ABC Daytime promotes “NINE” by naming the Top Nine General Hospital Moments of 2009

ABC Daytime is joining ABC and Disney in their efforts to support and promote the upcoming movie musical “NINE”. Throughout the month of December, All My Children, One Life To Live and General Hospital will incorporate “NINE” into their show’s story lines.  To kick off the celebration, the shows have  begun counting down the Top Nine moments of 2009 for every soap. Check out part 1 of the Top Nine One Life To Live Moments of 2009 below.  “NINE” stars Daniel-Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench,  Marion Cotillard and Nicole Kidman and is directed by Rob Marshall. The film will be released on Christmas Day.

Top Nine General Hospital Moments of 2009 Part 1:

To find out more: General Hospital

ABC Daytime promotes “NINE” by naming the Top Nine One Life To Live moments of 2009.

ABC Daytime is joining ABC and Disney in their efforts to support and promote the upcoming movie musical “NINE”. Throughout the month of December, All My Children, One Life To Live and General Hospital will incorporate “NINE” into their show’s story lines.  To kick off the celebration, the shows have  begun counting down the Top NINE moments of 2009 for every soap. Check out part 1 of the Top NINE One Life To Live Moments of 2009 below.  “NINE” stars Daniel-Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench,  Marion Cotillard and Nicole Kidman and is directed by Rob Marshall. The film will be released on Christmas Day.

Top NINE One Life To Live Moments of 2009 Part 1:

To find out more, visit: One Life To Live

ABC Daytime promotes “NINE” by naming the Top Nine “All My Children” moments of 2009

ABC Daytime is joining ABC, Disney and the Weinstein Co. in their efforts to support and promote the upcoming movie musical “NINE”. Throughout the month of December, All My Children, One Life To Live and General Hospital will incorporate “NINE” into their show’s story lines.  To kick off the celebration, the shows have  begun counting down the Top Nine moments of 2009 for every soap. Check out part 1 of the Top NINE All My Children Moments of 2009 below.  “NINE” stars Daniel-Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Marion Cotillard and Nicole Kidman and is directed by Rob Marshall. The film will be released on Christmas Day.

Top Nine All My Children Moments of 2009 Part 1:

To find out more, visit: All My Children

AFI Film Festival Highlight: “La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet”

Famed documentarian, Fredrick Weisman returned to Paris to shoot the documentary feature, “La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet”. “La Danse” is one of the documentaries highlighting the 2009 AFI Film Festival.

In the film, Weisman allows us to voyeur into the world of the ballet behind the scenes. We see rehearsals in the studios and on stage, the costume making department, and the administrative offices of the artistic director. He allows the audience us to sit in on meetings with the artistic director as she meets with budgeting committee, her choreographers and her teachers. We get an even more personal view as the artistic director has a heart-to-heart or one-on-one with one of her dancers, who at over 25,  is fearful of not being able to perform the demanded jumps and plies that a performance often requires. The director assures the dancer that she would not have to participate in every dance and that reassurance seems to be just what is needed.  The realities of putting on a costly production are looked at as well, as life as a dancer is shown as well. There is a company meeting where retirement packages for a dancer in the Paris Opera Ballet is discussed and reminded that a dancer’s life ends at 40.

Lovers of all dance genres will love this look at dancing. Shot in France with English subtitles, there are beautiful aerial looks at Paris. Final performances at the end, bring the film full circle.

Running Time: 2hr 38 min Production Company: Zipporah Films, Inc./Ideale Audience
Producer: Frederick Wiseman, Pierre-Olivier Bardet
Cinematographer: John Davey
Editor: Frederick Wiseman
Sound: Frederick Wiseman

In theaters, Wednesday, November 4th

Check out the trailer for the film below:

The Music of ‘Twilight Saga: New Moon’ discussed at Film and TV Music Conference

The Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Panels were  devoted to the music of the Twilight Series. The upcoming feature “Twilight Saga: New Moon” and it’s soundtrack was discussed. The soundtrack is currently #1 on the Billboard Chart.

In attendance at the first panel were the film’s Music Supervisor Alexandra Patsavas and Livia Tortella from Atlantic Records. They shared their premise behind choosing the music for the film. Every song was specifically written for the movie. The two note that this movie feels more male oriented than the last one which seemed to make it easier for the music team to make song and band selections this time around. Bands from around the world, pitched material to the film’s director, Chris Weitz,  and Summit Entertainment, before the final song selection was chosen.  The result is a collection of songs that Patsavas feels could all easily go together. “You could easily attend a Lollapalooza-like music concert and see all of these artists on the same bill”, Patsavas said.

What also sets this soundtrack apart from others is that every song in the movie is on the soundtrack, which is rare. Many radio stations are already treating the soundtrack as a concept album and are playing it from straight through from beginning to end. The soundtrack features the music of Death Cab For Cutie, Thom Yorke, Anya Marina and more. After having a song on the first soundtrack,  one sought after artist’ s work will not be included this time around, the film’s star, Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward.  Patasavas notes that he didn’t want a second track. He’s a private artist and music is his hobby so he declined a chance to put a song on “New Moon”. Summit definitely wants to feature his music on future soundtracks should he change his mind.  They will ask him again when selecting music for the next film,  “Eclipse” and  hopes that he reconsiders.

The clever marketing  and cross-promotion campaign that was instrumental in the success of the first Twilight

Death Cab For Cutie's "Meet Me On The Equinox" appears on The Twight Saga: New Moon Sountrack (Photo: tickettalk.com)

film, will repeat again. Some of the bands whose music is featured on the soundtrack and cast members from the film will be heading out on tour at Hot Topic locations and various sites across the country. Headlining the tour’s opening date will be  Death Cab for Cutie, who has the first single off of “New Moon”, “Meet Me On The Equinox.”

Tour Schedule:

The New Moon tour will kick off  in Los Angeles at the Hollywood & Highland mall, with  performances by Death Cab For Cutie, Band of Skulls, Sea Wolf and Anya Marina, as well as a Q&A session with some of the cast members.

Official dates and locations of the Twilight Saga: New Moon Talent Tour are as follows:

11/06 Hollywood – Hollywood & Highland Hot Topic (feat. Death Cab For Cutie, Band of Skulls, Sea Wolf, Anya Marina)
11/10 Chicago – Fox Valley Mall (Anya Marina)
11/10 Philadelphia – Cherry Hill Mall (Hurricane Bells)
11/11 Minneapolis – Mall of America (Anya Marina)
11/12 Boston – Natick Collection (Hurricane Bells)
11/12 Seattle – Westfield Southcenter (Anya Marina)
11/14 Salt Lake City – Fashion Place (Anya Marina)

“Twilight: New Moon” opens Friday, November 20. The original movie “Twilight” will be re-released in theaters for one  day only on the 19th, as way for film goers to see both films on the big screen again and to create even more excitement for the new film.

Hollywood Fest Honors Julianne Moore, Zachary Quinto, and Bradley Cooper

The 13th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, presented by Starz, are pleased to announce honorees who will be recognized for their outstanding achievements at the festival’s Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony.

Academy Award winners Robert Deniro and Hilary Swank will be honored with the “Hollywood Actor Award” and “Hollywood Actress Award” respectivealy. Academy Award-nominated actress Julianne Moore will be honored with the “Hollywood Supporting Actress Award,”  and Christopher Waltz will receive the “Hollywood Supporting Actor Award”. Actor Bradley Cooper will receive the “Hollywood Comedy Award,” producer Ryan Kavanaugh will get the “Hollywood Producer Award,” and actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, actress Melanie Lynskey, actor Paul Schneider, and actor Zachary Quinto will be honored with the Hollywood Spotlight Awards.

The gala ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 26, 2009.

DeNiro has won two Academy Awards for “The Godfather:Part II” and “Raging Bull”. He has appeared in numerous films, including “Cape Fear”, “Taxi Driver”, “Meet The Parents”, and “Goodfellas.”

Swank has won two Academy Awards for “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Million Dollar Baby.” She can currently be seen in “Amelia.”

Moore is the ninth person in Academy history to receive two acting Oscar(r) nominations in the same year — for her performances in “Far From Heaven” and “The Hours”. She has also appeared in “The End of the Affair” and “Boogie Nights.”

Waltz starred in “Inglourious Basterds” and will be seen in the upcoming “Green Hornet.”

Cooper was recently seen in the summer blockbuster comedy “The Hangover.” He will star in the upcoming “New York, I Love You” and “Valentine’s Day” in 2010.

Kavanaugh heads Relativity. Relativity is a media and entertainment company engaged in creating, financing and distributing first class, studio quality entertainment content and intellectual property across multiple platforms, as well as making strategic partnerships with, and opportunistic investments in, entertainment-related companies and assets. As a producer, Kavanaugh’s films include: “Brothers,” “Dear John,” “The Spy Next Door,” and “Nine.”

Aghdashloo earned an Academy Award nomination for “House of Sand and Fog.” She will be seen in the upcoming “In Northwood.”

Lynskey appeared in “Heavenly Creatures” and can be seen in “The Informant,” and in the upcoming “Up in the Air.”

Quinto appeared in “Star Trek,” and television’s Heroes on NBC.

For more information please go to http://www.HollywoodFestival.com

Members of ‘Twilight:New Moon’ Cast To Appear at Nordstrom

 Nordstrom and Summit  Entertainment invite Twilight fans to take advantage of a special opportunity to meet select cast members of  The Twilight Saga: New Moon at select Nordstrom stores.  The cast appearances are being held to celebrate the highly-anticipated November 20 release of the second movie in Summit’s Twilight film saga.  Nordstrom launched an exclusive clothing and jewelry collection inspired by the mood and spirit of the film in early October.
Customers can visit nordstrom.com/newmoon for more details about how to acquire VIP access on Saturday, October 31, at 8:00 a.m., to be one of 75 customers to meet the cast.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon cast members will visit the following Nordstrom stores:

  November 5- Topanga (Canoga Park, CA)**

    November 8- Park Meadows (Lone Tree, CO)*

    November 9- Natick Collection (Natick, MA)*

    November 10- The Galleria (Houston, TX)*

    November 11- Mall of America (Bloomington, MN)*

    November 11- Cherry Hill Mall (Philadelphia, PA)*

    November 11- Stonestown Galleria (San Francisco, CA)*

    November 12- Perimeter Mall (Atlanta, GA)

    November 12- Southcenter (Tukwila, WA)*

    November 13- Aventura Mall (Aventura, FL)

    November 13- Scottsdale Fashion Square (Phoenix, AZ)*

    November 14- Fashion Place (Murray, UT)

* These malls will also host a talent question and answer forum in the mall which will be open to the public.

** 125 customer VIP packets will be available for the Topanga event only.  The mall will not host a talent question and answer forum.

The BP. department at select Nordstrom stores will also offer customers advanced movie screening passes as gifts with purchase (see nordstrom.com/newmoon for participating stores and details), and will host in-store styling parties on November 14 and 15.  Customers can visit nordstrom.com/newmoon to learn what events are taking place at their nearest Nordstrom store and sign-up for email alerts.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will be released November 20, 2009.  In the film, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of–only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.  Following Edward Cullen’s(Pattinson) departure from Forks, Wash., Bella discovers his image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy.  In time Bella’s frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob Black (Lautner) who has a supernatural secret of his own.

The action-packed, modern day vampire love story Twilight, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception.  The third film in the franchise, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is due in theaters on June 30, 2010.

For more info:   www.nordstrom/newmoon.

Director Mira Nair discusses her latest film ‘Amelia’ starring Hilary Swank

CBS News talked with director Mira Nair about her latest film, “Amelia”. “Amelia” stars two time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as legendary pilot Amelia Earhart. The film opens in theaters on October 23rd.

Mary J Blige, ‘Glee’s’ Lea Michelle and Sara Evans to appear at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference

Lea Michelle (center on stairs) will appear at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference. Glee cast pictured (L-R): Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale (seated), Amber Riley, Lea Michele (center), Jenna Ushkowitz, Cory Monteith.(Photo: FOX/Matthias Clamer)

The 8th annual Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference will be held on October 29-30 in Beverly Hills.  The most highly anticipated panels at the event this year will be for the TV show “Glee”, the movie “Twilight:New Moon”, the Sara Evans and SOAPnet panel and Mary J. Blige’s keynote panel.

The Glee panel will be called BACKBEAT: THE ANATOMY OF A TV SHOW- Fox’s “Glee”
A look behind-the-scenes at how “Glee” uses music — from on screen in synchs to the soundtrack for stores. Adam Anders (Glee music producer) and Grammy winner Lea Michelle who plays Rachel on the show will be just a few who will be on the panel.

The “New Moon” panel will feature a discussion called SOUNDTRACK CASE STUDY:”THE TWILIGHT SAGA:NEW MOON”. The masterminds behind the 2.1 million-selling soundtrack to “Twilight” discuss how they selected the bands and songs to appear on the soundtrack to film’s sequel, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Paul Katz, music consultant of Summit Entertainment will be one of the speakers on the panel.

Day 1 Keynote Speaker will be country singer Sara Evans — Multiple-platinum selling and award-winning country artist Sara Evans talks about her deal with ABC Daytime and SOAPnet for promotion, placement and tour sponsorship.

Day 2 Keynote Speaker will be R&B legend, Mary J. Blige.  –R&B legend Mary J. Blige discusses her career and  contributions to film and TV music, including a preview of the song she wrote  for Lionsgate’s “PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY  SAPPHIRE.” The film, directed by “Monster’s Ball” producer Lee Daniels  and adapted for the screen by Geoffrey Fletcher, stars Mo’Nique, Paula Patton,  Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and introduces Gabourey Sidibe.  PRECIOUS will be in theaters  beginning on November 6, 2009. Blige’s next album will be released this fall.

For more information and tickets: Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Conference

AFI Film Festival Hits Los Angeles October 30-November 7

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" directed Wes Anderson 20th Century Fox

“THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX”, directed by Wes Anderson and starring Jason Schwartzman is scheduled to open the AFI FEST 2009. The film is a stop-motion animated feature which will be screened at the festival’s opening night at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The film also stars the voices of  George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson and Jarvis Cocker.

The Weinstein Company’s “A SINGLE MAN” has been selected as the closing night gala presentation.  Sony Pictures Classics’ “THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS” has been selected as AFI FEST’s Centerpiece Screening Gala presentation. The film will make its US Premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Monday, November 2, 2009.

“A SINGLE MAN” features the directorial debut of fashion designer Tom Ford from his script adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s acclaimed novel. The film follows a day in the life of a gay British college professor in Los Angeles as he attempts to cope with the death of his partner. Ford’s work helming the project and Colin Firth’s lead performance in the film have received critical acclaim following screenings at the Venice and Toronto film festivals. Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode and Ginnifer Goodwin also star in the film. The Weinstein Company release is due in theaters on December 11. Ford, Firth and Moore are scheduled to attend.

“It is exciting to champion a talented artist like Tom Ford as he moves beyond the boundaries of one medium into another. In “A SINGLE MAN”, he delivers an elegant and beautiful personal story that will resonate with all audience members“ said AFI FEST Artistic Director Rose Kuo.

The Centerpiece Screening Gala presentation features the latest work by director Terry Gilliam. “THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS” follows the leader of a traveling theater troupe who, having made a deal with the devil, takes audience members through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations. The film stars Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Heath Ledger in his final role. The Sony Pictures Classics release is due in theaters stateside on December 25. Gilliam and Plummer are scheduled to attend.
“The mind-altering, looking-glass world that Terry Gilliam creates in “IMAGINARIUM” notes Director of Programming Robert Koehler, “is like a model for his ideal cinema, in which anything can happen and all rules are broken. If audiences thought that “THE DARK KNIGHT” was their last glimpse of Heath Ledger, then what Ledger brings to Gilliam’s fantasy-adventure will surprise them.”

AFI FEST has selected actors Christopher Plummer and Viggo Mortensen to receive tributes at this year’s Festival. Sponsored by the Skirball Cultural Center, Plummer’s tribute event will precede the screening of his film THE LAST STATION on Tuesday, November 3. Mortensen’s tribute will precede the US Premiere of the film THE ROAD on Wednesday, November 4. Both Tributes will take place at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

One of the world’s most respected actors, Plummer has won two Tony Awards (for CYRANO and BARRYMORE), three Drama Desk Awards, the National Arts Club Medal and two Emmys.

“THE ROAD” is adapted from the acclaimed novel by Cormac McCarthy.  The film stars Mortensen as a father making his way with his young son across the scorched landscape of a post-apocalyptic world. Directed by John Hillcoat from a script by Joe Penhall, the film also stars Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce and Molly Parker. The Weinstein Company release is due in theaters November 25.  Mortensen, Hillcoat and Theron are scheduled to attend.

Mortensen’s career highlights include notable films roles in “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” TRILOGIES and, “EASTERN PROMISES” for which he received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.

“Viggo Mortensen and Christopher Plummer are two actors and film artists of the highest order,” said Kuo. “They share that rare trait of being looked up to by audiences and film fans around the world as well as being greatly respected by their peers.”

Other highlights among the complete film schedule announced today include Jonathan Demme’s music documentary “NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW” (with Demme and Young confirmed to attend) and the screening of two films connected by legendary art director and longtime AFI Conservatory Distinguished Lecturer Robert Boyle, who turned 100 on October 10. Those films are AFI Conservatory Alumnus Daniel Raim’s (Production Design ’99) documentary SOMETHING’S GONNA LIVE and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic NORTH BY NORTHWEST, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

On Monday, November 2, AFI FEST, in conjunction with Warner Home Video will present a special screening of Hitchcock’s NORTH BY NORTHWEST. The first Hitchcock film to be released on Blu-ray, the film has been restored and remastered for its 50th anniversary. As part of the Gala event, director William Friedkin will attend to moderate a Q&A with Boyle and the film’s stars Eva Marie Saint and Martin Landau.

AFI FEST continues its unique and successful association with the American Film Market with 23 of the features in official selection at AFI FEST represented by distributors at AFM, unfolding concurrently with AFI FEST from November 4–November 11.

AFI FEST 2009’s overall lineup will showcase 67 features (54 narrative, 13 documentary) and 27 shorts for a total of 94 films from 32 countries.

The Festival is headquartered at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. All screenings from October 30–November 5 will take place at the Grauman’s Chinese and Mann Chinese 6 theaters in Hollywood with the final two days of the Festival (November 6-7) screening at the Laemmle’s Monica 4-plex in Santa Monica.

A limited number of free tickets to all Festival screenings are available online at AFI.com/AFIFEST or by phone at 866-AFI-FEST . Early entry to all screenings can be secured by becoming a patron of the Festival and purchasing an AFI FEST Patron Pass. For more details, visit AFI.com.