Alex Gibney, the director who brought us this year's shocking Scientology documentary "Going Clear," is disappointed with Jon Stewart for failing to ask Tom Cruise about the controversial religion during the "Mission: Impossible" star recent "Daily Show" appearance. In fact, he's pretty disappointed with the media overall. "What a missed opportunity," Gibney writes in a new piece for The Hollywood Reporter. "For once, someone with intelligence, rhetorical skill and insight could have confronted Cruise about the engine of cruelty that drives his chosen religion and reminded the world that the smiling movie star sits idly by, effectively endorsing a longstanding and ongoing pattern of human rights abuses." Among other offenses, the documentary charges the church with forcing members to "disconnect" from friends and family, illegal surveillance, engaging in physical abuse and waging campaigns of harassment against those deemed to be enemies of the religion. Cruise specifically is depicted as Scientology's...
- 8/6/2015
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
Alex Gibney’s powerful exposé paints a sinister portrait of Scientology, straight from the mouths of former insiders
Alex Gibney interview: journey into the seductive world of Scientology
Alex Gibney’s typically engaging and increasingly alarming history/exposé of Scientology (from Pulitzer prize-winning Lawrence Wright’s book) hears from those who have embraced and then escaped the teachings of L Ron Hubbard and his cult disciples. From Sylvia “Spanky” Taylor, who worked closely with celebrity Scientology flag-waver John Travolta, to Oscar winning film-maker Paul Haggis, who only slowly became aware of the barefaced lies and Wtf-mumbo-jumbo he was living with, Going Clear presents an insider’s view of post-Thetan existence.
Continue reading...
Alex Gibney interview: journey into the seductive world of Scientology
Alex Gibney’s typically engaging and increasingly alarming history/exposé of Scientology (from Pulitzer prize-winning Lawrence Wright’s book) hears from those who have embraced and then escaped the teachings of L Ron Hubbard and his cult disciples. From Sylvia “Spanky” Taylor, who worked closely with celebrity Scientology flag-waver John Travolta, to Oscar winning film-maker Paul Haggis, who only slowly became aware of the barefaced lies and Wtf-mumbo-jumbo he was living with, Going Clear presents an insider’s view of post-Thetan existence.
Continue reading...
- 6/28/2015
- by Mark Kermode, Observer film critic
- The Guardian - Film News
In the face of continued legal pressure, Alex Gibney's Going Clear is to finally get a UK release...
Earlier this year, documentary filmmaker's latest project, Going Clear, debuted on HBO to ratings of over 5.5 million viewers. That was one of HBO's biggest ever documentary premieres. It was based on Lawrence Wright's book of the same name, and investigated the apparent inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.
Wright's book, however, remains unpublished in the UK, for fear that our differing laws over here would leave it open to legal issues. Furthermore, that has then extended to the film. Sky Atlantic has the UK broadcast rights, but has not thus far screened Going Clear, due to the fact that Northern Ireland has not signed up to the Defamation Act of 2013. Given that Sky can't geoblock its signal, that would leave it open to a potential libel case.
Screen Daily now reports,...
Earlier this year, documentary filmmaker's latest project, Going Clear, debuted on HBO to ratings of over 5.5 million viewers. That was one of HBO's biggest ever documentary premieres. It was based on Lawrence Wright's book of the same name, and investigated the apparent inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.
Wright's book, however, remains unpublished in the UK, for fear that our differing laws over here would leave it open to legal issues. Furthermore, that has then extended to the film. Sky Atlantic has the UK broadcast rights, but has not thus far screened Going Clear, due to the fact that Northern Ireland has not signed up to the Defamation Act of 2013. Given that Sky can't geoblock its signal, that would leave it open to a potential libel case.
Screen Daily now reports,...
- 6/22/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Sky Atlantic puts on hold plans to screen Alex Gibney's Going Clear movie, about the church of Scientology.
Earlier this year, HBO in the Us screened - to sizeable ratings - Alex Gibney's documentary on the church of Scientology, Going Clear. The plan had then been for Sky Atlantic to screen the documentary in the UK, but news reaches us that those plans have now been scrapped.
The problem is the same one that led to the book the film is based on, by Lawrence Wright, not being published in the UK back in 2013. And it relates to the 2013 Defamation Act, that Northern Ireland is not subject to (it's being held up in the Northern Ireland assembly). As a result of that, and because - as The Observer reports - "Sky is unable to differentiate its signal between regions", it means that it would be "potentially exposed to...
Earlier this year, HBO in the Us screened - to sizeable ratings - Alex Gibney's documentary on the church of Scientology, Going Clear. The plan had then been for Sky Atlantic to screen the documentary in the UK, but news reaches us that those plans have now been scrapped.
The problem is the same one that led to the book the film is based on, by Lawrence Wright, not being published in the UK back in 2013. And it relates to the 2013 Defamation Act, that Northern Ireland is not subject to (it's being held up in the Northern Ireland assembly). As a result of that, and because - as The Observer reports - "Sky is unable to differentiate its signal between regions", it means that it would be "potentially exposed to...
- 4/21/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
John Travolta has spoken out against HBO's documentary on Scientology Going Clear, also revealing that he hasn't seen it and doesn't "really care to".
The actor - who has been a Scientologist since 1975 - defended his religious system in response to the documentary directed by Alex Gibney and adapted from a book of the same title by Lawrence Wright.
The documentary centres on the alleged transgressions of the church, and the huge influence that it claims Travolta and fellow Scientologist Tom Cruise have in recruiting new members.
It also profiles eight former members of the practice.
Speaking during an interview with the Tampa Bay Times to promote new movie The Forger, Travolta was asked whether he had seen the exposé.
"No, I haven't, and I don't really care to," he said.
"I haven't experienced anything that the hearsay has [claimed], so why would I communicate something that wasn't true for me?...
The actor - who has been a Scientologist since 1975 - defended his religious system in response to the documentary directed by Alex Gibney and adapted from a book of the same title by Lawrence Wright.
The documentary centres on the alleged transgressions of the church, and the huge influence that it claims Travolta and fellow Scientologist Tom Cruise have in recruiting new members.
It also profiles eight former members of the practice.
Speaking during an interview with the Tampa Bay Times to promote new movie The Forger, Travolta was asked whether he had seen the exposé.
"No, I haven't, and I don't really care to," he said.
"I haven't experienced anything that the hearsay has [claimed], so why would I communicate something that wasn't true for me?...
- 4/7/2015
- Digital Spy
John Travolta said he hasn't seen HBO's scathing Scientology documentary, Going Clear, and has no intention of watching Alex Gibney's film, which expands on the church's numerous abuses detailed in Lawrence Wright's similarly titled book.
Speaking with the Tampa Bay Times, Travolta said, "I've been so happy with my [Scientology] experience in the last 40 years, that I really don't have anything to say that would shed light on [a documentary] so decidedly negative. I've been brought through storms that were insurmountable, and [Scientology has] been so beautiful for me, that I can't even imagine attacking it.
Speaking with the Tampa Bay Times, Travolta said, "I've been so happy with my [Scientology] experience in the last 40 years, that I really don't have anything to say that would shed light on [a documentary] so decidedly negative. I've been brought through storms that were insurmountable, and [Scientology has] been so beautiful for me, that I can't even imagine attacking it.
- 4/7/2015
- Rollingstone.com
John Travolta is sticking up for Scientology just over a week after the HBO documentary “Going Clear” exposed a number of unflattering aspects of the religion some former members describe as a cult. “I’ve been so happy with my experience in the last 40 years that I really don’t have anything to say that would shed light on so decidedly negative,” Travolta told the Tampa Bay Times. Although the 61-year-old actor’s involvement in the church is profiled extensively in director Alex Gibney‘s film, based on author Lawrence Wright’s book of the same name, Travolta told the publication he hasn’t seen.
- 4/7/2015
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
Making himself clear. John Travolta stood by the Church of Scientology in a new interview with the Tampa Bay Times, speaking out against the talked about HBO documentary on the religion, Going Clear. Asked by the newspaper whether he's seen the eye-opening new film, Travolta said, "No, I haven't, and I don't really care to." The American Crime Story star, 61, is discussed and featured at length in Going Clear, along with his fellow celebrity Scientologist Tom Cruise. Based on Lawrence Wright's book by the same name, the [...]...
- 4/7/2015
- Us Weekly
“Going Clear,” the new documentary about the Church of Scientology, premiered on HBO Sunday, and Hollywood has flocked to social media to voice support for the film, as well as their concerns about the religion some former members describe as a cult. Directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney, and based on the book of the same name by Lawrence Wright, the film takes an in-depth look at the religion launched by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. “Going Clear” not only presents a detailed history of the tax-exempt organization, but features former Scientologists who allege serious abuse and mistreatment at.
- 3/30/2015
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
Alex Gibney’s two-hour-long exploration of Scientology, Going Clear, premieres tonight on HBO. Based on Lawrence Wright's book by the same name, Gibney’s speaks with former leaders and defectors of the Church for the documentary, which gives the unacquainted a primer on the organization and its creator, L. Ron Hubbard, and chronicles its alleged abuses against its members. Gibney spoke with John Horn of Southern California Public Radio's arts and entertainment show “The Frame” about where he found footage of Scientology rallies, protecting his material from meddlers, and why more people need to speak out against the Church. (Listen to part of this interview below, and subscribe to “The Frame” at iTunes or Stitcher.)I want to ask about the archival footage that you found. There’s a lot of footage of David Miscavige at what looked to be—I think, to a lay person—they looked like a sales meeting at Herbalife.
- 3/29/2015
- by John Horn
- Vulture
The familiar tale of the billion-dollar rise of L. Ron Hubbard's sci-fi self-help religion-like philosophy/prank/cash-suck gets urgent, stylish treatment in Alex Gibney's HBO doc, a fleet and surefooted account of Scientology's origins, Hubbard's years at sea escaping U.S. taxes, and the misery and harassment faced by the church's apostates. In this case those include director Paul Haggis, ex-second-in-command Marty Rathbun, and onetime Travolta-wrangler Sylvia "Spanky" Taylor, whose efforts to take her child from a church nursery and escape her life of barely paid hard labor is here a tale of heart-clutching suspense. Lawrence Wright, whose book offers the film its reportorial basis, observes that there's no way John Travolta and Tom Cruise can't know about the slave-like cond...
- 3/11/2015
- Village Voice
At the La premiere of Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, HBO's new documentary about the Church of Scientology, filmmakers and former members had strong words about the organization -- and its most famous followers.
News: Leah Remini's Scientology Tell-All
The film's producers claim that they reached out to Tom Cruise and John Travolta for interviews, but their requests were allegedly denied. Representatives from the Church said that 25 members were made available to refute every claim made in the documentary but that filmmakers allegedly shunned them. No active members of the religion appear in the documentary.
Director Alex Gibney told The Insider that Cruise and Travolta's influence made it important for him to try to include them.
"They bear a tremendous amount of responsibility because they are key figures for the church in terms of their recruiting," Gibney said. "They owe people an explanation as to why they would be the PR figures...
News: Leah Remini's Scientology Tell-All
The film's producers claim that they reached out to Tom Cruise and John Travolta for interviews, but their requests were allegedly denied. Representatives from the Church said that 25 members were made available to refute every claim made in the documentary but that filmmakers allegedly shunned them. No active members of the religion appear in the documentary.
Director Alex Gibney told The Insider that Cruise and Travolta's influence made it important for him to try to include them.
"They bear a tremendous amount of responsibility because they are key figures for the church in terms of their recruiting," Gibney said. "They owe people an explanation as to why they would be the PR figures...
- 3/10/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
We're on the verge of the SXSW Film Festival, so several area theaters will be turning into official venues by this time next week. Specialty screenings are still going on in the week ahead, but it definitely is about to slow down until after the festival has us all wiped out.
Austin Film Society has a Free Member Friday tonight at the Marchesa with Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket. The group will be screening the movie along with the original short film that inspired it and it's free to all Afs members. Members can also go the Afs website to claim two free tickets to a special advance screening on Tuesday night at the Paramount of Alex Gibney's new documentary Going Clear, which examines the Church of Scientology. The film will debut on HBO later this month, but this special advance screening will feature Gibney and Texas author Lawrence Wright...
- 3/6/2015
- by Matt Shiverdecker
- Slackerwood
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Alex Gibney is unraveling the secrets of Scientology in his latest investigative documentary, "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief." The non-fiction feature first shocked audiences at its Sundance Film Festival premiere earlier this year and will be hitting HBO on March 29. In celebration of the documentary's upcoming release, Gibney joined Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright, who wrote the book on which the film is based, and Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis ("Crash"), who left the church and serves as one of the primary subjects in the film, for a TimesTalk in New York City that took place on March 3. Highlights include Haggis revealing why he initially became a Scientologist and what caused him to eventually shun it, and Gibney explaining his visual approach to adapting Wright's book. Also included in the talk is Mike Rinder, a former senior executive of the Church, who fled after he became disillusioned.
- 3/2/2015
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
"Armstrong Lie" director Alex Gibney dropped his latest bomb on Sundance in January with "Going Clear," a documentary exposé of the Church of Scientology that dragged him through the gauntlet to get made. HBO, no stranger to scandal-making with its ever-broadening documentary slate, commissioned Gibney's adaptation of Lawrence Wright's "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief" just after the nonfiction book was published in January 2013. The book analyzes the history of L. Ron Hubbard, and of Tom Cruise and John Travolta's various, and wildly public, relationships, among others. Wright gained notoriety in 2011 when he profiled screenwriter/director Paul Haggis—who broke from the Church in 2009 in the wake of its startling pronouncements about Prop 8—in The New Yorker. Anticipating legal and religious retaliation, HBO President Sheila Nevins has said that some 160 lawyers looked at the film, which premieres on HBO...
- 2/20/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Veteran documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney returned to Sundance this January with his latest powder keg of a documentary, "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief." Like the book on which it's based by Lawrence Wright, it offered up shocking claims about the Church of Scientology sure to rock the public when HBO Documentary Films releases the film. The extensive and scathing exposé digs into the history of founder L. Ron Hubbard, the real reason behind the breakup of Scientology member Tom Cruise and his now ex-wife Nicole Kidman, what goes on behind the closed doors of its Los Angeles Church and much more over the course of its two-hour running time. HBO will debut the documentary on Sunday, March 29 at 8pm, with an encore the next night, Monday March 30 at 9pm. Watch the first trailer below: Read More: Sundance: Alex Gibney Premieres His Scathing Exposé on the Church of...
- 2/19/2015
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Danny Masterson has a message for all those Scientology haters. In a new interview with Paper magazine, the "That '70s Show" star opens up about his controversial religion on the heels of the premiere of "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief." "I heard about that documentary; the documentary where they interviewed eight people who hate Scientology. Should be pretty interesting. I wonder if Sundance would allow a documentary of, like, eight people who hate Judaism. But you know, my religion's fair game, I guess, 'cause it's new," he tells the mag. "There's basically like 200 lies in the book and so therefore he couldn't even publish that book [in Canada or the UK because the libel laws],” he adds, referring to Lawrence Wright’s book, which inspired the movie. Masterson also touches on fellow Hollywood star Paul Haggis' decision to leave the church on account of gay marriage. "Paul was just mad that, as a religion, we're...
- 2/12/2015
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
It’s not that I don’t like Alex Gibney. The Oscar-winner has done yeoman’s work exploring modern problems so large that we tend to ignore them instead of face them head-on. He digs into the dirt, especially American dirt, that we’d rather not see on our own hands, and he does it all without the bombastic agenda sales of Michael Moore. All good things. My problem is that I’m not particularly interested in Scientology. Those who believe praise it wholesale, opponents claim that it’s responsible for murder, but overall it seems like another bit of antique hokum polished up with a Hollywood shine. As soon as you demand payment for having faith, my ears turn off. But consider them back on. After reading Kate’s review of Gibney’s new doc, Going Clear, based on Lawrence Wright’s book, she hooked me by talking about how unsettling it is. Then...
- 1/28/2015
- by Scott Beggs
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Doc reminds viewers of the insidious power of L. Ron Hubbard’s church that has long focused on Hollywood
“Going Clear,” the much-anticipated documentary about Scientology by veteran filmmaker Alex Gibney, caused a ruckus at Sundance on Sunday, resurfacing the most damaging accusations against the religion including a campaign to break up Tom Cruise’s marriage to Nicole Kidman.
Since the defection from the church in recent years by prominent members like Paul Haggis and investigative work including the book by Lawrence Wright on which the film is based, the worst of Scientology is already out there.
Also Read: Tom Cruise...
“Going Clear,” the much-anticipated documentary about Scientology by veteran filmmaker Alex Gibney, caused a ruckus at Sundance on Sunday, resurfacing the most damaging accusations against the religion including a campaign to break up Tom Cruise’s marriage to Nicole Kidman.
Since the defection from the church in recent years by prominent members like Paul Haggis and investigative work including the book by Lawrence Wright on which the film is based, the worst of Scientology is already out there.
Also Read: Tom Cruise...
- 1/26/2015
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Alex Gibney returned to Sundance this afternoon with his latest powder keg of a documentary, "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief." Like the book on which it's based by Lawrence Wright, it offered up shocking claims about the Church of Scientology that are sure to rock the public when HBO Documentary Films releases the film later this year. The extensive and scathing exposé digs into the history of founder L. Ron Hubbard, the real reason behind the breakup of Scientology member Tom Cruise and his now ex-wife Nicole Kidman, what goes on behind the closed doors of its Los Angeles Church and much more over the course of its two-hour running time. Gibney was joined onstage following the screening by Wright, some of the filmmaking team and a number of former Scientology members who were profiled in the film, all of whom received a warm standing ovation."The...
- 1/26/2015
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Oscar-winner Alex Gibney's new, four-hour documentary on Frank Sinatra, Sinatra: All or Nothing At All, will premiere over two nights on HBO, airing at 8 p.m. Et/Pt on April 5th and 6th.
The film takes an in-depth look at Sinatra's life and storied career, with Gibney utilizing hours of archived interviews, as well as new commentary from those closest to the singer. All or Nothing at All will also incorporate plenty of music and pictures from Sinatra's life, and specifically revolve around rare footage from his 1971 "Retirement Concert" in Los Angeles.
The film takes an in-depth look at Sinatra's life and storied career, with Gibney utilizing hours of archived interviews, as well as new commentary from those closest to the singer. All or Nothing at All will also incorporate plenty of music and pictures from Sinatra's life, and specifically revolve around rare footage from his 1971 "Retirement Concert" in Los Angeles.
- 1/22/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Pulitzer Prize winning author, screenwriter and journalist Lawrence Wright's latest book, Thirteen Days in September, has been named one of the Top 10 Books of 2014 by The New York Times, is 5 on Amazon.com's Editors' List of the Best Books of 2014, made NPR's list of 2014's Great Reads, as well as Entertainment Weekly's 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2014 and Publisher's Weekly 10 Best Books of 2014.
- 12/22/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
HBO is readying a documentary that will take a penetrating look at the Church of Scientology and its influence in Hollywood. Going Clear, based on Lawrence Wright's book Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief, is expected to air on the network in 2015, according to the Hollywood Reporter, with a premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January if finished in time.
Wright's book features harsh revelations against the controversial religion courtesy of Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, a longtime and high-ranking Church member who very publicly left Scientology in 2009. Filmmaker Alex Gibney,...
Wright's book features harsh revelations against the controversial religion courtesy of Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, a longtime and high-ranking Church member who very publicly left Scientology in 2009. Filmmaker Alex Gibney,...
- 11/25/2014
- Rollingstone.com
HBO, no stranger to courting controversy with its ever-broadening documentary slate, commissioned Gibney's adaptation of Lawrence Wright's "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief" just after the nonfiction book was published in January 2013. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gibney is now "putting the finishing touches on a film that tackles the Church of Scientology and its Tinseltown tentacles." The book analyzes the history of L. Ron Hubbard, and of Tom Cruise and John Travolta's various, and wildly public, relationships, among others. Wright gained notoriety in 2011 when he profiled screenwriter/director Paul Haggis—who broke from the Church in 2009 in the wake of its startling pronouncements about Prop 8—in The New Yorker. In anticipation of the Church's legal retaliation, HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins told THR that roughly 160 lawyers are looking at the film, which could land at the Sundance Film Festival in...
- 11/25/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Scientology has suffered some pretty bad PR in the past few years, and it’s likely to get worse. With everything from abuse scandals to tell-all memoirs from former members, the Church of Scientology has looked increasingly bad. Now we hear that HBO is preparing to air documentary Going Clear by Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side), focusing on Scientology’s powerful grasp on Hollywood.
Going Clear is based on Lawrence Wright’s book of the same name that detailed the history of Scientology, its founder L. Ron Hubbard, and the highly influential and highly suspect organization that has such powerful grounding in Hollywood. Like the book, the film is supposed to contain more revelations, some from formerly high-ranking members of the Church.
The Church of Scientology is a rather litigious organization, so HBO has prepared itself accordingly. According to HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins, 160 lawyers have looked...
Going Clear is based on Lawrence Wright’s book of the same name that detailed the history of Scientology, its founder L. Ron Hubbard, and the highly influential and highly suspect organization that has such powerful grounding in Hollywood. Like the book, the film is supposed to contain more revelations, some from formerly high-ranking members of the Church.
The Church of Scientology is a rather litigious organization, so HBO has prepared itself accordingly. According to HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins, 160 lawyers have looked...
- 11/25/2014
- by Lauren Humphries-Brooks
- We Got This Covered
Alex Gibney is continuing on his quest to make every denomination mad at him, and after turning his lens on the Catholic church in Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, he’s now examining the teachings of yet another religion, Scientology.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that his latest project is based on Going Clear, a non-fiction book by Lawrence Wright from 2013 in which Wright interviewed near 200 high-ranking Scientologists, documented the life of the church’s founder L. Ron Hubbard and in turn received numerous letters threatening legal action.
So, Gibney shouldn’t worry about ruffling any feathers then, right?
The documentary is in the finishing stages of production along with HBO, who THR notes is eyeing a 2015 debut and a potential run at this year’s Sundance should the film be completed in time.
Gibney of course has been mighty prolific of late, this becoming his 11th...
The Hollywood Reporter reports that his latest project is based on Going Clear, a non-fiction book by Lawrence Wright from 2013 in which Wright interviewed near 200 high-ranking Scientologists, documented the life of the church’s founder L. Ron Hubbard and in turn received numerous letters threatening legal action.
So, Gibney shouldn’t worry about ruffling any feathers then, right?
The documentary is in the finishing stages of production along with HBO, who THR notes is eyeing a 2015 debut and a potential run at this year’s Sundance should the film be completed in time.
Gibney of course has been mighty prolific of late, this becoming his 11th...
- 11/24/2014
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
Suri Cruise knows exactly what she wants for Christmas.
During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Katie Holmes revealed that her adorable eight-year-old daughter Suri has a very specific list when it comes to writing Santa.
"She's very organized and I start to, like, get a little bit of a panic because you cannot screw up talking to Santa," Katie told Ellen. "You cannot miss any item on that list because if you screw that up that's years and years of hearing about it. And then probably therapy."
News: Suri Cruise's 10 Best Burn-Book Jabs
And what kinds of things does Suri ask for?
"She’s practical, she's just very specific," Katie said. "'I want a puppy and then I want a pink collar that has sparkles on it that says the puppy’s name. Then I want shoes for the dog.' ... 'Then I want a purple clip.' Like, it's all very...
During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Katie Holmes revealed that her adorable eight-year-old daughter Suri has a very specific list when it comes to writing Santa.
"She's very organized and I start to, like, get a little bit of a panic because you cannot screw up talking to Santa," Katie told Ellen. "You cannot miss any item on that list because if you screw that up that's years and years of hearing about it. And then probably therapy."
News: Suri Cruise's 10 Best Burn-Book Jabs
And what kinds of things does Suri ask for?
"She’s practical, she's just very specific," Katie said. "'I want a puppy and then I want a pink collar that has sparkles on it that says the puppy’s name. Then I want shoes for the dog.' ... 'Then I want a purple clip.' Like, it's all very...
- 11/24/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Having already investigated Lance Armstrong, Enron, Eliot Spitzer, WikiLeaks, and the U.S. military, Alex Gibney is turning his attention to Scientology, the one subject that could get him sued more than he already has been. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gibney is currently working on an adaptation of Lawrence Wright's Going Clear for HBO; the director, whose process has been described as a documentary "factory," hopes to have the project done in time for Sundance in January. HBO says it has hired 160 lawyers in anticipation of a legal challenge, which means that Scientology, if it hopes to stop the film from airing, will have to get at least 161 lawyers. ...
- 11/24/2014
- by Nate Jones
- Vulture
Oscar winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney ("Taxi to the Dark Side," "Mea Maxima Culpa") is reportedly putting the finishing touches on "Going Clear," a film that tackles the Church of Scientology and its influence on Hollywood.
Based on Lawrence Wright's controversial book, HBO commissioned the Scientology project two years ago, before the book's publication. The film is expected to feature new revelations about the controversial religion and its famous followers.
HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins says they have "probably 160 lawyers" looking at the film, and are expecting protests.
The plan is to release the project theatrically next year, with the doco likely to be submitted for the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Source: The Live Feed...
Based on Lawrence Wright's controversial book, HBO commissioned the Scientology project two years ago, before the book's publication. The film is expected to feature new revelations about the controversial religion and its famous followers.
HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins says they have "probably 160 lawyers" looking at the film, and are expecting protests.
The plan is to release the project theatrically next year, with the doco likely to be submitted for the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Source: The Live Feed...
- 11/24/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Each week, Deadline’s Hot Reads presents what Hollywood’s power players are reading now and what they think is special about each book.
This week, film producer and Blumhouse Productions CEO Jason Blum shares what he’s been reading as his latest film, Ouija, holds its spell over the Halloween weekend. The PG-13 horror feature is Blumhouse’s seventh micro-budget film to hit No. 1 – but Blum also has his first micro-budget drama, the Miles Teller-J.K. Simmons jazz two-hander Whiplash, an intense drama garnering strong critical and festival acclaim that has spawned Oscar hopes.
“I find that the books that I read not for work inform what I do and the decisions that I make in my business,” he said. “But people generally don’t like to adapt – especially successful people. They get onto something and they stick with it. It’s important no matter how successful you...
This week, film producer and Blumhouse Productions CEO Jason Blum shares what he’s been reading as his latest film, Ouija, holds its spell over the Halloween weekend. The PG-13 horror feature is Blumhouse’s seventh micro-budget film to hit No. 1 – but Blum also has his first micro-budget drama, the Miles Teller-J.K. Simmons jazz two-hander Whiplash, an intense drama garnering strong critical and festival acclaim that has spawned Oscar hopes.
“I find that the books that I read not for work inform what I do and the decisions that I make in my business,” he said. “But people generally don’t like to adapt – especially successful people. They get onto something and they stick with it. It’s important no matter how successful you...
- 11/2/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Here's the latest Austin film news.
Austin will be the setting of two upcoming TV series. Kut reports that HBO is developing God Save Texas, about a freshman Texas legislator wooed by energy lobbyists. Writer/co-producer Lawrence Wright is basing the show on his play Sonny's Last Shot. No word yet on whether it will actually be shot in Austin. And per Austin Business Journal, Amazon is producing Hysteria, a series starring Mena Suvari as a psychiatrist at The University of Texas at Austin who's investigating a teen epidemic related to the title. This series might actually shoot locally, considering a recent casting call.Local screenwriter/author/former film critic C. Robert Cargill has his next project lined up: He's co-scripting The Outer Limits with Scott Derrickson, who co-wrote the horror feature Sinister with him too. The movie will be based primarily on an episode of the 1960s anthology show...
Austin will be the setting of two upcoming TV series. Kut reports that HBO is developing God Save Texas, about a freshman Texas legislator wooed by energy lobbyists. Writer/co-producer Lawrence Wright is basing the show on his play Sonny's Last Shot. No word yet on whether it will actually be shot in Austin. And per Austin Business Journal, Amazon is producing Hysteria, a series starring Mena Suvari as a psychiatrist at The University of Texas at Austin who's investigating a teen epidemic related to the title. This series might actually shoot locally, considering a recent casting call.Local screenwriter/author/former film critic C. Robert Cargill has his next project lined up: He's co-scripting The Outer Limits with Scott Derrickson, who co-wrote the horror feature Sinister with him too. The movie will be based primarily on an episode of the 1960s anthology show...
- 6/23/2014
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
Exclusive: HBO has put in development God Save Texas, a drama series project written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright (The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda And The Road To 9/11) and executive produced by X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner. It centers on an idealistic cowboy who, looking to save his ranch and marriage, tries to get elected to the Texas Legislature, where he becomes the target of the powerful energy lobby and learns how to survive in the crazy, brutal world of Texas politics. Wright, a native Texan and longtime observer of the political scene in Austin, is also a playwright. God Save Texas is based on his 2005 play Sonny’s Last Shot. Tony-winning veteran theater producer Margo Lion (Hairspray), who is working with Shuler Donner on adapting the Shuler Donner-produced feature The Secret Life Of Bees as a Broadway musical, gave her a copy of the play. Both felt Sonny’s...
- 6/6/2014
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Tom Cruise is a troublesome individual in real life. After reading Lawrence Wright's "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief," I could say more, but anything personally provocative would be contradicting the more important point of this piece: he's a great actor, and he's wasting his time. First, let's all agree the veteran thespian ascended past movie stardom to the legions of excellence with his performances listed below (in the easy-access language of today, a list). He is a not a good actor, but a great actor. As outlined in the superb piece by La Weekly's Chief Film Critic Amy Nicholson in last week's #LongForms article, Cruise was destined for further greatness before the internet wrapped him in scandal and cast him as a box office failure, though he clearly wasn't (look no further than "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" or "War of the Worlds" for proof). Yet poor,...
- 6/6/2014
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents the world-premiere historical drama Camp David, penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright and directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith. Based on true events surrounding the 1978 Camp David Accords, the play follows the 13-day meeting between President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as they attempted to create the impossible peace in the Middle East. Camp David runs now through May 4, 2014 in the Kreeger Theater. Below, BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities, featuring the real President Jimmy Carter and more...
- 4/5/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents the world-premiere historical drama Camp David, penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright and directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith. Based on true events surrounding the 1978 Camp David Accords, the play follows the 13-day meeting between President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as they attempted to create the impossible peace in the Middle East. Camp David runs tonight, March 21-May 4, 2014 in the Kreeger Theater. Scroll down for a first look at the cast...
- 3/21/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents the world-premiere historical drama Camp David, penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright and directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith. Based on true events surrounding the 1978 Camp David Accords, the play follows the 13-day meeting between President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as they attempted to create the impossible peace in the Middle East. Camp David runs March 21-May 4, 2014 in the Kreeger Theater. Scroll down for a first look at the cast...
- 3/5/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world-premiere historical drama Camp David, penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright and directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith. Based on true events surrounding the 1978 Camp David Accords, the play follows the 13-day meeting between President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as they attempted to create the impossible peace in the Middle East. The production features Tony Award nominee Hallie Foote Broadway's Dividing the Estate as Rosalynn Carter, Egyptian actor and activist Khaled Nabawy Kingdom of Heaven, Fair Game as Anwar Sadat, Tony Award winner Ron Rifkin Alias, Broadway's Cabaret as Menachem Begin and Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas The Waltons as President Jimmy Carter. Camp David runs March 21-May 4, 2014 in the Kreeger Theater.
- 2/11/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
This year’s National Book Awards were announced Wednesday night in a typically fancy-pants ceremony at Cipriani’s. The winners — also known as what your book club will start recommending this month — are ahead, in bold.FICTIONRachel Kushner, The FlamethrowersJhumpa Lahiri, The Lowland James McBride, The Good Lord BirdThomas Pynchon, Bleeding Edge George Saunders, Tenth of DecemberNONFICTIONJill Lepore, Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane FranklinWendy Lower, Hitler’s Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields George Packer, The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America Alan Taylor, The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832 Lawrence Wright, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of BeliefPOETRYFrank Bidart, Metaphysical Dog Lucie Brock-Broido, Stay, Illusion Adrian Matejka, The Big Smoke Matt Rasmussen, Black Aperture Mary Szybist, Incarnadine: PoemsYOUNG People's LITERATUREKathi Appelt, The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp Cynthia Kadohata, The Thing About LuckTom McNeal, Far...
- 11/21/2013
- by Delia Paunescu
- Vulture
The National Book Awards finalists were announced on Wednesday, with five each in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Young People’s Literature. Lawrence Wright’s “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief” made the nonfiction list. The book stemmed from Wright’s “New Yorker” piece on “Crash” director Paul Haggis and his exit from the controversial church. Also read: National Book Awards Pick Thomas Pynchon, Alice McDermott for Fiction Longlist He’ll be competing against a fellow “New Yorker” staff writer in the category: Jill Lepore’s “Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin” also made the list.
- 10/16/2013
- by Sara Morrison
- The Wrap
Going Clear, Lawrence Wright's history of Scientology, and Bleeding Edge, the latest novel from reclusive genius Thomas Pynchon, are among the finalists for the 2013 National Book Award announced Wednesday. Book Excerpt: How Scientology Seduced Tom Cruise The announcements were made on MSNBC's Morning Joe, an effort to raise the profile of the awards, which come with a $10,000 prize. Another move to raise awareness of the nominees was the release of free e-books collecting samples from the nominees in different categories. The winners will be announced at a New York City gala event on Nov. 20. Book
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- 10/16/2013
- by Andy Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The National Book Foundation has dropped its list of finalists for the 2013 National Book Awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 20. The nominees are:FictionRachel Kushner, The FlamethrowersJhumpa Lahiri, The Lowland James McBride, The Good Lord BirdThomas Pynchon, Bleeding Edge George Saunders, Tenth of December NonfictionJill Lepore, Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin Wendy Lower, Hitler’s Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields George Packer, The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America Alan Taylor, The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832 Lawrence Wright, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief PoetryFrank Bidart, Metaphysical Dog Lucie Brock-Broido, Stay, Illusion Adrian Matejka, The Big Smoke Matt Rasmussen, Black Aperture Mary Szybist, Incarnadine: Poems Young People's LiteratureKathi Appelt, The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp Cynthia Kadohata, The Thing About Luck Tom McNeal, Far Far Away...
- 10/16/2013
- by Lindsey Weber
- Vulture
Before Leah Remini, Paul Haggis was one of the highest-profile celebrities in Hollywood to defect from and outspokenly condemn the Church of Scientology, an organization that he had been part of for 35 years.
The "Million Dollar Baby" director left Scientology in 2009, after a disagreement on the group's stance on Proposition 8, and his insight was the basis of an enormously damaging 2011 profile on Scientology by Lawrence Wright for The New Yorker.
Now Haggis is applauding Remini's decision to speak openly about her resignation from Scientology, and her efforts in extracting herself from the community. (On July 27, Remini confirmed she had left the organization, after allegedly questioning the disappearance of leader David Miscavige's wife, Shelly, who has reportedly not been seen in public since 2007). In an article for The Hollywood Reporter, Haggis calls Remini a "class act and a lovely human being" who "called me as soon as she heard about my [own] letter of resignation.
The "Million Dollar Baby" director left Scientology in 2009, after a disagreement on the group's stance on Proposition 8, and his insight was the basis of an enormously damaging 2011 profile on Scientology by Lawrence Wright for The New Yorker.
Now Haggis is applauding Remini's decision to speak openly about her resignation from Scientology, and her efforts in extracting herself from the community. (On July 27, Remini confirmed she had left the organization, after allegedly questioning the disappearance of leader David Miscavige's wife, Shelly, who has reportedly not been seen in public since 2007). In an article for The Hollywood Reporter, Haggis calls Remini a "class act and a lovely human being" who "called me as soon as she heard about my [own] letter of resignation.
- 7/31/2013
- by Youyoung Lee
- Huffington Post
Pulitzer Prize-winner Lawrence Wright premieres his new play at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. It is a fictional play about the last days of legendary journalist Oriana Fallaci. Don't miss this sizzling new script, which is directed by Oskar Eustis, stars Concetta Tomei and Marjan Neshat, and features an incredible team of designers. The 65th world premiere presented by Berkeley Rep, Fallaci is currently in previews in the Roda Theatre and opens March 13, running through April 21. Below, check out a sneak peek at Fallaci, Berkeley Rep's new world premiere about one of the first rock stars of modern journalism...
- 3/12/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Photo Flash: First Look at Concetta Tomei and Marjan Neshat in Berkeley Rep's Fallaci World Premiere
Pulitzer Prize-winner Lawrence Wright premieres his new play at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. It is a fictional play about the last days of legendary journalist Oriana Fallaci. Don't miss this sizzling new script, which is directed by Oskar Eustis, stars Concetta Tomei and Marjan Neshat, and features an incredible team of designers. The 65th world premiere presented by Berkeley Rep, Fallaci is currently in previews in the Roda Theatre and opens March 13, running through April 21. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the actors onstage below...
- 3/12/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Even as his latest book attracts international attention, Pulitzer Prize-winner Lawrence Wright premieres his new play at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. A reporter renowned for his work with The New Yorker - and the bestselling author behind The Looming Tower and Going Clear Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief - Wright is also the playwright who penned My Trip to al Qaeda and The Human Scale. Now he debuts a fictional play about the last days of legendary journalist Oriana Fallaci. Don't miss this sizzling new script, which is directed by Oskar Eustis, stars Concetta Tomei and Marjan Neshat, and features an incredible team of designers. The 65th world premiere presented by Berkeley Rep, Fallaci begins previews in the Roda Theatre tonight, March 8, opens March 13, and runs through April 21.
- 3/8/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Are you sick and tired of all the crap that’s going on down in D.C? As in Washington, D.C., not DC Comics. Believe it or not, me, too. Here is a breakdown of the last 4½ years of political discourse between our political leaders: “You did it.” “No, you did it.” “I’m telling.” “No, I’m telling.” “That’s my ball.” “No, it’s not, it’s my ball.” “You cheated.” “So did you.” “I dare you.” “I double-dare you.” For Christ’s sake, grow the fuck up, children!!!!! Or take a lesson from The Avengers – beat the shit out of each other a la Iron Man and Thor, then realize you made a mistake and come together as a team to fight the real bad guy! I missed the Oscars this year because I watched Tootsie and Kramer Vs. Kramer on Turner Classic Movies, part of their “31 Days of Oscar” routine.
- 3/4/2013
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
Lawrence Wright, the bestselling author of Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief, called on the religion's "celebrity pitchmen" to use their "moral authority" to bring about reform in the Church. Wright sat down for a conversation about the book with The Hollywood Reporter's Kim Masters at a sold-out event in Santa Monica sponsored by Kcrw, Writers Bloc and THR. Story: Scientology's Seduction of Tom Cruise, Role in Nicole Kidman Split Detailed Responding to a question about whether the religion had the capacity to reform itself after more than three decades of leadership under David Miscavige -- leadership
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- 3/1/2013
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Publication of Lawrence Wright's new book about the Church of Scientology is being held up in Canada while Knopf U.S. awaits to results of a legal review, a company spokeswoman told TheWrap. "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief" was released last month in the United States, eliciting criticism from the highly secretive church. The book has not yet been published in the United Kingdom, where legal precedent in libel cases typically gives the plaintiff an advantage. "Given the differing legal systems in the U.S. and Canada," Knopf said in a...
- 2/5/2013
- by Alexander C. Kaufman & Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Scientology is one of the world's most secretive religions. For decades, the controversial faith has used legal threats and intimidation to combat its critics and any reporters hoping to shine a light on its practices and beliefs. Enter Lawrence Wright. The author of "The Looming Tower," a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of al Qaeda, has produced an unflinching and densely researched look at the Church of Scientology, its self-aggrandizing founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and troubling allegations that some members suffer physical and psychological abuse. His new book, "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & the...
- 2/5/2013
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Sukhdev Sandhu applauds an eye-opening account of America's most controversial religion
At the end of the 1940s, L Ron Hubbard – a sinophobic college dropout turned pulp writer (his pseudonyms included Joe Blitz and Legionnaire 148) turned reckless naval officer (one report claimed he was "lacking in the essential qualities of judgment, leadership and co-operation") turned ulcerous and gonorrhea-afflicted war veteran – hatched a plan to revive his stuttering fortunes. "I'd like to start a religion," he's reported to have declared. "That's where the money is."
Going Clear, Lawrence Wright's new study of the man and his followers, shows just how right he was. By 1950, Hubbard had developed a self-help system called dianetics, which was to form the basis of the Church of Scientology, whose assets are now reputed to be in the order of £1bn. Yet, though it claims a membership of 8m worldwide, independent studies suggest only 30,000 Americans call themselves...
At the end of the 1940s, L Ron Hubbard – a sinophobic college dropout turned pulp writer (his pseudonyms included Joe Blitz and Legionnaire 148) turned reckless naval officer (one report claimed he was "lacking in the essential qualities of judgment, leadership and co-operation") turned ulcerous and gonorrhea-afflicted war veteran – hatched a plan to revive his stuttering fortunes. "I'd like to start a religion," he's reported to have declared. "That's where the money is."
Going Clear, Lawrence Wright's new study of the man and his followers, shows just how right he was. By 1950, Hubbard had developed a self-help system called dianetics, which was to form the basis of the Church of Scientology, whose assets are now reputed to be in the order of £1bn. Yet, though it claims a membership of 8m worldwide, independent studies suggest only 30,000 Americans call themselves...
- 2/3/2013
- by Sukhdev Sandhu
- The Guardian - Film News
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