Martin Scorsese News

The American director, screenwriter and producer Michael Mann - a total filmmaker and one of the most influential and representative figures in contemporary American cinema - has been designated to chair the International Jury for the Competition at the 69th Venice International Film Festival (29 August - 8 September 2012), which will award the Golden Lion and other official prizes.

The Cinetopia International Film Festival, presented by AT&T, announced a portion of the more than 30 films that will screen over the four days of the event, taking place today, May 31 through June 3 at three Ann Arbor landmark locations: the Michigan Theater, the State Theater, and Angell Hall at the University of Michigan.

My first dose of musical theater was through my uncle's old screechy phonograph recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's hippie, loud, angst-laden rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" (JCS). The classic stage hit, which was originally a concept album before evolving into a full-blown Broadway musical that follows the passion and death of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, had completed its three-year run on Broadway (1971-1973), and its first commercial movie release (1973) by the time I got to experience JCS's electrifying, personally-impactful songs in the '80s though. So when the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Toronto, Canada announced late last year that its critically-acclaimed, deemed revolutionary production of JCS, directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, was coming to Broadway, I was delighted to hear the news; and more so when I learned that three Filipino-Canadian musical theater artists - brothers Julius and Jason Sermonia, and Laurin Padolina - are part of the show.

Deadline.com reports that Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska will join the cast of the film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's CAROL (aka 'The Price of Salt). Highsmith is best known for her works 'Strangers on a Train' and 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'.

Exclusive Media has acquired international rights in all media to the feature film AT ANY PRICE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ramin Bahrani (GOODBYE SOLO, CHOP SHOP) and starring Dennis Quaid (WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING), Zac Efron (THE LUCKY ONE), Kim Dickens (FOOTLOOSE) and Heather Graham (THE HANGOVER).

For the first time in nearly 10 seasons on the air, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' will travel to the east coast. From October 29 - November 2, 'JKL' will broadcast from the host's birthplace, Brooklyn, NY.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the York Theatre (James Morgan, Artistic Director) presents an invitation-only showcase presentation entitled Trunk and Disorderly: Songs from the Deep Dark Trunk of Jeff Blumenkrantz, who received the 2011 Fred Ebb Award. The presentation will feature Drew Gehling, Dee Hoty, Dee Roscioli, and Sarah Stiles.

Today we are kicking off BroadwayWorld's month-long salute to the 2012 Tony Awards with a clip sure to set even the bleakest, darkest and blandest of nights alight - Liza Minnelli capping off the most spectacular opening number in Tony Awards history, the 2009 Tony Awards opening number, with a little aid from Elton John, Dolly Parton, Sutton Foster, Brian d'Arcy James and many more.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the York Theatre (James Morgan, Artistic Director) is pleased to present an invitation-only showcase presentation entitled Trunk and Disorderly: Songs from the Deep Dark Trunk of Jeff Blumenkrantz, who received the 2011 Fred Ebb Award. The presentation will feature Drew Gehling, Dee Hoty, Dee Roscioli, and Sarah Stiles.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the lineup for their annual showcase of Italian Cinema, Open Roads: New Italian Cinema, which will take place from June 8-14.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles® (BAFTA Los Angeles), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, announced today that American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe will chair the Britannia Committee, which oversees the production of the Britannia Awards. The 2012 Britannia Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced today that the submission process for the 50th New York Film Festival is now open.

The Laugh Factory Las Vegas at the New Tropicana Las Vegas has announced this week's comedy lineup: Gerry Bednob, Bob Golub and Ace Guillen will take the stage May 7-13.

THE COMEDY AWARDS, the annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy, honored legendary comedian Don Rickles as the recipient of the prestigious 'Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence' at this year's ceremony in April. 'The Daily Show's' Jon Stewart presented the prestigious award.

The Laugh Factory Las Vegas at the New Tropicana Las Vegas has announced this week's comedy lineup: Gerry Bednob, Bob Golub and Ace Guillen will take the stage May 7-13.

From stolen pearls to a glove left at the scene of the crime, from an excess of red lipstick to the postmodern gangster silhouette, fashion and style are commonly utilized in film to glamorize and glorify criminal behavior. These images and more will be the focus of the third New York edition of the London-based Fashion in Film Festival to take place at Museum of the Moving Image from today, May 4 through May 13, 2012. Titled If Looks Could Kill, the Festival explores the compelling links between cinema, television, fashion, crime, and violence.

'I feel great - calm and good! My husband came in and told me this morning. We both had messages on our phones because we had them off. I try not to put too much pressure on the situation. He told me to wake up and it was a great way to start the day! This one feels different for me. I'm so excited and relieved- it makes you feel good and validated, though I hate to admit it. It feels very overindulgent because the show had been so fun, easy, and effortless. I love the people involved and it's been the icing on an already big cake. I'll do my show with my great cast and crew tonight and we'll all celebrate that we've been recognized. It's great- it makes you feel like you've already won.'

Martin Scorsese's GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, which premiered on HBO last October, makes its home video debut in North America. Universal Music Enterprises is pleased to announce that it will be releasing the film today, May 1, 2012.