Movie News: Sonoma Valley Film Festival Starts April 9
Fox Business reports that the five-day Sonoma Valley Film Festival will get under way on April 9:
The 2008 Sonoma Valley Film Festival will screen more than 75 new films during its run. This year’s Festival films highlight impressive work by some of today’s best directors and actors, including Alan Alda, David Lynch, Helen Hunt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Virginia Madsen, Bette Midler, Orlando Bloom, Colin Firth, Matthew Modine, Mary Stuart Masterson, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen, Kristen Bell, Malcolm MacDowell and Liev Schreiber. The 2008 Sonoma Valley Film Festival also features an array to thrilling events, such as the star-studded Opening Night Gala, the Festival Tribute to Michael Keaton (with Mr. Keaton appearing in person), the Industry Mixer, and Actor, Screenwriting, Critic and Pitch Panels for those interested in getting “up-close and personal” with the movie industry.
Movie News: Who Gets Custody of the Movie?
The New York Times reports on the details to be sorted out if things aren’t resolved between Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks:
Among the dozens of movie projects in the works at Paramount Pictures’ DreamWorks division is a comedy about a couple who have to live Valentine’s Day over and over again until they finally get it right.
A similar trap may well snare executives at the studio and the DreamWorks principals, David Geffen and Steven Spielberg. If the Paramount and DreamWorks sides don’t soon resolve their rocky relationship, one that has played out messily in the public eye over matters of proper credit and respect, they may have to figure things out project by project, reliving any breakup a hundred times over.
Memorabilia News: Warner Bros. Cautions Public About Heath Ledger Merchandise
The Celebrity News Service reports that Warner Bros. Pictures representatives are warning the public about fake Heath Ledger memorabilia:
Movie merchandise on the late actor’s Batman film “The Dark Knight” that are currently being sold are definitely fake, Warner Bros. Pictures warn.
Products featuring Ledger on his last completed film have been making its way into eager buyers and fans. However, the film studio behind the Batman film cautions the public on buying the merchandise.
A rep for Warner Bros. says, “There are no ‘Dark Knight’ posters or memorabilia connected to the movie on sale yet. We are investigating how they have been pirated.”
Memorabilia News: Actress Marion Ross To Attend Dedication Ceremony
The Albert Lea Tribune reports that movie and television actress Marion Ross will attend a ceremony in her home town — Albert Lea, Minnesota — on June 7, for the dedication of the Albert Lea Civic Theatre as the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The Center will feature photographs and memorabilia from the career of Ross.
Ross was presented with the idea for the name change last fall, and in a letter to the city in October, said she was “touched and flattered” to have a theater named for her.
“I am thrilled, and I accept with all my heart,” she wrote.
Alfred Hitchcock Week - The 39 Steps
We continue our Alfred Hitchcock series with our Movie of the Week, The 39 Steps.
This 1935 film is a screen adaptation of a novel by John Buchan, The Thirty-nine Steps. Robert Donat portrays Canadian Richard Hannay, who attends a music hall show where meets a girl, Annabelle Smith (portrayed by Lucie Mannheim) who says that she is a spy and is being pursued by foreign agents.
Also in the cast are Godfrey Tearle, Peggy Ashcroft, and John Laurie. Watch also for a cameo appearance by Hitchcock.
