'Best Man' bags Schoenfeld

The incoming Broadway revival of "Gore Vidal's The Most Effective Guy" has reserved the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater for just about any March start, with thesps Jefferson Mays, Dakin Matthews and Donna Hanover all signed onto join the cast. Mays, who acquired a Tony for his perf in 2003 outing "I am My Own, Personal Wife," may have a businessman inside the play in regards to the behind-the-moments machinations inside a national political convention. Matthews ("Henry IV") is aboard just like a senator, while Hanover -- the actress and tv journo proven to Gothamites as Rudolph Giuliani's ex -- may have a reporter. Stars sign up for a starry cast that already includes James Earl Manley, Candice Bergen, John Larroquette, Eric McCormack and Angela Lansbury. Michael Wilson ("The Orphans' Home Cycle") helms. "Best Guy" moves to the Rialto venue potential vacated by short-were living tuner "Bonnie and Clyde." Both "Bonnie," which shuts 12 ,. 30, and "Best Guy" are produced by Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, while using duo also among the producers backing a completely new version of "Best Guy" following their participation a young Broadway staging in 2000. Latest version in the 1960 Vidal Play begins previews March 6 before an April 1 opening. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Mission Impossible Producer Wants Difficulties for Five More Films

Hopefully Difficulties likes individuals shaken martinis. Within an interview using the newspaper The Folks, Mission Impossible producer Michael G. Wilson stated he desired to see Craig come in another five Bond films following 'Skyfall.' "Filming went perfectly and I'd love Daniel to exceed Roger's [Moore] record and do eight pictures," Wilson told the paper. Per THR, which means Craig is in some way "in talks" for five more Bond films, though that appears specious to visualize at best. In the end, Craig includes a very full plate -- additionally to Bond, he might have two more 'Dragon Tattoo' films coming later on -- and there's no indication anywhere that he's in active discussions revisit Bond following a conclusion of 'Skyfall.' Apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln subsequently, etc. Directed by Mike Mendes, 'Skyfall' stars Craig, Javier Bardem, Rob Fiennes, Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw. It comes to theaters on November. 9, 2012. [via THR] [Photo: The new sony] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

The Rif Lover (L'amante du Rif)

A Jbila Mediterranee Prods., CCM, Tarantula, 2M Soread, SNRI, Urban Factory, Mollywood production. (International sales: Urban Distribution Intl., Montreuil, France.) Produced by Narjiss Nejjar, Lamia Chraibi, Joseph Rouschop, Valerie Bournonville, Frederic Corvez, Clement Duboin. Directed, written by Narjiss Nejjar.With: Nadia Kounda, Mourade Zeguendi, Ouidad Elma, Nadia Niazi, Fehd Benchemsi, Omar Lotfi, Siham Assif, Raouia, Narjiss Nejjar. (Arabic, French dialogue)Seductively riffing on Bizet's "Carmen," "The Rif Lover" is a bold, visually ravishing drama about l'amour fou and the taboo that patriarchal culture places on women's bodies and desires. Moroccan helmer-writer Narjiss Nejjar ("Cry No More") once again fashions a strong feminist statement that will be perceived by some as over-the-top. But the beauty and energy of the filmmaking -- and the female thesps -- go a long way toward compensating for narrative wobbles and melodramatic excesses. Further fest exposure is a given, while nudity and fraught sexual situations will be more acceptable to Euro outlets than to Moroccan ones. Inspired by a tragic incident that befell a member of Nejjar's extended family, the pic is essentially a cri de coeur that powerfully indicts a culture that muzzles female desire by labeling it impure, and equates a woman's virginity with honor. Impetuous, flirtatious 20-year-old Aya (Nadia Kounda) lives in a small seaside village in the picturesque Rif Cordillera with her mother (Nadia Niazi) and two brothers, Ahed (Fehd Benchemsi) and Hafid (Omar Lotfi). While her never-seen father labors as a fisherman in Spain, her brothers opt for easier albeit less honest work in the employ of a hashish trafficker, "the Baron" (Mourade Zeguendi, a smoldering presence). Aya and best friend Raida (Ouidad Elma) spend their days romping through the burg's maze-like streets in skimpy attire, sunning themselves on the beach and lounging on the roof of their connecting homes while longing for romance to sweep them off their feet. Aya fetishizes the Carlos Saura film "Carmen" and craves the heroine's sexual power and sensual ease. When Aya's brother Ahed secretly pimps her to the Baron, hoping to obtain his own cannabis field in return, he sets in motion a dangerous game in which Aya becomes a pawn. Raising the question of whether a young woman schooled on naive notions of romance can control her own destiny, Nejjar allows her tragic heroine to narrate her own tale from a sadder but wiser perspective. A striking, color-desaturated opening sequence finds Aya directly addressing the camera, noting, "I gave in to a love song." Beneath the dazzling beauty of the section unfolding in the Rif, enclosed spaces hint at females' lack of freedom while blood-red colors metaphorically rep the stain left by a bride's broken hymen. The fluid camerawork makes all this much less heavy-handed than it sounds. However, things do bog down during an extended -- and overheated -- episode set in a women's prison that could match any Roger Corman babes-in-the-big-house genre production. While some of the pic's dialogue comes off as overripe, Aya's mother gets some great lines. Tech credits are stellar, with lenser Maxime Alexandre's gorgeous widescreen compositions, Tal Haddad's shimmering score and Julien Foure and Jacques Comets' evocative jump-cut editing particularly worthy of mention.Camera (color, DV-to-35mm, widescreen), Maxime Alexandre; editors, Julien Foure, Jacques Comets; music, Tal Haddad; art directors; Laurie Colson, Aurore Benoit; costume designer, Nezha Bakil; sound (Dolby Digital), Benjamin Falsimagne. Taoufik Mikraz, Patrice Mendez. Reviewed at Dubai Film Festival (competing), Dec. 8, 2011. Running time: 91 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Mt. Olympus is not for redheads

William H. Macy, Dax Shepard, Matthew Morrison and Kristen Bell fundraise for UNICEF .Sean Penn awards Mike Medavoy .Transformed into a candlelit winter wonderland, the Beverly Wilshire was the site of the UNICEF ball Thursday night.In his introduction of Irena, Nick and Mike Medavoy, Sean Penn called out a few of his fellow presenters."I say this every time I come to these things, but the timing is a little bassackwards," Penn said of handing out awards, "because they really should do these things before they serve the alcohol. But in this case I feel liberated because Dennis Quaid and Brooklyn Decker will be up here soon and they're sauced."Mike Medavoy shared his excitement at receiving the Danny Kaye Award. "He was like me, a redhead," he began. "For us, this group, unless you're living in Ireland or unless you know Greek history in which redheads were thrown off of Mt. Olympus when they were born, is a small group."Lionel Richie performed for a crowd that included Quincy Jones, Megan Mullally, Kate Walsh, Matthew Morrison, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'Dark Dark night Rises' Viral Campaign Results In Prologue Tests

Last Friday would be a very heavy day for fans of "The Dark Dark night Increases." From the new viral advertising campaign to responses towards the movie's much talked about contributing to-to-be launched prologue scene, Batman virtually centered the comic movie news space. Click onto catch on everything you might have skipped about Gotham City and much more! "Dark Dark night Increases" Viral Decoded The most recent viral game for "The Dark Dark night Increases," entitled Operation Early Bird, continues to be solved. The finish result, not surprisingly, is the fact that certain lucky fans have gained the opportunity to begin to see the long awaited prologue to Christopher Nolan's final Batman movie a few days early. The overall game itself wasn't as complicated as some previous "Dark Dark night" viral efforts, but just in case of future occasions, make certain to see our "Dark Dark night Increases" viral survival guide! "Dark" Prologue Will get Warm Reaction Talking about the "Dark Dark night Increases" prologue, a lucky couple of were asked to screen the six-minute sequence late a week ago. Among individuals people are "Iron Guy" director Jon Favreau, "Scott Pilgrim" director Edgar Wright, "Moon" helmer Duncan Johnson and "Hostel" mastermind Eli Roth. Their a reaction to the footage? Seriously I do not need to answer that, will i? Just in case you cannot decipher it on your own, listed here are their "Increases" responses. "Dark Dark night" Actor Dies In less beneficial news, tragedy has once more struck the "Dark Dark night" crew. It had been reported lately that the extra died throughout shooting in NY City recently. The unknown actor experienced a fatal cardiac arrest throughout a rest in rehearsals for any scene to become shot within the city's Financial District. Warner Bros. released an argument around the matter, which you'll read right here. Best Super hero Of 2011 Finally, and unrelated to "The Dark Dark night," the MTV Movies team continues our think back in the year in film by suggesting that you election around the best super hero of 2011. Your options: Captain America, Eco-friendly Hornet, Eco-friendly Lantern, Magneto and Thor. Which do you consider was the very best this season? Mind to Splash Page and cast your election today! Inform us that which you think about present day comic movie news within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Equity Accepting Noms for Diversity Award

Equity Accepting Noms for Diversity Award By Daniel Holloway December 8, 2011 Actors' Equity Association introduced today it's accepting nominations due to its 2012 Rosetta LeNoire Award. Very good is provided yearly for a person or institution getting an established good reputation for employing, marketing, or casting women, ethnic unprivileged, or perhaps the disabled. The award was created in 1989 and named for your first recipient, Rosetta LeNoire, founding father of NY's Amas Repertory Theatre (now Amas Musical Theatre). Past honorees include Ernest Papp as well as the NY Shakespeare Festival, Ellen Stewart of la MaMa ETC in New You'll be able to, Dennis Zacek and Marcelle McVay of Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater, as well as the Shakespeare Center of los angeles. Programs and supporting material are due Feb. 10, 2012. For additional particulars, contact Luther Goins, Equity's national equal employment chance coordinator, at (312) 641-0393, ext. 237, or lgoins@actorsequity.org. Equity Accepting Noms for Diversity Award By Daniel Holloway December 8, 2011 Actors' Equity Association introduced today it's accepting nominations due to its 2012 Rosetta LeNoire Award. Very good is provided yearly for a person or institution getting an established good reputation for employing, marketing, or casting women, ethnic unprivileged, or perhaps the disabled. The award was created in 1989 and named for your first recipient, Rosetta LeNoire, founding father of NY's Amas Repertory Theatre (now Amas Musical Theatre). Past honorees include Ernest Papp as well as the NY Shakespeare Festival, Ellen Stewart of la MaMa ETC in NY, Dennis Zacek and Marcelle McVay of Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater, as well as the Shakespeare Center of los angeles. Programs and supporting material are due Feb. 10, 2012. For more information, contact Luther Goins, Equity's national equal employment chance coordinator, at (312) 641-0393, ext. 237, or lgoins@actorsequity.org.

Showbiz spends big on lobbying

Officially, Congress makes the laws in the United States. But companies, industries and interest groups can have a great deal of influence over the process by having lobbyists whisper in legislators' ears.That takes money, and the amount spent on lobbying can be a rough gauge of an industry's political muscle.Through the first nine months of 2011, showbiz (categorized as TV/movies/music) spent $91.8 million on lobbying, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. So far this year, the industry ranked fifth in spending. Topping the list of industries is pharmaceuticals/health products at $181.7 million.Among entertainment industry players, the biggest spenders this year have been Comcast ($14.7 million), the National Cable and Telecommunications Assn. ($13.1 million), the National Assn. of Broadcasters ($10.4 million), Time Warner Cable ($6.1 million) and National Amusements ($5.6 million).Comcast ranks seventh among all lobbying entities this year, racking up less than one third the $46.2 million in lobbying expenditures of the perennial leader, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com