Lionsgate confirms Dead Island videogame movie

Back in February we were hugely excited at the prospect of a movie based on the videogame Dead Island, even though that game hadn't been released yet.Why the buzz? Blame a beautifully disturbing trailer (see below) that plays out a zombie attack on a family while a haunting melancholic score chimes over the non-linear, slow-mo footage.As we reported at the time Sean Daniel (The Wolfman, The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor) is producing, having cleverly snapped up the film rights back in 2009.The best news to come out of the latest announcement is that the trailer "will serve as its primary creative inspiration". However, before we get too giddy at the thought of seeing this on the big screen, Lionsgate says the project is still "currently in the early development stage"."This is exactly the type of property we're looking to adapt at Lionsgate - it's sophisticated, edgy and a true elevation of a genre that we know and love. It also has built in brand recognition around the world, and franchise potential," said Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.Having announced losses this year after high-profile failures such as Conan, Warrior and Abduction, Drake will no-doubt be hoping Dead Island turns into an undead zombie cash cow.

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'X Factor:' PTC Files FCC Complaint After Contestant Drops His Pants

Moviegoers have many options this weekend.our editor recommends'Moneyball's' Brad Pitt Becomes One of the Few Non-Athletes to Cover Sports Illustrated'Moneyball': Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill in New Trailer'Abduction's' Taylor Lautner is 'Like a Young Tom Cruise' Says Studio Exec (Video)'Abduction': Taylor Lautner Gets Chased Down, Shot at in New Trailer (Video)'Abduction's' Taylor Lautner on Performing the Movie's 'Crazy Stunts' (Video)'Moneyball': What the Critics Are Saying The first of the big movies that debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month are now coming to theaters this weekend. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill star in the comedy-drama Moneyball, which is about baseball and baseball statistics and an unlikely collaboration between a major league general manager and a Yale economics graduate. PHOTOS: 'Moneyball' Premiere in Oakland Taylor Lautner stars in Abduction, a thriller about a teenager forced on the run to uncover his past. Lily Collins, Alfred Molina and Maria Bello co-star in director John Singleton's movie. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler plays the real-life and highly flawed hero Sam Childers for Marc Forster'sMachine Gun Preacher. Childers went from a small-time criminal to a preacher and then savior to countless orphans in the war-torn African country of Sudan. PHOTOS: 'Abduction' Red Carpet Premiere Charles Martin Smith's Dolphin Tale also tells a true story, only this one concerns a creature of the sea, a dolphin that whose damaged tail is replaced by a prosthetic one. Also opening Friday is Killer Elite, a male thriller with a cast headed by Jason Statham, Robert De Niro and Clive Owen, which delves into former British special forces operatives. See what The Hollywood Reporter's critics have to say about those films -- and others opening this weekend -- and find out how well they are expected to perform at the box office. Moneyball Bottom Line: A baseball movie for people who dislike the sport as a desperate general manager and an economics grad turn baseball on its head. Click here to read The Hollywood Reporter's review. PHOTOS: 'Abduction' Photos: Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins on the Run Abduction Bottom Line: Taylor Lautner tries to hold his own in an action thriller too silly to give him much of a chance. Click here to read THR's review. Machine Gun Preacher Bottom Line: An impressively heroic true-life story that unfortunately doesn't go far enough in examining its unusual hero. Click here to read THR's review. PHOTO: 'Machine Gun Preacher' Poster: Gerard Butler, a Big Gun and a Small Child Dolphin Tale Bottom Line: Drenchingly inspirational aquatic tale should play well with general audiences and kids. Click here to read THR's review. Killer Elite Bottom Line: Efficient, overly formulaic action piece could have been more distinctive but delivers the goods for solid international returns. Click here to read THR's review. Thunder Soul Bottom Line: A genuinely moving and powerful doc about one of the great funk bands ever, that just happened to be a high school band. Click here to read THR's review. PHOTOS: Toronto Film Festival: 13 Films to Know Puncture Bottom Line: It's a true story that involves both an infuriating protagonist and an exposé of corrupt U.S. healthcare practices. Click here to read THR's review. Weekend Bottom Line: Two men fall convincingly in love over a weekend of sex and drugs. Click here to read THR's review. Pearl Jam Twenty Bottom Line: A reverential retrospective of a band that inspires deep love. Click here to read THR's review. Also opening are A Bird of the Air, Incendiary: The Willingham Case and The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby. The 1964 movieMarriage, Italian Stylealso gets a re-release Friday. Related Topics Brad Pitt Gerard Butler Robert De Niro Taylor Lautner Moneyball Lily Collins Owen Wilson Machine Gun Preacher Abduction Dolphin Tale Weekend

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Media Stocks Slammed Amid Concerns Of A Double-Dip Recession

Media stocks suffered along with just about everyone else today after the Federal Reserve stirred recession fears by reporting “significant downside risks to the economic outlook” — and World Bank President Robert Zoellickwarned that global economies are in a danger zone. The Dow Jones U.S. Media Index fell 3.9%, slightly more than the 3.5% drop in the DJ Industrial Average. Companies most exposed to advertising were hard hit. CBS led the pack among the industry’s Big Guns with shares down 7.2%. It was followed by Viacom (-6.6%), Disney (-5.5%), Comcast (-3.8%), Time Warner (-3.6%), News Corp (-3.3%), and Sony (-2.7%). Others falling at least 7% include Nielsen and Sirius XM. Those dropping at least 6% include Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, The NY Times, Coinstar, IMAX, and Cumulus Media. Even in the battered market, a few media companies were up on the day including Live Nation (+2.1%), Barnes & Noble (+3.1%), Scholastic (+6.8%) and Westwood One (+20.8%).

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Friday Box Office: Simba's Pride Reigns Victorious

It’s been a fine week for Jonathan Taylor Thomas: He enjoyed his 30th birthday, he’s returning to acting, and he mysteriously stars in the #1 movie in the country. The Lion King (in 3D), which features Thomas as young Simba, took top honors over newcomers like Drive and the fiscally disappointing I Don’t Know How She Does It. Click through for the full tally. 1. THE LION KING (IN 3D): $8,825,000 2. CONTAGION: $4,630,000 ($34,342,000) 3. DRIVE: $4,024,000 4. STRAW DOGS: $1,985,000 5. THE HELP $1,930,000: ($142,857,000) 6. I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT: $1,558,000 Friday Box Office: ‘Lion King 3D’ [Box Office Mojo]

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WGA 2011 Election Holds Handful of Surprises: Strike Leader Patric Verrone Sidelined

Chris Keyser Is Completely New WGA West Leader Hollywood will probably be strike-free not under another 24 several weeks. The Authors Guild of America, West, just introduced its 2011 Authorities and Board of Company company directors carrying out a remarkably not-even-close election that switched just a little nasty for that finish.NewcomerChris Keyser as Leader continues outgoing John Well’smoderate leadership in the once hardline Authors Guild West. The rejection of 2007-2008 strike leader Patric Verroneby a 60%-to-40% margin implies that he’s still too polarizing a figure-even thoughthe100-day labor action created New Media obligations within the Large Media art galleries and systems but furthermore lost deals, large-time bitterness, and public hostility within the other non-striking Hollywood unions. However, the latest round of WGA discussions while using AMPTPlasted only a couple of days and created little if this involves pay increases or New Media increases despite purports to that effect. Settling committee co-chairs John Bowman and Billy Ray blamed an economy still recouping in the deep recession a monetary pattern occur discussions together with other unions as well as the readiness in the Companies to handle the Guilds most pressing economic need, in regards to the solvency from the kind of pension. Screenwriters especially lost out large when the situations they dislike like contest pitching and free rewriters were taken beneath the rug. So, apparently, WGA people want lots of same. Today’s loss by Verrone shows an disinclination with the WGA membership to pursue a hard stance while using Large Media art galleries and systems soon.They are clearly breathing a sigh of relief that Verrone didn’t enter. So can be producer-friendly DGA andSAG (soon to merge while using a lot more producer-collegial AFTRA). Hey,the Hollywood guilds have the leadership they deserve. Handful of people walked toward run in this September’s WGA leadership elections. Affiliates described that was because of “great apathy” inside the guild. Three races were unopposed for a long time until authors may be convinced to throw their hats into the ring since the WGA metabolism doesn’t permit uncontested races. (Among people drafted was John Aboud whojoked, “It’s apt to be my recognition to eliminate to Howard Rodman…”) For that election for WGA Leader, surprisemorphed into curiosity within the contest between Patric Verronevs Chris Keyser. Verrone, the animation author, mentioned he preferred to put the guild back about the more activist course by organizing additional shows to cover authors who be employed in cable tv and game game titles. He complained thatthe guild’s position in Hollywood as well as the American labor movement had “atrophied. For a number of our 75-year history we have experienced the vanguard of progressive thought and activism. Through careful and considered organizing efforts, tempered having a keen sense of member participation and satisfaction, we could return there afterwards.” Keysercriticized Verrone’s past organizing efforts.”What we must be suspicious of is our personal version of political dynasties, considered lower by old antagonisms, old baggage, old political fault lines that undermine in small and big ways our capacity to sit down lower alongside our ought-to-be allies and across out of your companies and turn the page toward progress.” John Wells and J.J. Abrams campaigned hard for Keyser. Verrone attracted support fromhigh-profile WGA people like Matt Weiner and Paul Haggis.At first, each campaign for leader were apt to be gentlemanly, not rancorous which plenty of past guild elections are actually because of the grudge-settling happening. Keyser was known to in my opinion as someone with “a wide range of ideas, hardly any anger”.However, many say Keyser’s finest weakness was he wasn’t too known to as Verrone.”This remains largely a title recognition game,” I used to be told. Verrone’s candidacy, however, determined this election would really are a referendum concerning the 2007-2008 WGA strike similar to the last election was — which saw Verrone’s hands-selected candidate Elias Davis lose toJohn Wells. That increased being apparent when anemail was shipped to WGA people byguild vet and Secretary/Treasurer candidate Carl Gottlieb that strongly acknowledgedit wasnegative campaigning. (“Is he still pissed at David Weiss for his first-time defeat in V . p . run in 2006?” one WGA wag asked for me.)Strangely enough, this content didn’t hurt his candidacy: he won today. His email (that people’ve edited for space) mentioned: .. Now, for a lot of negative campaigning. We rarely notice in Guild elections, its considered dclass, plus it could even require me to pay for votes. So whether it's. A number of things need to be mentioned give us a call a jerk for saying them freely. I urge explore to return David N. Weiss and Patric M. Verrone to Guild office. Whatever oneness and progress they may claim remains greater than offset with the mischief theyve done in their carefully designed ascendancy to energy in 2005 and 2007, by their grandiose plans for future years (please, read their Claims). By voting for John Wells this past year, you began the whole process of declaring back our Guild…By voting for authorities and Board people who've proven thoughtful independence, you'll be able to finish a leadership cycle that began with Organize, Organize, Organize! and ended getting a Strike or Fail philosophy that has not offered our union well, and cost the membership hundreds of millions in lost pay and missed options. Verrone and Weiss aided bring us Executive Director David J. Youthful, becoming an extension of the requirement to solidify control of the union. How enjoyable and wonderful it absolutely was when he exceeded each of their anticipation. He learned quickly, socialized individually, and increased to become priceless resource towards the Guild, forget about beholden to nor unnecessarily impacted by any Guild faction or slate. Ive seen no less than five executive company company directors appear and vanish, Ive labored wonderful them, which i anticipate working again with David Youthful. Im less delighted that individuals permanently lost invaluable senior staff, who resigned or outdated (or were forced out) through the Authors United states . years, taking not avoidable institutional memory and understanding about the subject. An sufficient quantity of negative ideas. Interesting attention, along with your election. — Carl Gottlieb Back on April 27th, following a Authors Guild found the final outcome its contract discussions while using AMPTP, I written What WGA Leaders Didnt Tell Membership (Nor Did SAG or DGA Leaders). It wasa composite Q&A from the fact Hollywood Guild leaders were saying in private and not telling people for his or her faces at any time when just about all authors, stars, and company company directors continue being hanging by their fingernails to have their livelihoods beneath the studio and network rollbacks. Tomorrow, the WGA membership selected to ratify their new TV/Theatrical Contract showed up at in March while using AMPTP. I used to be shocked and appalled by having less public distribution of knowledge with the Guild to its people through the procedure. But this kind of secrecy has marked all of the Hollywood Guilds’ dealings having its monthly subscriptions on these contract discussions and ratification votes. Thats to cover the fact neither SAG nor the DGA nor the WGA bothered to bargain hard for pay increases or barely whatsoever for completely new Media increases despite purports to that effect through the final contract go-models. I e-mailed and spoke in greater detail with several people in the WGA settling team and board of company company directors to be capable of collect thebehind-the-moments information.Because among theWGA leaders e-mailed me to agree once i crapped throughout this lousiest of lousy WGA handles the AMPTP: In the record, your research into the deal is simply right. Cure agreed with me at night? Stephen Gem, the Santa Clara College Law professor then one-time candidate for SAGs executive director, who referred to as provide a clean sweep for big Hollywood art galleries as WGA discussions finish as well as the final domino in this years Hollywood collective settling round. My analysis incorporated calling this the worst deal authors had are you currently handed. Saying the Authors Guild leadership clearly made a decision it had no leverage following a Stars and Company company directors Guilds place them beneath the bus by accepting bad contracts along with the WGA membership gave them no hands by very (and naturally) opposing any mention of the a strike. Watching the big Media companies finding their financial footing again following a depths in the economic crisis. Worrying that New Media increases have gone the obvious method of the VCR as well as the DVD: the thing that was talked about first is what youre associated with now and apparently forever once the AMPTP maintains its way. Poking fun in the flimsy new conferences on contest pitching then one-step deals, and contract provisions [which] are actually added that require each studio to deliver to its creative professionals a bulletin stating clearly that spec writing is not being condoned as if this could stop these hated but institutionalized practices. Its this kind of WGA disloyality after guild leadership and Hollywood agencies pledged to use together to avoid the art galleries blatant exploitation of movie scribes. I'd extended predicted Hollywood could most likely expect easy and quick discussions.Enables see SAG/AFTRA spent just 6 times of with each other settling while using art galleries and systems about the new 3-year TV/Theatrical contract. The DGA needed just three days and alter. As well as the WGA may have bargained until May first when its current contract finishes but didnt. The moguls behind the AMPTP always designed to negotiate while using authors last (even though their pact was expiring sooner) to make certain you will see probably the most Hollywood pressure (synonymous with antagonism) towards them once they talked about too much. Although SAG/AFTRA as well as the DGA exchanged information in their talks, they left the WGA within the cold. The whole reason behind this lead-straight into contract discussions was for that Hollywood Guilds to greater coordinate settling to have the ability to present a united states . front for the AMPTP. Promises specified for to another time secure better wages, benefits, working conditions. The AMPTP pledged it could reopen settling over people paltry New Media revenues. True, nobody wanted another strike. But was really the only alternative for your WGA to wimp out like the other Guilds? Soall the Hollywood Guilds rubber-placed what crumbs the AMPTP offered no matter this rapidly improving economy. The DGA was making it plain in the beginning they werent choosing for big wages (merely a 2% increase) or possibly a much better New Media deal. Rather the DGA arbitrators were focusing on elevated Health Plan and Pension contributions. Do i think the SAG/AFTRA. The WGA also dedicated to the kind of pension. But all the authors I realize inside the guild who arent yet or were previously large names are most concerned about losing their insurance. Nothing on the account.But no Hollywood guild gets the willright now toinstall new union leadership.

Michael Moore Thinks Matt Damon Is Presidential Material

After recently going off on an misinformed cameraman about America's broken school system, equating Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential run to a "really bad Disney movie" during the 2008 Presidential campaign, and outwardly expressing that he "no longer hope(s) for audacity" in light of Barack Obama's disappointing tenure as President (a President he once voted for), we think it's safe to say that Matt Damon has been doing a bang-up job of disproving his dumb-as-rocks puppet persona in 'Team America: World Police' as of late. Being that he seems more well-informed than most actual politicians about some of the heated topics facing the country, not only are we increasingly impressed by what's been coming out of Damon's mouth over the past few years, but so is controversial, Oscar-winning director Michael Moore. In a recent interview with Firedoglake, Moore was asked about his thoughts on Damon's surprise turn as Hollywood's leading political pundit, and wouldn't you know it, Moore had nothing but praise for the guy. Love him or hate him, go ahead and check out what Moore had to say about Damon's chances in the world of politics. I think that he has been very courageous in not caring about who he offends by saying the things that need to be said here, and if you want to win, the Republicans have certainly shown the way -- that when you run someone who is popular, you win. Sometimes even when you run an actor, you win. And I guess I only throw his name out there because I'd like us to start thinking that way." Hard to say whether an endorsement from Michael Moore is a good thing or bad thing these days, but if Ronald Reagan could go from 'Bedtime for Bonzo' to President of the United States of America, who's to say that Damon can't follow suit? Would you vote for Matt Damon if he ran for President?Yes.No.Vote Photos courtesy of Getty Images & Chris Gordon/WireImage.com [via Firedoglake]

Lollapalooza Growing to South america in 2012

As Lollapalooza began its 20th anniversary edition Friday in Chicago, coordinators introduced worldwide expansion plans. The concert will occur in South america for the first time the coming year on April 7 and 8 at Sao Paulo's Jockey Club. It will likewise create a return visit to Santiago, Chile on March 31 and April 1. Festival founder Perry Farrell stated inside a statement, "The Brazilians possess a wealthy good reputation for celebration. As we (Lolla) can rub as well as them, there's no telling what levels that party will achieve." PHOTOS: Top Ten Greatest Compensated Artists Lollapalooza started like a touring concert in 1991 and was reborn like a destination festival in 2005 happening at Chicago's Grant Park. This season's selection boasts 130 bands on eight stages including Eminem, Foo Martial artists, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket and deadmau5. Three-day tickets for that event choose around $215, along with a record 90,000 individuals are likely to attend. The festival site continues to be broadened by 35 acres to support the larger crowd. William Morris Endeavor and C3 Presents produce the big event within the U.S. Lotus Producciones is its Chilean partner and GEO Eventos is its Brazilian partner. WME's Marc Geiger, a festival co-founder, told the La Occasions that Lollapalooza is thinking of getting another worldwide stop for 2013. Related Subjects Eminem Worldwide Coldplay Muse Lollapalooza Perry Farrell