ITV

Tag: Christmas

  • Keanu Reeves plays a samurai in ‘Ronin 47’

    Keanu Reeves plays a samurai in ‘Ronin 47’

    MUMBAI: The movie by Universal will have Reeves playing a Japanese warrior. Four posters for the movie have been released showing the samurai with a sword. The movie is due to be released on Christmas this year.

     

    Based on a true account of the 47 Ronin, the film directed by Carl Rinsch, will have fantastical elements like sorcery and witchcraft. The posters that are out are labelled as ‘outcast, warrior, freak and witch’.

     

    Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine), Kou Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano (Thor) and Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim) also star in the flick

     

  • New dates of Rome fest announced

    New dates of Rome fest announced

    MUMBAI: The International Rome Film Festival‘s board has officially approved a plan to shift the 7-year-old festival‘s dates to November. Accordingly, the festival that was to be held from 27 October to 4 November will now be held from 9 to 17 November.

    With the announcement of the new dates, the Rome festival has avoided a direct conflict with the 30-year-old Turin Film Festival that will take place from 23 November to 1 December.

    The organisers of the Rome festival believe that by changing its dates to November, the festival‘s The Business Street market event will gain stronger footing as a halfway point between the big markets at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and the Berlin International Film Festival in February. They are also in a hope that with a late-in-the-year date the festival might serve as a new springboard for winter releases either vying for Oscar eligibility or the Christmas time box office.

    The Rome festival board also approved the festival‘s budget that is expected to be $14.3 million, lower than in previous editions of the festival but in the same range as more established festivals including the rival Venice Film Festival.

  • Christmas shopping to be busier than last year in the UK: Synovate

    Christmas shopping to be busier than last year in the UK: Synovate

    MUMBAI: The latest footfall figures released by Synovate for the full week commencing 4 December 2011, show that shopper numbers across the UK were 2.7 per cent down on the same week last year, but 2.4 per cent stronger than the week before.

    Synovate Retail Performance director Tim Denison said, “After a busy start to the Christmas campaign at the end of November, last week‘s figures will be a slight setback for retailers. We would normally expect to see footfall swell by about six per cent over the previous week at this stage of the run up to Christmas, so growth of 2.4 per cent last week is disappointing. However, the week before was a strong one, boosted by striking public sector workers who took the opportunity to Christmas shop, so figures over the fortnight are still ahead of last year, by 2.9 per cent.”

    Looking at the regional splits for last week, the hurricane force gales certainly hit retail footfall hard in Scotland and Northern Ireland. There, shopper numbers for the week were 15.4 per cent down on the previous year; people clearly heeding the ‘stay at home‘ advise. The brightest part of the country for 4 December was London and South East England, where shopper numbers were nine per cent higher than the same week of last year and 6.9 per cent busier than the previous week.

    “It strikes me that after such a hard year, people are determined to make the most of Christmas 2011. That doesn‘t mean they are indulging on the carefree credit spending sprees seen only a few years ago. Instead shoppers are putting a lot of extra effort in to make it a special Christmas without spending beyond their means. Everything is shaping up for 2011 to be a Christmas of ‘responsible shopping‘. With a fortnight still to go, and Christmas Eve falling on a Saturday this year, the month shaping up to be a solid one for retailing.” adds Denison.

  • Fans pay tribute to MJ at auction

    Fans pay tribute to MJ at auction

    MUMBAI: Scores of Michael Jackson fans left behind tributes to the departed entertainer at an auction of items from the singer‘s home, where he breathed his last died in 2009.

    “This means a lot because we don‘t have a place to go [to leave things for the family],” said Christine Tucker, a spokeswoman for the Official Michael Jackson Fans of Southern California is reported to have said.

    It also encouraged fans to leave pictures, flowers and other handmade trinkets that will be delivered to the Jackson family.

    About 25 members of the fan club spent the weekend making handmade Christmas ornaments for the tribute.

    On Sunday, Julien‘s Auctions invited fans to preview its exhibit of the home‘s art and furnishings before it opens to the public. The latest auction will be held coming Saturday.

  • BBC Worldwide prepares for Brand Licensing Europe

    BBC Worldwide prepares for Brand Licensing Europe

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide is heading to Brand Licensing Europe next month with a portfolio of brands launching to the licensing community for the first time and returning shows.

    BBC Worldwide will also showcase products hitting the high street this Christmas.

    BBC Worldwide head of UK Licensing Richard Hollis says, “We’ve been a key part of BLE since its inception and this year we’re raring to go with a raft of new properties set for success. Some of the licensing programmes we’re looking to kick-start are well-established brands calling out for licensing treatment, others are fresh on the scene and we think have huge potential. And no BBC Worldwide stand would be complete without the return of the jewels in our portfolio – from Doctor Who through to In the Night Garden and Top Gear.”

    64 Zoo Lane is about a seven year-old girl named Lucy who lives at 64 Zoo Lane, next door to a Zoo. Each night she is told a story by the animals present there. Characters include Georgina the Giraffe, Nelson the Elephant, Tickles and Giggles the Monkeys, Boris the Bear and Molly the Hippopotamus.

    The Adventures of Abney & Teal is an animation show with a literary feel made entirely from hand-drawn and painted elements, with a contemporary yet handcrafted feel.

    Abney and Teal are two friends who live on an island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of a park, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the big city. They share their island home with a group of friendly and hilarious characters. And together they are always ready for adventure.

    The Adventures of Abney & Teal debuts on the children’s channel CBeebies on 26 September. BBC Worldwide will shortly be making announcements about the licensing plans for this new property.

    Baby Jake, meanwhile, is a cuddly and curious baby boy of 11 months who loves nothing more than being the centre of attention with his siblings. That’s when he’s not travelling to incredible lands, playing with amazing creatures and gurgling and goo-ing with his big brother Isaac. Heroic Jake has a life full of adventure and surprise in this pre-school series for two to five-year-olds.

    Baby Jake debuted on CBeebies earlier this year. Vivid is confirmed as the master toy licence for the property, Egmont will publish books and 2|entertain will release DVDs.

    Deadly 60 is a factual programme featuring wildlife presenter Steve Backshall’s quest to track down the world’s deadliest animals. In each series, he discovers 60 of the world’s deadliest species out in the wild.

    Deadly 60 brings the audience into the heart of the action, and brings a real sense of adventure and discovery to each sequence as Steve brings us close encounters with killers including tarantulas, sharks and vipers. Some use their weapons for defence, and some for attack, but whatever their size, these animals are truly deadly.

    BBC Worldwide has a full licensing programme under way for Deadly 60 and will make further announcements at the show.

    Doctor Who returns with the Doctor alongside newlyweds Amy and Rory, in a new season. Over 80 licensees have been appointed with new ranges for this year including construction toys, science toys, a powered ride-in Dalek, collector sculptures and wide ranges of new clothing designs for both adult fans and children. Over 3 million DVDs and 8 million action figures have sold to date and in November 2013 Doctor Who will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

  • ‘Open Season’ comes to your home this new year

    ‘Open Season’ comes to your home this new year

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment played Santa Clause to kids during the recent festive season. The exciting and fun-filled ‘Open Season’, the first animation film from the Sony Pictures stable, is now available in VCD format. The VCD will be sold across the country in an attractive gift pack.

    An ‘Open Season School Essentials kit’ will be given out free with every VCD of this fun, animated movie. The inside of the VCD jacket will have an exciting Boog & Elliot board game, which is based on the storyline of ‘Open Season’, where Boog, the bear is lost in the forest and he has to find his way back home, overcoming the hurdles that come in his way. This VCD will serve as the ideal gift from parents to their children irrespective of the occasion.

    To coincide with the release of this VCD, a contest was run which asked kids to match character names to the picture of the character. Lucky winners got to win cool Open Season Christmas gifts.

    Says Mr. Anupam Sengupta, Marketing Manager, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, India, “India is the first country in which this movie is being offered in VCD format & we are delighted to be distributing it this season. With this offering, we hope to able to help parents with their quandary of the right gift to give their kids this festive season. It will be a delight for the kids to receive especially since it comes with a school kit as well as a board game. Kids will just love showing off the kit at school.”

    Protecting wildlife and nature is probably the finest way to demonstrate love and concern for our threatened planet. Boog and Elliot reinforce this key message amongst kids and parents, after all “Open Season” is all about ‘conservation and not allowing man to abuse wildlife’.

  • Celebrate Christmas with the Magic of Star Movies!!!

    Celebrate Christmas with the Magic of Star Movies!!!

    MUMBAI: Come December and Star Movies takes you through a joyous and action-packed ride! For the first time on Indian television, Star Movies presents Star Wars: The Complete Saga featuring all six titles for six spectacular weeks every Sunday night from December 17th onwards! Celebrate Christmas with a special line-up of movies that truly reflect the spirit of the festival of joy, taking viewers through all the festivities with the best movies from Hollywood! And of course from Friday Night Premiere of the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the exclusive limited series presenting action-packed drama and mind-blowing adventure, it is all happening on Star Movies. So, get hooked to your television sets and celebrate festivities this December with the magic of movies!

     

    The all-time favourite science fantasy saga Star Wars airs exclusively on Star Movies this month! Every Sunday at 9 p.m. from December 17 to January 21st, Star Wars: The Complete Saga features all six titles in the US$3.5 billion franchise airing in sequence for the first time on Indian television. Kicking off the Star Wars mania will be The Phantom Menace on December 17th and The Attack of the Clones on December 24th. And that’s not all, catch the exclusive premiere of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith on December 31st only on Star Movies!

     

    On Christmas day, Star Movies presents a special line-up of movies including 12 Dogs of Christmas, The Grinch, Crazy for Christmas, Noel and Surviving Christmas that are sure to make you believe in miracles, be thankful and forgiving and just be joyous this holiday season!

     

    This month, Star Movies also presents the exclusive limited series -Covert One: The Hades Factor and Ring Of The Nibelungs. On December 2nd & 3rd at 9 p.m. make sure you catch Covert One: The Hades Factor, a thrilling action packed drama that pits the law enforcement agencies against the threat of biological warfare. The series quite accurately depicts the global crisis facing today’s world. Ring Of The Nibelungs, which will air on December 9th and 10th at 9 p.m. is a mind-blowing adventure based on the Germanic myth “Das Nibelungenlied” and the Nordic “Volsunga Saga” which also inspired the four-opera cycle by Richard Wagner and J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic “The Lord of the Rings”.

     

    Every Friday night this month, Star Movies premieres the latest Hollywood blockbusters starring superstars Mike Myers, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Alec Baldwin, Robin Williams, Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry and Mel Brooks. Tune-in to watch the exclusive premieres of Fantastic Four, Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat, Dungeons and Dragons 2, Robots, and Spymate every Friday night.

     

    And if that’s not enough … catch an exclusive sneak peek into the soon-to-release Hollywood movie, Eragon on December 10th as Opening Night gives you an up-close and intimate view before the release.

     

    So this December tune in to Star Movies and catch all the fun, action, excitement and adventure, all through the month.

  • Celebrate Christmas with the magic of Star Movies

    Celebrate Christmas with the magic of Star Movies

    Mumbai, November 30, 2006: Come December and Star Movies takes you through a joyous and action-packed ride! For the first time on Indian television, Star Movies presents Star Wars: The Complete Saga featuring all six titles for six spectacular weeks every Sunday night from December 17th onwards!

    Celebrate Christmas with a special line-up of movies that truly reflect the spirit of the festival of joy, taking viewers through all the festivities with the best movies from Hollywood! And of course from Friday Night Premiere of the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the exclusive limited series presenting action-packed drama and mind-blowing adventure, it is all happening on Star Movies. So, get hooked to your television sets and celebrate festivities this December with the magic of movies!

    The all-time favourite science fantasy saga Star Wars airs exclusively on Star Movies this month! Every Sunday at 9 p.m. from December 17 to January 21st, Star Wars: The Complete Saga features all six titles in the US$3.5 billion franchise airing in sequence for the first time on Indian television. Kicking off the Star Wars mania will be The Phantom Menace on December 17th and The Attack of the Clones on December 24th. And that’s not all, catch the exclusive premiere of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith on December 31st only on Star Movies!

    On Christmas day, Star Movies presents a special line-up of movies including 12 Dogs of Christmas, The Grinch, Crazy for Christmas, Noel and Surviving Christmas that are sure to make you believe in miracles, be thankful and forgiving and just be joyous this holiday season!

    This month, Star Movies also presents the exclusive limited series – Covert One: The Hades Factor and Ring Of The Nibelungs. On December 2nd & 3rd at 9 p.m. make sure you catch Covert One: The Hades Factor, a thrilling action packed drama that pits the law enforcement agencies against the threat of biological warfare. The series quite accurately depicts the global crisis facing today’s world. Ring Of The Nibelungs, which will air on December 9th and 10th at 9 p.m. is a mind-blowing adventure based on the Germanic myth “Das Nibelungenlied” and the Nordic “Volsunga Saga” which also inspired the four-opera cycle by Richard Wagner and J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic “The Lord of the Rings”.

    Every Friday night this month, Star Movies premieres the latest Hollywood blockbusters starring superstars Mike Myers, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Alec Baldwin, Robin Williams, Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry and Mel Brooks. Tune-in to watch the exclusive premieres of Fantastic Four, Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat, Dungeons and Dragons 2, Robots, and Spymate every Friday night.

    And if that’s not enough … catch an exclusive sneak peek into the soon-to-release Hollywood movie, Eragon on December 10th as Opening Night gives you an up-close and intimate view before the release.

    So this December tune in to Star Movies and catch all the fun, action, excitement and adventure, all through the month.

    About Star
    STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 50 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world’s largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com

    For further information please contact:
    In Mumbai
    Zeenat Khan
    Asst. Vice President – Publicity
    STAR (India) Ltd
    Tel No. 91-22-28523880

    Shiraz Bhavnani / Aditi Chada
    Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
    Tel: 91-22-6656 8787
    Fax: 91-22-6656 8788
    Email:sbhavnani@vccpl.com / achada@vccpl.com