Toby Stephens has landed the lead role of ‘Captain Flint’ in Starz’ pirate adventure series, Black Sails. Flint is described as the brilliant and feared pirate captain of the ship, Walrus.
Per the network: “Threatened with extinction on all sides, he and his crew fight for the survival of New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day – a debauched paradise teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers, a place defined by both its enlightened ideals and its stunning brutality. Flint adds a young stranger to his crew who goes by the name John Silver and sets forth on a plan that could alter the course of history forever.”
The first season will consist of eight episodes and will be set 20 years prior to the events of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Produced by Michael Bay, Black Sails will be setting sail on the network in 2014.
Filming will take place at Cape Town Studios in Cape Town, South Africa this year.
Guillermo del Toro presents Mama, a supernatural thriller that tells the haunting tale of two little girls who disappeared into the woods the day that their parents were killed. When they are rescued years later and begin a new life, they find that someone or something still wants to come tuck them in at night.
Five years ago, sisters Victoria and Lilly vanished from their suburban neighborhood without a trace. Since then, their Uncle Lucas (Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Chastain), have been madly searching for them. But when, incredibly, the kids are found alive in a decrepit cabin, the couple wonders if the girls are the only guests they have welcomed into their home.
As Annabel tries to introduce the children to a normal life, she grows convinced of an evil presence in their house. Are the sisters experiencing traumatic stress, or is a ghost coming to visit them? How did the broken girls survive those years all alone? As she answers these disturbing questions, the new mother will find that the whispers she hears at bedtime are coming from the lips of a deadly presence.
Barbra Reifel, Kristin Davis, Nicole Howell, Christine Carter, MaryJo Miller, Marissa Miller and Lisa Gonzales tell their stories on the all new Lifetime series 'My Life is a Lifetime Movie - Photo Courtesy of Lifetime Copyright 2012
Well, you’re not alone. Lifetime’s debuting a new seven-episode series titled My Life is a Lifetime Movie featuring real shocking stories as told by the people who lived through them. The hour-long series, which was inspired by audiences’ love of the ever-popular Lifetime movies, will premiere on October 17, 2012 at 10pm.
The Plot:
My Life is a Lifetime Movie will weave together highly cinematic recreations and first-person interviews with women in peril who recount their jaw-dropping experiences that are so astonishing and so unbelievable that they must be true.
My Life is a Lifetime Movie will feature such incredible stories as an attractive young teacher whose life is turned upside down by an overzealous student’s shocking accusations of sexual misconduct; a husband and wife who befriended a neighbor only to have their good deed turn into a real-life fatal attraction that resulted in a near-death experience; a twice divorced mom who thought she found her prince charming… but who was actually a Cuban spy; and a determined mother who took on a small town to save her daughter’s reputation when she gets dragged into a sexting scandal; and many more.
These accounts will be told by women from around the United States, from the cornfields of Iowa to the Big Apple, who share a common thread: implausible stories that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.
Haven‘s based on the Stephen novella The Colorado Kid and focuses on former FBI Agent Audrey Parker who settles down in Haven, Maine where she becomes a cop. In season three’s premiere, “Haven picks up immediately following the events of the gripping season two finale with Audrey (Emily Rose) having been kidnapped; Nathan (Lucas Bryant) warned against pursuing a romantic relationship with Audrey; and Duke (Eric Balfour) seemingly engaged in a fight to the death with Nathan after he discovers his family lineage is to kill Haven citizens with Troubles.”
Season two averaged 2.55 million viewers, up 4& from season one.
Nick Lachey, former 98 Degrees member and The Sing Off host, and Vanessa Minnillo, host of Wipe Out and former host of Total Request live, welcomed their first child on September 12, 2012. “We are incredibly proud to announce the birth of our beautiful baby boy, Camden John Lachey,” said the couple in a statement to People. “Born today at 6:54 p.m., he came into this world at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 inches. Love has truly been redefined for both of us.”
Lachey and Minnillo married in July 2011. Lachey was previously married to Jessica Simpson.
Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell in 'Seven Psychopaths' - Photo Courtesy: CBS FilmsSeven Psychopaths, The Sapphires, The Oranges, and Frankie Go Boom are among the 1,300 films submitted that made the cut for this year’s revamped/reinvigorated San Diego Film Festival. The 11th annual event will take place September 26-30, 2012 in San Diego’s Gaslamp District as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla.
In addition to the 11 World Premieres, 16 West Coast Premieres, and 4 US Premiere screenings, the SDFF will include a Horror Fest, an Almost Famous Block Party and outdoor screening, and a tribute to Gus Van Sant.
● The Sapphires – Opening Night Premiere, The Gaslamp
Director: Wayne Blair
Cast: Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell
Synopsis: It’s 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when theirall-girl group, The Sapphires, entertain the US troops in Vietnam.
7:00pm Wednesday, Sept. 26 at Reading Theater
● The Oranges – Spotlight at La Jolla
Director: Julian Farino
Cast: Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Catherine Keener, Allison Janney, Oliver Platt, Adam Brody, Alia Shawkat
Synopsis: The Oranges is a comedy about two families, who have been lifelong friends, and the hilaritythat ensues when a rebellious daughter returns home for the holidays and causes a scandal that forces everyone to re-examine what happiness really means tothem.
6:30pm Saturday September 29 at Reading Theater
● Quartet – Closing Night, La Jolla
Director: Dustin Hoffman
Cast: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Billy Connolly
Synopsis: Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred are in a home for retired opera singers. Every year, on October 10, there is a concert tocelebrate Verdi’s birthday and they take part. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium. She still acts like a diva, but she refuses to sing. Still, the show must go on… and it does.
7:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 29th at Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla
● Seven Psychopaths – Horror Fest at Gaslamp
Director: Martin McDonagh
Cast: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell
Synopsis: Written and Directed by Oscar®-winner Martin McDonagh, the comedy Seven Psychopaths follows a struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) who inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) kidnap a gangster’s (Woody Harrelson) beloved Shih Tzu. Co-starring Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits, Olga Kurylenko and Zeljko Ivanek.
9:00 pm Saturday, Sept. 29th at Reading Theater
● Grassroots – Closing Night, Gaslamp
Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal
Cast: Cobie Smulders, Lauren Ambrose, Jason Biggs, Joel David Moore, Christopher McDonald, Tom Arnold
Synopsis: After losing his job, a journalist reluctantly agrees to help his oddball friend with his bid to earn a seat on the Seattle City Council.
7:00pm Sunday, Sept. 30th at Reading Theater
Highlights of the Premiere Films:
Red Line – World Premiere
Director: Robert Kirbyson
Cast: Nicole Gale Anderson, John Billingsle, Kunal Sharma
Synopsis: Moments after departing from the Hollywood & Highland Metro Station, commuters on L.A.’s subway system experience a sudden explosion. Most passengers die on impact as the train is violently derailed and sent smashing into the tunnel’s walls.
6:00 PM, Saturday, Sept. 29th at Gaslamp
5:30 pm Sunday, Sept. 30h at Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla
The Story of Luke – World Premiere
Director: Alonso Mayo
Cast: Lou Taylor Pucci, Seth Green, Kristin Bauer, Cary Elwes
Synopsis: Luke’s world is turned upside down when his grandmother dies and he is forced to live with his dysfunctional relatives who have no patience for him or his senile grandfather, who they quickly force into a nursing home. Luke is left with his grandfather’s final semi-coherent words: “Get a job. Find a girl. Live your own life. Be a man!” For the first time in his life, Luke has a mission. He is about to embark on a quest.
7:00 PM, Saturday, September 29th at Gaslamp
Man Inside – US Premiere
Director: Dan Turner
Cast: Ashley Thomas, Peter Mullan, Michelle Ryan
Synopsis: Clayton Murdoch carries a terrible darkness inside him. As a boy he was exposed, by his father, to murder and gang culture. With his father now in prison, Clayton struggles to overcome what he was groomed to become, in a city where every day there is a constant threat of violence and death.
8:30 PM, Thursday, Sept 27th at Gaslamp
3,2,1…Frankie Go Boom – West Coast Premiere
Director: Jordan Roberts
Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Chris O’Dowd, Lizzy Caplan, Ron Perlman, Chris Noth, Whitney Cummings, Nora Dunn, Sam Anderson
Synopsis: A comedy about two brothers a girl with a broken heart, a sex tape, an angel and a pig.
7:00 PM, Friday Sept 28th at Gaslamp and Sat, September 29th at 8:00 PM Coast Room La Jolla
The final batch of films have been revealed for this year’s Fantastic Fest taking place September 20-27th in Austin, Texas. Among the new films just added to the lineup are the world premiere of The Collection and American Mary, one of the standouts from the 2012 FrightFest.
If you’re going to post a funny cat video, why not get rewarded for your (well, really, your cat’s) efforts? Friskies is looking for the best cat video of 2012 and if your kitty is selected as this year’s internet star, you could win the $15,000 Grand Prize in the first annual “The Friskies.”
The Friskies will award cash prizes and trophies in different categories, as well as 125,000 cans of Friskies cat food to cat charities based on the online community’s participation. Each time someone enters, votes, likes or shares a cat video, Friskies will add five more cans to their donation total (with a max of 250,000).
“We love cat videos because they showcase the imagination of both cats and their owners,” said Shaun Belongie, Friskies brand manager, announcing the contest. “Some may say that there are too many cat videos on the Internet already. We don’t think so. We’re launching ‘The Friskies’ because we think the next great cat video is just waiting to be discovered.”
The Contest Details:
– Open now through October 12th at www.TheFriskies.com
– Original videos must be no longer than 3 minutes
– Videos will be judged on originality, overall artistic impression, cinematography, technical production, audience appeal and entertainment quality, cat playfulness or quirks, sense of a story being told, and portraying cat’s perspective
– Up to 12 finalists will be chosen for the judging and public voting phase in October
– Winners will be announced in November
The categories are:
– Catness: The essence of cat behavior – moments of pure cat awesomeness
– Catcom: Your cat in a humorous situation
– Catventure: An indoor cat adventure
– Catch All: For entries that don’t fit into one of the other categories
Each finalist will receive “a one-year supply of Friskies cat food, and an original Friskies cat statue, the ‘Cat-uette’. The grand prize winner receives $15,000 and the honor of ‘Best Video,’ and four category prize winners receive $2,500.”
The Friskies Judges:
– Wayne White: Iconic folk artist, original set designer for Pee Wee’s Playhouse and star of this fall’s acclaimed documentary Beauty is Embarrassing.
– Michael Showalter: Actor, comedian, cat humorist, and professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts known for co-writing the cult hit Wet Hot American Summer and as a member of the sketch comedy trio Stella.
– Tim League: Film industry trendsetter known for founding Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Rolling Roadshow and Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the nation.
– Karen Nichols: Managing editor of award-winning online cat lifestyle magazine Mousebreath, and Internet cat video creator and aficionado.
For the contest rules, more details, and to enter, visit www.TheFriskies.com.
Bestselling author Peter Lerangis (three of The 39 Clues books) has another book series in the works. HarperCollins Publishers will release the first book of Seven Wonders, a seven book series, in February 2013 followed by a new book every nine months. Seven weeks prior to each hardcover release, original novellas will debut beginning in December 2012. Book number one, Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises, will arrive on February 5, 2013.
And coming in December 2012, readers of the Seven Wonders will be able to visit the online site and get more involved in the world created in the book series. Per HarperCollins, the www.sevenwondersbooks.com site will let visitors:
— Explore an interactive map of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
— Watch videos featuring Seven Wonders clips for tweens and educators
— Download original ebooks and world-building activities
— Discover early chapter reveals and series teasers
— Meet Peter Lerangis on a dedicated author page and hear all about his nationwide tour in February 2013
— Register for Seven Wonders e-newsletter alerts
Labeled a ‘tween series’, the Seven Wonders is “about four friends on an epic quest to unlock the secrets of an ancient world.”
“It’s the story of a lifetime,” said Lerangis, describing the series. “A combustible mix of ordinary kids thrown into an extraordinary world of mystical settings, history, humor, science, odd characters, and a barefoot burping giant named Torquin. I am having way too much fun writing this series. I can’t wait for readers across the world to discover Seven Wonders.”
Susan Katz, president and publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, said, “With Seven Wonders, Peter has created a new series filled with adventure and excitement that’s perfect for young readers.”
The Plot of Book #1:
The Colossus Rises begins just before thirteen-year-old Jack McKinley is brought to a mysterious hospital as a captive of a secret organization. Told he has a rare genetic disorder that will soon kill him, Jack realizes he has one hope and one hope only: help the organization retrieve seven magical objects that have been lost among the ruins of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World for thousands of years. With little hope left and only each other to turn to, Jack and his three newfound friends have no choice but to undertake the impossible adventure. First stop: the Colossus of Rhodes, where they quickly realize that there’s much more at stake than just their lives.
The Select, a prequel to the Seven Wonders series, will be released as a free original ebook on December 18, 2012. It traces the story of thirteen-year-old Burt Wenders, as told through his recently unearthed journal. Burt is the first-known carrier of the same genetic disorder afflicting Jack, and The Select is the tale of his adventures over serpent-infested waters and through beast-filled jungles in a vain attempt to find a cure. It’s a stirring first-person account of one kid’s heroic struggle to save himself–and the first installment of an adventure greater than Burt could have ever imagined.
If you’re going to post a funny cat video, why not get rewarded for your (well, really, your cat’s) efforts? Friskies is looking for the best cat video of 2012 and if your kitty is selected as this year’s internet star, you could win the $15,000 Grand Prize in the first annual “The Friskies.”
