The Screening Log - blogging film

Here's your dose of film news for April 15, 2009:

• United Artists is developing a big-screen adaptation of Pamela Wells' popular novel "The Heartbreakers," which focuses on four best friends who come up with a set of rules to get any man they want and prevent breakups. The project will be retitled "Rules of Dating for Teenage Girls." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Elisabeth Moss, Sean Combs and Rose Byrne have signed on to star in Universal's Nicholas Stoller-directed "Get Him to the Greek," which follows a record-company intern (Jonah Hill) who has to set up a Los Angeles gig for a crazy London rock star (Russell Brand). Combs plays his boss, with Moss playing his girlfriend. (THR)

• Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins, Nathalie Richard and Andrea Riseborough have signed on to star alongside Keira Knightley in Fox Searchlight's upcoming sci-fi thriller "Never Let Me Go," which Mark Romanek will direct. The plot centers on three people who grew up in isolation in a boarding school and later discover who they really are. (Variety)

• "Twilight" actor Cam Gigandet has joined Leighton Meester in "The Roommate," about a college student whose new roommate goes nuts and starts targeting people in her life. Sonny Mallhi wrote the script. Gigandet is set to play Meester's boyfriend. (Variety)

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Wednesday

01Apr2009

Daily news dose: Sally Hawkins finds 'Wonderful Afterlife;' Carell in talks to star in 'Dumped'

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 1:46PM | By

Here's your dose of daily film news for April 1, 2009:

• Sally Hawkins, Zoe Wanamaker, Jimi Mistry and Mark Addy have signed on to star in Gurinder Chadha's upcoming comedy "It's A Wonderful Afterlife." The plot follows an Indian mother who's ready to engage in anything to marry off her daughter, even serial murder. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to "Dumped," a comedy based on a novel by Andrew Gottlieb. Vic Levin jumped on board to write the screenplay, and Steve Carell is attached to star in the project, which follows a man searching for new meaning in his life after his wife seeks a divorce. (Variety)

• Josh Schwartz will write and direct a new big-screen adaptation of Jay McInerney's 1984 novel "Bright Lights, Big City," which was already turned into a flick with Michael J. Fox. According to Variety, the story follows a magazine writer who uses drugs and alcohol to deal with a failed marriage and writer's block.

• Mads Mikkelsen, Gemma Arterton and Alexa Davalos are joining Sam Worthington in Louis Leterrier's "Clash of the Titans." Worthington plays Perseus, who embarks on a mission to save a princess (Davalos) and battle Hades, the god of hell. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay wrote the script. (THR)

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Thursday

05Feb2009

Sally Hawkins gears up to protest in 'We Want Sex'

Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 8:30PM | By

British actress Sally Hawkins has signed on to star in "We Want Sex."

Written by Billy Ivory and directed by Simon Curtis, the flick focuses on the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant.

More than 800 women protested "against sexual discrimination in their job performance evaluations," according to Variety.

Resulting from the strike was a significant advancement in the women's rights movement, as well as equal pay for working women.

The trade also says Imelda Staunton is in talks to play Barbara Castle, employment secretary for Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Castle invited the strike committee to tea.

The title, which sounds indeed a bit provocative, is a reference to a protest banner that read "We Want Sex Equality."

Hawkins recently won a Golden Globe for her performance in "Happy-Go-Lucky." She also starred in "Cassandra's Dream."

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Sunday

11Jan2009

'Slumdog Millionaire' tops 2009 Golden Globes

Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 10:49PM | By

"Slumdog Millionaire" topped the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards Sunday with four awards, including best drama.

The drama about an Indian youngster who wins big on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" also won best director for Danny Boyle, best screenplay for Simon Beaufoy, and best original score for A.R. Rahman.

Also scoring big was Kate Winslet, who won best actress in a drama for her role in "Revolutionary Road" and best supporting actress for "The Reader." Meanwhile, Sally Hawkins was named best actress in a musical or comedy for "Happy-Go-Lucky."

On the side of the men, Mickey Rourke took home the prize for best actor in a drama for "The Wrestler," while Heath Ledger won best supporing actor for "The Dark Knight. Colin Farrell won the Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performance in "In Bruges."

Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" took best comedy, while "WALL-E" was named best animated film. "Waltz with Bashir" picked up the award for best foreign language film.

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Monday

05Jan2009

National Society of Film Critics picks 'Bashir'

Monday, January 5, 2009 at 4:55PM | By

The National Society of Film Critics picked Ari Folman's animated feature "Vals im Bashir" (Waltz with Bashir) as the best film of the year. Runners-up were Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Pixar's animated film "WALL-E."

Mike Leigh also won the awards for best director and best screenplay for "Lucky," while Sally Hawkins won best actres and Eddie Marsan took home best supporting actor.

In the best actor category, Sean Penn emerged as the winner for "Milk," beating Mickey Rourke and Clint Eastwood. Hanna Schygulla was named best supporting actress for her role in "The Edge of Heaven."

Also among the winners were James Marsh, whose "Man on Wire" won best non-fiction film, and Anthony Dod Mantle, who won best cinematographer for "Slumdog Millionaire."

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Monday

15Dec2008

Boston film critics pick 'WALL-E,' 'Slumdog'

Monday, December 15, 2008 at 3:36PM | By

The Boston Society of Film Critics named both Pixar's "WALL-E" and Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" as the best films of 2008.

Tying for the best actor award were Sean Penn for his portrayal as Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant's "Milk," and Mickey Rourke for Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler."

Sally Hawkins won yet another award for her role in "Happy-Go-Lucky," while Penelope Cruz was named best supporting actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

In the category for best supporting actor, Heath Ledger won for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."

Gus Van Sant won best director for two movies, namely "Milk" and "Paranoid Park." "Milk" also took home best screenplay for Dustin Lance Black.

Here are some more awards: "WALL-E" won best animated flick; "Man on Wire" took best documentary; and Christopher Doyle and Rain Kathy Li were named best cinematographers for "Paranoid Park."

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Sunday

14Dec2008

New York film critics name 'Milk' best of '08

Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 11:55PM | By

The New York Film Critics Circle named Gus Van Sant's "Milk" as the best picture of 2008. The film also won best actor for Sean Penn and best supporting actor for Josh Brolin.

The best actress award went to Sally Hawkins in "Happy-Go-Lucky," while Penelope Cruz was named best supporting actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Mike Leigh was named best director for "Happy-Go-Lucky," although the best screenplay award went to Jenny Lumet for "Rachel Getting Married." Meanwhile, Anthony Dod Mantle picked up the prize for best cinematographer ("Slumdog Millionaire").

NYFCC also chose "WALL-E" as their favorite animated film, and "Man on Wire" as best documentary. "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" received the award for best foreign film.