Last Exorcism Follow up Planned

Damien Chazelle will write the script.... Considering the fact that horror thriller The Final Exorcism made $62. 5 million worldwide from the thrifty budget of $1. six million, it's not just a surprise to are convinced that a follow up has become within the works. The film, that also obtained Best Horror against the kind of Allow Me To In and Paranormal Activity 2 at our very own honours ceremony, would be a found footage jewel that saw troubled evangelical preacher Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) inviting a documentary crew along to his final exorcism to finally reveal the truth that the practice is fake. However when they get through to the group of player Louis Sweetzer (Louis Herthum), that has known as Marcus directly into help his daughter Nell (Ashley Bell), all of them uncover greater than they bargained for...While Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland authored the script for that first movie, the task of penning the follow up continues to be handed to rising newcomer scribe Damien Chazelle. As they has only one created feature film credit to his title, that might be Guy and Madeline on the Park Bench, a little movie musical he modified from their own thesis project and obtained a location in the Tribeca Film Festival. Since that time, he's offered a number of scripts, including Hitchcockian thriller Grand Piano and also the Claim, which sees just one father attempting to save his kidnapped daughter from another couple, and which arrived about the 2010 Black List. Should you were not already annoyed at him, he's still only 25. There is no word on which the brand new Exorcism outing will really be known as, or what it will likely be about, but we are likely to guess evil spirits or devils will feature heavily.

3 Baffling Things within the New American Horror Story Poster

American Horror Story Forex is weaving a great deal of mystery into promotions for his or her approaching fall drama, American Horror Story. Go ahead and take new poster, for instance, that is full of clues that fans will not even understand until after they have seen the premiere on Wednesday, March. 5 at 10/9c. Let us have a look at three things within the poster which had us itching our heads. [Spoilers! The clues within the poster are extremely circumspect, but nonetheless may tip off major occasions within the premiere.] American Horror Story promo: What the heck is being conducted? 1. That half-naked redhead sprawled over the floor? That seems to become a lady that has exactly the same hair color because the show's protagonist, Tami Taylor Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton), a lady that has moved together with her husband Ben (Dylan McDermott) and daughter Purple (Taissa Farmiga) to La after their loved ones experiences hard occasions. Well, as this is a horror story, we assume you will find harder occasions ahead, and that's why we are scared relating to this lady searching rather "expectant" within the poster. 2. So who's the shiny, rubber-suited enigma carrying out a Cirque du Soleil act in the rafters? The way in which his ft are growing in the ceiling appears to point that he's attached to the house of disasters the Harmon family moves into. A plumber possibly? The way in which he's reaching to the woman below could mean something ... but what? Maybe he just requires a hug. For those who have a very sharp eye, you can observe a similarly shiny arm within the lately launched American Horror Story promo. "How about we they simply leave?" Ryan Murphy promises solutions about Horror Story's haunted house 3. Talking about the home, have a look at individuals bloodstream-red-colored walls and notice, well, how bloody they appear. That needs to mean something ... could it be a sign of sufferers past? If that's the case, whose sufferers? On the other hand, red-colored is really a color which inspires ideas of affection and passion (Aww!) ... and anger. Hmm, these components might make for just one heck of the horror story! Browse the poster below and share your ideas on Ryan Murphy's new series within the comments:

Weighty, heartstopping material rules category

Richard Bedser & Erectile dysfunction Fields"Gettysburg"HistoryHighlight: "Unknown" Union soldier Amos Humiston becomes probably the most famous figures within the Civil War when his unidentifiable is found having a photo of his family. His family finally discovers his fate once the photo runs inside a newspaper.Why they may win: Bedser and Fields make "Gettysburg" the storyline of person soldiers by tracing their actual moves that cause them to the fight.Not: The recent past is superbly recorded in "No Bookings." Anthony Bourdain"Anthony Bourdain: No Bookings"TravelHighlight: The usually unfazed Bourdain is unapologetically emotional concerning the tragedy which has befallen Haiti, and the conversations with Sean Penn revealed an uncertain future for that country.Why he may win: Bourdain's portrait of Haiti in crisis and those who live there's both unflinching and deeply compassionate simultaneously.Perhaps not: An abundance of other nominees telling high-stakes tales.Josh Fox"Gasland"HBOHighlight: Fox taken popular moment, that also has people speaking, when one homeowner opens a kitchen faucet after which lights water burning since it is so contaminated with gas.Why he may win: The tales of individuals who accept have hydraulic fracturing are investigated within an achingly personal manner, one which shows the actual lengthy-term effect on their lives.Not: When Fox veers from their tales and card inserts themself an excessive amount of in to the narrative, the impact wanes.Stanley Nelson"Freedom Riders"PBSHighlight: Testimony in the Freedom Riders who visited across America to violate and alter Jim Crow laws and regulations offers a harrowing portrait of the campaign that happened only half a century ago.Why he may win: Nelson's film is both skilled journalism along with a dramatic compelling narrative that informs a substantial story with the tension of the top-notch thriller.Not: Nelson is certainly going face to face with "Gettysburg," another historic heavyweight.Jon Wilkman"Moguls & Celebrities -- The Birth of Hollywood"TCMHighlight: D.W. Griffith helps make the questionable "The Birth of the Nation" and brings up charges of racism while growing motion picture story-telling approaches to one troubling project.Why he may win: Wilkman genuinely grounds the origins of Hollywood within the personas of individuals who produced it.Not: Inside a area filled with historic and activist-oriented subject material, this may appear just like a lightweight.Route To THE EMMYS: THE Author Showrunners don't run from non-writing dutiesDrama Comedy Movies & Miniseries Nonfiction Variety, music or comedy series Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

WATCH: Puss in Boots Star Pushes No-Pants Agenda

Whilst watching the Shrek franchise, you may have wondered: How does Puss, the swashbuckling cat voiced by Antonio Banderas, justify donning footwear but not clothes? A new video for his upcoming spin-off movie, Puss in Boots, has your answer. This movie star endorses a freer, more versatile lifestyle choice: No-pants pants! He’s got a multiple-point argument here: “You want pants that are comfortable. You want pants that make you look good. That’s why you want… no pants at all!” The acknowledgment of Puss’s cartoon, kid-safe physiology (i.e. lack of, well, parts that require pants, if you catch my drift) earns the makers of Puss in Boots extra points in my book. And thank you, DreamWorks, for the copious slo-mo crotch-shots that prove the point. (Do I detect the wicked sense of humor of producer Guillermo del Toro at play here?) Puss in Boots, directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third), follows Puss’s adventures pre-Shrek as a deliverer of justice out to stop the nefarious Jack and Jill with the help of Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) and Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek). It will be released in 3-D on November 4.

Syfy Renews Warehouse 13 for Season 4

Warehouse 13 Syfy has purchased a 4th season of Warehouse 13, Entertainment Weekly reviews. The brand new 13-episode season will premiere in 2012. What's in your Watchlist? Create one and add your faves, like Warehouse 13 "Under executive producer Jack Kenny's leadership, this superlative team of authors, cast, and crew still come out a set that only will get better and with every episode," Syfy's leader of original content, Mark Stern, told playboy. "Warehouse 13 is by divine intention typically the most popular series within our background and we are delighted to resume it for any 4th season." Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly star within the series, about U.S. Secret Service agents designated to some secret government warehouse filled with supernatural items. Warehouse 13, which lately added Smallville alum Aaron Ashmore towards the cast, has averaged 2.3 million audiences in the first five excursions this year. News of Warehouse 13's vibrant future comes just days following the cable network introduced fan favorite Eureka wouldn't be returning for any sixth and final season, as initially reported. Eureka will rather produce an additional episode for Season 5 in conclusion the series.

Box Office Update: 'The Help' Launches to a Strong $5.5 Million

Tate Taylor's female-fueled The Helpgot off to animpressive startat the Wednesday box office, grossing $5.5 million and earning a rare A+ CinemaScore.our editor recommends'The Help's' Retro, Southern Style (Photos)'The Help' Premiere: 5 Things Seen and Heard on the Red Carpet The movie topped the box office, besting Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which grossed $4.9 million for the day. PHOTOS: 'The Help's' Retro, Southern Style Fans ofKathryn Stockett'snovel turned out in force to se the DreamWorks and Disney film, along with moviegoers simply curious about the film's storyline and large female cast, led byEmma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard. It's still too early to say how muchThe Helpwill open to over the course of its five-day debut. Disney is sticking to its conservative estimate of $20 million, although other box office observers say the film could easily open north of $25 million based on the strength of Wednesday's performance. The final outcome depends upon how front loaded the pic is. The Help is only the second movie of the year to receive an A+ CinemaSocre after TriStar/Film District's Soul Surfer. Films earning the top score enjoy strong multiples, such as Soul Surfer, which opened to $10.6 million and grossed $43.9 million domestically. Disney's Tangled and Disney/Pixar's Story 3, both released in 2010, also received A+ CinemaScores and enjoyed similar multiples. STORY: 'The Help's' Emma Stone: What Critics Say of Her Performance The Helpis benefiting from appealing to female moviegoers otherwise turned off by Hollywood's big summer blockbusters, with women making up 83% of Wednesday's audience. Roughly 78% were over the age of 25. As a way of comparison,The Helpis keeping up so far withJulie & Julia, another femme-fueled film that opened last August. But becauseJulie & Juliaopened on a Friday, it had the advantage of stronger nighttime traffic and grossed $6.4 million for the day. That film opened to $20 million. FILM REVIEW: 'The Help' Set in the early 1960s in Jackson, Miss.,The Helpexplores the complicated relationships between white women and their maids, and what happens when a young white journalist exposes how the maids are treated. STORY: 'The Help' Premiere: 5 Things Seen and Heard on the Red Carpet DreamWorks and Participant Media co-financed the $25 million the movie, which was produced byChris ColumbusandMike Barnathan's1492 Pictures. The film is already drawing awards buzz for its performances. The Help also stars Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney and Sissy Spacek. Tate, a childhood friend of Stockett's, makes his feature directorial debut with The Help. Related Topics Bryce Dallas Howard Viola Davis Emma Stone DreamWorks SKG Walt Disney Pictures The Help

Box Office Goes 'Ape' For $54M Weekend; Ryan Reynolds Flops In $13.5M 'Change-Up'

SATURDAY PM/SUNDAY AM, 7TH UPDATE: Another strong day for Twentieth Century Fox's prequel Rise Of The Planet Of The Apeswhich scored a $19.4M Saturday (small -2% drop from Friday's $19.7M), indicating word of mouth was goodabout these CGI animals and Andy Serkis. With an estimated $14.9M Sunday that makesfor a 3-day weekend of $54M, lots more than the $35M which Hollywood expected. No doubt about it: origins story movies are working this summer if they're done as well as this and X-Men: First Class which was another prequel on a Fox franchise.Nice win for former News Corp No. 2-turned-showbiz producer Peter Chernin and his film lieutenant Dylan Clark on Chernin Entertainment's first film release.The pair said in a statement Sunday: "We're thrilled to launch Chernin Entertainment with a film that so positively resonated with audiences. We're proud of the artistic achievement as it is a testament to a smart script, great directionby Rupert Wyatt, stellar actor performances, the amazing visual effects createdby the WETA team, and the passion and dedication of the entire crew and ourpartners at Twentieth Century Fox." The other major studio new release, Universal'sThe Change-Up, surprisingly ticked up(+4%) from Friday for $5.2M Saturday but that's still a very disappointing$13.5M weekend. This truly isn't Ryan Reynolds' summer of stardom after the collapse of Green Lantern here and abroad. Starsare supposed to open movies to at least $20M. Overall moviegoing this weekend looks like $170M, which is up +30% from last year. Here's the Top 10: 1. Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (Fox) NEW [3,648 Theaters] Friday $19.7M, Saturday $19.4M,Weekend $54M It's not just surprising but kinda shocking that Time magazine declaredthis "2011's Best Film So Far" and that even fanboy websites declared that "whatever expectations you're likely to have going in, there's a good chance this movie will surpass them". Directed by Rupert Wyatt and written by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes seemed too schlocky a project for Peter Chernin to waste his time producing. Or so Hollywood thought. Its CinemaScore was an 'A-' and exit polls showed males making up 54% of the audience which was 59% at or over age 25. Why all the fuss over the prequel to such a dated franchise? Because Fox PR claims this is thefirst live-action film in the history of movies to star, and be told from the point of view of, a sentient animal -- a character with human-like qualities, who can strategize, organize and ultimately lead a revolution, and with whom audiences are supposed to experience a real emotional bond. (But my commenters counter: What about Babe etc?) Fox execs point out that the studio wasn't going to do the guys in ape suits thing again. So the film was impossible to make until James Cameron's Avatar and Peter Jackson's WETA Digital progressedperformance capture technologyto the point ofthe most realistic CGI ever. Given that, theclaimed $93Mpricetag co-financed by Fox, Dune Entertainment, and Ingenious seems absurdly modest. Every single monkey, baboon, and ape in the movie is a product of this performance capture techonology. That earned raves fromPETA and for Wyatt a Proggy Awardgiven to animal-friendly companies, people and products.(PETA also showed up at the Ape' premiere in LA with signs reading, Real Apes Love CGI, and Thank you, Fox for not using real Apes.) The buzz this weekend is that Andy Serkis does an award-worthy job as themain chimp Caesar who leads the rebellion. But I don't know why the trailers I sawmistakenly focused on James Franco who isn't why moviegoers flocked to opening weekend. Fox was hoping for North American box office in the low-ball $30sM, so $54M isfantastic. "Phenomenal opening validating a sensational marketing effort led by Oren Aviv and Tony Sella," a Fox exec gushed to me. Then again, tracking has been good for males and fans of the original movies, althoughsofter for females.The fact is that the studio had a lot of ground to make up with this movie because fanboys hated the Tim Burton version from a decade ago. But this origins storyscored 82% positive reviews on RottenTomatoes. Marketing with a company called Mekanism was primarily focused online with the intent to createa global viral phenomenon andspark millions of Internet conversations about the film. There was the strategic use of digital influencers, creative content, and social media platforms to createwidespread engagement for over 14 million viral video viewsand hundreds of millions of earned media impressions. "Weve created excitement, driven credible word of mouth, and ensured that butts will be in seats to watch Apes Rise on opening weekend," A Fox exec told me before Friday.WETA Digital hosted a livestream event on Facebook from WETAs headquarters inNew Zealand and gaveviewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the work on the film. The livestream event was live on Facebooks official fan page for Avatar as well. A free online digital comic book prequel to the movie debuted prior to release fromcomic series writer Daryl Gregory andartists Damian Couceiroand Tony Parker to set the stage for the movie.There was a new free 5-pagedigital comic book storyweekly since mid-Julyuntil the final 10-pageconclusion on August 3rd. 2. The Smurfs - 3D (Sony) Week 2 [3,395 Theaters] Friday $6M, Saturday $8.2M, Weekend $21M (-41%),Cume $76.2M It's embarrassing for me just to be writing about The Smurfs. But after just 10 days of release, the film has generated $128.9M worldwide with anoverseas cume to date of $52.7M. One of the big surprises of Summer 2011,last weekend's exceptionally strong debut in North America was followed byenormous strength in several key countries including Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Belgium, France and Germany, among others.This worldwide number is especially impressive when you consider the film has only debuted in about 3 dozen territories. InNorth America this weekend, The Smurfs saw big mid-week salesthat led box office from Monday through Thursday.Strong ticket sales continued into the weekend and wentup +37% on Saturday. 3. Cowboys & Aliens (DreamWorks/Universal) Week 2 [3,754 Theaters] Friday $4.7M, Saturday $6.4M, Weekend $15.8M (-57%),Cume $67.4M Not an embarrassing drop, but it didn't have far to fall either. The big question is whether Cowboys & Aliens can make up the deficit overseas where Daniel Craig is a bigger star but also Westerns don't do well traditionally. For anastute dissection of what went wrong, read this pre-release post by Deadline's Mike Fleming,Can 'Cowboys & Aliens' Lasso Youth?. He answers the questions about why this well-pedigreed pic,despitethe godfathering presence of Steven Spielberg and Imagine's Ron Howard and Brian Grazer and direction by Jon Favreau, went into the tank. He details thetortured development history involving more than a dozen writersover 14 years.He analyzes the problems of a confused mash-up of two genres that usually don't cross paths.And he reveals that withacash break participation pool in the 35% range and no3D conversion to justify higher ticket prices this movie may have been doomed from the start. 4. The Change-Up (Universal) NEW [2,913 Theaters] Friday $4.7M, Saturday $5M, Weekend $13.5M Universal started out the summer very high on thisraunchy R-rated comedy with a $52M budget (Relativity was a financing partner) especially becauseThe Change-Up was from the director of Wedding Crashers and the writers of The Hangover. Still it was surprising that David Dobkin would waste his time on such a tired body-switching premise,but this film won'thave the enormous playability or multiplesof this summer's other raunchy R-rated laughers. CinemaScore was a 'B' with an audience that was59% Female vs. 41% male and 50% at or older than age 30 vs. 50% under 30.All along tracking had been strongestwith females, with younger females demonstrating the strongest interest. "It's disappointing. We're kind of confounded by it," a Uni exec told me Friday night. "This movieplayed like the best R-rated comedies we have." But reviewshammered this pic andtrailers looked lame. Marketing was sub-paras ifred-band online trailers, one that opened the campaign and one thatclosed it, would put people in seats.Maybe audiences were tired after so manyof Summer 2011'sR-rated comedies. The TV campaign began early with a spot on the finale for The Family Guy in late May, followed by a run on the NBA Finals in early June and then cable, cable, and more cable channels as well as the TV talk shows.The supposedly "likeable" pairing of RyanReynolds and Jason Bateman was a key strategy in publicity, and they did manyof their promotional appearances together.Universalfanned out with anextensive word-of-mouthcampaignand 350 screenings across the country. But none of it worked. 5. Captain America - 3D (Marvel/Disney/Paramount) Week 3 [3,620 Theaters] Friday $3.7M, Saturday $5.5M, Weekend $13.5M,Cume $143.7M 6. Harry Potter/Hallows Pt 2 - 3D (Warner Bros) Week 4 [3,175 Theaters] Friday $3.3M, Saturday $5.1M, Weekend $12.5M,Cume $342.6M 7. Crazy, Stupid, Love (Warner Bros) Week 2 [3,020 Theaters] Friday $3.7M, Saturday $4.9M, Weekend $12.3M (-36%),Cume $42.4M 8. Friends With Benefits (Sony) Week 3 [2,398 Theaters] Friday $1.4M, Saturday $1.9M, Weekend $5M,Cume $48.8M 9. Horrible Bosses (New Line/Warner Bros) Week 5 [2,025 Theaters] Friday $1.3M, Saturday $1.9M, Weekend $4.8M,Cume $105.7M 10. Transformers 3 - 3D (Paramount) Week 6 [1,854 Theaters] Friday $850K, Saturday $1.3M, Weekend $3.2M,Cume $344.5M SATURDAY AM, 4THUPDATE: Twentieth Century Fox's prequel Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes is leaping to an easy box office lead in 3,648 North American theaters. Hollywood initially thoughtthe origins story withdigital animals, Andy Serkis,and James Franco would follow the same trajectory as last weekend'sCowboys & Aliens which went on to a $36.4MFriday-Saturday-Sunday.But, remember, that pic got Smurf-ed. The far better reviewedApes is faringstrongerwith a very healthy $19.7M Friday (including a low-key $1.254M midnights in only 1,124 locations) for a projected $50M weekend or even higher. And that'swithout the hype and pedigree of DreamWorks/Universal's Cowboys & Aliens which fell -64% from last Friday to 3rd place this week but at half the budget ($93M, or so Fox claims). Sony Pictures' The Smurfs held -55% for 2nd place. But this weekend's other major studio release, Universal's The Change-Up, is bottoming in 4th place with $4.7M Friday and just an estimated $13.4M for the weekend from 2,913 venues. This truly isn't Ryan Reynolds' summer of stardom after the collapse of Green Lantern here and abroad.It's a disastrous start considering that stars like Reynolds are supposed to open movies to at least $20M.

Blame the Farrelly Bros. When the Jersey Shore Kids Pursue Acting Careers

So the Farrelly Brothers decided to give the kids from Jersey Shore a cameo in their upcoming Three Stooges reboot (Oh, the jokes write themselves…) which turned out to be such an amazing experience that Sammi “Sweatheart” Giancola, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi may now turn their fist-pumping sights on second careers as actors. At least when this nightmare comes to pass, we know who to blame. JWoww and Sammi recently told Access Hollywood how wonderful their cameo-filming experience was, and how encouragement from directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly led them to consider pursuing acting. “For the Farrelly Bros to say how well we did… it gives me chills,” JWoww recalled. Sammi elaborated. “Like, you never know,” she mused. “Like, I actually enjoyed acting, and I enjoyed being a part of it, so I would love to see what the future holds, whether it’s acting or something else.” Castmates Ronnie and Snooki also reportedly want in on the action, according to Access Hollywood. “We’re not scared to be stupid or make fun of ourselves,” said Snooki. “I think we could be good in acting. I would love to do comedy.” Watch the video yourself and weep for the future. Sammi & J-Woww: It Was An ‘Amazing Experience’ Being In ‘The Three Stooges’ [Access Hollywood]

Family Film Guide: 'Rio' Is really a Colorful Family Adventure

'Rio' Director: Carlos Saldanha Ranked: G Runtime: 91 minutes Starring: Hathaway As Catwoman, Jesse Eisenberg, George Lopez Rent or purchase the DVD Good Sense Media rating: 6+ Moviefone Mama States: It had been director Carlos Saldanha's dream to produce an animated film occur his native South america, therefore the story feels equally just like a love letter towards the country like a double-romance about two extremes-attract wild birds as well as their star-entered proprietors. Using its vibrant, eye-popping colors and appealing samba tempos, this is actually the type of movie that feels as though an invite to book a flight ticket to South Usa, become shimmering swim wear and begin parading inside a circus. The primary figures -- blue macaws Blu (Eisenberg) and Jewel (Hathaway), in addition to their doting human alternatives Linda (Leslie Mann) and Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) are supported with a crew of gifted supporting wild birds: the singing Pedro and Nico, performed by will.i.am and Jamie Foxx, and also the always-funny George Lopez as Rafael, a fatherly toucan, and Jemaine Clement being an evil cockatoo. You will find a couple of harmful close-calls, particularly when Blu and Jewel fall under the hands of exotic bird poachers, but overall this can be a festive film pick for families. Are You Aware? The Latin-flavored score is as simple as Grammy-winning composer Sérgio Mendes, a local Brazilian, and includes tracks by musical cast people Jemaine Clement, will.i.am and Jamie Foxx, in addition to famous fellow Brazilians Bebel Gilberto and Gracinha Leporace. Parent Concerns: Young children and sensitive more youthful audiences may be terrified of a persons smugglers, especially their vicious leader, but it is the whitened cockatoo Nigel, voiced by Clement, that's disturbingly brutal (he sings an audio lesson explaining his cruelty). Listed here are three speaking points to increase your moviegoing experience. 1. Best Animal Movies: Blu and Jewel have been in excellent company if this involves animal protagonists in animated films. How come we so attracted to speaking-animal tales? So how exactly does Blu's journey rival other recent animal tales, like 'Rango' or 'Kung Fu Panda 2'? What type of creatures would you like to see "star" in their own individual movie? My children election to determine a film in regards to a Styracosaurus, a koala bear or perhaps a unicorn. 2. Altering Your Ways: The large theme in 'Rio' is transformation. Blu and Linda originate from the suburbs in Minnesota, but throughout their adventure in Rio, they learn how to take risks and show more outgoing, courageous sides of the personality, like when super-shy Linda even pretends to become a circus dancer to ascertain if she will place her pet bird, or when Blu continues in mastering to fly. How's mtss is a lesson for the own personas? Will we possess the energy to alter the way you act, even when people know us to be shy, quiet, noisy, klutzy, etc? 3. In Demand 'Rio': Many movies targeted at children might be placed anywhere -- a random suburb as well as imaginary locale. But Rio (and South america) is basically another character within the movie. We have seen the gorgeous beaches, the exotic creatures, but the reality of poverty felt by street kids like Fernando (Mike T. Austin). Exactly what do we find out about the famous South American destination? How can Linda and Blu change when you are in Rio? Three to determine: More Animal Adventures 1. '101 Dalmatians': Dogs get together can provide relief within this canine adventure featuring of my personal favorite Disney villains: the greedy Cruella p Vil. 2. 'Finding Nemo': It's among the best father-boy films in movie history. Fabulous underwater animation, memorable figures along with a touching story get this to an exciting-time fave. 3. 'Kung Fu Panda': Jack Black voices the martial-arts-obsessed panda who finds out his inner warrior within this sweet coming-of-age story having a memorable cast and action sequences.

FCC rolls out new rule on cable disputes

The FCC is setting up a new rule aimed at preventing cable operators from removing channels from their lineups during contract disputes with cable networks. Under the "standstill" rule, as it is called, cable operators could be required to carry a cable network under the same "price, terms and other conditions of contracts of an existing programming contract" while disputes are being resolved or a ruling is issued by a regulator. Past disputes have seen channels dropped from cable lineups as fights led to an impasse. The rules changes are part of a series of steps the FCC is taking to streamline the process for dealing with complaints regarding program carriage rules, which were part of the 1992 Cable Act to prevent operators from discriminating against channels in which it they do not have an ownership stake or interest. The cable industry reacted strongly against the FCC's changes. Michael Powell, the former FCC chairman who is how CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Assn., said in a statement that the rules represent "an unfortunate trifecta: a flawed process that the FCC stubbornly refused to correct, substantive policy discussions that show little regard for the limits of agency authority or constitutional rights, and a disturbing lack of appreciation of the potential impact of government intervention on consumers or the marketplace." "Regrettably, we must now explore other avenues for redress," Powell added. Andrew Jay Schwartzman, senior VP and policy director of the Media Access Project, said the series of changes "will promote diversity in cable TV offerings by ensuring that independent cable channels have a shot at getting carried on large cable systems." He added that the changes "will not, by themselves, fix all the problems with a system dominated by a handful of cable operators, but it is certainly a welcome change all the same." Two high-profile cases are currently pending before the FCC, although the new rules will not apply. The Tennis Channel is awaiting on an administrative ruling in its complaint that Comcast placed channels in which it has a stake, like the Golf Channel, in a better position on the cable lineup while refusing to put Tennis on the same tier. Bloomberg filed a complaint against Comcast claiming that the cable operator has refused to place it in the same neighborhood as other news and business channels, even though it agreed to such a condition as part of its acquisition of a controlling interest in NBC Universal. Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com