Videogames slump in February

Even with the launch of Sony's PlayStation Vita, the videogames biz saw sales decline 20% in February to $1 billion compared to 2011. That's still up versus the 34% hit the overall industry took in January.February game sales are propped up, though, when factoring in used game sales, digital downloads, social network and mobile games, rentals and subscription revenue, which could account for an additional $550 million to $600 million during the month, NPD Group said.Still sales of software across all platforms plunged 24% to $464 million, while hardware was off 18% to $381 million.With the Vita having hit U.S. store shelves Feb. 22, there were just four days of sales for the Vita. Without the handheld, hardware sales rose 62% over January. With the Vita, the number increases to 82%.Microsoft's Xbox 360 led in hardware sales as the best-selling console for the seventh month in a row, helped by the Kinect.Total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in February (including hardware, software and accessories) added up to $383 million, the most for any console in the U.S.Activision's "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" was the top-selling game of the month, followed by Square Enix's "Final Fantasy XIII-2," THQ's "UFC Undisputed 3," Electronic Arts' "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" (from baseball pitcher Curt Schilling's 38 Studios), and Ubisoft's "Just Dance 3."A decline in catalog sales was blamed for the decline in content sales at retail, with games that launched in 2011 selling 32% fewer units in February than last year, NPD said. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Academy awards: The Great , Unhealthy And Also The Uggie Hammond Analysis

Ultimately it had been mostly foreseeable. The only real stunning surprise from the 84th Annual Oscars was that in some way The Lady Using The Dragon Tattoo arrived on the scene of nowhere to win the very best Film Editing award, something no pundit I understand of saw coming. However it offered to prevent the first momentum of Hugo which at some point was leading front-runner The Artist 5 honours to at least one.Was Harvey Weinstein nervous that there might be an upset brewingover his heavily preferred film? No. After I swept up with him in the Governor’s Ballhe stated he only agreed to be taking pleasure in the show and never keeping tabs. Eventually Artist swept up and won all of the large ones, the Academy awards everybody was predicting including Best Picture, director for Michel Hazanaviciusand actor for Jean Dujardinin accessory for music and costumes. I'm told The Weinstein Company intends to expand the small-film-that-couldon to2000 screens by next weekend with what ought to be a genuine test of Oscar’s drawing energy in the boxoffice. To date if you do over three several weeks the film just made over $$ 30 million locally. Weinstein will aspire to double by using an Oscar bounce. Among individuals congratulating him was Cannes Festival Director Thierry Fremaux who happily championed the film finally May’s Cannes Fest , even switching it from from competition to some competition slot where it won the very first Best Actor prize of Jean Dujardin’s amazing run.After I went into him in the Gov’s Ball Dujardin explained theOscar hadputhim in “a veryhappy place”.I told Fremaux that in line with the stellar showing of Cannes game titles like Artist, Night time In Paris and also the Tree Of Lifein this season’s Oscar race he'd more pressure than normal to repeat the performance in the approaching festival in May. Cannes demonstrated itself to become a formidable start for honours season with many different major gamers. And exactly what a season for Hazanavicius that has drawn from the unparalleled hat trick of winning Best Director awards in the Academy awards, the BAFTA honours, in france they Cesar Honours and also the DGA. It’s difficult to imagine how another person with ever have the ability to pull that off again. Among individuals he thanked in the speech was Uggie, the scene stealing Jack Russell Terrier who switched on stage after Best Picture was introduced coupled with a pleasant bit with Very earlier. He ought to be saying thanks to this dog. He’s getting good talk show reservations than the film’s stars. It had been a large evening for Harvey, further proof of a significant comeback (after this past year’s King’s Speech win)along with a go back to the Oscar dominance he loved all individuals years inside a amazing run at Miramax. Also it wasn’t only the dominance in main groups from the Artist, the black and whitened quiet film that grew to become the very first non-talkie to win the very best Oscar since Wings in 1927-28, Oscar’s newbie. Younger crowd snapped up two Academy awards for that Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady together with a first Best Actress win in nearly three decadesfor Meryl Streep. Weinstein have been campaigning a hardship on that one , telling voters every day the 17-time nominee hadn’t won an Oscar in 29 years. It had been a relentless campaign theme that clearly compensated from the 2-time , now 3-time Oscar champion. In the Governor’s Ball Weinstein accepted they wanted that one and also got itwith the helpgood old-fashioned serious campaigning which incorporated Streep’s rare participation in choose Q&As and interviews for example an hour. After I swept up together with her, alsoat the Governor’s Ball, Streep was ebullient and clearly looking forward to getting another Oscar, especially thinking about your competition including her Doubt co-star Viola Davis. “There were a lot of great performances this season. I believe maybe they ought to expand the course. Maybe there must be 10 nominees (rather than 5) , “ she explained adding it had been nice to obtain thistowards the “end of her career”. Hardly. Streep will probably be dealing with Weinstein again within the film adaptation from the Tony Winning Play , August Osage County that is scheduled flowing in the autumn co-starring Jennifer Aniston. In the Governors Ball Davis placed on a game title face but was clearly disappointed to get rid of Best Actress for that Help. However it was always likely to be an very tight race and also the two had seesawed backwards and forwards at precursor shows. I figured Davis might eek it, however it wasn’t to become. Weinstein cornered me right before the ceremony to request why I had been so positive about predicting their company’s Best Documentary nominee underdog , Undefeated because the champion for the reason that category. I gave him my reasons and after its surprise victory he stated , “You were correct . You known as that certain”.Saturdaynightwhen I raninto them in the Weinstein’s pre-Oscar Soho House partyI had told the 3 filmmakers (T.J.Martin, Serta Lindsay and RIchard Middlemas) nominated which i thought they'd win despite commentators forecasts they wouldn’t. It’s a effective film a good an all-black costume high schoolfootball teambut there have been complaints using their company Documentary campaigners the Weinsteins sent the DVD screener from it to any or all Academy people despite the fact that to have the ability to election you need to prove you've seen all five films in cinemas. Regardless of the tactic, it labored and Weinstein hopes the Oscar win will raise the middling business the film has been doing since its Feb 17th release. Meanwhile Hugo producer Graham King wasn’t disappointed the Martin Scorsese-directed film-about-film didn't go completely , especially after winning 5 large early techincal honours. He stated that's exactly the same number their The Aviator got too before losing to Billion Dollar Baby. It’s not necessarily a bad haul and GK films also obtained the very best Animated Feature Oscar for Rango. King is at a great mood after i saw him after in the Governors Ball, happy his Hugo had tied the Artist for many Academy awards from the evening. Mostly it had been all a really foreseeable ceremony however i thought a high quality one, a minimum of in the standpoint from the first Mezzanine in which the Cirque Du Soleil number looked simply spectacular and also the atmosphere from the setting of the old movie structure was pitch perfect, right lower totraditional-searching movie brings providing popcorn and chocolate throughout commercial breaks. Nice touch. Billy Very didn’t always land his schtick but he got off some goodzingers and also the opening film sequence and songwas a champion within the room. He makes this gig work about in addition to anybody can.There have been lots of jokes concerning the senior years of numerous within the Academy which couldn’t have pleased Acad authorities who arestill attempting to prove they may be youthful andhip. Younger crowd was funny after Academy Leader Tom Sherak’s dryly-shipped speech. “Thanks Tom for whipping this crowd right into a craze,” Very joked. The show ran nicely and also got off just seven minutes within the alloted three hrs based on producer/director Don Mischer within our conversation in the Governor’s Ball. He was very carefully positive the response could be good when reviews roll in Monday although not relying on it, especially after this past year once the show was lambasted within the press.Experts deeply love to pounce around the Academy awards.I stated one trade paper really went a proper onlinereview from the first half an hour from the show although it was still being happening. “That’s just evidence that people are actually judged minute by minute. Occasions have transformed,” Mischer stated — and never always for that better. But maybe that's the lure and energy from the Academy awards that media types feel they need to move to fast and become there first. He is able to take solace in the truth that most people in the Governors Ball appeared very excited through the breezy Oscar show, among the all-time least (a minimum of nowadays in this era) at three hrs and 7 minutes based on Mischer. That may assist the rankings but it's still likely to are available in around the low side because of the truth that the films nominated this season weren't large blockbusters that literally brings within an audience. Language Film presenter Sandra Bullock explained she thought the entire show really was great, a sentiment I heard more often than once in the nicely hired Governors Ball where Tony Bennett entertained. Usually it's a quick stop after which off and away to Vanity Fair along with other parties , but this season (eschewing the formal sit-lower dinner routine) it had been still running smoothly past 11pm with nominees like Streep and Dujardin there. Streep later managed to get towards the packedWeinstein’s after party at Mondrian’s Sky Bar in which the celebration ongoing for TWC. One of the highlights from the show were the standing ovations for Supporting Actress champion Octavia Spencer and Supporting Actor champion Christopher Plummer who wryly notedthat at 82 he was just 2 yrs more youthful than Oscar themself (and today the earliest artist to ever win). As she was departing the Ball I walked lower the steps with Spencer and requested how she felt concerning the whole evening. “It’s crazy town, it’s crazy town,” is she could say at that time sounding just a little spend shocked and loopy. Her earlier emotional acceptance obtained large points as did most of the speeches, particularly individuals of Streep, Dujardin,Language champion Asaghi Farhadi, Live Action Short Subject champion Terry George and theLive Action Documentary short those who win for that harrowing Saving Face. It had been also nice to determine full-on glamour go back to the show because of presenters like Julia Roberts who were built with a whole lotta leg happening and also the joining of Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. Another class act from the evening was nominee Gary Oldman who woke up throughout the commercial break after losing to Dujardin and searched for out each one of the other nominees to most probably commiserate or console them. Regardless of the purpose it had been a pleasant factor to complete for George Clooney, Kaira Pitt and Demian Bichir who have been kept in a good race. For Dujardin he charmingly nailed his acceptance speech opening using the line, “I love your country”. Indeed he should since he was snubbed by their own country Friday evening in the Cesar honours where he was passed over for an additional, Omar Sy within the competition regardless of the sweep from the Artist. And clearly america loves Dujardin and the movie, or at best Academy people do. If it may just translate that love into boxoffice gold it might mean the quiet era is baaaaack.

Tablets guide eyes to the multiplex

People have been going to the movies for more than 100 years. Now the smartphone and the tablet computer are making it easier to do so.A new study by mobile ad server Greystripe, a unit of ValueClick, indicates that consumers are using the technology to decide what films to see and when to see them. Per Greystripe, 65% of smartphone users and 67% of iPad users find out about new movies from advertising, whether on their devices or elsewhere. About half (52% of smartphone users, 44% of iPad) decide what to see based on those ads.The mobile ads that most intrigue them (56% of smartphone users and 45% of iPad users) are trailers. Checking movie times is the entertainment activity most frequently undertaken by mobile device users (46% of smartphone users, 37% of iPad users), though the survey indicates that relatively few of them acutally buy tickets via the devices (smartphones, 15%; iPads, 13%).The research, conducted in November 2011, surveyed 248 smartphone and 298 iPad users. Results have a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. The survey did not ask how many users turn off their devices before the movie starts. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'A Complete and Utter Lie': The Very Fact, Fiction and Fury Behind John Carter's Worries

A trade report recently recommended that Disneys March sci-fi tent pole John Carter is at serious trouble because of Pixar vet Andrew Stantons relative lack of experience pointing live-action film, stating gossips that production reshoots and late-game rejiggering had bloated your budget from $200 million up to $300 million. Talking to press Thursday, Stanton known as the report an entire and utter lie, insisting he remained promptly as well as on budget nevertheless its easy to understand the way the Pixar method of moviemaking might have designed for a bumpy transition for that filmmaker. John Carter, modified from Edgar Grain Burroughss Barsoom sci-fi/fantasy series (produced in 1912), introduces quite the hero and world that affected many an legendary property that adopted, from The Exorcist to Avatar Stanton, a long term fan from the series, makes his live-action pointing debut using the pic which mixes live-action and CG to produce a completely " new world " which its titular hero (Taylor Kitsch) finds themself a stranger inside a strange land populated by eight-feet tall, four-armed aliens and fantastical animals. The scope and detail of John Carters alien world and it is occupants is ambitious, that is both draw and also the risk. The Hollywood Reporters Jan. 19 report reported associates near to the production and talent in the assessment calling the pricey Disney actioner out to be affected with assorted problems stemming from Stantons lack of experience with live-action filmmaking. Industry sources with links towards the project accept is as true could trigger an astounding write-lower, authored Kim Masters, portending disaster for that ambitious potential trilogy-starter. In the films press junket, Stanton and Co. were wanting to refute the gossips. I wish to go completely on record which i literally was on budget as well as on time the whole shoot, Stanton stated. Disney is really completely psyched which i remained on budget as well as on time they allow me to possess a longer reshoot because I had been this type of good citizen, and so i think it is ironic which were getting charged with the alternative. Nevertheless, Stanton and producer Lindsey Collins confirmed that the entire process of hammering the John Carter story would be a lengthy and laborious one despite an initial cut from the film was posted. Collins, a Pixar producer who labored with Stanton on WALL-E, referred to it as being a learning process for converting the Pixar method of doing things into huge-scale live-action filmmaking first exercising the fundamentals, then getting around the pieces until a satisfying film falls into position. It is the way weve always labored and definitely at Pixar thats the way we work we get all of it available online for and set it up and that we watch it and go, This isn't working, allows move that right here," she stated. "Therefore it does not surprise me whatsoever that thats how Andrew done that one." That process has led to stellar storytelling at Pixar, where films are notoriously developed and labored over for a long time with seasoned groups of authors and artists before uniting. The issue comes when this way of working is used to some project like John Carter, by which live-action footage must first be shot with stars against eco-friendly screen, sent off and away to VFX houses to become merged with CG conditions, animals, and effects, after which came back to be able to even begin the editing process. Due to his background, Stanton was active in the animation process a lot more than many company directors may have been. The amount of participation was abnormally demanding of visual effects suppliers who have been focusing on various moving parts using the director, based on Collins. [Stanton] themself was drawing in most of those draw-overs," she stated, "because whenever you shoot that stuff 90% of their not there. Hes really cut together these shots of Taylor, by themself, acting to nothing. Andrew was like, for all of us to have the ability to view it narratively I must have the ability to attract other figures that needs to be there. It had been the only method that people could watch it as being a story film and find out what is working and what is not, Thats dragging or thats playing too quickly or I dont understand what is happening here. Reported by THR, despite assembling an initial cut Stanton was spinning major character arcs and story sequence. Charge female character of Martian princess Dejah Thoris, performed by actress Lynn Collins, wasnt as strong initially as she is incorporated in the final cut, based on producer Collins. Stanton then changed key character discloses and moments - not new or shocking to the filmmaking process, live-action or else, but a procedure that may become incredibly demanding of assets if story had been hammered out after principal photography. Meanwhile, gossips of increasing budgets arent the only real issues facing John Carter, which opens March 9. Poor monitoring amounts and audience confusion concerning the project will also be concerns Disney is attempting to deal with within the days prior to release. The flicks title, for just one, was transformed from John Carter of Mars to John Carter to prevent an excessive amount of a sci-fiOrstyle association to general audiences, however the cut down title now leaves individuals not really acquainted with the Burroughs book itching their heads wondering what John Carter is all about. Despite an excellent initial trailer, subsequent spots have given an excessive amount of a The Exorcist feel towards the proceedings, and also the studio is scrambling to share the John Carter of Mars tale is not derivative of most of the genre qualities from the last couple of decades, but is actually the series that created most of them. But while nobodys speaking yet in definitive terms about sequels, Stantons ready to eat to carry on hes already layed out a complete trilogy, blocking the whole John Carter saga lower from eleven books, and a week ago shipped a 25-page outline for that first follow up. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Amazon . com eyes laffers, kids content

Amazon . com might be following its rivals within the subscription VOD category into original programming. Job posts around the online retail giant's own website reveal Amazon . com is seeking executives able to developing halfhour comedies and youngsters programming. The posts first found light on tech blog GigaOm. The organization didn't react to inquiry seeking comment. Just a week ago, Amazon . com rejected to comment within an interview with Variety whether or not this had any curiosity about creating original programming because of its SVOD product, Amazon . com Prime Instant Videos. The posts don't specify the programming creation is particularly for Prime or its online store for any la carte transactions, Amazon . com Instant Video. The task is indicated to be underneath the auspices of Amazon . com Galleries, a division that came notice this past year for optioning movie scripts. Amazon's look for a comedy professional identifies, "The perfect candidate knows the comedy genre, has development and production experience and wishes to use authors and artists to build up original series for that web as well as for traditional distribution channels." Job duties connected using the position include assessing pilot plans and dealing with authors and artists to build up series ideas. While Amazon . com Prime has subsisted up to now on licensed catalog programming from a range of galleries and systems, rivals including Netflix and Hulu have moved beyond library fare to developing their very own original series as a way of distinguishing their services. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

SNL Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston, Zooey Deschanel Includes a Dance Party with Jean Dujardin

Zooey Deschanel, Saturday Evening Live The tragic dying of Whitney Houston went unmentioned throughout Saturday Evening Live, however the variety show compensated quiet tribute by visiting commercial having a picture from the pop star with Molly Shannon from the 1996 Mary Katherine Gallagher sketch. (Strange timing: Up Through The Night star and former cast member Maya Rudolph, who did a Houston impression when she was on the program, is hosting in a few days.) Host Zooey Deschanel opened up the show together with her ukulele to carry out a humorous song about this guy who does not remember Valentine's and attempts to hide it with Happy Birthday balloons, a classic copy of USA Today as well as an 11:15 "reservation" at Olive Garden: Maya Rudolph to host Saturday Evening Live Additionally to her pretty pipes, Deschanel got to demonstrate her dance moves alongside the star from the Artist, Oscar nominee Jean Dujardin. Inside a black-and-whitened episode of SNL's L'ensemble des Jeunes p Paris skit - a obvious homage towards the Artist - Dujardin competes for Deschanel's affections with muscle-flexing and fancy work: Deschanel let herself function as the point in "Bein' Cool with Zooey Deschanel." Abby Elliot performed the adorkable New Girl star, while Deschanel nailed her impression of Mary-Kate Olsen, filled with extra-large shades, a huge Local cafe cops which disturbing stare. With looks from Michael Cera and Bjork, it had been every hipster's dream become a reality: Nicolas Cage, who stars within the approaching Ghost Driver follow up, designed a surprise appearance on Weekend Update alongside Nicolas Cage - also known as Andy Samberg having a prosthetic temple. Within the segment, known as Enter the Cage, Samberg stated themself to become the actual Nicolas Cage and stated Cage was his cloned twin - an experiment to ensure that Cage could fulfill his imagine showing up in each and every film ever launched. How can you tell which Cage is which? The first is an "exaggerated, screaming psychopath" and also the other is, well, not: What have you think about Dechanel's shot at SNL?

Pilots plunder past players

Janney McBrideShalhoub Braugher Several thesps from recently shelved series got back on their horses in the past week to ride back in to pilot season.Andrea Anders, Kyle Bornheimer, Sarah Chalke, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Allison Janney and Chi McBride, all series regulars on broadcast skeins in the past year, booked principal roles on network pilots heading into production.Also signing up for 2012-13 consideration were two smallscreen veterans who did noteworthy work for cable, Andre Braugher ("Men of a Certain Age") and Tony Shalhoub ("Monk"), as well as a TV star of recent vintage, Portia de Rossi, and one from a current series, Mindy Kaling.Shalhoub and Janney (recently in ABC's "Mr. Sunshine") are teaming up to star in NBC comedy pilot "Friday Night Dinner," an adaptation of the U.K. comedy that featured Tamsin Greig and Simon Bird. Greg Daniels, Howard Klein and director Ken Kwapis, all vets of "The Office," are exec producing.Kaling, a writer and exec producer for "The Office" in addition to playing Kelly Kapoor, would have to make a visit to human resources if Fox picks up her untitled project, in which she would play a gynecologist juggling her personal and work life. Klein is exec producing with Kaling.Interestingly, another writer from the NBC Thursday family, Harris Wittels ("Parks and Recreation"), has scored an on-camera role, playing a version of himself in Sarah Silverman's untitled comedy for the Peacock. Ken Leung ("Lost") also joined the ensemble that includes Silverman, Tig Notaro and June Diane Raphael.NBC also added Justin Kirk ("Weeds") to "Animal Kingdom," a single-cam comedy about a "House"-like vet who hates pet owners, Anders ("Mr. Sunshine") to its untitled Kari Lizer comedy and Aimee Garcia ("Dexter") to "County," the Jason Katims drama starring Jason Ritter.And fresh off "American Horror Story," Alexandra Breckinridge will be joined by Michael Landes, who starred in short-lived 1990s NBC sitcom "Union Square," in the Peacock's Anne Heche starrer "Save Me," about a housewife who comes to believe she's a prophet.ABC was about as busy as NBC with casting in the past week. Braugher, who was seen on ABC in the 2000-01 drama "Gideon's Crossing," will take on the lead role in nuclear sub drama "The Last Resort," written by Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek. Daniel Lissing and Daisy Betts ("Harry's Law") are co-starring.Chalke ("Mad Love") signed on to be a newly divorced mom for ABC's "How To Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life," from Claudia Lonow, while de Rossi ("Better Off Ted") committed to sister comedy "The Smart One," written by Don Todd with Ellen DeGeneres and Lauren Corrao exec producing.The Alphabet net also locked up Bornheimer, whose recent sitcom efforts include NBC's "Perfect Couples," ABC's "Romantically Challenged" and CBS' "Worst Week," as the star of another British adaptation, "White Man Van." Additionally, Mandy Moore was inked for an untitled comedy in which she plays a newlywed restaurateur, and Gabriella Wilde ("The Three Musketeers") for an untitled good vs. evil drama from Roland Emmerich and Harold Kloser.Meanwhile, two former ABC stars, McBride ("Pushing Daisies") and Swisher ("Better With You"), have migrated to CBS for pilots, each shepherded by Greg Berlanti's busy production banner.McBride, most recently a series regular on Fox's "Human Target," will play a detective in "Golden Boy," written by Nicholas Wootton. Swisher has taken the female lead role in an untitled romantic comedy written by Berlanti and Greg Malins.Also heading to CBS is Michael Angarano, who played the son of Sean Hayes' character on NBC's "Will and Grace." Angarano will be part of the ensemble in the Eye's untitled Nick Stoller comedy about a man who works at an ad agency in close proximity to the woman who dumped him.Alona Tal ("Veronica Mars") and Jessica Lucas ("Melrose Place") are returning to the CW for drama pilot "Cult," the latest from Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage and Len Goldstein, about two women who investigate copycat crimes that imitate a popular TV show. CW also added David Ramsey ("Blue Bloods") to Green Arrow pilot "Arrow" starring Stephen Amell, another effort with Berlanti's fingerprints.Fox had a mostly quiet week on the casting front, but locked down James Purefoy ("Rome") to join Kevin Bacon in its serial-killer thriller from Kevin Williamson. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Nick greenlights standup series

Preparing because of its NickMom comedy block that scheduled to produce this fall, Nickelodeon has given a 26-episode to a standup comedy series and moved several projects into development."NickMom Evening Out" will offer you parent-oriented laughs from such comics as Judy Gold and Corey Kahaney. Overall, a lot more than 50 projects in development have been in development for NickMom, that will air on Nick Junior. from 9-11 p.m. seven nights per week. Manley & Manley and Target have became a member of General Mills and Reckitt Benckiser (who signed on this year) as sponsors for that ad-supported block (as opposed to the ad-free content normally on Nick Junior.)NickMom's gestating projects include: a sketch/talk series with Caroline Rhea and Emily Cohen starring and professional creating. "It's Night time with Annabelle Gurwitch," a mother-oriented talkshow which Gurwitch is hosting and professional creating with Elyse Roth ("The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") "The fifth Hour," a scripted comedy that will feature comics as people of the morning news show, professional created by Madeleine Smithberg ("The Daily Show"), Sarah North and Jordan Tilzer. "The Judi & Kate Show," with real-existence mother video writers, professional created by Coolfire Prods. "Mother Double," a reveal that rewards moms with extra help throughout the house, professional created by Magda Liolis and Eileen Braun. "Oblivious," a trivia gameshow for naive participants, professional created by Scott Stone. "My 63 Moms." by which comic Andrea Rosen travels the nation to understand everything she will about being a parent, professional created by Rosen, Linda Schaeffer and Barbara Kanowitz Small. "Road Mamas," a real possibility series around three comedian moms and eight kids in a single RV, professional created by Chris Debeic and Triternal Galleries. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Bryan Cranston Heading to Modern Family

Bryan Cranston Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston will take a break from cooking up meth onscreen to visit a kinder, gentler life. Check out the rest of today's news The Emmy winner will visit Modern Family, but not as a friend of the Pritchetts or Dunphys - in fact, he won't even be a guest star, TV Line reports. Turns out Cranston will direct an episode of the ABC sitcom. Cranston has previous directing experience, both on the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, in which he played the series' patriarch, and on two episodes of AMC's Breaking Bad.

'Geronimo' adds thesp quartet

Anson Mount, Cam Gigandet, Freddy Rodriguez and Bill Fichtner round from the cast of "Code Title: Geronimo," John Stockwell's actioner about Osama bin Laden's killing. Tony Mark and Current Pictures ("The Hurt Locker") are creating. Script's compiled by Kendall Lampkin. Mount stars being an agile and assured person in SEAL Team Six. Kathleen Robertson is representing an eager CIA situation officer devoted to her job. Geronimo was the code reputation for the operation that sent two groups of Navy Closes into Pakistan to search and kill bin Laden. Shooting started now in Boise State Broncos. Mount's charge on AMC's "Hell on Wheels" and stars in Lionsgate's approaching "Safe" with Jason Statham. He's repped by Innovative Artists and manager Emily Gerson Saines at Brookside Artists Management. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Friday B.O. goes 'Grey'

'The Grey'Yesterday's bow for "The Grey" was anything but drab as the Open Road opener grossed $6.5 million from the domestic B.O.Pic is the second release from the fledgling distribbery after "Killer Elite," which cumed $25 million domestically last year. "Grey" will likely make between $16 million and $18 million through Sunday.Both of the frame's other two openers paired with online coupon merchants in hopes of a B.O. boost, and Lionsgate's "One for the Money" got just that. Despite modest midweek interest, sales boosted by Groupon participation bumped the Katherine Heigl-starrer to second place with $4.1 million Friday and full weekend estimates in the mid-teens.It is hard to say, however, how much of that coin Lionsgate will actually receive. One insider suggested "Money's" $6 coupon rate, which goes wholly to the exhibitor, is being added to weekend estimates at full-price ticket costs, artificially inflating the film's reported gross.Summit, conversely, sold tickets through Livingsocial and earned $2.5 million for fifth place yesterday. The mini-major, recently acquired by Lionsgate which is distributing a direct competitor this frame, is anticipating around $7.5 million for the weekend.Holdovers comprised the rest of the big players. Sony/Screen Gems' "Underworld Awakening" earned $3.4 million for third, followed by Fox's "Red Tails" with $2.8 million yesterday. Pics have cumed $36 million and $26 million Stateside, respectively. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' Is 'Mind-Blowing,' Says Mary Elizabeth Winstead

In MTV News' recent visit to the set of "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," we learned that the movie will be anything but a traditional look back at the life of our 16th president. Most biopics about Lincoln don't involve Honest Abe utilizing his own custom form of axe-centered martial arts. "It's a very unique take," Mary Elizabeth Winstead told MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival, in what may be the biggest understatement in movies this year. We caught up with Winstead, who was in Park City for her new movie "Smashed," to talk about playing the woman behind the presidential undead killer, Mary Todd Lincoln. Unfortunately for the actress, her role as Mary Todd doesn't involve much axe-throwing. "I'm kind of on the sidelines, but I'm very suspicious of my husband's [actions] and what's going on in his life," she said. "I know that he's hiding something from me. You sort of see me piecing things together." "Vampire Hunter" comes out of the twisted minds of author Seth Grahame-Smith and the film's director Timur Bekmabetov. Having not seen the finished product yet, Winstead couldn't even begin to explain what we'll all see when the movie opens in June. "I honestly have no idea what to expect, even though I'm in the movie," she said. "It's really hard to promote in a way because I haven't seen it, but I know it's going to be just mind-blowing. It's not something I can really visualize myself, because it's so unique to him visually." Are you looking forward to seeing "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Era dates for 'Mirror,' 'Expecting'

Relativity Media and Lionsgate made slight date changes Thursday to particular female-specific game titles "Mirror Mirror" and "What to anticipate When You are Expecting.""Mirror Mirror," initially slotted for any March 16 release, moved back two days to March 30, while early summer time title "What to anticipateInch knocked back per week to May 18.In the new date, "Mirror Mirror," Relativity's undertake the Snow Whitened story, will bow alongside Warner Bros.' "Wrath from the Leaders." Meanwhile, "What to anticipate,Inch according to author Heidi Murkoff's pregnancy tome, now faces Universal's large-budget male-driven pic "Battleship."Date changes should position each pic as hopeful female counterprogramming. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

ROLL CALL: Zac Efron & Taylor Swift Getting Flirty?

First Published: January 20, 2012 2:22 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium Caption Taylor Swift and Zac Efron attend the 2011 Peoples Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 5, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Flirty Or Just Friends?: Taylor Swift has been linked to Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner and Jake Gyllenhaal but is Zac Efron next? Us Weekly reports that the pair had a flirty dinner earlier this month at Los Angeles Pace. They were reportedly deep in conversation and very giggly. But a source close to Swift says The Lorax co-stars are just friends. They were in L.A. doing press stuff together, and after they were done, they decided to grab dinner, the source told the mag. And a Zac source added, They have been friends a long time. If they ever do decided to date, were onboard! Katy Unfollows Russell: In what may be the ultimate online slam, Katy Perry has unfollowed estranged husband Russell Brand on Twitter. Russel however, is still following Katys Tweets. #divorcesucks Rihanna Continues To Show The Skin: Just a day after Rihanna showed off some skin while on an elliptical machine (which she Tweeted to Khloe Kardashian), the singer was spotted in just a bikini in Hawaii while enjoying some time on a paddle board. CLICK HERE to enjoy a whole lot of RiRi! In Case You Missed This Cuteness!: Well end the week with Roll Calls The Cuteness Thing Weve Seen All Week Award and it goes to Sandra Bullock and son Louis. Just try not to smile when you look at THIS! - By Jesse Spero Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

HBO with sprinkles on top

Laura Dern and Mike White celebrate her win. Peter Dinklage and Jason Momoa Idris Elba wins and Ricky Gervais unwinds. Mila Kunis with Mark Wahlberg Jeff Garlin, Judd Apatow and Steven Levitan party with HBO. Sue Naegle and Sarah Michelle Gellar Martin Scorsese Around 9 p.m., just as the Golden Globe parties were hitting their stride, the partygoers at the Bev Hilton were given a small surprise: rain. The sudden shower sent the hordes fleeing inside at the HBO party, which offered shelter and protection in the poolside space where the iconic hotel swimming hole had been drained for the occasion to make room for extra tables and tents. Decked out in silver branches and glittery two-story high drapes, the cabler's shindig quickly became a crowded affair of stars from HBO shows and specials, past and present: big winners Peter Dinklage and Laura Dern (with mom Diane Ladd), nominees Guy Pearce and Evan Rachel Wood, Thomas Jane, Jeff Garlin and "True Blood's" Alexander Skarsgard and Sam Trammell. Other folks who came in out of the rain included nominees Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson and winners Idris Elba and Claire Danes. The shoulder-to-shoulder huddle at the bash only lasted a little while, as the rain soon gave way to clear skies and a chance for those in floor-length dresses to walk without fear. Contact Erin Maxwell at erin.maxwell@variety.com

New Film writer Will get Goosebumps

Darren Lemke in talks for kiddie horrorIt's making for 4 years since Columbia acquired the privileges to RL Stine's hoard of Goosebumps books. A movie continues to be gradually oozing through development since, and it has now potentially obtained a brand new film writer in Jack The Large Killer's Darren Lemke.A the nineteen nineties posting phenomenon that's still going strong, Goosebumps is definitely an enormous number of kids' horror books through the prolific Stine (who, abnormally of these things, is indeed a author and never a pseudonym for any franchise collective). Stine was America's best-selling author for 3 consecutive years, and was named best-selling kids author ever in 2003 through the Guinness Book Of Records. He's since been surpassed by JK Rowling, despite the fact that she authored merely a piffling seven Harry Potters to Stine's hundred-plus junior spookfests.Previous script drafts happen to be attempted by1408's authors Ray Karaszewski and Scott Alexander, and Carl Ellsworth, who authored Disturbia,and also the Last House Around The Left remake. Ellsworth was focusing on an authentic story, instead of an adaptation of the books, so most probably exactly the same is applicable to Lemke, who, if he comes aboard the project, is going to be beginning on your own. His credits apart from Jack includeShrek Forever After and also the approaching Dreamworks animation Turbo. Therefore, he's possibly a sign that Columbia opting for someone with increased kids' screenwriting experience than horror chops this time around. Maybe the prior versions were too frightening.Neil Moritz, nearly as prolific in film as Stine is within children's books, is creating what he hopes would be the oncoming of a household franchise.

High-end capture's top shots

After shooting "The Social Network" with an older version of the Red camera, Jeff Cronenweth upgraded to the Epic for "Dragon Tattoo."After extensive testing, d.p. John Schwartzman chose the Red Epic cameras for his 3D photography on 'The Amazing Spider-Man.'Will 2012 be a tipping-point year for 4K motion pictures? On the capture side, three digital cameras are garnering attention in today's high-end production world: The Red Epic, the camera that broke the ice for 4K origination, was used by Jeff Cronenweth on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." The 2K Arri Alexa is in use on many television productions, and is making headway in the feature realm on such productions as "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," the 3D "Hugo" and "Rampart." And Sony is in the process of raising the bar with its F65, which uses an 8K sensor to capture light and downsamples that information to "nearly uncompressed" 4K. The Red Epic was an upgrade for Cronenweth, an Oscar nominee for "The Social Network," shot with an older edition of the Red. The Epic came with advances in data management that allowed Cronenweth and director David Fincher to take a more hands-on approach with the images on "Dragon Tattoo." "When we started the project, you had to send your footage back to Red, and they transcoded it for you," says Cronenweth. "Fincher likes to cut while we shoot, so we shot with the Red One until the software for the Epic became available and we could do it ourselves." Cronenweth was pleased with the Red Epic. "Film and digital are so close now, especially with the enormously powerful tools you can utilize after photography," he says. "I think we are really dead even. On 'Tattoo,' we had to live through cold, rain, sleet, snow, low light levels -- and the camera performed well. "I love film, and the magic of the photochemical process doesn't happen with a digital capture system," he says. "But the degree of control you have with digital from beginning to end is worth the sacrifice. It allows you to have a clearer understanding when you're collaborating and interpreting someone else's story." After extensive testing, John Schwartzman chose Red Epic cameras for his 3D photography of "The Amazing Spider-Man," due later this year. The ability to record images in the ArriRaw format using the Codex Onboard recorder was a major factor behind the decision by two-time Oscar winner Chris Menges and director Stephen Daldry to choose the Arri Alexa for "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close." The Alexa's chip starts by capturing roughly 3.5K of information. "It has a great ability at night, because you can boost the ASA so easily," says Menges. "It's got a very good, vibrant color presence. But best of all, particularly when you're dealing with a child actor, is the Codex hard drive, which can run for 50 minutes." Cinematographers are looking forward to Arri's next generation of digital cameras, led by the Alexa Studio model, which will feature an optical viewfinder, a mechanical shutter and a 4x3 sensor. The more-square sensor is well-suited to 2x anamorphic photography in which the taking lens squeezes the image, which is eventually displayed in a widescreen 2.4:1 aspect ratio. Most digital cameras use a 16x9 chip. The latest entry in the digital camera sweepstakes is the Sony F65, which starts with an 8K sensor and promises "true 4K" after downrezzing. Onboard recording is handled with a proprietary solution that uses SR cards. Jon Fauer, a NY cinematographer who publishes Film and Digital Times, had the opportunity to test a prototype. "My initial reaction was that the F65 has a very high exposure index, and a very wide dynamic range," he says. "The 4K output is truly 4K, and really good. I think this camera is going to attract the attention of many heads of production. It's basically an 8K camera that delivers 4K images with minimal compression. We're not going to stop at 4K, and Sony has shown with this camera that they realize it." Fauer saw a 4K end-to-end demonstration at Sony headquarters in Tokyo. "It's totally immersive, almost 3D-like," he reports. "I think 2012 could be the year of 4K." Costs estimates for these cameras vary widely, in part because of the range of packages available. Red One owners have the option to trade up at a discount. And rental prices must amortize the cost of a digital camera over a presumably shorter life span compared to film cameras, which can remain useful for decades. That said, the rough estimate for a Red Epic basic package starts at about $60,000. The Arri Alexa begins at $70,000, with the newer Studio models costing roughly $144,000. The Sony F65 was reportedly available in late December for about $85,000, but that number went up after the first of the year. All those figures are considerably smaller than the cost of a brand new 35 mm film camera. But such cameras are not being manufactured. The irony is that film could become the lower-budget alternative, especially with cheaper options such as the 2-perf 35 mm and Super 16. The speed with which digital technology is superseded makes life difficult for rental houses. "The economics are changing quickly," says Fauer. "One of film's strengths is archivability. We don't have a good long-term archive answer yet for digital, and that's going to be part of the argument in the coming year."HIGHLIGHTSTechnologists Eye the Future of Entertainment Presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers Description: Senior-level technology execs from the top studios predict what's next in the movie and home entertainment experience. Moderator: Guy Finley, executive director Media and Entertainment Services Alliance (MESA) Speakers: Darcy Antonellis , president, Warner Bros. Technical Operations; Chris Cookson , president, Sony Pictures Technology; Arnaud Robert , senior VP of Technology, Walt Disney; Ed Leonard , CTO, DreamWorks Animation The New Technorati: How Today's Youth Are Shaping the Future of Digital Media and Content Presented by Pamela Kaufman,chief marketing officer at Nickelodeon Networks Keynote conversation with Jonathan Miller Description: A conversation with Miller, chairman and CEO of News Digital Media and chief digital officer at News Corp. Interviewer: Andrew Wallenstein, Variety TV editor Masters of Film and Technology Breakthroughs Description: Content creators and studio execs discuss social media and emerging digital services for film production, promotion and distribution. Moderator: Richard Whittington, SVP of Media & Entertainment, SAP Speakers: Lori MacPherson , EVP, global product management, Walt Disney; John Calkins , EVP, global digital and commercial innovation, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; Ira Rubenstein , EVP, digital marketing, 20th Century Fox; Matt Jacobson , head of market development, Facebook; John August , screenwriter; Thomas Gewecke , president, Warner Bros. digital distribution Technology All-Stars of Today and Tomorrow Description: Current and future digital media mavens discuss the companies, challenges and trends that are guiding successful entrepreneurs. Moderator: Xavier Kochhar, managing partner, Media Link Speakers: Drew Buckley , COO, Electus; Jon Kraft , COO, UberMedia and co-founder, Pandora; Ross Levinsohn , EVP of the Americas, Yahoo; John Sviokla , principal and innovation leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Jim Mollica , VP digital marketing, Nickelodeon Networks; Andrew Osis , CEO, Poynt Corp. In-Car Entertainment Description: Automakers such as Audi, BMW and Sony are increasingly making in-dash infotainment systems part of their brand. Speakers: Paul Mascarenas , chief technical officer and VP, Ford Research and Innovation; Shelly Palmer , host of NBC Universal's "Live Digital with Shelly Palmer" RELATED LINKS Arthouses debate 3D conversion Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'Psych' restored for seventh season

'Psych'USA Network has given its longest-running series, "Psych," a 16-episode seventh season. Renewal may come as the skein's rankings within the 18-49 and 18-34 demos happen to be in an all-time high when Digital recording device rankings amounts are incorporated. Dramedy stars James Roday and Dule Hill and it is created by Universal Cable Prods. Professional producers are Steve Hot dogs, Kelly Kulchak, Chris Henze, Mel Damski and Bill Callahan. The other half of their sixth season starts on February. 29. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Andy Cohen Prepared To Dominate Late Evening, Planning Rob Fiennes Pajama Party

First Released: The month of january 8, 2012 5:44 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Host/executive producer Andy Cohen talks onstage throughout the timepiece What Goes On: Live panel throughout the Bravo NBCUniversal area of the 2012 Winter TCA Tour in the Langham Huntington Hotel and Health spa, Pasadena, on The month of january 7, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Andy Cohens Watch What Goes On: Live starts its new trend tonight, growing to 5 nights per week, and also the Bravo executive and host has some large things available for that first couple of episodes. Four words: Rob Fiennes Pajama Party, Andy told reporters in the Television Experts Association Winter Session in Pasadena, on Saturday, from the approaching event, set to air survive The month of january 20. Per week from Thursday we've our first annual Rob Fiennes Pajama Party. We've me, Rob Fiennes and Carol Hunter in PJs within the clubhouse. Other visitors arranged for that first couple of days include Rosie ODonnell and Jimmy Fallon. The late evening Bravo show, which unlike the relaxation recently evening, really airs instantly (for that New England), and does not pre-interview visitors, also sets itself apart using its small set The Clubhouse patterned after Andys own living room. The show also serves its visitors cocktails. Weve had individuals who dont drink and everybodys welcome, Andy stated. You do not have to drink, its optional. Andy is wishing to grow the kind of visitors his show draws in since its five nights per week, and the wish list includes St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese. He won the planet series for all of us, I believe hes amazing I believe Michelle Obama could be incredible, its an election year, Andy stated, adding, Dont laugh, when a few of the room jeered. Madonna could be amazing, Diana Ross, a number of my diva symbols and that i love funny people, I especially love funny ladies, so fill the clubhouse with funny as well as Im good, he added. Sandra Bernhard joins the show like a correspondent, and Andy stated spend leave her with own unique undertake current occasions. Sandras destined to be perched in the bar and shes gonna perform a live rant concerning the week in popular culture as only she will do, he stated. Watch What Goes On: Live begins tonight at 11 PM EST/PST on Bravo. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keri Russell Welcomes Second Child

Keri Russell Keri Russell and husband Shane Deary have welcomed their second child, Us Weekly reports. Keri Russell pregnant with baby No. 2 The Felicity star, 35, gave birth to daughter Willa Lou Deary on Dec. 27. Willa Lou joins brother River, 4. Russell and Deary, a carpenter, married on Valentine's Day 2007. The Golden Globe winner, who last starred on Fox's Running Wilde, will next appear in the romantic comedy Austenland.

ABC dominates New Year's Eve ratings

ABCs 'Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve With Ryan Seacrest' beat the combined deliveries of NBC, CBS and Fox. Forty years on, Dick Clark and ABC are still packing in television audiences on New Year's Eve -- racking up their third straight year of viewership gains. The Alphabet devoted all of primetime to New Year's festivities, including a two-hour clips show of past musical performances, and that momentum only boosted the net's ratings fortunes as the ball dropped in NY at midnight. ABC beat the combined ratings deliveries of its Big Four rivals on the night. According to preliminary Nielsen estimates, ABC's two-hour spec "New Year's Rockin' Eve: The 40th Anniversary Party" averaged a 2.4 rating/9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.3 million viewers overall -- easily beating the combined output for repeat programming on ABC, CBS and NBC. Show built with each half-hour, peaking at 9:30 p.m. with a 3.3/12 in the demo and 10.5 million total viewers. And then the usual 10-11 p.m. portion of ABC's Dec. 31 festivities, "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest," averaged a big 4.1/15 in 18-49 and 12.9 million viewers overall -- up by 46% in the demo and by 3.7 million total viewers vs. last year for the special's biggest numbers since it premiered in 2000. In that 10 p.m. hour, ABC drew more than four times the rating for NBC's competing 10 p.m. program, "New Year's Eve With Carson Daly" (prelim 0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million). Overall, ABC enjoyed its highest-rated primetime Saturday in more than two years -- since college football's Big 12 Championship game in December 2009. From 11:30 p.m. to 1:15 a.m., "Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" averaged a huge 7.4 rating in adults 18-49 22.6 million viewers -- ABC's top scores for any entertainment telecast since the Academy Awards last winter. Detailed info wasn't available for ABC's competition, but NBC's "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" averaged a 4.3 household rating/10 share in the metered-market overnights from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and Fox's new entry, "American Country New Year's Eve," did a 2.0/4 from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. -- both well behind ABC's special, which did a 10.7/26. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com