Five Favorite Meryl Streep Performances

Five Favorite Meryl Streep Performances By Christy Lemire December 29, 2011 Photo by Timothy Clary/Getty Images LOS ANGELES (AP) How do you choose the best Meryl Streep performances? It's like trying to decide what kind of ice cream is best it's pretty much always going to be great, and while there may be a couple flavors you don't like as much, you're never going to say no to ice cream. Usually, you'll actively seek it out, and you'll be glad you did.That tortured metaphor helps set up an analysis of Streep's staggeringly esteemed career, with her latest transformative wonder her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcherin "The Iron Lady" in theaters this weekend. Weirdly, Streep finds herself in the role of sentimental favorite as a potential Oscar nominee; while she has more nominations than any other actor or actress in Academy Awards history with 16, she hasn't won since "Sophie's Choice" nearly 30 years ago.So instead of choosing her "best" performances, I'll go with my five favorites. Dig in: "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979): It's a supporting role, one which earned her the first of her two Academy Awards the film won five Oscars total, including best picture but she is completely in control of every scene in which she appears. This and "The Deer Hunter" provided early glimpses of the greatness to come, but here she's in the tricky position of playing someone we should hate from the start: a housewife who walks out on her workaholic husband (Dustin Hoffman) and their young son (Justin Henry). As a wife and mother of a little boy myself now, it seems unfathomable. But Streep turns a character who could have been a monster into a fully realized woman with needs and complexities, and somehow makes her a sympathetic figure. "Sophie's Choice" (1982): The accent, the agony: This performance set the standard for Streep's wholly convincing immersive abilities, and it earned her the Academy Award for best actress. As a beautiful Polish refugee with a haunting secret, Streep is both beguiling and heartbreaking. This is a larger-than-life figure from William Styron's novel but Streep makes her tantalizingly real in delicate ways. And the moment when she has to make the choice of the film's title is just devastating. That's partly because of the matter-of-fact way it's shot and edited, but mainly it's because of her reaction the vivid transformation she undergoes within just a few minutes. "Adaptation." (2002): What makes this performance so irresistible is that Streep isn't so obviously "acting." She lets loose, takes chances and genuinely seems to be enjoying herself. She's smack in the middle of writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze's giddy, trippy funhouse, playing writer Susan Orlean, whose book "The Orchid Thief" stumped the real-life Kaufman (in real life and as played by Nicolas Cage) when it came time for him to turn it into a screenplay. Susan herself is fascinated with an orchid breeder played by an Oscar-winning Chris Cooper. While she's a serious author full of insecurities at the film's start she doesn't know how to feel passionately about anything the way she eventually chooses to seize upon pleasure and love is disarming. "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006): Streep is just withering here. That monologue about the significance of the color cerulean alone makes this movie worth watching. But the entire performance is a delightful reminder that, when given the chance, she can be a master of biting comedy. As Miranda Priestly, a towering, Anna Wintour-style fashion magazine editor, Streep could have been a cartoony caricature of high style and low manners. Instead, Streep finds the subtlety within her character's cruelty and brings her brilliantly brings her to life. She steals the entire thing away from young Anne Hathaway, who has the benefit of youth and Patricia Field as her costume designer and who is, theoretically, the star. "Mamma Mia!" (2008): This may seem like a weird choice. It did for Streep, as well. But while this ABBA-palooza can be cringe-inducing, Streep is just radiant. "Adaptation." suggested what it looks like when she gets a little goofy, but here we finally get a chance to see her let loose entirely, and she's clearly having a blast. Watching the woman who is considered the greatest actress of our time writhing around in overalls on top of a barn or belting out numbers in a sparkly, spandex jumpsuit and platform boots is a hoot. Streep was a fan of the Broadway show, which is obvious. And as she'd demonstrated in bits and pieces in previous films including Robert Altman's "A Prairie Home Companion" she really can sing. We're still searching for that elusive thing Streep doesn't do well.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Five Favorite Meryl Streep Performances By Christy Lemire December 29, 2011 PHOTO CREDIT Timothy Clary/Getty Images LOS ANGELES (AP) How do you choose the best Meryl Streep performances? It's like trying to decide what kind of ice cream is best it's pretty much always going to be great, and while there may be a couple flavors you don't like as much, you're never going to say no to ice cream. Usually, you'll actively seek it out, and you'll be glad you did.That tortured metaphor helps set up an analysis of Streep's staggeringly esteemed career, with her latest transformative wonder her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcherin "The Iron Lady" in theaters this weekend. Weirdly, Streep finds herself in the role of sentimental favorite as a potential Oscar nominee; while she has more nominations than any other actor or actress in Academy Awards history with 16, she hasn't won since "Sophie's Choice" nearly 30 years ago.So instead of choosing her "best" performances, I'll go with my five favorites. Dig in: "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979): It's a supporting role, one which earned her the first of her two Academy Awards the film won five Oscars total, including best picture but she is completely in control of every scene in which she appears. This and "The Deer Hunter" provided early glimpses of the greatness to come, but here she's in the tricky position of playing someone we should hate from the start: a housewife who walks out on her workaholic husband (Dustin Hoffman) and their young son (Justin Henry). As a wife and mother of a little boy myself now, it seems unfathomable. But Streep turns a character who could have been a monster into a fully realized woman with needs and complexities, and somehow makes her a sympathetic figure. "Sophie's Choice" (1982): The accent, the agony: This performance set the standard for Streep's wholly convincing immersive abilities, and it earned her the Academy Award for best actress. As a beautiful Polish refugee with a haunting secret, Streep is both beguiling and heartbreaking. This is a larger-than-life figure from William Styron's novel but Streep makes her tantalizingly real in delicate ways. And the moment when she has to make the choice of the film's title is just devastating. That's partly because of the matter-of-fact way it's shot and edited, but mainly it's because of her reaction the vivid transformation she undergoes within just a few minutes. "Adaptation." (2002): What makes this performance so irresistible is that Streep isn't so obviously "acting." She lets loose, takes chances and genuinely seems to be enjoying herself. She's smack in the middle of writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze's giddy, trippy funhouse, playing writer Susan Orlean, whose book "The Orchid Thief" stumped the real-life Kaufman (in real life and as played by Nicolas Cage) when it came time for him to turn it into a screenplay. Susan herself is fascinated with an orchid breeder played by an Oscar-winning Chris Cooper. While she's a serious author full of insecurities at the film's start she doesn't know how to feel passionately about anything the way she eventually chooses to seize upon pleasure and love is disarming. "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006): Streep is just withering here. That monologue about the significance of the color cerulean alone makes this movie worth watching. But the entire performance is a delightful reminder that, when given the chance, she can be a master of biting comedy. As Miranda Priestly, a towering, Anna Wintour-style fashion magazine editor, Streep could have been a cartoony caricature of high style and low manners. Instead, Streep finds the subtlety within her character's cruelty and brings her brilliantly brings her to life. She steals the entire thing away from young Anne Hathaway, who has the benefit of youth and Patricia Field as her costume designer and who is, theoretically, the star. "Mamma Mia!" (2008): This may seem like a weird choice. It did for Streep, as well. But while this ABBA-palooza can be cringe-inducing, Streep is just radiant. "Adaptation." suggested what it looks like when she gets a little goofy, but here we finally get a chance to see her let loose entirely, and she's clearly having a blast. Watching the woman who is considered the greatest actress of our time writhing around in overalls on top of a barn or belting out numbers in a sparkly, spandex jumpsuit and platform boots is a hoot. Streep was a fan of the Broadway show, which is obvious. And as she'd demonstrated in bits and pieces in previous films including Robert Altman's "A Prairie Home Companion" she really can sing. We're still searching for that elusive thing Streep doesn't do well.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Money for nothing? Sounds good to me

Charlie Sheen made a lot of money as the star of Two and a Half Men, but he also cashed in as part of his settlement to leave the show.For years, I've written about people in Hollywood being paid exorbitant sums not to work. Executives fired with years remaining on contracts. Producers paid penalties because a pilot or series didn't get ordered. Actors signed to lucrative holding deals that amounted to nothing.Until recently, though, it never occurred to me this might be an option in newspapers. Then I saw reports that outgoing NY Times CEO Janet Robinson will be paid almost as much next year ($4.5 million) not to work for the company as she would have had she stayed in her job.Granted, Robinson's in management, but that's still a very Hollywood-style exercise in something-for-nothing from the Old Gray Lady. Moreover, it follows lavish severance packages to the former CEO of Gannett, which publishes USA Today, and execs at Tribune.Had I known this was even a possibility, I'd have explored auctioning off my non-services ages ago.So here's a thought -- or really, more like an alternative-universe fantasy, a la "It's a Wonderful Life" -- just in time for the holidays: Pool resources if necessary, and make an offer to put me out of your misery.To those who find my reviews obnoxious, ill-informed and occasionally mean-spirited (and you're out there; I have emails to prove it), it shouldn't take that much to exile me to a beach somewhere. My needs -- unlike my midsection, developed through painstaking years of cheesy food and sedentary TV viewing -- are relatively modest, especially by the standards of, say, what it took to un-employ Charlie Sheen.Without much prodding, I can think of several reality-TV producers who would welcome the opportunity to put me out to pasture -- and a couple of them could probably foot the bill out of petty cash. Either that, or from whatever dazzling pawn-shop/storage/gold-mining "finds" are unearthed during their shows.By the way, let's not be selfish and limit this proposal to me. My guess is there's a whole assortment of cranky critics and journalists who would happily keep their lacerating pans and pushy questions to themselves under the proper circumstances.So forget pay-or-play deals. Ante up, and a lot of ink-stained wretches would contentedly pass the time playing with Wii consoles, and watching black-and-white classics on TCM.Consider this one instance where ill-gotten Hollywood cash will actually buy you something tangible: Peace on Earth and good will toward men? Well, no, but at least less bad will toward absurd plot twists, groan-inducing punch lines and staged "spontaneous" moments.In short, by compensating critics not to criticize, you'd really be getting some bang (and by bang, I mean the serenity of absolutely no bang) for your bucks. How often can you say that?Early in my career, I vividly remember a senior executive getting unceremoniously dumped by his network (OK, ABC), and mentioning to one of his colleagues that it seemed like a shame."Are you kidding?" he asked. "Everybody should get fired like that just once."Although far too many journalists have been downsized in recent years, relatively few have experienced what it feels like to be fired "like that." At the risk of speaking for them, I'm confident many would be willing to learn.Wasteful? Maybe, but an accepted (if occasionally griped about) cost of doing business.As they say in latenight infomercials, there's more! Beyond just promising not to review your shows, I won't even watch them. In fact, I'll throw in that part as a bonus if you order right now.Oh sure, I hear naysayers and skeptics insisting how much we'd miss having platforms to vent our opinions, which is certainly true. Yet as much as I love the job, I don't relish the prospect of watching a few dozen midseason pilots between now and the Rose Bowl so much that I couldn't conjure another way to spend the time if pressed (and not incidentally, unburdened by concerns about mortgage payments).Conversely, I suspect many in Hollywood would secretly miss reading critical venom directed at others -- especially friends and neighbors -- but hey, you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs. Contact Brian Lowry at brian.lowry@variety.com

Martin Freeman talks The Hobbit

Total Film recently flew to New Zealand to catch up with Martin Freeman, Peter Jackson, et al, on set of epic Lord Of The Rings prequel, The Hobbit.When we asked lead Freeman about the burden of taking on the title role of Bilbo Baggins, he replied with trademark humility: "I honestly don't feel that pressure, no.""I really, really don't. Of course, it is Bilbo's journey, but I didn't write it. I'm not directing it... It's not my film. It's Peter's film."Though Freeman seems like perfect casting for the diminutive hero (and despite PJ saying "there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us"), commitments to BBC TV drama Sherlock almost kept him from the role."I was sad but I thought, 'I'll just hate whoever plays Bilbo'," he told us with a wry smile.On the challenges of starring in such a vast production, he added: "The hardest thing is staying 'up' and peppy when you're covered in snot or mud, day after day... I'm sure there's more to come.""So far, what we've filmed has been more comic than heavy. I keep asking Pete [Jackson], 'When are we going heavy?' He assures me it's coming!"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens on 14 December 2012.For more on The Hobbit, get the new issue of Total Film magazine, which hits newsstands on 22 December 2011.Click here to subscribe to Total Film magazine.Click here to get Total Film magazine on iPad and iPhone from Apple Newsstand.

'Jack the Giant Killer' Trailer: When Beans Attack

On Friday, you will have the opportunity to exchange currency for access to a larger-than-normal-size room that has the new Sherlock Holmes movie starring Robert Downey Jr. ('The Pick-Up Artist') projected onto one of the walls. This is not the Sherlock Holmes movie that came out in 2009. This a brand new Sherlock Holmes movie that uses the secondary title, 'A Game of Shadows.' As a service, we answer every question that you could have about 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.' Q: Is this the movie in which Sherlock Holmes solves that whole Blair Witch mystery? A: You're getting 'A Game of Shadows' confused with the sequel to 'The Blair Witch Project,' which was titled 'Book of Shadows.' Q: What kind of games do the shadows play in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: No shadows play any sort of game whatsoever in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.' Q: Have you ever played a game of shadows? A: If by "played" you mean, "cast a shadow that resembles a rabbit with my hands," then yes. Q: In 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,' does any character directly reference a "game of shadows"? A: At one point Sherlock Holmes makes reference to "a shadowy game." Q: Did you enjoy 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: Not at all. Q: Did you enjoy the first Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes movie? A: Very much, actually. It was one of my favorite movies of 2009. Q: So what's wrong with 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: It's as if someone took a look at the first movie and said, "Do you know what this movie needs? More guns. I mean, seriously, just a lot of guns and gun battles. Let's do that this time." Q: What was the most disappointing thing about 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: The character of Professor Moriarty. Q: Does this mean that you're not a fan of Jared Harris? A: The opposite, actually. First, I think he's excellent on 'Mad Men.' Second, for the small amount of screen time that he has in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,' he's good. But that's the problem, his screen time is very limited. Instead, we get a lot of guns. Q: Wasn't 'A Game of Shadows' the title of a song on Duran Duran's album, 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger'? A: No, you're thinking of 'Shadows on Your Side.' Q: What's the most unrealistic scene in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: Watson shoots a building with a tank... Q: Wait, what? Why is Watson in "a tank." A: Because Holmes and Watson have broken into an ammunitions warehouse. Anyway, Watson shoots a building that collapses on Holmes and Moriarty, who are fine. In fact, that the entire building just fell on the top of them is barely acknowledged. Q: Wait, why are Holmes and Watson in an ammunitions warehouse? A: Because it's owned by Moriarty. Holmes and the recently married Watson (whose wife is literally thrown off of a train and pretty much out of the rest of the movie) are trying to stop Moriarty from some sort of ridiculous scheme. Q: What is Moriarty's ridiculous scheme? A: In 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' Professor Moriarty is basically an arms dealer who is trying to start a war so he can make money blah, blah, blah... Q: In the book series, was Moriarty an arms dealer? A: In the book series, in which Moriarty only appears twice, he's more of a secret organized crime boss. Q: How is Rooney Mara in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' A: Rooney Mara is not in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.' You're thinking of Noomi Rapace, who played Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish version of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' Q: How is Noomi Rapace in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: I'm going to give Rapace the benefit of the doubt here and not put the entirety of blame on her, but she and Downey have only slightly better chemistry than James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Q: What's the best thing about 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'? A: The chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Those two are still a lot of fun together on screen. I just wish that they were in a smarter movie. Q: How many references were in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' to the fact that Holmes and Watson may be lovers? A: I counted five. Q: If I'm a big fan of Rachel McAdams, should I see 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' based solely on my adoration for Rachel McAdams? A: No. You're going to be very disappointed. Q: For you, is this the most disappointing movie of the year? A: Yes. Q: Do Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty have the ability to speak to each other telepathically? A: Quite astoundingly, if this movie is to be believed, yes, they absolutely do have the power to speak telepathically to each other. Q: How hard is it to say the main character of this movie's first name without sounding sarcastic? A: Very. I feel like every time I say "Sherlock," it's in the same tone as if I'm sarcastically saying, "Nice thinking, Sher-lock." Q: If you're going to be blurbed in this weekend's commercials for 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,' what quote do you hope is used? A: "What a genius movie you made here, Sher-lock." Mike Ryan, Moviefone Q: Based on 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,' how many degrees has Sir Arthur Conan Doyle rolled over in his grave? Just 180 degrees, or has he completed his full rotation? A: I'd say his full rotation is complete. You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Hot Trailer: The Lucky One

Australian director Scott Hicks (Snow Falling On Cedars, Shine) takes up this romantic drama based a Nicholas Sparks novel, The Lucky One, a good Iraq war veteran who travels to New York looking for the lady inside a photo he thinks is really a lucky charm that saved his existence. Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Jay R. Ferguson and Blythe Danner star. Script was modified by Will Fetters. From Warner Bros. Slated to spread out April 20.

New on DVD & Blu-ray, Week of Dec. 6: 'The Help,' 'The Hangover Part II,' 'Cowboys & Aliens'

It's another banner week for home video. There's five major theatrical releases and one foreign film coming to DVD -- a mixed bag that includes something for everyone: melodrama 'The Help,' comedy 'The Hangover Part II,' sci-fi Western 'Cowboys & Aliens,' spy thriller 'The Debt,' family film 'Mr. Popper's Penguins' and the delicious French thriller 'Point Blank.' Read on. 'The Help' What It's About: This compelling story of a group of Southern women during the early 1960s incorporates melodrama, politics and plenty of powerhouse acting. The drama revolves around young white writer Skeeter (Emma Stone) who returns home to Mississippi, only to become involved in the cause of the local black women -- maids, live-ins and all around nannies -- who have served their white mistresses for generations. Hoping to expose the horrors of segregation -- and make a name for herself -- Skeeter decides to write their stories; soon the "help" secretly meet her to tell their tales to her -- learning from their "tellings" how better to stand up for themselves and throw off their domestic chains. It's Kinda Like: 'Corinna, Corinna' meets 'Driving Miss Daisy' What We Say: 'The Help' offers a stellar cast of actors (in addition to Stone, there are standout Academy Award-level performances by Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain) who rub up against a solid, believable and heartwarming script. The result: a genuine tug at the heart strings. It's a first-rate women's film that gives us a peek into an inequitable world of second-class citizens and the privileged white women who controlled their black help's lives. Like 2009's 'The Blind Side,' this is an uplifting film "that they just don't make anymore." • Extras: Deleted scenes and a pair of featurettes. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Buy DVD | Save DVD to your Netflix queue Watch a trailer: 'The Hangover Part II' What It's About: The "fearless foursome" of 'The Hangover' travel to exotic Thailand for Stu's wedding (Ed Helms) and, naturally, all hell breaks loose when what begins as an innocent round of beer around the campfire turns into another lost weekend. This one involves drug dealing, a crazy monkey, Buddhist monks, motorcycle hit men, tattoos and wild women. Director Todd Phillips transposes the original characters and story structure, adds more filth and raunch, and comes up with the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time. It's Kinda Like: 'The Hangover' meets 'The Big Boss' What We Say: 'The Hangover Part II' is to 'The Hangover' as 'Bruno' was to 'Borat': a pale imitation of the original. This is a nasty film that wallows in bathroom humor and "dirty" jokes. If you like the idea of a monkey licking a simulated penis, then the humor of this beastly outing is for you. Please make this the last one. • Extras: Several behind-the-scenes featurettes and a gag reel. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Buy DVD | Save DVD to your Netflix queue Watch a trailer: 'Cowboys & Aliens' What It's About: In this melding of science fiction and Western genres, Daniel Craig plays a wanted man who wakes up in the middle of the desert with no memory of his past and a mysterious metal shackle encircling his wrist. Turns out the nearby town of Absolution is under attack by aliens from outer space, who are abducting people for nefarious reasons -- experimentation, natch -- and the gunslinger, the townspeople, a tribe of Native Americans, a mysterious woman (Olivia Wilde) and the local land baron (Harrison Ford) and his minions team up to stymie the monsters. It's Kinda Like: 'War of the Worlds' meets 'The Searchers' What We Say: Director Jon Favreau and executive producer Steven Spielberg studied tons of Westerns and sci-fi films while working on this big-budget 'B' film, but it was all for naught -- the genre-bending oateater has none of the excitement of its forbearers. It's also humorless, slow-moving, predictable and, at times, just plain stupid. There's only one twist in the movie, and even that one is a dud. What a shame -- it's a great idea that certainly worked much better as a graphic novel. • Extras: Commentary by Favreau and a couple behind-the-scenes featurettes. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Buy DVD | Save DVD to your Netflix queue Watch a trailer: Other New December 6 Releases: 'Bobby Fischer Against the World': (2011) A searing portrait of a brilliant, yet troubled man -- chess prodigy Bobby Fischer -- using news clips and archival footage, as well as rare interviews with Fischer himself. 'The Debt': (2011) Story of three Mossad agents who endeavored to capture and bring to trial a notorious Nazi war criminal -- the Surgeon of Birkenau -- in a secret Israeli mission in 1966 that resulted in the man's death. The film jumps back and forth between the past and the present, where a man claiming to be the doctor has surfaced. Stars Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Jessica Chastain. 'Dragon Tattoo Trilogy Extended Edition': (2009) A four-disc set with all three 'Dragon Tattoo' films, encompassing nine hours with characters and plot developments only seen in European versions. 'Mangus!': (2011) Trailer trash comedy revolves around a high school senior who will do anything to fulfill his family's tradition of playing Jesus in the local annual production of "Jesus Christ Spectacular." 'Mr. Popper's Penguins': (2011) Jim Carrey's career takes another icey turn in this story about a driven businessman divorced from his wife and kids who's clueless when it comes to the important things in life until he inherits six, "adorable" and mischievous penguins from his arctic explorer father. 'Point Blank': (2011) A happily married male nurse working in a Paris hospital who saves the life of a wounded criminal must help the gangster escape or face the death of his kidnapped wife (and unborn child) in this exciting French thriller that takes viewers on an exhilarating non-stop ride through Paris' streets, subways, hospitals, warehouses, and police stations. 'Triple Tap': (2010) Hong Kong actioner about a cop who makes it his mission to bring down a media hero who single-handedly stopped an armored van robbery when it becomes apparent he was actually the mastermind behind the crime. Check out more December 6 DVD releases at OnVideo.

Beau Garrett falls in 'Lust for Love'

"Tron: Legacy" thesp Beau Garrett has joined the cast of helmer-scribe Anton King's indie "Lust for Love." Garrett, who also appeared in the cancelled CBS series "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior," will star alongside "Dollhouse" alum Dichen Lachman, Fran Kranz, Enver Gjokaj and Miracle Laurie. Aussie star Caitlin Stasey ("Tomorrow When the War Began") also stars. "Lust for Love" tells the story of a bashful man (Kranz) who, after being dumped by his childhood crush, enlists help from the ex-girlfriend's best friend to win her back. Garrett will play the ex-girlfriend. Jack Wylson is producing along with King. Adam J. Yeend co-produces. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

TV Ratings: Saints vs Lions Wins Sunday for NBC, While 'Once,' 'Desperate,' 'Pan Am' Sink

Chris Graythen/Getty Images The New Orleans Saints' 31-17 victory over the Detroit Lions during Sunday Night Football was also a win for NBC. Preliminary ratings show the game giving the network a 5.2 among adults 18-49 for the night and an audience of 13.7 million, topping closest rival Fox -- which got a significant boost from football overage. NBC was down from three percent from the previous week's match-up, with the game bringing in an average 6.5 rating in the key demo and 16.9 million viewers. PHOTOS: Fall TV Death Pool: Which New Show Will Be Axed? The OT gave Fox's animation block a sturdy lead-in, helping struggling freshman series Allen Gregory tie its premiere high of a 2.4 in adults 18-49. Overall, the network averaged a 5.1 among adults 18-49 for the night and 12.6 million. The 7:00 p.m. block of overage was the night's highest-rated program. It averaged a 9.0 rating in the key demo and brought in 24.55 million according to early numbers. The Simpsons (4.0), Family Guy (3.5) and The Cleveland Show (2.5) were all up among adults 18-49 as well, posting double-digit gains from last week. ABC's Sunday line-up of America's Funniest Home Videos, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and Pan Am hasn't appeared in full in three weeks, and the return marked lows across the board. The network averaged a 2.2 rating for the night in adults 18-49, narrowly edging out CBS and pulling in the night's lowest total viewership of 7 million. Once Upon a Time, still strong, hit a new series low of 3.1 among adults 18-49, while Desperate Housewives and Pan Am fell to just a 2.6 and 1.6 rating, respectively. Third place CBS was also back with its regularly scheduled line-up after a block of Person of Interest repeats last Sunday. 60 Minutes (1.8) The Amazing Race (2.7) and The Good Wife (1.9) were all down a tic in adults 18-49 from their last original episodes, while CSI: Miami saw a boost to a 2.2 rating for the night. Sunday, Dec. 4, Preliminary Overnight Ratings: 7 p.m. Fox: The OT/Football overage (24.55 million viewers, 9.0 rating among adults 18-49) NBC: Football Night in America (6.3 million, 2.2) CBS: 60 Minutes (11.9 million, 1.8) ABC: America's Funniest Home Videos (5.95 million, 1.4) 8 p.m. NBC: Football Night in America (14.2 million, 5.1) ABC: Once Upon a Time (9.6 million, 3.1) CBS: The Amazing Race (9.6 million, 2.7) Fox: The Simpsons (9.0 million, 4.0) 8:30 p.m. NBC: Sunday Night Football - Lions at Saints (18.5 million, 6.7) Fox: Allen Gregory (5.2 million, 2.4) 9 p.m. NBC: Sunday Night Football - Lions at Saints (17 million, 6.5) Fox: Family Guy (7.05 million, 3.5) ABC: Desperate Housewives (8.1 million, 2.6) CBS: The Good Wife (9.8 million, 1.9) 9:30 p.m. Fox: The Cleveland Show (4.4 million, 2.5) 10 p.m. NBC: Sunday Night Football - Lions at Saints (15.2 million, 6.3) CBS: CSI: Miami (10.4 million, 2.2) ABC: Pan Am (4.7 million, 1.6) TV Ratings

Rogert Ebert's At the Movies Goes on Indefinite Hiatus

Roger Ebert Roger Ebert's At the Movies will go on an indefinite hiatus at the end of the year, Ebert announced on his blog. "Our public television program Ebert Presents At The Movies will go on hiatus while we find necessary funding," Ebert wrote Wednesday. "It was a sad but necessary moment of realism." Roger Ebert: We can't afford to finance At the Movies anymore Last month, Ebert pleaded for financial support as he explained that the series has been financed solely by a $25,000 backing from Kanbar Charitable Trust. The rest has come from the pockets of Ebert and his wife Chaz, both of whom are executive producers of the show."We hope our hiatus will be brief," Ebert added. "You have told us you like the show. And we now have options. A touching number of viewers offered to send us money directly...We will let you know as soon as that is worked out." At the Movies, which is hosted by film critics Christy Lemire of The Associated Press and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of mubi.com, has produced 50 episodes since its January debut.

Jeremy Renner: 'Hansel And Gretel Witch Hunters' Is 'Gritty' And 'Fun'

Films like "Snow White and the Huntsman," "Jack the Giant Killer" and last year's "Red Riding Hood" all are part of Hollywood's recent trend in taking popular fairy tales and turning them into grown-up fare. Not to be exempt from the fun, Hansel and Gretel turn their interests from eating candy to killing witches in the upcoming film "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," due out on March 2. The film has certainly evolved since it was first announced. At one point producer Adam McKay told MTV News he was eyeing some actors from the "Twilight" cast to star in the film under director Tommy Wirkola ("Dead Snow"). But that notion never moved forward. Ultimately Wirkola found his leading man and lady in the form of Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, and the movie finished shooting earlier this year. I caught up with Renner when he was promoting "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," and he admitted that the film was definitely a spin on the classic fairy tale for the MTV generation. And that's exactly why he took it on. "It's in a wonderful fairy tale world that's a bit gritty, a bit fun. It should be a good ride," he said. "It's one of those movies that I wanted to do because of Gemma and because it was a fantasy, which is lighter fare than the other movies I've done, and I thought it would be fun to be a part of that world." Unlike other films of its ilk, "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" takes place many years after the fairy tale look place. Let's just say having a witch almost eat them when they were children left the young candy-happy kids a bit emotionally scarred. "Fairy tale endings. Doesn't it sound like they're supposed to be happy? Well it's not. So it takes Hansel and Gretel, we last left them killing a witch as children after they were left in the forest to die," Renner said, setting up the plot. "It's many years later and they have a grudge against witches so they decide to become bounty hunters and they kill witches for a living. Sounds actually kind of the right thing, I suppose." Are you looking forward to "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters"? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

'Dallas' Trailer Featuring Cast Interviews Premieres (Video)

The Grammy Honours have simplified lower this years groups to a much more workable 78 groups, but that's not to imply that Wednesday's nominations didn't obtain share of surprises -- and snubs.our editor recommendsBruno Mars on 6 Grammy Nominations: 'It Feels Incredible'Grammy Nominations: Kanye Tops With 7 Nods Adele, Beyonce Among Album of the season Contenders'Bon Iver': Failing in the Album's Visual Helps (Video)Grammy Attacker and classy-Hop Ad Guy Steve Stoute round the 'Tanning of America' (Q&A) Surprises: Bon Iver personifies indie might: Possibly Kanye warrants some credit for showing Justin Vernon for the public when he labored with while using singer on his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, and indie rockers Arcade Fire, too, for winning Album of year last February, but it's Bon Iver's self-titled second album that made audience, experts, industry players and fellow artists swoon. Epic soundscapes coupled with Vernon's genteel singing style hit all the sweet spots since the Wisconsin native totalled up four Grammy honours including Record of year, Song of year, Best New Artist and greatest Alternative Artist. PHOTOS: Grammy Award Nominees Chris Brown rules rap groups? Remember "Forever," "Yeah 3x" and "Together With YouInch -- all tunes that harken a noticeably different picture of Chris Brown, the R&B singer. But due to "Have A Look At Me Now," his collaboration with Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, Brown has acquired themselves a location inside the rap race. He's getting paper, okay, as three Grammy nods including Best Rap Performance and greatest Rap Song. The querry continues to be: could he perform around the program or are recollections of Grammy weekend 2009 still too fresh inside the minds of industry players? STORY: Grammy Nominations With the Amounts Skrillex makes his presence known: It is not everyday the electronic music producer is called just like a Best New Artist contender. Really, as DJs go, it's rarely happened, which can make La native Skrillex's five (!) Grammy nods much more unforeseen. Bloggers indicate title recognition among the elder Recording Academy membership. May be, or even people voters' youngsters are by means of saying thanks to. Snubs: Beyonce can get the Grammy brush-off: For that videos she's released this year along with multiple singles, honours show performances together with a four-evening stand at NY City's Roseland Ballroom, Beyonce only be capable of squeak out two nominations, one for top Rap/Sang Collaboration for "Party" with Andre 3000, another for top Extended Form Video. Being fair, B's 4 will be a late arrival, striking stores in June, but the fact it not successful to attain momentum after untold millions were spent marketing and marketing the album is tough to disregard. STORY: Complete Report on Grammy Nominees Tony Bennett is not any Herbie Hancock: While using high-profile collaborators he useful for his Duets II album (Rhianna, Mariah Carey, Willie Nelson as well as the late Amy Winehouse, incorporated within this) many expected legendary crooner Tony Bennett being this years Herbie Hancock and sweep multiple groups. Alas, the geriatric set appears like it is a less influential block laptop or computer reaches 2008 as Bennett received two nominations, one for top Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Body and Soul" (with Winehouse) and greatest Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Where for are thou, Promote individuals? Maybe Skrillex snapped up the most effective New Artist place from L.A. band Promote individuals, whose all pervading "Pumped Up Kicks" was commonplace in r / c both terrestrial and satellite across multiple genres. The beginners didn't go entirely unacknowledged, however. They're up for top Alternative Album against Dying Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver, My Morning Jacket and Radiohead. For most likely probably the most expected moment of nominations evening? It's title wasAdele, who was simply essentially a shoo-in entering the voting process, and, predictably, collected most likely probably the most nods for just about any female artist -- six in general, including Album, Song and Record of year. Beating the 21-year-old for the trophy will probably be a continuing climb for nearly any artist, but crazier all things have happened. Lest we forget a year ago when Katy Perry got shut within the her nominated groups, Eminem was banished for the rap category after delivering the finest seller of year, Arcade Fire needed the most effective prize then one stylish hop internet internet marketer put a easily fit into the NY Occasions. Update: An early on version need to know , incorrectly pointed out that Adele had 7 nods which Bon Iver was nominated for Album of year. Twitter: @shirleyhalperin PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 54th Annual Grammy Nominees: Kanye, Adele, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Katy Perry Related Subjects Beyonce Chris Brown Herbie Hancock Kanye Tony Bennett Arcade Fire Adele Grammys 2012 Bon Iver

Ten Animated Shorts Move Ahead in Oscar Race

The Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences introduced the ten animated short films which will move ahead within the voting process for that 84th Oscars.our editor recommendsPixar's La Luna, Sony's Arthur Christmas Preview: Siggraph Animation FestivalOscars 2012: 18 Movies to Vie for Animated Feature Film Award The area continues to be whittled lower in the 44 films which were initially qualified for that category. One of the remaining 10 really are a Pixar short, a Warner Bros. Tweety and Sylvester cartoon in three dimensional along with a short from award-winning children's author William Joyce, The Great Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Pixar has formerly won three Academy awards within this category. PHOTOS: Pixar's La Luna, The new sony's Arthur Christmas Preview: Siggraph Animation Festival Short Films and have Animation Branch people will choose 3 to 5 nominees from one of the 10 game titles around the candidate. Branch tests is going to be locked in La, NY and Bay Area in The month of january 2012. The Ten films competing for that title are: Dimanche/Sunday -- Patrick Doyon, director (National Film Board of Canada) The Great Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore -- William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, company directors (Moonbot Galleries LA, LLC) I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat -- Matthew O'Callaghan, director and Mike Register, executive producer (Warner Bros. Animation Corporation.) La Luna -- Enrico Casarosa, director (Pixar Animation Galleries) PHOTOS: It's a Zoo This Year -- 23 Honours Challengers Featuring Creatures Luminaris -- Juan Pablo Zaramella, director (JPZtudio) Miracle Piano -- Martin Clapp, director and Hugh Welchman, producer (BreakThru Films) A Morning Stroll -- Grant Orchard, director and Sue Goffe, producer (Studio Also known as) Pathways of Hate -- Damian Nenow, director (Platige Image) Specky Four-Eyes -- Jean-Claude Rozec, director and Mathieu Courtois, producer (Vivement Lundi!) Wild Existence -- Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby, company directors (National Film Board of Canada) The 84th Oscars nominations is going to be introduced survive Tuesday, The month of january 24, 2012. The Oscars for outstanding film accomplishments of 2011 will be provided on Sunday, Feb 26, 2012, in the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Pixar's La Luna, Sony's Arthur Christmas Preview: Siggraph Animation Festival Academy awards Pixar Academy awards 2012 Honours Season Preview