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Tom Hanks got a wildly enthusiastic standing ovation last night as he made his Broadway debut with Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.” The response was not just from friends and fans because they like Hanks, but because his portrayal of Mike McAlary is such a moving, funny, and lovely experience. This was my second time seeing “Lucky Guy” and I do admit to having a soft spot for it. Ephron captured life in a New York newsroom between 1985 and 1998 perfectly. A lot of the specifics of McAlary’s life have been telescoped to fit a normal running time. But even taking dramatic license, Ephron worked in enough to capture the triumphs and the hubris.

And Hanks broke down in tears at the end of the show, when a curtain pulled back on stage to reveal a large portrait of Ephron, who died last July. “Nothing like sharing a personal moment with 11,000 strangers,” Tom said to me later at the afterparty at Gotham Hall. But those were real tears. “Nora and I were always showing each other what we were writing. I ran into her in London last year, and she said, ‘You know I finished that thing.’ I read it and said, What can we do with this now?”
Hanks is not alone on the stage. And under George C. Wolfe’s heartfelt direction, the supporting cast each gets a chance to shine, from Peter Gerety to Courtney B. Vance to Peter Scolari and Christopher MacDonald.
So was there? Who wasn’t there? Loads of folks from the New York tabloids, starting with eminence, Pete Hamill. The Times was represented by current editor in chief Jill Abramson and past legend Gay Talese. The News was there in the person of Mort Zuckerman, who is referred to in “Lucky Guy” as “the owner.” He may have winced at some of the references.
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The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) today announced the lineup for the seventh annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. Founded to broaden the audience for independent film through stories about sports and competition, this year’s Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival will consist of nine films, including four titles from ESPN Films’ highly anticipated “Nine for IX” series which celebrates the fortieth anniversary of Title IX with nine documentary films about women in sports directed by outstanding female filmmakers.
The 2013 Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival will run during the 12th edition of TFF, presented by American Express, April 17 – April 28 at locations around New York City.
The Festival revealed that the world premiere of Big Shot, directed by Kevin Connolly, will serve as the gala premiere of the program on Friday, April 19. Connolly is returning to Tribeca having debuted his feature film Gardener of Eden in 2007. In Big Shot, Connolly chronicles John Spano’s fraudulent purchase of the New York Islanders. In 1997, Spano bought the New York Islanders for a staggering $165 million. The scheme behind Spano’s acquisition of the team is revealed as Big Shot takes viewers behind the scenes of the biggest fraud in hockey history.
“The sports film offerings at this year’s Festival give sports fans and movie buffs tremendous opportunities to experience the many ways that sports intersect with our culture,” said Genna Terranova, Tribeca Film Festival Director of Programming. “We are excited that Big Shot, which chronicles one of the most infamous sagas in professional sports management history, will kick-off this year’s Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival, and to share the range of these personal stories seem through the lens of sports.”
“I’ve always thought the expression ‘passion project’ was kind of a cliché until I started working on Big Shot for ESPN,” said Kevin Connolly. “Working side by side and spending time with guys that I literally grew up idolizing has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. The whole experience, including having the film premiere in New York at the festival, has been a dream come true.”
“There are many vibrant, independent voices out there telling incredible sports stories and we’re honored to be involved with the Tribeca Film Festival where together we can shine a light on these documentaries and filmmakers,” said Connor Schell, vice president of ESPN Films. “We produce our films with the intention of capturing both the glory and the heartbreak of [...]

The daring new movie from the director of Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines is a sweeping emotional drama powerfully exploring the unbreakable bond between fathers and sons.
Luke (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) is a high-wire motorcycle stunt performer who travels with the carnival from town to town. While passing through Schenectady in upstate New York, he tries to reconnect with a former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), only to learn that she has given birth to their son Jason in his absence. Luke decides to give up life on the road to try and provide for his newfound family by taking a job as a car mechanic. Noticing Luke’s ambition and talents, his employer Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) proposes to partner with Luke in a string of spectacular bank robberies – which will place Luke on the radar of ambitious rookie cop Avery Cross (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper).
Avery, who has to navigate a local police department ruled by the menacing and corrupt detective Deluca (Ray Liotta), is also struggling to balance his professional life with his family life, which includes his wife Jennifer (Rose Byrne) and their infant son AJ. The consequences of Avery’s confrontation with Luke will reverberate into the next generation. It is then that the two sons, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen), must face their fateful, shared legacy.
Focus Features will release The Place Beyond the Pines in New York and Los Angeles on March 29; in select cities on April 5; and in cities across the country on April 12. This film has been MPAA-rated “R.”
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In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes’ celebrated play, the holiday musical drama BLACK NATIVITY follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs’ rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson).
Langston embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey and along with his new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.
Screenplay by: Kasi Lemmons
Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
Based on the play by: Langston Hughes
Produced by: Bill Horberg, Celine Rattray, Galt Niederhoffer
Executive Producers: Trudie Styler, Joy Goodwin
Executive Music Producer: Raphael Saadiq
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Mary J. Blige, Jacob Latimore, Nasir Jones and Jennifer Hudson
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The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) today announced that the world premiere of Mistaken for Strangers, executive produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Marshall Curry and produced by Matt Berninger, Carin Besser and Craig Charland, will open the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by American Express. Director Tom Berninger chronicles his experience on tour with his brother, The National’s frontman Matt Berninger, in this funny and affecting film, which will also play during the Festival’s 12th edition. The premiere, taking place on Wednesday, April 17, will be followed by a special performance by The National. The Festival will run through April 28.
Mistaken for Strangers follows The National on its biggest tour to date. Newbie roadie Tom (lead singer Matt Berninger’s younger brother) is a heavy metal and horror movie enthusiast, and can’t help but put his own spin on the experience. Inevitably, Tom’s moonlighting as an irreverent documentarian creates some drama for the band on the road. The film is a hilarious and touching look at two very different brothers and an entertaining story of artistic aspiration.
“Mistaken for Strangers exemplifies the independent spirit and vitality that Tribeca is excited to showcase every year,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer. “We are thrilled to open with a film that embodies the journey of an independent filmmaker, and is at its core a highly personal and lighthearted story about brotherly love. It will be a great night of both indie film and music.”
“We’re really happy to premiere this movie at Tribeca, as New York has been home to us for these past 15 years,” Matt Berninger said. “I was happy to give my brother whatever access he needed. I just didn’t expect this movie to include shower scenes.”
“When my brother asked me along on tour as a roadie, I thought I might as well bring a camera to film the experience,” explained director Tom Berninger. “What started as a pretty modest tour documentary has, over the last two and a half years, grown into something much more personal, and hopefully more entertaining. It’s a huge thrill to be showing this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival.”
The National band members include Matt Berninger, Bryce Dessner, Aaron Dessner, Bryan Devendorf and Scott Devendorf. In 2010 the band released High Violet, which sold more than half a million copies worldwide. A brand new studio album from The National is slated for a May release on 4AD with [...]

The iconic landmark restaurant Daniel will be rolling out the red carpet for New York-based members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, entertainment industry executives, and several hometown luminaries to celebrate the 85th Oscars with an exclusive viewing party, the only East Coast event officially hosted by the Academy. This year’s show is of special significance to New Yorkers, as its producers are the Gotham-based motion picture, television and theater producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who have executive produced such acclaimed feature films as “Chicago” and “Hairspray,” as well as the current NBC musical series “Smash.”
World-renowned chef Daniel Boulud is preparing a special menu of cocktails and canapés with a nod to this year’s nominated films, to be served along with his seasonally inspired, award-winning contemporary French cuisine. Now celebrating its 20th year, Daniel is one of the very few restaurants to have received the New York Times four-star rating as well as three Michelin stars. Chef Boulud, who hails from Lyon, France, is considered one of America’s leading culinary authorities and one of the most revered chefs in New York City, which he has called home since 1982.
“Oscar® Sunday is a day to celebrate the best in film with family and friends,” notes Patrick Harrison, the Academy’s New York program director. “We are thrilled that Daniel Boulud has opened his doors to welcome Academy members and the New York film community on the occasion of the Oscars.”
“New York has been my home for over 30 years, and to be able to host the esteemed Academy’s official East Coast event is a huge honor,” said Boulud. “I hope this fete will mark the beginning of a long-running tradition.”
Three 7.5-foot versions of the 13.5-inch, 8.5-pound Oscar statuette, one of world’s most recognized symbols, will greet the New York partygoers as they enter the restaurant on Oscar Night. These golden sentinels are identical to the larger-than-life Oscars that will greet the ceremony’s attendees on the Hollywood red carpet. Numerous large screens will ensure that guests don’t miss a moment of the show’s excitement.
Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane. The Oscar presentation will be televised live on the ABC Television Network and in more than 225 [...]

Further flexing the muscles of its worldwide sales and distribution operation at this year’s European Film Market, 108 Media has just sealed a deal on FUGLY!, an autobiographical comedy written by and starring John Leguizamo, it was announced by 108 CEO Abhi Rastogi. With foreign sales commencing immediately in Berlin, the film will also see a theatrical release in North America via 108 Media and it’s distribution partner, Paladin. FUGLY! Is slated to open in the third quarter of this year.
A fictionalized rendering of his acclaimed one-man show, “Ghetto Klown,” (which played on Broadway prior to an extensive international tour), FUGLY! casts Leguizamo as Jesse Sanchez, a Latino comic who has a near-death experience that forces him to revisit his personal and professional highs and lows. Told in a style that befits the envelope-pushing Jesse–and Leguizamo–the film blends past, present, fantasy, and reality to tell of one man’s hilarious quest for fame, fortune, and fulfillment. Directed by Alfredo De Villa, whose previous work includes the award-winning drama “Washington Heights,” and the Hispanic holiday hit, “Nothing Like The Holidays,” (which also toplined Leguizamo), FUGLY! boasts an ensemble cast headed by Oscar-nominee Rosie Perez, Radha Mitchell, Griffin Dunne, Yul Vasquez,Tomas Milian, and Ally Sheedy.
About the deal Leguizamo says, “I’m very honored to be working with 108 Media’s honcho Mark Urman, who I have always looked up to in the independent scene. This is my first foray into screenwriting and in trying to up-end a format by making an ‘anti~romantic comedy.’ We went very sexual, very aggressive, and exposed some of my life through the character of Jesse. ‘Fugly’ was a term we used and invented in New York when i was a kid for anything truly abhorrent. It was used on me many a time in my hood. This time I’m appropriating it. This is my revenge through art!”
Rastogi says, “we are honored that John chose to entrust this passion project to us, and we are looking forward to bringing it to audiences around the world.” 108 Media COO Nathaniel Warsh adds, “one thing that sets us apart from other companies is that, through our partnership with Mark Urman and Paladin, we aren’t merely selling FUGLY!, we are committing to it fully. By overseeing the worldwide marketing, working closely with the talent and, most importantly, funding the North American P&A ourselves, we prove we really believe in this film. Frankly, there’s no [...]

HollywoodNews.com: It looks like there might be some real romance going on between Taylor Swift and Harry Style as they were caught looking cozy in New York City.
The two reportedly went to Central Park Zoo where they smiled and laughed together throughout the day, states UsMagazine.com. Swift and Styles were linked after looking more than friendly at a taping of ‘X-Factor.’
Swift most recently split with Conor Kennedy.
Do you think this relationship will last?
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HollywoodNews.com: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez recently dealt with some major relationship drama as they briefly split up, but it looks like it is smooth sailing now.
It is reported that Bieber and Gomez were spotted out to dinner in New York recently and couldn’t have looked happier, states UsMagazine.com. They were reportedly affectionate throughout the dinner as they laughed and smiled together.
The two recently reunited after much drama as it was rumored she was jealous of the way he acts with other women.
Do you think they will last?
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HollywoodNews.com: Unfortunately for many men and women out there, it seems that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are still happily together.
The two were recently spotted out together looking happy in New York City around Thanksgiving, states UsMagazine.com. Gosling and Mendes reportedly kept close together during their outings and seemed very much in love.
The two have been together for almost a year, but have kept very quiet about the budding romance.
Do you think they will last?
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