Archive: October 2010 (1-10 of 212)

Oct 30 2010 06:20 PM ET

Filmmaker George Hickenlooper dies at age 47

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Categories: In Memoriam, Movies

George Hickenlooper, who directed the 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (about the making of Apocalypse Now!), has died at 47. He was found this morning in Denver, where he was preparing to premiere his latest film, Casino Jack, at the Starz Denver Film Festival. The movie stars Kevin Spacey as disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. According to The Denver Post, Hickenlooper appears to have died of natural causes.

Hickenlooper also directed the 2006 Edie Sedgwick biopic Factory Girl, the 2003 documentary Mayor of the Sunset Strip, and the 2001 drama The Man From Elysian Fields. He is survived by his wife and son. The late filmmaker’s cousin, Denver mayor and gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper, issued this statement to The Denver Post: “Shock and sadness do not begin to describe our emotions. We are devastated. George had immense creative talents and cinematic gifts, but he was so much more than that to us and all his family. His passion for life, zeal for people and unquenchable curiosity enriched everyone who had the fortune to know him. We will miss his sense of humor, his warm character and the avid encouragement he gave anyone around him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Suzanne, and his son, Charles.”

UPDATE: A statement from Johnathan Dorfman and Temple Fennell of ATO Pictures, the Casino Jack distributor:

“On behalf of ATO Pictures, we are devastated by the loss of our friend and colleague, George Hickenlooper. Those who knew George can attest to his amazing talent and commitment to excellence.  No one held the bar higher or had a bigger heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Oct 30 2010 12:15 AM ET

Ron Howard says 'gay' joke will stay in 'The Dilemma'; GLAAD criticizes decision

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Categories: Movies

Ron-HowardImage Credit: Michael Buckner/Wireimage.comDirector Ron Howard has told the Los Angeles Times that he will not remove a controversial joke using the word “gay” from his forthcoming Vince Vaughn comedy The Dilemma. Responding in writing to questions posed by Times columnist Patrick Goldstein, Howard explained that the line needs to be understood in the context of the movie and Vaughn’s character. Writes Howard: “I believe in sensitivity but not censorship. I feel that our film is taking additional heat as an emblem for many movies and TV shows that preceded it that have even more provocative characterizations and language. It is a slight moment in The Dilemma meant to demonstrate an aspect of our lead character’s personality, and we never expected it to represent our intentions or the point of view of the movie or those of us who made it.” Howard did say he believed Universal made the “appropriate” decision in removing the line from the film’s original trailer.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which protested the inclusion of the “gay” line in The Dilemma‘s trailer and called for its removal from the movie, issued a statement in response to Howard’s decision. “At a time when so many in our country are speaking out against the bullying of gay youth, Universal was right to acknowledge the offensive nature of this ‘joke’ when it removed it from trailers,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Unfortunately, by leaving it in the movie, they are now contributing to the problem. The conversations started as a result of the community’s response to this slur will help schools, media and parents understand the impact of the word ‘gay’ being used as a pejorative. Hopefully in the future, Universal and Ron Howard will recognize the power of their words and use their films to bring people together rather than drive us apart.”

More on The Dilemma:
The dilemma about The Dilemma: Why Ron Howard and GLAAD are both right, and both wrong

Oct 29 2010 08:05 PM ET

MGM takeover by Spyglass officially approved

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Categories: Television, TV Biz

Spyglass Entertainment’s long-in-the-works takeover of the debt-riddled Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was officially approved by MGM’s creditors today, EW has confirmed. According to a release from MGM, the deal “will dramatically reduce [MGM's] debt load and put the Company in a strong position to execute its business strategy.” The announcement comes on the heels of a separate deal in New Zealand to keep production of The Hobbit – to which MGM co-holds the rights with Warner Bros. and Warner-based New Line Cinema — in the country. How the MGM/Spyglass deal might affect future James Bond productions remains unclear.

Oct 29 2010 06:15 PM ET

TLC renews 'Sister Wives'

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Categories: Industry News, TV Biz

TLC is renewing its polygamist reality series Sister Wives for a second season. It will return for 10 more episodes in March, in addition to the already announced Sister Wives Special on Oct. 31. There will also now be a Sister Wives Honeymoon Special on Nov. 28. [Hollywood Reporter]

Oct 29 2010 05:44 PM ET

Fox sued over 'My Parents Are Gonna Love You'

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Categories: Industry News, Lawsuits, TV Biz

Fox is being sued over the upcoming reality show My Parents Are Gonna Love You, which will feature average people bringing home celebrity love interests to meet their parents in elaborate pranks. It was originally said to be based on a concept from a French company Banijay Entertainment, but now a company called Morabito Picture Company has filed a complaint in a district court in California claiming that the concept was  theirs from a 2001 Italian show called Indovina Chi Viene Cena (Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner). They’re alleging that Banijay misappropriated the format for their French show Mes Parents Vont T’Adorer! and then licensed the concept for multiple international versions. Fox, Banijay, and the production company behind the American version are named in the suit.

Oct 29 2010 05:17 PM ET

Nicole Scherzinger to play a villain in 'Men in Black 3'

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Categories: Movie Biz

Nicole Scherzinger has been cast in a small villainous role in Men in Black 3, a rep for Sony confirms to EW. Scherzinger told E! Online, “I’m so excited because I get to die. I make an appearance. I say a couple of lines and then I die.” While Scherzinger also said Betty White has joined the cast, Sony says that deal is not set. The studio announced in May that MIB3 will be released in 3-D on May 25, 2012.

Oct 29 2010 04:10 PM ET

'Real Housewives of Orange County' star hospitalized

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Categories: Television

Vicki Gunvalson, star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, was hospitalized Thursday after suffering from gastrointestinal problems, People reports. Gunvalson experienced internal bleeding and remains in the hospital. “I’m still in the hospital and we still don’t know why I’m bleeding internally yet,” Gunvalson said in an email to People on Friday. The reality star is currently undergoing tests and will have a colonoscopy in attempts to determine what may have caused the bleeding.

Oct 29 2010 02:35 PM ET

Peruvians upset over 'Modern Family' joke

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Categories: Television, TV Biz

ABC’s Modern Family has angered some Peruvians who felt slighted by a joke on last week’s episode, according to the AP. After Jay (Ed O’Neill) makes a remark about Colombia, Gloria (Sofia Vergara) says, “Ah, here we go. Because, in Colombia, we trip over goats and we kill people in the street. Do you know how offensive that is? Like we’re Peruvians!” Milagros Lizarraga, founder of the online group Peru USA Southern Ca, told the AP, “It’s incredible that in a country where everything is politically correct, ABC would have a line of this sort.” As of press time, ABC had not responded to EW’s request for comment.

Oct 29 2010 01:21 PM ET

Sony Pictures rewards co-prez Doug Belgrad

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Categories: Movie Biz, Movies

Doug Belgrad, who shared responsibilities with Matt Tolmach as copresidents, has been promoted and will assume primary control of Columbia Pictures, according to a Sony Pictures press release. Tolmach will launch his own production company and produce Sony’s new Spider-Man reboot. Hannah Minghella, who had been president of production for Sony Pictures Animation since 2008, was also promoted to president of production of Columbia.

Oct 29 2010 12:37 PM ET

Travie McCoy arrested for spraying graffiti on Berlin Wall

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Categories: Music Biz

Travie McCoy, the rapper behind the hit song “Billionaire” and Katy Perry’s ex-boyfriend, was arrested in Berlin for spraying graffiti on one of the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall, housed in a local gallery, according to Billboard. McCoy also tweeted about the graffiti. He was released on bail and continued his European tour in Amsterdam.

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