Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

• Image Gallery: Lucky One
• Press Release: Jameson Empire Awards 2012 Winners
• Press Release: Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Rights to ‘A Bird of the Air’
• Press Release: New York International Children’s Film Festival Winners Announced
• Press Release: ‘The Occult’ Begins Filming
• Press Release: ‘Jewtopia’ Opens Newport Beach Film Festival
• Press Release: Sony Pictures Acquires ‘White House Down’
• Press Release: 42 West Summer Preview

Image Gallery: Lucky One

Lucky One

Press Release: Jameson Empire Awards 2012 Winners

AN OUTSTANDING YEAR FOR BRITISH FILM

GARY OLDMAN WINS BEST ACTOR AWARD AS TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY DOMINATES HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2 SCOOPS BEST FILM AND BEST DIRECTOR THE INBETWEENERS WINS BEST COMEDY

Stars of the film world gathered on Sunday 25th March to celebrate the Jameson Empire Awards 2012 and to witness what has been an outstanding success for British film and British acting talent.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy dominated the awards, winning Best Thriller, Best British Film and Best Actor for Gary Oldman; closely followed by Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 which was awarded Best Director for David Yates and Best Film. The night also saw Kenneth Branagh’s Thor win Best Sci-Fi,Ben Palmer’s The Inbetweeners win Best Comedy and Ben Wheatley’s Kill List win Best Horror.
Further to Gary Oldman’s deserving win, British actors continued to lead the awards with Olivia Colman winning Best Actress for her role in Paddy Considine’s Tyrannosaur, Michael Fassbender won the Empire Hero award and two of Britain’s rising stars won Best Newcomer – Tom Hiddleston for Thor and Felicity Jones for Like Crazy. Tim Burton was honoured with the Empire Legend award.
Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn shook off competition from Hugo, Harry Potter, Transformers and Thor to win The Art of 3D awardand Ron Howard was honoured with the Empire Inspiration award.
This year aspiring film makers from around the world flooded the popular amateur filmmaking award Done In 60 Seconds with their entries and the finalists include fantastic one-minute reprisals of films such as War Horse, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and The King’s Speech. However, there can only be one winner, and the judging panel, which included award-winning British actor and comedian, Chris O’Dowd, presenter Alex Zane, film director Gareth Edwards and Empire Editor Mark Dinning awarded the prize to Indira Suleimenova for Black Swan.

The Jameson Empire Awards are held after the industry voted events and are one of the only film awards to be voted for entirely by the public. Held at Grosvenor House Hotel and hosted for the first time by Lauren Laverne and Empire’s Chris Hewitt, stars in attendance included Gary Oldman, Danny De Vito, Agyness Deyn, Berenice Marlohe, James McAvoy, Tom Hiddleston, Harry Hill and Michael Fassbender.

Mark Dinning, Empire’s Editor, said: “British movies have ruled the world in the past year, and we are delighted to see them rule the roost here tonight, too. The readers of Empire are the smartest academy out there and this year they have picked the very best winners from a terrific 12 months. With the Olympics and Euro 2012 just around the corner, our homegrown movie heroes have tonight kicked off a year we hope is packed with British triumph.”
packed with British triumph.”

Notes to Editor:
Empire magazine, published by Bauer London Lifestyle Ltd, Empire is the World’s biggest movie magazine and remains the biggest film magazine brand in the UK, outselling its nearest competitor by two to one. Launched in 1989, Empire has now grown to a total circulation of 167,056 (ABC Jul-Dec 11) with a worldwide readership of over 1 million. Empire online has 22 million page impressions per month and 2.2 million unique users. 2011 was a stand-out year for Empire, as it successfully launched its own fully-interactive iPad edition and a film event, Big Screen, at the O2.

Jameson Whiskey. Jameson Irish Whiskey is the world’s No.1 selling Irish whiskey and is amongst the elite of the fastest growing international spirit brands in the world. The success of this Irish brand is down to its great quality and smooth taste, coupled with a fantastic heritage, established in 1780 by the legendary John Jameson. It has the quality credentials which allow it to be consumed straight, but is versatile and is equally great when mixed.

The Jameson Empire Awards 2012

Winners List

The Art Of 3D presented by RealD
The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn
Best Male Newcomer
Tom Hiddleston
Best Female Newcomer
Felicity Jones
Best Comedy
The Inbetweeners Movie
Best Thriller
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Best Horror
Kill List
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Thor
Jameson Best Actor
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Best Actress
Olivia Colman – Tyrannosaur
Best British Film
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Best Film presented by Sky Movies
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Empire Hero
Michael Fassbender
Empire Legend
Tim Burton
Empire Inspiration
Ron Howard
Best Director
David Yates – Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Done In 60 Seconds
Indira Suleimenova for Black Swan

Press Release: Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Rights to ‘A Bird of the Air’

FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA CAPTURES ROMANTIC COMEDY ‘A BIRD OF THE AIR’

Rachel Nichols and Jackson Hurst Charmer Takes Flight on DVD, Digital Download, and On-Demand April 10, 2012

Los Angeles, CA (March 26, 2012) –Freestyle Digital Media LLC (FDM) has acquired all rights North America (excluding US theatrical) for director Margaret Whitton’s colorful romantic comedy A BIRD OF THE AIR from Tashtego Films LLC. Based on Joe Coomer’s acclaimed novel The Loop, the film stars Jackson Hurst (“Drop Dead Diva”) and Rachel Nichols (“Conan the Barbarian”), and is from an adaptation by screenwriter Roger Towne. Produced by Steven Tabakin and Margaret Whitton, and executive produced by Warren Spector, the film will debut on April 10, 2012. A BIRD OF THE AIR was theatrically released in the USA by Paladin in the fall of 2011.

A mysterious parrot brings Fiona (Rachel Nichols) into the nighttime world of Lyman (Jackson Hurst), a quiet loner who works on the highway helping stranded motorists. When a talkative parrot flies into his trailer, Lyman becomes obsessed with returning the bird to its owner, leading him to Fiona, a determined librarian who insists on helping in the search. Together the pair set off on a journey to solve a mystery from the past that leads them towards a future neither imagined.

The film has garnered many favorable reviews, including Elvis Mitchell (The Treatment/KCRW) who hailed it as “A terrific film!” Jackson Hurst was also singled out as “marvelously low-key and sexy” (Film Journal International) and according to The New York Times “Rachel Nichols is consistently appealing.” The Times also remarked that “Philippe Rousselot’s nighttime shots of highway tragedy are dreamily atmospheric.”

The cast also includes Linda Emond, Buck Henry, Judith Ivey, Matte Osian, Rocco Sisto, Phyllis Somervile and Louis Zorich. Whitton, a former actress (“Major League,” “The Secret of My Succe$s”) is making her feature film debut as director.

The deal was brokered by Susan Jackson, CEO of Freestyle Digital Media, and Steven Tabakin of Tashtego Films in New York.

Said Jackson: “The film has a charming, offbeat humor that should appeal to all lovers of romantic comedies, dogs and parrots alike.”

Freestyle Digital Media’s recent slate of releases includes DEADHEADS, the acclaimed horror-comedy from directors Brett and Drew Pierce, SWINGING WITH THE FINKELS starring Mandy Moore and directed by Jonathan Newman, and TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN directed by Stuart Beattie, which also marked the first feature film debut on Facebook back in February.

About Freestyle Digital Media
Freestyle Digital Media, LLC was launched in November 2011 by its CEO Susan Jackson who is Co-President and founder of independent theatrical distributor Freestyle Releasing, LLC and North American sales company Turtles Crossing, LLC. Freestyle Digital Media supplies quality commercial film and TV content directly to all US VOD/SVOD rental DVD/Kiosks and theaters using the latest cloud-based technologies to automate digital workflow. Freestyle’s goal is to provide fresh, well-marketed product and stay on the cutting edge of the ever-compressing windows to ensure that their partners benefit from a platform that delivers an anytime-anywhere capability in the medium of their choice and a positive digital viewing experience on any device in any location. Jackson has partnered in FDM with Steve Harnsberger and Mark Borde. Harnsberger is FDM’s Executive Vice President of Business Development and Borde is the company’s EVP of Theatrical Distribution.

About Tashtego Films
TASHTEGO FILMS® is a New York-based film production company dedicated to the idea that great storytelling has the power to transform individuals and societies. TASHTEGO FILMS collaborates with some of our finest writers, actors and filmmakers to create films that enlighten, inspire, provoke and entertain.

Press Release: New York International Children’s Film Festival Winners Announced

NEW YORK INT’L CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2012 AWARD WINNERS PRESENTED MARCH 25, 2012 AT DGA THEATER

NYICFF 2012 JURY: UMA THURMAN, MATTHEW MODINE, GUS VAN SANT, CHRISTINE VACHON, JEFFREY WRIGHT, SUSAN SARANDON, JAMES SCHAMUS, JOHN CANEMAKER, MICHEL OCELOT, TOMM MOORE, LYNNE MCVEIGH, DANA POINTS, ADAM GOPNIK, TAIKA WAITITI, EVAN SHAPIRO

JURY PRIZE WINNING SHORT FILMS QUALIFY FOR THE 85th ACADEMY AWARDS®

NYICFF 2012 WINNERS:

Grand Prize Feature – A Letter to Momo, Hiroyuki Okiura, Japan
Grand Prize Short Film – Capturing Santa, Peter Cattaneo, Ireland
Special Jury Award, Best Animated Short – The Storyteller, Nandita Jain, India/UK
Special Jury Award, Best Live Action Short – Child’s Play, Lars Kornhoff, Germany
Parents Award – The Storyteller, Nandita Jain, India/UK
Audience Award, Ages 3-6 – The Gruffalo’s Child, Uwe Heidschötter/Johannes Weiland, UK
Audience Award, Ages 5-10 – Extinction of the Sabertooth House Cat, Damon Wong, USA
Audience Award, Ages 8-14 – Capturing Santa, Peter Cattaneo, Ireland
Audience Award, Ages 12-18 – I Am a Girl!, Susan Koenen, Netherlands

New York, NY, March 27, 2012 – The 2012 New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) concluded another sold-out year on Sunday, March 25 with the NYICFF “Best of the Fest” Awards Ceremony and Closing Night Gala. The winners were determined by the NYICFF Jury and audience voting throughout the festival. Executive producer and CEO of Production I.G. Mitsuhisa Ishikawa accepted the Grand Prize Feature Award for his film, A Letter to Momo. Director Nandita Jain attended to accept both the Jury Award and the Parents Award for her film The Storyteller. Filmmaker Susan Koenen was also in attendance to accept an Audience Award for her documentary I Am a Girl!, along with the film’s subject, Joppe Pelzer. Jury members actors Jeffrey Wright and Matthew Modine, Academy Award®-winning animator John Canemaker and editor-in-chief of Parents magazine Dana Points were all on hand to present awards to winning filmmakers.

NYICFF 2012 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
100% sold out screenings with a total audience of over 25,000
100 films from 25 countries including the best new animated, live action and experimental features and shorts for ages 3-18. Films were presented March 2 through March 25 at the Director’s Guild of America Theater, Peter Norton Symphony Space, IFC Center, Scholastic Theater, NYU’s Cantor Film Center, Asia Society and Walter Reade Theater at Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Feature Films – US Premiere of Cinderella Moon (China/USA, ages 7+) with Q&A by director Richard Bowen; North American Premiere of Le Tableau (France, ages 7+) with Q&A by director Jean-François Laguionie and screenwriter Anik Le Ray; North American Premiere of The Monkey King, Uproar in Heaven 3D (China, ages 8+) with Q&A by co-directors Su Da and Chen Zhihong. Special event screenings included First Position (USA, ages 8+) with Q&A by director Bess Kargman; Tales of the Night 3D (France, ages 7+) with Q&A by director, animator and NYICFF jury member Michel Ocelot; a special sneak preview of Salaam Dunk (Iraq/USA, ages 9+) with a live Q&A session from Iraq (via Skype) with one of the film’s subjects, Laylan Amir; as well as the US Premiere of A Monster in Paris 3D (France, ages 5+) for NYICFF’s Opening Night Gala.

Special Events – Preview screenings of DisneyNature’s Chimpanzee (USA, all ages), Sony Pictures’ The Pirates! Band of Misfits 3D (UK, ages 6+); the first US screening in over 10 years of the Beatles animated classic Yellow Submarine (UK, all ages) and a special screening of A Hard Day’s Night (UK, ages 6+); US Premiere of Magic Piano, a 3D animated film program set to Chopin’s famous etudes, accompanied live by student prodigies from the Lang Lang International Foundation and followed by a Q&A with Academy Award®-winning producer Hugh Welchman and Little Postman Director Dorota Kobiela.
· FilmEd Field Trip Program – For the second year, NYICFF expanded its FilmEd Field Trip program, providing over 1,200 students and teachers from Title 1 public schools with the complete festival experience at either the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens or the Sony Wonder Technology Lab in Manhattan. Student groups were treated to a special program of short films from NYICFF 2012 complete with voting ballots, filmmaker Q&As and a tour of the museum where the program took place.

ABOUT NYICFF:
Established in 1997, NYICFF is an Oscar®-qualifying event and North America’s largest film festival for children and teens. The 2012 edition attracted a sold-out-in-advance audience of 25,000 and generated 80 million media impressions. NYICFF 2012 took place March 2-25, with 100+ films from around the world, plus gala premieres, retrospectives, filmmaker Q&As, filmmaking workshops, audience voting, and the NYICFF Awards Ceremony. Festival sponsors include HSBC Premier, HBO, Parents Magazine, and Scholastic with funding support by National Endowment for the Arts, NY State Council on the Arts, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. In addition to the annual March festival, NYICFF presents year-round film programming both in New York and nationally.

Press Release: ‘The Occult’ Begins Filming

“THE OCCULT” BEGINS FILMING AT THE SCREEN GEMS STUDIOS AND ON LOCATIONS IN WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

(March 28, 2012) “THE OCCULT,” an LD Entertainment Production directed by Christian E. Christiansen (“The Roommate”) and produced by Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell and Jennifer Hilton Monroe, is shooting principal photography at the Screen Gems Studios and on locations around Wilmington, North Carolina.

Written by Karl Mueller, the horror-thriller film is executive produced by Scott Holroyd, Michael Zelman and Paddy Cullen.

Starring In “THE OCCULT” are Alycia Debnam-Carey (“Dream Life”), Rufus Sewell (“The Illiusionist,” “The Tourist”), Thomas McDonell (“Prom”), Adelaide Kane (“Secrets of the Mountain”), Leah Pipes (“Sorority Row”), and Colm Meaney (“Law Abiding Citizen,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”), Jennifer Carpenter (“Dexter,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”), Stacey Edwards (“In the Company of Men”) and Ric Reitz (“Remember the Titans”).

Something very strange happened in the small village of New Bethlehem, a devout community kept under the tight reins of the town’s vigilant Elders. Six girls born on the same day to different mothers. Perhaps a coincidence or as most believe a chilling omen of something yet to come. Now, on the eve of their 18th birthday, the young women are mysteriously disappearing one by one and feared dead. Terror has overtaken this quiet community. Could this be the work of a serial killer, one of the village elders or a horrific prophecy come true, born of the supernatural, The Occult?

Press Release: ‘Jewtopia’ Opens Newport Beach Film Festival

WORLD PREMIERE OF JEWTOPIA OPENS THE 13th ANNUAL NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26

Film’s All Star Cast Includes Ivan Sergei, Joel David Moore, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jon Lovitz, Rita Wilson, Tom Arnold, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Peter Stormare, Wendie Malick & Nicollette Sheridan

Newport Beach, CA (March 28, 2012) – The 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) proudly announces the World Premiere of JEWTOPIA as its Opening Night film. The red carpet screening of JEWTOPIA will take place on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 7:30pm at Edwards Big Newport (300 Newport Center Drive). The Opening Night gala reception will take place at Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Drive). The 13th annual NBFF will run from April 26th – May 3rd, 2012.

Inspired from the international smash hit play seen by over a million people, JEWTOPIA (2012, USA, 89 minutes) stars Ivan Sergei, Joel David Moore, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jon Lovitz, Rita Wilson, Tom Arnold, Peter Stormare, Camryn Manheim, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Wendie Malick, Nicollette Sheridan, Phil Rosenthal, Christine Lakin, Hayes MacArthur and Lin Shaye. The story is about Christian O’Connell (Sergei) and Adam Lipschitz (Moore) — two childhood friends who reunite as adults to help each other land the women of their dreams. Chris wants to marry Allison (Hewitt), a Jewish girl, so that he’ll never have to make another decision for as long as he lives. Adam is on the verge of getting married to Hannah (Sigler), a woman he is not content with. When Chris enlists Adam’s help in pretending to be Jewish so that Allison will date him, cultures collide and chaos ensues!

JEWTOPIA is the directorial debut of Bryan Fogel who co-wrote the screenplay, the stage play, and the best-selling book, Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People, with Sam Wolfson. The film is produced by Courtney Mizel (Tortilla Heaven), Pavlina Hatoupis (Sassypants, Frankie Goes Boom), Andy Fickman, (director of The Game Plan, Race to Witch Mountain, and the upcoming Billy Crystal / Bette Midler comedy Parental Guidance), Tucker Tooley, (Immortals, The Fighter, the upcoming Mirror Mirror), and Bryan Fogel.

“It’s been an incredible journey from what started as a little show in Los Angeles. I believe the film not only captures the outrageous comedy that made the stage play so popular, it also tells the universal story of cultures clashing and families getting in the way of finding true love. I’m thrilled to be having our world premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival,” stated director Bryan Fogel.

Following the screening, the Festival will host an Opening Night gala at Fashion Island presented by Fashion Island and Esquire Magazine. The gala will feature culinary tastings from 35 of Orange County’s premiere restaurants and a special speak-peek performance from the Tony® Award-winning musical, Million Dollar Quartet coming to the Segerstrom Center April 24 – May 6, 2012.

Tickets to the Opening Night screening and gala are $125 each and are available at www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com starting April 1st. Patrons can also purchase tickets to the Opening Night gala for $80 each. Guests must be at least 21 years old and cocktail attire is suggested.

The Newport Beach Film Festival will showcase more than 400 films from 50 countries and host nightly special events, red carpet galas, compelling conversations with filmmakers, international spotlight events and seminars. The Festival offers filmgoers unique opportunities to mingle with celebrities, filmmakers from around the globe and film industry professionals in a beautiful seaside locale.

The NBFF is sponsored in part by Absolut Vodka, Fashion Island, Regal Entertainment Group, Lexus, Los Angeles Times and the City of Newport Beach.

Passes and tickets for film screenings, galas and special events go on sale April 1st. To purchase tickets and for information about the Newport Beach Film Festival visit www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com

About the Newport Beach Film Festival
Celebrated as one of the leading lifestyle film festivals in the United States, the Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring to Orange County the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program, a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the NBFF focuses on showcasing a diverse collection of studio and independent films from around the globe. The 13th annual Newport Beach Film Festival runs April 26th – May 3rd and will spotlight over 400 films from around the world.

Press Release: Sony Pictures Acquires ‘White House Down’

MYTHOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT’S WHITE HOUSE DOWN SCREENPLAY BY JAMES VANDERBILT ACQUIRED BY SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

FILM TO BE PRODUCED BY MYTHOLOGY PARNTERS BRADLEY FISCHER, JAMES VANDERBILT & LAETA KALOGRIDIS

LOS ANGELES (March 30, 2012) – Mythology Entertainment announced the acquisition of James Vanderbilt’s spec script, WHITE HOUSE DOWN, by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Details are being kept under wraps for now, but the storyline concerns a para-military takeover of the White House. Mythology partners Bradley Fischer, Vanderbilt and Laeta Kalogridis will produce the film.

Vanderbilt most recently wrote The Amazing Spider-Man for Sony. He is penning a feature version of the acclaimed British mini-series “Red Riding” for producer Steve Zaillian and director Ridley Scott, and wrote David Fincher’s Zodiac, which he and Fischer produced together. Vanderbilt is repped by WME and managed by uFuse.

Since the company’s launch last November, Mythology Entertainment has closed deals on a wide range of projects. It has two potential franchises with the late John Bellairs’ series of family-fantasy books beginning with The House With A Clock In Its Walls, which “Supernatural” creator Eric Kripke is set to adapt and produce; and with author Richard Morgan’s Philip K. Dick Award-winning novel, Altered Carbon, which Mythology partner Kalogridis (Shutter Island­) and David Goodman (“Once Upon a Time,” “Fringe”) are adapting.

Mythology set up the drama series, “The Lobotomist,” at HBO with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way, and is currently in production on the Antoine Fuqua-directed Suge Knight documentary for Showtime.

Mythology is repped by attorneys Katz Golden Rosenman and McKuin, Frankel & Whitehead.

Press Release: 42 West Summer Preview

AMERICAN REUNION

Universal Pictures will release on April 6, 2012
In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship. It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.

http://www.americanpiereunion.com/

BLUE LIKE JAZZ

Director: Steve Taylor
Based on the New York Times Best Selling novel “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller
Script by: Steve Taylor, Ben Pearson & Donald Miller

Release Date: APRIL 13, 2012

In Blue Like Jazz, Don (Allman), a pious nineteen-year-old sophomore at a Texas junior college, impulsively decides to escape his religious upbringing for life in the Pacific Northwest at one of the most progressive campuses in America, Reed College in Portland. Upon arrival, Reed’s surroundings and eccentric student body proves to be far different than he could possibly imagine from the environment from which he came, forcing him to embark on a journey of self-discovery to understand who he is and what he truly believes.
Starring: Marshall Allman (TRUE BLOOD), Claire Holt (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS), and Tania Raymonde (LOST)
http://www.bluelikejazzthemovie.com/

LOCK OUT

April 13, 2012

Starring Guy Pearce (Memento, Prometheus) and Maggie Grace (Taken, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) and set in the near future, Lockout follows a falsely convicted ex-government agent (Pearce), whose one chance at obtaining freedom lies in the dangerous mission of rescuing the President’s daughter (Grace) from rioting convicts at an outer space maximum-security prison. Lockout was directed by Stephen St. Leger and James Mather from their script co-written with Luc Besson, who is also a producer. Peter Stormare co-stars.

CAST: GUY PEARCE (Memento, The King’s Speech, upcoming Prometheus), MAGGIE GRACE (Taken, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2, upcoming Taken 2), PETER STORMARE (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, upcoming Last Stand), LENNIE JAMES (Colombiana, HBO’s Hung)
DIRECTOR: James Mather and Stephen St. Leger
WRITERS: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather & Luc Besson

THE MOTH DIARIES

A film by Mary Harron

SYNOPSIS
Acclaimed director Mary Harron (AMERICAN PSYCHO, THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE) returns with the chilling story of Rebecca (Sarah Bolger), a young girl who, haunted by her father’s suicide, enrolls in an elite boarding school for girls. Before long, Rebecca’s friendship with the popular Lucy (Sarah Gadon) is shattered by the arrival of a dark and mysterious new student named Ernessa (Lily Cole). Lucy falls under Ernessa’s spell and becomes emotionally and physically consumed by her glamorous new friend. Rebecca, whose overtures of concern are rejected by Lucy, finds herself lost and confused. She begins to develop a crush on her handsome English teacher, Mr. Davies (Scott Speedman) and immerses herself in the Gothic vampire novel Carilla for his class. Rebecca starts to suspect that Ernessa is a vampire, but, despite the suspicious deaths that begin to occur, her fears are treated as simple girlish jealousy. As the bodies of young girls pile up and the line between reality and the supernatural starts to blur, Rebecca decides to take matters into her own hands and get rid of Ernessa. Who can say what is real and what is unreal to the heart consumed by passion and a mind afire with loss? Based on the bestselling novel by Rachel Klein, THE MOTH DIARIES is a harrowing story of the anxieties, lusts and fears of adolescence.

Running time: 85 minutes
Release Date: April 20, 2012

THINK LIKE A MAN

April 20, 2012

Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, Think Like a Man follows four interconnected and diverse men whose love lives are shaken up after the ladies they are pursuing buy Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart. When the band of brothers realize they have been betrayed by one of their own, they conspire using the book’s insider information to turn the tables and teach the women a lesson of their own. The movie is directed by Tim Story and written by Keith Merryman & David A. Newman.

Directed by Tim Story
Written by Keith Merryman & David A. Newman
Based upon the book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” by Steve Harvey
Produced by Will Packer
Executive Producers Steve Harvey, Rushion McDonald, Rob Hardy, Glenn S. Gainor
Cast Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence J, Jenifer Lewis, Romany Malco, Gary Owen, Gabrielle Union

This film is not yet rated by the MPAA. For future ratings information refer to http://www.filmratings.com. Credits not final
http://www.thinklikeaman-movie.com/

BERNIE

Directed by Richard Linklater
Starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey

In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs, and the townspeople went months without seeing Marjorie. The people of Carthage were shocked when it was reported that Marjorie Nugent had been dead for some time, and Bernie Tiede was being charged with the murder.

In this dark comedy, director Richard Linklater captures all the hilarity, friendliness, eccentricity and absolute strangeness of small-town Texas life. Jack Black plays Bernie Tiede, Shirley MacLaine plays Mrs. Nugent, and Matthew McConaughey plays the town’s blustery real-life District Attorney, Danny Buck Davidson, who was determined to get to the bottom of the crime. Co-written by Linklater and Skip Hollandsworth, BERNIE is a Mandalay Vision and Wind Dancer Films production.
Millennium Entertainment will release BERNIE on April 27, 2012.

Running Time: 104 minutes

MEN IN BLACK 3

MAY 25, 2012

Director Barry Sonnenfeld has found commercial and artistic success with such films as MEN IN BLACK I & II, GET SHORTY, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES, WILD WILD WEST, BIG TROUBLE and RV. He has produced or executive produced LADYKILLERS, LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, OUT OF SIGHT, and ENCHANTED.

His next film is the highly anticipated MEN IN BLACK III that is being released Memorial Day Weekend 2012.

Sonnenfeld began his career as a cinematographer, collaborating with the Coen Brothers on their first feature film, BLOOD SIMPLE and continuing with RAISING ARIZONA and MILLER’S CROSSING. In addition, Sonnenfeld served as Director of Photography on Penny Marshall’s BIG, Danny DeVito’s THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN, and two Rob Reiner films, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and MISERY.

Sonnenfeld received a 2007 Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and the 2007 DGA Award for his directorial achievement on PUSHING DAISIES, PIE-LETTE. He has directed numerous Clio award winning commercials for Nike, Reebok, and Isuzu.

For television, he has executive produced KAREN SISCO, and directed and executive produced MAXIMUM BOB, THE TICK, NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY and PUSHING DAISIES.

For the past 8 years, Sonnenfeld was a Contributing Editor for Esquire Magazine where he wrote a monthly column, “The Digital Man.” He is also an elected board member of the Eastern Directors Council of the Directors Guild of America.

He lives in East Hampton, New York and Telluride, Colorado with his beautiful wife, Susan and worries about his strong willed daughter, Chloe.

KILLER JOE

When 22-year-old Chris (Emile Hirsch) finds himself in debt to a drug lord, he stumbles on the scheme of hiring a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy is supposed to go to his sister Dottie (Juno Temple). Chris hires Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can’t pay Joe up front, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for the job. Based on the play by Pulitzer and Tony Award winner Tracy Letts, Killer Joe is a garish, sexy, black comedy from Academy Award winning director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) and stars Emile Hirsch, Matthew McConaughey, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church, and Gina Gershon.

LD Distribution will release Killer Joe on June 1, 2012.

TO ROME WITH LOVE

Sony Pictures Classics will release on June 22, 2012

Written and directed by Woody Allen, TO ROME WITH LOVE is a story about a number of people in Italy — some American, some Italian, some residents, some visitors — and the romances and adventures and predicaments they get into. The film stars Allen, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig and Ellen Page. TO ROME WITH LOVE is a Gravier Productions film produced by Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, and financed by the Italian production and distribution company, Medusa Film.

DIRECTOR JONATHAN DEMME

Director/Producer of NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS

Sony Pictures Classics will release on June 29, 2012

In May of 2011, Neil Young drove a 1956 Crown Victoria from his idyllic hometown of Omemee, Ontario to downtown Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall where he intimately performed the last two nights of his solo world tour. Along the drive, Young recounted insightful and introspective stories from his youth to filmmaker Jonathan Demme. Demme, a long-time fan and collaborator, captured these tales of Young’s childhood and masterfully weaved them together with his mesmerizing music including songs from the 2010 album Le Noise and powerful renditions of classics including “Ohio”, Hey Hey, My My”, “I Believe in You” and previously unreleased songs “Leia” and “You Never Call.” Through the tunes and the tales, Demme portrays a personal, retrospective look into the heart and soul of the artist. In NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS, Young’s intenseperformances are presented in full, along with passages from the funny and sometimes wistful ride into town. Demme and Young previously collaborated on two other documentaries, Neil Young Hear of Gold, which chronicled Young performing in Nashville, the year after he survived a brain aneurysm and Neil Young Trunk Show, which memorialized a Pennsylvania concert during Young’s “Chrome Dreams II” tour. The film premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

SONY PICTURES CLASSICS PRESENTS SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN

Opens in NY and LA July 27, 2012

Synopsis
In the late ‘60s, a musician was discovered in a Detroit bar by two celebrated Motown producers who were struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics. They recorded an album that they believed was going to secure his reputation as one of the greatest recording artists of his generation. In fact, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, it became a phenomenon (as big as The Beatles). Two South African fans then set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation led them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez. This is a film about hope, inspiration and the resonating power of music.

SPARKLE

August 17, 2012

Musical prodigy, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother (Whitney Houston), she tries to balance a new romance with music manager, Stix (Derek Luke) while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters (Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter) strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era.

Directed by Salim Akil
Screenplay by Mara Brock Akil
Story by Nicholas August and Howard Rosenman
Produced by Debra Martin Chase, T.D. Jakes, Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil, Curtis Wallace
Cast Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, CeeLo Green

This film is not yet rated by the MPAA. For future ratings information refer to http://www.filmratings.com. Credits not final

HIT AND RUN

August 24, 2012

From the producer of Wedding Crashers – written and directed by and starring comic talent Dax Shepard (NBC’s “Parenthood”) HIT AND RUN is the story of Charlie Bronson (Shepard), a nice guy with a questionable past who risks everything when he busts out of the witness protection program to deliver his fiancé (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Their road trip grows awkwardly complicated, when they are chased by the feds (led by Tom Arnold) … and increasingly dangerous, when Charlie’s former pals, a band of gangsters (led by Bradley Cooper), enter the fray.

RELEASE DATE: August 24, 2012
Nationwide
GENRE: Romantic Action Comedy
RUNNING TIME: TBD
MPAA Rating: TBD
DISTRIBUTOR: Open Road Films
CAST: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Tom Arnold, Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner, Joy Bryant, Ryan Hansen, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes
DIRECTORS: Dax Shepard and David Palmer
WRITER: Dax Shepard
PRODUCERS: Andrew Panay, Nate Tuck, Kim Waltrip, and Jim Casey