Bale's China flap shouldn't affect pic

Christian Bale fell afoul in the Chinese government while trying to visit a dissident within a promo trip for your Flowers of War.China government has freely belittled the star of the foreign-lingo Oscar submission following Christian Bale's try to go to among China's most well-known dissidents, Chen Guangcheng, although in the united states to market "The Flowers of War."Foreign Ministry representative Liu Weimin was asked for when the incident happen to be embarrassing for your country, and Liu countered by saying he thought Bale needs to be embarrassed, not China.Bale happen to be requested with the film's director, Zhang Yimou, to visit the opening ceremony of "Flowers of War," not "to create news or shoot film in the certain village," Liu mentioned. "In my opinion if you want to constitute news in China, you will not be welcome here." Bale, who mentioned he discovered Chen's incarceration to get concentrate on China's forced abortion program while shooting "Flowers of War," most likely set to concentrate on China's control over dissidents. However, other journalists and diplomats have attempted to visit Chen and possess been chased off the presence of CNN cameras this time around around around only elevated the issue.Nonetheless, it's unlikely the incident will customize the Oscar probability of a film that has already had its great deal of dialogue. One observer mentioned the foreign-language Oscar race still comes lower towards the standard in the movies. "Within the finish throughout your day, people either respond to the film or they don't.In . The film is positioned in the backdrop in the 1937-38 Rape of Nanking, when Japanese soldiers needed the city and wiped out thousands of their people. Bale had formerly been arrived at task over his role in the professional-China film and declined it absolutely was an anti-Japanese propaganda pic.The film also triggered a stir in your area after pic's distribs, Beijing New Pictures Film, Huaxia Film Distribution and China Film Group, introduced the minimum cost for just about any ticket might be hiked by five yuan (80), and mentioned distribs might have a heightened take of 45% of profits, while using cinemas getting 55%.Distribs threatened to boycott the pic prior to the Film Bureau intervened getting an agreement whereby the modified profit-talking about program is relevant only to the initial 500 million yuan ($78 million) the film consumes within the box office."Flowers of War" acquired 152 million yuan ($24 million) within the opening weekend, slightly extended to include a Thursday opening, while Tsui Hark's "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate," featuring Jet Li, needed $142 million ($22.4 million) inside the same frame. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Exclusive: Castle Books Jennifer Beals for just two-Parter

Jennifer Beals, Nathan Fillion Keep something, Castle fans: Another lady from Ron Castle's past is going to town.Photo Gallery: Have a look at TV's hottest crime fightersFlashdance as well as the Chicago Code star Jennifer Beals will join the cast in the ABC drama for just about any two-episode arc throughout February sweeps, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. She'll play Sophia Conrad, a smart, commanding and sexy CIA operative.Sophia joins Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) within the mission for an additional CIA agent which has gone rogue which is the important thing suspect in Castle and Beckett's murder situation. But Beckett soon becomes distracted because Castle and Sophia possess a significant complicated history.Once the show's good status for 2-parters is any indicator, Beals' visit may be very efficient. Two seasons ago, Dana Delany aided Castle and Beckett catch a killer (who almost blew up Beckett inside her apartment), and a year ago Adrian Pasdar carried out a Homeland Security agent who relied on our heroes to avoid a dirty blast from approaching NY.Castle Boss: Castle and Beckett's new secrets certainly are a "ticking blastInch Besides her breakout role in Flashdance and playing police Superintendent Teresa Colvin round the Chicago Code last season, Beals is much better recognized for her behave as Bette Porter on Showtime's The L Word. She also recurred on Fox's Mislead Me.Castle returns with new episodes on Monday, Jan. 9 at 10/9c on ABC. Beals' two-parter is slated to air in February.

REVIEW: Theron, Reitman and Cody Combine For Stark, Sublime Young Adult

I don’t pretend to be a feminist or even understand feminism beyond accepting the fundamental concept of gender equality. That has always seemed straightforward enough, despite the vagaries and complications evident in myriad cultural examples from Michele Bachmann to Margaret Cho to Diablo Cody, the stripper-turned-scribe whose three produced screenplays to date — Juno, Jennifer’s Body and this week’s Young Adult — make up some of contemporary cinema’s rangier ruminations on feminism. Or at least what I think is feminism. Not to be reductive, either. Reteaming Cody with Juno director Jason Reitman, Young Adult offers intriguing points of view about a lot of subjects: The perils of nostalgia; the mythology of midlife crises; the value of community; and the futility of self-loathing come immediately to mind — but not long before the mind hurtles back to the continuity of Cody’s women. Much has also been disseminated and discussed about the screenwriter’s leap into “maturity” here, as though trading the famously pulsating patois and quirk of Juno and Jennifer’s Body for the clipped, unfettered cruelty of Young Adult signifies some kind of creative enlightenment. It does make for a fine talking point, I can’t lie. But ultimately, it’s all a distraction from the central struggle of Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), whose journey from strong-willed, middle-class Minnesotan to homecoming queen to uneasy young bride to pseudonymous novelist and booze-bleeding urban waster is less a trajectory than a bold underscore beneath the question: What if feminism simply means having the freedom to fuck up? I know, I know: Define “fuck up.” Which is exactly the point of Young Adult — the point of all of Cody’s heroines, really, who both endure and perpetrate acts of social alienation, romantic predation, emotional abuse, sexual violence, and even ritual murder. These women are products of their environment only insofar as they might be, as in the case of Jennifer’s Body, in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Of course, Megan Fox’s character sought the wrong place, but that’s another story altogether.) In Mavis, we are faced with a woman virtually possessed by her capacity for agency. Reitman, Cody and Theron sharpen this relief by first sketching her in the throes of inertia: a Diet Coke-swigging, Kardashian-peeping young-adult novelist in Minneapolis with not a word to show for her looming deadline. Only after a few daily cycles of this will she argue she was provoked to action, sharing a grainy image of her high-school sweetheart’s newborn baby with a friend, comparing its receipt in a bulk e-mail to an act of war by said sweetheart’s wife. The friend’s glassy-eyed takeaway reflects Mavis’s true instinct back at the viewer, who looks on as Mavis flees the aftermath of a one-night stand to drive straight to her suburban hometown of Mercury, Minn. Her quest: To reconnect with Buddy (Patrick Wilson), the sweetheart and new father who may or may not have gotten away in their flannel-swaddled adolescence. Hardly an inhospitable habitat on the tundra, Mercury nevertheless welcomes its onetime darling back with a tableau of big-box stores and chain restaurants that return Mavis’s wary sneers. She resists its ordinariness at every turn, defying a hotel clerk who inquires about the toy dog wriggling in her purse, slurping down mid-tier bourbon and faking BlackBerry messages rather than engage with the dive-bar locals. Among them, however, she meets Matt (Patton Oswalt), an erstwhile classmate whose crippling beating Mavis only recalls as the consequence of Matt being the target of especially vicious homophobes. Not that he’s actually gay — just one of Mavis’s many preconceptions that fall away as her impulses attune to the stark, silent mechanics of a community that she not only didn’t leave behind, but which may have in fact passed her by. Ugliness ensues. Mavis relentlessly puts the moves on Buddy, humiliates his wife Beth (Elizabeth Reaser), evades her own parents, and torments Matt’s confidence. The film drags and sulks into its climax, which comprises three scenes that hone Young Adult’s perspective to either a bracingly honest or suicidally smug point. You decide: It culminates with Mavis finding a confessor in Matt’s sister Sandra (played enchantingly by Collette Wolfe, matching Theron note for note), and what happens next has so far has tended to galvanize the film’s enemies and embolden its supporters. For the record (and review purposes, I suppose), I’m among the latter. Young Adult is the first of Reitman’s films from which I haven’t felt him choking out a message; ironically, its rawness yields the humanity that he thought he was wringing from Up in the Air in particular, which got nowhere by assaying only the effect and not the cause of various recession-era ruthlessness. He and Cody have turned that rock over, with Theron doing the impossibly heavy lifting of making a woman inclined to selfishness, irresponsibility and condescension somehow worth our time and interest — mostly because this film is aimed at a generation for whom each of Mavis’s darkest compulsions are never far from its own. Indeed, it’s easy to resent Mavis for not behaving better — for unleashing unthinkable malevolence on a populace that cannot or will not defend itself for whatever reason — or to dismiss Cody and Reitman as nothing more than charlatans hamfistedly bending the light of the zeitgeist. But keeping Young Adult’s big reveal in mind, the picture ultimately forces those around Mavis — both onscreen and off — to reconcile what they will and won’t tolerate from a woman. Love it or hate it, this is the ethical root note of all of Cody’s work to date. Previously muddled in the cultural noise of Oscar season or a leading lady’s intransigence (talk about not having the freedom to fuck up!), that challenge harmonizes today with the likes of We Need to Talk About Kevin and Sleeping Beauty — other marvelous new work about women who face the deeply unpleasant consequences of defying expectation. But what does it mean? And why now? Maybe it’s a sheer thematic coincidence amid the chorus of movies featuring boys behaving badly, violently, childishly, or all three. But from what I can tell, I think it’s likelier — even under the spiritual pall of Young Adult — that Cody and her peers guiding us onto a frontier where there’s nothing left to do but listen. Ready or not, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

New Releases: 'The Sitter,' 'New Year's Eve,' 'I Melt Along With You,A 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' 'Knuckle,' 'W.E.'

It's December! With temps shedding round the country, believe to invest the 2nd weekend from the month compared to going to a heated cinema having a large bucket of warm popcorn inside your lap? Whether you are into spy tales, romance or raunchy comedies, this weekend's slate of releases will certainly fill your holiday appetite (before you decide to realize you're ready to search for gifts). So, which film will finish up winning this area office a few days ago? Let us discover within the Weekend Movie Preview. Countrywide RELEASES 'New Year's Eve' What is the story: From director Garry Marshall -- who helmed the equally star-studded holiday-designed 2010 film, 'Valentine's Day' -- 'New Year's Eve' follows the lives of countless people in NY City around the titular holiday. The film stars (deep breath slowly) Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Ludacris, Robert P Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Jum Michele, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara. Box office projection: In line with the quantity of NY City subways for 'New Year's Eve,' you may assume this film is poised to interrupt box-office records. It will not, regardless of the pedigree of 'Valentine's Day,' which in fact had a really nice $56 million opening. Remember: competition in Feb of 2010 was nowhere close to the level that 'New Year's Eve' faces. Consequently: $25 million. [Showtime & Tickets] 'The Sitter' What is the story: Non-skinny Jonah Hill stars within this raunchy comedy in regards to a college dropout who begins babysitting. Regrettably, he does not make an excellent babysitter, dragging the children he's taking care of to seedy bars and house parties, all while being chased by two drug sellers. Parents, beware. Box office projection: 'The Sitter' would be the only R-ranked comedy in theaters a few days ago, therefore it is likely likely to gross more income than people think. Nevertheless, you will find still lots of college kids likely to see 'The Muppets,' which might remove from 'The Sitter.' $ten million. [Showtime & Tickets] LIMITED RELEASES If you reside inside a large city (or perhaps a town by having an independent cinema), you will find lots of quality releases out a few days ago. The middle age crisis, drug-fueled 'I Melt With You' -- starring Jeremy Piven, Take advantage of Lowe and Thomas Jane -- opens, along with the documentary 'Knuckle,' concerning the brutal journey of the Irish Traveller community as well as their bare-knuckle boxing ways (think a genuine-existence version from the pikeys in 'Snatch'). 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Sturdy and John Hurt (take that, 'New Year's Eve' all-star cast!) includes a limited run in NY and La before opening wide in a few days. Charlize Theron's 'Young Adult' can also be in limited engagement, before its countrywide debut on December 16. Finally would be the Madonna-directed 'W.E.' together with 'We Have to Discuss Kevin,' both obtaining a one-week Oscar run before opening at the begining of 2012. [Photo: Warner Bros.] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Secrecy bill can't silence SABC

CAPE TOWN - Picketing by disgruntled viewers, staffers and suppliers has become commonplace outside the South African Broadcasting Corp.'s (SABC) Johannesburg HQ in recent years -- and shows no sign of abating as the near-bankrupt pubcaster wrestles with a string of scandals.At the end of November, the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition demonstrated in front of the building, calling for the government to axe SABC board chairman Ben Ngubane amid allegations of staff corruption.The cash-strapped broadcaster, which operates three channels, has had five chief executive officers and three boards since 2007 and is presently lacking a CEO, chief operating officer and chief financial officer.The picket at the SABC came two days after Black Tuesday, when mass protests failed to stop the South African parliament from passing the Protection of State Information Bill. This so-called Secrecy Bill means that journalists and whistle-blowers may be jailed for 25 years for possessing or disseminating information the government has deemed classified, even if acting in the public interest.Tensions within the SABC started with a politically appointed board in 2007.At a time when the SABC was losing advertising revenue, audiences and the production sector's trust, the pubcaster desperately needed visionary leadership, but instead became embroiled in a political battle between then president Thabo Mbeki and current president Jacob Zuma, with the pro-Mbeki board fired by Zuma's parliament in 2009.During the economic crisis in the 2008-2009 financial year, the SABC lost close to R1 billion ($124.5 million), and was forced to seek government guarantees of $186.7 million."Never-ending mismanagement, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and no permanence in leadership continue to be the order of the day at the SABC," says Marc Schwinges, deputy chair of the South African Screen Federation (Sasfed), which represents all the major film industry orgs.The pubcaster has had no clear financial recovery plan since the government withdrew the 1% tax on personal income that funded SABC.At the current picket, SOS, formerly known as Save Our SABC, complained that the pubcaster had not answered questions about a host of issues, including why the vacant exec positions hadn't been filled.They also want to know why pubcaster exec Justice Ndaba, disgraced for taking $30,600 for study and travel expenses, among other things, was replaced by former head Sipho Sithole, who previously faced allegations that his private interests in the music and film industries conflicted with his role at the SABC.The coalition also questioned the SABC's recently released Request for Proposals, its system for ordering locally made shows. "The 2010 and 2011 RFPs make up only a small percentage of what is required in new original programming to meet local content quotas," says Schwinges. SABC air a mix of children's programming, infomercials, imported series and some local general entertainment.More than 120 people gathered to support the coalition, including reps from Sasfed; the Congress of South African Trade Unions and its affiliated unions; and NGOs including the Freedom of Expression Institute, the Right to Know Campaign, Media Monitoring Africa, and the Soweto Concerned Residents Assn.In response, government communications minister Dina Pule has set up a war room to deal with the SABC crisis. She is pressing for the SABC turnaround plan to be finalized by January. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

New Year's Eve: Film Review

Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty is not going to be the only fictional character in Southern California with a castle.our editor recommends10 Hot Visual Effects Teams Reveal How They Made Movie Magic on 'Harry Potter,' 'Captain America,' 'Transformers'NBCUniversal Plans 'Harry Potter' Attraction at Second Theme Park'Harry Potter' Remains Top-Selling DVD, Blu-ray for Third Straight WeekWhy 'Harry Potter' Might End Its Long Streak of Oscar Snubs Universal and Warner Bros. announced today that a Harry Potter attraction, which will include a Hogwarts castle, is coming to the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, though no mention was made of when it would be built; where it would be located within the park; and only a rough number was given on what it would cost. PHOTOS: Growing Up 'Harry Potter' What was stressed at the morning press conference was the jobs that would be created (one union rep estimated there would be 800 in construction alone) and the positive effect the Harry Potter draw would have on the L.A. economy. County supervisor Zev Zaroslavsky estimated that the Universal park currently generates $4.4 billion for the local economy. There are tough times," said Gov. Jerry Brown. "You hear about people moving to Texas. But we're building the dream that never dies. We're truly a state of imagination. And the Harry Potter ride pushes us further down that uncertain road California is on." PHOTOS: 10 Biggest Book-to-Big Screen Adaptations of the Last 25 Years Universal already has a The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at its Orlando resort that opened in April of 2010. During the press conference, Universal president Ron Meyer said opening a similar attraction in L.A. "will change the face of tourism in Southern California." Meyer also said the attraction would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Asked afterwards if there was a more exact figure, Meyer said, "That's as close as I want to get." He added that the Potter attraction would be a "game changer" for the park. As for where the ride would be located, the Universal president said, "We have 400 acres and only 200 have been developed." (There has been speculation that since the King Kong ride was destroyed by fire in 2008 Potter might be located there.) PHOTOS: 10 Billion Dollar Babies: Movies That Have Crossed the 10 Figure Mark During his remarks, Warner Bros chairman Barry Meyer said, "After eight films the future of Harry Potter is looking brighter" and added the attraction will have a "laser focus" on quality, authenticity and "translating the brilliant literature of J.K. Rowling." Afterward he said the ride, "is clearly an expansion of Harry Potter to being an immersion in the experience."The press conference ended with a Butterbeer (a highly sugared soft drink) toast to the new project. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Harry Potter London Red Carpet Related Topics Harry Potter Ron Meyer NBCUniversal

Judge Allows Sheens Ex-Wife To Return Home

First Published: December 6, 2011 12:12 PM EST Credit: WireImage Caption Charlie Sheen, Brooke Mueller and their daughters Lola and Sam at the Art of Elysium Benefit on August 25, 2007ASPEN, Colo. -- A Colorado judge will let actor Charlie Sheens ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, to return to California following her arrest in Aspen on assault and drug charges. A Pitkin County judge on Monday approved a request by Muellers attorney to allow Mueller to go back home so she can care for her children. According to the Aspen Daily News, officers arrested Mueller Saturday at a nightclub after a woman reported being assault by Mueller. Authorities released Mueller after she posted $11,000 bond. She is due back in court Dec. 19. Sheen and Mueller divorced earlier this year, citing Christmas Day 2009 as the day of their breakup. Sheen was arrested in Aspen that day on suspicion of assaulting Mueller. He completed his probation in that case last November. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.