Guillermo del Toro says one of the scariest films he remembers seeing as a kid was the original made-for-TV movie Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Now, he’s bringing the story of a family terrorized by scary creatures in an old mansion to the big screen with the 2011 feature film version of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.
Del Toro produced and co-wrote the film, which was directed by Troy Nixey and stars Bailee Madison, Guy Pearce, and Katie Holmes.
In support of the film’s August 26, 2011 release, Guillermo del Toro and Katie Holmes sat down to discuss the film. In this video, del Toro and Holmes discuss working together to bring this horror film to life on the big screen.
Watch the Guillermo del Toro and Katie Holmes video:
Official Synopsis: Based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson, The Rum Diary tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp). Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, The San Juan Star, run by downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancée of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart). Sanderson, a businessman involved in shady property development deals, is one of a growing number of American entrepreneurs who are determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy. When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen’s financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down.
[tabs style=”default” title=”‘The Rum Diary’ Resources”] [tab title=”Cast”]
Johnny Depp – ‘Paul Kemp’
Aaron Eckhart – ‘Sanderson’
Amber Heard – ‘Chenault’
Richard Jenkins – ‘Lotterman’
Giovanni Ribisi – ‘Moberg’
Marshall Bell – ‘Donovan’
Michael Rispoli – ‘Sala’
Amaury Nolasco – ‘Segurra’
Marshall Bell – ‘Donovan’
Bill Smitrovich – ‘Mr Zimburger’
Julian Holloway – ‘Wolsley’
Bruno Irizarry – ‘Lazar’
Enzo Cilenti – ‘Digby'[/tab]
Ben McKenzie and Michael Cudlitz in 'Southland' - Photo Credit: Doug Hyun/TNTTNT’s coming off a great summer with the successful launch of the alien action series Falling Skies, and now they’re hoping to continue to attract viewers with the return of popular shows including The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles, and a new season of the police drama, Southland.
Here’s the rundown of what to expect from the network in the coming months:
TNT Original Series:
Leverage – Season 4 returns Sunday, Nov. 27 – Season 4 Winter 2011: 8 Episodes
Television’s coolest gang of thieves, grifters and con artists are ready to freeze out the bad guys this winter as this fast-paced, light-hearted caper series returns to wrap up its fourth exciting season. Academy Award® winner Timothy Hutton stars, along with Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge. Leverage premiered in 2008 and is currently averaging more than 4.8 million viewers in its fourth season, up 10% over last season.
The Closer – Season 7 returns Monday, Nov. 28, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 7 Winter 2011: 5 Episodes
TNT’s The Closer, starring Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick, will be back this winter as the blockbuster series’ seventh and final season continues. This year, Mary McDonnell has joined the cast of The Closer as Capt. Sharon Raydor, the role she will continue to play in TNT’s upcoming new series Major Crimes. In its seventh season, The Closer has averaged 8.6 million viewers, while its performance among key adult demos are up significantly over last season. The Closer will return to wrap up its seven-season run with six episodes in summer 2012, followed by the premiere of Major Crimes.
Rizzoli & Isles – Season 2 returns Monday, Nov. 28, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2 Winter 2011: 5 Episodes
Topping the charts for the second consecutive year as basic cable’s most-watched drama, Rizzoli & Isles will return this winter with Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander as Boston’s top crime-solving duo. Developed for television by executive producer Janet Tamaro and based on characters created by best-selling crime novelist Tess Gerritsen, Rizzoli & Isles is currently averaging 8.8 million viewers for its second season.
Southland – Season 4 premieres Jan. 17, 2012, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 4: 10 Episodes
This critically acclaimed drama series takes viewers directly to the streets of LA to present an intensely personal, first-person look at cops and detectives on the beat. The extraordinary show – starring Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie – has redefined the police drama genre with a raw, authentic look at the lives and work of detectives and beat cops. Special guest star Lucy Liu will appear throughout the season as a member of the LAPD. In its third season, Southland grew its audience by 8% over the second season.
TNT Mystery Movie Night:
Scott Turow’s Innocent – Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Bill Pullman stars as Rusty Sabich, a judge charged with the murder of his wife, a situation that comes 20 years after he was cleared in the death of his mistress. During this latest trial, a secret affair from Rusty’s recent past threatens to hamper his defense and fracture his relationship with his son. Oscar® winner Marcia Gay Harden plays Rusty’s wife, while Alfred Molina is his friend and defense attorney. Emmy® winner Richard Schiff (The West Wing, The Lost World: Jurassic Park), Callard Harris (TBS’s Glory Daze, Intermedio) and Mariana Klaveno (True Blood, While the Children Sleep) also star. Scott Turow’s Innocent is a sequel to Turow’s bestseller Presumed Innocent. The movie is written and directed by Mike Robe (TNT’s HawthoRNe, Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King), with Robe and Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice) serving as executive producers.
Ricochet – Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Two homicide detectives find their careers – and lives – on the line when they get caught up in a case of murder and betrayal in high-society Savannah. Emmy nominee John Corbett is set to star in this atmospheric tale based on the book by #1 New York Times best-selling author Sandra Brown. Corbett plays Det. Sgt. Duncan Hatcher, who is investigating a corrupt judge (Gary Cole) while also becoming romantically involved with his wife (Julie Benz). Kelly Overton plays Det. Deedee Bowen, Hatcher’s blue-collar partner; Kadeem Hardison (Panther, Made of Honor) is Detective Bob Worley; and Haaz Sleiman (The Visitor, Nurse Jackie) is drug dealer Robert Savich. Nick Gomez (Dexter, Drowning Mona) is directing Ricochet from a script by Donald Martin (The Craigslist Killer). Howard Braunstein (The Informant!) and Jim Head (On Strike for Christmas) serve as executive producers.
Hide – Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
In this movie based on Lisa Gardner’s book, Carla Gugino plays Boston Police Detective D.D. Warren, who is called to the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital where a buried chamber is discovered. Inside are the mummified remains of six young women, who have all been missing for years. The case leads D.D. to Annabelle, a young woman who spent her childhood moving from city to city, from identity to identity, hiding from someone or something totally unknown to her. D.D. uses clues from Annabelle’s secret past to unravel the mystery behind her twisted family history. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Kevin Alejandro also star. Hide is written by Janet Brownell (Eloise at the Plaza), directed by John Gray (Ghost Whisperer, Helter Skelter) and executive-produced by Stephanie Germain (The Day After Tomorrow).
Silent Witness – Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
This legal drama based on Richard North Patterson’s novel stars Dermot Mulroney as prominent defense attorney Tony Lord, who returns to his hometown to defend an old friend, played by Michael Cudlitz. The friend is a teacher accused of murdering one of his students, and the case re-opens the heartache from Tony’s own high school days, when he was a student falsely accused of murdering his first love. Lizzie Friedman and Greg Little, the team behind One Lucky Elephant, Whiz Kids and Sex and Death 101, serve as executive producers along with Howard Braunstein (The Informant!). Peter Markle (Bat*21, Flight 93) is set to direct from a script by Thomas Michael Donnelly (Our Fathers).
Good Morning, Killer – Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Adapted by April Smith from her own novel, this thriller stars Catherine Bell as FBI Special Agent Ana Gray, an undercover operative tracking down a serial kidnapper. As Ana develops a rapport with the kidnapper’s latest victim, the suspect suddenly changes his pattern. Now Ana must race to find him before he strikes again. Cole Hauser (Chase, K-Ville) co-stars as Detective Andrew Berringer. In addition to writing the screenplay, Smith is set to executive-produce Good Morning, Killer with Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice). Maggie Greenwald (Songcatcher, The Ballad of Little Jo) will direct.
Deck the Halls – Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Based on the first book in Mary Higgins Clark and daughter Carol Higgins Clark’s series of holiday mystery novels, this warm-hearted story brings together two of the authors’ most popular characters: Cleaning-woman-turned-private-eye Alvirah Meegan (Kathy Najimy) and Detective Regan Reilly (Scottie Thompson). The women investigate the kidnapping of Regan’s father and a young female driver just before the holidays. The race is on to rescue the pair and get them home in time for Christmas. Two-time Emmy® winner Jane Alexander plays Regan’s mother, famed mystery writer Nora Regan Reilly. Ron Underwood (Tremors, City Slickers) will direct from a script by Howard Burkons (John Q, TNT’s The Ron Clark Story), who also serves as executive producer with Brenda Friend (Joan of Arc, TNT’s The Ron Clark Story) and Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice).
TNT Specials
Christmas in Washington – Annual special airing Friday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, this holiday concert is a star-studded musical celebration benefiting the Children’s National Medical Center. Annually attended by the President and First Lady and other Washington VIPs, the spectacular concert takes place at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. This marks TNT’s 13th year presenting Christmas in Washington.
18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® – Live simulcast with TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
One of the industry’s most respected award presentations, this prestigious industry event honors performances in five film categories and eight television categories, including the unique Ensemble Award and an award for stunt performers.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon was released on June 29th and has generated $1+ billion in worldwide box office receipts since hitting theaters. Of that amount, $59.6 was from IMAX screenings. Transformers: Dark of the Moon now sits in fifth place on the all-time biggest grossing films list, behind only Avatar, Titanic, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Kate Winslet helps save Richard Branson’s 90-year-old mom and Ryan Gosling breaks up a street fight – and no, neither act was part of a film project. Kate Winslet and her children (Mia, 10 and Joe, 7) were vacationing at Richard Branson’s private island residence in the British Virgin Islands when a fire broke out in the middle of the night. Branson reports that his house has been destroyed, but everyone was able to get out unharmed.
Branson posted on the Virgin website: “We had a tropical storm with winds up to 90mph. A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house. My son Sam and nephew Jack rushed to the house and helped get everyone out and many thanks to Kate Winslet for helping to carry my 90-year-old mum out of the main house to safety – she was wondering when a Director was going to shout CUT!”
Kate Winslet’s involvement in the rescue of Branson’s mother comes on the heels of news Ryan Gosling broke up a fight on the streets of New York. Two men were apparently fighting over a painting in the middle of St Marks Place in Manhattan when Ryan Gosling walked up, dropped the bag he was carrying and stepped between the men. The whole thing was caught on video by spectators watching (and laughing at) the fight.
The producers of the first film are backing the sequel. Filming’s expected to begin this fall on the untitled Last Exorcism follow-up.
The Last Exorcism was made on a $2 million budget and grossed $62 million worldwide before exiting theaters. Rated PG-13 for, among other things, disturbing violent content and terror, the ‘found footage’ film followed Reverend Cotton Marcus (played by Patrick Fabian) and his last exorcism.
The plot: “When he arrives on the rural Louisiana farm of Louis Sweetzer, the Reverend Cotton Marcus expects to perform just another routine “exorcism” on a disturbed religious fanatic. An earnest fundamentalist, Sweetzer has contacted the charismatic preacher as a last resort, certain his teenage daughter Nell is possessed by a demon who must be exorcized before their terrifying ordeal ends in unimaginable tragedy.
Buckling under the weight of his conscience after years of parting desperate believers with their money, Cotton and his crew plan to film a confessionary documentary of this, his last exorcism. But upon arriving at the already blood drenched family farm, it is soon clear that nothing could have prepared him for the true evil he encounters there. Now, too late to turn back, Reverend Marcus’ own beliefs are shaken to the core when he and his crew must find a way to save Nell – and themselves – before it is too late.”
Jennifer Lawrence will introduce the clip. It’s unclear whether it will actually be the first official trailer as MTV’s press release labels it “first glimpse,” which could mean it’s just a clip and not a full-length trailer.
Celebs expected to appear on this year’s MTV Video Music Awards include Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian and Odd Future. Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Adele, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown are scheduled to perform.
Winners in the general Video Music Award categories are determined by fans. You can cast your vote by visiting vma.mtv.com online or m.mtv.com on your mobile phone.
More on The Hunger Games:
Set in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once existed, The Hunger Games follows the quest of “Tributes” – one teenage boy and girl chosen from each of the country’s twelve districts – as they compete in the Hunger Games. Part twisted entertainment, part government intimidation tactic, the Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for the Hunger Games their entire lives, the main character, Katniss, is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
he story of blind 9/11 survivor Michael Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, has become an instant bestseller. (PRNewsFoto/Thomas Nelson Publishers)
After Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero debuted on the New York Times bestseller list this week, it can only be a matter of time before we’re treated to Thunder Dog – the movie (a movie I’d be happy to pay to see). The inspirational story of a blind man and the guide dog (Roselle) who led him and others out of the World Trade Center just minutes before the building fell to the ground was just released on August 2nd and already sits at #28 on the NY Times‘ bestselling hardcover non-fiction list.
Co-written by Susy Flory and Michael Hingson*, Roselle’s owner, the book is a moment-by-moment “account of not only what it was like to be inside the World Trade Center when Tower One was struck, but of each painstaking step between the 78th floor and survival on the streets below moments before the tower collapsed just yards away.”
“On one level, this is a book about the events of 9/11, but it is so much more than that,” said Brian Hampton, Senior Vice President and Publisher at Nashville-based Thomas Nelson Publishers. “It’s a beautiful story of trust and courage, an exploration of the unique bond between humans and animals. It leaves the reader inspired and full of hope. I believe that’s why it has impacted people so quickly and powerfully and why they are telling their friends about it.”
On his website, Hingson has this to say about Roselle’s work on 9/11: “She remained poised and calm through the entire day. She gave kisses and love wherever she could and she worked when she needed to do so. I would not be alive today if it weren’t for Roselle. I cannot say enough about the incredible job she did. What Roselle did on 9/11 is a testimony not only to [Kay and Ted Stern} and the others who raised her, but also to her trainer, Todd Jurek, the entire GDB training staff, and all the people who make up the wonderful organization of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Most of all, what Roselle did that day and in fact every day she and I were together is nothing less than the strongest possible evidence I can provide of the value of teamwork and trust.”
* Hingson is the national ambassador for the Braille Literacy Campaign and has recently launched “Roselle’s Dream Foundation,” the purpose of which is to assist blind children – and later blind adults – in obtaining new technologies.
Source: Thomas Nelson Publishers – August 22, 2011
Did you visit Disneyland sometime between late 1977 and the spring of 1978? Did you happen to snap a photo of a Jungle Cruise skipper? If you did, and if the skipper happens to be John Lasseter – current Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and Principal Creative Advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering – you could win a trip for four to Disney California Adventure next summer.
Talk about a tough contest…
Here’s the scoop from Disney: “Recently, a search for a photo of John skippering the Jungle Cruise came up empty. Surely there must be a photo of Skipper John somewhere? To find one, we have created a contest: the first person to submit a verifiable photo of John as the skipper of the Jungle Cruise from 1977 will win a trip for 4 to the grand opening of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in summer 2012, and a ride on the Jungle Cruise skippered by none other than John himself! What better way to turn a Disney memory of old into a Disney memory of today?”
Sure, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack, but the prize is worth the effort of at least looking through old photographs to see if you somehow have a picture of Lasseter at the helm of a Jungle Cruise boat.
For more details on the contest, visit Johnofthejungle.com.
Episode #47: “Soul of Fire”
Debut: SUNDAY, SEPT. 4 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 4 (11:05 p.m.), 6 (11:35 p.m.), 7 (9:00 p.m.) and 10 (1:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Sept. 5 (9:00 p.m.), 8 (10:00 p.m.), 9 (11:00 p.m.) and 11 (1:00 p.m.)
As the Wiccan-vampire standoff reaches a critical juncture, Sookie (Anna Paquin) summons her faerie powers to prevent Marnie (Fiona Shaw) from bewitching Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) into a suicide march, while Jesus (Kevin Alejandro) casts a secret spell designed to un-bind Marnie/Antonia and break the witch’s deadly defenses. Sam (Sam Trammell) settles a score with Marcus (Dan Buran); Alcide (Joe Manganiello) confronts Debbie (Brit Morgan) about her allegiances; Andy (Chris Bauer) finds unexpected passion in the forest; Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is consumed by the past.
Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Michael Lehmann.
Episode #48: “And When I Die” (season finale)
Debut: SUNDAY, SEPT. 11 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 11 (11:00 p.m.), 13 (11:30 p.m.), 14 (10:00 p.m.) and 17 (10:15 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Sept. 12 (9:00 p.m.), 15 (10:00 p.m.), 16 (11:00 p.m.) and 18 (6:00 p.m.)
It’s Samhain, Wicca’s greatest holy day, and spirits of the dead surface in Bon Temps, giving Sookie valuable allies to combat Marnie’s newest incarnation. Lafayette’s latest medium encounter imperils his relationship with Jesus; Jason (Ryan Kwanten) finds confession good for the soul, but not the body; Alcide makes a heartfelt appeal to the woman he loves; Terry (Todd Lowe) receives an unexpected visitor at Merlotte’s; Sam and Luna (Janina Gavankar) envision a storybook ending, for once; Nan (Jessica Tuck) wears out her welcome with Bill and Eric. Debbie confronts Sookie and Tara (Rutina Wesley) with deadly consequences, and the denizens of Bon Temps brace for a new crisis with a familiar face.
Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by Scott Winant.
