Fox stirs interest in Bond 50th anni

Bond franchise helmers John Glen, Michael Apted and Martin Campbell announced Foxs release of a James Bond Blu-ray set. LAS VEGAS - Even James Bond made it to CES -- at least three of the directors that gave him orders did as 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment used the tech confab to promote the release of all of the 007 films on Blu-ray for the first time.The Bond franchise is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and to kick off Fox's planned festivities, the studio brought Martin Campbell, John Glen and Michael Apted to Las Vegas to discuss their work on the series. Altogether, the trio have helmed eight of the 22 films.Fox is releasing the films on homevid this fall for Sony and MGM as part of a longterm distribution deal.Bond girls Olga Kurylenko ("Quantum of Solace") and Caterina Murino ("Casino Royale") introduced the directors at the Panasonic booth on Tuesday.Each helmer touched on their experiences directing a Bond actioner for the first time after clips from their films were shown on Panasonic's massive wall of screens."It was easier for me in a sense because I was an editor and second unit director" on previous Bond pics before making his debut on "For Your Eyes Only," said Glen ("Octopussy, "A View to a Kill," "The Living Daylights," "License to Kill"). "I was eased into it. I knew Bond pretty well."Glen also had his own ideas of what he wanted to do with his first film -- to show an edgier side of Bond, even though "there is a formula to them."With "Casino Royale," Campbell also brought back a tougher Bond with Daniel Craig."It's not the Bond we all knew and loved," he said. "It's a prequel and based on the books, so tonally it had to be more real." The parkour-based chase sequence from the beginning of "Casino Royale" was screened to show "Bond as clumsy and thinking from his heart, not his head," said Campbell, who also launched Pierce Brosnan as 007 in "GoldenEye." "It was a sequence that set Bond up to have all of these raw elements that make him great."Apted was surprised to land the offer for "The World is Not Enough," after establishing himself with dramas and documentaries."For me it was scary as hell," he said. "I thought it was a joke. I had never done anything like this." As for helming one, "it's exciting to know there are a lot of people who are waiting for your film but scary because there a lot of people ready to rip it apart."After an action sequence from "World," where Bond's BMW Z8 is cut in half, "I got a chance to rip up a Bond car," Apted said. "It doesn't happen very often." The scene was designed as a way to deliver what fans expect."I just knew certain things had to be delivered -- the girls, the one liners, the action," Apted said. "I was very much aware of the heightened expectations. You ignore those things at your own peril."The now famous mini-jet sequence from "Octopussy" wasn't in the original script, Glen admitted."It had nothing to do with the rest of the movie," he said, "and was something I created as a second feature (within the film). It's a tradition we kept up."The discussion follows last year's directors panel from Fox that featured Baz Luhrman, Oliver Stone and Michael Mann discussing their views of Blu-ray and how technology and entertainment are intertwined. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Request Matt: Dance, Downton Abbey, CSI, Guilty Pleasures plus much more!

And That Means You Think You'll Be Able To Dance Send queries to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!Question: I heard somewhere that Fox will probably be getting rid of And That Means You Think You'll Be Able To Dance after this season which this season will probably be shaved lower just a little. How's this true? This is probably the best "reality" shows on tv. It's classy, inspiring, emotional, which i keep being surprised by the amount of brilliant talent there's available and each season the talent can get better, if that's possible. They're truly extreme sports sports athletes. Can anything be accomplished to keep this jewel on? - CorinneMatt Roush: It never affects to exhibit increasing numbers of people on your preferred endangered show, however i am unsure And That Means You Think You'll Be Able To Dance is extremely ready due to its last dance yet (accidental Donna Summer season reference). So Fox expects to tweak the format substantially this summer season, including eliminating the weekly "results" episode. I'm unsure yet how which will work, and i'm unsure they do know yet. (Couldn't they just transform it into a more workable half-hour results show? Couldn't everybody?) So even though this type of chipping away is obviously worrisome, I'll hold Fox's entertainment chief Kevin Reilly to his statement in the last weekend that no network's reality franchises - this being the most popular, including (most days) the final results show - Are disappearing.Query: After reading through using your many posts regarding American Horror Story, it's apparent that you just dislike this show. I felt similarly at the begining of episodes, however since it started for connecting story lines, it increased to become guilty pleasure personally. It got me wondering whether you've any suggests that you want that are simply bad that you disregard the professional critical side people and basically be thankful. What exactly are a couple of of the faves? - RobMatt Roush: There's bad, after which it there's reprehensible, which i honestly have trouble imagining only one enjoyable aspect to American Horror Story (save Jessica Lange), which disgusted me without ever really frightening me. But that's old news. Clearly I have "guilty pleasures" - who not? - although typically, I will not feel guilty about something which brings me actual pleasure. Most likely probably the most apparent current candidate for guilty-pleasure status at this time is ABC's Revenge, that people find crazy and sometimes comically badly socialized, nevertheless it does not have pretensions about being not really a juicy, go-for-broke cleaning cleaning soap, to ensure that because it found its voice, the formula of Emily-takes-lower-an-enemy has fortunately extended to supply her some truly memorable antagonists inside the psycho Tyler (whose farewell, for the moment, will be a series high point the other day) as well as the "real" Emily-now-Amanda, a vixen in the finest low order. It jogs my memory in the heyday in the prime-time cleaning cleaning soap, which really were guilty pleasures of mine, most memorably Knots Landing, that people loved and throughout most likely probably the most primitive VCR era handled to keep, although doing my critical duty in regards to the more culturally important NBC dramas that broadcast because same Thursday time period, including Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law. I guess I'd also classify my handful of reality destructive destructive addictions, nearly all within the competition genre (Top Chef, the arrival Face Off on Syfy, etc.) as guilty pleasures, because I am unable to really justify time I dedicate to them as not relaxing and enjoyable. No shame because. To ensure that as formerly spoken about, a show like And That Means You Think You'll Be Able To Dance is not a guilty pleasure. It's one of the better shows on tv. I sure hope Fox doesn't spoil it.Want more Matt Roush? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Question: I am wondering knowing anything in regards to the second season of BBC's up-to-date Sherlock. Yes, it broadcast on BBC One inch Britain the other day. Can we must wait six several days to find out it in the united states on PBS? - JeffreyMatt Roush: Are you able to be happy with four? Sherlock will return to the Masterpiece selection in May, and that i often hear only nutrients up to now. I realize awaiting is irritating, but Masterpiece includes a inclination in order to save its key mystery franchises for spring and/or summer season. And very, who is able to complain, as extended as Downton Abbey is on? Speaking about which:Question: Loving Downton Abbey which i heard somewhere that this is often a limited series. If perhaps there has been more episodes in the season. I love all the cast as well as the story lines. Do you realize if there's an finish nearby or possibly they anticipate more episodes next season? All of the experts seem to like it together with the general public. The ratings are actually excellent inside the Uk, but I'm not sure how ratings will be in the U.S. and the way that really works. I must go to a dozen or maybe more episodes next season, like our cable series. Are you currently presently a follower? - ElMatt Roush: Downton Abbey can be a hit on sides water-feature, and you'll see another season, that's provocke celebrate - just just in case you missed my summary of the second series, I'm a huge fan, as well as the first season ranked second in my Top list for 2011. Very good in the show isn't associated with the amount of episodes air it's a reason for the kind of British TV, which (usually towards the benefit) includes a inclination to create less episodes a season in comparison to more-is-more American way. I'm Confident with a collection similar to this departing us wanting more, because what there's of it is so very satisfying.Question: I've come across reported the 2nd season of Downton Abbey will air in seven episodes on PBS, in the Uk, it absolutely was eight episodes together with a 2-hour Christmas special. Will PBS be showing everything, like the special? They edited season 1 together oddly, it is therefore certainly possible they're going that route again, but they've been pretty uncommunicative about the subject. - JessicaMatt Roush: The last nights in the PBS run mix two episodes - while using final evening on Feb. 19 being the two-hour Christmas "special" - so there's nothing being lost inside the translation here. (There can be some minor edits, while not for the extent of last season, which was blown solution of proportion.)Question: Is George Eads departing CSI? He's hardly experienced this season which he wasn't round the last episode just before the break. - ConnieMatt Roush: Much less I know, despite the fact that I won't continue contract discussions, I'd be blown away if he's thinking about an exit at this time around. I buy that you're a follower, but possible check is required. This can be a very busy transitional season for CSI, showing an important new cast member (Ted Danson) effectively, while relaxing the work for one of the originals (Marg Helgenberger) disappear later this month. Wonderful that happening, it's only natural for your relaxation in the ensemble to recede just a little to the background. I am certain Nick's time may come again.Question: It seems like several time I write, it's to complain about NBC, as well as the year is not changing that. I used to be talking to we believe it's achievable the Peacock hasn't broadcast and produced an excellent show (non-reality/news) since 1999 when SVU as well as the West Wing first demonstrated. How's this possible? Throughout the time of 12 years that which you know already that accidentally they'd be capable of develop some quality programming. It seems like whomever runs NBC is actually frightened of sticking getting a poor show too extended they close the lid on on shows as soon as they falter, or possibly within the situation of Law & Order versus. Law & Order: La only have a scenario of terrible decision-making. I merely don't realize what sort of company that's so competent at developing shows for cable network (USA) can't decipher it for flagship. You think that due to the lack of creative programming, NBC might be wise to abandon creative programming altogether and become strictly reality and news-based programming? - ChipMatt Roush: Paradise forbid. Just have a look at NBC's current Monday selection, and tell me anybody warrants each week full of that. However ... While NBC's worries are very recorded and frequently self-triggered - especially through the Zucker era, as well as the network may never live lower that Jay Leno prime-time debacle - this overgeneralization that NBC isn't of merit is unfair. Numerous NBC's Thursday comedies are justifiably acclaimed, though not mass appeal just like the glory occasions of Pals, Seinfeld and may & Sophistication, and until Modern Family showed up, 30 Rock (finally returning now) was the honours-show darling. There's been numerous noble failures in the last decade, the wonderful Boomtown for instance, scattered among the troublesome poor entertainers, and presently I'd put Motherhood because classification one of the handful of solid network attempts in the household drama lately. Plus, NBC has a few the higher interesting midseason experiments this year - Smash, that's acquiring an enormous marketing launch, and Awake (once they don't finish off being too terrified of it) - so instead of condemning the network for the scrap heap, let's project some careful optimism using the completely new entertainment boss as well as the new corporate entrepreneurs, things may progressively begin to change. But it's not likely to end up easy or pretty.Question: I used to be watching an instalment of techniques I Met Your Mother from last season yesterday which involved Robin's "large crush." Within the finish in the episode, Narrator Ted mentioned that her crush would return into play which there's "much more about that later." We're about half way to the year also it doesn't appear that Robin's crush is coming back soon. Did the authors ignore this narrative, or did they simply opt for another direction while using show? - LaurenMatt Roush: Oh, who knows? I'm so frustrated while using teases relating to this show. The most effective Let me tell, from the interview last summer season, is always that Michael Trucco (who carried out the crush) wasn't as available since the producers had wanted, because of his role on USA Network's Fairly Legal, that might inform you that Robin got saddled while using totally unfunny love interest of Kal Penn this season. Which isn't to convey the crush won't return eventually for the next payback or punchline, simply because they did push the button. But for the moment, with Robin's career apparently likely to remove again and her infertility subplot getting been revealed, she's plenty to keep her busy.Question: Pretty Little Liars as well as the Lounging Game returned the other day from hiatus. Can it be just me, or is it out of the blue soapier, as proven by such figures as Hanna's father (and also the new bride) in PLL, and Annie "Rebecca" Sewell in TLG "returning to town" to disrupt the lives of people with whom we've become familiar up to now. Did these shows get new runners, or are ABC Family's "teen mysteries" turning to be "teen soaps?" - HalMatt Roush: When were these shows not soaps? Their premises may be built about central mysteries or quests, when you're in no hurry to conclude people central tales - otherwise the show's over - new figures and new complications will be being introduced. Similar to in the cleaning cleaning soap opera.Question: On Not such a long time ago, what's Snow White-colored implemented to the Evil Complete her to go to such measures to punish her? - KMatt Roush: The key factor word here's "evil." No matter who's telling the story, the queen's murderous ire toward Snow White-colored is all about envy, jealousy and irrational spite. In this version, the curse might be the queen's approach to denying her enemy a cheerful ending. For the moment. Besides, what fun could it be once they really got along?Question: Okay, In my opinion the cancellation of Prime Suspect is final and there is no saving this show. But also for people individuals who really increased being considering these individuals, will there be any chance we'll start to see the final handful of episodes? - KathyMatt Roush: Mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 22. NBC will melt off the best two cases of Prime Suspect against Fox's broadcast in the NFC Championship game (leading in to a special Americanidol). Not ideal, but a lot better than not showing them whatsoever, that's what's a inclination to happen to shows using this kind of ratings.That's all for the moment. Keep delivering your comments and queries to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com, and meanwhile, follow me on Twitter!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Bethenny Frankel Calls Jill Zarin A Survivor

First Launched: The month of the month of january 7, 2012 3:17 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Bethenny Frankel talks onstage through the Bethenny Ever After panel through the Bravo NBCUniversal part of the 2012 Winter TCA Tour within the Langham Huntington Hotel and Health health spa, Pasadena, around the month of the month of january 7, 2012Bethenny Frankel takes our prime road within the latest Real Regular folks alumni war of words. Recently, her former NY City co-star, Jill Zarin, mentioned responsibility for locating Bethenny for Bravo, since the brunette reality star gears around keep Season 3 of her spin-off show, Bethenny Ever After, on February 20 at 9 PM EST/PST. But, when due to the possibility striking back a reporter at Saturdays Television Experts Association Winter Session asked for Bethenny if she'd any advice for Jill, who was simply axed within the approaching RHONYC cast the completely new mother needed our prime road. Jill Zarin is unquestionably a survivor and he or she is unquestionably well to accomplish which i dont think shes worried about obtaining a job, Bethenny mentioned. Its difficult She was around the program for any very long time In the majority of the [Real Regular folks urban centers people are just on for a few seasons. It really happens they transform it into a little fresher and, I understand spend figure out what exactly shes trying to find. Bethenny mentioned she'll understand that Jill might be a hurt when you're cut from RHONYC, as you are watching the Skinnygirl proceed. It probably just stings a little, its a little difficult and he or she has her approach to dealing with it, Bethenny mentioned. I understand its difficult a little on her behalf to check out what's happening personally. For Bethennys own difficulties, including ones in their marriage to Jason Hoppy, spend be talking about them inside the year of Bethenny Ever After. I merely switched 41, also to be perfectly honest, I unintentionally packed all things in. I obtained pregnant, I obtained married which i offered my opportunity, or part of my opportunity, now were just settling into what married existence is actually, without any excitement in the wedding as well as the baby which we result from different abilities and were coping with it. Im in therapy, Bethenny mentioned. Ive been effective in business, however always fought with associations based on my background. Which we kind of enter this year. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Helmers, designers go ahead and take edge from war

'The Flowers of War''War Horse'"War films are excellent challenges," states Thomas Walsh, leader from the Art Company directors Guild. "But they are right towards the top of the meals chain when it comes to projects which are hard to prosper.InchThat did not stop two veteran company directors -- Steven Spielberg and Zhang Yimou -- from going for a bite this season, with "War Equine" and "The Flowers of War," correspondingly. The very first is set largely within the hellish realm of trench warfare, the 2nd throughout the nightmare times of the Nanking Massacre.But while both company directors were unquestionably as much as the intense challenges of staging war, destruction and fight moments, both of them did something unusual: Without stinting around the atrocities of fight, they made a decision to frame their tales as fables.That left a few of the greatest challenges on each film as much as the designers, clients and makeup artists. They needed to bring a feeling of verisimilitude to each scene -- by having an artistic twist."How can you mix being practical and being poetic?" asks "War Equine" production designer Ron Carter. "This is the design challenge: To produce a place where each of individuals aspirations are satisfied."Carter and Spielberg link that spans nearly 3 decades, which meant they'd a simple, familiar method to communicate. Spielberg would sometimes say "surprise me," Carter recalls."Every single day was like developing a new painting," Carter states.That meant finding a method to progressively lead the crowd and also the film in the eco-friendly, rocky hillsides of Devon, England in to the blasted, otherworldly top of the war's battleground over the British Funnel. Carter situated an airfield west based in london, gutted and trenched it, then sculpted it thoroughly.Carter states he and Spielberg were affected through the films of John Ford and David Lean, who understood steps to make movies that evoked the landscape around them."You are monitoring a feeling of that which was lost, and just how you survive," states Carter. "That kind of thinking informed lots of imagery, which begins to create a fable."It had been 2006's "Pan's Labyrinth," however, that informed the imagery of Yimou's "Flowers," states the film's production designer Yohei Taneda, who notes that both films tell their tales with the eyes of the youthful girl."Instead of reenact history," creates Taneda via a translator, "I felt it might be more interesting to include a rather subjective, fable-like feel to illustrate war as felt by the innocents."To accomplish this, Yimou leaned heavily on contrasting spare bursts of color having a bleak, bombed-out landscape. Drab schoolgirl clothes compared using the silken clothes of hookers as well as an enormous stained-glass window."Yimou tended to possess plenty of demands and demands if this found color," creates Taneda, who built the destroyed town of Nanking positioned on soundstages and backlots, almost the alternative of Spielberg's option to stay largely on location. Taneda states he desired to render the bombed-out city as "ruins worthy of love," with "each falling apart building distinctive and delightful.InchBut neither director desired to tread on familiar territory. Spielberg told his department heads that "this isn't ('Saving Private) Ryan.' " As well as in representing the colorful red-colored-light district, Yimou didn't have aim of while using signature lamps he featured in 1991's "Enhance the Red-colored Lantern.""He strongly was adamant he'd never use lamps on his movies again," creates set decorator Yoshihito Akatsuka, who then needed to develop an alternative and decided on a Chinese decorated gate.Sticking to some "fable" atmosphere, however, needed compromises. Spielberg's desire to have a PG-13 rating on "War Equine" meant some "artistic license" needed to be studied, as mind makeup designer Lois Burwell recalls. She cites the gas burns on lead character Albert's eyes, that have been first easily engrossed in a bandage after which moderate once uncovered. "However the integrity remains,Inch she states. "Accurate, however in a well developed-lower way. Remember, the war might be the premise however the film is one of the feelings of those and also the creatures."And therein comes into the world the artistry: With both "Flowers" and "War Equine," the company directors took the horror-film dictum of not showing the monster to heart, which leaves the most frightening areas of each within the audience's creativeness and enables a persons story to dominate. Still, it is a thin line just to walk -Body that can not be accomplished without expert below-the-line department heads."I applaud anybody who constitutes a war film with moderation," states Walsh. "A great war movie isn't a snuff movie. In lesser hands, a war movie being released at Christmastime -- with creatures -- might be a harmful film. These movies prove that you could show the war, but celebrate the person.InchAttention around the Academy awards: Art Direction, Costumes & Makeup Moments reveal souls Makeup for beauty a lot more than skin deep Helmers, designers go ahead and take edge from war Realistic, exotic search for 'Lady' Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Byrne scores big 'Albert Nobbs'

Calling "Albert Nobbs" Brian Byrne's big break might be overstating the case, but not by much. "It was a dream project," Byrne says of the Glenn Close starrer that is his biggest scoring assignment to date. "I still can't believe I got asked to do it."A pet project of Close's (she co-wrote the script and acted as producer), the Rodrigo Garcia-helmed pic tells the story of a 19th-century woman who spends decades as a starchy butler in a Dublin hotel.Byrne -- who has alternated between orchestrator, arranger and composer on various projects before tackling this, his first major feature -- says he wanted his music to serve the period and support Garcia's subtle directorial approach."There's so many upstairs-downstairs moments in the film, but there's also serious stuff," Byrne maintains. "I didn't want it to be sentimental, and Rodrigo agreed. I wanted to get the gig right and not get fired -- I'm new on the block and every job is your last, pretty much."The composer opted for a traditional melodic orchestral score with a distinctive imprint. "I didn't want it to be too flamboyant," he says. "I knew it had to be Irish, but I didn't want it to be cheesy. I didn't want it to sound just old. And I thought I'd use the harp, because it has connotations of Ireland."Though Byrne's score also features piano and harpsichord (both of which he plays on the soundtrack), harp was the indispensable instrument here."To me the harp is essentially Albert -- both male and female," he says. "The harp is in every film score you'll ever hear, but it's usually supporting the strings. It's not usually presented as a solo instrument. I thought it would be a sort of mystical sound, if I could make it work."He dispensed with horns and flutes, for fear of making his music too ornate."There's so much detail in this film that if you cloud it up with too much in the orchestration, it will just get in the way," Byrne says. "Less is more. I'm also a jazz musician, and when you think about doing that big lick in jazz, don't do it -- leave the space. I apply that principle to the writing of film scores, too."Eye on the Oscars: Song & Score Are acad rules out of synch? | 'Muppety' but not too 'Flighty' | Pinch hitter | Elizabethan notes culled from rubble | Utility player orchestrates 'Miracle' | Powell animated by quartet of pix | Animal, mineral mix in 'Apes' score | Gregson-Williams relishes the chase | Byrne scores big 'Albert Nobbs' | O'Connor in tune with 'Albert Nobbs' Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

New Hunger Games Pics Online

Harrelson and more in fresh imageryOne of the biggest films looking to prove it can spawn a Potter/Twilight-style franchise this year is novel trilogy adaptation The Hunger Games. And though the initial film's profile couldn't be much higher if it rented a helicopter and dangled from the cockpit holding a banner, Lionsgate is intent that we not forget it's on the way. To that end, the studio has rounded up a collection of new and previously seen imagery from the movie and shoved it out on to the web. Check out the set below.There can't be many people left by now who don't know Gary Ross has been busy adapting the film from Suzanne Collins' first book. The story finds a shattered future America (or Panem, as it's known) split into districts run by a cruel central government. In order to keep any rebellious types from causing trouble, two young "tributes" from each district are dispatched each year to rich city Capitol to compete to the death in gladiatorial games. Our heroine is Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who steps in to take her younger sister's place and finds herself fighting for her life.{New Hunger Games images}One or two of the newly released pics have been out in the likes of Entertainment Weekly, but there are some unseen goodies here, including a good look at Woody Harrelson's Haymitch Abernathy, a former winner of the games who helps train Katniss. He's hanging out with dresser Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) and Katniss' fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).The Hunger Games will finally hit our screens on March 23.

U.S. skeins dominate French primetime

PARIS -- Gaul's top commercial net TF1 hit ratings gold last year with U.S. drama series "The Mentalist," "House," "Criminal Minds," "CSI" and "Grey's Anatomy" nabbing 72 of the year's 100 top rating scores. TF1 took all but one of the top 100 slots, its best performance since 1991. In contrast with its strong local film industry, France's TV drama landscape is monopolized by American product. Out of Europe's big five territories, Gaul is the only country where homegrown fiction is totally outgunned by U.S. dramas. In the U.K. and Italy, the 15 best-performing fiction series are all locally produced. In Spain, local skeins rep up to 80% of titles in the top 15. However, in Germany, nine of the top 15 are U.S. procedurals, according to Eurodata TV Worldwide. As Eurodata TV Worldwide's Lorene Nowicki pointed out in the Scripted Series Report, "If TV was marked by the rise of U.S. series during the first 10 years of the 21st century, the second decade sees local shows taking back power in several countries and the growing success of series from the U.K." As France's biggest consumer of high-profile American shows, TF1's challenge is to pin down the next big drama hits to maintain its grip on primetime. The network inked a first-look deal with Sony in July and picked up "Unforgettable" rolling off the L.A. Screenings. Through its deals with Warner and Universal, TF1 nabbed "Person of Interest" and Steven Spielberg-produced "Smash," while it acquired J.J. Abrams' "Alcatraz" from Fox. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com