Producer George Zecevic dies

Film producer George Zecevic, founding father of Smart Egg Pictures, died in La on Jan. 20. He was 75. At Smart Egg, Zecevic produced and co-produced films inside the U.S., Sweden as well as the former Yugoslavia directed by Dusan Makavejev, Milos Misa Radivojevic, Jovan Acin, Wes Craven and much more. London-based Smart Egg was mixed up in output of "The Coca Cola Kid" (1985) additionally to films including "Montenegro" (1981), helmed by Makavejev "Una" (1984), directed by Radivojevic "Hey Babu Riba" (1985), Acin "The Gypsies" (1988), Emir Kusturica and "Apartment Orchid" (1988), Kresimir Golik. Smart Egg's best American venture was joining track of New Line Cinema, selecting and co-creating Wes Craven's original horror thriller "Nightmare on Elm Street," which launched Freddy Kruger together with a franchise. With New Line, Smart Egg Pictures also produced the effective film "Animals" which is sequels. Zecevic was produced in Belgrade, inside the former Yugoslavia. He acquired a university degree in Overall costs in Belgrade after which acquired an Master of economic administration at NYU. Furthermore to his film biz efforts, he appeared to become mixed up in auto industry. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

MTV Movie Brawl 2012: 'Hobbit' Versus. 'Woman In Black'

The MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is formally on! Following a initial play-in, wild card and Sweet 16 models, only eight movies still compete in many mind-to-mind single elimination matches inside our March Madness-style bracket. Ultimately, only one of these brilliant movies might be crowned the can't-miss movie of year, as well as the choice is entirely your choice. Which movie will win the brawl with this all? Election at MTV Movies Blog deciding known! Uncover frightened of "The Woman in Black," you need to be. Ranked at number seven round the east side in the MTV Movie Brawl 2012 bracket, the Daniel Radcliffe starring horror film shocked audiences by dethroning "Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman," considered a well known in this competition due to the Billy Burke number of fans as well as the film's crossover appeal with genre and fantasy fans. To think of it as an upset is a touch from the understatement. But Radcliffe's latest retains its work eliminate with this as "Lady" takes an "Unforeseen Journey" for that first installment of Peter Jackson's two-part "Hobbit," which has seen a substantial volume of support from fans desiring returning trip to Middle-earth. Considering that Radcliffe was once rumored to battle charge role of Bilbo Baggins inside the "Master in the Rings" prequels, this may shake to become rather the grudge match.

J.J. Abrams Talks Casting Incredible Benedict Cumberbatch In Star Wars Follow up

First Released: The month of january 8, 2012 3:29 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption J.J. Abrams, Benedict CumberbatchLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Regardless of the reviews, J.J. Abrams wont make sure Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch is particularly set to experience Star Treks villain within the second film within the intergalactic series, which starts shooting in a few days, but he was prepared to discuss what introduced the British actor towards the fold. Hes a genius, J.J. told AccessHollywood.com on Sunday, following a panel in the Television Experts Association Winter Session in Pasadena, for his new show on FOX, Alcatraz. Hes just an amazing actor, J.J. ongoing of Benedict. Honestly, if youve seen the job in Sherlock, hes got incredible abilities. He did amazing operate in Frankenstein [around the London stage]. Hes brilliant. I am talking about, you attempt to cast those who are great. We've got lucky. J.J. confirmed they met with numerous stars for that Star Wars follow up, but Benedict was the best fit. I simply loved his work and believed that he was ideal for what we should needed, therefore we were very lucky, J.J. told Access. The 2nd Star Wars under J.J. starts shooting in a few days, but J.J. stated hell have time for you to fulfill his Executive Producer responsibilities in Alcatraz, which reunites him with Lost actor Jorge Garcia. Starting shooting Star Wars on Thursday, and so i gotta go, he chuckled. What Ive been attempting to do is help, be it browse the scripts, giving notes, giving suggestions on cuts, managing doing the theme music, that type of stuff, having fun with the show and type of help have it up running. Alcatraz follows a trio looking into the reappearance of Alcatrazs most well known criminals and pads, half a century once they disappeared. The show may have some resolution in each episode, but additionally overriding questions. I cant help but liking shows with an ongoing mythology, J.J. told reporters following the panel. Its a strange factor in my experience to seem like situations are ended completely, so hopefully, Alcatraz allows items to exist over [the] long-term this will let you week to week specific puzzle that should be solved. Alcatrazs two-hour premiere begins at 8/7c on The month of january 16 on FOX. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Exhib biz in need of laser-sharp focus

Barco will demonstrate its latest laser-driven digital cinema projector on a giant screen for the first time early next week. LudeHoddickOK, box office is down. And even if Hollywood hasn't exactly been wailing and gnashing its teeth, there's certainly been a spate of analysis pieces on why auds aren't lining up like they used to. Roger Ebert nailed the biz with a damning list of reasons why theaters are losing customers: no must-see pics to lure auds off the couch, high ticket prices, improvements in home theater and the unpleasant experience of other theatergoers talking, texting and lighting up the room with their cellphone screens. All too true, Mr. Ebert, all too true. I've also argued for a while that dim, dreary projection, in 2D and especially 3D, is undermining the moviegoing experience in ways no one fully understands except movie insiders -- because only insiders know how the movies were supposed to look. On that front, at least, help is on the way. On Monday, while most of us are focused on announcements of the newest gadgets in the run-up to the Consumer Electronics Show, technologists gathered in Galveston, Texas, for the Moody Gardens Digital Cinema Symposium will see a major public demonstration of a laser-driven movie projector."What people will see in Galveston is the brightest projector on the planet for digital cinema," said Todd Hoddick, VP of entertainment, North America, for Barco. It's a Barco projector, so Hoddick can't be blamed for a little bragging. He said the laser projector will deliver 14 foot lamberts of brightness across a 70-foot screen."The objective for us in showing the laser projector," says Hoddick, "is to help people understand the technology and where laser projection is at right now and begin a dialogue about what people are interested in seeing from laser."Barco's isn't the first laser projector. Kodak has been showing one at its Rochester HQ for some time, and Imax has pacted to deploy Kodak laser projectors once they're available. Peter Lude, chair and co-founder of the Laser Illuminated Projector Assn., noted that there have been many demonstrations of laser-driven projectors at tradeshows and in laboratories. "That's not hard," he told Variety. "The real test will be are these affordable and can these be deployed on a practical basis. That's what we're waiting for." Barco's Hoddick said it'll be one to three years before the first units come to market. (Kodak and Imax estimated they'll arrive sometime in 2013.)Hoddick still sees issues with laser projectors. Laser lamps today are about 10 times the cost of the xenon lamps they'll replace, and until that price comes down they'll probably be limited to specialty venues like Imax. There are also nagging regulatory hurdles, since laser projectors still fall under restrictive regulations designed to protect audiences from eye damage in laser light shows. While laser projectors don't present the same hazards, regulators haven't caught up to the new tech yet, so government variances are needed to build and install them. But laser lamps promise brighter images and a wider color gamut, last 10 times as long and stay brighter over their lives than xenon lamps. So the technologists are doing their part to make movies look better. Now all we need to get box office soaring again is a regular supply of compelling Hollywood movies. At cheaper prices. With polite, attentive audiences.Hey, we're practically there. Right?***If that prescription for recovery hasn't made you queasy, consider an emerging trend from the consumer electronics world: 4K television. You're probably tempted to dismiss ultra-high-definition 4K TV as something for the far future. In fact, there's already a 4K flatscreen on sale in Japan. But, more importantly, I think all this investment in 4K TV tells us how the CE companies see the medium-term future. And their vision may shock you.Today there's almost no 4K content to watch and no way to deliver it over conventional TV channels. Also, on most popular TV sizes, you wouldn't be able to see the difference between HD and 4K anyway unless you sat inches from the screen.But 4K becomes useful if TVs get bigger. A lot bigger. Like, as big as an entire wall of your living room. As for delivery, the only practical solution in sight is streaming over very fast broadband. There are other things that a consumer could do with all those pixels. They could watch 3D, without glasses, at the same resolution 3D movies are shown in theaters, only brighter and sharper. They could put a movie or TV show in one corner of the screen at full HD and put Facebook or Twitter next to it. But in general, I see giant CE companies preparing for a world with home screens as big and immersive as theaters, and broadband connections fast enough to stream or download giant data files, like 4K movies, quite easily.Scary? Well, as Edward van Sloan told audiences for "Frankenstein," "We warned you."BITS & BYTES Ali Ahmadi has joined LED lighting fixture maker Litepanels as senior product manager. Ahmadi is based out of Litepanels Southern California office. Cineplex Theaters of Canada is installing D-Box motion seats in an additional 10 screens. ... Dolby Screen Server has been certified DCI compliant. Dolby Screen Server owners must download a software update to achieve full DCI compliance. Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

Healthy Hollywood: Wellness Wednesday - Slim Down Securely Within The Year!

First Released: The month of january 4, 2012 1:05 PM EST Credit: FilmMagic NY., N.Y. -- Caption Sandra Bullock attends the Very Noisy & Incredibly Close premiere in the Ziegfeld Theater on December 15, 2011 in NY CityHappy Year! Have you build your listing of healthy resolutions? If that's the case, odds are weight reduction is out there. So, since weve joined in to the Year, it is time to begin removing individuals excess weight. Take some inspiration? Just take a look at Hollywoods crew of lately slimmed lower stars from Sandra Bullocks recently sculpted contour around Kelly Prestons 39-pound weight reduction to Ricki Ponds major body transformation. Searching good, ladies! While, a fast lose ten pounds per week program seems like a great way to start the brand new Year odds are any pounds shed will not be sustainable. Quick fixes never work since you lose on a fast fix diet, however it becomes too hard to actually follow long-term. Making good food options be more effective to create and creating a new life-style change of following a workout program along with a sensible diet, recommends diet expert Wealthy Gaspari. The previous bodybuilding champion developed their own type of supplements, Gaspari Diet, to assist folks acquire their weight reduction goals. Again, remaining lean is remaining on the healthy eating and use program. Not restricting meals or following dietary fads, adds Wealthy. Folks on the healthy weightloss routine can get to get rid of about one to two pounds of body fat each week any longer will probably be water weight and when you lose too quickly you restore the load back. Wealthy shares his regimen for any healthy day's eating, I eat 6 foods each day with 3 from the foods utilizing a protein powder supplement. I additionally eat eating too much 40 % protein, 45 percent carbohydrates and 15 % fats. My diet includes whole grain products, sweet taters, fruits and veggies with lean meat like chicken white meat, lean red-colored meat, seafood, and egg-whites. Yes, folks you will find no miracle solutions its about eating wholesome and healthy meals. So, if you wish to start thinking Healthy Eating 2012 Wealthy shares 5 simple tips with Healthy Hollywood. 1. Stay well hydrated during the day. Keeps you hydrated and metabolic process whistling. 2. Consume a healthy breakfast. Individuals who skip breakfast often weigh more. 3. Eat 6 more compact foods instead of 2 3 large foods. This accelerates the metabolic process. 4. Stay obvious of whitened flour and whitened sugar. They're empty calories. 5. Eat meals more in the natural states, like fruits and veggies, instead of fried meals or baked meals with butter. For additional healthy tips, mind to world wide web.gasparinutrition.com. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MTV Movie Brawl 2012: Wild Card Round

We're knee-deep inside the MTV Movie Brawl 2012, our three-week tournament to find out which movie you're most searching toward in next season. Since it stands, 32 films are actually slugging it inside the first round in the tournament, and merely 16 will still be standing when our March Madness-style bracket tournament begins on Monday (The month of the month of january 9). Clearly, you'll find more than 32 movies worth searching towards in 2012, but we just can't fit these into our tournament. Perform, however, possess a few more spots designed for this primary round which is that you can be found in! We're opening the primary eventually only MTV Movie Brawl 2012 Wild Card round, where we're recommending that you simply nominate FIVE more movies to become incorporated towards the tournament. Here's the way it works... You've until 9 AM ET on Thursday morning (The month of the month of january 5) to go away your nominations inside the comments section below, or tweet those to @mtvmoviesblog while using hash-tag #mtvmoviebrawl. By Thursday mid-day, well add FIVE more high-demand movies to the present pool of 32. Election Inside The MTV Movie Brawl 2012! Clearly, even if your Wild Card entry can get recognized to the Brawl, there's no ensure the film makes it into next week's Sweet 16. You will have to work overtime to acquire these late additions enough votes to push forward inside the competition but fortunately, you will see the required time to election, since the first round shuts on Sunday (The month of the month of january 8). So start departing comments and start tweeting @mtvmoviesblog now to find the Wild Card picks put in the Brawl with this all! MTV Movie Brawl 2012 Has Began! Which movies do you want put in MTV Movie Brawl 2012? Leave your nominations inside the comments section, or tweet those to @mtvmoviesblog using #mtvmoviebrawl!