Kevin Connolly, one of the stars of the HBO hit series Entourage, is making his film directing debut this week at the Tribeca Film Festival. The title of his film is Gardener of Eden, and stars one of Connolly’s good friends, Lukas Haas. The script for the film was written by Adam “Tex” Davis.

Haas stars in the film as Adam, a New Jersey dropout who finds his calling as a vigilante when he drunkenly, and very accidentally, apprehends a rapist.

Gardener of Eden isn’t short on big-time names either. They’ve also got Leonardo DiCaprio on the team as producer, which could help distribution. DiCaprio is counted amongst one of Connelly’s friends, and along with Adam Haas and Tobey Maguire, they had quite the little posse going on at one time.

Said Connolly:

“It’s great to work with your buddies as adults and be able to call the shots,” said Connolly by phone the morning of the premiere. “After three-and-a-half years, it’ll all be over in 14 hours.”

Connolly, 33, grew up on Patchogue, Long Island, and says he was drawn to the script in part because of the suburban lifestyle that reminded him of his own post-high school days.

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Studios bank on the audience’s attachment to stars, but what happens when the public’s adoration is tainted by scandal? Everybody loved Tom Cruise, but then he started jumping on couches and marrying blank-eyed starlets. Now 60% of the public thinks he’s icky, and his future drawing power seems imperiled. Indeed, every time Katie Holmes was onscreen in Batman Begins, my brain refused to register her as Rachel McLawyer (or whatever her character’s name was) and instead fixated on whether she was going to audit Bruce for Thetans.

And now, as everyone knows, 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin is embroiled in a controversy over the release of an angry phone message to his daughter. I’m not inclined to weigh in on whether Baldwin was right or wrong to do what he did (although I will say that I find myself frequently wishing that Paris Hilton’s father had made a phone calls or two to her during her youth), but it’s now irrevocably attached to him as a personality. Will the audience be able to separate the actor from the scandal? Read on »

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Social Capital Entertainment, a new independent production company, is releasing their first film on May 4th. The film stars Snoop Dogg and will be released in limited cities throughout the US this weekend. “Hood of Horror” (reminds of the Soprano’s ‘Cleaver’) stars Snoop in the lead as the Hound of Hell.

“Working with talent like Snoop and John Gaeta on our first feature film underscores the Social Capital approach to filmmaking,” said Martin Shore (not to be confused with comedy icon Martin Short), founder, Social Capital Entertainment. “Our goal from the beginning has been to team with top flight talent on cutting-edge, yet highly lucrative independent projects.”

This won’t be the last we hear from Social Capital Productions as they have a new fim that will begin filming this fall. The film is called ‘The Countess’ and stars Julie Delpy, Radha Mitchell and Ethan Hawke. The new film company has 3 other projects planned as well.

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Here’s your chance to snag a DVD copy of Breaking and Entering, a film from Genius Productions and the Weinstein Company, starring Jude Law, Juliette Binoche, and Robin Wright Penn. The DVD will be released to the general public on May 8th!

A sexy and steamy story about a disparate group of Londoners connected by a string of burglaries and a passionate affair, Breaking and Entering is the first original screenplay for Oscar-winner Anthony Minghella since his 1991 feature debute Truly Madly Deeply.

Screenhead.com is giving away the DVD to one lucky reader, randomly selected from those who can correctly answer the following question:

In 1986, “Breaking & Entering” director Anthony Minghella won a London Theater Critics Award for Best Play. What was the name of the play?

To be entered into the drawing for the DVD, send us an e-mail at info@screenhead.com with your name and the answer. To be eligible to win, you must live in the U.S. or Canada. The winner will be drawn randomly from those who gave the correct answer on May 3, 2007.

Stay tuned for more Screenhead giveaways and contests!

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Filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl has long been a subject of fascination, and mixed feelings. Commissioned by Hitler to film the Olympics held in Nazi Germany, Olympia is still respected for the innovative camera work, making the film live as an example of cinematic art. There is also terrific camera work in Triumph of the Will, but it is harder to think in aesthetic terms of a documentary designed to glorify Hitler. Riefenstahl has been the subject of a lengthy documentary herself. Now Jodie Foster will star as Riefenstahl.

Foster had tried to get the rights to Riefenstahl’s story when the filmmaker was alive, only to be refused. According to an article in The Guardian, Riefenstahl’s choice to play her was Sharon Stone. At this time a screenplay is in the works. As Riefenstahl had a long life with careers as a top German movie star, filmmaker and photographer, it is uncertain how much will be covered in Foster’s film. While most people are aware of Riefenstahl’s documentaries, what is not as well known is that she starred in mountain climbing films in the early Thirties. Riefenstahl’s interest in athletic activities was lifelong both behind and in front of the camera. When I briefly met Riefenstahl at Telluride in 1974, she let us know that she was doing underwater photography (Riefensthal was 72).

At this time, no director has been attached to Foster’s production. Shooting is expected to begin before the end of 2008.

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 “The Hip Hop Project”, which is opens in select markets on May 11th, is  a project that you should really try to support. Brought to you by Executive Producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, all proceeds of the film will be donated to being donated to organizations working with youth.

“The Hip Hop Project” is based on the work of Kazi, a former homeless teen in New York City, who mentors teens to use their art for their advancement in their lives.

And what would a hip hop movie be without a soundtrack. With the help of heavyweight in the industry Russell Simmons, the “Hip Hop Project” brings a soundtrack full of social commentary. Here is a link to the trailer.

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Exciting News for fans of the ‘Bourne Identity’ films. “The Bourne Files: 3-Disc Collection” hits stores on July 24th just in time to get you psyched for the newest installment ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ that will hit theaters in August. 45 minutes of all-new, exclusive bonus material including an exciting, action-packed sneak peek of “The Bourne Ultimatum” are included in the set. Just a little aside: X-Men did this when X3 came out and I hope ‘Bourne’ does what they do and promote this set with a free ticket to X3. It would make me one happy movie goer!

Here is what you will get if you are thinking about buying the set:


* Sneak Peek of “The Bourne Ultimatum”
* The Ludlum Identity: Robert Ludlum was one of the best selling authors
in history. This mini-documentary uses archival interviews with
Ludlum, colleagues and family members for an extraordinary portrait of
the mastermind behind the Bourne franchise.
* The Ludlum Supremacy: An intriguing feature that reveals new
information about the puzzling history of Jason Bourne.
* The Ludlum Ultimatum: Explore the enigmatic character who has
fascinated audiences for more than 25 years, in this exclusive look at
the enduring power and appeal of Jason Bourne.

The following bonus features associated with “The Bourne Identity” are also included in “The Bourne Files”:

* The Bookend Scenes — Alternate Opening and Alternate Ending: An
alternate opening sequence and complete alternate ending add a new
layer of intrigue. This feature includes an introduction by producer
Frank Marshall and screenwriter Tony Gilroy.
* From Identity to Supremacy — Jason & Marie: This feature includes
exclusive interviews with Matt Damon and Franka Potente which explore
the making of “The Bourne Identity” — and build a bridge to the
spectacular sequel, “The Bourne Supremacy.”
* The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: A fascinating new look at the
late Robert Ludlum, the bestselling novelist who created the “Bourne”
trilogy.
* Access Granted: An exclusive interview with screenwriter Tony Gilroy on
the challenges of adapting Ludlum’s 500-page book for the screen.
* Cloak and Dagger: In this feature, CIA liaison officer Chase Brandon
delivers a detailed, real-world analysis of the making of a super-spy.
* The Bourne Diagnosis: Insights into the causes and effects of Jason
Bourne’s struggle with amnesia from a UCLA psychologist.
* The Speed of Sound: Join the sound designers from “The Bourne
Identity” and learn what it took to create the audio portion of the
film’s heart-stopping car-chase sequence. Then try your hand at sound
mixing with this unique interactive feature.
* Inside a Fight Sequence: Join Matt Damon on the set as he and the
film’s Stunt Choreographer map out the explosive action-packed U.S.
Embassy fight sequence.
* Declassified Information: Deleted scenes
* Moby “Extreme Ways” music video
* Feature Commentary with director Doug Liman

The following bonus features from “The Bourne Supremacy” are also featured in this comprehensive collection:

* Explosive Deleted Scenes: Featuring over 10 minutes of additional
action not seen in theaters.
* Crash Cam: Racing through the streets of Moscow: Experience how stunt
coordinators meticulously plan and execute the movie’s stunning,
high-speed chase sequence.
* Bourne to Be Wild: Fight Training: Matt Damon didn’t become a lethal
weapon overnight. Watch as Matt Damon and the movie’s fight trainer
choreograph the film’s action-packed, hand-to-hand combat scenes!
* Blowing Things Up: Digital isn’t always better. See how some of the
film’s most awesome pyrotechnical sequences were created — without
computerized effects.
* The Go-Mobile Revs up the Action: Feel the rush of being in the
driver’s seat with this revolutionary new vehicle used to captured Matt
Damon’s high-speed exploits in the movie’s jaw-dropping car chase
sequences.
* Anatomy of a Scene: The Explosive Bridge Chase Scene: Step onto the
set and experience the tension and intense preparation as the
filmmaking team plans and shoots one of the movie’s most demanding,
dangerous and thrilling action scenes.
* Matching Identities: Casting: See what it took to land a part in this
major action hit.
* Keeping It Real: A look at the edgy and unique style the filmmakers
brought to “The Bourne Supremacy.”
* On the move with Jason Bourne: Travel the globe to visit the film’s
exotic locations from India to Berlin to Moscow.
* Scoring with John Powell: A special look at creating the pulse-pound
score for the movie.
* Feature Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass

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Here are the nominees for the “2007 MTV Movie Awards” .

BEST MOVIE

– 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Blades of Glory (Paramount Pictures)
– Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation
of Kazakhstan (20th Century Fox)
– Little Miss Sunshine (Fox Searchlight)
– Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney Pictures)

BEST PERFORMANCE

– Gerard Butler- 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Johnny Depp- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney
Pictures)
– Jennifer Hudson- Dreamgirls (Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks SKG)
– Keira Knightley- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt
Disney Pictures)
– Beyonce Knowles- Dreamgirls (Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks SKG)
– Will Smith- The Pursuit of Happyness (Sony Pictures)

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

– Emily Blunt — The Devil Wears Prada (20th Century Fox)
– Abigail Breslin — Little Miss Sunshine (Fox Searchlight)
– Lena Headey — 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Columbus Short — Stomp the Yard (Screen Gems)
– Jaden Smith — The Pursuit of Happyness (Sony Pictures)
– Justin Timberlake — Alpha Dog (Universal Pictures)

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

– Emily Blunt — The Devil Wears Prada (20th Century Fox)
– Sacha Baron Cohen — Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make
Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (20th Century Fox)
– Will Ferrell — Blades of Glory (Paramount Pictures)
– Adam Sandler — Click (Sony Pictures)
– Ben Stiller — Night at the Museum (20th Century Fox)

BEST KISS
– Cameron Diaz & Jude Law — The Holiday (Sony Pictures)
– Will Ferrell & Sacha Baron Cohen — Talladega Nights: The Ballad of
Ricky Bobby (Sony Pictures)
– Columbus Short & Meagan Good — Stomp the Yard (Screen Gems)
– Mark Wahlberg & Elizabeth Banks — Invincible (Walt Disney Pictures)
– Marlon Wayans & Brittany Daniel — Little Man (Sony Pictures)

BEST VILLAIN
– Tobin Bell — Saw III (Lions Gate Films)
– Jack Nicholson — The Departed (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Bill Nighy — Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Walt Disney
Pictures)
– Rodrigo Santoro — 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Meryl Streep — The Devil Wears Prada (20th Century Fox)

BEST FIGHT
– Jack Black & Hector Jimenez vs. Los Duendes — Nacho Libre (Paramount
Pictures)
– Gerard Butler vs. “The Uber Immortal” — 300 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Sacha Baron Cohen vs. Ken Davitian- Borat: Cultural Learnings of
America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (20th Century
Fox)
– Will Ferrell vs. Jon Heder — Blades of Glory (Paramount Pictures)
– Uma Thurman vs. Anna Faris — My Super Ex-Girlfriend (20th Century Fox)

BEST SUMMER MOVIE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN YET
– Evan Almighty (Universal Pictures)
– Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (20th Century Fox)
– Hairspray (New Line Cinema)
– Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (Warner Bros. Pictures)
– Rush Hour 3 (New Line Cinema)
– Transformers (Paramount Pictures)

mtvU BEST FILMMAKER ON CAMPUS
– Robert Dastoli (University of Central Florida) — “Southwestern Orange
County vs. The Flying Saucers”
– Maria Gigante (Columbia College, Chicago) — “Girls Room”
– Josh Greenbaum (University of Southern California) — “Border Patrol”
– Alexander Poe (Columbia University) — “Please Forget I Exist”
– Andrew Shipsides (Savannah College of Art and Design) — “Bottleneck”

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France’s nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film has been making it’s way through the U.S. art theater circuit. I can understand why, Avenue Montaigne did not make the final five, it lacks the gravity that Oscar loves, it isn’t totally serious. But it is a fun film, especially if you’re a person who feels that art of any kind is an important part of your life.

One reason to see Avenue Montaigne is for Cecile De France as Jessica, the young woman who charms here way into unexpected and unlikely friendships. First convincing a restaurant manager to break with tradition by hiring a woman, Jessica finds herself learning about art and artists. The restaurant is located near a theater, and orchestra hall and a gallery, and the various artists have their own dramatic stories. Some readers may better recall De France as the crazed killer from High Tension. She still has the closely cropped hair, but in this film De France helps spiritually heal people rather than cut them up. One of the artists, Jessica encounters is an American film director played by Sydney Pollack.

For some inexplicable reason, the original French title, which translates as “Orchestra Seats” was not used. The film was directed by Daniele Thompson and co-written with her son Christopher, who also appears in the film. Thompson’s best known film is Jet Lag with Jean Reno and Juliette Binoche as lovers stuck at an airport. Even better, is La Buche, proof that you can make a Christmas themed film that is smart and intelligent. These films are on DVD if you want to check them out.

Everything works out for all of the characters in Avenue Montaigne. One of the elements that makes this film enjoyable is the French pop music - Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Becaud and Juliette Greco, among others. This is the cinematic equivalent to French pastry - a delight for the eye, not overly sweet, and ultimately of minimal substance.

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Read on »

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