The two lead roles of Anastasia Steel and Christian Grey were under much contention over the last few months as fans and critics alike suggested their dream actors for the film adaptation. Finally, Universal Pictures and Focus Features have cast the lead spots for the highly anticipated film adaptation. Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam have been chosen. Continue reading →
The pseudo-porn novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” has officially found a director to helm the big screen adaptation. Universal Pictures and Focus Features announced that Sam Taylor-Johnson has been hired on to direct the project. The film, based on the popular novel by E.L. James will be produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside the author. Continue reading →
Optionated is excited to offer our readers a chance to win a great prize pack in honor of the upcoming theater release of the film Admission. The film stars Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen, Wallace Shawn, Gloria Reuben, Nat Wolff, Traveris Spears and Lily Tomlin.
Admission from Focus Features arrives in theaters March 22, 2013.
About Admission:
Studio: Focus Features
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen, Wallace Shawn, Gloria Reuben, Nat Wolff, Traveris Spears, Lily Tomlin
Directed By: Paul Weitz (“About a Boy,” “Being Flynn,” “In Good Company”)
Written By: Karen Croner (“One True Thing”); Based on the novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Synopsis:
Tina Fey (Date Night, 30 Rock) and Paul Rudd (I Love You Man, Knocked Up) star in Admission, the new film directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Weitz (About a Boy), about the surprising detours we encounter on the road to happiness.
Straight-laced Princeton University admissions officer Portia Nathan (Fey) is caught off-guard when she makes a recruiting visit to an alternative high school overseen by her former college classmate, the free-wheeling John Pressman (Rudd). Pressman has surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), his gifted yet very unconventional student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption many years ago. Soon, Portia finds herself bending the rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the life she thought she always wanted — but in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.
Send an email with your name and shipping information to contest@bsckids.com. Please make the title Admissionso we know which contest you are entering. If you follow us on Twitter (@Optionated_) or Facebook you get two chances to win, just make sure you include the name you follow us under in the entry email. We will be announcing winners on March 18th! Good Luck!
Universal Pictures and Focus Features officially announced today that Kelly Marvel is set to write the screenplay for the upcoming adaptation of popular novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will produce the film based on E L James’ #1 Bestselling book, alongside James. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Co-Chairman, Donna Langley and Focus Features’ Chief Executive Officer, James Schamus.
Marcel most recently wrote the 2011 Black List script, Saving Mr. Banks, the story of Walt Disney’s twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to author P.L. Travers’ novel, “Mary Poppins,” and the rocky relationship that formed between the two. That film is still currently in production at Walt Disney Studios starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell with John Lee Hancock directing.
Marcel also served as the co-creator and executive producer of the Amblin/FOX-TV series Terra Nova, for which she wrote the series’ pilot episode. She will also produce The Madonnas Of Echo Park for HBO.
“Kelly’s work demonstrates her flawless structural technique and passionate commitment to emotion, humor and depth of character which is particularly visible in the celebrated screenplay for the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks,” said De Luca. “We were all taken with the depth and passion of Kelley’s engagement with the characters and world E L James has created and we knew she was the right person to augment our Fifty Shades family,” added Brunetti.
The “Fifty Shades” trilogy was aquired by Focus Features and Universal Pictures earlier this year with Focus Features marketing the film and distributing the film in partnership with Universal. “Fifty Shades of Grey” has become a global phenomenon and the trilogy has been translated in 45 languages worldwide since its release. In the U.S. alone, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold over 32 million copies in e-book and print making it one of the fastest selling book series ever.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, “Fifty Shades Darker” (September 2011) and “Fifty Shades Freed” (January 2012) explore the couple’s deepening relationship.
Marcel was represented in the deal by WME and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Limited. There is no official word on who is set to star in the principle roles of Christian and Anastasia.
Focus Features has released their 2012 Fall film slate and it includes a film adaptation of the amazing novel, Anna Karenina, which I am personally very excited about.
Story: Screening at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Acclaimed director Joe Wright’s bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love is stirringly adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s great novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The film marks the third collaboration of the director with Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley and Academy Award-nominated producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Paul Webster, following their award-winning box office successes “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement.” The creative team also includes cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (“The Avengers”), three-time Academy Award-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (“Sherlock Holmes”), film editor Melanie Ann Oliver (“Jane Eyre”), hair and make-up designer Ivana Primorac (“Hanna”), Academy Award-winning composer Dario Marianelli (“Atonement”), and two-time Academy Award-nominated costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Pride & Prejudice”). The timeless story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart while illuminating the lavish society that was imperial Russia. The time is 1874. Vibrant and beautiful, Anna Karenina (Ms. Knightley) has what any of her contemporaries would aspire to; she is the wife of Karenin (Jude Law), a high-ranking government official to whom she has borne a son, and her social standing in St. Petersburg could scarcely be higher. She journeys to Moscow after a letter from her philandering brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen) arrives, asking for Anna to come and help save his marriage to Dolly (Kelly Macdonald). En route, Anna makes the acquaintance of Countess Vronsky (Olivia Williams), who is then met at the train station by her son, the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). When Anna is introduced to Vronsky, there is a mutual spark of instant attraction that cannot – and will not – be ignored. The Moscow household is also visited by Oblonsky’s best friend Levin (Domhnall Gleeson), an overly sensitive and compassionate landowner. Levin is in love with Dolly’s younger sister Kitty (Alicia Vikander). Inopportunely, he proposes to Kitty but she is infatuated with Vronsky. Devastated, Levin returns to his Pokrovskoe estate and throws himself into farm work. Kitty herself is heartbroken when, at a grand ball, Vronsky only has eyes for Anna and the married woman reciprocates the younger man’s interest. Anna struggles to regain her equilibrium by rushing home to St. Petersburg, where Vronsky follows her. She attempts to resume her familial routine, but is consumed by thoughts of Vronsky. A passionate affair ensues, which scandalizes St. Petersburg society. Karenin is placed in an untenable position and is forced to give his wife an ultimatum. In attempting to attain happiness, the decisions Anna makes pierce the veneer of an image-obsessed society, reverberating with romantic and tragic consequences that dramatically change her and the lives of all around her.
Director: Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Hanna”)
Writer: Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”); Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy
Cast: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen,
You can get more information about the film by visiting their official website.
FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…
Aug. 31 (select cities); Sept. 7, 14, 21 (add. cities)
Story: Love and friendship are on the line in “For a Good Time, Call…,” directed by Jamie Travis from an original screenplay by Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller. The contemporary comedy world-premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, lifting audiences to their feet and lifting their spirits. Ms. Miller stars in the movie opposite Ari Graynor (“The Sitter,” “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”). Two young women come up short on the funds needed to live in New York City. Lauren Powell (played by Ms. Miller), a reserved overachiever, is suddenly on her own after boyfriend Charlie (James Wolk) abruptly breaks up with her. Katie Steele (Ms. Graynor), an irrepressible free spirit, is about to forfeit a dream residence unless she finds an apartment-mate. Their mutual best friend Jesse (Justin Long) has the bright idea that they room together, even though he well knows that they are polar opposites who haven’t spoken since they met in college and then fell out within minutes. When Lauren and Katie meet up anew at Jesse’s behest, they’re still an at-odds couple…but, without options, Lauren reluctantly moves in. With nothing in common, she and Katie barely speak – until Lauren discovers that Katie is working as a phone-sex operator. This is, Lauren reasons, a good business opportunity; together, they will buy a land line and start up their own answering service. Katie is – it would seem – already in her element, and Lauren catches on quick; it’s not long before the blushing subsides and the candid chatting becomes second nature to her. It’s a long, hot summer for the newly minted team and their callers; Lauren puts her job hunt on hold while Katie considers the courtship ministrations of caller Sean (Mark Webber). But as their business partnership takes off, Lauren and Katie’s newfound friendship finds unexpected challenges that may leave them both, as they say, hanging on the telephone.
Director: Jamie Travis
Writers: Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller
Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, James Wolk, Nia Vardalos, Mark Webber, Justin Long
MPAA Rating: R
You can learn more information about FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL… by visiting their official website.
Optionated is excited to offer our readers a chance to win a great prize pack in honor of the upcoming theater release of the film Being Flynn.
Being Flynn from Focus Features arrives in theaters March 16th, 2012
About Being Flynn
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Studio: Focus Features
Starring: Robert De Niro, Paul Dano, Olivia Thirlby, Lili Taylor, Wes Studi and Julianne Moore
Written & Directed By: Paul Weitz (“About a Boy”)
Based on the Memoir By: Nick Flynn
Synopsis:
Can one life story have two authors? Being Flynn is the new dramatic feature from Academy Award-nominated writer/director Paul Weitz (About a Boy). Adapted from Nick Flynn’s 2004 memoir Another Bulls—t Night in Suck City, the movie explores bonds both unbreakable and fragile between parent and child. Nick Flynn (portrayed in the film by Paul Dano of Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood) is a young writer seeking to define himself. He misses his late mother, Jody (four-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore), and her loving nature. But his father, Jonathan, is not even a memory, as Nick has not seen the man in 18 years. Jonathan Flynn (two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro) has long defined himself as a great writer, “a master storyteller.” After abandoning his wife and child, Jonathan scrapes through life on his own terms, and ends up serving time in prison for cashing forged checks. After prison, he drives a cab for a number of years, but with his drinking and eccentricities now accelerating, he loses his job. Despite the occasional grandiose letter to his son, he has remained absent from Nick’s life. Suddenly facing eviction from his apartment, Jonathan impulsively reaches out to Nick and the two come face-to-face. The older man is eloquent and formidable; overwhelmed, Nick nonetheless prepares to integrate his father into his own life. But, as quickly as he materialized, Jonathan flits away again. Moving on, Nick takes a job at a homeless shelter, where he learns from Captain (Wes Studi) and Joy (Lili Taylor) how to relate to the guests who arrive night after night. Seeing the homeless – some permanently, some temporarily so – and hearing their stories, Nick finds purpose in his own life and work. He also sustains a romance with a co-worker, Denise (Olivia Thirlby). Then one night, Jonathan arrives, seeking a bed, and Nick’s senses of self and compassion falter. To give the two of them a shot at a real future, Nick will have to decide whom to seek redemption for first.
Evocatively told, ruefully funny, and moving in its depiction of the ties that bind, Being Flynn tells a story that reveals universal truths.
About The Soundtrack:
The original motion picture soundtrack for BEING FLYNN, features 15 original songs by Badly Drawn Boy, including the tracks “I’ll Keep The Things You Throw Away,” “Asleep At The Wheel,” “Harbor Street Check-in,” and more. Download on iTunes, buy from Amazon.
The soundtrack is available digitally now and physically on March 27th.
Track listing:
I’ll Keep The Things You Throw Away
Asleep At The Wheel
Harbor Street Check-in
If It’s Too Late
Last Day
The Smile Behind Your Face
Priest Rant
Coming To Your Senses
Sell My Blood
The Space Between My Ears
Jonathan Goes To Work
Letter, Mirror
Another Day, Another Night
Letter To The President
Let It Rain
What You Get:
One (1) winner will receive:
$25 Movie Theater Gift Card
Movie-Tie in Book
Soundtrack
How To Enter:
Send an email with your name and shipping information to contest@bsckids.com. Please make the title Being Flynn so we know which contest you are entering. If you follow us on Twitter (@Optionated_) or Facebook you get two chances to win, just make sure you include the name you follow us under in the entry email. We will be announcing winners on March 14th! Good Luck!