2 million at the domestic box office, and still counting, making it the highest-grossing film in director Clint Eastwood’s long and illustrious career. Among its many other records, American Sniper is also the number one war movie of all time and the top-grossing film in the career of Bradley Cooper, who earned his third consecutive Oscar nomination, for his portrayal of the film’s title character, Chris Kyle.

     

    In addition to its North American success, American Sniper is drawing large numbers of moviegoers overseas, where it is currently in release in 57 markets. The film, to date, has earned an estimated $163 million at the international box office, for an extraordinary worldwide total of $500.2 million and rising.

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman said, “From its record-breaking Christmas opening, American Sniper has been a box office phenomenon. The film’s A+ CinemaScore in every category has translated into enthusiastic word-of-mouth that continues to generate both first-time and repeat business. We could not be happier for Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and everyone on the incredible filmmaking team on this remarkable achievement.”

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president of worldwide marketing and international distribution Sue Kroll added, “American Sniper has become a cultural touchstone that people want to share, discuss and remember. We are thrilled that the movie is still filling theatres, not only in the United States but around the globe, as filmgoers everywhere experience the power of the story of Chris and Taya Kyle.”

     

    “We are all so proud of American Sniper. Its box office success is not only a testament to the talents of Clint, Bradley and all those involved in the film, but also a measure of our appreciation for the sacrifices of all veterans and their families. Congratulations to our partners at Village Roadshow and Ratpac-Dune and everyone behind American Sniper on reaching another momentous benchmark,” said Warner Bros. Pictures president, creative development and worldwide production Greg Silverman.

     

    Warner Bros. Pictures president, international distribution Veronika Kwan Vandenberg noted, “Clint Eastwood has delivered a powerful story on the personal cost of conflict, and the response we’re seeing internationally reflects the universal reach of this compelling drama. Along with our partners at Village Roadshow, we couldn’t be more thrilled with these spectacular results.”

  • ‘Happy New Year’ to be dubbed in German for home video

    ‘Happy New Year’ to be dubbed in German for home video

    MUMBAI: Having had a successful run worldwide,Red Chillies Entertainment’s (RCE) film Happy New Year (HNY) is now all set to add another feather to its hat. 

     

    The movie will now be available on Home Video from 20 March 2015, dubbed in German language, ensuring that it reaches the drawing rooms of its German fans. HNY came out in German cinemas on 30 October last year, a week after its Indian release where it saw good collections at the box office in its original version and was in Top 10 at the Box Office on its opening day in Germany.

     

    Now with this new move, the company hopes to bridge the gap between language and world content, further. Worldwide distributors Yash Raj Films in association with Rapid Eye Movies are now bringing the Home Video for the German territory.

     

    RCE chief revenue officer Gaurav Verma said, “This home video is specifically aimed at SRK’s extensive fan base in Germany to give them another reason to rejoice. The film is now being offered in German dub as all his films have massive traction there especially in home entertainment. HNY has been dubbed in many local languages and we will continue to extend the reach of our content to the furthest corners of the world by localizing content in more regional languages.”

     

    Talking about the venture at hand, German based Rapid Eye Movies founder Stephen Holl said, “Rapid Eye Movies, in association with YRF, proudly announces the German Home entertainment release of the Red Chillies Entertainment production Happy New Year. SRK is the singular most popular Indian actor in Germany, with a major fan base and numerous fan clubs. After the box office success of the movie in German cinemas, a dubbed German-language version of the film will hit stores on 20 March on DVD and blu-ray, as well as a limited edition digipak.”

  • ‘Dirty Politics’ collects Rs 4.2 crore at box office

    ‘Dirty Politics’ collects Rs 4.2 crore at box office

    MUMBAI: Badmashiyaan, a film sans face value and amateur script and handling, with exams season to contend with, adds to the year’s disaster list. The film had one of the poorest opening day with collections ranging around Rs 10 lakh; thereafter, any improvement was irrelevant. The film managed to collect just about Rs 50 lakh in its first weekend.

     

    The Mallika Sherawat starrer Dirty Politics does somewhat better. The film managed to put together Rs 4.2 crore in its opening weekend.

     

    Hey Bro, a misadventure by choreographer, Ganesh Acharya, backfires. An old saying: Monies made in film industry stays in film industry. The film will prove to be a total loss of investments plus expenses incurred on releasing it. The film barely manages to cross Rs 50 lakh mark in its opening weekend.

     

    Dum Laga Ke Haisha seems to be growing gradually by the day on strength of positive word of mouth and also due to poor oppositions limiting the viewers’ options. The film maintained steady collection in its opening week, albeit on the lower side, to end its first week with a reasonable Rs 10.64 crore. And, thanks to positive reports again, the film does better in its second weekend compared to its opening weekend by collecting Rs 6.72 crore (first weekend: Rs 6.8 crore) thus taking its ten day total to a healthy Rs 17.36 crore.

     

    Ab Tak Chhappan adds little to its already poor opening weekend of Rs 4.4 crore to end its first week run with Rs 6.2 crore.

     

    Badlapur: Don’t Miss The Beginning remained steady in its second week to collect Rs 8.3 crore to take its two week total to Rs 44.1 crore.

     

    Baby has collected Rs 35 lakh in its sixth week to take its six week tally to Rs 79.6 crore.

  • Mahesh Bhatt encourages debate on censorship at Elevate 2015

    Mahesh Bhatt encourages debate on censorship at Elevate 2015

    MUMBAI: Filmmaker-activist Mahesh Bhatt moderated a debate on the topic of censorship with Bollywood stalwarts Amit Khanna, Sudhir Mishra, Bhawana Somaaya and Ketan Mehta making their stand at The Third Eye’s program Elevate 2015, the second annual conclave held at The Club, Mumbai, this week.

     

    With a discussion on creating synergies between regulatory bodies and industry leaderships, the industry heavyweights mulled on how the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and other regulatory authorities can look ahead in time and create a vision for creative communities; thus empowering audiences.

     

    Bhatt asked some thought-provoking questions. “Is there a role that the regulators really have to play in the digital age,” he wondered. “Is there a way for content creators to establish a non-confrontational dialogue with the government regulatory bodies?”

     

    Industry doyen Amit Khanna opined, “In the 21st century, given the way technology has allowed us to interact with each other, there is no role for anything called censorship in the audio-visual media.”

     

    “The censorship is no longer a possibility in any way in today’s digital age. This is the first time in history that such a thing is possible,” marked director Sudhir Mishra. 

     

    Director Ketan Mehta was blunt. “Censorship is corrupt and immoral exercise of power,” he said.

     

    Veteran journalist, author and an ex-member of the CBFC, Bhawana Somaaya pointed out that the Censor Board has a provision where filmmakers have a right to refuse and argue with the objections of the Board in their entirety. She felt that “censorship is being interpreted in a wrong way. It is being misunderstood. There are guidelines for it and they require some modifications.”

  • The Daytime Emmy Awards return; Michael Levitt to produce broadcast

    The Daytime Emmy Awards return; Michael Levitt to produce broadcast

    MUMBAI: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and Pop, a newly rebranded television network seen in more than 80 million homes (formerly TV Guide Network), announced that the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be nationally broadcast live on 26 April on Pop. In addition, the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards gala will take place on 24 April at the Universal Hilton in Los Angeles.

     

    Televised from the legendary Warner Bros. Studios lot on Stage 16 – the location of countless iconic Hollywood films such as Casablanca, Jurassic Park and Ghostbusters – the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards show will be executive produced by Michael Levitt, one of the industry’s most acclaimed producers of live events and awards shows.

     

    “Our new partnership with the Pop network is an ideal platform to present our signature gala. With the Warner Bros Studios as our venue, where so many great films and television shows have been made, coupled together with Michael Levitt, our executive producer, who created the TV Land Awards, and has produced numerous live event specials including The Producers Guild Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, and E! Live from the Red Carpet shows for the Golden Globes and Oscars, this promises to be a very special telecast of the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” said NATAS president Bob Mauro.

     

    “As a network that celebrates talent, we are thrilled to bring the Daytime Emmy Awards back to television for the fans. Daytime audiences are some of the most amazing and passionate in all of television, and we are proud to honor the greatest works and achievements of daytime. Adding premium live events to our schedule is just another exciting way we are building Pop. We’re going to have a lot of fun with this,” said Pop president Brad Schwartz.

     

    “As a fan of daytime television, I couldn’t be more honored to be producing this landmark special. The daytime community consistently generates quality programming and has so much to be proud of. I’m thrilled to be able to produce this ceremony that will celebrate the best of daytime in a memorable, fun and reverential way,” said Levitt.

     

    The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to individuals and programs broadcast during the 2014 calendar year. The Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards gala honors the crafts behind the many shows that grace the Daytime genre.

     

    The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards is a presentation of NATAS in cooperation with the Television Academy. The show will be produced by Michael Levitt of Michael Levitt Productions with Gary Tellalian and Mike Rothman also serving as executive producers.

  • Lionsgate partners Buena Vista for ‘The Hunger Games’ release in Russia

    Lionsgate partners Buena Vista for ‘The Hunger Games’ release in Russia

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate and Buena Vista International (BVI) have joined hands on the theatrical release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, the fourth installment of the global blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) later this year.

     

    BVI will launch Mockingjay 2 on 19 November in all available formats including Imax 3D as part of the film’s day-and-date global rollout.

     

    “Mockingjay 2 is the next thrilling chapter of an incredible global franchise, and we look forward to creating a singular motion picture event for Russian audiences. We’re delighted to extend our partnership with our friends at Lionsgate on one of the most highly anticipated films of the year,” said BVI international distribution executive David Kornblum.

     

    “We’re thrilled to capitalize on the opportunity to extend our long and successful relationship with the BVI team around the world. Their prestige, performance and consistency speak for themselves.  We look forward to creating an epic and memorable Mockingjay 2 launch for our Russian fans, and BVI is the perfect partner to help us bring The Hunger Games franchise to the next level of performance,” added Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chair Patrick Wachsberger

     

    Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label has previously partnered with BVI on the Japanese release of the action thriller Red, the release of the Step Up franchise in Japan and Spain and the Japanese releases of Source Code and Tree of Life.

     

    The first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise have already grossed more than $2.3 billion at the global box office, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the tenth highest-grossing domestic release of all time. The Hunger Games trilogy of books has already sold more than 82 million copies around the world.

     

    The Lionsgate and Summit labels will continue their theatrical output deals with West Company and Central Partnership, respectively, for the rest of their theatrical slates in Russia and the CIS.

  • Jacqueline Fernandez gears up for a power packed 2015

    Jacqueline Fernandez gears up for a power packed 2015

    MUMBAI: Actress Jacqueline Fernandez is Bollywood’s busy girl these days. 

     

    The actress, who was seen in Kick opposite Salman Khan last year, spoke about her future plans and hectic schedule in a candid chat. During the chat, she revealed her love for acting and how stardom, no matter at what stage she may have achieved it, still affects her in some ways.

    The long-legged Sri Lankan beauty had a very slow 2013 with almost no offers, but having passed that phase, she is now happy and grateful to Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman Khan for giving her the opportunity of a lifetime with Kick.

     

    The actress said, “Last year I finished a Hollywood film, Definition of Fear, a Sri Lankan movie, According to Matthew and a cameo in Bangistaan. I’ve been shooting for Brothers since.”

     

    Brothers is produced by Karan Johar and directed by Karan Malhotra, where for the first time she plays the role of a wife and young mother alongside Akshay Kumar. “For the first time, I was bringing something to the table. It was liberating to finally bag a meaningful role,” confessed Fernandez.

     

    Not only that, after a busy 2014, this year also the actress has loads to look forward to with Dhishoom opposite Varun Dhawan, which goes on floors next month and Turbanator with Tiger Shroff, followed by Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull 3. “I’m greedy and trying to squeeze in one more movie in 2015,” she exclaimed with a smile.

  • ‘Badmashiyaan’: Nothing of that sort

    ‘Badmashiyaan’: Nothing of that sort

    When one watches a film like Badmashiyaan  one can’t help but wonder: where do such films come from? A banter over drinks? Or, simply, a desire to feel the glamour and glitz of the film industry and an overwhelming desire to belong? For as soon as the film starts to unwind, you know it is a disaster unreeling on the screen.

    There is this girl, Suzanna Mukherjee, who pretends to fall in love with vulnerable men for the sole purpose of conning them. Fall in love, promise marriage, and vanish via the loo after looting them. Her first victim is Sidhant Gupta, a café owner in Chandigarh. Totally besotted with her, he begs, borrows, steals and buys a two crore house to settle his future wife, Suzanna. On a date at a café, she takes time off to go to loo and never returns. 

    Gupta is heartbroken while Suzanna has found a new target, Sharib Hashmi, a Haryanvi don notwithstanding the fact that we have had too much of these UP, Bihar and Haryanvi dons, comic as well as caricatures. 

    Suzanna makes away with some five lakh of the don’s cash, her accomplice is picked up and stripped naked by the don’s man. In case you happen to watch the film and miss it, this is supposed to be the comic element in the film! On his part, the don does not want his money back (despite wasting an hour of running time beating up this poor sod and stripping him to find where the money is), he has fallen head over heels in love with Suzanna and he wants her instead. 

    Producer: Vijay Gutte

    Director: Amit Khanna

    Cast: Suzanna Mukherjee, Sharib Hashmi, Sidhant Gupta, Karan Mehra, Gunjan Malhotra

    If watching this film is an ordeal, writing about it is even bigger torture. 

    Nobody performs in this film and that includes the writer, director and actors. 

    In a year that has seen some of the worst films being released, Badmashiyaan takes the crown for the first quarter of 2015.

     

    ‘Dirty Politics’: What’s the other kind?

    Producer: Nihal farhat

    Director: K. C. Bokadia

    Cast: Suzanna Mallika Sherawat, Jackie Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Anupam Kher, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah

    Eons back, celebrated and one of the most gifted filmmakers, Kundan Shah, was working on a script about a Maharashtrian Tamasha girl going on to become the Chief Minister of the state. I suppose the film was too regional in flavour besides the fact that political themes don’t go down well with our audience and, hence, never made.

    Here, a similar theme seems to have been used for titillation rather than to weave a story around the idea that in politics, anything is possible. 

    Mallika Sherawat, a dancer, has a powerful politician fan in Om Puri. Their proximity sows the seeds of political ambitions in her. But, alas, come elections and she is not on the list of nominees. So she decides to use her ticket to attain her goal: CDs of close encounters between her and Puri, which would defame Puri and ruin his political career. 

    How corny can a plot get when people nowadays don’t care who sleeps with whom as long as they deliver? (Reminds me of a prominent politician spokesperson cum lawyer whose explicit videos were on public domain and he still continues to be all that he used to be!) What follows is predictable. Sherawat goes missing and all sorts of corny plots and subplots follow. 

    The film stars some of the great actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Anupam Kher besides Jackie Shroff and Ashutosh Rana but the script, the direction and Sherawat make sure they are rendered ineffective totally; they are neutralised by everything in this film of which they had no reason to be a part.