Harvey Weinstein Page 7

As the news of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union sinks in, the British television and film industry is left wondering how it will be impacted. Currently the picture being painted looks pretty bleak, with industry heads and studios voicing their concerns for the future of British filmmaking.

‘Game of Thrones’ is filmed in Northern Ireland, which is now out of the EU.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Ryan, chairman of the Independent Film & Television Alliance said: "The decision to exit the European Union is a major blow to the U.K. film and TV industry. This decision has just blown up our foundation. 

Continue reading: Film And Television Industry Voices Fears For Future After Brexit

It's official; literally everyone is backing Leonardo Dicaprio for an Oscar win this year after his stunning display in 'The Revenant'. The latest to endorse the star is movie giant Harvey Weinstein, who actually isn't supposed to have favourites given that he's a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Leonardo DiCaprio gets the thumbs up from Weinstein

We think the rules can and should be bent in this case, though. DiCaprio has proven to be a phenomenal force of nature in a number of movies throughout his career and it has always astounded fans that he managed to get to age 41 without receiving a single Oscar, and yet six nominations. Even with the #OscarsSoWhite furore still going on, so many people still have all their fingers and toes crossed that he will be named Best Actor this year especially since his sweeping Golden Globe win.

Continue reading: Academy Member Harvey Weinstein Admits He's Biased For Leonardo DiCaprio To Win At Oscars

Jennifer Lawrence has taken to social media to assure fans that the rumours of a bust-up between her and director David O. Russell are untrue.

The ‘Hunger Games’ star is currently filming Joy, her third collaboration with Russell and actor Bradley Cooper, and rumours earlier this week suggested that there was a noisy falling-out on set between actress and director on Tuesday. According to some reports, the pair were seen screaming at each other.

Jennifer Lawrence has denied rumours of a fight on set with David O. Russell

Continue reading: Jennifer Lawrence Denies Rumours Of Bust Up With Director David O. Russell

In a late bid to expunge any lasting doubts of American Sniper ahead of the Oscars this month, Harvey Weinstein has gone out on the attack in response to those critical of Clint Eastwood's drama. The film's subject, sniper Chris Kyle, has been called a "hate-filled killer" and the movie has been criticised in some circles for its flag waving.

Bradley Cooper [L] and Sienna Miller [R] in American Sniper

However, speaking to Indiewire, Weinstein said the movie had captured the American public's imagination and deserved credit because it "introduces America to PTSD".

Continue reading: Harvey Weinstein Goes On Attack Over Criticism Of 'American Sniper'

Juan Jose Campanella's animated movie Foosball is being repackaged for a worldwide release under the new title Underdogs. The Weinstein Company has acquired rights in the U.S, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France and will be released in English on August 27, 2014.

Campanella's 'Underdogs' Will Get An English Release in August 2014

The movie - which will get new Hollywood voiceovers - centres on a reluctant hero whose town is threatened when his long-time rival returns home to avenge an old grudge. When the players from his foosball table are magically brought to life, he recruits them to help him enter into the biggest underdog match ever.

Continue reading: Argentinian Soccer Animation 'Underdogs' Gets English Makeover [Pictures]

Harvey Weinstein got tongues wagging this week with the announcement that his production company are making an anti-gun film, one that will star Meryl Streep and take a direct shot at the National Rifle Association. If his stance on gun ownership and violence wasn't already clear, the Hollywood producer has since admitted that he wants to see a crack down on film violence too and he will be at the forefront of this cut down.

Harvey Weinstein wants to see a change in the movie industry

Weinstein is known for producing some of modern cinema's most graphically violent film in recent years, forging a successful working relationship with Quentin Tarantino, with who he helped make the Kill Bill films, Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds and Pulp Fiction, in addition to a host of other violent titles such as Gangs of New York, Sin City and the reboots of Piranha, Rambo and Halloween. Now the Hollywood powerhouse wants to hang up his fake blood and replica weapons for good, as he told CNN's Piers Morgan on Friday (17 Jan.) night that he can no longer advocate these types of films in good conscience.

Continue reading: Harvey Weinstein Vows To Back Major Cut Down On Violent Movies

Harvey Weinstein has promised that the National Rifle Association are going to "wish they weren't alive" after his releases his firearms movie, with Meryl Streep. 

Harvey Weinstein Has A NRA Movie Up His Sleeve

Speaking on Howard Stern's radio show, the big time movie producer said he plans to make a project that takes on the controversial group. He didn't go into specifics but said that multiple Oscar winner Streep was involved and that it would not be a documentary, but "a big movie like Mr Smith goes to Washington."

Continue reading: Harvey Weinstein On Meryl Streep/NRA Movie, "They're Going To Wish They Were Dead"

The Hobbit trilogy, which has been a highly profitable venture for New Line Cinema, is also causing some problems for the studio – namely a lawsuit from Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The two brothers own Miramax, the company, which sold New Line (part of Warner) the film rights to Tolkien’s story in 1998.

Bob Weinstein (above) and brother Harvey are demanding at least $75 million in gross revenue

However, since New Line announced plans to make just one film, the Winesteins were only paid for the fist movie. According to them, the studio made the book into three separate film “solely to deprive plaintiffs” of agreed revenue.

Continue reading: Before The Desolation Of Smaug's Release, The Weinstein Brothers Are Suing New Line For Their Cut Of The Profits

The Weinstein brothers have filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. and its New Line Cinema due to claims that they are owed money from 'The Hobbit' film series.

The documents were filed in New York on Tuesday (Dec 10th).

The allegations stem from 1998 when Miramax, owned by the Weinstein's, sold the movie rights of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' to New Line Cinema, a branch of Warner Bros.

Continue reading: Harvey And Bob Weinstein Sues Warner Bros. For $75 Million Dollars Over Owed Money From 'The Hobbit' Films

Mandela: A Long Walk To Freedom, the Weinstein's biopic based on the autobiography of  South African President Nelson Mandela, has received mixed reviews from critics ahead of its release this weekend, though Idris Elba's stunning performance as the President should see him in line for nominations during awards' season.

Idris Elba [L] as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris [R] as Winnie Mandela

Justin Chadwick's movie chronicles the early life of Mandela, his coming-of-age, education and the 27 years he spent on Robben Island, as well as his attempt to rebuild the country's once segregated society. 

Continue reading: 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Gives Idris Elba A Real Oscars Chance

First Lady Michelle Obama presented a filmmakers workshop at the White House on Friday, 8 November, to promote careers in the entertainment industry to a group of high school students. Obama enlisted the help of Harvey Weinstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Coogler, Bruce Cohen, Blake Lively and a myriad of other Hollywood stars as part of an a-list forum aimed at encouraging kids to look towards the film and TV industry as a possible career path.

The all-star panel capped off a day of activities for high schools students gathered from Boston, Washington, D.C. and New York meeting in the capital. The First Lady aims to promote careers in the entertainment industry outside of acting and directing, as well as hopefully inspiring a generation of future Oscar winners.

"It just doesn’t take technical knowledge to succeed in the movie business. It is not just about being the best actor, or creating the best special effects,” the First Lady said (via The Warp). “It is about having grit.”

Continue reading: Michelle Obama Fronts Filmmakers Workshop At White House As She Promotes Careers In Hollywood

In one of the more bizarre stories to come out of Hollywood this week is the news that an unnamed prince paid $500,000 for a 15-minute chat with Kristen Stewart. The sum was donated to the Hurricane Sandy benefit, which has now raised over $30m.

Harvey Weinstein spilled the beans on the weird story at the Toronto Film Festival, where ‘12.12.12’ – the Hurricane Sandy concert film - is being screened. He revealed how he convinced Stewart to take part. “How much?” Ms. Stewart asked, according to Mr. Weinstein, to which he found out from the prince: $500k. “And Kristen sits with the guy for 15 minutes,” he added. (New York Times)

We’d love to know why this prince chose the Twilight star. She’s not exactly the most exciting of Hollywood stars, sitting there with her glum expression; grumpy in all her riches. Perhaps he was intrigued by her sullen demeanour, and wanted to get to the bottom of it. He’d need more than 15-minutes, though, we’d suggest a lengthy program of Soprano-style therapy.

Continue reading: Kristen Stewart Earned $33k-per-Minute For Hurricane Sandy Benefit With Mystery Chat

If you're not a Twilight fan, it's difficult to really like Kristen Stewart. "Oh, Kristen Stewart is really really good in that cool drama," said nobody, ever. But for all the moody expressions and bad movies, it seems Stewart really does have the little people at heart.

According to the New York Times, big-shot producer Harvey Weinstein persuaded Stewart to do her bit for charity following Hurricane Sandy. You may remember Weinstein helped organize 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief and he was at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday (September 9, 2013) to screen the accompanying documentary.

The concert reportedly helped raise $50 million in storm relief money for those affection on the East Coast, though Twilight actress Stewart actually contributed a considerable chunk of that.

Continue reading: Just When You Thought You Didn't Like Kristen Stewart Much, She Does THIS.

Kristen Stewart managed to earn half a million dollars in only 15 minutes, and if that wasn't impressive enough, the money she made was donated straight to charity. The Twilight star caught the attention of an unnamed Middle Eastern Prince, who was so taken with the actress that he forked out the huge sum for just 15 minutes of her time.

Just $500K can buy you 15 minutes with Kristen Stewart

According to film producer Harvey Weinstein, Kristen was helping to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy when Weinstein was approached about spending some one-on-one time with Kristen by the mysterious, ultra-rich Middle Eastern monarch. Initially dismissing the requests, Kristen soon caught wind of what was happening and was actually willing to meet with the high-paying Prince, leading Weinstein to broker a deal to arrange the meet-up. Sounds seedy doesn't it?

Continue reading: Kristen Stewart Earns $500,000 For Charity After Spending 15 Minutes Alone With Middle Eastern Prince

Netflix have made yet another bold move – this time with movies – to try and secure monthly payments of £5.99 from content-happy consumers. They’ve put pen to paper with The Weinstein company, securing the rights to stream all of their movies from 2016.

This basically means two things: every film Weinstein releases will end up on Netflix once the movie has a physical release – i.e. DVD – and everything written about Netflix in the next few years will read like paid-for copy. They really are tying up the market.

"The deal that we've just completed with Netflix is probably the biggest deal in the history of the Weinstein Co.," co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. "Together, we are discussing ways to reinvent the pay-TV experience so that the audience can get even more for their money."

Continue reading: The Future Is... Red? Netflix Bag Major Deal With Weinstein

Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster? Chances are, you haven't heard of it. As the Academy were preparing to decorate Ben Affleck and his Argo team in January, the acclaimed Chinese filmmaker was about to kick off the Berlin Film Festival with his latest martial arts movie.

Set in China at the time of the Japanese invasion in 1930s, The Grandmaster stars Wai's regular muse Tony Leung Chiu Wai as the kung-fu master and Zhang Ziyi as his rival. The highly stylized and visually spectacular picture is a story of "honor, principle, betrayal and forbidden love."

It spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of China's last dynasty - a complex period of time rich for filmmakers to tap into. Wai filmed on location, and the snow-swept landscapes of Northeast China, juxtaposed with the subtropical south makes one of the most stunning films of the year.

Continue reading: Why Wong Kar Wai's 'The Grandmaster' Could Storm The Oscars [Trailer]

The ever-active Netflix have signed yet another high-profile deal that should keep them on top of the streaming game for a while yet, striking up a partnership with the Weinstein company, which will grant exclusive access to their films from 2016.

Harvey Weinstein's name is synonymous with film

Weinstein are giants in the movie industry, responsible for an eclectic mix of styles, genres and origins; foreign films and Hollywood blockbusters. The titles will become available in the same way as DVD’s, meaning you can stream them once they’ve circulated through the cinemas and are released physically.

Continue reading: So, Netflix User, What Does The Weinstein Deal Mean For You?

Artemis Fowl has been called ‘the new Harry Potter’ plenty of times by the critics, and to be fair, the similarities are there. Both franchises hold their roots in novels – Potter’s seven to Fowl’s eight – and both take place in a weird and magical world.

Both, too, follow a teenage male protagonist who is fighting against adversity. Fowl, though, is a little criminal master, while Potter was always a bit of a goody-two-shoes. Either way, it’s ripe for a cinematic re-imagining, and judging by the people behind the project, it’s got every chance of matching the Potter film franchise.

Eoin Colfer's books are about to get even bigger - IMAX bigger

Continue reading: Can 'Artemis Fowl' Replicate Harry Potter's Success?

Well, this has come from leftfield. After leaving Disney in 2005 to set up The Weinstein Company, the most powerful man in Hollywood is re-teaming with his old employer for an intriguing little animation.

Harvey Weinstein has announced he is developing an adaptation of Artemis Fowl for the big-screen with Disney.

"If you would have told me five years ago I would be producing a project with Disney I would have thought you were crazy," said Weinstein in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, "I feel as though everything is coming full circle considering Bob De Niro and Jane Rosenthal brought me this book while I was still at Miramax and within hours I told them I wanted the rights to the film."

Continue reading: Harvey Weinstein Dusts Off 'Artemis Fowl' From Disney's Bottom Drawer

Artemis Fowl, the fantasy book series about the titular scheming genius Fowl and his encounters with a world of fairies and mythical creatures, finally will be turned into a movie thanks to Disney Studios and the Weinstein Company, reports Reuters. Adapted by Michael Goldenburg, scrrenwriter for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the movie will mark a reunion between the two production companies who were previously at loggerheads.

Writer Eoin Colfer Will Finally Have His Book Series Made Into Films.

Weinstein company co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, claims to have been introduced to the eight book series by actor Robert De Niro and producer Jane Rosenthal. He said in a statement "If you would have told me five years ago I would be producing a project with Disney I would have thought you were crazy."

Continue reading: Artemis Fowl Movie FINALLY On The Way After Disney Greenlight

The Weinstein Company's hard-hitting drama Fruitvale Station starring The Wire's Michael B. Jordan has seen its odds slashed to just 14/1 to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2014. After slew of positive reviews and a box office taking of almost $54,000 per screen on a limited release, Ryan Coogler's retelling of the shooting of Oscar Grant on New Year's Day in creating massive buzz.

The movie won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, with Sundance jury member Tom Rothman telling Coogler, "This will not be the last time you guys walk to a podium," according to the Los Angeles Times.

It's likely that Fruitvale Station will collect more honors as the year goes on, though can it maintain the momentum until next February and peep its head above Oscar bait movies The Wolf of Wall Street, August: Osage County, The Monuments Men, Captain Phillips and American Hustle? That's not to mention the likes of Nebraska, Inside Llewyn Davis, Gravity, 12 Years A Slave, The Counselor, Out Of The Furnace, Fox Catcher and the excellent Before Midnight.  It's a huge ask and one that this writer believes may well be out of reach.

Continue reading: Can Superb 'Fruitvale Station' Maintain Momentum Until Oscar Season?

Idris Elba is the man to beat the 2014 Academy Awards for his portrayal of South African President Nelson Mandela, according to the bookmakers, anyway. Elba's star has risen in recent years thanks to BBC series Luther, rumors of the James Bond role and a role in Guillermo Del Toro's latest blockbuster Pacific Rim.

Idris Elba [L] as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris [R] as Winnie Mandela

The first trailer for upcoming biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - from The Other Boleyn Girl director Justin Chadwick - rolled out online this week and features a startling, if limited, first look at Hackney-born Elba's performance "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin. People learn to hate. They can be taught to love for love comes more naturally to the human heart," goes the spine-tingling voiceover as Mandela moves across the valley. It appears Elba - wearing Mandela's signature yellow shirt - has got the President's poise down to a tee.

Continue reading: Long Walk To Freedom: Idris Elba As Nelson Mandela Is Favourite For Oscar [Trailer]

A trip to space with Leonardo Dicaprio has been auctioned off for a magnificent 1.2 million euros which will be donated to the charity amfAR Cinema Against AIDS.

The lucky bidder has landed the chance to be seated next to 'The Great Gatsby' star aboard Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic fleet on an unforgettable trip to the stars. The prize, which was advertised as 'a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space with a mystery guest', was sold at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cannes during a dinner/ auction organised by The Weinstein Company's Harvey Weinstein on Thursday night (May 23rd 2013) in benefit of the amfAR foundation. Two other seats on the same flight have been sold for a total of 1.8 million euros. After informing them of his star prize, Weinstein joked to the Hollywood Reporter that some wished he could be jetted off into the galaxy too. 'But only on a one-way ticket', he adds.

On Thursday, amfAR noted that the event brought in a spectacular $25 million; a stark contrast to their $11 million collection last year. But then, with prizes as enviable as a space holiday with the handsome DiCaprio, it's not surprising how much the event goers managed to cough up.

Continue reading: A Seat Beside Leonardo DiCaprio On Space Journey Sells For Millions

Few had even heard of Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station before it won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It was snapped up by Harvey Weinstein, who has a well-documented knack of taking little known movies from the film festival and turning them into Oscars gold. Will he do the same with this gritty drama? The signs look good.

Watch the Fruitvale Station trailer!

Based on a true story, it stars The Wire's Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old living in the San Francisco Bay area. As the New Year approaches, he become determines to turn around his life and provide for his girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter. After boarding a particularly crowded Bay Area Rapid Transit train, Oscar manages to get involved in a fight with some old adversaries and when the BART police are called, he is detained along with other passengers at Fruitvale Station. Through a cruel twist of fate, he is accidentally fatally shot in the early hours by a police officer who withdrew his gun rather than his intended taser. Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (The Help) plays Grant's mother, while Best Actor Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) is one of the film's producers. This thing has pedigree.

It is due for US release on July 26th 2013, though reaction at this week's Cannes Film Festival - where it is competing in the Un Certain Regard competition - has been unanimously positive. Xan Brooks of The Guardian wrote, "Fruitvale Station made a noise at Sundance, was snapped up by the Weinsteins and played out to roaring approval here in the Un Certain Regard section."

Continue reading: Fruitvale Station Stuns Sundance And Cannes, Next Stop The Oscars? [Trailer]

The first trailer for 'Precious' director Lee Daniels' new movie The Butler starring Forest Whitaker has rolled out online and Harvey Weinstein's ambitions of taking this film all the way to the Oscars couldn't be more apparent. Whitaker stars as Eugene Allen, the man who served eight presidents as the White House's head butler.

The movie is clearly Oscar bait. Firstly, it's a typical Weinstein movie in the same mould as The King's Speech and The Iron Lady and secondly it's set for release on October 18th - just in time to be wafted under the nose of the Academy. Oh, and there's a pretty strong cast with plenty of Oscar winners and several up-and-coming stars. Robin Williams (Dwight Eisenhower), John Cusack (Richard Nixon), James Marsden (JFK), Liev Schreiber (Lydon B. Johnson), Alan Rickman (Reagan), Cuba Gooding Jr (Carter Wilson), David Oyelowo (Loius Gaines) and Oprah Winfrey (Gloria Gaines) are among the supporting cast though this one appears to be set up for Whitaker.

Continue reading: Forest Whitaker's 'The Butler' Clearly Has Oscar Glory In Its Sights [Trailer]

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and his wife Georgina Chapman have finally welcomed a baby boy into their family. According to the New York Post, Georgina gave birth in New York on Thursday April 11, 2013. A source told NY post “Georgina and son are doing extremely well” and another joked “his is a big moment for the family. Although Harvey will always be outranked by women, at least he now has an ally.”

Harvey and Georgina have a daughter already, India Pearl, who’s aged 2 and Harvey, 62, has three daughters from a previous marriage – Emma Lily and Ruth. When the high profile couple announced last year that they were expecting a baby, Harvey insisted that he didn’t know the sex of the baby. He told Page Six at the time “It could be Harvey and five daughters… I’d be happy either way." Georgina showed off her baby bump at the Academy Awards in February, when she wore a beautiful long ivory gown, whilst she attended the awards with her husband. Harvey had produced Silver Linings Playbook; one of the Best Picture nominees.

Harvey and Georgina began dating back in 2005 and married in 2007. She is a co-founder of the fashion house Marchesa and also acts as a judge on the TV show Project Runway: All Stars. 

Continue reading: A Boy At Last For Harvey Weinstein And Georgina Chapman

It’s kind of an unwritten rule: when you win an Oscar, you thank all the people who helped you ‘make it’, even though they’re secretly thanking you for getting the film so much extra publicity.

So when Jennifer Lawrence trips up, wishes her fellow nominee Emanualle Riva a happy birthday and generally looks shocked to be anywhere near the golden statuette, but forgets to thank David O Russell and Harvey Weinstein, some post-Oscars love was certainly required. She’ll be hoping her statement to Entertainment Weekly can get her back into Hollywood’s good-books. "In the whirlwind of last night, I was remiss to thank two incredibly important people to this film and in my life," she said in the statement. She then thanked Russell for "the most incredible experience of my life" and "for your genius, for your guidance, for teaching me things about myself and nurturing me to be a better actor." She also thanked Weinstein for supporting the film "from early days" and for his "passion and unyielding support [which] gave this film the opportunity to thrive and touch so many people."

Continue reading: Jennifer Lawrence Is Best Actress – But She Forgot To Thank Her Director And Producer!

Is Jennifer Lawrence getting ahead of herself here? The 22-year-old has already signed up for Silver Linings Playbook director David O'Russell's new movie The Ends of the Earth. Lawrence is up for Best Actress at the Oscars on Sunday (February 24, 2013) and is expected by most to pip Jessica Chastain and Emmanuelle Riva to the prize.

The actress-director combo will reunite for the new drama, about powerful oil tycoon Ernest Marland, who lost everything when he was caught in a controversial affair with his step-daughter. The project certainly has a decent pedigree, with Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio taking care of the script and the all-conquering Harvey Weinstein overseeing the whole thing. "She is the most dedicated person I know," Russell said in the release announcing the movie. "Her acting is effortless and she always makes it look easy."

The news comes just days after Deadline reported Jennifer Lawrence was being tapped to star opposite Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner in another of David O'Russell's movies. Formerly known as American Bullshit, the film follows the story of a 1970's FBI sting operation that took down several U.S. congressman. The movie is being developed by Sony Pictures, with Megan Ellison producing and developing a script.

Continue reading: Is Jennifer Lawrence Banking On An Oscar? (Re-Teams With David O' Russell)

Jessica Alba at the Planet Earth premiere

The stars lined up in Los Angeles as the first major animation film of the year celebrated its premiere at the weekend (February 2, 2013). Escape From Planet Earth has been produced by Rainmaker Entertainment - so far mainly famous in the film world for its rather dubious Barbie movies. However, this looks like a different story for Rainmaker, with an impressive cast including Brendan Fraser, Jessica Alba, Rob Corddry and Sarah Jessica Parker assembled to voiceover their tale of alien space combat. 

Continue reading: Jessica Alba, Rob Corddry In Attendance For Escape From Planet Earth Premiere (Pictures)

Kill Your Darlings, a movie starring Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe as a young Allen Ginsberg, has been snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics following its screening at the Sundance Film Festival. The deal is for U.S, Australian, New Zealand, South African, African TV and Eastern European rights.

The film explores how a 1944 murder brought together the young college students who would go on to become the voices of the Beat Generation. As well as Radcliffe, Kill Your Darlings stars Ben Foster, Dane DeHaan, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston and Elizabeth Olsen. “This is an amazing movie, a great American drama, thriller, and perfect evocation of New York in the 1940′s as you have never seen on screen before,” Sony said in a statement. “With an ensemble cast that is truly mind-blowing led by Daniel Radcliffe in a profoundly moving performance as Allen Ginsberg, we are witnessing the birth of a major new American filmmaker.”

There has certainly been a clear buying trend at Sundance 2013, with Radcliffe’s movie the latest to be snapped up in super-quick time. The most high profile acquisition was The Way, Way Back – a comedy starring Steve Carell, Toni Colette and Sam Rockwell that Fox Searchlight thought was strong enough to splash $10 million on. The film has a pretty decent pedigree, with Academy Award winning writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash getting behind the camera for their debut flick. Elsewhere, Jennifer Coolidge’s comedy Austenland found a home at Sony ($4 million), though all eyes were on big-wig Harvey Weinstein, a man known for picking up undiscovered gems at film festivals and turning them into Oscar contenders. This year, he opted for Fruitvale, a drama starring The Wire’s Michael B. Jordan that focuses on police brutality. “I was completely amazed by this incredible film. This earth-shattering story is one that needs to be told, and we are honored to be able to share Oscar’s story with audiences everywhere,” said Weinstein in a statement.

Continue reading: Radcliffe For An Oscar? ‘Kill Your Darlings’ Snapped Up At Sundance

Harvey Weinstein's company spent around $2 million in acquiring the rights to the drama 'Fruitvale' following its screening at the Sundance Film Festival, according to a person close to the film who was not authorized to speak on record, reports the Los Angeles Times. The independent festival - founded by actor Robert Redford - is a hunting ground for Hollywood big-wigs searching for the next hit movie.

A couple of years ago, he snapped up The Details and My Idiot Brother at the festival, two independent movies that did well critically, though provided little commercially. However, The Weinstein company has plenty of room to take risks following successes in the form of The Kings Speech, The Reader, Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained and David O Russell comedy, Silver Linings Playbook. The company's latest acquirement, Fruitvale, is based on the 2009 shooting of the 22-year-old African American father Oscar Grant by a BART police officer in Oakland, an event that sparked outrage among community activists. It stars the up-and-coming Michael B. Jordan in the lead role, best known for playing Wallace in HBO's critically acclaimed series The Wire, and as Vince Howard on Friday Night Lights. The movie is written and directed by Ryan Coogler and follows Grant in the 24 hours leading up to his death, during which he spends time with his family and decides to stop dealing marijuana. 

The acquisition comes hot on the heels of Relatively Media's purchase of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's sexual obsession story "Don Jon's Addiction" for around $4 million. The company is behind movies such as The Fighter, Dear John and the huge grossing Immortals.

Continue reading: Prepare Yourself, Oscars 2014: Harvey Weinstein Just Bought 'Fruitvale'

The Weinstein Company, the movie production power house behind the latest Quentin Tarantino movie Django Unchained, have been forced to ask toy makers in charge of a line of action figures depicting characters from the film to cease production of the toys immediately following a huge backlash from potential customers.

Civil rights activists have been up in arms over the apparent trivialisation of slavery made by the film, and the production and sale of these dolls have proved to be the final straw with the film's opponents. The eight inch figurines were on sale on Amazon.com, depicting six of the film's central characters, including three who are slaves in the film: Stephen, Broomhilda and the titular Django. The Weinstein Company immediately had production of the dolls halted, with approximately 1,000 figures making their way off the production line.

According to TMZ, as soon as the torrent of disapproval began to come forth their way, with such notable civil rights groups as Al Sharpton's National Action Network and Project Islamic Hope speaking out against the dolls, the toy company was told to halt production of the figures, despite claiming that it never meant to cause offence. The Weinstein Company has yet to comment on the situation.

Continue reading: Toy Makers Forced To Halt Production Of Controversial Django Unchained Action Figures

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler host the Golden Globes on Sunday (January 13, 2013) and will no doubt bring a touch of Saturday Night Live to one of Hollywood's glitziest evenings. The close friends decided to host the event because - according to Fey - it's "a very kind of sloppy, loud party, and that seemed like our kind of thing." Indeed, it's going to be so sloppy that the hosts have devised their very own drinking game for Sunday drinkers to enjoy.

The Globes is traditionally more raucous than the Oscars. Basically, the organizers want to invite the most famous people available, stick them into a room together and ply them with champagne. Things happen. Mickey Rourke usually gives something his middle finger, Ricky Gervais makes an inappropriate joke as Johnny Depp looks on disapprovingly, despite being in on the joke. Anyway, Fey and Poehler are of the opinion that if they can have a party, then so can we! The pair explained the rules of their drinking game while in conversation with the Hollywood Reporter. So here goes:

-Drink any time an actress cries in a speech

Continue reading: Tina Fey And Amy Poehler's Golden Globes Drinking Game 2013!

The full release of Brad Pitt's Killing Them Softly has quietly crept up, six months after it premiered to strong reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. The crime-drama reunited The Assassination of Jesse James director Andrew Dominik with Pitt and was originally set for a September 21 release.

The first thing to note is that Killing Them Softly - about an enforcer who is hired to restore order after a mob-protected poker game is robbed - is a Weinstein Company movie. Harvey Weinstein is known for his Oscars game of chess, swapping and changing release dates and masterminding promotional campaigns to give his movies the best possible of chance of winning golden statuettes. Though last year's Margaret Thatcher film The Iron Lady was regarded as a dud by critics, Meryl Streep still managed to walk away with the Best Actress gong, despite Viola Davis' stunning performance in The Help. The power of Weinstein.

Anyway, according to Indiewire.com, Killing Them Softly switched to a November 30 release date for maximum Oscars impact. Weinstein decided that he wanted to roll out Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master closer to his festival premieres. Which is odd, because since making the decision, The Master and Silver Linings Playbook have emerged as the company's biggest Oscars hopes. At best, it looks as though James Gandolfini could snag a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Killing. Even Lawless seems to have a better chance of winning an Oscar than Dominik's movie.

Continue reading: Is The Academy Set To Ignore Brad Pitt's Killing Them Softly?

Would Burberry have wanted Scottish tennis ace Andy Murray wandering down their red carpet at London Fashion Week had he not recently become US Open Champion? We have our doubts, though the 25-year-old seemed happy enough with the invite as he and girlfriend Kim Sears rubbed shoulders with fashion’s elite this week.

Murray was actually given front row seats next to US Vogue editor and generally terrifying fashion person Anna Wintour, though he did seem a little uncomfortable. Elsewhere, Olympic gold medal cyclist Victoria Pendleton also attended the show, and was sure to insist that her front row seat was definitely not the product of her recent success, telling the Metro newspaper, “I’ve wanted so long to come to an event at fashion week, and Burberry have asked me for a couple of seasons and I’ve been so busy training that I had to say no.” Finishing off the all-star front row at the event in Kensington was hotshot American film producer Harvey Weinstein, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actor Dev Patel and One Direction singer Harry Styles.

London’s five-day fashion extravaganza comes to an end on Tuesday (September 18th) with shows from the likes of Mulberry and Simone Rocha.