J:COM to consider full stake in Asmik Ace

Tokyo, japan -- Japan's No. 1 cabler Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM) intends to acquire all shares of indie distrib and pic producer Asmik Ace Entertainment and turn it into a wholly possessed subsid. J:COM aims to include original content from Asmik to the program line-up. Initially, J:COM tends to buy the 96.6% of Asmik Ace shares possessed through the Sumitomo buying and selling house, using the transfer to happen within thirty days, based on Japanese press reviews. No cost has yet been introduced. It'll then get the remaining shares. Asmik Ace were built with a complicated birth, taking its current form inside a merger of pic producer Ace Pictures and distrib Asmik in 1998. In 2004, when then co-owner Kadokawa Holdings acquired exclusive privileges to distribute DreamWorks photos in Japan, Asmik Ace required control of publicity and distribution. This Year, Sumitomo bought Kadokawa's 20% stake in Asmik Ace, improving its share to the present 96.6%. Among Asmik Ace's recent releases are "Spy Kids 4D," "Scream 4" and "50/50," along with the domestic mellers "Bread of Happiness" and "A Yell From Paradise." J:COM expects to give the 270 photos that Asmik Ace is the owner of the privileges on its movie channels. Asmik Ace will even produce five to 10 original dramas yearly for J:COM strands, while its photos is going to be launched concurrently in theaters as well as on J:COM's VOD services. Asmik Ace content is going to be open to mobile phone customers via J:COM partner KDDI's Lismo streaming service. By The month of january, J:COM had 3.63million cable customers, up 6.7% on a single month the year before. It's 7.14 million subs because of its combined cable, Internet and telephony services, up 9.5% on 2011. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Community Launches Animated Shorts

After carrying out a claymation special this year, NBC’s cult favorite Community gets animated with three marketing shorts made to trump in the show’s March 15 go back to the schedule. The announcement only agreed to be made throughout Community‘s PaleyFest session. The shorts, entitled Abeds Master Key, will debut on March 7 on Hulu, Hulu Plus and NBC.com. These were compiled by Dork Seger (Funnel 101) & Tom Kauffman (Lil Waynes Huge Home). This is a promo:

Comcast Launches Xfinity Streaming Service For Older Content

Streampix is going to be incorporated to Xfinity triple-play packages additionally to individually for $4.99 monthly just like a subscription video-on-demand supplying the program isto eventually increase the risk for service on Xbox 360 360 360 and Android items.It willfeature shows like 30 Rock, Lost and Married … With Children additionally to kids programming incorporated in new content certification deals. Here’s the gist in the release: PHILADELPHIA, PA February 21, 2011 Comcast today introduced the launch of Xfinity Streampix, a completely new subscription video service that enables Xfinity video clients to immediately view favorite movies and tv shows interior and exterior the home, including numerous past seasons of current hit shows and full series, to multiple screens and items including Televisions (just like a subscription If Needed folder), online platforms and mobile items. This awesome product complements the 75,000 Television films and shows presently on Xfinity If Needed, XfinityTV.com and through the Xfinity TV application. To create Streampix, Comcast has became a member of into certification contracts with leading movie art galleries and programming companies including Disney-ABC Television Group*, NBCUniversal, The brand new the new sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Cookie Jar and built a line-from top-rated content, that's available beginning now. Past Full Seasons of Television Show Movies 30 Rock(NBC) Evaluate That(Warner Bros. Pictures) Greys Anatomy(ABC) Brokeback Mountain(Universal) Heroes(NBC) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(The brand new the new sony) Lost(ABC) Oceans Eleven(Warner Bros.Pictures) Marriedwith Children(The brand new the new sony) Stuart Little(The brand new the new sony) Work(NBC) When Harry Met Sally(Warner Bros. Pictures) Ugly Betty(ABC) The Big Lebowski(Universal) The Important Thing Existence in the American Teen(ABC Family) Kids Programming Inspector Gadget(Cookie Jar) Paddington Bear(Cookie Jar) Strawberry Shortcake(Cookie Jar) The Suite Information on Zack & Cody(Disney Funnel) Masters of magic of Waverly Place(Disney Funnel)

Greg Berlanti: This Pilot Season's Go-To Guy

The Colbert Report takes an unforeseen break. "Due to unforeseen conditions, the show will air repeat episodeson Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16," Comedy Central mentioned in the statement. VIDEO: Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart vow not to coordinate, poke fun at Super PAC Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Colbert Report

The planet pandora uncovers photos at Berlinale

"A Prophet" star Tahar Rahim is placed to star in Fatih Akin's "The Cut," the 3rd installment within the filmmaker's trilogy around the human condition.Analyzing evil in people, "The Cut" follows 2004's "Mind-On," which worked with love, and 2007's "The Advantage of Paradise," which revolved around dying. Akin and Klaus Maeck's Hamburg-based Corazon Intl. and Perfume-based The planet pandora Film are creating.It's certainly one of a slew of approaching productions The planet pandora revealed in the Berlinale. The organization, that is honoring its 30th anniversary this season, can also be creating Pia Marais' "Layla Fourie," in regards to a youthful single mom in Nigeria whose existence becomes entangled in lies, fear and suspicion after going for a job giving polygraph tests. Created by The planet pandora like a co-production with Gauteng-based DV8 Films, IDTV in Amsterdam, Paris-based Cinema Defacto and WDR/arte, "Layla Fourie" stars Rayna Campbell and August Diehl. The Match Factory is selling the film globally.Also around the slate is Jim Jarmusch's "Only Enthusiasts Left Alive," an appreciation story occur Detroit and Tangiers between a couple grappling using the decline of civilization Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddelston and John Hurt star. The planet pandora is co-creating with London-based Recorded Pictures, with HanWay Films handling world sales. Sang-Hyung Cho ("Full Metal Village") is pointing "11 Freundinnen," a documentary around the German women's national team and also the 2011 FIFA World Championship created by The planet pandora and 3Sat/ZDF.The planet pandora is joining with Bridgit Folman Film Gang in Israel on Ari Folman's "The Congress," a loose adaptation of Stanislaw Lem's novel "The Futurological Congress," starring Robin Wright, Harvey Keitel, Danny Huston, Jon Hamm and Paul Giamatti. Poland's Opus Film, ARP Selection in France, Belgium's Entre Chien et Loup and Paul Thiltges are co-creating, using the Match Factory handling world sales.Additional co-productions include "My Pal Vijay," by Mike Garbarski ("Irina Palm"). Pic activates a guy, incorrectly thought dead, who finds out his recently widowed wife has had an unseemly romantic curiosity about a dashing Indian. Entre Chien et Loup is creating with The planet pandora and Luxembourg-based Samsa Film. The business's Berlin subsid Pola The planet pandora is joining up with France's Pierre Grise Productions on Leos Carax's "Holy Motors," starring Denis Lavant, Kylie Minogue, Avoi Mendes and Michel Piccoli inside a tale of the being who takes having multiple people. And in the whole shebang is Erik Skjoldbjaerg's "Pionier," a conspiracy-thriller set at the outset of the Norwegian gold hurry. Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at erectile dysfunction.meza@mannaa.de

American Pie's Chris Klein Heads to Franklin & Party

Chris Klein Chris Klein has arrived a guest just right a chapter of Franklin & Bash's second season, Entertainment Weekly reviews.Klein, most widely known for enjoying Oz within the hit comedy American Cake, will portray a classic senior high school friend of Peter Party (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). His character is referred to like a charming politician who would like to finish his gubernatorial bid following a family scandal.Mega Buzz: A Home tragedy, a Average women baby-dad as well as an SVU reunionLaw & Order's Paul Schulze will have his campaign manager who takes problem with Party and Breckin Meyer's Franklin.Franklin & Party will even welcome a slew of guest stars for that approaching second season including Seth Eco-friendly, Cybill Shepherd and Ron Fox.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation Super Bowl Ad

Rock! Boom! Blast!Though the Super Bowl doesn't even happen in the US until this coming Sunday, it would appear that the film studios and various related companies just can't wait to show us their wares and, like eager children offering up their still-wet finger paintings, we're now being treated to a barrage of early ads. One example is the G.I. Joe: Retaliation spot, which you can gawp at over at Apple.It's only a 30-second ad for the film, but it feels very much in keeping with the most recent trailer: lots of Dwayne Johnson being tough and cool, plenty of action, some music and a Brucie (Willis, not Forsyth) bonus.The few new seconds of footage include a quick glimpse of Cobra Commander and plenty of chances to watch the Joes in action. The film itself lands on June 22.But the Joe spot is unusual in that it's the whole thing. So far this year, we've been plagued with tiny teasers of already short promos for the likes of The Avengers and John Carter. We'll put those full ads up once they go online.One other film that has decided to shove a full-length version of its ad up now is Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comedy, The Dictator. There's really nothing new here from the trailer (aside from the game-specific intro), but take a look below anyway. The Dictator arrives May 18.Finally, Volkswagen has debuted a commercial to follow up its young Darth Vader spot from last year. At first, it doesn't seem to have much to do with that one, but keep watching until the end...

Kathleen Robertson to bin Laden pic

RobertsonKathleen Robertson ("Boss") is toplining "Code Name: Geronimo," John Stockwell's actioner about Osama bin Laden's killing.Tony Mark and Voltage Pictures ("The Hurt Locker") are producing. Script's written by Kendall Lampkin.Shooting starts Monday in New Mexico.Robertson will portray an eager CIA case officer dedicated to her job. Geronimo was the code name for the operation that sent two teams of Navy SEALs into Pakistan to hunt and kill bin Laden.Robertson's recent credits include "CSI: Miami" and "Rookie Blue." She starred in indie thriller "Gravity Pulls," which she co-wrote with co-directors Tony Pantages and Gil Bellows. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Peter Jackson Exits Middle-Earth, Enters MTV's Sundance Photo Booth!

As someone whose college moviegoing experiences are defined by "Lord of the Rings," watching Peter Jackson in action at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this morning was a bit of a thrill. The man has traded Middle-earth for Park City this week to support "West of Memphis," the powerful documentary he produced about the conviction, imprisonment and eventual release of the West Memphis Three and, of course, to kick off our annual Sundance celebrity photo booth series! Jackson (alongside "Memphis" director Amy Berg) swung by MTV News' headquarters at the Puma Social Club to discuss the documentary and the impact he hopes it will have after its Sundance premiere this evening. Bonus points for a nice "Hobbit" update, too! Stay tuned for all of that and more very soon.

New Coriolanus Clip

Ralph Fiennes vs. Gerard Butler: fight!What's better than a bit of cultural enrichment and Shakespearean adaptation in the morning?Why, a bit of cultural enrichment that also features violence between two large, scary men!And that's precisely what we have for you in this exclusive clip from Coriolanus, directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes in the title role, and featuring Gerard Butler as his nemesis Aufidius.As all you historians and literary types will know, Caius Martius, known as Coriolanus, was the great Roman general of the 5th century BC whose campaigns against the aforementioned Aufidius, leader of the Volscians who threaten Rome, have won him fame and power back home. But Coriolanus' pride and disdain for the people of Rome lead him into trouble, despite the best efforts of his influential mother (Vanessa Redgrave), devoted wife(Jessica Chastain)and Senator friend ( Brian Cox).This scene takes place early in the film, with Caius Martius meeting Aufidius in the heat of battle in the city of Coriolanus. It's a clash of the titans!Coriolanus hits cinemas on January 20. As you can see here, there will be blood.

Kim Novak 'Violated' By 'The Artist' Over 'Vertigo' Score [UPDATE]

"The Artist" has been lauded as one of the most charming movies of the year, but not even the adorable antics of superstar canine Uggie has impressed movie icon Kim Novak. The star of Alfred's Hitchcock's 1958 classic "Vertigo" has put out a press release and taken out a trade ad over her displeasure with the similarities between 'The Artist''s music and that of Hitchock's favorite composer. She says that hearing Bernard Herrmann's score for "Vertigo," as used in "The Artist," has left her in a "state of shock" that she compared to being raped. "I want to report a rape," Novak wrote in her anti-"Artist" missive: "My body of work has been violated by 'The Artist.' This film took the Love Theme music from 'Vertigo' and used the emotions it engenders as its own. Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart can't speak for themselves, but I can. It was our work that unconsciously or consciously evoked the memories and feelings to the audience that were used for the climax of 'The Artist.'" Although Herrmann, whose other works include the memorable scores to "Cape Fear" and "Psycho," is given a screen credit, Novak isn't satisfied: "There was no reason for them to depend on Bernard Herrmann's score from 'Vertigo' to provide more drama. 'Vertigo's' music was written during the filming. Hitchcock wanted the theme woven musically in the puzzle pieces of the storyline.... I believe this kind of filmmaking trick to be cheating. Shame on them!" "She was sitting in her living room, she put the DVD in, and then went into an absolute state of shock and devastation," Novak's manager Sue Cameron told Deadline. "She is very, very upset." Deadline speculates that Novak's campaign may cost her her Academy membership, as there are rules against publicly maligning a movie in contention for awards, especially one that's considered the Oscar frontrunner. The Weinstein Company, which released "The Artist," hasn't yet issued a response, but when Moviefone asked director Michel Hazanvicius about the "Vertigo" music cue last year, he was aware it might be controversial. "It was a dilemma for me. I really feel like the music has been done to death. That's actually not the one that's in 'Vertigo.' It's another orchestration made by Elmer Bernstein in the '70s. So, it's a very specific one. But, it was a dilemma because I knew it was something -- not blasphemy -- but something that could hurt people. I think it's so perfect, but, also, it makes sense for the movie. [...] In a way [the 'Vertigo' score] makes sense. Not to the story of 'Vertigo' -- some people told me, 'Yeah, but it makes sense, because 'Vertigo' he wants to bring her back to life.' It was -- I'm not so poetic. It was just the sensuality of the music was just so good for the sequence." UPDATE: Hazanavicius responded to Novak's complaints via THR and said that he respects her and is "sorry she disagrees" with the music choice. [via Deadline] [Photo: Everett] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Vincenzo Natali Scares Up A Haunter

What exactly about Neuromancer?Publish-Splice, director Vincenzo Natali continues to be mounted on a couple of potential projects. They have all been literary adaptations, including JG Ballard's High-rise, Roderick Gordon and John Williams' Tunnels series, and many excitingly, William Gibson's Neuromancer. Natalis has ticked this area marked "no above" for the moment though, since his immediate next film just been introduced as Haunter.Referred to like a "reverse ghost story", Haunter comes from an authentic script by John King, who also authored Natali's Cypher in 2002. It appears to possess shades from the Others and Beetlejuice, for the reason that it's told in the perspective from the haunter as opposed to the haunted: within this situation a woman known as Lisa who's been manifesting within the same house since she met a regrettable finish in 1986. She sees an chance for many closure when new girl Olivia moves in.So what's happened to Neuromancer? Immediatey the greatest-profile project on Natali's pencilled later on slate, itwas apparently moving ahead and into pre-production last May, with production proper wished for within the first quarter of the year. That's now clearly not happening, since Haunter is apparently shooting in Toronto in March (expect more particulars soon).Have no fear, fans of Situation and Molly. By last fall, Neuromancer was still being greatly a going concern, with Natali, his producer Jay Firestone, Canada Media Fund's Francesca Accineli, and videogame developer Trevor Fencott showing a packed-out panel in the Toronto Worldwide Film Festival to update on its development and muse on their own approach. The entire 75-minute discussion can be obtained online, and you will find helpfully transcribed edited highlights at The Tyee."Will still be in front of the curve," stated Natali of Gibson's visionary novel. "My argument happens to be that this is the time to makeNeuromancer, because In my opinion which had you've made this film back in 1984 [once the novel was released] it could have been incomprehensive. There is no way, with no remarkable quantity of exposition, that the film audience could have been in a position to understand a few of the concepts within the book which are really part of our lives.InchThere is plenty more where that originated from, so mind to among individuals links to discover why Natali is not much worried about the greatly Gibson-affected The Matrix getting arrived at the screen first, and just how his vision of cyberspace is neither Matrix nor Tron-like. "This domain you project yourself into, because the cyberjockeys do inNeuromancer, isn't always very friendly for people," Natali thinks. "As wetware, as carbon-based lifeforms, evolution has not designed us to enter that type of virtual atmosphere. Therefore it is a really rough ride and just others can perform it..."

ABC rules New Year's Eve ratings

Fundamental steps 'Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve With Ryan Seacrest' beat the combined shipping of NBC, CBS and Fox. 4 decades on, Dick Clark and ABC continue being packing in television audiences on New Year's Eve -- accumulating their third straight year of viewership gains. The Alphabet devoted all primetime to New Year's festivities, plus a two-hour clips show of past musical performances, which momentum only elevated the net's ratings fortunes since the ball dropped in NY during the night time. ABC beat the combined ratings shipping of the Large Four rivals round the evening. According to preliminary Nielsen estimations, ABC's two-hour spec "New Year's Rockin' Eve: The 40th Anniversary Party" averaged a few.4 rating/9 participate grownups 18-49 and 8.3 million audiences overall -- easily beating the combined output for repeat programming on ABC, CBS and NBC. Show built with every half-hour, peaking at 9:30 p.m. getting a 3.3/12 inside the demo and 10.5 million total audiences. So the usual 10-11 p.m. a part of ABC's 12 ,. 31 festivities, "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest," averaged a sizable 4.1/15 in 18-49 and 12.9 million audiences overall -Up by 46% inside the demo by 3.7 million total audiences versus. a year ago for your special's finest amounts since it opened up in 2000. Because 10 p.m. hour, ABC came greater than four occasions the rating for NBC's competing 10 p.m. program, "New Year's Eve With Carson Daly" (prelim .9/3 in 18-49, 3. million). Overall, ABC loved its finest-rated primetime Saturday in than couple of years -- since college football's Large 12 Championship game in December 2009. From 11:30 p.m. to a single:15 a.m., "Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" averaged a massive 7.4 rating in grownups 18-49 22.6 000 0000 audiences -- ABC's top scores for nearly any entertainment telecast since the Academy awards last winter. Detailed info wasn't designed for ABC's competition, but NBC's "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" averaged a 4.3 household rating/10 participate the metered-market overnights from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and Fox's new entry, "American Country New Year's Eve," did a few.Or4 from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. -- both well behind ABC's special, which did a ten.7/26. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com