Movie News Page 1129

In its recent report Variety mentioned that Picturehouse and New Line International are about to team up with Charlize Theron's Denver And Delilah Films to work on an upcoming film project entitled "The Ice at the Bottom of the World." Besides set to star in Theron also is slated to produce the flick.

Of drama genre, "The Ice at the Bottom of the World" is set in the Chesapeake Bay, where a Navy captain reluctantly retires for health reasons. After years of neglecting his family while at sea, the grizzled veteran throws his dysfunctional family into chaos. Theron will portray one of his daughters, who returns home a heroin addict and the single mother of a mixed-race child.

Director David Fincher has agreed to helm the upcoming "Torso." Based on the graphic novel by Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko, the drama action flick tells the true story of Treasury Department agent Eliot Ness' time spent after tracking infamous gangster Al Capone.

Screenwriter Ehren Kruger is in hand to adapt the flick, while Bill Mechanic, Don Murphy, Todd McFarlane and Terry Fitzgerald are producing.

In chain with many new releases, Avenue Pictures is teaming with Sandbar Pictures to produce and finance Daniel Waters' project "Sex and Death 101."

Of comedy drama genre, the flick concerns a man whose life is upended by an email containing the names of every woman he's had sex with and every woman he ever will have sex with.

Hollywood beauty Julia Roberts is about to team up with fellow Tom Hanks to film an upcoming action drama flick entitled "Charlie Wilson's War." Per Variety, Roberts reportedly is still in talks to play the role of Joanne Herring, a big-haired and beautiful Texas socialite who influenced Wilson (Hank's part) to support the rebel cause.

Based on the book by George Crile, the film was written by Aaron Sorkin. In hand to produce is Hanks with Playtone partner Gary Goetzman. Production is slated for later this year.

The 32nd Annual People's Choice Awards held Tuesday night January 10th has chosen the final episode in the Stars Wars saga, "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," as Favorite Movie Drama and all-around Favorite Movie. In two other film categories, "Wedding Crashers" was named Top Comedy and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was chosen as the Favorite Family Movie.

Named Favorite Male Movie Star was Johnny Depp, while Sandra Bullock won the Favorite Female Movie Star category. Favorite Leading Lady honor went to Reese Witherspoon, and the Favorite Leading Man was Brad Pitt. Jennifer Garner, in addition, brought home Favorite Female Action Star prize, whereas Matthew McConaughey won the Favorite Male Action Star.

Joaquin Phoenix and director James Gray are teaming up for the upcoming film entitled "We Own the Night."

The action thriller genre, which script was written by Gray, is set against the turbulent world of Russian organized crime and an embattled NYC Police Department in the 1980s. A Russian narcotics gang has a hit list of NYPD officers and it is up to Joseph, a night club manager to save his brother Bobby and father who are next on this list.

There are 7 films considered for Achievement in Makeup for the 78th Academy Awards. As announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the films include "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", "Cinderella Man", "A History of Violence", "The Libertine", "Mrs. Henderson Presents", "The New World", and "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith."

Thus, to pick up only three of those for Oscar consideration, ten-minute clip reels from each of the seven films will be screened for the Makeup Award Nominating Committee on Saturday, January 28. The selected films will be announced along with nominations in 23 other categories on Tuesday, January 31, at 5:30 a.m. PST.

Here comes one new offering for moviegoers, "The Wee Free Men." An adaptation of Terry Pratchett's bestselling young-adult novel, the action adventure flick will be helmed by Sam Raimi.

To success its new project, Sony Pictures Entertainment has tapped Pamela Pettler to write the script. Set to produce is Raimi and Josh Donen through their Sony-based company, along with Created By's Vince Gerardis and Ralph Vicinanza.

The gay cowboy romance flick "Brokeback Mountain" is a big winner at the 11th annual Critics' Choice Awards held Monday Jan 9. Gaining eight nominations, the movie gloriously brings home 3 awards, including the all-important Best Picture prize, which is considered a key Oscar prognosticator. Moreover, the film's creator, Ang Lee, also is voted the year's Best Director.

Meanwhile, the film's cast Michelle Williams is handed Best Supporting Actress award which she shares with Amy Adams of "Junebug." Paul Giamatti is the Best Supporting Actor thanks to his portrayal in "Cinderella Man." Best Actor award goes to Philip Seymour Hoffman of "Capote," while Best Actress prize goes to Reese Witherspoon of "Walk the Line." A complete roundup of the 2005 winners click http://www.bfca.org/nomineesWinners.html.

While "Brokeback Mountain" is a big winner at the 11th annual Critics' Choice Awards, "Capote" on the other hand is the Best Film of 2005 according to the National Society of Film Critics. The event held at Manhattan eatery Sardi's on Saturday Jan 7th named "A History of Violence" as its 2nd Best Movie and "2046" the 3rd.

Bringing home the Best Actor prize is Philip Seymour Hoffman, with Jeff Daniels of "The Squid and the Whale" as the 2nd and Heath Ledger of "Brokeback Mountain" as the 3rd. For more look on the complete list of the 2005 NSFC winners visit http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20060110/en_movies_eo/18110.

This is the North America Box Office tale. The new release "Hostel" debuts at top, selling $20.1 million worth of tickets in its first three days, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. The low-budget horror film consequently sends last weekend's champion, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" to 2nd with $15.4 million.

The giant ape "King Kong" apparently only wins the 3rd place with $12.5 million. Comes at No. 4 is "Fun with Dick and Jane" taking in $12.2 million, just one place ahead of "Cheaper by the Dozen 2," which scores $8.3 million. In the meantime, the controversial drama "Munich" makes $7.5 million to be at No. 6, while "Memoirs of a Geisha" secures the No. 7 position with $6 million.

In a brief yet distinct report, The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich are re-teaming with Walt Disney Pictures for the live-action family comedy "The Missing Link."

While other details remain undisclosed, the flick is described as a monkey spy adventure. Keep it here for further information.

Robert De Niro is bringing his latest project, drama mystery thriller "The Good Shepherd," to the Dominican Republic. The actor would like to have the flick shot there, and thus Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon who are among the cast also heading for the country.

Felix Manuel Lora, spokesman for the national film office, said that the actors should arrive by Saturday while adding "The government is going to help the crew with the logistics so they can do their work without any inconveniences." Production of the film is set to remain in the country for one week.

January the 5th has marked the opening of the 17th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, a special event in which Terrence Malick's epic "The New World" was shown off to filmgoers. Set in America in the 1600s, the adventure flick provoked abuzz among the attendances who soon after the screening said the film was either brilliant or awful.

Spotted attending the festival was "The New World" producer Sarah Green and co-star Q'Orianka Kilcher. To note, the fest which runs through Jan. 16, will show 232 films from more than 70 countries. The lineup includes four world premieres with 31 North American premieres and 51 U.S. premieres. In addition, the schedule includes 51 of the 56 films submitted for consideration in the foreign-language film category for the 78th Annual Academy Awards.

"Wild Hogs" that's how Touchstone Pictures named its upcoming comedy adventure set. The flick being produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions will have Walt Becker to direct from a script by Brad Copeland.

Famous movie stars, John Travolta and Tim Allen, have both in talks to star in. "Wild Hogs" revolves around a group of frustrated middle-aged biker wannabes who hit the open road in search of adventure, only to encounter a real Hell's Angels group.