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GIVEAWAY – Win ROBOT & FRANK On DVD

A heartwarming story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places, ROBOT & FRANK debuts on DVD February 12th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The critically-acclaimed buddy caper about an elderly ex-jewel thief and his new caretaker robot features an all-star cast, including Academy Award® nominee Frank Langella, James Marsden (X-Men trilogy), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings trilogy), Jeremy Strong (Lincoln), Jeremy Sisto (TV’s “Suburgatory”), with Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon (Best Actress, Dead Man Walking, 1995). ROBOT & FRANK was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and is nominated for Best First Screenplay by the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Bonus features on the DVD include commentary with Director Jake Schreier and Writer Christopher Ford, along with a photo gallery of the Robot posters created for the film.

Pre-order ROBOT & FRANK:

http://www.amazon.com/Robot-Frank-Langella/dp/B00AENNHOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360276126&sr=8-1&keywords=frank+and+robot

WAMG and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment invite you to enter to win ROBOT & FRANK on DVD.

Send your full name to michelle@wearemoviegeeks.com along with the answer to the following question:

In 2008, actor Frank Langella saw a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for which film?

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES.

2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

Set in the near future, Frank, a retired cat burglar, has two grown kids who are concerned he can no longer live alone. They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frank’s son chooses a different option: against the old man’s wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and heartwarming story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places.

Directed by Jake Schreier from a screenplay by Christopher Ford, ROBOT & FRANK was produced by Galt Niederhoffer, Sam Bisbee, Lance Acord and Jackie Kelman Bisbee.

Bonus Features Include:

Commentary with Director Jake Schreier and Writer Christopher Ford
Robot Poster Campaign Gallery

ROBOT & FRANK has a run time of 89 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some language.

“Academy Award®” and “Oscar®” are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

LAIKA And Focus Features Reunite For THE BOXTROLLS – Voice Cast Includes Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Simon Pegg & Nick Frost

Marking their third project together, LAIKA and Focus Features, the two companies behind the current Academy Award-nominated animated feature ParaNorman, announced today that LAIKA has begun production on The Boxtrolls. The new movie will be released nationwide by Focus on October 17th, 2014. Focus CEO James Schamus and LAIKA President & CEO Travis Knight made the announcement today.

As on the previous animation collaborations ParaNorman and Coraline, Focus will hold worldwide distribution rights to The Boxtrolls, and Universal Pictures International will release the movie overseas (with eOne Distribution handling Canada). Coraline (2009) earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature Film; and was named one of the year’s 10 Best Films by the American Film Institute (AFI). In addition to its Academy Award nomination, ParaNorman (2012) is in the running for the BAFTA Awards’ animated feature prize. ParaNorman has won two Annie Awards (the animation community’s Oscars equivalent) and been cited as best animated feature film by 14 critics’ groups, more than any other 2012 animated feature.

The Boxtrolls is a 3D stop-motion and CG hybrid animated feature based on Alan Snow’s bestselling fantasy adventure novel Here Be Monsters. The Boxtrolls is being directed by Anthony Stacchi (co-director of the hit animated feature Open Season) and Graham Annable (story artist on Coraline and ParaNorman), and produced by David Ichioka and Mr. Knight.

The voice cast includes Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, Academy Award nominee Toni Collette, Elle Fanning (marking her fourth movie with Focus), Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Game of Thrones), Emmy Award nominee Jared Harris (Mad Men), Simon Pegg (Star Trek), Nick Frost (of Focus’ upcoming The World’s End), Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), and Tracy Morgan (30 Rock).

The Boxtrolls is a comedic fable that unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class, and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least, that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells.

The Boxtrolls have raised an orphaned human boy, Eggs (voiced by Mr. Hempstead-Wright), since infancy as one of their dumpster-diving and mechanical junk-collecting own. When the Boxtrolls are targeted by villainous pest exterminator Archibald Snatcher (Mr. Kingsley), who is bent on eradicating them as his ticket to Cheesebridge society, the kindhearted band of tinkerers must turn to their adopted charge and adventurous rich girl Winnie (Ms. Fanning) to bridge two worlds amidst the winds of change – and cheese.

Mr. Knight said, “The Boxtrolls is a visually dazzling mash-up of gripping detective story, absurdist comedy, and steampunk adventure with a surprisingly wholesome heart. It’s Dickens by way of Monty Python. Tony and Graham have crafted a strange and beautiful world replete with fantastical creatures, good-for-nothing reprobates, madcap antics, and rip-roaring feats of derring-do. But at its core, like all LAIKA films, The Boxtrolls is a moving and human story with timelessness and powerful emotional resonance. We’re thrilled to partner with Focus Features and Universal to bring this remarkable story to family audiences around the world.”

Mr. Schamus commented, “Following our successful collaborations on ParaNorman and Coraline, we are delighted to be embarking on a third wondrous adventure with the LAIKA artisans who transform everyday materials into living creatures infused with dimension, humor, and soul. With a wonderfully appealing menagerie of fun characters, and a generous, open heart at its center, The Boxtrolls will be a must-see for family audiences.”

Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt And Daniel Radcliffe To Make Special Appearances On The Oscars

The Oscars will feature special appearances by Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Daniel Radcliffe at the upcoming Awards ceremony.

“We are quite excited to have Charlize, Chan, Joe and Dan join us on the show,” said telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “We are happy to feature them as special guests in our production.”

This will be Gordon-Levitt, Radcliffe and Tatum’s first time appearing on the Oscar show.

Theron won an Oscar for her leading role in “Monster” and received her second nomination for her leading role in “North Country” (2005). Theron starred in 2012’s “Prometheus” and “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

Tatum, who starred in five films of 2012, including “Magic Mike,” “21 Jump Street” and “The Vow,” will next be seen in “Side Effects,” due out this week, and “White House Down,” due out this Summer.

Gordon-Levitt had a very busy year, with roles in “Dark Knight Rises,” “Looper” and the Best Picture nominee “Lincoln.” He most recently starred in “Don Jon’s Addiction,” which he also wrote and directed, and which premiered at Sundance last month.

Radcliffe starred as the title character in the “Harry Potter” series, which is the highest grossing film series of all time. In 2012 he starred in “The Woman in Black,” and this year will be seen in “Kill Your Darlings,” “Horns” and “The F Word.”

Theron, Tatum, Gordon-Levitt and Radcliffe join a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters including “The Avengers” cast members Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo; returning 2011 Oscar winners Jean Dujardin, Christopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer and Meryl Streep; co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Ted; and, musical performers including Adele, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand.

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide. For more information go to Oscar.com or download the official Oscars app.

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Charlize Theron To Star And Produce Film Adaptation Of Gillian Flynn’s Novel DARK PLACES

Academy Award winning actress Charlize Theron (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMEN, PROMETHEUS, MONSTER) will star in and produce the film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel Dark Places to be written and directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner (SARAH’S KEY), it was announced today by Exclusive Media’s Co-Chairmen Nigel Sinclair and Guy East.

Exclusive Media’s Guy East and Nigel Sinclair will produce and fully finance the film alongside Theron’s production company Denver and Delilah Productions with partners Beth Kono and AJ Dix; Stephane Marsil’s Hugo Productions and Mandalay Vision’s Matthew Rhodes. Tobin Armbrust and Alex Brunner of Exclusive Media will executive produce with Peter Safran, and Mandalay’s Cathy Schulman will also produce in some capacity.

Stephane Marsil has developed and produced all of Gilles Paquet-Brenner’s films starting with 2001’s PRETTY THINGS which garnered star Marion Cotillard a César nomination. When Gilles brought Gillian’s book to Stephane, he immediately optioned it and engaged Gilles to develop his first English language American film.

Charlize Theron will play Libby Day, a woman who, at the age of 7, survives the massacre of her family and testifies against her brother as the murderer. Twenty-five years later, a group obsessed with solving notorious crimes confronts her with questions about the horrific event.

Tobin Armbrust, President Worldwide Production and Acquisitions, will oversee the production for Exclusive Media.

Alex Walton, Exclusive Media’s President of International, will introduce DARK PLACES to overseas buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Charlize, Mandalay Vision, Stephane, and Gilles to bring this riveting thriller based on Gillian’s best-selling book to a worldwide movie audience. Devoted fans of her book will be delighted to learn that the screen adaptation is coming from such a stellar team of creative filmmakers,” said Nigel Sinclair and Guy East.

“I have been working with Gilles for more than ten years now and am very proud of the films we’ve produced, and especially the recent worldwide success of SARAH’S KEY. Having developed Dark Places for the past few years as Gilles’ first American film, it is truly gratifying to be working with such fantastic partners in Denver & Delilah, Exclusive Media, and Mandalay Vision,” said producer Stephane Marsil of Hugo Productions.

Mandalay’s Matthew Rhodes & Cathy Schulman said “We knew after our first meeting with Stephane and Gilles that DARK PLACES would shape up to be a truly special project. Exclusive is a terrific partner, and we’re thrilled they’ve come on board to support Gilles and our stellar creative team in bringing this gripping story to the big screen.”

Charlize Theron won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in MONSTER in 2003. She received further Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her performance in NORTH COUNTRY in 2005, and a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in YOUNG ADULT in 2011. Theron was last seen in the summer box office hits SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN and PROMETHEUS. She will be seen next in George Miller’s MAD MAX: FURY ROAD opposite Tom Hardy.

YOUNG ADULT

Dark Places was published in 2009 and was listed on the New York Times Best Seller List for more than 25 weeks. The book was also shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and won the Dark Scribe Magazine Black Quill Award for Dark Genre Novel of the Year. Gillian Flynn is one of today’s leading suspense writers with her current novel, Gone Girl, spending eight weeks at No. 1 on the hardcover fiction best-seller list of The New York Times. Gone Girl has sold more than two million copies in print and digital formats.

Gilles Paquet-Brenner’s first feature was PRETTY THINGS which garnered star Marion Cotillard a César nomination. He wrote and directed SARAH’S KEY, starring Kristin Scott Thomas, which became the high est-grossing foreign-language release of 2011.

Chris Lytton, COO Film Group, negotiated the production deal on behalf of Exclusive Media with Mandalay Vision President, Matthew Rhodes and Mandalay’s counsel David Boyle . The project was brought into the mini studio by Alex Brunner, Exclusive Media’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

Charlize Theron is repped by WME. Gilles Paquet-Brenner is repped by WME, Independent Talent Group and Tom Drumm from Think Tank Management.

THE MONK Official Trailer and Poster

Watch the corruption of a 16th Century, pious Capuchin Monk as he is led down a dangerous path of sin in THE MONK, the supernatural thriller adapted from Matthew G. Lewis’ classic cult novel.

Raised in a monastery, Brother Ambrosio (Vincent Cassel) grows up into a preacher admired for his fervor and feared for his righteousness, until arrival of a mysterious apprentice undermines his convictions with dark consequences. Get a look at the film by checking out the official trailer and poster now.

A supernatural thriller adapted from Matthew G. Lewis’ (now cult) 1796 gothic novel, THE MONK traces the corruption of a 16th Century, pious Capuchin Monk.

Abandoned at birth at the gates of a Capuchin monastery in Madrid, Brother Ambrosio (Vincent Cassel), raised by the friars, grows up into a preacher admired far and wide for his fervor. Ambrosio is feared for his righteousness and believes he is immune from temptation – until the arrival of a mysterious apprentice undermines his convictions and leads him down a dangerous path of sin, corruption and murder.

Based on THE MONK by Matthew G. Lewis.

Starring Vincent Cassel (BLACK SWAN, MESRIN: KILLER INSTINCT), and directed by Dominik Moll, THE MONK will be in select theaters, On Demand, and available for download starting Friday, March 8th.

The film is in French with English subtitles.

THE AVENGERS Cast – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner And Mark Ruffalo – To Present On Oscar Show

“Marvel’s The Avengers” cast mates Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo will present together on the Oscar stage, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

“We are happy to re-unite the ‘Avengers’ cast to present on our show,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “Audiences who enjoyed the year’s biggest box office hit will be excited to see these terrific actors back together again.”

Downey has twice been nominated for an Oscar, for his leading role in “Chaplin” (1992) and for his supporting role in “Tropic Thunder” (2008).

Evans, who will be making his first Oscar show appearance, will be seen in the upcoming “The Iceman.”

Jackson was nominated in 1994 for his supporting role in “Pulp Fiction.” He can also be seen in this year’s Best Picture nominee “Django Unchained.”

Renner was nominated for his leading role in 2009 Best Picture winner “The Hurt Locker” and for his supporting role in “The Town” (2010). Renner had roles in this year’s “The Bourne Legacy” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” (2011).

Ruffalo received his first nomination for his supporting role in 2010 Best Picture nominee “The Kids Are All Right.”

Oscars® for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

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SHAMEAGGEDON! Elizabeth Banks Stops Traffic In WALK OF SHAME

Photo credit: Jaimie Trueblood

This weekend Hollywood was responsible for Los Angeles’ recent major road closure as the production of WALK OF SHAME stopped traffic – literally! – inspiring the term Shameaggedon. The comedy, starring Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden and Gillian Jacobs, currently in production in Los Angeles closed the roads due to filming – taking over the 710 Freeway from the 10 Freeway to the Valley Boulevard exit. The road closures lasted over six hours both Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3.

Written & directed by Steve Brill (WITHOUT A PADDLE, MR. DEEDS), WALK OF SHAME stars Banks as an aspiring reporter whose dreams of becoming a network news anchor are compromised after a one-night stand with a handsome stranger (played by Marsden) leaves her stranded in downtown Los Angeles without a phone, car, ID or money – and only 8 hours to make it to the most important job interview of her life.

Saturday and Sunday (also known as Super Bowl Sunday) traffic on the 10 was diverted to other exits such as Fremont and Eastern, while traffic heading north on the 710 Freeway was diverted onto the 10 East and West to Fremont or Eastern.

WALK OF SHAME, which commenced principal photography in January, will wrap next month and is projected to hit theatres some time early next year. Produced by Lakeshore Entertainment and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, the film’s cast has been rounded out by an impressive group of comedic talent including Bill Burr, Liz Carey, Ken Davitian, Willie Garson, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Oliver Hudson, Alphonso McAuley, Kevin Nealon, Tig Notaro, Ethan Suplee and Sarah Wright. This group joins the previously announced actors Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden and Gillian Jacobs. The film is being distributed through FilmDistrict.

AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS – The Sundance Review

Imagine if Terrence Malick’s 1973 classic Badlands ended not with Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek’s characters executed and imprisoned, respectively, but instead with him imprisoned and her not only walking free but pregnant with his child. That’s basically the starting point for Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, the first feature from longtime shorts director David Lowery, which premiered at this year’s Sundance. And the Malick comparison isn’t made just because of the overlapping subject matter – Lowery clearly takes visual cues from the master. This is a gorgeous-looking, accomplished debut.

Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck play Ruth and Bob, a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style duo of criminals/lovers. When they’re cornered by the law, Ruth shoots an officer, and Bob takes all the blame in order to protect her. He goes to jail, while she walks free. Five years later, Ruth is living a quiet life with their daughter, but their peace is threatened, both by Bob breaking out and by the romantic advances of Patrick (Ben Foster), the police officer whom Ruth shot. Bob sets out for a reunion with old enemies on his trail, while Ruth must figure out what she’s going to do when he comes for her.

Although the movie is bookended with some gruesome violence, it’s much more about trying to live life than it is about crime or even romance. All of the characters are trying to lead normal existences, in spite of past traumas both inflicted and suffered. It’s not just Ruth and Bob who are on such a journey, either. There’s “Sweetie” (Nate Parker) an old accomplice of Bob’s who now runs a bar, and endangers his new livelihood by helping Bob out. There’s Skerritt (Keith Carradine), Bob’s father, who wants more than anything else to keep the peace and protect his granddaughter, and is even willing to sacrifice Bob to do it. Even though Patrick doesn’t know that Ruth is the one who shot him, she’s still linked to his near-death, and yet he’s attracted to her anyway.

The actors are one half of what holds this movie together. Everyone is terrifically understated yet highly emotional at the same time. Mara finally demonstrates why she’s one of the new “it” girls in the industry (I saw nothing particularly special about her Girl with the Dragon Tattoo performance), while Affleck does his best work since The Killer Inside Me. Carradine is typically great, holding years’ worth of weariness in his eyes convincingly. Foster, though, might be the most interesting actor in the film. The dissonance in his growing love for Ruth and her daughter generates a sympathetic turmoil inside him. He’s a fundamentally decent and likable man.

The other half of what makes Ain’t Them Bodies Saints great is the cinematography. Bradford Young, the man behind the camera for some of the best-looking low budget films of the past few years, is the one responsible. Again, it’s Malick-esque. Every scene looks like it was shot at magic hour, with gentle, naturalistic light filling up each frame. The world of low-income, mid-century Texas feels real and lived-in.

The movie does such a good job of creating a gentle atmosphere that the fact that it culminates in a violent climax is actually a disappointment. When gunshots are flying back and forth, it feels like a betrayal of the tone that’s been established. While it does tie into the theme that some past actions have inescapable consequences, the film tries to use the violence to generate excitement, which doesn’t feel appropriate at all. But that’s a hiccup at the end of a mostly smooth run. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints is a very good movie, one that makes me excited to see what David Lowery does next.

Grindstone Entertainment Acquires North American Rights To ONCE UPON A TIME IN BROOKLYN

It was announced today that Grindstone Entertainment has acquired North American rights in all media to the gritty thriller ONCE UPON A TIME IN BROOKLYN (formally titled GOAT) and will be released by Lionsgate Home Entertainment. In a separate deal, International rights have been acquired by Los Angeles-basedsales company, Recreation, helmed by founder and president Ariel Veneziano.

Produced by William DeMeo, Paul Borghese and newcomer Robyn K Bennett, written by DeMeo and Borghese who also directs the movie, ONCE UPON A TIME IN BROOKLYN stars Golden Globe nominated and Emmy Award winning actor Armand Assante (AMERICAN GANGSTER, HBO’s Gotti), Ice-T (NEW JACK CITY), Vincent Pastore (GOODFELLAS), Ja Rule (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS), William DeMeo (THE SOPRANOS), Cathy Moriaty (RAGING BULL) and Paul Borghese (TRANSAMERICA).

The film tells the story of Bobby Baldano, who after serving several prison sentences, is finally out. Although desperate to honor his family who want him to give up his life of crime and continue the family business, Bobby feels most at home being back on the mean streets. Feeling pressure from his crew to return to his old ways, Bobby must choose where his loyalties lie. But no matter what he chooses, he will have to face the truth he has always known, but was too afraid to face.

Ronna Wallace of Eastgate Pictures negotiated the deals for both Recreation and Grindstone on behalf of the producers. Stan Wertlieb negotiated on behalf of Grindstone and Veneziano for Recreation.

“Following right in the footsteps of THE GODFATHER films, this hard-hitting thriller about the Brooklyn mob is sure to keep audiences around the globe on edge” said Ariel Veneziano.

Stan Wertlieb, Partner and Head of Acquisitions of Grindstone Entertainment Group added ”If you loved the drama and grit of the The Sopranos, fans of the genre will appreciate William DeMeo’s powerful performance of this hard edged Brooklyn tale.”

Veteran filmmaker Paul Borghese brings over 20 years of experience working in the film and television industry. Borghese and William DeMeo collaborated on the film SEARCHING FOR BOBBY D, which starred Carmen Electra, Sandra Bernhardt and Tyson Beckford. The film screened at countless film festivals internationally before being picked for by Monarch Entertainment. As an actor he has appeared in films such as TRANSAMERICA, LITTLE MANHATTAN, FIND ME GUILTY, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY D and JULIE AND JULIA. His television acting credits include HBO’s Emmy-Award winning 61*, Without A Trace, the ABC mini-series Witness To The Mob, The Sopranos, Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU and Third Watch.

William DeMeo wrote, directed and produced the feature film WANNABES which was distributed by Artisan Entertainment after screening at the New York Independent Film Festival in 2002 where DeMeo won Best Actor and Best Director. DeMeo acting credits include ANALYZE THAT, HACKERS and Blue Bloods, The Sopranos and New York Undercover.

Recreation also adds two new feature film titles to its international slate for EFM: Russian-American director Victor Ginzbur’s GENERATION P based on Viktor Pelevin’s best-selling cult novel and Rashaad Ernesto Green’s debut feature film GUN HILL ROAD.

GENERATION P is Victor Ginzburg‘s feature film directorial debut and received the East of West Special Mention Award at the 2011 Karlovy Vary Film Festival and was in official selection at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival and the New Directors/New Films festival. Produced by Stanislav Ershov (WIND MAN), Jim Steele (THE ARRIVAL) and Ginzburg and starring Vladimir Epifantsev (Nika award winning HOME), Nika award winning actor Mikhail Efremov (Granitsa. Tayozhnyy roman), and Oleg Taktarov (PREDATORS, WE OWN THE NIGHT), the film chronicles the rise of the advertising industry in Post-Soviet Russia, through the eyes of a disillusioned poet-turned-copywriter, who finds himself embroiled in a vastquasi-governmental propaganda and terror operation.

GUN HILL ROAD, starring Esai Morales (Jericho, 24, NYPDBlue), Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (The Wire) and newcomer Harmony Santana, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival where it was in Official Competition. Nominated for a number of awards including an Independent Spirit Award, a GLAAD Media Award and a Gotham Award, and produced by Ron Simons and Michelle-Anne M. Small, the film follows an ex-con who returns to his Bronx neighborhood to attempt to reconcile with his unfaithful wife and cope with his teenage son’s evolving sexual transformation.

Other titles Recreation is selling at Berlin include two-time Oscar nominee Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed RED HOOK SUMMER; the mythological fantasy JASON AND THE NECRONAUTS starring Casper Van Dien and directed by visual special effects veteran Kevin Vanhook (I, ROBOT, I AM NUMBER FOUR); terror tale DARK FEED written and directed by the Rasmussen brothers (writers of John Carpenter’s THE WARD); and RennyHarlin’s (THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, DIE HARD 2) devastating war drama 5 DAYS OF AUGUST starring Andy Garcia, Val Kilmer, Rupert Friend, Heather Graham and Entourage’s Emmanuele Chriqui and based on true events surrounding the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Mariah Carey Records “Almost Home” For Disney’s OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Disney announced today that multiple GRAMMY® Award–winning superstar Mariah Carey has recorded the song, “Almost Home,” for OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, the studio’s highly anticipated fantastical adventure, directed by Sam Raimi, releasing in theaters nationwide on March 8, 2013.

“Almost Home” will be released as a single by Carey’s label, Island Def Jam, on February 19, 2013. Award-winning photographer/director David LaChapelle will direct Carey in the music video for “Almost Home.” The two long-time collaborators are reuniting in what LaChapelle describes as “a duet between Mariah and the movie.” LaChapelle photographed Carey previously for album covers, and directed her in the music video “Loverboy.” Disney, Carey and Island Def Jam plan to launch a promotional campaign to support the single, the video and the film.

“‘Almost Home’ has a message that works beautifully with the film,” Mariah Carey says of the song she co-wrote and co-produced for “Oz The Great and Powerful.” “It’s a feel-good record, evoking the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love.”

Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and eighteen Billboard #1 singles (seventeen self-penned). With her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Carey has defined the modern pop performance. As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been recognized with five GRAMMY® Awards, nine American Music Awards, Billboard’s Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World’s Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium and BMI’s Icon Award for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few. Carey is currently working on her new studio album to be released this spring.

“Almost Home” is performed by Mariah Carey, produced by Mariah Carey and Stargate for 45th & 3rd Music LLC, written by Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen and Mariah Carey. Courtesy of Island Def Jam Music Group/Universal Music Group.

Disney’s fantastical adventure OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Josh Donen and Philip Steuer are serving as executive producers. OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.

Visit the website: http://www.disney.com/ozthegreat

“Like” OZ THE GREAT & POWERFUL on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ozthegreatandpowerful

“Follow” OZ THE GREAT & POWERFUL on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyozmovie

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