Welcome to the dog days of summer, where you’ll sweat through your clothes mere seconds after stepping outside and you risk a nasty sunburn just from getting your mail.

That said, we’re more interested in the canine part of the equation. After all, what better way to distract you from a bout of heat stroke than by watching the funniest pups in the history of movies?

To determine which hilarious furballs should make our list, we reached out to all manner of dog experts — from veterinarians to dog groomers to the voice of the Taco Bell Dog to the guy who performs Rowlf for the Muppets. Which is to say: We’re confident that we most definitely barked up the right tree.

For the record, though, this list is only movie dogs, so no Eddie from Frasier or Courage the Cowardly Dog, though some of the dogs below...

One of the most memorable characters on the long-running NBC sitcom "Frasier" isn't one of the fussy humans that surround radio psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) but rather his father Martin's (John Mahoney) Jack Russell Terrier, Eddie. Eddie is a fully-fledged character who sometimes seems even more human than his two-legged counterparts, showing love to Martin and the Crane's live-in housekeeper, Daphne (Jane Leeves) while serving as Frasier's arch-nemesis. Portrayed by dog actor Moose and later his son, Enzo, Eddie became a vital part of the series' comedic chemistry. However, there's an old adage about never working with animals or children because they can be difficult and chaotic, and that was often the case on the set of "Frasier."

In a Vanity Fair oral history of the sitcom series for its 25th anniversary in 2018, the cast and crew shared their memories working alongside furry four-legged actors, and it...

Peter Crombie, best known for his disturbed character Crazy Joe Davola on Seinfeld, has passed away at the age of 71. While no specific details have been released, it’s said that Crombie died after a brief illness.

A standout character, Crazy Joe first appeared in season four’s “The Pitch”, launching his mission of vengeance after not being invited to Kramer’s party. The five-episode arc during the season found him dating – and stalking – Elaine and later attacking Jerry during a taping of his namesake show. With a mixture of dark comedy and intensity, Peter Crombie undoubtedly made Crazy Joe a standout in the gallery of Seinfeld antagonists.

Outside of Seinfeld, Peter Crombie appeared on a wealth of TV shows throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, including one-off stints on Perfect Strangers, As the World Turns, Law & Order, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, L.A. Law, N.Y.P.D. Blue, and more. His...

Peter Crombie, who was a recurring and popular character as “Crazy Joe Davola” on Seinfeld, died Wednesday at age 71. Details on the death were not disclosed, but apparently he had a short-lived illness.

Crombie’s “Crazy Joe Davola” appeared in 5 episodes in season 4. His arc included stalking Jerry and dating Elaine at one point.

The actor had 35 credits, including the films My Dog Skip, Natural Born Killers, The Blob, Se7en, Rising Sun, and Born on the Fourth of July.

His TV resume included the TV miniseries House of Frankenstein, NYPD Blue, Walker, Texas Ranger, Diagnosis Murder, Law & Order, Perfect Strangers, Spenser: For Hire, L.A. Law, L.A. Firefighters” and others.

No details on survivors or memorial plans was immediately available.

Before SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents, there was Rugrats.

Alongside fellow “Nicktoons” Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rugrats premiered Aug. 11, 1991 on Nickelodeon and helped establish an animated storytelling dynasty on the cable network. Created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain, the show was by far the most successful of Nickelodeon’s early offerings and helped set the stage for the Patrick Stars and Timmy Turners to come.

The cartoon followed the daily lives of toddlers Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, and twins Phil and Lil DeVille as they attempted to make sense of the adult world while also indulging in their imaginations for some larger-than-life adventures. Though the children’s parents also featured as secondary characters, Tommy and friends could only communicate with one another in their own unique baby language.

For an audience of a certain age (a.k.a. the geezer writing this), Rugrats...

From Lassie and Rin Tin Tin to 101 Dalmatians, Old Yeller, My Dog Skip, Homeward Bound, A Dog’s Purpose and on and on, the canine genre has been a staple of Hollywood movies for decades. I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone got the idea to make a balls-out, foul-mouthed, R-rated subversion of it all, and finally its time has come with the irresistible Strays, a film definitely not designed as a family movie or for kids — though I would bet, despite the language and nonstop dick jokes, they would love it anyway.

Credit Universal Pictures for not only seeing the potential in a Cocaine Bear this year, but now also with the four-pack of lovable down and dirty dogs who hump everything in sight and use four-letter words in just about every conversation. Strays is as raunchy as Ted or anything Seth Rogen ever thought of,...

Frankie Muniz, best known for his days as a child actor starring in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle and films like My Dog Skip, Agent Cody Banks, and Big Fat Liar, has signed on to star in the sci-fi thriller Renner alongside Violett Beane, whose credits include The Flash, God Friended Me, Flay, and Truth or Dare. Deadline notes that filming will take place at the newly formed Ascent Studios in Spring Hope, North Carolina this summer.

Robert Rippberger (Those Who Walk Away), who is a founding partner at Ascent Studios, will be directing Renner from a screenplay written by Martin Medina and David Largman Murray (who were working from a story crafted by Luke Medina). The film will center on a computer genius named Renner and played by Muniz as he looks to court his neighbor Jamie (Beane) with the help of an A.I. he develops named Salenus — only to realize,...

Exclusive: Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) and Violett Beane (The Flash) have signed on to star in Renner, a new sci-fi thriller from filmmaker Robert Rippberger (Those Who Walk Away). Production will kick off this summer at the newly formed Ascent Studios in Spring Hope, Nc, where Rippberger is a founding partner.

Written by Martin Medina and David Largman Murray, from a story by Luke Medina, Renner follows a computer genius of the same name, played by Muniz, as he looks to court his neighbor Jamie (Beane) with the help of an AI he develops named Salenus — only to realize, a bit too late, that he accidentally programmed his manipulative mother into it.

Rippberger will produce alongside Martin Medina, KT Kent, Devin Keaton, and Jay Burnley of Slated. Exec producers are Greg Gertmenian, Ali Baghdadi, Kyle Pritchard, Stan Hahnel, LeaAnne Hahnel, Anita Konka, Laura Winstead, Nathan Edwards, and Neuman Vong.

At the start of the new millennium, Fox hit it out of the park with the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, which debuted in 2000. The long-running television series focused on a dysfunctional middle-class family centered around the titular Malcolm, played by Frankie Muniz. The young star continuously renegotiated his salary for the hit series, eventually making $150,000 per episode.

Frankie Muniz starred as the middle sibling in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’

‘Malcolm In The Middle’ made its TV debut 23 years ago today. ? pic.twitter.com/NUXesVfKco

— Complex Pop Culture (@ComplexPop) January 9, 2023

Malcolm in the Middle aired for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006, for 151 episodes. The hit show was nominated for seven Golden Globes, winning one Grammy Award and seven Emmy Awards. Muniz won an Emmy for his portrayal of Malcolm along with numerous awards.

The series is revered by many as one of the greatest television sitcoms of all time. It received...

The New York Times’ film critic A.O. Scott is moving to a new beat.

Scott, who has reviewed more than 2,200 films for the Times over the last 23 years, will shift to The New York Times Book Review where he will “write critical essays, notebooks and reviews that grapple with literature, ideas and intellectual life,” according to a memo to Times staff from Sam Sifton, Gilbert Cruz and Sia Michel Tuesday.

“In many ways this is a natural progression,” they added in the note. “Tony was a literature concentrator at Harvard, graduating magna cum laude in 1987, and is a graduate-school dropout in American literature (Johns Hopkins: thank you, next!). He started his journalism career as an assistant to Robert Silvers at The New York Review of Books and was soon contributing reviews there, as well as to Slate and, of course, to Newsday.”

Scott will leave the culture section for the Book Review in March,...

HBO Max has a major job on its hands to justify its approximately $15 a month subscription fee, especially given the strong competition out there from established names like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Disney Plus faced a similar challenge last year in arriving onto an already-saturated streaming marketplace, but at least had the advantage of major series like The Mandalorian to promote. While HBO Max will eventually be home to the Snyder cut of Justice League, and has some originals for its first week of availability, the big draw right now is its enormous back-catalogue of movies.

Given the various corporate elements that are going into HBO Max, including the Warner Bros. library, owners AT&T will be hoping that the combination of brand recognition for HBO programming, and a deep bench of movies, will convince people to add a new subscription to their list. To this end, HBO Max have added 122 films today,...

Do you like lists? Well, here’s a doozy. Below is everything coming to Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu and Amazon Prime in June 2020.

Though the summer sun is starting to beat down, most of us are still being encouraged to stay indoors for Covid-19 related reasons. It’s not much fun, but at the very least, there’s an absolute ton of stuff landing in June that should distract you from the call of the beach.

Of particular note is the newly launched HBO Max, which is trying to catch the eye of potential subscribers with a red-hot first month. There’s an excellent selection of movies coming on June 1st, with horror titles like An American Werewolf in London (still the best werewolf movie ever made), Final Destinations 1-4, From Dusk til Dawn and Lifeforce.

Later in the month, there are some more recent films showing up, including...

To help you anticipate and navigate all that HBO Max has to offer, TVLine presents this comprehensive list of all the TV series, movies, documentaries and specials making their debut on the new streaming service this month — all as a 100-percent free supplement to our daily and handy What to Watch and weekly TVLine-Up columns, and our monthly New on Netflix roundup.

Among Max Originals coming in June are a new Adventure Time special, Doom Patrol Season 2 and Search Party Season 3. You’ll also be able to stream the most recent episodes of HBO original series, including Insecure, I Know This Much Is True...

Welcome to the HBO Max era! WarnerMedia’s streaming giant arrived on May 27 and is absolutely bursting with Warner movies, TV shows, and other titles. But time waits for no man or streaming service and each new month HBO Max will be expected to bring new content to the table. Things get started in June 2020 with the first batch of HBO Max new releases.

To be clear, the majority of the original series coming to HBO Max actually belongs to HBO. Shows like I May Destroy You (June 7), Perry Mason (June 21), and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark (June 28) all belong to HBO…which now just happens to be a part of HBO Max. Confusing stuff, we know, but rest assured that if you have HBO Max you’ll get these shows…and if you only have HBO, you can go ahead and just get HBO Max for the same price anyway.

HBO Max launches May 27 with a whole lot of content ready to stream immediately. But throughout the nascent streamer’s first month, even more titles will be added, from HBO Max originals like “Adventure Time: Distant Lands Bmo,” to old favorites like “Amelie,” “Black Beauty” and “The Bucket List.”

Other brand-new HBO Max originals include the third season of comedy “Search Party,” and the second seasons of “Doom Patrol,” and “Esme & Roy,” all coming June 25, and on June 18, the second season of “Summer Camp Island” and the series premiere kids competition series “Karma.”

For a list of everything that will be available on launch day, look here.

Below is the full list of everything new coming to HBO Max in June.

Also Read: Chelsea Handler Sets First Standup Comedy Special in 6 Years at HBO Max

June 1

4th & Forever: Muck City, Season One

Adventures In Babysitting, 1987 (HBO)

Amelie, 2001 (HBO)

An American Werewolf in London,...

Before HBO Max even launches — it goes live May 27 — WarnerMedia is trying to lure new subscribers by revealing what’s coming next month to the streamer.

The June lineup highlights on HBO Max include all 23 seasons of “South Park,” snapped up in a multiyear, $500 million-plus deal; James Cameron’s Oscar-winning “Titanic”; and the “Adventure Time: Distant Lands” special featuring lovable robot Bmo.

HBO Max, regularly priced at $14.99 per month (the same as HBO Now), will be available on multiple platforms and distributors through deals including with Apple, Google, Charter, Xbox, PlayStation, and AT&T/DirecTV. As of this writing, however, WarnerMedia has not locked in HBO Max deals with Comcast, Roku or Amazon.

New Max Originals this June include kids’ adventure competition series “Karma,” Season 3 of comedy “Search Party” and the second seasons of “Doom Patrol,” “Esme & Roy” and “Summer Camp Island.”

Movie highlights include “Titanic,” “Veronica Mars,” “Magic Mike” starring Channing Tatum,...

May isn’t quite summer yet but it is usually time that the networks start wrapping up their newest shows and preparing for a relatively fallow summer period. Since HBO isn’t a network, it has no such business model. But May sees the winding down of some HBO blockbusters all the same.

While there are some notable new releases for HBO in May 2020, the bigger story might be the things that are ending. Westworld concludes its third season on May 3 while new series Run wraps up on May 24. Thankfully the film losses in May aren’t too bad for HBO, unless the Agent Cody Banks saga drives a lot of traffic.

The most notable TV premiere in May is I Know This Much is True, a book adaptation starring Mark Ruffalo. This is a very bleak story coming along at a bleak time in history but perhaps those two things will cancel out.

Updated, 1:38 Pm: HBO has added all episodes of its hit series Big Little Lies to its lineup of free-streaming programming available for a limited time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Both seasons (14 episodes) are free to watch without a subscription in the U.S. on HBO Go and HBO Now. HBO added the series following last week’s announcement that it was offering nearly 500 hours of free premium content through April 30.

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Written by David E. Kelley and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Big Little Lies stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz and Lauren Dern. Based on Lianne Moriarty’s book, the...

HBO is doubling down on its mission to get people to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, the network has released a serious incentive to do so with nearly 500 hours of Free streaming content for viewers in the Us. On April 3, HBO gave free access to its top shows, Warner Bros. movies, and documentaries without any necessary subscription. The content will be available through April, and if you needed any excuse to rewatch The Sopranos for the third time, this is it.

The network explained in a press release that it's doing this "to provide some entertainment relief for those doing their part to keep everyone safe and healthy in this time of social isolation." To access the pristine list of content and start your streaming, download the HBO Now or HBO Go apps. You can also visit hbonow.com or hbogo.com. Check out all the available titles below,...

Are you one of those people who sees all of the hoopla surrounding HBO content but never gets to play along?

Has adding another pay-tv option to your already overburdened entertainment fiscal responsibilities left you in the dark when it comes to HBO?

Have you unwisely chosen to spend your money on less critically acclaimed and lower quality content to get more bang for your buck?

Well, we have good news for you.

HBO knows you're a captive audience, and they're betting that once you get a taste of their popular and lauded entertainment that you might want to make it a more permanent thing.

Of course, that's my assessment, and I'd recommend HBO in a heartbeat. I have, and I will continue slathering praise on the network that has provided some of my all-time favorite content.

And now, you (that's You who don't have HBO), too, can find out...

Current global events are bad, but HBO is offering free streaming of “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” and hundreds of hours of other content, which is good.

HBO will begin offering free streaming of the aforementioned series and dozens of other projects, starting Friday, April 3. The limited-time offer will be available on the HBO Now and HBO Go apps, in addition to those platform’s respective websites.

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Though most entertainment companies have made moves to keep their customers entertained as more people continue spending time indoors, few entities have announced plans to release such a large volume of content for free. HBO said the free programming will constitute nearly 500 hours but did not specify how long the free streaming would last.

In what’s becoming a common trend across the industry, HBO will be providing free content to viewers during the coronavirus lockdown. Following on from the likes of CBS All Access in opening up their paywall, HBO will be making HBO Now and HBO Go free to access from Friday, April 3rd. While this offering does not include certain hit series like Game of Thrones, viewers will still be able to watch almost 500 hours of content from the HBO library, adding to the options available for those stuck at home.

The entertainment giant are using the slogan #StayHomeBoxOffice for the campaign, which will also be open to participating distributor partners including HBO over cable packages, and via Hbonow.com and Hbogo.com. The full list of shows, movies, and documentaries available from this Friday include:

Dramas/Comedies

Ballers (5 Seasons)

Barry (2 Seasons)

Silicon Valley (6 Seasons)

Six Feet Under (5 Seasons)

The Sopranos...

During the coronavirus pandemic, everyone has to do their duty by staying inside and watching a ludicrous amount of television and movies. Now HBO has provided the quarantined with an important tool in this mission.

Today HBO announced that it is making nearly 500 hours of original programming and some WarnerMedia-branded movies available for free to all for a limited time. Subscriptions to HBO via cable with HBO Go or via streaming with HBO Now usually cost $15 per month. But starting Friday, April 3, anyone with Internet access will be able to access nine original HBO series and a multitude of other free content via either platform. Just visit HBONow.com, HBOGo.com, or download either’s respective app to begin watching. HBO hasn’t revealed how long constitutes a “limited time” so get those bingeing muscles ready.

The nine HBO series for which every episode in every season will be...

HBO is inviting those adhering to #StayHome quarantine guidelines to “#StayHomeBoxOffice,” by streaming, for free, a variety of the premium cabler’s programming.

HBO is making almost 500 hours of programming available to stream for free/without a subscription, now through the end of April, via its HBO Now and HBO Go apps.

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The HBO content...

HBO is unlocking its biggest trove of free programming ever — in a goodwill gesture as people look for a diversion during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The WarnerMedia-owned premium cabler is making almost 500 hours of programming available to stream for free (without ads) for a limited time on HBO Now and HBO Go services without a subscription, starting this Friday, April 3.

The list of free programming includes every episode of nine HBO series: “The Sopranos,” “Veep,” “Succession,” “Six Feet Under,” “The Wire,” “Ballers,” “Barry,” “Silicon Valley” and “True Blood.”

Also streaming for free are 20 Warner Bros. movies in HBO’s current catalog including “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love”; and 10 HBO documentaries and docuseries including “McMillion$” and “The Case Against Adnan Syed.”

Notably, however, HBO megahit “Game of Thrones” is absent from the free-streaming fiesta, as are recent hits including “Westworld,” “Big Little Lies,...

Hogan Sheffer, an Emmy Award-winning daytime television writer known for his comical one-liners, died in his hometown of York, Pennsylvania on September 28. He was 61.

Sheffer went into cardiac arrest in 2014, and suffered a series of health problems up until his death last week from heart failure.

The veteran writer’s longtime manager, Brad Kramer, told Deadline Sheffer had a “huge heart” and always helped others.

“I met Hogan in 1993. I know I am speaking for countless others when I say Hogan Sheffer will be dearly missed,” Kramer said. “Besides a brilliant creative mind, and the most generous huge heart, Hogan could always and did make you laugh until you were in tears. He would and did do anything to help others.”

Sheffer started out in the industry in the 1980s and worked at DreamWorks as director of screenplay development from 1997 to 2000, under producers Mark Johnson and Elizabeth Cantillon. He was...

Here’s the trailer for a lovely little film that my kids are going to want to see, but never will, because I refuse to watch it. Not because it looks bad (it doesn’t), and not because I don’t love dogs (I do). It’s because I love them too much.

This trailer made me cry. If I saw the movie, I would cry. Not just cry, but ugly sob, and I just can’t do it again. Have you seen My Dog Skip? If you saw it in theaters and there was a teenager wailing in the center row of the theater, it was me. I get that this is a feel-good movie, and it would probably make a normal person feel good, but I’m not normal. Let’s start over.

Here’s the trailer for a lovely little film that you’ll want to see.

Composer and jazz artist Terence Blanchard will be named a Bmi Icon at the 35th annual Film, TV and Visual Media Awards of Broadcast Music Inc. on May 15 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The five-time Grammy winner and recent Oscar nominee (for “BlacKkKlansman”) has long been director Spike Lee’s favorite composer, having written the scores for “Malcolm X,” “Inside Man,” “25th Hour,” the Katrina documentary “When the Levees Broke” and a dozen other films. His scores for other directors include “Red Tails,” “Eve’s Bayou,” “Barbershop” and others.

Blanchard is a celebrated trumpeter and bandleader whose work as an educator and mentor was previously recognized in 2010 by the performing rights society. He also serves as artistic director of the Detroit Symphony’s jazz series and will premiere his second opera, “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” June 15 at Opera Theatre St. Louis.

“As a composer, Terence...

Exclusive: Just in time for Halloween, Jay Russell has sold an original horror thriller to Paramount Pictures and Akiva Goldsman. In a twist for the director of the beloved family film My Dog Skip and the heroic Ladder 49, Russell now has an an eye to direct the creepy You’re Not Real. The story follows a young school teacher who reunites with her reclusive, scientific genius grandfather for the first time at his isolated country estate, uncovering disturbing truths about…...

Exclusive: On the anniversary of his 1939 retirement from baseball, late great New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig will be the subject of a new feature that has gotten a rare endorsement from the Yankees, the only team for which he played. The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth will be directed by Jay Russell, the helmer behind My Dog Skip and Ladder 49. Based on the Jonathan Eig biography Luckiest Man, the film has a script by Dan Kay. Branded Entertainment’s…...

Kevin Bacon has a very important message! The actor is the new face of one hilarious mock PSA, titled "#FreetheBacon," for Mashable. In the spoof, the 57-year-old actor addresses a growing "problem" in Hollywood: The lack of male nudity in television and film. Check out the hilarious video above to see why the "Wild Things" star wants you to help him "free the bacon." "In so many films and TV shows, we see gratuitous female nudity, and that's not Ok. Well, it's Ok, but it's not fair to actresses, and it's not fair to actors, because we want to be naked too. Gentlemen, it's time to free the bacon," he explains in the video. "And by bacon, of course, I mean your wiener, your balls and your butt." The actor is no stranger to on-screen nudity, either. He's bared his bod in flicks like "Wild Things" and even says he...

When it was confirmed in February that Harrison Ford will reprise his role as Rick Deckard in Alcon Entertainment's Blade Runner sequel, you may have immediately started wondering who would join him in the new neo-noir, as Deckard's sure to run into memorable characters of both the human and replicant varieties. Though we don't know who he'd play, it's been revealed that Ryan Gosling is in talks to star alongside Ford in Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner sequel that's slated to start shooting next summer:

Press Release (via The Hollywood News) -- "Los Angeles, CA, April 16, 2015 – Ryan Gosling is in negotiations to star in Alcon Entertainment’s sequel to Blade Runner, being directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) and executive produced by Ridley Scott.

Harrison Ford will co-star as Rick Deckard, the role he portrayed in the original directed by Scott.

Principal photography is set to start in summer of...

After all these years, the story of Rick Deckard will continue. A Blade Runner sequel started to pick up steam back in 2011 when it was announced that Ridley Scott would return to direct. While Scott is still creatively involved, it has been revealed that he'll be passing the torch to another director. What is still a big surprise, even after his involvement in the latest Star Wars film, is that Harrison Ford is set to reprise his role as Deckard:

Press Release via /Film: "Los Angeles, CA, February 26, 2015 — Harrison Ford will reprise his celebrated role of Rick Deckard in the sequel to Alcon Entertainment’s Blade Runner and Academy Award nominee Denis Villeneuve to (Prisoners, Incendies) is in negotiations to direct, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-ceo’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.

Film is scheduled to start principle photography in summer of 2016. Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the...

Deadline is reporting that at long last, the Blade Runner sequel has been confirmed, with Harrison Ford set to reprise his role as Rick Deckard. Unfortunately, Ridley Scott will not return as director, but in his place will be Prisoners helmer Denis Villeneuve.

The plan is for production to get underway in summer 2016 with Hampton Fancher (who co-wrote the original) and Michael Green penning the script. Plot details are, of course, scarce, but from what we understand the sequel will take place several decades after the events of the original (which makes sense given Ford’s age).

“We are honored that Harrison is joining us on this journey with Denis Villeneuve, who is a singular talent, as we experienced personally on Prisoners,” Alcon Entertainment’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson said. “Hampton and Michael, with Ridley Scott, have crafted a uniquely potent and faithful sequel to one of the most...

Angela and Catherine Paura have joined Alcon Entertainment as co-presidents of Worldwide Marketing, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-ceo’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson. The sisters will report directly to Kosove and Johnson.

The Pauras join Alcon from their partnership in Capstone Global Marketing & Research Group, Inc., a marketing research and consulting firm. Prior to Capstone, Catherine co-founded the National Research Group, Inc. (Nrg) with Joseph Farrell in 1978 and served as its Chief Executive Officer for fifteen years. During her time at Nrg, Catherine worked with every major studio on the design and strategy of their marketing campaigns.

Angela and Catherine Paura have joined Alcon Entertainment as co-presidents of worldwide marketing.

Alcon co-founders and co-ceo’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, to whom the sisters report, made the announcement on Monday (December 22).

The Pauras join Alcon from their marketing research and consulting firm Capstone Global Marketing & Research Group.

Prior to Capstone Catherine Paura co-founded the National Research Group (Nrg) with Joseph Farrell in 1978 and served as its CEO for 15 years.

During her time at Nrg she worked with every major studio on the design and strategy of their marketing campaigns. She has also consulted for television companies and home entertainment products.

Angela Paura has a long working relationship with Alcon, including on such releases as The Blind Side (pictured), Dolphin Tale and Alcon’s first hit film, My Dog Skip.

Angela served as Cmo of Nrg and has held senior executive marketing positions at Viacom and Jp Morgan Chase.

“We are thrilled...

Marc and Brenda Lhormer are the Founders and current Heads of this wonderful event which we have attended, and worked at in various roles, since its beginning.

I always use this Fest when speaking as the best model of a regional Film Festival that I know. In other words I find it a perfect blending of high current level film culture, works and people from the biz and film production world with a community that is film centric, loyal and always hospitable to us 'outsiders'.

May I also add that personally the Northern California Wine Country (which the Fest uses superbly!!) is one of my favorite places anywhere for many years now.

I look forward to attending and supporting this great event this coming up version, November 13 – 17.

From their official announcement -

Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) Co-Founders and Directors Brenda and Marc Lhormer are proud to announce several of the festival’s star-studded headlining films, as well as the first set of honorees to be feted at the Celebrity Tribute Program, hosted by Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush. Showcasing the year’s best new independent films in 12 uniquely designed screening venues along with Napa Valley’s finest food, wine and hospitality, Nvff returns in full force with a five-day Festival spanning Napa Valley’s four postcard-perfect towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga, November 13 – 17.

On Opening Night, Wednesday, November 13, the Festival will present August: Osage County, based on the award winning play, and directed by John Wells, one of the most prolific writers, directors and producers for television, film and stage. The film stars the legendary Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, as part of a dysfunctional family returning to their home in Oklahoma. Sam Shepard, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Julianne Nicholson, Margo Martindale, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch and Abigail Breslin round out the stellar supporting cast. Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks will “wow” audiences with a Gala Presentation, on Thursday, November 14, of Saving Mr. Banks, directed by John Lee Hancock and inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of the long road Disney’s classic Mary Poppins took to make it to the big screen. The terrific supporting cast includes Colin Farrell, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffith, Kathy Baker and Paul Giamatti. Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

In addition to August: Osage County and Saving Mr. Banks, Nvff will unspool the following new films: The Immigrant, Directed by James Gray, this emotional film brings to life his obsession with social class, in particular the immigrant experience that relates to his Russian Jewish heritage. In search of a new start, Ewa Cybulski and her sister sail to New York from Poland. When they reach Ellis Island, doctors discover Magda is ill, and the two women are separated. Alone and desperate to unite with Madga, Ewa falls prey to Bruno, a charming but wicked man who forces her into prostitution. The arrival of Orlando the Magician restores her hopes for a brighter future. Starring Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, and Jeremy Renner. Courtesy of RADiUS – TWC.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom will be the Festival's Closing Night Film, Sunday, November 17. Directed by British filmmaker Justin Chadwick, this powerful film depicts the tumultuous history of Nelson Mandela and his harrowing life journey from rural childhood to anti-apartheid crusader to President of South Africa. Starring Idris Elba (The Wire) and Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean; Skyfall). Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

Nebraska: Yet another remarkable film directed by Alexander Payne, Nebraska captures the effortless acting of an aging man (Bruce Dern) who is convinced he has won one million dollars and travels across two states with his estranged son (Will Forte) to claim his winnings. Payne captures real-life love and heartache through his breathtaking sceneries and script. Dern has already won the best acting prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Nebraska will screen as a Sneak Preview on Tuesday, November 12 at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

One Chance :starring James Corden, Alexandra Roach, Colm Meaney and Julie Walters, and produced by Simon Cowell, this is David Frankel’s sixth feature film. One Chance tells the remarkable true story of aspiring opera singer Paul Potts. Frankel’s previous work includes The Devil Wears Prada, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, Marley & Me, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston, The Big Year, starring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Wilson, and Hope Springs, starring Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell. Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

Philomena: The Festival is proud to screen Philomena as its Centerpiece Presentation. Celebrated Director Stephen Frears has always embraced a wide variety of styles, themes and genres. Philomena, based on the book 'The Lost Child Of Philomena' Lee by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, is the true story of an Irish woman who was taken in by nuns as a pregnant teenager. Condemned to a slavish life at the abbey, she is forced to give up her four-year-old boy to an American couple she never meets. Late in life, aided by a journalist, she sets out to find her son. Starring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan (playing Sixsmith). Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.

“We are truly humbled and honored to be presenting these outstanding films prior to their end-of-year theatrical releases,” said Nvff Executive & Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “These star-studded movies are a nice complement to the over 100 new independent narrative and documentary features and shorts that comprise the main body of our film program. We invite everyone to join us in Napa Valley for a magical celebration at the most perfect time of year.” This year’s Celebrity Tribute Program on Friday, November 15 will be hosted by Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush who will take the stage at Lincoln Theatre in Yountville for the third year, and once again amuse and delight audiences while interviewing the talented honorees and sharing stories.

2013 Nvff Rising Stars: Miles Teller had the distinct honor and privilege of making his feature screen debut opposite Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart in the film Rabbit Hole based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. In this tragic family drama, directed by John Cameron Mitchell, Miles played ‘Jason Willette’, a bit of a loner teen who escapes into a world of comic books and science fiction but whose solitary life comes crashing into the couple played by Kidman and Eckhart. Miles’s career is really taking off.

He can currently be seen in theaters in the Sundance hit The Spectacular Now, opposite Shailene Woodley (The Descendants). Other recent film credits include 21 & Over, Project X, and Footloose. Next up are the comedy Get A Job and the fantasy action film Divergent.

Dianna Agron is on her way to becoming one of the most versatile, talented and sought-after young actresses in Hollywood. She is most widely known for playing Quinn Fabray on Fox’s hit television series “Glee” for which she has been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards. The “Glee” cast also won ‘Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble’ at the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for ‘Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.’ Agron will next be seen in Luc Besson’s The Family, which follows the notorious Manzoni family when they relocate to Normandy under the witness protection program, where fitting in becomes challenging as their old habits die hard. Distributed by Relativity Media, the film also stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones. The film was released on September 13, 2013.

Director Tribute: John Lee Hancock is a Director, writer and producer, and has established himself as a distinctive voice in filmmaking. His work on The Blind Side led to two Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best Actress) and garnered Sandra Bullock her very first Oscar. Previous film credits include: The Alamo, which he directed and co-wrote; The Rookie which he directed; My Dog Skip which he co-produced; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and A Perfect World both of which he wrote with Clint Eastwood directing. Hancock also serves as an advisor for the Sundance Institute’s Screenwriting Lab. Additional Tribute Honorees, special events and the full film lineup for the third annual Napa Valley Film Festival will be announced in late September and early October.

About the Napa Valley Film Festival and Cinema Napa Valley: The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) mission is to support the art of independent filmmaking and cinematic story-telling; enhance and diversify Napa Valley’s cultural landscape, and to provide educational opportunities in and out of the classroom for local students. The ultimate celebration of film, food and wine, Nvff, November 13-17, lights up the picturesque towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga at the most colorful time of year. Nvff features over 100 new independent films and studio sneak previews screening in 12 beautiful venues throughout the 4 walkable villages, as 300 visiting filmmakers interact with audiences at screenings and intimate events. Attendees enjoy film panels & culinary demonstrations, wine tasting pavilions, the spectacular Festival Gala, Celebrity Tributes, Awards Ceremony, and an array of parties, VIP receptions and winemaker dinners and more. For information or to buy passes, visit NapaValleyFilmFest.org or call 707-226-7500.

Major 2013 Sponsors include Cadillac (Official Automobile Sponsor), Amazon Web Services and Intel (Animated Short Film Category) and Sony Electronics. Leading Sponsors include Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Stella Artois, Meadowood Napa Valley (Artists-in-Residence Program), Terlato Family Wineries, ColorZone and Avms. Supporting Sponsors include V Estates, Sterling Vineyards, Domaine Chandon/Newton Vineyards, Union Bank, Delta Airlines and Classic Party Rentals. Top Media and Marketing Partners include: Traditional Home Magazine (Napa Valley Showhouse), More Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle/ sfgate.com, The Hollywood Reporter, Winecountry.com, Wine Spectator, Food Arts, NBC Bay Area, Mutineer Magazine, Brkly, and Comcast/Xfinity.

July 16 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of "Free Willy," the emotional family film which stole the hearts of viewers. Starring Jason James Richter as a young man who becomes friends with an Orca whale named Willy (played by famous whale Keiko), "Free Willy" brought in $77.69 million at the box office and was followed by two sequels: "Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home" and "Free Willy 3: The Rescue."

In celebration of the anniversary of "Free Willy," remember Keiko the Orca Whale and eight other famed animal actors.

Keiko the Orca Whale: Fans fell in love with Keiko when he starred in "Free Willy."

Buddy the Golden Retriever: Buddy starred as the family dog Comet in "Full House," as well as the athletic pup in the "Air Bud" movies.

Uggie the Jack Russell Terrier: A campaign was launched after Uggie starred in the Oscar-winning film "The Artist" to give the dog an Academy Award.

William Ross will conduct the Oscar orchestra for the Academy Awards®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. “We are happy to have Bill Ross conduct the Oscar orchestra,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “With a show so rich with music, we are so pleased to have someone as talented as Bill on our team.” Ross, who conducted for the 79th and 83rd Academy Awards®, is a prolific award-winning composer and arranger whose work encompasses feature films, television and the music recording industry. He has arranged music for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Kenny G., Sting, Quincy Jones, Seal, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. The records on which he has worked have sold a total of over 250 million copies in the United States. Ross has written original scores for such films as “The Tale of Despereaux,” “Ladder 49,” “Tuck Everlasting” and “My Dog Skip.

© AMPAS

William Ross will conduct the Oscar orchestra for the Academy Awards®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

“We are happy to have Bill Ross conduct the Oscar orchestra,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “With a show so rich with music, we are so pleased to have someone as talented as Bill on our team.”

Ross, who conducted for the 79th and 83rd Academy Awards®, is a prolific award-winning composer and arranger whose work encompasses feature films, television and the music recording industry. He has arranged music for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Kenny G., Sting, Quincy Jones, Seal, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. The records on which he has worked have sold a total of over 250 million copies in the United States.

Ross has written original scores for such films as “The Tale of Despereaux,” “Ladder 49,...

When we found out that Frankie Muniz had suffered a stroke, we made a pained and confused face very similar to his trademark expression on Malcolm In The Middle. Because last time we checked, isn’t this dude, like, nine years old? Ok, it’s been a long time since he’s played the precocious pre-teen on the long running show. But he’s still wayyy too young to be having strokes. He turns 27 tomorrow for goodness sake. Let’s hope he’s well enough for some cake.

The former child star posted his health update to his twitter early this morning. “I was in the hospital last Friday. I suffered a “Mini Stroke”, which was not fun at all,” he wrote. “Have to start taking care of my body! Getting old!” Awww, be careful Frankie! If anything happens to you, we’ll be bawling harder than we were at...

It took two years, but Tim Guinee, Charlie Lyons, and Jay Russell have secured the stage rights for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Rear Window, with plans to adapt the film to Broadway.

The film was based on a 1942 story “It Had to Be Murder,” by Cornell Woodrich. Russell had this to say about their adaptation: ”We are assembling a world-class team of artists to bring this timeless thriller to the stage…Woolrich’s story is deliciously dark and edgy, and our plan is to make it brand new all over again.” Russell has directed My Dog Skip, Tuck Everlasting, and The Waterhorse, all children-aimed schmaltz. Lyons is a producer for Bring It On: The Musical currently. Guinee, of course, will look familiar to fans of The Good Wife, Revolution, and a smattering of other TV shows in the past decade or so.

This news continues the Hitchcock renaissance, with...

Producer Charlie Lyons The Water Horse, The Guardian, Ladder 49, director Jay Russell The Water Horse, Ladder 49, My Dog Skip and actor Tim Guinee NBCs Revolution, Showtimes Homeland, Iron Man I amp II worked for two years to acquire the theatrical stage rights to the most famous and beloved of all noir short stories, Rear Window aka It Had to be Murder. This unique producing consortium announced today their plans to mount a Broadway production of the iconic and haunting tale of the wheelchair bound witness to a possible murder in his neighboring New York City apartment. Although the Broadway rights in this story have been repeatedly sought over the years from the Sheldon Abend Revocable Trust and its predecessors, this is the first option ever granted.

HollywoodNews.com: Hampton Fancher is in talks to reunite with his “Blade Runner” director Ridley Scott to develop the idea for the original screenplay for the Alcon Entertainment, Scott Free, and Bud Yorkin produced follow up to the ground-breaking 1982 science fiction classic, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-Chief Executive Officers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

The filmmakers are also revealing for the first time that the much-anticipated project is intended to be a sequel to the renowned original. The filmmakers would reveal only that the new story will take place some years after the first film concluded.

The three-time Oscar-nominated Scott and his “Blade Runner” collaborator Fancher originally conceived of their 1982 classic as the first in a series of films incorporating the themes and characters featured in Philip K. Dick’s groundbreaking novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep”, from which “Blade Runner” was adapted. Circumstances, however, took...

Sadly, six degrees of Kevin Bacon now includes doggie heaven. The My Dog Skip star and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, are in mourning after losing their aging pet pooch, Paulie. Bacon announced the death of his beloved black Lab mix Monday on his WhoSay page, writing, "Paulie 1999-2012. Sleep well old friend." His missus subsequently thanked Twitter followers for their condolences over the sad news. "I so deeply appreciate the kind words about Paulie," she tweeted. The couple's best friend had been suffering from health problems the last few months, including a bum leg that Kevin revealed his pooch was sufferering from in a WhoSay post back in November. "My man...

Lionsgate and Alcon Entertainment (The Blind Side, Dolphin Tale, The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants) have agreed to co-finance the Lionsgate feature What To Expect When You’Re Expecting. The two companies will be equally sharing the production and marketing costs on the film. The announcement was made jointly by Lionsgate’s Co-coo and Motion Picture Group President, Joe Drake, with Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, the Co-Founders and Co-ceo’s of Alcon Entertainment. What To Expect When You’Re Expecting is scheduled for release on May 11, 2012.

The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Sean Kisker, Evp of Strategic Planning and Operations for Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, and Wendy Jaffe, Evp Business & Legal Affairs for Acquisitions, and for Alcon by Scott Parish, the company’s COO/CFO and Alcon’s outside counsel Nigel Pearson and Michael Rosner of Loeb and Loeb.

What To Expect When You’Re Expecting will...

Perfect Weekend Kris Kristofferson and Sammi Hanratty in ‘The Greening of Whitney Brown.’

“The Greening of Whitney Brown” started as a screenplay of a very different story. What it became was a wholesome, entertaining movie about the misadventures of Whitney Brown, a privileged and popular Philadelphia teenager whose world is upended when her parents experience sudden economic problems that necessitate a family move to Whitney’s grandparents’ old farm in the country. There, far from her dizzying world of shallow girlfriends,...

Dolphin Tale, release in UK cinemas on October 14th, is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life and features a great cast including Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jnr, and Ashley Judd alongside many wonderful animals. But the real star is “Winter”, who plays herself in the film, and today serves as a symbol of courage, perseverance and hope to millions of people.

In advance of the release, we caught up with director Charles Martin Smith (pictured below with Ashley Judd) and asked about his experiences working on Dolphin Tale.

When you said, ‘I’ve got to have Kris Kristofferson in this. We worked in Pat Garrett and the Billy and the Kid,’ what did people say to you?

Charles Martin Smith: Well, it was one of those things that came up in meetings, like with Andrew Broderick,...

Chicago – Charles Martin Smith has had a varied career as an actor and a director. He was one of the famous ensemble cast members of “American Graffiti,” directed by George Lucas, and broke out himself as a director in the mid-1980s. His latest work as a filmmaker was one of last week’s big box office hits, “Dolphin Tale.”

“Dolphin Tale” is the based-on-truth story of Winter (who plays herself), a female dolphin who lost her tail as a result of a fisherman’s trap. In the film she is discovered by a young boy (Nathan Gamble), is nursed back to health by a marine institute headed by Dr. Clay (Harry Connick Jr.) and fitted for a prosthetic tale by Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman). The ensemble cast also includes Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson and Frances Sternhagen.

Charles Martin Smith, Director of ‘Dolphin Tale’

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.

By Pete Hammond

hollywoodnews.com: I am not sure what it says about the film business that a 17 year old animated Disney movie in its 2nd weekend again comes out on top and defeats a much-awaited new film starring Brad Pitt and a brand new heart tugging 3D family movie in more theatres than anything else. But again The Lion King showed who is king of the movie jungle by squeaking out another first place win with $22 million on its way to the blu ray DVD shelves. Disney had only announced this as a two week run to begin with but I can’t imagine that it won’t be extended now that it’s showing such remarkable ‘legs’ as they say in the trade. The ever-growing trend of releasing older movies back into theatres seems to be spreading now with Sony’s announcement they plan to bring Ghostbusters back...