By Todd Cunningham
TheWrap

“Anchorman: The Legend Continues,” previously scheduled to open on Friday, Dec. 20, will open two days earlier, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, paramount said Tuesday.

The studio also said that it will open “Friday the 13th” on March 13, 2015.

Bing: Ron Burgundy of ‘Anchorman’ stars in Chrysler ads

The “Anchorman” sequel is expected to be one of the holiday’s season’s bigger films. Will Ferrell reprises his role as TV newsman Ron Burgundy and co-stars Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner return as well. Adam McKay directs.

The shift gives the comedy a little more of a jump on what’s shaping up as a very crowded Christmas.

On that same Wednesday, Sony’s “American Hustle,” Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks” and CBS Films’ “LLewyn Davis” all expand nationwide. Fox’s family adventure “Walking With Dinosaurs” opens two days later.

On Christmas Day, paramount is rolling out the Martin Scorsese-directed Leonardo DiCaprio drama “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Fox has set “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” with Ben Stiller, Universal’s debuts its Keanu Reeves’ thriller “47 Ronin” and Warner Bros. will open the Sly Stallone-Robert De Niro boxing comedy “Grudge Match.”

On that same day, the Weinstein Company’s “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” expands nationwide, as does the Justin Bieber concert documentary “Believe.” And the Meryl Streep-Julia Roberts dramedy “August: Osage County” gets a limited release.

NEW YORK (AP) — While shooting in Boston, David O. Russell found his film “American Hustle” caught up in the Boston Marathon bombing.

When the city was essentially shut down for the manhunt for suspect Dzokhar Tsarnaev in April, the production — which had been shooting in the area — had to be stopped for a day. The experience, Russell says, was felt closely by the filmmaking crew and actors.

“It was hanging over us the whole time,” Russell said in a recent interview.

Bing: ‘American Hustle’ early reviews

“You just end up feeling the emotion and the strength of the community around you,” said the director. “It just makes you more human, really, because you end up having a very human connection with, literally, everyone around you. I mean, everyone, strangers on the street. Everybody was moved and pulled together by that tragedy.”

Russell, a New York native, has become increasingly identified with Massachusetts. A graduate of Amherst College, he memorably shot his Oscar-winning “The Fighter” on location in Lowell.

“American Hustle” is a fictionalized version of the Abscam sting operation conducted by the FBI in the late 1970s. The investigation was aided by a convicted con artist (played by Christian Bale in the film) and led to convictions related to bribery for a senator, six congressmen and other politicians.

Though the film largely takes place in New Jersey, Russell shot it around Massachusetts, including stops in Worcester, Medford and Salem.

“There are places there that you can’t find in the New York area that are untouched from the ’70s,” Russell said. “There are parts of Massachusetts — Medford and Worcester — that haven’t really changed since the late ’70s.”

The explosions on April 15 at the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and injured more than 260. Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to a 30-count federal indictment that includes charges of using a weapon of mass destruction.

Before shooting resumed for “American Hustle” in Boston, actors from the film, including Bradley Cooper, visited victims in the hospital.

“When you’re telling a story that’s full of intensity and emotion, you put it into the movie,” said Russell, who last directed the acclaimed self-renewal comedy “Silver Linings Playbook.” ”You put all that heart into it. There’s a lot of heart in Boston. I love having a lot of heart in my movies.”

“American Hustle,” which also stars Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner, opens Dec. 18.

WENN

Sandra Bullock fought to play the mother of a dead child in “Gravity” even though she knew the role would be tough because she’s a happy mom in real life.

The actress portrays a desperate doctor lost in space in the hit sci-fi movie and when director Alfonso Cuaron was creating the character she urged him to consider giving her a sad life on earth back story.

Bing: ‘Gravity’ Oscar chances

Bullock tells Entertainment Weekly she knew it was important to give her character no one to come back to.

She explains, “I said I didn’t want her going back to a child, because of course someone’s going to fight for that. So what if she had absolutely nothing to fight for — she’s lost a child, there’s nothing back home, she’s a person who’s basically a machine?

“That was my idea, and Alfonso was open to it. It was the worst possible headspace to be in … but at the end of the day, I went out into the sunshine, out to where the life force was — my son.”

By Steve Pond
TheWrap

“12 Years a Slave,” “Nebraska” and “Short Term 12” were among the top nominees for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which on Tuesday morning announced a slate of nominees filled with films and performers who will likely be contending for Academy Awards as well.

In the top category, Best Feature, the nominees are “12 Years,” “Nebraska,” “Frances Ha,” “All Is Lost” and “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” led all films with seven nominations, including nods for feature, director and actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o and Michael Fassbender.

Search: Director Steve McQueen

Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” received six nominations, while “All Is Lost” received four and “Short Term 12,” “Fruitvale Station” and “Blue Jasmine” received three.

The other major award for independent film, the New York-based Gotham Awards, nominated “12 Years a Slave,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Before Midnight,” “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” and “Upstream Color” for their top award.

Since the Oscar Best Picture race expanded from five to 10 nominees (and then to a variable number), the Oscars and Spirit Awards have coincided more frequently. Over the past three years, eight of the 16 Spirit Awards nominees for Best Feature went on to receive Oscar nominations for Best Picture. Dual nominees included “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “The Descendants,”  “Black Swan” and “The Artist,” which won both awards.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards will be handed out on the afternoon March 1, the day before the Oscars, in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. Patton Oswalt will host.

The nominations:

Best Feature:
“12 Years a Slave”
“All Is Lost”
“Frances Ha”
“Inside Llewyn Davis”
“Nebraska”

Best Director:
Shane Carruth, “Upstream Color”
J.C. Chandor, “All is Lost”
Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”
Jeff Nichols, “Mud”
Alexander Payne, “Nebraska”

Best Screenplay:
Woody Allen, “Blue Jasmine”
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater, “Before Midnight”
Nicole Holofcener, “Enough Said”
Scott Neustadter Michael H. Weber, “The Spectacular Now”
John Ridley, “12 Years a Slave”

Best Female Lead:
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
Julie Delpy, “Before Midnight”
Gaby Hoffman, “Crystal Fairy”
Brie Larson, “Short Term 12”
Shailene Woodley, “The Spectacular Now”

Best Male Lead:
Bruce Dern, “Nebraska”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”
Oscar Isaac, “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Michael B. Jordan, “Fruitvale Station”
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Robert Redford, “All Is Lost”

Best Supporting Female:
Melonie Diaz, “Fruitvale Station”
Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine”
Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”
Yolonda Ross, “Go for Sisters”
June Squibb, “Nebraska”

Best Supporting Male:
Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”
Will Forte, “Nebraska”
James Gandolfini, “Enough Said”
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Keith Stanfield, “Short Term 12”

Best First Feature:
“Blue Caprice”
“Concussion”
“Fruitvale Station”
“Una Noche”
“Wadjda”

Best First Screenplay:
“In a World,” Lake Bell
“Don Jon,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt
“Nebraska,” Bob Nelson
“Afternoon Delight,” Jill Soloway
“The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete,” Michael Starrbury

John Cassavetes Award:
“Computer Chess”
“Crystal Fairy”
“Museum Hours”
“Pit Stop”
“This Is Martin Bonner”

Best Cinematography:
Sean Bobbit, “12 Years a Slave”
Benoit Debie, “Spring Breakers”
Bruno Delbonnel, “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Frank G. DeMarco, “All Is Lost”
Matthias Grunsky, “Computer Chess”

Best Editing:
Shane Carruth David Lowery, “Upstream Color”
Jem Cohen Marc Vives, “Museum Hours”
Jennifer Lame, “Frances Ha”
Cindy Lee, “Una Noche”
Nat Sanders, “Short Term 12”

Best Documentary:
“20 Feet From Stardom”
“After Tiller”
“Gideon’s Army”
“The Act of Killing”
“The Square”

Best International Film:
“A Touch of Sin”
“Blue Is the Warmest Color”
“Gloria”
“The Great Beauty”
“The Hunt”

Robert Altman Award (given to a film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)
“Mud”

Piaget Producers Award:
Toby Halbrooks James M. Johnston
Jacob Jaffke
Andrea Roa
Frederick Thornton

Someone to Watch Award:
“My Sister’s Quinceanera,” Aaron Douglas Johnston
“Newlyweeds,” Shake King
“The Foxy Merkins,” Madeline Olnek

Truer Than Fiction Award:
“A River Changes Course,” Kalvanee Mam
“Let the Fire Burn,” Jason Osder
“Manakamana,” Stephanie Spray Pacho Velez

Related stories from TheWrap:

’12 Years a Slave’ Leads Gotham Awards Nominations

GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) — President Obama has toured many a factory floor and high-tech plant during his presidency. It’s part of the job. But until Tuesday, he had never quite met the likes of Oh and Capt. Smek.

In what qualifies as one of those special perks of governing, Obama toured the DreamWorks Animation studio of one of his top political benefactors, Jeffrey Katzenberg. All other tours must have paled by comparison.

He saw motion capture technology on display and he shook hands — well, bumped elbows — with Steve Martin before the actor-comedian-banjo player transformed himself into the villainous Capt. Smek from the upcoming movie “Home.”

But nothing could beat the short clip of another character in the film, Oh, intoning in the familiar cadences of Obama’s voice: “Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Welcome to the White House.”

Bing: Kanye says he’s ‘past’ Obama

“That’ll impress the girls,” Obama, thinking of his daughters, said delightedly.

Martin and actor Jim Parsons of “Big Bang Theory” were there to demonstrate voice recordings for the DreamWorks movie “Home” about a civilization of aliens called “Boovs.” It’s scheduled for release in November of 2014.

Speaking to a few thousand staff and others gathered on DreamWorks’ campus, Obama praised the entertainment industry for helping transmit values of tolerance and diversity and overcoming adversity, calling it part of American diplomacy.

“Hundreds of millions of people may never set foot in the U.S., but thanks to you they’ve experienced a small part of what makes our country successful,” Obama said. “We have shaped a world culture through you.”

“Can’t wait to see your next movie,” Obama added with a grin.

Entering the studio earlier for his tour, Obama extended a hand to Martin, who informed him he had a slight cold. So the commander in chief and the once wild-and-crazy guy bumped elbows instead.

“How’s the banjo playing?” Obama asked

“Better than ever,” Martin replied.

Obama mentioned that Martin had played the banjo at the White House.

“The fact that I played banjo at the White House was the biggest thrill (pause) of his life,” Martin cracked.

“That’s how I felt,” Obama deadpanned. “Biggest thrill of my life. Inauguration? Nothing.”

Martin and Parsons then ran through a scene. Obama appeared thoroughly tickled as he read along from the script.

Obama also saw a demonstration of motion capture technology, known in the business as “mo-cap”

Two actors, a woman and a man, were wearing full black body suits with colored sensors applied like polka dots to their suits. Behind them a large screen showed two animated characters, a young boy, “Hiccup,” and a young girl, “Astrid, from the upcoming movie “How to Train Your Dragon 2.”

Every movement the actors performed on the studio floor was replicated on the screen by the animated characters.

Obama asked what the difference was between using that technology and actually drawing animation.

“Is the advantage here that by seeing the natural movement, that can’t be replicated in your head?” he asked.

The cinematographer told him that the technology allowed for more natural movement and more dimension and was able to take advantage of ad-libbed movement.

“So, serendipity,” Obama said.

After seeing a final clip from the movie, Obama turned to the reporters following him and offered an unfiltered DreamWorks commercial:

“Coming to a theater near you!”

Indeed, Katzenberg added: “June 13.”

By Steve Pond
TheWrap

Scarlett Johansson may have a chance to win some awards this season for her voice-only performance as the operating system in Spike Jonze’s “Her,” but a Golden Globe won’t be one of them.

Bing: Scarlett Johansson engaged

The actress’ performance as the disembodied voice with which Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love has won raves from many who’ve seen the film in advance screenings. But the part has fallen victim to a Hollywood Foreign Press Association rule that says voice performances are not eligible for acting awards, an HFPA source confirmed to TheWrap.

Johansson is, however, eligible for the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Oscars.

Also on TheWrap: ‘Her’ Review: She’s Virtual, But You Can’t Have Everything

The Globes have restrictive rules in other categories as well. Earlier this year, they tried to disqualify the Swiss documentary “More Than Honey” from the Best Foreign Language Film category on the grounds that it was a doc, and docs weren’t eligible for the Globes.

Only when confronted with evidence that there was no such rule in their books did they relent, and allow it to be submitted – although the HFPA also instituted a new rule that will specifically disqualify documentaries from the category in the future.

Spike Jonze Wins Over NY Film Fest With ‘Her,’ Sets Sights on Oscar

‘Her’ Review: She’s Virtual, But You Can’t Have Everything

NEW YORK (AP) — A statuette of a bird featured in the classic 1941 detective thriller “The Maltese Falcon” sold for more than $4 million at auction Monday.

The final price on the 45-pound, 12-inch-tall prop was $4,085,000, according to Bonhams auction house. That includes Bonham’s premium.

The black figurine is one of two known cast lead statuettes made for John Huston’s screen version of the film but the only one confirmed by Warner Bros. archives as having appeared in it, said Bonhams, which declined to provide a pre-sale estimate. The winning bid came over the phone.

The statuette has a Warner Bros. inventory number etched into the base and bears the name of the movie, which starred Humphrey Bogart as private eye Sam Spade.

The figure has a bent right tail feather, damage incurred during filming, Bonhams said. Actress Lee Patrick, who played Spade’s secretary, Effie, dropped it while handing it to Bogart.

The statuette’s unidentified owner bought it privately in the 1980s. It has been exhibited at the Warner Bros. Studio Museum, the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

It was offered in a sale of other classic movie memorabilia.

“I brought you an orange juice”

“What’s in it?”

“Oranges!”

*Sets drink aside

There is a reason people are called Americans.  Does it matter what your ethnic background or native land is?  It shouldn’t because we call ourselves American!  If you will not die for your country, serve and protect your country, and at the very least represent this country, then you should not call yourself American!  Americans can be any color of race, of any religion, of any ethnicity, but you must be willing to live and die for your country. IF not, please do not call yourself or label yourself any type of American.

Milchan is a traitor, he is a thief, and a liar, and he has all the right to call himself an Israelite, but he will never be an American.  He should be punished as a spy and traitor.

U.S.A. all the Way!

By Brent Lang
TheWrap

“The Hunger Games” may be the most important film franchise on Wall Street.

Other film franchises, like “The Avengers” and the James Bond movies, have sold more tickets, but the impact of the dystopian thriller and its three planned sequels on Lionsgate’s fortunes has been seismic. Since the first film in the series debuted in March 2012, the company’s share price has more than doubled from $14.53 to $32.54 as markets closed on Thursday.

Bing: Jennifer Lawrence on anxiety disorder

The stock could continue to climb over the weekend once “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” debuts, particularly if the hotly anticipated sequel is the kind of Blockbuster hit that most analysts and Hollywood insiders widely expect it will be. The first film grossed roughly $700 million globally, a figure box office prognosticators expect the sequel to not only meet, but exceed.

“The company has a tremendous amount of momentum,” James Marsh, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, told TheWrap. “‘Hunger Games’ is one of the most enviable franchises in Hollywood.”

See photos: The Evolution of Jennifer Lawrence: From ‘Monk’ Mascot to Katniss Everdeen (Photos)

The first film also showed investors that Lionsgate, a studio best known for the Tyler Perry oeuvre and genre pictures like “Saw” that were targeted to very specific demographics, could open a film with broad appeal.

“Before ‘Hunger Games,’ Lionsgate was seen as an emerging minor studio, and I’m not sure its a major studio yet, but it’s certainly moved up in the ranking of people,” Hal Vogel, CEO of Vogel Capital Management, said.

Photos: ‘Catching Fire’ eye candy | ‘Catching Fire’ fashion face-off

Its valuation has also soared along with investors’ estimations, aided not only by Katniss Everdeen and her adventures, but by activist investor Carl Icahn’s decision to end his hostile takeover campaign and by Lionsgate’s merger with Summit. The company’s market capitalization has increased from roughly $1 billion in 2011 to $4.49 billion this week.

Also aiding Lionsgate’s reputation on Wall Street: Television properties like “Orange Is the New Black” and “Nashville,” as well as the part it played in rolling out the final film in the “Twilight” series — a tween property it inherited through the Summit deal.

What’s remarkable is that Lionsgate’s fortune have risen primarily on the back of a film franchise at a time when the movie business is frequently seen as the least sexy aspect of sprawling media companies’ portfolios.

Investors tend to be far more excited by theme parks or cable, both of which offer more capacious profit margins. Just ask Comcast or Disney. These conglomerates have become so diversified that hugely expensive movies like “John Carter” or “The Lone Ranger” can flop spectacularly without any appreciable impact on a company like Disney’s share price.

“‘Hunger Games’ is Lionsgate’s most important franchise,” Marla Backer, an analyst with Ascendiant Capital, said. “It can move the needle, it will move the needle and it should move the needle.”

The key will be sustaining that growth, Backer and others argue. To that end, Lionsgate has lined up “Divergent,” a movie adaptation of Veronica Roth’s series of best-selling fantasy novels, and has handed it the same March premiere slot that it used to launch “The Hunger Games,” lest anyone be confused about its ambitions.

“There’s a tug of war in the market right now over Liongate and the question is, can the company repeat the success of ‘The Hunger Games’?'” Marsh said. “There’s a debate over whether or not the management was just lucky with ‘Hunger Games’ or have these guys figured out a secret sauce with young adult franchises that they can repeat again and again?”

If Lionsgate has indeed devised a formula that brings teenage audiences to movie theaters, look for that bit of alchemy to be reflected in its share price.

‘The Hunger Games’ Games: TheWrap Puts Hollywood Blvd. Fans to the Test (Video)
Grading ‘Hunger Games’ Stars: Why Stanley Tucci Trumps Jennifer Lawrence at the Box Office
Why ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Merchandising Is Tricky as Katniss’ Fight for Her Life