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Sam Shepard to Star in Epix's Tough Trade

20 November 2009 4:36 AM, PST | MovieWeb | See recent MovieWeb news »

Acclaimed actor and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard is set to star in Lionsgate's Tough Trade, the first original series pilot for Epix, the new multi-platform entertainment service from Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate which launched October 30, 2009. With a creative team led by executive producer and showrunner Jenji Kohan (Weeds), the pilot was written by creator/co-executive producer Chris Offutt (True Blood, Weeds) and will be directed by Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Rendition, Tsotsi). Shooting begins December 3 in Nashville. The announcement was made today by Mark Greenberg, president and CEO of Epix, and Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate's president of television programming and production.

Shepard (Brothers, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Right Stuff) will portray the patriarch of the Tucker family in this provocative, contemporary one-hour drama about a three-generation Nashville music dynasty whose penchant for drink, …

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Edelstein To Give A Lecture At Long Wharf Theatre 11/15

2 November 2009 6:29 PM, PST | BroadwayWorld.com | See recent BroadwayWorld.com news »

Long Wharf Theatre Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein will be lecturing about Athol Fugard, described by the New York Times as "the greatest playwright writing in English since Shakespeare," Sunday, November 15 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Stony Creek.

Edelstein is directing the world premiere of Fugard's Have You Seen Us?, running from Nov. 24 through Dec. 20 at Long Wharf Theatre, the site of many of Fugard's world premieres in the 1970s.

Fugard, born in 1932 in Middelburg, in the Karoo desert region of South Africa, battled to bring the stories of all South Africans to the world, even under the darkest years of apartheid, that abusive system that had one set of laws for whites, and another for people of color. For his service, he was awarded South Africa's highest award, the Ikhamanga Medal in 2005. His best-known plays include Bloodknot (1961); Boesman and Lena (1969); Sizwe Bansi …

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Claws for concern? A Blu-ray review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine

25 October 2009 6:00 PM, PDT | The Geek Files | See recent The Geek Files news »

Released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK last Monday, 20th Century Fox's X-Men Origins: Wolverine has already broken records for disc sales in the USA.

Over the past week, I've been steadily working my way through the Blu-ray with its hours of bonus features.

Wolverine has been a somewhat controversial project. There were persistent rumours of production troubles; an unfinished version of the movie was leaked online a month before its cinema release; and when it did come out, it was clawed by critics and received mostly negative reviews.

Some have said the DNA of the 20th Century Fox franchise has mutated into a mess or even a monstrosity.

So what's it like? Is this a Blu-ray worth adding to your collection? Well, let's find out...

The Story

The film tells the backstory of Hugh Jackman's character, a man with superhuman healing powers which enable him to survive …

- David Bentley

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Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel

14 October 2009 2:38 PM, PDT | Rotten Tomatoes | See recent Rotten Tomatoes news »

South African Gavin Hood directed the Oscar-winning Tsotsi but has also knocked about Hollywood, acted in over a dozen movies and, following his political thriller Rendition, got the nod to helm the blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine . Though the film drew mixed reviews, its box office has been enough to set in motion plans for a sequel. Recently we caught up with Hood to ask him about it, and share his thoughts on working with Hugh Jackman, comic book movies, and his admiration for fellow countryman Neill Blomkamp. …

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Bryan Singer Up For Another "X-men"

12 October 2009 3:54 PM, PDT | www.ohmygore.com/ | See recent OhMyGore news »

During South Korea's Pusan International Film Festival, Bryan Singer confirmed he's interested in returning to the "X-Men" film franchise and has discussed the possibility with 20th Century Fox says The Associated Press. The American director didn't go into details if this interest was a fourth general "X-Men" film or a spin-off, but did say Hugh Jackman and the other cast members whom he worked with on the first two films were a big part of the appeal. Singer helmed both "X-men" and "X2: X-men United", but passed on the third installment so he could make "Superman Returns". Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour") directed the third and Gavin Hood ("Tsotsi") directed this year's spin-off feature "Wolverine". …

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Blu-Ray Review: ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ Devolves Into Self-Parody

5 October 2009 5:00 AM, PDT | HollywoodChicago.com | See recent HollywoodChicago.com news »

Chicago – Hugh Jackman is an awfully likable guy. He oozes the kind of effortless photogenic charisma most movie stars would kill for. He’s also comfortable in his masculinity, and unafraid to expose his inner vulnerabilities and self-deprecation. But his considerable charms have been consistently wasted by the limited imaginations of Hollywood, which would rather objectify him as a muscular meathead. Most of his films have flopped primarily because the characters he was assigned to play were so one-note that Vin Diesel would’ve turned them down.

Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0

At last year’s Oscar ceremony, Jackman exuberantly threw himself into the night’s opening musical number while struggling to keep a straight face. That’s the guy viewers want to see onscreen, not the trembling, humorless sourpuss on display in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

X-Men Origins: Wolverine was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 15th, 2009.

Photo credit: Fox Home Video …

- adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)

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DVD Playhouse--September 2009

26 September 2009 1:01 PM, PDT | The Hollywood Interview | See recent The Hollywood Interview news »

DVD Playhouse—September 2009

By

Allen Gardner

The Human Condition (Criterion) Masaki Kobayashi’s epic (574 minutes) adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel was originally made and released as three separate films (1959-61), and is rightfully regarded as a landmark of Japanese cinema. Candide-like story of naïve, good-hearted Kaiji (Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor, to Imperial Army solider, to Soviet Pow, and Kaiji’s struggle to maintain his humanity throughout. Unfolds with the mastery of a great novel, beautifully-shot, and a stunning example of cinematic mastery on the part of its makers. Four-disc set bonuses include: Interview with Kobayashi; Interview with Nakadai; Featurette; Trailer; Essay by critic Philip Kemp. Widescreen. Dolby 3.0 surround.

State Of Play (Universal) Russell Crowe stars as a veteran Washington D.C. political reporter investigating the murder of an aide to a rising congressional star (Ben Affleck), who also happens to be an old friend. …

- The Hollywood Interview.com

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Wolverine's Gavin Hood Wants To Direct Magneto, Unfortunately

21 September 2009 2:43 PM, PDT | cinemablend.com | See recent Cinema Blend news »

I thought Gavin Hood would bring us something great with Wolverine. It made sense, kind of. This was a dude who directed the critical favorite Tsotsi and the decent-but-not-amazing Rendition. And while neither revealed any chance that Hood would be a great superhero movie director, they did show that he may be able to bring back to the franchise the ever important character development that X-Men: The Last Stand so severely lacked. As many of you know, he didn.t. Now, against the wishes of people who paid to watch X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hood has expressed interest in the next installment of the series, X-Men Origins: Magneto. Talking to MTV, Hood said, .Absolutely, if I was asked I.d take an interest.. He continued, "But the truth is I haven.t been asked, and I think that the studio right now is waiting to see how we do with the …

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Gavin Hood to Direct X-Men Origins: Magneto?

21 September 2009 5:25 AM, PDT | Reelzchannel.com | See recent ReelzChannel news »

After directing the indie Tsotsi and thriller Rendition, Gavin Hood seemed an odd choice to direct X-Men Origins: Wolverine. But then Hood delivered the first breakout hit of the summer, instantly triggering a sequel. Hood told MTV that he wouldn't mind continuing with Marvel's world of mutant characters.

I think the character of Magneto is still a phenomenally interesting character ... one rooted in childhood trauma and psychologically complex — and one that was superbly played by Ian McKellen. There are certain characters in the X-Men universe whose psychological life is strong and fascinating and complex. I think that's why they're appealing to audiences. Magneto screenwriter David Goyer says the movie will start production next year, and with producer Lauren Shuler Donner unable to confirm Hood's involvement with Wolverine 2, Hood may be available to work on Magneto should it start as Goyer predicts. All Fox would have to do is ask.

Absolutely, …

- Ryan Gowland

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Writer gets claws into Wolverine sequel

18 August 2009 8:17 AM, PDT | The Geek Files | See recent The Geek Files news »

Only the other day, X-Men Origins: Wolverine star Hugh Jackman confirmed there would be a sequel and that it would be set in Japan.

The follow-up is obviously being fast-tracked as a writer for the project has now been announced.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Christopher McQuarrie has signed on to pen the screenplay.

Jackman is also producing along with Lauren Shuler Donner.

The movie's storyline will follow the early 1980s Chris Claremont/Frank Miller miniseries, which sees Wolverine learning the ways of the samurai. He battles a ninja clan called The Hand as he struggles with whether to follow his animal killer instincts or the samurai code of honor and respect.

The story was hinted at in one of the movie's post-credit scenes in which the character is sat in a bar in Japan.

McQuarrie, who won an Oscar for writing The Usual Suspects for Bryan Singer, had …

- David Bentley

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Athol Fugard: Art Battling Apartheid and Aids

31 July 2009 10:35 AM, PDT | Huffington Post | See recent Huffington Post news »

Athol Fugard is a novelist, actor, director and first and foremost, one of the great playwrights in the world today. His roots in the Karoo, the arid, topographically unique landscape of South Africa, deeply inform his work. Fugard's compassion for his characters is laced with a rage against the injustice of apartheid, a topic never polemical but always part of his lyrical plays like Blood Knot, Master Harold and the Boys, Sizwe Bansi Is Dead and Tsotsi, the Oscar-winning film based on his novel. His work, despite threats from the government, eventually helped extend to the world a recognition of South African racist policies and the strengths and failures of the common people living under those policies. His latest play, Coming Home, currently at the theater he regularly calls home, the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood, addresses the newer South …

- Brad Schreiber

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Hip-hop star Will.i.am modelled Wolverine role on cousin

3 June 2009 3:43 PM, PDT | The Geek Files | See recent The Geek Files news »

When Will.i.am, frontman of hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas, was cast in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, there was a lot of negative response on fan forums.

But it's far from the first time a rapper has made the switch from music to movies and I thought the 34-year-old (born William James Adams) performed brilliantly in his big-screen debut.

He played the teleporting mutant John Wraith, a character from the X-Men comic books who is sometimes known by the codename Kestrel.

Will.i.am has spoken of how he enjoyed the "unbelievable" experience on the X-Men prequel and said working with director Gavin Hood was "incredible".

Speaking of the opportunity to launch his film career in such a major movie, he told Leader Newspapers in a recent interview: "It's more than spectacular. It's unbelievable, and kind of crazy, if you ask me."

He revealed a relative had provided the basis for his portrayal of …

- David Bentley

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Movie Review: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”

1 May 2009 8:37 PM, PDT | screeninglog.com | See recent screeninglog news »

Seen on: May 1, 2009

The players: Director: Gavin Hood, Writers: David Benioff, Scott Silver, James Vanderbilt, Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Lynn Collins, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds

Facts of interest: Gavin Hood also directed "Tsotsi" and "Rendition."

The plot: The film traces the origin of Logan aka. Wolverine, who hunts down Victor Creed and William Stryker after they screw him over big time.

Our thoughts: What you’ve seen in the trailers for Gavin Hood’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is exactly what you get: fast-paced action sequences with massive explosions, but barely any story. I can’t say the first big blockbuster of the summer season at the movies totally disappointed me, but I admit I left the theater dissatisfied. …

- Franck Tabouring

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine Review

1 May 2009 6:44 PM, PDT | FilmJunk | See recent FilmJunk news »

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Directed by: Gavin Hood Written by: David Benioff, Skip Woods Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Will.i.am, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Monaghan, Kevin Durand, Daniel Henney, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins Back when it was first announced that Fox intended to make an X-Men prequel focusing on the origin story of Wolverine, it seemed like a promising, if not particularly surprising, idea. Wolverine is easily the most popular member of the X-Men among comic book fans, and out of all the characters, he seems to have the most compelling inner struggles and back story to draw from. With acclaimed art house director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi) on board, along with screenwriter David Benioff (25th Hour, The Kite Runner), the movie appeared to be shaping up as a more intimate, character-driven superhero drama. But then as more news started to come out about the movie, it went from being a …

- Sean

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X-Men Origins Wolverine

1 May 2009 6:50 AM, PDT | Twitch | See recent Twitch news »

I had the privilege of interviewing Gavin Hood shortly before he won the Oscar for directing Tsotsi. It was a well deserved win. And based on that interview I thought that it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. We need more of those in the movie business and we need more movies like Tsotsi. If you haven’t seen it you should. It is one of the most powerful films about reconciliation I’ve ever seen. Later when I heard that Hood had snared the Wolverine gig I thought it was a trifle odd. Here was a guy, coming straight off a Best Foreign film win, basically coming in for hire, and he’s going to be working at a studio with a big reputation for screwing over major talent and ruining franchises. For instance after Bryan Singer had delivered two great X Men films (the latter film being …

- Canfield

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine (review)

30 April 2009 8:59 PM, PDT | www.flickfilosopher.com | See recent FlickFilosopher news »

Remember how when you were a kid and you were having a birthday party and you begged your mom not to buy the cheap generic potato chips but please please please get the Ruffles with Ridges because they really were better? Wolverine is like that. It’s Frosted Flakes on a Saturday morning even though you’re now grown up enough to worry about carbs. It’s a carton of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food for dinner. It’s not good for you -- not at all -- and it’s maybe a little embarrassing to admit if you’re mature and politically aware and anticorporate and all that, but sometimes a big bowl of processed cheese dip not even made from real milk, never mind Bhg-free organically herded heritage cows, is all you want. Sometimes junk food is soul food, and sometimes junk movies are yummy and satisfying (and …

- MaryAnn Johanson

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Director Gavin Hood Talks 'Wolverine,' Piracy

28 April 2009 6:31 AM, PDT | GetTheBigPicture.net | See recent Get The Big Picture news »

A big crowd turned out in Tempe, Arizona on Monday night for the U.S. premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In a move that really embraced the fans, the premiere was held on 16 screens simultaneously at the Harkins Tempe Marketplace theaters, with the cast, including Hugh Jackman, in attendance for the film.

The Big Picture was on the red carpet for the event, and we recorded a few interviews for you, like this one with director Gavin Hood. His background is not with action movies; his claim to fame to this point has been the Oscar-winning South African film Tsotsi.

We asked Hood about making a movie on a completely different scale and with substantially larger expectations. Then we addressed the elephant in the room, the theft of a Wolverine work print that was subsequently funneled online and downloaded millions of times. …

- Colin Boyd

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'Wolverine' Director Gavin Hood Grilled

26 April 2009 3:20 PM, PDT | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

On complex comic-book heroes, internet piracy, butting heads with Fox's CEO and living up to big expectations

By Jordan Riefe

Since graduating UCLA film school in the early '90s, Gavin Hood has strung together one success after another in his native South Africa, culminating with his 2006 Best Foreign Film Oscar-winning, “Tsotsi." Here, he talks about his latest project in Hollywood, the big-budget, effects-laden summer sequel, Fox's “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” due out May 1.

“Wolverine” is not unlike “Tsotsi,” where a hardened criminal is transformed by caring for this baby. There’s a similarity there.

Yea …

- Lew Harris

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Brand New Wolverine Clip

24 April 2009 3:00 PM, PDT | WorstPreviews.com | See recent Worst Previews news »

A brand new clip from the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has appeared online. It features Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) having one of his nightmares and stabbing everything around him. Click on the link below to check it out. Leading up to the events of "X-Men," the new spin-off movie tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition) and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1st. Click here to read more about "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." …

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Final X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer

22 April 2009 9:00 AM, PDT | WorstPreviews.com | See recent Worst Previews news »

The third trailer for the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has appeared online, featuring some never before seen footage. Click on the link below to check it out. Leading up to the events of "X-Men," the new spin-off movie tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition) and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1st. Click here to read more about "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." …

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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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