Retired people want their entertainment

Refer to it as the geezer booster.Show business might be enthusiastic about the youth market, but older patrons might be more prepared to invest in its wares, according to a different survey of retired people and pre-retired people commissioned by insurance and financial-services firm the Hartford.According to almost 2,000 telephone interviews of grown ups 45 and older, laptop computer determined that only 9% of pre-retired people and 7% of publish-retired people would forgo entertainment (understood to be including movies, concerts and theater) when they needed to quit one factor to pay the bills in retirement.For individuals already in retirement, which was the cheapest percentage obtained by any category. For pre-retired people, quitting movies, concerts and theater tied with getting rid of eating out or entertainment (for example golfing or tennis) because the last category to become voluntarily abandoned.Publish-retired people stated they'd be probably to stop holidays and travel (19%) and shopping to purchase nice things on their own (17%). Pre-retired people are most prepared to move to some more modest home (21%) and trade lower to some less costly vehicle (18%). Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

2011 Oscar Bait: The Most Obvious Academy Award Suitors

Ah, mid-December -- a great time to catch quality flicks. As any movie buff knows, December is the prime time for studios to roll out their juiciest Oscar bait, so it's fresh in the minds of Academy voters in the new year. You're apt to find a lot of movies -- sorry, "films" -- that integrate plenty of classic Oscar bait like "true events," mental illness, period settings and quirky counter-cultural sentiments. This year, almost all of the classic Oscar bait categories are covered. We have plenty of "real" characters, from J. Edgar Hoover to Margaret Thatcher to Marilyn Monroe. We have a 9-11 flick, 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,' inspired by true events and starring two Oscar darlings: Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Article Continues After Slideshow... Transparent Oscar Bait: 2011 Edition Meryl Streep in 'The Iron Lady'Keira Knightley in 'A Dangerous Method'Michelle Williams in 'My Week With Marilyn'Glenn Close in 'Albert Nobbs''The Artist''Young Adult''Anonymous''Carnage''Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'Leonardo DiCaprio in 'J. Edgar'Brad Pitt in 'Moneyball'Michael Fassbender in 'Shame'George Clooney in 'The Descendants' See All Moviefone Galleries » We also have a couple of quirky gems like 'Young Adult' and 'The Artist.' The former is the latest flick from Canadian director Jason Reitman, who at the tender age of 34 already has plenty of Academy accolades under his belt ('Juno,' 'Up in the Air'). 'The Artist,' on the other hand, is a silent film. You can't get more Academy-friendly than a silent film. It's a bold move to release such a thing, plus it's actually good. Such a feat likely won't go unrecognized. Another good way to get the Academy's attention is by adapting an award-winning play ('Driving Miss Daisy,' anyone?). So 'Carnage,' based on the play 'God of Carnage,' already has that going for it. The fact that it's stacked with Oscar vets Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz certainly won't hurt its Oscar appeal. 'Albert Nobbs' is also based on a classic play, and it stars Oscar-winner Glenn Close. It also has two other very important factors to its credit: it's a period piece, and Close portrays a woman living as a man. It really ticks all of the boxes, doesn't it? Of course, one of the safest ways to land on the Academy's radar is to play someone battling an addiction or mental illness. Michael Fassbender nails his role as a sex addict in 'Shame.' Plus he does full-frontal nudity, which signifies a "brave" performance in the Academy's eyes. Keira Knightley received mixed reviews for her portrayal as the mentally ill Sabina Spielrein to Fassbender's Carl Jung in 'A Dangerous Method.' Whether people loved or hated her performance, though, the important thing is that people were talking about it. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook [Photos: Alliance Films/E1 Entertainment] #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-64409{display:none;}.cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-64409, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-64409{width:570px;height:411px;display:block;}

New 'Hobbit' Photo: Martin Freeman's Greatest Adventure Lies Ahead

It's been so, so long since we last saw Middle Earth, almost a decade ago if you can believe it. The world returns in 2012's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," another Tolkien adaptation courtesy of Peter Jackson and a sure bet to make all kinds of money. Besides casting news and the general plot details, we haven't seen too much from the film. All of that changes tonight when the first trailer drops promptly at 7 P.M. PST. For now, you can get a tease by looking at this production still of Bilbo Baggins alongside his dwarf companions. Martin Freeman's Bilbo looks quite dapper in his rumbled clothing and knapsack, while the dwarves look like dwarves. It's not very surprising, though, that Jackson's team still remembers how to make Middle Earth's denizens look like themselves -- they've probably only gotten better in the layoff since "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King." As "The Hobbit" will be broken into two films, there will certainly be a lot to see as Bilbo and his merry band venture across Middle-Earth in search of the treacherous Smaug. If you like any sort of fantasy, you're probably just as pumped as we are. If you haven't caught up with "Hobbit" news, brush up on the rumored plot details, as well as our hopes for what tonight's trailer will reveal. Otherwise, look here and across the Internet at 7 P.M. PST sharp to start getting excited for next year's holiday season. Tell us what you think of the latest "Hobbit" photo in the comments section and on Twitter!

Beyonce Loses $355,000 On Sale of Swanky Miami Beach Pad

Hire Chelsea Clinton as on-air talent, and watch the pundits pounce.our editor recommendsChelsea Clinton Makes Debut as NBC News Correspondent (Video)NBC News President Defends Hiring Chelsea Clinton The First Daughter-turned-journalist, 31, made her first cameo Monday night on Rock Center With Brian Williams, presenting a 'Making a Difference" segment about Annette Dove, who runs an after-school program for impoverished children in Arkansas. In a tepid yet diplomatic review, NY Times TV critic Alessandra Stanley observed: "Ms. Clinton is a little self-conscious on camera and doesn't have the kind of richly modulated anchor voice most television reporters acquire, but that actually gave her piece a more natural feel -- like a video blog on Current TV." PHOTOS: 10 Entertainers Democrats and Republicans Love to Hate "She did just fine," said Vulture's Noreen Malone. "No flubs, no ill-advised tangents -- though when Clinton addressed Dove with 'Yes, ma'am,' it wasn't the most natural-seeming thing in the world, despite her Southern roots." Meanwhile, other pundits were more brutal. Take, for example, this review by the Washington Post's Hank Stuever: "It's no surprise whatsoever that Chelsea Clinton didn't electrify broadcast journalism with her debut Monday night on NBC's Rock Center With Brian Williams, because she has no experience in broadcast journalism. ... Rather, what was surprising to see on Monday night's show is how someone can be on TV in such a prominent way and, in her big moment, display so very little charisma - none at all. Either we're spoiled by TV's unlimited population of giant personalities or this woman is one of the most boring people of her era." In the opinion of Newsday's Verne Gay, Clinton "seems like a very nice young woman" who's "obviously bright." But "there was nothing else that necessarily dismissed charges (mostly by TV critics, although they were not alone) that she got this job because of that name," Gay wrote. "Her voice -- the first time most of us have even heard it -- was pleasing and plummy, but monochromatic; in the obligatory crosstalk with Williams following her report on Arkansas social worker Annette Dove, she exhibited the spontaneity of any TV rookie." STORY: Media Analyst Slams NBC News for Hiring 'Impostor' Chelsea Clinton Clinton, who gives off an air of professionalism and poise, might have to loosen up a bit in order to win over critics. "Chelsea doesn't 'pop' off the screen, to use an industry term -- her demeanor is reserved, she doesn't project her voice like a broadcaster. Not that most viewers probably care," said Howard Kurtz of The Daily Beast. "Her best moments were in the subsquent conversation with Williams. Though slightly nervous, she seemed sincere, and her careful cadence, empathetic gaze, and beaming smile were instantly reminiscent of Hillary." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The Most Talked-About TV News Faces Related Topics Brian Williams NBC Politics Rock Center Chelsea Clinton

Tom Cruise Talks Filming Mission: Impossibles Death-Defying Stunts

First Published: December 7, 2011 12:13 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Tom Cruise chats with Access Hollywood at the Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol junket in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 7, 2011DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- For Tom Cruises latest movie, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, the actor performed a series of harrowing stunts on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai the worlds tallest building and said he had one mission to accomplish! Not falling! Tom said with a laugh during an interview with Access Hollywood guest correspondent Tim Vincent in Dubai on Wednesday. I want to entertain an audience, and I think people see and feel the difference, he said when asked why he and director Brad Bird didnt opt for special effects or green screen moviemaking tricks on the action movie. But does wife Katie Holmes worry about her husband hanging on the side of the worlds tallest building? No, she knows that I train and prepare. I couldnt do it without her, without my familys support, Tom told Tim. Shes very supportive. While on top of the Burj Khalifa, which towers at 2,723 feet in the air, Tom left Katie and his family a message. I crawled over the side and signed some messages to Katie and the kids, you gotta sign it! Youre there, the actor explained. I wrote their names and that I love them. According to 49-year-old star, Katie is responsible for his newfound fancy footwork, which audiences first saw him show off as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder and also in the upcoming movie musical Rock of Ages. Kate is a dancer and she kind of inspired Les Grossman and the dancing in that. Shes kind of said, Come on I want you to come to this dance class. And shes gotten the whole family in those classes, he told Tim. Shes the best dancer and Suri, of course. With me, Ive got to work at it. Tom and Katie celebrated five years of marriage last month and the actor took some time out while shooting his current project, One Shot, to celebrate their special day. We had a great time, he said of their anniversary. I was shooting in Pittsburgh and it was very special. I made it very, very special. And with audiences buzzing about the latest Mission: Impossible is there the possibility of a fifth movie? I just want to get through this one, Tom said. And then well all sit down and talk about it. I love this franchise. Its so fun to work on. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CBS int'l biz growing despite crisis

CBS Corp. Boss Leslie Moonves stated Tuesday that turmoil in worldwide market has not designed a dent within the company's muscular $1 billion worldwide sales -- a well known fact which surprises even him. "It is interesting because I clearly speak (regularly) using the guy who runs our worldwide sales group but for the this past year, without a doubt, I keep expecting him to return and say, you realize, 'In america we've got wiped out through the economy.' I've not heard that when. The amounts go up every year in just about every territory," Moonves told traders in the UBS Global Media and Communications summit in Gotham. "Not too we create a fortune in A holiday in greece, but we have increased in A holiday in greece, and The country, and Italia," three from the Europe's toughest hit gamers within the tormented Euro-zone. It's proven simpler and perhaps cheaper for foreign companies to carry on purchasing U.S. shows even just in occasions of recession than attempt to recreate them. Most CBS dramas get north or $two million a chapter, he stated. "All will work for American product overseas." Meanwhile, CBS yet others still spend for sports privileges. Reviews now stated the Nfl is near to inking extra time of three deals, with CBS, Comcast and Fox, for annual average privileges obligations with a minimum of $1 billion -- a 60% increase within the previous contract. "The cost of poker is rising," Moonves stated. However it should, he added. "A bad football game out-rates most programming." Requested about among CBS' more recent partners, Netflix, Moonves stated it "has certainly become really a buddy than the usual foe." Content deals are inserting fresh cash in to the CW Network in the present 4th quarter and can transform it lucrative the coming year. Media chieftains still assess Netflix's influence and it is effect on their overall business, especially because the video streaming company, that has been dogged by a number of recent proper problems, launches into original programming. "We're rooting on their behalf,Inch Moonves stated. "Hopefully they continue being strong, to achieve customers." Netflix Boss Reed Hastings is going to be showing in the massive conference afterwards Tuesday. CBS' handles Netflix along with other streaming services are non-exclusive, a method which Moonves is constantly on the defend. CBS is the owner of 70% of their shows, he stated and "individuals would be the family jewels. We're protective of this content. Then when someone states 'there's this chance to get this done deal, it will likely be worth $30 or $40 million,' I only say 'At what risk?'" With vast amounts of dollars between advertising and distribution to safeguard, "You are going to need to create a very compelling proposal." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Aeroplano, Buena Onda form alliance

Buenos Aires-- Sebastian Aloi's Aeroplano, that's resides in L.A. and Buenos Aires, has produced a production alliance with Italy's Buena Onda Intl. First films up are Argentine Lautaro Nunez p Arco's "Corazon p perro," and Italian Beniamino Catena's "Io Sono Vera."Both game game titles play off two phenomena: a business appetite for arthouse genre films Argentina's attractive combination of low production costs, specially when compared to neighbor South usa, yet high-quality specialists. "Perro" can be a '50s-set Argentine love story from the girl elevated just like a boy by her lumberjack father together with a youngster who had been elevated inside the forest getting your dog pack. "Vera" triggers a lady who vanishes when she's seven in to a parallel world only to return years later. Catena directed Canale 5's mega-hit series "Squadra Antimafia."Both photos shoot in Argentina next season, "Vera" first, "Perro" August/September."The conventional of specialists and production values for the investment you spend in Argentina is excellent,In . mentioned Buena Onda Intl. partner Jesse Ranvaud.Ranvaud features a distinguished Latin American c.v., professional creating Walter Salles' "Central Station" and Fernando Meirelles' "Capital of scotland - God" and "The Ceaseless Novel reader.InchAloi also provides a knack of supporting new company company directors. Most recently, Aloi produced Nicolas Goldbart's groundbreaking Argentine sci-fi black comedy, "Fase 7" bought for your U.S. by Bloody Disgusting Selects as well as the Collective. "I'm considering creating genre films from La but furthermore finding new talent in Argentina," Aloi mentioned. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Caucus' the musical tunes into 2012 satire

The 2008 output of 'Caucus!' tweaked that election cycle. GOP Prexy hopefuls Ron Perry, left, and Ron Paul have due to the 'Caucus!' authors some wealthy material for your new show.The 2012 presidential race needs to date carried out by helping cover their the theatrics from the reality show, but an Iowa playwright and composer sees the celebs aligned for just about any musical.Previews will start 12 ,. 8 at Des Moines' Stoner Theater for "Caucus! The Musical," Robert John Ford's followup with a similar titled staging he presented in the last presidential cycle. This time around around around, the musical gets the tagline "2012: The GOP Strikes Back," but thinking about the truth that the satire seems be writing itself inside the GOP race this year, it begs the question about what will probably be left for your stage.Really, the media spotlight on candidate gaffes, mind freezes and historic revision is certainly an problem for "Caucus!" Ford states he as well as the director, Ron Ziegler, were built with a contract not to add any longer material for the show after summer's finish, but since the election season carried out out, it increased being irresistable. The other day, they handled to use in the lick on Texas Gov. Ron Perry's failure title all of the three gov departments he'd cut if selected leader. This time around around they can only title two branches of government, negelecting the executive.The musical concentrates on an Iowa player and also the family as "typical caucusgoers" as well as the amazing efforts by campaigns to win their votes. The figures, all carried out having a team of local artists, are imaginary, nevertheless the candidates resemble people in 2012. Ford also seems to experience a knack for prescience. In 2007, the musical had reference to the gay close ties in Iowa an ailment Top Court decision legalized them this past year. Sarah Palin had yet to even meet John McCain when the show was staged in the last cycle, nevertheless the story that year incorporated the visit with a mystery Alaskan governor who interferes with the race. The irony, Ford notes, is all the campaigns, the staffers who've been the most common audience people for "Caucus" came from in the McCain campaign.The musical will explain 12 ,. 31, only a few days shy in the actual caucus date of Jan. 3.Ford stresses the satire is equal chance, although naturally it'll concentrate on the Republicans by getting an uncontested race however in the aisle. Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Miramax Owner Colony Eyes Deal With Summit Entertainment

NY - In the latest hit to Blackberry maker Research In Motion, the company said Friday that it would take a $485 million charge in its fiscal third quarter after marking down the value of its inventory of its PlayBook tablets.our editor recommendsBlackberry Service Glitches Hit North AmericaApple iPhone 4S Sells Out in U.S. Pre-Orders The technology company, hit by competition from Apple and Google devices that have overtaken it in U.S. market share, also cut its revenue and earnings expectations amid disappointing sales of the tablets, which have led it to cut its price. The stock dropped sharply in early Friday trading. As of 10:05am ET, it was down 8.8 percent to $16.95. Late last month, the stock had hit a 52-week low of $15.98. "The company now believes that an increase in promotional activity is required to drive sell-through to end customers," RIM said about the PlayBook tablets, which have been met with weak reviews and buzz. "This is due to several factors, including recent shifts in the competitive dynamics of the tablet market and a delay in the release of the PlayBook OS 2.0 software." The Blackberry maker said it wants to "expand upon the aggressive level of promotional activity recently employed by the company in order to drive PlayBook adoption around the world." Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said in a statement: "RIM is committed to the BlackBerry PlayBook and believes the tablet market is still in its infancy. Although a number of factors have led to the need for an inventory provision in the third quarter, we believe the PlayBook, which will be further enhanced with the upcoming PlayBook OS 2.0 software, is a compelling tablet for consumers that also offers unique security and manageability features for the enterprise." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Google Apple

REVIEW: Fassbender, Focused Yet Unselfconscious, Makes Shame Compelling

Steve McQueen’s Shame might well be mistitled: It’s the story from the guy which has sex more he probably wants it, though still less often while he needs it, the pretty fine distinction to produce. As well as the word “shame” alone is just too loaded, too naturally judgmental. The idea isn’t this character — his title is Brandon which he’s carried out, fantastically, by Michael Fassbender — does anything he must be embarrassed about. It’s this is the shame he feels is nearly intolerable. Shame may have gone improperly while using wrong actor. Fortunately, McQueen has the most appropriate one in Fassbender, which definitely makes the difference. Shame is formal to the level of austerity: It opens getting a virtually still overhead shot that’s naturally painterly, a tableau from the male nude — that could be Fassbender — semi-hidden by drifts of artfully rumpled blue sheets. McQueen, clearly, can be a fine artist themselves — that’s how he gained his title before he increased being well-known to like a filmmaker, while using 2008 Hunger, also starring Fassbender. And you'll find ways Shame is just too deliberate, too naked within the specificity. That may consider why numerous its detractors ponder over it moralistic — again, the film’s title isn’t helping it any. I did so groan when Brandon is proven getting desperate, uncomfortable outdoors sex, after which when, using what is allegedly the very best debasement, he allows a man to complete fellatio on him inside the dim back room from the gay bar. (Right after that, he must re-establish his “manliness” by having sex with two women simultaneously.) However think Shame is ultimately a movie about emotional suffering, and not in what we consider as sex addiction (detail factor is really available, which i’m unconvinced). Fassbender’s Brandon can be a effective and rather uptight NY professional — you'll be able to tell incidentally his apartment is furnished getting a turntable and several LPs, a bed mattress, a laptop for online porn, and hardly anything else — who is suffering from sexually compulsive behavior. Calling him a sex addict is just too convenient what Brandon suffers is a lot more peculiar plus much more painful. He meets women in bars, and also, since he’s so charming and good-searching, they wouldn’t imagine battling his advances he initiates potential encounters with luscious others he sees round the subway in the office, he leaves his desk for your males’s room, where he relieves his urges with joyless efficiency then when no above really are a choice, he's assignations with hookers. Brandon’s passive-aggressive boss, David (James Badge Dale), may also be something from the buddy together with a hanger-on — the two troll city bars together, searching to obtain women, even though prattling David strikes out more he scores, while Brandon barely must arch an eyebrow. Whilst David tries to glom onto Brandon’s undercover attractiveness, more youthful crowd finds not-so-subtle techniques to join up his disgust along with his friend’s beyond-healthy libido: At the beginning of the film, Brandon finds that his computer remains removed temporarily through the organization’s tech department. They are fully aware — which we all know — why. Each time a blond pixie from the lady appears in Brandon’s apartment, you assume it’s among his former conquests. It calculates being his sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan), a sometime jazz singer who’s showed up in NY for just about any handful of gigs, and for reasons unknown, Brandon is none too pleased doing. Sissy is charming, fragile, off-the-charts desperate: Not extended after she lands in Brandon’s apartment, we hear her over the following room pleading by getting an unseen someone around the telephone. “I accept you, I like you,” she repeats as if it were a compelling mantra, when really it’s anxiously repellant. A lot more substantially, we view how breakable she's when she works “NY, NY” in the club one evening — it’s mournful and expectant rather than jubilant, as not even close to Frank Sinatra’s version as Occasions Square originates from the moon. The song plus it singer affect Brandon with techniques that individuals can’t immediately comprehend, even though it clearly opens a gate to the persistent, repetitive discomfort he’s feeling. The bare story of Shame, if you lay it, doesn’t look like much. Nevertheless the stars bring everything in it their suffering is both magnetic or painful to check out, as whether or not this were an alternate — or possibly an aberration — of fundamental sexual attraction. Mulligan, along with her bleached-blond crop of hair, resembles one of the awesome-customer chanteuses in the 󈧶s, like Helen Merrill though a cherub’s face — you will discover shades in the youthful Stockard Channing in their, too. Mulligan is terrific here, and restrained with techniques that signifies an actorly generosity unusual for an individual so youthful: Her moments with Fassbender don’t a great deal say “Look at me” as “Look at him.” Although clearly, it may be impossible not to. Fassbender is insanely handsome inside the conventional sense, in this role, there’s another factor guarded and reticent about his expressions. He resembles the youthful Christopher Plummer — his smile is gaunt together with just a little forced, as being a dying’s-mind grin. When Hunger first demonstrated at Cannes in 2008, Fassbender — playing Irish hunger-strike activist Bobby Sands — will be a thought. Now he’s ubiquitous, potentially to the level of overexposure, turning up in from comic-book blockbusters (X-Males: Top Quality) to tony literary adaptations (Jane Eyre) to David Cronenberg movies in regards to the personal and professional tussles of Freud and Jung. Yet each performance, and each project, is actually totally different from the ultimate it’s still a pleasure to check out him. He's one of the gifts exceptional stars need: an opportunity to be focused and unselfconscious concurrently. They are fully aware when you surrender then when to call every muscle and brain cell to attention. Even though Shame is about sex, there’s only one scene that qualifies as truly sexy, plus it’s so erotic, so frank without needing to be explicit, that it's culmination is devastating. (Brandon’s partner in this particular scene can be a co-worker named Marianne, and he or she’s carried out marvelously by Nicole Beharie.) I hesitate to stop some thing, however question who'll find this scene more upsetting, males or women? My heart sank once i saw where it absolutely was going, and that i thought it had been just me, but initially initially when i first saw this picture, within the Venice Film Festival this year's fall, the woman alongside me also gasped. Fassbender and Beharie play in the moment with amazing, or painful, sophistication: She watches while he essentially vanishes into another country, an area where she'll’t follow. Shame is, like Hunger, fantastically made, along with, it’s of a guy at war along with his own body. And again Fassbender — here playing a personality whose ease of tenderness is vulnerable to being removed by his self-hate — shows us something totally new hard, whose fundamental features have at this time become pretty familiar. He’s the kind of actor who leaves you thinking about everything you’ve just seen and wondering what he’ll do next. His face might be the the complete opposite of overexposed: It’s an unwritten future. [Editor’s note: Portions of the review came out earlier, in the different form, in Stephanie Zacharek’s Venice Film Festival coverage.] Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.