Angelina Jolie on the set of 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' - (C) 2011 GK Films. All Rights Reserved.Angelina Jolie wrote, produced and directed In the Land of Blood and Honey, a dramatic film set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War. FilmDistrict’s set a December 23, 2011 release date for the heavy drama which was shot in Budapest and stars Goran Kostic and Zana Marjanovic. Definitely not light holiday fare, In the Land of Blood and Honey has debuted its first official trailer which can check out here:
The Official Synopsis: In the Land of Blood and Honey tells the story of Danijel (Goran Kostić) and Ajla (Zana Marjanović), two people from different sides of a brutal ethnic conflict. Danijel, a soldier fighting for the Serbs, and Ajla, a Bosnian held captive in the camp he oversees, knew each other before the war, and could have found love with each other. But as the armed conflict takes hold of their lives, their relationship grows darker, their motives and connection to one another ambiguous, their allegiances uncertain. In the Land of Blood and Honey portrays the incredible emotional, moral and physical toll that the war exerts both on individuals and people as a whole, and the terrible consequences that stem from the lack of political will to intervene in a society stricken with conflict.
Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson on set at the filming of "The Incredible Journey Begins" promo airing Sunday, Oct. 23 on FOX. CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX.The first teaser for the 11th season of American Idol debuted during the World Series, but you have to wait until January 22, 2012 for the season to actually kick off. Fox used the World Series to launch the publicity campaign for the next season of AI and although the teaser doesn’t really include anything from the next season, it does show the judges – Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler – and Ryan Seacrest running around rounding up potential Idol competitors.
“We love Chord and have always said that we wanted him back,” stated Ryan Murphy, executive producer and co-creator of Glee. “So here’s an early Christmas present for all the Gleeks—Sam is coming back to McKinley, and just in time for sectionals!”
“I had the best time on Glee and couldn’t be more excited to be returning,” Overstreet added.
For those not totally into Glee, here’s the background on Overstreet’s character courtesy of Fox: “Overstreet’s character was introduced last season as a transfer student at McKinley, discovered by then-football captain Finn Hudson (Corey Monteith) while singing Poison’s ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’ in the locker room. Later in the season, Sam revealed that his dad had lost his job, and that his family was living in a motel. In Season Three’s premiere, viewers learned that Sam and his family had moved out of state.”
New episodes of Glee will begin airing on November 1, 2011.
The Next Episode – “Pot O’Gold”
“In the ‘Pot O’ Gold’ episode, new foreign exchange student Rory Flanagan (guest star Damian McGinty) enrolls at McKinley and crashes with Brittany S. Pierce (Heather Morris), who thinks he’s a leprechaun. Meanwhile, Mercedes (Amber Riley) attempts to recruit new members to join Shelby Corcoran’s (guest star Idina Menzel) newly formed glee club; and Sue’s congressional campaign heats up.
Katy Perry and Pitbull will be joined by Christina Aguilera, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5 as performers on the 2011 American Music Awards set to take place on November 20, 2011 at NOKIA Theatre LA Live. And dick clark productions (dcp) president and executive producer Orly Adelson confirmed Aguilera and Maroon 5 will be teaming up on “Moves Like Jagger.”
Orly Adelson and Larry Klein, AMA producer jointly stated, “The AMAs have always showcased the biggest acts on one stage and this year is no exception with a diverse and talented group of musicians.”
Tickets are now on sale at ticketmaster.com for the star-studded event.
Winners will be determined by online voting, with fans encouraged to cast their votes at amavote.com or AMA.abc.com. Categories included in the American Music Awards are: Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, and Contemporary Inspirational.
About Christina Aguilera [Courtesy of American Music Awards]:
One of the most accomplished performers of the last decade, she has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, achieved four #1 singles on the Billboard hot 100 chart, and has won five Grammy Awards, as well as three top five albums in the United States. She has collaborated with other legendary artists including Herbie Hancock, Andrea Bocelli, Tony Bennett, Elton John and The Rolling Stones. Aguilera was also the only artist under 30 to make Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 100 greatest singers of all time.
About Justin Bieber [Courtesy of American Music Awards]:
In less than two years Justin Bieber has sold over 12 million albums worldwide. He is the youngest male solo artist in Billboard 200 chart history to score a #1 album, since thirteen year old Steve Wonder. His album My Worlds 2.0 is the first album since ‘N Sync’s No Strings Attached in 2000 to spend its first 27 weeks in the Billboard 200 Top 10. Justin has reached almost 2.2 billion views on YouTube, over 36 million Facebook fans, and over 13 million followers on Twitter. With the release of Never Say Never, Justin’s concert documentary, he had the biggest first week ever for a documentary and went on to become the highest grossing concert film in US history. Justin Bieber’s new Christmas album Under The Mistletoe will be released on November 1st, 2011. The album features Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Usher, The Band Perry and Busta Rhymes. Justin has received multiple prestigious awards including Four American Music Awards, Two MTV Europe Awards, Two MTV Video Music Awards, Four Much Music Awards, Four Teen Choice Awards, A Brit Award, Two Juno Awards, Two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, Six Billboard Awards as well as a CMT Award.
About Mary J Blige [Courtesy of American Music Awards]:
Iconic, Multi Grammy winning artist, singer/songwriter, producer and actress Mary J. Blige has announced plans to release her highly anticipated 10th studio album, My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1), on November 21, 2011. Mary J. Blige has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Among her many accolades, Blige can claim eight multi-platinum albums, 1 platinum album, 9 Grammy Awards (she has been nominated for a staggering 29) and 4 American Music Awards. She stars opposite Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin in Warner Bros’ Rock of Ages which will be released in June 2012.
About Kelly Clarkson [Courtesy of American Music Awards]:
Kelly Clarkson just released her highly anticipated 5th studio album, Stronger. Since bursting onto the music scene 10 years ago, Kelly Clarkson has released 5 studio albums (Thankful, Breakaway,My December, All I Ever Wanted, Stronger), sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the US and has had 7 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. She is the recipient of 2 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 2 MTV Awards and 11 Billboard Awards.
About Maroon 5 [Courtesy of American Music Awards]:
Capturing their first of 3 GRAMMY Awards as “Best New Artist” of 2005 and going on to sell more than fifteen million albums worldwide, Maroon 5 has won over fans and critics alike with the hybrid rock/R&B sound they introduced on their debut album Songs About Jane. The band recently released their third studio album Hands All Over, which spawned the Grammy nominated single “Misery.” Maroon 5’s latest hit “Moves Like Jagger” reached the number one spot on the Top 40 and Billboard Hot 100 charts. In addition, Adam Levine will return in February as one of the celebrity coaches on NBC’s The Voice.
I should be frustrated but I can’t seem to stop thinking about beautiful things… I never thought I’d be wishing I could do what I love again; I stay in at night, picking guitar parts off of records and dreaming of playing on the big stage. The only difference between now and when I was 18 is that now I have this beautiful, meaningful record waiting for me when I can sing it.
Until then, I’m taking off. Going to travel the country, look and listen.”
Mayer’s next album, Born and Raised, will be released in 2012.
Bana will executive produce through his company Pick Up Truck Pictures.
The film is based on a meeting between President Nixon and Elvis Presley which took place at the White House on December 21, 1970. “The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit with the President and suggesting that he be made a ‘Federal Agent-at-Large’ in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.” [per The Nixon-Presley Meeting]
Bana was most recently seen starring as Saoirse Ronan’s father in the action thriller, Hanna.
Tim Burton's B. set to debut in the 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - PRNewsFoto/Macy's
Tim Burton’s B. Boy will be one of the main attractions at the 85th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 24th. Burton designed the float which is part of the parade’s Blue Sky Gallery series, a special series that “invites renowned artists to create flying wonders for the Thanksgiving procession.”
Other flying art balloons have been created by Tom Otterness, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring and Takashi Murakami.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Tim Burton to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Since 2005, contemporary art has found a new home in our legendary line-up, bringing fine art masterpieces closer to millions of spectators,” stated Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in the official press release. “Having Tim create a special character that will fly in our 85th Parade, truly takes our goal of ‘high art in the sky’ to new levels.”
“I’ve always had a fascination with balloons,” said Tim Burton. “To have the opportunity to design one for the Macy’s Day Parade is a real honor. Looking through photographs of the balloons that have been part of the parade over the last 85 years was really inspiring.”
As for the new balloon, Tim Burton said, “B. Boy looks forward to his flight through Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day.”
The Background of B. Boy:
“Firmly framed in the artist’s unique aesthetic, B. Boy, like all other inhabitants of the world of Tim Burton has an interesting story.
Born, or more accurately – constructed on the fourth of July in the basement of London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, B. Boy was stitched together from rejects of old birthday party balloons left over from the many children’s parties that took place on the upper floors of the Hospital. With his pointed teeth and uneven stitches, B. was not allowed to play with the children at the hospital, because some feared he would scare them. With his spirit deflated, B. withdrew to his cramped basement home and into the world of his favorite film, TheRed Balloon. Watching it obsessively, B. hoped that one day he too would be able to fly above the city and bring joy to one small child. With the notion that some dreams come with strings attached, B.’s dream will finally come true on Thanksgiving Day as he soars in the famed Macy’s Parade.
Starting with a one-of-a-kind sketch, the artists at Macy’s Parade Studio collaborated with Mr. Burton over the course of the summer on the balloon design, even traveling to England and the film set of Burton’s latest film, Dark Shadows. Armed with a treasure trove of Macy’s historical archive materials, Macy’s creative director Bill Schermerhorn, Macy’s lead designer John Piper and Burton, fine-tuned the concept and design of the new balloon creation. From there B. was transformed from a sketch and 2-foot model, into a 32-foot tall, 19-foot wide inflatable giant.”
About Tim Burton [Courtesy of Macy’s]:
Tim Burton began his feature filmmaking career in 1985, directing Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, a box-office hit widely praised for Mr. Burton’s original vision. He followed this success with Beetlejuice in 1988, a supernatural comedy starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Winona Ryder, another critical and financial success. In 1989, Burton directed the blockbuster Batman, starring Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger. Following the triumph of Batman, the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) awarded Burton the Director of the Year Award.
The film also won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction. Among Mr. Burton’s films are hits such as Big Fish, Corpse Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, James and the Giant Peach, Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland and Planet of the Apes.
As an artist in 2010, Burton released The Art of Tim Burton, an immense 430-page book comprising over 40 years of his personal and project artwork. In November of that year, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) opened an extensive exhibit of his work. It has gone on to tour Melbourne, Australia, Toronto, Canada, and opened at LACMA in Los Angeles in May of 2011. The exhibition will continue its world-wide tour when it reaches Paris, France in 2012. Burton is currently directing two films, Dark Shadows and Frankenweenie, as well as producing Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. All three projects are scheduled for release in 2012.
There are a lot of storylines to juggle in the fourth episode of Dexter‘s sixth season, with two killers creating their own macabre version of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) struggling to handle her new promotion, and Dexter (Michael C Hall) still trying to figure out what’s the deal with Brother Sam (Mos Def).
The official synopsis:
Much to his own surprise, an emergency with Harrison and a new tableau from Gellar and Travis has Dexter leaning on Brother Sam and an unexpected winged messenger for support as he questions the idea of faith; with proof of a religiously motivated killer, Homicide hunts for a zealot, with Debra giving her first official press conference.”
Episode #21: “I Keep Taking Baths Like Lady Macbeth”
Debut: MONDAY, NOV. 7 (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 7 (11:00 p.m.), 8 (11:00 p.m.), 9 (12:30 a.m.), 10 (10:00 p.m.), 11 (9:30 p.m.) and 13 (3:40 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 9 (11:00 p.m.), 11 (11:00 p.m.), 12 (2:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.) and 13 (8:00 p.m.)
Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) and George (Ted Danson) see a “friendship” counselor (Sarah Silverman). George begins taking singing lessons from Josephine (Mary Steenburgen), a delightful pothead. Jonathan attempts to win back George’s affection. Ray (Zach Galifianakis) becomes irresistible to women.
Written by Sam Sklaver and Jonathan Ames; directed by Tristram Shapeero.
Episode #22: “Two Large Pearls and a Bar of Gold”
Debut: MONDAY, NOV. 14 (9:00-9:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 14 (11:00 p.m.), 15 (11:00 p.m.), 16 (12:30 a.m.), 17 (10:00 p.m.), 18 (9:30 p.m.) and 20 (3:00 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 16 (11:00 p.m.), 18 (11:00 p.m.), 19 (4:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.) and 20 (8:00 p.m.)
Jonathan’s college sweetheart (Casey Wilson) enlists him to guard her wedding jewels and reminds him of their prenuptial pact. Ray moves in with George. George warns Josephine about growing too attached.
Written by Mike Schwartz and Jonathan Ames; directed by Tristram Shapeero.
Episode #23: “Forget the Herring”
Debut: MONDAY, NOV. 21 (9:00-9:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 21 (11:00 p.m.), 22 (11:00 p.m.), 23 (11:30 p.m.), 24 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (9:30 p.m.) and 27 (4:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 23 (midnight), 25 (11:00 p.m.), 26 (5:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m.) and 27 (8:00 p.m.)
Rose Hiney (Isla Fisher) connects with Jonathan on new leads. George and Ray attempt to right their unrightable wrongs.
Written by Rachel Axler and Jonathan Ames; directed by Adam Bernstein.
Episode #24: “Nothing I Can’t Handle by Running Away” (season finale)
Debut: MONDAY, NOV. 28 (9:00-9:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 28 (11:00 p.m.), 29 (11:00 p.m.) and 30 (11:30 p.m.), and Dec. 1 (10:00 p.m.), 2 (9:30 p.m.) and 4 (10:30 p.m., 4:20 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 30 (midnight) and Dec. 2 (11:00 p.m.), 3 (5:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m.) and 4 (8:00 p.m.)
George throws a wedding for Emily (Halley Feiffer) and Bernard (David Rasche). Jonathan is hesitant to break it off with his new lady. Ray retreats into Spencer’s (Nate and Darren Cangelosi) arms. Jonathan is taken hostage and Ray gathers an army of his newfound Super Ray fans.
Written by Jonathan Ames; directed by Adam Bernstein.
