Schoolgirl Cast in ‘Dark Materials’ Films
The News Review:
- Schoolgirl Cast in ‘Dark Materials’ Films
- Maggie will bewitch us on stage
- The ‘devil’ is in Streep’s details
- The death of a hero
- Witch School Opens Doors in Midwestern Town
- ‘Superman’ returns big for Imax
- SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features — Show & sell
Schoolgirl Cast in ‘Dark Materials’ Films
Back Stage – Jun 30, 2006
The studio is banking on a similar success story to that of the Harry Potter movie adaptations announcing on its Web site that it was spending $150 million (82 million pounds) on “The Golden Compass” the first of the three books. New Line which also made the hit “The Lord of the Rings” franchise said it planned to release the film on November 16 2007 with Oscar-nominated Chris Weitz directing. Dakota Blue Richards was the eventual winner out of more than 10000 young girls who auditioned for the role across Britain earlier this year. She is on course to become a teenage millionaire if she matches the success of Daniel Radcliffe in the role of Harry Potter. CM8ShowAd(”Middle”); “As soon as I saw Dakota’s screen test I realized that the search was over” Pullman said on the New Line Web site.
Maggie will bewitch us on stage
Daily Mail – Jun 30, 2006
The double Oscar-winning actress is in the middle ofnegotiations to star in a production of Edward Albee’s rarely seenplay The Lady From Dubuque. She wants to do the play in between her Harry Potter filmingcommitments. As most people who follow news from Hogwarts alreadyknow Maggie plays deputy head and transfiguration teacherProfessor Minerva McGonagall and has been filming Harry Potter AndThe Order Of The Phoenix. The plan being put together is for Maggie to tread the boardsfrom March for a limited West End run in the play. She and producerRobert Fox want Anthony Page to direct the drama but it’s all aquestion of coordinating their respective diaries. Once Maggie andPage are signed getting a theatre will not be a problem.
The ‘devil’ is in Streep’s details
Christian Science Monitor – Jun 30, 2006
It is not long before Andy – who Miranda condescendingly refers to as the “smart fat girl” – undergoes the obligatory fashion makeover and becomes so immersed in her job that the rest of her life goes blooey. She neglects her nice-guy live-in boyfriend (Adrian Grenier) and wrangles with Amanda’s chief assistant (Emily Blunt); she dances around a dalliance with a well-connected magazine writer (Simon Baker) and endures the withering stares of Miranda’s right-hand man (Stanley Tucci in a well-turned performance). She is handed impossible assignments like Miranda’s “request” for the top-secret galleys of the new Harry Potter book for her twin girls and delivers. She makes it to Paris for the annual designer bash. Throughout it all we are supposed to see Andy as a sweet humble girl whose head has been turned by all the hoopla. But lovely as she is Hathaway doesn’t do much to convey Andy’s inner struggles with temptation. There is no glint of cutthroat ambition in her no inner diva and so she’s a bit wan – a good girl in a bad world.
The death of a hero
Times of India – Jun 30, 2006
Clever tactic if indeedthat’s what it is but why kill him? Whatever happened to the victory of goodover evil? “It’s a logicalconclusion one that keeps readers from wondering what happened to the characterin the end”explains Tejwani. Although Sandeep Dutt CEO Book Cafe doesn’t ruleout the possibility of a possible resurrection. “Whatever it may be the factis all good times come to an end. However since this is fiction Harry Potterwill always live as do Sherlock Holmes and Red Riding Hood”saysDutt. Here’s saying an Amen tothat happythought! smita. khanna2@timesgroup.
Witch School Opens Doors in Midwestern Town
ABC News – Jun 30, 2006
Starting next week in the unlikeliest of places a real witch school will open its doors to the public in a place known as the Sweet Corn Capital of the World. After almost five years of existence on the Internet Witch School is expected to operate under normal business hours in the town of Hoopeston Ill. about 100 miles south of Chicago. The school is dedicated to educating the public in Wicca a neo-Pagan religion that incorporates nature and magic into its theology.
‘Superman’ returns big for Imax
Hollywood Reporter – Jun 30, 2006
On the 76 Imax screens it grossed about $15780 for a total of $1. “Superman’s” one-day boxoffice take on Imax screens topped that of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” ($1. 1 million) and “Batman Begins” ($753000). One reason for “Superman’s” popularity on Imax screens no doubt is because it is the first time Imax and a big studio partner in this case Warner Bros. Pictures turned a live-action film into a 3-D experience albeit just 20 minutes of it. “This is a marquee film for these guys.
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features — Show & sell
San Diego Union Tribune – Jun 30, 2006
The sneak peeks even have their own version of the Oscars – the Golden Trailer Awards judged this year by such Hollywood players as director Quentin Tarantino and producer Penny Marshall. Winners at the recent seventh-annual gala at the Directors Guild in New York took home trophies topped with gold-plated movie-star trailers the kind with wheels. ” A rival agency Trailer Park won both best action and summer 2006 blockbuster for “Mission: Impossible III. ” That preview was cut alongside a very hands-on Tom Cruise who spent weeks at editing bays inside Trailer Park's Hollywood offices. No wonder studio heads lose sleep over the snippets.