News: Dec 18, 2012

New Trailer for BROKEN CITY Starring Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe
20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for director Allen Hughes’ (The Book of Eli) political thriller Broken City.  The film stars Mark Wahlberg as a private detective who is hired to identify the lover of a powerful politician’s wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones), with Russell Crowe playing the shady politician.  This trailer focuses quite a bit more on the film’s plot, teasing an enticing power play between Wahlberg and Crowe’s characters.  We also see a bit more of Zeta-Jones’ character, though her intentions aren’t entirely made clear.  The real draw, though, seems to the face-off between Wahlberg and Crowe, and I’m eager to see the two go toe-to-toe when the full film hits theaters. (Collider.com)

 


A New 'Les Miserables' Featurette Focuses on Hugh Jackman

Universal Pictures has released a new behind-the-scenes featurette for director Tom Hooper's Les Misérables, opening in theaters on Christmas Day. Check out the video, focusing on Hugh Jackman's performance, in the player below. (ComingSoon.net)

The Illusion:  'Songs From Their Souls'
As they entered discussions for the film version of "Les Misérables," director Tom Hooper and producer Cameron Mackintosh agreed that there is something about movie musicals that is essentially false: It isn't that actors break into song—a convention the audience accepts—but that, with the music recorded well in advance of the filming, actors are challenged to make relevant in the moment a song they performed long ago. (The Wall Street Journal)

Russell Crowe 'had tough Les Mis audition'
Russell Crowe reportedly felt like he was being judged by “ten Simon Cowells” when he auditioned for Les Misérables.
The actor portrays policeman Javert in Tom Hooper’s musical movie adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel.
Russell was desperate to win the part as soon as he heard the film was in the pipeline and was reportedly willing to do anything to secure it. He had to show off his vocal skills in front of many of those involved with the production, which was daunting. It’s been claimed Russell felt like he was trying out for a singing competition in front of famed acid-tongued reality show judge Simon. (Film-News.co.uk)

Al Clark to Receive Australian Academy's Lifetime Raymond Longford Award
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert producer Al Clark will receive the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts' highest honor, the Raymond Longford Award, in Sydney in January.

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Since 1983, Clark has produced or executive produced 19 films, including Russell Crowe's debut feature The Crossing, Chopper, which introduced director Andrew Dominik and actor Eric Bana to international audiences, and the British films 1984, starring Richard Burton, and Absolute Beginners, costarring David Bowie. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Director Tom Hooper to be Honored with Sonny Bono Visionary Award at Palm Spring
Today, Dec. 18, the 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival announced that it will present Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables") with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award. Presented by Cartier, the Awards Gala will be held Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. (Examiner)

Eddie Redmayne, 'Les Miserables' Star, On Sets That Smell Like Dead Fish & Singing Till You Bleed
In "Les Miserables," Redmayne stars as Marius, the romantic lead of the film's second half, an upstanding youngster who falls head over heels in love with Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). It's a role Michael Ball made famous in the original London production of "Les Miserables," and it provides Redmayne with a stand-out moment: a heartbreaking rendition of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."
Redmayne spoke to HuffPost Entertainment about landing the "Les Miserables" role, why this might be his last musical, and how the set smelled when Hathaway sang "I Dreamed A Dream." (Hint: Bad.)  (Huffington Post)