Awards Season Signs: What to Watch for as the Campaigns Unfold

The Oscars are up for grabs. That wasn't the case at this point last season. By then, The King's Speech had wowed them in Telluride and Toronto, and The Social Network had hit theaters to critical hosannas. So what are the signs suggesting which way the winds are blowing this year?our editor recommendsFor Your Consideration: The Evolving Role of Screeners in the Awards Race (Analysis)The Best of 2011 (So Far)Related Topics•Oscars 2012 Critics Rush to Judgment The NY Film Critics Circle, which traditionally waits until mid-December to deliberate, is leapfrogging every other group by holding its annual meeting Nov. 28. That, in turn, is putting pressure on distributors of year-end releases including Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The Iron Lady, which aren't finished. Insiders insist such movies will be ready in time, but if not, the NYFCC's choices could be suspect. PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes of THR's Actress Roundtable 2011 The Indies Have Their Day The Gotham Independent Spirit Awards, which take place Nov. 28 in NY, could boost The Descendants or Martha Marcy May Marlene, which lead the pack with three noms each. But that could be short-lived because Film Independent, which reveals its Spirit Award noms the next day, could take an entirely different tack. STORY: Academy Releases Foreign-Language Oscar List Golden Globes Go For Laughs Normally, the comedy/musical categories at the Globes -- noms will be announced Dec. 15 -- play second fiddle to drama. Not this year, though: Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris and The Artist have been submitted in the comedy category. But then, so has Roman Polanski's Carnage and even The Help, which is as much a heavyweight drama as a social comedy. ANALYSIS: The Evolving Role of Screeners in the Awards Race The Producers Stick to 10 If Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is to get the attention Warner Bros. feels it deserves, then the Producers Guild of America, which announces feature noms Jan. 3, would be one place to start. But the PGA, which will nominate 10 films, won't necessarily be an Oscar barometer because the Academy's new voting system will result in five to 10 best picture noms. Related Topics Oscars Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Oscars 2012 Awards Season Preview

Warren Littlefield Gathers His Former NBC Team To Commiserate About Nets Plight

He presided over among the most powerful decades within the good reputation for NBC. And in the last 11 years, since he left the peacock network in 2000, former NBC leader-switched-producer Warren Littlefield continues to be keeping in contact with his programming team, hosting get-together dinners every few years. His next soiree is approaching the following month, around the heels of the items continues to be NBC’s worst fall rankings performance ever. “Come celebrate a period when NBC’s Thursday evening was must-see and averaged greater than a 1.9,” the invites apparently read. NBC’s once formidable Thursday selection that Littlefield and the team converted into a giant with the help of Seinfeld, Buddies and ER, has dipped below a couple rating among grown ups 18-49 this fall. A week ago, the network’s Thursday demo average would be a 1.9, last evening it ended up to some 1.8. besides a slew of primetime hits, Littlefield’s regime is renowned for putting together among the most powerful network programming teams ever. Many youthful professionals and assistants under Littlefield, who frequently attend his biyearly events, continued to operate systems, production companies or departments. They include Fox entertainment leader Kevin Reilly, Forex leader John Landgraf, Showtime entertainment leader David Nevins, former ABC leader Steve McPherson, former ABC entertainment leader-switched-producer Jamie Tarses, ABC Family EVP Kate Juergens, DreamWorks TV co-mind Justin Falvey, Fox’s mind of arranging Preston Beckman, former NBC EVP/Katalyst leader and current UMS-based producer Kerey Burke, Rat TV leader and former NBC mind of drama Chris Conti, former NBC TV Galleries mind of comedy and dealing Title TV leader Shelley McCrory and former OWN and Regency TV leader Robin Schwartz

Helpful tips for the Wizarding Realm of Harry Potter: Leave behind 'Harry Potter' in fashion

The 'Harry Potter' movies might be over (for the time being the ultimate DVD hits stores now), try not to worry, muggles! Everything Potter will carry on living on at Universal Studios' Island of chance. The Wizarding Realm of Harry Potter has everything a Potterite could ever want, in the dark halls of Hogwarts to Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, and it is all done lower towards the finest little detail. Moviefone visited the Wizarding World to commemorate the ending of probably the most effective movie franchises ever, and we have got a listing from the ten things you must do in case your broom ever goes there. 1. Grab Some Grub at Three Broomsticks Restaurant and Hog's Mind Pub How authentic are these places? Stuart Craig, the development designer for that 'Harry Potter' movies, designed the inside of Three Broomsticks, and also the Hog's Mind Pub is similar to a specific item within the movies. Chow lower on Cornish pastries, shepherd's cake, or good old seafood and chips while magical unexpected things happen throughout you. The adjacent Hog's Mind Pub features flickering lamps and -- obviously -- a gigantic hog's mind mounted behind the bar, which sometimes puffs its cheekbones and growls in the visitors. (Astute site visitors will place a trio of brooms resting from the wall within the restaurant, and Moviefone discovered solely that certain of individuals brooms is really utilized in the film!) 2. Sample a Creamy Stein of Butterbeer Yep, it warrants its very own paragraph. It's so good. I was just a little apprehensive that it might be some super-sweet concoction, however it was really really refreshing -- type of just like a mix between caramel, chocolate buttons and frozen treats. You are able to choose from the iced and frozen versions at Hog's Mind. (Sorry, muggle grown ups, there is no alcohol inside it -- butterbeer doesn't have intoxicating effects on humans, climax stated to possess quite the effect on house elves.) We could not get our on the job the particular recipe, but Mugglenet claims that they have damaged the code. 3. Take On Harry's Footwear around the Harry Potter and also the Forbidden Journey Sim Ride Sure, you have been on sim rides before at amusement parks, but this really is most likely the only person in which a dragon spits fire and smoke to your face. Daniel Radcliffe themself stated, "This ride is basically a condensed type of the chaos in Harry's existence." You are able to soar over Hogwarts, be a part of a Quidditch match and also have a close encounter using the Whomping Willow. Keep your (wizard) hats, since you get relating to this near to being turned upside lower. The Wizarding Realm of Harry Potter Muggles, rejoice! Experience everything Potter at Universal Studios' Wizarding Realm of Harry Potter. See All Moviefone Art galleries » 4. Be Brave! Try the Dragon Challenge and Flight from the Hippogriff Curler Coasters If you are an especially courageous wizard, you might like to try your hands in the Dragon Challenge -- you are able to choose 1 of 2 intertwining dragon coasters: Hungarian Horntail or Chinese Fireball. The dragons twist and narrowly miss one another about this epic adventure. If you are still a student (of sorts), choose the family-friendly Hippogriff coaster. Before starting, you are instructed regarding how to correctly approach a Hippogriff, after which you are off! 5. Question in the Magnificence of Hogwarts Castle It required roughly 5 years to construct this replica of Hogwarts, and it is truly exact lower towards the last detail, inside and outside. When your eyes adapt to the darkness from the castle's halls, you can begin to create the enchanted photographs which are talking with you while you round every corner. In Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster welcomes visitors and invites these to hear a lecture around the good reputation for the college. But you won't want to do this, would you? A lecture? Fortunately Ron, Hermione and Harry exist to lure you from that boring stuff, because they make you the Forbidden Journey Ride. 6. Let a Wand Choose You at Ollivanders We have never witnessed a lot of magical wands and wand boxes within our entire existence. They're -- quite literally -- from floor to ceiling. If you are truly lucky, the Wandkeeper will pick you from the crowd and permit the magical wands from the store arrive at you. Site visitors can also pick their very own magical wands, wand memorabilia or "practice" magical wands for more youthful magicians. 7. The Joke's you at Zonko's Joke Shop Searching to experience a prank on the relative? Possibly acquire some revenge on some buddies who got a little nasty with this fake dog poop? Zonko's is where to go to the shop has everything imaginable for that jester inside your family. Visitors can buy Sneakoscopes, Screaming Years old-Yos, Extension Ears, Pygmy Puffs, Shrunken Heads and Fanged Flyers. You heard it here first: site visitors beware. Who knows what is going to jump out to you. 8. Match Your Sweet Tooth at Honeyduke's Old Fashion Candy Store Our teeth continue to be aching from your trip to this shop. As Ron Weasley states within the movie, "Honeyduke's Sweetshop is brilliant!" A measure into Honeydukes and you will know very well what he means. The scent of sugar wafts while you open the doorway, and you are because of the choice to fill your bag with whatever chocolate you would like -- from Bernie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans (pear, watermelon, or even the unpredicted sausage, seafood or pepper tastes) to delectable chocolate frogs. 9. Get All You Need at Dervish and Banges Every good wizard needs to facilitate his/her house, be it Gryffindor, Slytherin or even the other houses. Dervish and Banges is where to obtain your personal Triwizard apparel, Hogwarts student robes, Cup of Fire and Triwizard Cup replicas, Quidditch equipment or even a Golden Snitch! You will be on the right path to wizarding glory wonderful these items. Mix having a wand and you are practically easy. 10. Put on Your 'Potter' Gear towards the Park -- Even When You are a grownup Trust us, you'll look weirder if you are not putting on something Potter-esque. We spotted a baby drawing on the wand, and saw a few grandmas entirely robes, in the tip of the hat towards the points of the footwear. We lost rely on the number of kids were built with a lightning bolt attracted on their own foreheads. Your preferred 'Potter' stars managed to get into our 5 Best runners up for that Top 25 Under 25! Are you able to believe it has been annually already because the Wizarding World was built? Benefit from the 'Harry Potter' Home Theatre Celebration from November 11 - November 13, when Universal Galleries and Warner Bros. will celebrate ten years of movie history by permitting fans to talk about their fascination with the 'Harry Potter' films. Stars in the movies is going to be present in the park, including Rupert Grint -- Ron Weasley themself! All images thanks to Universal Galleries Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Lionsgate deficits connected with B.O. disappointments

Lionsgate Entertainment pared its internet deficits by about $5 million to $25 million last quarter by having an $11 million gain from selling Walnut Pictures and ramped up contributions from pay-TV partnership Epix, which acquired it $6 000 0000 after losing it $20 million the last year.Nevertheless the studio tossed with a $19 million operating loss from $22 million profit this past year around the string of box office disappointments including ''Conan the Barbarian,'' ''Abduction'' and ''Warriors.''Theatrical revenue walked 71% to $22 million. Overall film revenue fell 36% $219 million.Company noted that only two major theatrical game game titles were released on DVD versus three the this past year, which incorporated top-grossing ''The Expendables.''Still, Lionsgate mentioned the operating loss was narrower it had anticipated in September due to an uptick in digitally shipped content and VOD, and more than expected packed media revenue from last year's theatrical slate. It reported material savings in distribution and manufacturing, reducing costs ''related to investor activism'' , i.e. their pitched fight with investor Carl Icahn. That being applied dispute features its own run its course finally as Icahn recently offered all his Lionsgate stock.Total revenue for your fiscal second quarter fell 22% $358 million.''Although i had been disappointed with the performance within our films inside the quarter, i had been pleased with the strong and growing contributions famous our other core companies,'' mentioned co-chairman and Boss Jon Feltheimer.''We believe that our film performance will improve substantially and become more consistent after we to produce couple of from the potential franchise films on our approaching slate, and our television and digital companies and Epix funnel partnership continues their strong and lucrative growth trajectory.''Revenue from Lionsgate's digital business elevated 123% inside the quarter to $60 5 million.Home entertainment revenue from both movies and television hopped 15% to $175 million on distribution in the first four seasons of ''Mad Men'' on Netflix' digital platform.Television revenue incorporated moving picture revenue was $28 million inside the quarter, reduced the last year due to timing, since the slate of two new wide-release theatrical game game titles licensed to cover TV inside the quarter when compared with five new wide-release game game titles the this past year.Television production revenue was up 21% with a record $139 million.Domestic series certification decreased 27% to $72 million inside the quarter, with revenue from shipping in the television series ''Weeds'' (Season 7), ''Blue Mountain State'' (Season 3), the initial season of ''Boss,'' ''Meet The Browns'' and ''The Wendy Williams Show.''Home entertainment releases of television production showed up in an archiveDollar55 million, driven by electronic media revenue within the distribution of ''Mad Men'' as well as the distribution of Debmar-Mercury's ''Hell's Kitchen'' additionally to packed media revenue within the relieve ''Weeds'' Season 6 on DVD.Worldwide television revenue elevated 51% within the prior year's second quarter, introduced by shipping of ''Mad Men'' (Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4) and ''Weeds'' (Seasons 6 and 7).Lionsgate U.K. revenue of $22. million elevated 41% within the prior year's second quarter due to strong revenue contributions within the Lionsgate U.K.-produced film ''Blitz.'' Excluding the U.K. biz, worldwide theatrical fell to $22.4 millionLionsgate's shot entertainment backlog showed up in an archive $550 million at September 30. Backlog signifies the amount of future revenue not recorded from contracts for your certification of films and television product for TV too as with worldwide areas. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Melissa McCarthy Named Brand Spokesperson for Ivory Soap

Emmy-winner Melissa McCarthy has been tapped to serve as the brand spokesperson for Procter & Gamble's Ivory soap.The "Mike & Molly" star, who recently appeared in a cover story in "The Hollywood Reporter" magazine, also will host "Soap Dish," the brand's new online social community on Facebook, where she will interact with women and discuss everyday topics including motherhood, marriage and meatloaf, according to P&G. The community was created on the heels of a national "mom" survey commissioned by Ivory about various topics; results will be shared on "Soap Dish."McCarthy's appointment is part of what the company is calling a "holistic reinvention" of the brand, which kicked off last month with the debut of new packaging and a new ad campaign."I grew up using Ivory, and that smell always reminds me of when I was a kid," McCarthy said. "As a working mom of two, I love anything that simplifies my life. So when one bar of soap can handle backyard dirt, spaghetti hands and the unidentified crusty bits under my girls' necks, I'm in."Added Ivory brand manager Jay Sethi: "Melissa's humor, simple charm and down-to-earth attitude fit with every bit of Ivory's persona.More than refreshingly honest and sincere, she is every woman and a modern mom, and we think our fans will absolutely love her."McCarthy won an Emmy in September for her role in CBS' sitcom "Mike & Molly" and earned acclaim for part in the hit summer movie "Bridesmaids."She also hosted NBC's "Saturday Night Live" last month, giving the show its best ratings of the season so far.McCarthy also is working with "The Help" director Tate Taylor on a comedy project she wrote titled "Tammy," which New Line acquired last month. The Hollywood Reporter

Clint Eastwood Trained Leonardo DiCaprio The best way to Fight in 'J. Edgar'

If you want to film a fight scene round the number of a Clint Eastwood movie, you should learn how to still get it done. While shooting the arrival biopic 'J.Edgar,' Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer (or, more particularly, their figures) were needed to find yourself in a brawl. Before the digital camera started moving, Dirty Harry themselves walked straight into suggest to them the ropes. In this week's Hollywood Reporter, Hammer talks about the actual way it all went lower. "Clint was there and among his stunt-guy pals, Buddy Van Horn, and so they positioned on an impromptu fight scene for people.In . mentioned Hammer. "There's Buddy waiting in the heart of the region and Clint states, 'I think it must be something such as this' -- which he explodes into Clint Eastwood the fighter and so they start striking each other around and moving on the floor. After which it Clint just can get up and states, 'OK, something of this character.AInch Yes it's true: 81-year-old Clint Eastwood could throw lower using the best. Although, have you ever seen 'Gran Torino,' then you'd understand that already. 'J. Edgar' opens November. 11 country wide. To uncover the making in the film, mind onto The Hollywood Reporter. [via THR] [Photo: AFP/Getty Images] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

See Shia LaBeouf on Vancouver Group of 'The Company You Keep'

When Shia LaBeouf is not engaging in fights outdoors of Vancouver bars and perhaps threatening individuals with hidden weapons, he's busy filming 'The Company You Keep' for director Robert Redford. Within the film -- that also stars Redford, in addition to Brit Marling, Anna Kendrick, Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon, Terrence Howard, Richard Jenkins and Stanley Tucci -- LaBeouf plays a journalist who finds out the identity of the former Weather Subterranean member (Redford) wanted through the FBI. Problems! The very first photos of LaBeouf around the group of the film have appeared, and you will tell he's playing a journalist due to his trenchcoat and cigarette. Try them out ahead. Also: glasses! 'The Company You Keep' is within theaters the coming year. [Photos: Flynet] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED