Oprah Winfrey, The New York Times and Lionsgate are partnering on a series of feature films and television shows based on “The 1619 Project.”
The collaboration was announced Wednesday, nearly a year after the Times debuted “The 1619 Project” series to re-examine the legacy of slavery in the United States on the 400th anniversary of the first Africans’ arrival in Virginia. Nikole Hannah-Jones, who was the architect of the series, won a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for commentary.
“We took very seriously our duty to find TV and film partners that would respect and honor the work and mission of ‘The 1619 Project,’ that understood our vision and deep moral obligation to doing justice to these stories,” Hannah-Jones said. “Through every step of the process, Lionsgate and its leadership have shown themselves to be that partner, and it is a dream to be able to produce this work with Ms. Oprah Winfrey, a trailblazer and...
The collaboration was announced Wednesday, nearly a year after the Times debuted “The 1619 Project” series to re-examine the legacy of slavery in the United States on the 400th anniversary of the first Africans’ arrival in Virginia. Nikole Hannah-Jones, who was the architect of the series, won a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for commentary.
“We took very seriously our duty to find TV and film partners that would respect and honor the work and mission of ‘The 1619 Project,’ that understood our vision and deep moral obligation to doing justice to these stories,” Hannah-Jones said. “Through every step of the process, Lionsgate and its leadership have shown themselves to be that partner, and it is a dream to be able to produce this work with Ms. Oprah Winfrey, a trailblazer and...
- 7/8/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Simon Brew Dec 14, 2017
In late 2006, with much fanfare, Tom Cruise was announced as headlining a revived United Artists. But what went wrong?
Lurking in the corners of Netflix UK is a not-very-widely-seen Tom Cruise movie, that a decade ago was all set to herald a new filmmaking dawn. Directed by Robert Redford, and with a cast that includes Redford, Cruise, Meryl Streep and a then-relatively-unknown Andrew Garfield, Lions For Lambs looked on paper to be a heavyweight political drama. Its focus is on three stories: an ambitious politician giving an interview to tough reporter, an army platoon being ordered to go on a top secret mission by said politician, and a professor trying to talk a promising student into turning his life around.
It looked like Oscar-bait. It turned out to be a footnote to the failure to resurrect United Artists.
United Artists was originally founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin,...
In late 2006, with much fanfare, Tom Cruise was announced as headlining a revived United Artists. But what went wrong?
Lurking in the corners of Netflix UK is a not-very-widely-seen Tom Cruise movie, that a decade ago was all set to herald a new filmmaking dawn. Directed by Robert Redford, and with a cast that includes Redford, Cruise, Meryl Streep and a then-relatively-unknown Andrew Garfield, Lions For Lambs looked on paper to be a heavyweight political drama. Its focus is on three stories: an ambitious politician giving an interview to tough reporter, an army platoon being ordered to go on a top secret mission by said politician, and a professor trying to talk a promising student into turning his life around.
It looked like Oscar-bait. It turned out to be a footnote to the failure to resurrect United Artists.
United Artists was originally founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin,...
- 12/4/2017
- Den of Geek
Hollywood legends Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher shared an undeniable bond their whole lives. Subscribe now for an inside look at Hollywood’s legendary mother-daughter duo – only in People.
Bonded in life and death, Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds worked together many times over the decades, including on the 2001 TV movie These Old Broads. The film revolves around three feuding former Hollywood stars (Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine and Joan Collins) who share an agent (Elizabeth Taylor). These Old Broads was co-written by Fisher as a starring vehicle for her mother and good friends MacLaine and Taylor, but also as...
Bonded in life and death, Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds worked together many times over the decades, including on the 2001 TV movie These Old Broads. The film revolves around three feuding former Hollywood stars (Reynolds, Shirley MacLaine and Joan Collins) who share an agent (Elizabeth Taylor). These Old Broads was co-written by Fisher as a starring vehicle for her mother and good friends MacLaine and Taylor, but also as...
- 1/4/2017
- by Kara Warner
- PEOPLE.com
Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher, had an indelible bond in life—and in death.
Living together as next-door neighbors in Beverly Hills, the women were a constant presence in each other’s daily lives. “At the one end of the family compound lived Debbie Reynolds, star of Singin’ in the Rain, with Dorothy’s red slippers from The Wizard of Oz on the mantelpiece,” said Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom, who directed the new HBO documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds and shared written memories exclusively with People for this week’s cover story.
Living together as next-door neighbors in Beverly Hills, the women were a constant presence in each other’s daily lives. “At the one end of the family compound lived Debbie Reynolds, star of Singin’ in the Rain, with Dorothy’s red slippers from The Wizard of Oz on the mantelpiece,” said Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom, who directed the new HBO documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds and shared written memories exclusively with People for this week’s cover story.
- 1/3/2017
- by juliejordanpeople
- PEOPLE.com
Defy Media, the studio behind digital “channels” like Smosh and Screen Junkies and Teen.com, has just closed another round of funding, to the tune of $70 million. The cash infusion comes courtesy of Wellington Management Company. And what will Defy be using this money for? Pouring it into its current batch of 72 series that premiere episodes every week and figuring out what the next Smosh is. “We’re focused on IP,” CEO Matthew Diamond told TheWrap. In common parlance: Defy is less worried about distribution or going into different formats like virtual reality than simply finding shows people will watch.
- 9/13/2016
- by Oriana Schwindt
- The Wrap
After announcing the nominees for best film direction yesterday, the Directors Guild of America revealed the slate for TV direction in dramas and comedies today.
"Game of Thrones" seeks to add to its trophy haul for David Nutter's direction of the season 5 finale, "Mother's Mercy," which won an Emmy last September. But HBO's epic fantasy series will be challenged by the series finale of "Mad Men," directed by creator Matthew Weiner.
On the comedy side, "Transparent" will vie with the usual suspects, "Veep" and "Silicon Valley." Here is the full list of nominees:
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
Michael Engler
Downton Abbey, "Episode 8" (PBS)
Lesli Linka Glatter
Homeland, "The Tradition of Hospitality" (Showtime)
David Nutter
Game of Thrones, "Mother's Mercy" (HBO)
Steven Soderbergh
The Knick, "Williams and Walker" (Cinemax)
Matthew Weiner
Mad Men, "Person to Person" (AMC)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
Chris Addison
Veep, "Election Night" (HBO)
Louis C.K.
Louie,...
"Game of Thrones" seeks to add to its trophy haul for David Nutter's direction of the season 5 finale, "Mother's Mercy," which won an Emmy last September. But HBO's epic fantasy series will be challenged by the series finale of "Mad Men," directed by creator Matthew Weiner.
On the comedy side, "Transparent" will vie with the usual suspects, "Veep" and "Silicon Valley." Here is the full list of nominees:
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
Michael Engler
Downton Abbey, "Episode 8" (PBS)
Lesli Linka Glatter
Homeland, "The Tradition of Hospitality" (Showtime)
David Nutter
Game of Thrones, "Mother's Mercy" (HBO)
Steven Soderbergh
The Knick, "Williams and Walker" (Cinemax)
Matthew Weiner
Mad Men, "Person to Person" (AMC)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
Chris Addison
Veep, "Election Night" (HBO)
Louis C.K.
Louie,...
- 1/13/2016
- by Kelly Woo
- Moviefone
In June, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performed over a dozen works at Lincoln Center. Now four of those performances—“Chroma” by Wayne McGregor; artistic director Robert Battle’s “Takademe”; “Grace” by Ronald K. Brown; and Alvin Ailey benchmark “Revelations”—can be relived in theaters Oct. 22 with additional material, including interviews with dancers and Battle. A completely new experience, the Matthew Diamond–directed film gives a feeling almost as if “you were on the stage, like you could walk through the works like being at a museum or something,” Battle told Backstage. “Even if you’ve seen the company, think of [the film] as a completely different kind of experience that involves more interactions.” The modern dance company, in an effort to hold fast to its founder’s mission of making dance accessible to all, is partnering with Lincoln Center at the Movies for the film series project “Great American Dance.
- 10/14/2015
- backstage.com
Add Viacom to the companies cozying up to online video networks. The entertainment company swapped its gaming focused digital properties — casual game developers Addicting Games and Shockwave, and video unit GameTrailers – for an unspecified minority stake in Defy Media. It picks up a seat on Defy’s 10-member board which is chaired by former Nickelodeon and Oxygen Media chief Gerry Laybourne and includes reps from Lionsgate, ZelnickMedia and Abs Capital. (The network company, popular on YouTube, was formed last year when Alloy Digital and Break Media merged.) In addition to the transaction, Viacom and Defy have agreed to syndicate content and develop and distribute entertainment, although they don’t provide details. Viacom picked up Addicting Games and Shockwave in 2006 as part of its $200M acquisition of Atom Films, and bought GameTrailers in 2005. But Viacom “was not investing materially in them,” Defy President Keith Richman tells me. That should change with the new ownership.
- 6/9/2014
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Financial Editor
- Deadline TV
The week after an impending merger was first reported, multi-channel network Alloy Digital and media company Break Media have officially come together in online video harmony. The two major players have announced an even deal through which they will join forces to become Defy Media. As expected, Defy Media's main target will be men ages 12-34, a demographic sought after by both of its parent companies. Defy launches with a powerful collection of verticals, such as Made Man, The Escapist, AWEme, and Screen Junkies, as well as strong YouTube brands like Smosh, Clevver, and Break. These channels reach more than 125 million viewers on YouTube alone. “Defy Media signifies a transformative moment, fortifying a multi-faceted media model that’s responding to the changing marketplace and expectations of 12-34 consumers,” commented Matthew Diamond, CEO of Alloy Digital. “The merging of our highly complementary strengths greatly enhances a formidable programming and distribution engine...
- 10/14/2013
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure (2012) Director: Matthew Diamond Stars: Cary Elwes, Cloris Leachman, Christopher Lloyd The Teletubbies have sex with Pee Wee's Playhouse and then go on a bad acid trip. I know it's not really fair for a discerning adult to cast judgment upon a film that's made purely for kids, but The Oogieloves exists in its own dimension. A strange land where the rules of humanity and the laws of reason are continually set on fire and thrown...
- 3/6/2013
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
New 90210 season 5,episode 17 official spoilers,plotline revealed by CW. Recently,CW dropped the new,official,synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "90210" episode 17 of season 5. The episode is titled, "Dude, Where's My Husband," and it sounds pretty crazy as Dixon is now going to develop a crush on the new Michaela/surrogate mother chick,and more. In the new,17th episode press release, Naomi will meet up-and-coming mogul ,Jordan Welland (guest star Robbie Jones), who hires her to plan events for his media empire. Annie, Adrianna, and Silver are going to plan a girls’ night out for Naomi, which ends with disastrous results. Dixon is going to start to develop feelings for Michaela (guest star Lyndon Smith). Liam is going to find out that the Cronus brothers plan to blame Navid for the cheating ring ,and is forced to befriend them to clear Navid’s name. Trevor Donovan will also star in the episode.
- 2/23/2013
- by Megan
- OnTheFlix
The long Labor Day weekend will see Brave and The Avengers dramatically up their theater counts at the North American box office in an end-of-summer push. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted also is increasing its presence -- which, combined with Brave, will make life difficult for the independently distributed kids pic The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure.
Oogieloves, directed by Matthew Diamond, opened to a dismal $102,564 from 2,160 theaters on Wednesday for a per-screen average of $47. Distributor Kenn Viselman, who was instrumental in bringing Teletubbies to American
read more...
Oogieloves, directed by Matthew Diamond, opened to a dismal $102,564 from 2,160 theaters on Wednesday for a per-screen average of $47. Distributor Kenn Viselman, who was instrumental in bringing Teletubbies to American
read more...
- 8/31/2012
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance." - Japanese proverb
Not since Matthew Diamond's splendid documentary on Paul Taylor, Dancemaker (1998), has a film honored the essence of Terpsichore, the muse of dance, so well as does First Position.
Bess Kargman's new film focuses on seven competitors, aged 10 to 17, who are putting their personal lives on hold to win top prizes at the Youth American Grand Prix, the "largest competition that awards full scholarships to top ballet schools."
Much as in any reality competition on TV, we first meet the wannabe dancers and eventually their families. Then we watch the talented juveniles rehearse, overcoming pain and doubt as they twist their torsos into unimaginable configurations and leap dizzying heights.
Where the film succeeds is in its wise choice of leads to focus on. Michaela DePrince, 14, for example, was three when both of her...
Not since Matthew Diamond's splendid documentary on Paul Taylor, Dancemaker (1998), has a film honored the essence of Terpsichore, the muse of dance, so well as does First Position.
Bess Kargman's new film focuses on seven competitors, aged 10 to 17, who are putting their personal lives on hold to win top prizes at the Youth American Grand Prix, the "largest competition that awards full scholarships to top ballet schools."
Much as in any reality competition on TV, we first meet the wannabe dancers and eventually their families. Then we watch the talented juveniles rehearse, overcoming pain and doubt as they twist their torsos into unimaginable configurations and leap dizzying heights.
Where the film succeeds is in its wise choice of leads to focus on. Michaela DePrince, 14, for example, was three when both of her...
- 1/20/2012
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
HollywoodLife.com spoke exclusively to Demi’s director, Matthew, who “wishes her well”
Demi Lovato has had thousands of well wishes from celebrity tweets, to fans and Disney, but for the first time, her Camp Rock director, Matthew Diamond, is sending her his best as well!
The busy director took the time out to tell HollywoodLife.com exclusively, he “certainly wishes her well.”
Diamond isn’t the only power house sending comfort, Disney also sent well wishes to the starlet. The powerhouse company said, “We support Demi’s decision to put her health first and we send her our best wishes.”
Reports have been swirling about the reasons Demi is seeking treatment after getting into a physical altercation with one of her backup dancers. The confrontation reportedly occurred because Demi thought the dancer told on her for partying one night after a Jonas Brothers tour show. Her reps have adamantly denied the allegation.
Demi Lovato has had thousands of well wishes from celebrity tweets, to fans and Disney, but for the first time, her Camp Rock director, Matthew Diamond, is sending her his best as well!
The busy director took the time out to tell HollywoodLife.com exclusively, he “certainly wishes her well.”
Diamond isn’t the only power house sending comfort, Disney also sent well wishes to the starlet. The powerhouse company said, “We support Demi’s decision to put her health first and we send her our best wishes.”
Reports have been swirling about the reasons Demi is seeking treatment after getting into a physical altercation with one of her backup dancers. The confrontation reportedly occurred because Demi thought the dancer told on her for partying one night after a Jonas Brothers tour show. Her reps have adamantly denied the allegation.
- 11/4/2010
- by Jessica Finn
- HollywoodLife
Disney Channel is giving a head start for "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" by releasing its first teaser. Not giving away any scene from the TV movie, the teaser is quite informative in terms of its release target and story plot. The sequel to "Camp Rock" is coming to the channel in Summer 2010 with the summer camp threatened to be shut down.
According to its early synopsis, the second installment sees Mitchie, Shane and the others discovering that some of the students and instructors have ditched it for a nearby rival Camp Star. Also, there would be sort of a "Romeo and Juliet" love story when Nick Jonas' Nate falls in love with the daughter of Camp Star's owner.
Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers have joined the production that was kicked off in summer. Matthew Diamond no longer directs the TV movie, being replaced by the helmer of "Jump In!
According to its early synopsis, the second installment sees Mitchie, Shane and the others discovering that some of the students and instructors have ditched it for a nearby rival Camp Star. Also, there would be sort of a "Romeo and Juliet" love story when Nick Jonas' Nate falls in love with the daughter of Camp Star's owner.
Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers have joined the production that was kicked off in summer. Matthew Diamond no longer directs the TV movie, being replaced by the helmer of "Jump In!
- 9/21/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato return to camp later this summer when Disney Channel begins production on Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam, the sequel to the network's original movie Camp Rock (June 20, 2008). Set to premiere on Disney Channel in 2010, this time around the kids return to camp to find that some of their camp mates and counselors have defected to the new state-of-the-art music/performance camp across the lake and a rivalry with a musical showdown ensues. Of course there is also a love twist, this time Joe Jonas falls for the daughter of the owner of the rival camp. Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam will also feature new cast members Matthew "Mdot" Finley (an R&B musician) and Chloe Bridges (a classical pianist), as well as returning cast mates Meaghan Martin, Alyson Stoner and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle among others. Camp Rock 2 will be...
- 7/9/2009
- by gwen@cynopsis.com
More about "Camp Rock" sequel are peeled, including how the plot will borrow a thing or two from Shakespeare. "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" will begin the production this summer, and there is a story of "Romeo and Juliet" when Nate falls in love with the daughter of a rival camp owner.
Apart from the plot, Disney Channel also announced that the TV movie will have a new director and writer despite the fact that the first one became the second highest viewed Dcom behind "High School Musical 2". Taking over from Matthew Diamond is Paul Hoen who directed "Jump In!". The writing is tackled by Dan Berendsen ("Hannah Montana: The Movie") with Karin Gist and Regina Hicks assisting.
The cast, meanwhile, remain the same. Demi Lovato is back as Mitchie Torres, Joe Jonas as Shane Gray, Nick Jonas as Nate and Kevin Jonas as Jason. New faces come...
Apart from the plot, Disney Channel also announced that the TV movie will have a new director and writer despite the fact that the first one became the second highest viewed Dcom behind "High School Musical 2". Taking over from Matthew Diamond is Paul Hoen who directed "Jump In!". The writing is tackled by Dan Berendsen ("Hannah Montana: The Movie") with Karin Gist and Regina Hicks assisting.
The cast, meanwhile, remain the same. Demi Lovato is back as Mitchie Torres, Joe Jonas as Shane Gray, Nick Jonas as Nate and Kevin Jonas as Jason. New faces come...
- 7/8/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato are headed back to Camp Rock, but the sequel to last year's top-rated cable telecast will feature a new director and writer, not to mention a plot that borrows from Shakespeare.
"Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam" will begin production this summer and debut next year on Disney Channel.
The story has the characters played by Lovato and Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas returning to their beloved Camp Rock, only to discover that some of the students and instructors have ditched it for nearby rival Camp Star.
Other major players returning for the sequel include Meaghan Jette Martin, Maria Canals-Barrera and Alyson Stoner. Daniel Fathers is back as Camp Rock's head honcho.
Joining the cast for "Final Jam" are popular hip-hop artist Matthew "Mdot" Finley and Chloe Bridges, an accomplished 17-year-old classical pianist. Mdot plays the reigning hot-shot singer across the lake at Camp...
"Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam" will begin production this summer and debut next year on Disney Channel.
The story has the characters played by Lovato and Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas returning to their beloved Camp Rock, only to discover that some of the students and instructors have ditched it for nearby rival Camp Star.
Other major players returning for the sequel include Meaghan Jette Martin, Maria Canals-Barrera and Alyson Stoner. Daniel Fathers is back as Camp Rock's head honcho.
Joining the cast for "Final Jam" are popular hip-hop artist Matthew "Mdot" Finley and Chloe Bridges, an accomplished 17-year-old classical pianist. Mdot plays the reigning hot-shot singer across the lake at Camp...
- 7/7/2009
- by By Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Although Ari Folman's "Waltz With Bashir" did not make the shortlist of 15 films under consideration for the best documentary Oscar, it is among the nominees for the DGA's doc award, announced Friday.
"Waltz" will compete with Gonzalo Arijon's "Stranded: I've Come From a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains," in which survivors of a 1972 Andes plane crash tell their story; Elizabeth Farnsworth and Patricio Lanfranco's "The Judge and the General," a look back at the investigation into the regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet; Peter Gilbert & Stevie James' "At the Death House Door," an examination of the wrongful conviction of a Texas man executed for murder; and James Marsh's "Man on Wire," a study of tight-rope walker Philippe Petit.
All the nominees are first-time DGA nominees, with the exception of Gilbert (who won the DGA's doc award in 1998 for "Vietnam: Long Time Coming" and was...
"Waltz" will compete with Gonzalo Arijon's "Stranded: I've Come From a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains," in which survivors of a 1972 Andes plane crash tell their story; Elizabeth Farnsworth and Patricio Lanfranco's "The Judge and the General," a look back at the investigation into the regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet; Peter Gilbert & Stevie James' "At the Death House Door," an examination of the wrongful conviction of a Texas man executed for murder; and James Marsh's "Man on Wire," a study of tight-rope walker Philippe Petit.
All the nominees are first-time DGA nominees, with the exception of Gilbert (who won the DGA's doc award in 1998 for "Vietnam: Long Time Coming" and was...
- 1/9/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TV Show Info: Writer: Wendy Aaron, Lisa A. Bannick, Kate Boutilier, Susan Borowitz Director: Matthew Diamond, Alan Berqmann, Kent Bateman, Debbie Allen, Peter Baldwin Cast: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Tina Yothers, Meredith Baxter, Justine Bateman, Brian Bonsall, Marc Price, Scott Valentine Rating: Not Rated Studio: CBS/Paramount Release Info: Original Air Dates:1982-1989 Season Air Dates: 9/26/85 – 5/8/86 DVD Box Set Release Date: August [...]ShareThis...
- 8/7/2008
- by Ashtyn
After making stars of singer-actors like Hannah Montana's Miley Cyrus, Disney Channel has set its sights on a trio of young hyphenates, greenlighting a series, movie and concert special starring recording act The Jonas Brothers.
The teenage siblings -- Kevin, Joe and Nick -- are set to star in a live-action spy comedy titled J.O.N.A.S. that has just been given a series pickup, targeted to go into production early next year for a 2008 premiere.
The single-camera comedy, from Turtle Rock Prods. and executive producers Michael Curtis and Roger Schulman, stars the brothers as young operatives for the government -- aka Junior Operatives Networking as Spies (J.O.N.A.S.) -- who thwart evil while working undercover as a superstar teen rock band. The number of episodes has yet to be determined for the series, the pilot of which was ordered in May (HR 5/9).
Meanwhile, Disney Channel also has officially greenlighted Camp Rock after having been in the works for a few months. The music-filled original movie, which is in production in Toronto, stars the Jonases as members of a leading musical group, Connect 3, who are celebrity guest counselors at a prestigious summer camp for aspiring musicians. Camp Rock is directed by Matthew Diamond from a script by Julie Brown, Paul Brown, Regina Hicks and Karen Gist.
The teenage siblings -- Kevin, Joe and Nick -- are set to star in a live-action spy comedy titled J.O.N.A.S. that has just been given a series pickup, targeted to go into production early next year for a 2008 premiere.
The single-camera comedy, from Turtle Rock Prods. and executive producers Michael Curtis and Roger Schulman, stars the brothers as young operatives for the government -- aka Junior Operatives Networking as Spies (J.O.N.A.S.) -- who thwart evil while working undercover as a superstar teen rock band. The number of episodes has yet to be determined for the series, the pilot of which was ordered in May (HR 5/9).
Meanwhile, Disney Channel also has officially greenlighted Camp Rock after having been in the works for a few months. The music-filled original movie, which is in production in Toronto, stars the Jonases as members of a leading musical group, Connect 3, who are celebrity guest counselors at a prestigious summer camp for aspiring musicians. Camp Rock is directed by Matthew Diamond from a script by Julie Brown, Paul Brown, Regina Hicks and Karen Gist.
- 9/25/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It was yet another victory for Brokeback Mountain as Ang Lee won the Directors Guild Award for the seemingly Oscar-bound film. Lee bested fellow nominees George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck), Paul Haggis (Crash), Bennett Miller (Capote) and Steven Spielberg (Munich) for the honor; it was also Lee's second DGA Award, as he had previously won in 2000 for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's yet another in a long line of Brokeback victories, as the film was the big winner at the Golden Globes (taking home four awards) and recently nabbed the Producers Guild of America award, as well as numerous critical honors. The DGA win gives Brokeback and Lee a solid lead in the Oscar race, as only six of the DGA's winners since 1949 have not won an Academy Award -- in fact, Lee's Crouching Tiger win was one of the exceptions, as the Best Director Oscar in 2000 went to Steven Soderbergh for Traffic. Academy Award nominations will be announced Tuesday. The DGA also gave Clint Eastwood (last year's winner for Million Dollar Baby) a Lifetime Achievement Award, and picked Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man) for their documentary award, though surprisingly, the film didn't made the short list for the Best Documentary Oscar. The DGA also gave out awards for television -- here's the entire list of winners: Feature Film: Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain Documentary: Werner Herzog, Grizzly Man Dramatic TV series: Michael Apted, Rome Comedy TV series: Marc Buckland, My Name Is Earl Television movie: Joseph Sargent (Warm Springs) and George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues) Reality TV show: Tony Croll (Three Wishes) and J. Rupert Thompson (Fear Factor) Musical variety show: Matthew Diamond, Great Performances: Dance in America - Swan Lake with American Ballet Theater Daytime drama: Owen Renfroe, General Hospital Children's programming: Chris Eyre, Edge of America Commercials: Craig Gillespie Lifetime Achievement Award: Clint Eastwood...
- 1/29/2006
- IMDb News
The late Bob Fosse may not have won an award from the Directors Guild of America for his feature film work, but his spirit seemed to hover over the DGA's 55th Annual Awards as first-time feature director Rob Marshall took home the top prize for his screen adaptation of Chicago, which Fosse originally created on Broadway in 1975. In addition, From Broadway: Fosse, presented by PBS' "Great Performances: Dance in America," earned the DGA's award for outstanding directorial achievement in a musical variety program for its director Matthew Diamond. Marshall's victory Saturday night at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City had to be considered something of an upset as Harvey Weinstein, co-chief of Miramax, while supporting Chicago, has been even more vocal in his hopes that Martin Scorsese will be recognized for directing awards for his work on Gangs of New York, which Miramax also produced. "I first have to thank the DGA for this unbelievable welcome -- it's astounding to me," a slightly stunned Marshall said. "I have to pay tribute to the original creator of this -- Bob Fosse on stage," he continued before going on citing such directors of movie musicals as Vincente Minnelli, Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, Herbert Ross and Robert Wise who'd inspired him. "I'm here because of them -- because I watched their work and studied their work and loved their work." Beyond ratifying the return of the movie musical this year, the DGA award is significant because it is considered a fairly accurate harbinger of the best director Academy Award. On only five occasions since the creation of the DGA Awards 1949 has the winner of the DGA award failed to win the Academy Award.
This Oscar-nominated documentary profiling leading modern dance choreographer Paul Taylor has opened for a commercial run at New York's Film Forum in conjunction with his company's appearance at City Center.
Although most likely to appeal to dance aficionados, "Dancemaker" is an often compelling film that should reap the benefit of its Academy mention and achieve decent boxoffice, at least by documentary standards. It should also enjoy a long, prosperous shelf life as a public television and video staple.
Matthew Diamond's film is a bit frustrating in its elliptical approach and is more successful in providing an impressionistic portrait of Taylor and the workings of his dance company than presenting much clear-cut information. There is interesting footage of the choreographer with his dancers, creating a work (tango-inspired "Piazzolla Caldera"), which will no doubt prove of enormous interest to future dance historians. On the other hand, there are endless cliched shots of hardworking dancers trying desperately to soothe their aching muscles, chain-smoking their way through pain.
"Dancemaker" succeeds best as a backstage portrait, and Taylor, a hard-driving autocrat, doesn't always come off as particularly admirable. But there is no denying the brilliance and passion of his work or the fierce dedication of his troupe. The film also includes many lengthy dance excerpts, often shot from the wings, with the unusual vantage point offering an interesting contrast to the audience-view shots of other dance films.
One of the more dramatic segments showcases Patrick Corban's powerful solo in Taylor's well-known "Aureole", contrasted with footage of the large-bodied choreographer's performance in the work decades earlier.
The film often meanders frustratingly, most notably in a segment devoted to the troupe's trip to India, with pointless shots of dancers wandering around the Taj Mahal. And despite several interviews with dance critics and experts about the importance of Taylor's work, we never get a fully informative perspective of his importance as a choreographer. In terms of presenting a fly-on-the-wall perspective of the travails of a modern dance company, however, "Dancemaker" excels.
DANCEMAKER
Artistic License Films
Director: Matthew Diamond
Producers: Matthew Diamond, Jerry Kupfer
Executive producer: Walter Scheuer in association with the Four Oaks Foundation
Director of photography: Tom Hurwitz
Editor: Pam Wise
Sound: Peter Miller
Color/stereo
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Although most likely to appeal to dance aficionados, "Dancemaker" is an often compelling film that should reap the benefit of its Academy mention and achieve decent boxoffice, at least by documentary standards. It should also enjoy a long, prosperous shelf life as a public television and video staple.
Matthew Diamond's film is a bit frustrating in its elliptical approach and is more successful in providing an impressionistic portrait of Taylor and the workings of his dance company than presenting much clear-cut information. There is interesting footage of the choreographer with his dancers, creating a work (tango-inspired "Piazzolla Caldera"), which will no doubt prove of enormous interest to future dance historians. On the other hand, there are endless cliched shots of hardworking dancers trying desperately to soothe their aching muscles, chain-smoking their way through pain.
"Dancemaker" succeeds best as a backstage portrait, and Taylor, a hard-driving autocrat, doesn't always come off as particularly admirable. But there is no denying the brilliance and passion of his work or the fierce dedication of his troupe. The film also includes many lengthy dance excerpts, often shot from the wings, with the unusual vantage point offering an interesting contrast to the audience-view shots of other dance films.
One of the more dramatic segments showcases Patrick Corban's powerful solo in Taylor's well-known "Aureole", contrasted with footage of the large-bodied choreographer's performance in the work decades earlier.
The film often meanders frustratingly, most notably in a segment devoted to the troupe's trip to India, with pointless shots of dancers wandering around the Taj Mahal. And despite several interviews with dance critics and experts about the importance of Taylor's work, we never get a fully informative perspective of his importance as a choreographer. In terms of presenting a fly-on-the-wall perspective of the travails of a modern dance company, however, "Dancemaker" excels.
DANCEMAKER
Artistic License Films
Director: Matthew Diamond
Producers: Matthew Diamond, Jerry Kupfer
Executive producer: Walter Scheuer in association with the Four Oaks Foundation
Director of photography: Tom Hurwitz
Editor: Pam Wise
Sound: Peter Miller
Color/stereo
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.