Wednesday 24 August 2011

Wachowskis, Tom Tykwer Set for 'Cloud Atlas' Shoot Mid-September

Wachowskis, Tom Tykwer Set for 'Cloud Atlas' Shoot Mid-September


Cloud Atlas
Random House

The directing trio will shoot the historic/sci fi epic -- starring Halle Berry and Tom Hanks -- in parallel using two complete teams.

BERLIN -- Cloud Atlas, the ambitious literary adaptation being co-written and co-directed by The Matrix siblings Andy and Lana Wachowski and German helmer Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run, The International) is set to begin shooting mid-to-late September at Germany's Studio Babelsberg.
The mega project, which stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent, has been delayed sightly as Berlin-based producers X Filme close financing and contract negotiations with talent. X Filme topper Stefan Ardnt said the budget for Cloud will be "definitely lower" than then $100 million - $120 million that had been floated as an estimate in the past but he would not be drawn into giving an exact figure. Ardnt did confirm that the bulk of Cloud, "some 80 percent," will be shot in Babelsberg, Berlin and the surrounding area.
The film is based on David Mitchell's epic novel, which follows six story-lines, each set in a different place and era. The novel's timeline and geography stretches from 19th century Australia to a post-apocalyptic Hawaii.
"Many have called the novel unfilmable, but Tom [Tykwer] and the Wachowskis have found a way to tell these stories in an amazing, linear and very cinematic way," Arndt said.
Part of the concept of the film will see the actors play multiple roles in the various storylines. Tykwer and the Wachowski siblings will shoot parallel to each other using two separate film crews. Arndt wouldn't confirm details but it's expected Tykwer, whose credits include the 18th century-set Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, will handle Cloud Atlas' period era plotlines while the Wachowskis apply their Matrix mojo to the novel's sci-fi settings.
Ardnt said he was particularly proud that Cloud Atlas was a "truly German production" and not, like so many of the big budget films that shoot at Babelsberg, including actioners Hannah or Unknown, a Hollywood import. "It's always been a dream of mine to shoot at Babelsberg," said the producer of The White Ribbon and Goodbye, Lenin!. "It shows we can do more here than just small German films or service production for big Hollywood ones."
Ardnt said Cloud Atlas would not have been possible without a unique financing arrangement from Berlin bank IFB and German regional film funding body, the Medienboard, which threw in together to provide X Filme with a low six figure sum to develop the project.
"This is first time we've done development funding in this way together with a bank," said Medienboard managing director Kirsten Niehuus. "But it is a model that could be interesting for specific projects, particularly ones with international potential, like this one."
X Filme is lead producer on Cloud Atlas and acquired and developed the property. Grant Hill of Anarchos Pictures in the U.S will also get a producer credit. Focus Features is handling worldwide rights to the title, which Warner Bros. will release domestically. Berlin-based A Company is a co-financier of Cloud Atlas and has taken rights in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Aretha Franklin says Halle Berry is top choice for biopic of her life

Aretha Franklin says Halle Berry is top choice for biopic of her life

Soul legend suggests Oscar-winning actor could lip-synch to the original recordings and hints Taylor Hackford may direct

Aretha Franklin and Halle Berry composite
A little respect ... Aretha Franklin (left) and Halle Berry. Photograph: Unimedia Images and KeystoneUSA-ZUMA /Rex Features
Soul legend Aretha Franklin has insisted she still wants Halle Berry to play the lead in a planned biopic of her life, even though the Oscar-winning actor has said she does not have the voice to carry off the role.
"Someone should tell Aretha that I can't do her justice," said Berry at the Golden Globes ealier this year. Franklin has told Billboard that's not necessarily an obstacle.
"A lot of movies come out where it's the original artist and their songs are lip-sung (sic) to," she said. "That is how it would turn out if it's Halle."
Other stars being tipped for the role include Berry's fellow Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, who as an accomplished vocalist would get to sing some of her own songs.
"If, for instance, it's Jennifer Hudson, she might sing one or two," said Franklin. "But the rest would still be my original records. We're definitely going to use the original records. I may re-record some things, too."
Franklin said a director had been lined up, but did not want to reveal his name until the deal was done. She mentioned the Ray Charles biopic, Ray, but would not confirm if she was talking about the movie's director, writer and co-producer, Taylor Hackford.

Sunday 21 August 2011

Youthful Halle Berry reveals her dangerous curves in low-cut maxi dress

Youthful Halle Berry reveals her dangerous curves in low-cut maxi dress



By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 6:51 PM on 20th August 2011


Raise a white flag to Halle Berry in surrender, because she seems to have discovered the fountain of youth.

The Oscar-winning actress stepped out in Los Angeles yesterday looking far younger than her 45 years.

The Monster's Ball star looked positively radiant and utterly gorgeous while grocery shopping in a red-carpet worthy white summer dress.


The white stuff: Halle Berry looks gorgeous and youthful in a white frock while grocery shopping in Los Angeles yesterday
The white stuff: Halle Berry looks gorgeous and youthful in a white frock while grocery shopping in Los Angeles yesterday


Although she wore ribboned flip-flops and a bow in her hair, the cleavage she displayed still proved that Halle is all woman.
She has a body better than most girls half her age, but she works hard to maintain her level of physical perfection.
Her personal trainer recently revealed some of her fitness secrets to American magazine Us Weekly.

Guess her age: Believe it or not, the Oscar-winning actress is 45
Guess her age: Believe it or not, the Oscar-winning actress is 45


Nat Bardonnet says that the two focus on her problem areas but ensures that she retains her feminine shape.

'Halle’s body looks 10 years younger, at least. She’s an inspiration,” he gushed.

'We try to get rid of what she doesn’t like while keeping her womanly shape; erasing thighs, keeping the butt high, lengthening the hamstrings, and working the abs.”


Best birthday present ever: Halle Berry celebrated her 45th birthday on 14 August showing off her beautiful body on a Malibu beach
Best birthday present ever: Halle Berry celebrated her 45th birthday on 14 August showing off her beautiful body on a Malibu beach



Life is good: The Monster's Ball star celebrated her birthday with three-year-old daughter Nahla, French boyfriend Olivier Martinez and good friends
Life is good: The Monster's Ball star celebrated her birthday with three-year-old daughter Nahla, French boyfriend Olivier Martinez and good friends

He added, 'We do use her body weight [for the exercises] and we don’t go above three-pound weights. The workout is never the same – we always change it.'

The actress turned 45 less than a week ago on 14 August; she celebrated by showing off her fabulous figure with French boyfriend Olivier Martinez, daughter Nahla and friends in Malibu.

She is currently separated from three-year-old Nahla's father, model Gabriel Aubrey.


Daddy's little girl: Halle Berry's ex, model Gabriel Aubrey, picked up his daughter from school this week
Daddy's little girl: Halle Berry's ex, model Gabriel Aubrey, picked up his daughter from school this week


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2028255/Halle-Berry-reveals-dangerous-curves-low-cut-maxi-dress.html#ixzz1VfG8evDM