Category: Movies

Lady Gaga to perform at the Oscars

MUMBAI: Six-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lady Gaga will make a special tribute performance at the 87th Oscars.

“Lady Gaga is a once in a lifetime artist who’s musical evolution keeps growing. We are proud to have her perform on the Oscars for the very first time,” said show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Since breaking in 2008, Lady Gaga has sold over 27 million albums, 130 million singles, and over 4 million tickets globally to her award-winning live performances. Lady Gaga has won a total of six Grammy Awards – her most recent this week for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Cheek To Cheek, her 2014 collaboration with Tony Bennett, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The 87th Oscars will be held on 22 February, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. It will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

February 13, 2015
After much controversy, ‘MSG’ becomes ‘The Messenger’

NEW DELHI: Following controversy over the film, which was cleared by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, self-proclaimed Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan’s much hyped film has been renamed MSG – The Messenger.

The film was initially named MSG: Messenger of God, and had reportedly provided the fuel to the mass resignations from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) whose members had alleged interference from the Government.

The new name was revealed in a tweet sent by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan himself, clarifying that the film had been cleared by the CBFC with a new name.

He said the film is targeted at cleansing the worldly evils that have plagued society recently and threatened to corrupt it. It develops an insight into the exploration of spirituality with the entertainment factor remaining intact.

A first in its kind, the film has been trending all over social media creating a huge interest. The music with most songs sung by Singh has become an instant hit after its release online through the trailers and promos.

Slated or release on 13 February, the film has been produced by Hakikat Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., co-directed by Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan and Jeetu Arora Insan with and music directed by Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan.

At the release function last month of the music, Singh who is head of Indian social-spiritual welfare organization Dera Sacha Sauda, had said that he would be using the earnings from the film for the betterment of the community. He will support a new research initiative for Thalassemia patients and also donate most of the proceeds towards research on HIV.

February 12, 2015
Weinstein Company acquires ‘The Eichmann Show’

MUMBAI: The Eichmann Show starring Martin Freeman (Hobbit, Sherlock) has been acquired by the Weinstein Company for the US.

Co-produced by India’s Sheetal Talwar (Vistaar Film Fund) with BBC and Laurence Bowen and Ken Marshall of Feelgood Fiction from the UK, the film directed by Paul Andrew Williams recounts the global transmission of the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the major organisers of the Holocaust, which was broadcast to over 37 countries.

Bowen felt that the extraordinary story of how the Eichmann trial came to be televised and shown around the world has never been told. “By allowing Holocaust survivors to share their stories with a huge viewing audience, it unblocked whole strata of shame and denial. It literally changed history. We believe the BBC, Vistaar and Goldfinch helped us put together a project we are all extremely proud of.”

The deal of the Weinsteins boarding the film was announced at the start of the 65th Berlin Film Festival’s market (EFM), and was struck by Content Media, the sales agency representing the film.

Vistaar Film Fund managing director Talwar said, “We are extremely thrilled to have someone like the Weinstein’s who understand quality cinema on board. It only bolsters our faith that good cinema will always find good partners.”

February 12, 2015
George Lucas is Hollywood’s richest movie mogul

MUMBAI: In the run up to the Academy Awards on 22 February, Wealth-X has released a list of the top 10 richest individuals in the American film industry. George Lucas tops the list with $5.4 billion as the wealthiest Hollywood tycoon.

Lucas is the director and producer of the Star Wars blockbuster films. His fortune of $5.4 billion is mostly derived from revenue from the Star Wars franchise and the sale of LucasFilm to Disney for $4 billion in 2012.

Unlike other directors and producers, Lucas, 70, banked on one film idea, directing only six feature films over the course of his career – four of which were Star Wars movies.

In contrast, Steven Spielberg – who ranks third on the Wealth-X list with an estimated fortune of $3.3 billion–has directed more than 30 feature films, including classics such as ET, Jaws and Jurassic Park.

All 10 individuals on the Wealth-X Hollywood Rich List are male film producers and directors. Collectively, they control more than $20 billion of personal wealth.

The complete list of the richest movie moguls in Hollywood is as follows:

1) George Lucas – $5.4 billion (Star Wars films)

2) Arnon Milchan – $5.2 billion (Pretty Woman, 12 Years A Slave)

3) Steven Spielberg – $3.3 billion (ET, Jaws)

4) Austin Hearst – $1.9 billion (The Vow)

5) Ryan Kavanaugh – $1 billion (The Social Network, Little Fockers)

6) Jeffrey Katzenberg – $910 million (The Lion King, Shrek)

7) Thomas Tull – $870 million (The Hangover, 300)

8) Jerry Bruckheimer – $850 million (Top Gun, Pirates of The Caribbean)

9) Steve Tisch – $720 million (Forrest Gump)

10) James Cameron – $670 million (Avatar, Titanic)

February 12, 2015
Sony files copyright infringement case against ‘Badmashiyaan’; Delhi HC restraints release

MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court today has put on hold the release of the Bollywood film Badmashiyaan on a plea filed by Multi Screen Media (MSM), which is the Indian subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Television, alleging copyright infringement by the movie’s producers.

Justice Indermeet Kaur has restrained the producers of the film from airing trailers of the movie, which according to MSM, is a copy of a Korean film titled Couples as well as its own production Mango, which is yet to be released.

The court, in its interim ex-parte order, also issued notice to VRG Motion Pictures, which has produced the film as well as Sidus FNH Corporation, the producer and copyright owner of the Korean film, and has sought their replies by 22 May, 2015.

MSM, in its petition has also sought damages of Rs 25 lakh from VRG for infringing its copyright. It has contended that rights to make a Hindi remake of Couples was obtained by co-producer Kaleidoscope Entertainment (KEPL) from Sidus FNH in March 2013. Thereafter, MSM and KEPL entered into a film production agreement, before commencement of production of the film, and “hence MSM is the first owner of copyright in and to the said film,” the petition claimed.

Mango, was produced in 2013-2014 while its trailers were exhibited in February-March 2014. In January this year MSM and KEPL had come across trailers of Badmashiyaan on YouTube and found that the movie was an adaptation of the Korean movie as well as that of Mango.

It was also alleged that the producer of Badmashiyaan copied the plot, treatment and screenplay of Couples as well as Mango. Badmashiyaan, starring Suzanna Mukherjee, Sharib Hashmi, Siddhant Gupta, Gunjan Malhotra and Karan Mehra, was slated for release on 27 February.

February 11, 2015
Jennifer Hudson to perform at the 87th Oscars

MUMBAI: Oscar and Grammy-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will be performing on the 87th Oscars.

“We’re creating several musical sequences for the Oscars and we couldn’t be happier that our friend, Jennifer Hudson, will be performing in one of them,” said show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Hudson won the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role for the 2006 film Dreamgirls. Her other acting credits include Sex and the City (2008), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Winnie Mandela (2013) and The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013).

Hudson’s self-titled debut album won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and was certified Gold, as was her second album, I Remember Me. This year she was nominated for Best R&B Performance for the song It’s Your World, from her 2014 album, JHUD.

The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will be held on 22 February.

February 11, 2015
Eros International inks deal with Thirrupathi Brothers

MUMBAI: Eros International Media has joined hands with N Lingusamy’s Thirrupathi Brothers Media. As part of the tie-up, Eros will release two of the most anticipated films in Tamil cinema with Telugu dub namely Kamal Haasan’s Uttama Villain and Shiva Karthikeyan’s Rajini Murugan.

Uttama Villain, the first of the two films under this deal, also starring Anushka Shetty is a comedy written by Haasan and directed by Ramesh Aravind. The trailer of the film released on Pongal 2015 and the release is slated for 2 April.

Rajini Murugan, is also a comedy, starring Sivakarthikeyan and directed by Ponram, whose last venture with the actor was the hit film Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam.

Eros International Media managing director Sunil Lulla said, “We are delighted to partner with ace director N. Lingusamy’s Thirrupathi Brothers on these exciting films with the legendary Kamal Haasan and upcoming talent like Sivakarthikeyan. The films will be high on the entertainment quotient and promise to connect with fans and audiences.”

Thirrupathi Brothers Film Media managing director Lingusamy added, “We are extremely proud to associate with Eros, the most powerful and successful name in contemporary Indian cinema to co-produce our prestigious Uttama Villain starring Kamal Hassan and Rajini Murugan starring the emerging popular hero of Tamil Cinema Sivakarthikeyan only to mark the beginning of a long and successful journey with Eros.”

February 10, 2015
Oscars unveils stellar line-up of presenters

MUMBAI: This year’s Oscars will see a stellar line-up of presenters.

From Josh Hutcherson, Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Saldana, Octavia Spencer, Marion Cotillard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto, Matthew McConaughey to Lupita Nyong’o, the who’s who of Hollywood will take to the stage to present various awards this year.

Cotillard, Cumberbatch, Streep, Winfrey and Witherspoon have all been nominated for the Oscars this year. Cotillard is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for Two Days, One Night. She previously won an Oscar in this category for La Vie en Rose (2007). On the other hand, Cumberbatch is nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for The Imitation Game.

Streep earned a record 19th acting nomination this year for her supporting role in Into the Woods. She previously took home Oscars for her lead performances in Sophie’s Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011), and her supporting performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). Streep’s previous Best Actress nominations were for The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), Silkwood (1983), Out of Africa (1985), Ironweed (1987), A Cry in the Dark (1988), Postcards from the Edge (1990), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), One True Thing (1998), Music of the Heart (1999), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Doubt (2008), Julie & Julia (2009) and August: Osage County (2013). She also received Best Supporting Actress nominations for The Deer Hunter (1978) and Adaptation (2002).

Winfrey is nominated for Best Picture as one of the producers of Selma. She was previously nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role for The Color Purple (1985). She received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2011.

Witherspoon is nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for Wild. She previously won an Oscar in this category for the 2005 movie Walk the Line.

Additionally, last year’s Oscar winners Blanchett, Leto, McConaughey and Nyong’o will also be seen presenting awards this year. “The great tradition of having the previous year’s Oscar-winning best actors and actresses in all four categories happily continues this year with the amazing quartet of Cate, Jared, Matthew and Lupita. We’re thrilled to have them back,” said show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Blanchett has been nominated for six Oscars and has won two, including last year’s award for Blue Jasmine. Her previous win was for Actress in a Supporting Role for the 2004 film The Aviator. Blanchett also received leading actress nominations for Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and supporting actress nominations for Notes on a Scandal (2006) and I’m Not There (2007).

Last year, Leto won the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role and McConaughey for Actor in a Leading Role, both for Dallas Buyer’s Club. Nyong’o took home the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role for 12 Years a Slave.

The Oscars will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and will be held on 22 February.

February 10, 2015
Anna Kendrick to perform at 87th Oscars

MUMBAI: Actress and singer Anna Kendrick will make a special appearance at the 87th Oscars. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will be held on 22 February.

“Out of the woods and on to the Oscar stage, Anna will be performing something special that is sure to be an “Only on the Oscars” moment,” said show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Kendrick was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role in the 2009 film Up in the Air. Her other film credits include Into the Woods (2014), Pitch Perfect (2012) and the Twilight film series. In 1998, at the age of 12, Kendrick was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for High Society. She will star in the films The Last Five Years, The Hollars and Pitch Perfect 2 later this year.

February 10, 2015
Sam Smith wins the ‘Record of the Year’ at Grammy Awards 2015

MUMBAI: Sam Smith dominated the 57^th Annual Grammy Awards, which was held on 8 February, 2015, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Smith swept the top honours for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album for his smash hit song Stay With Me.

Pharrell Williams beat Smith in the Best Pop Solo Performance category while Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament scored the Best Recording Package.

Beyoncé took back home the honour for the Best Surround Sound album and closed the night with a powerful performance of Take My Hand Precious Lord.

Kristen Wiigg gave an electrifying dance performance with Sia, while Smith performed to his hit song – Stay With Me with Mary J. Blige.

The complete list of Grammy Awards 2015 winners are as follows:

Record of the Year: Stay with Me (Darkchild Version), Sam Smith

Album of the Year: Morning Phase, Beck

Best New Artist: Sam Smith

Song of the Year: Stay with Me, Sam Smith, songwriters Sam Smith, James Napier & William Phillips

Best Pop Solo Performance: Happy, Pharrell Williams

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Say Something, A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera

Best Pop Vocal Album: In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith

Best Dance Recording: Rather Be, Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne

Best Dance/ Electronic Album: Syro, Aphex Twin

Best Country Album: Platinum, Miranda Lambert

Best R&B Performance: Drunk in Love, Beyonce and Jay Z

Best Rock Album: Morning Phase, Beck

Best Rock Song: Ain’t It Fun, Paramore, songwriters Hayley Williams and Taylor York

Best Rock Performance: Lazaretto, Jack White, songwriter Jack White

Best Music Video: Happy, Pharrell Williams

Best Alternative Music Album: St. Vincent, St. Vincent

Best Urban Contemporary Album: G I R L, Pharrell Williams

Best Country Song: I’m Not Gonna Miss You, Glen Campbell, songwriters Glen Campbell, Julian Raymond

Best Country Solo Performance: Something in the Water, Carrie Underwood

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: The Band Perry – Gentle On My Mind

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Cheek to Cheek, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

Best Spoken Word Album: Diary of a Mad Diva, Joan Rivers

Best Metal Performance: The Last in Line, Tenacious D

Best Rap Album: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2

Best Surround Sound Album: Beyoncé – Beyoncé

Best Musical Theatre Album: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

February 9, 2015