Fall Movie Preview: Studios save best films for fall Sep 11, 2009
Whether it's Peter Jackson taking on "The Lovely Bones" or Clint Eastwood directing Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in "Invictus," the schedule is full of possible Oscar contenders ... "The Lovely Bones" (not yet rated): Peter Jackson's film based on the popular book, with Saoirse Ronan as the girl watching over her family -- and the man who killed her -- from above. (Florida Today)
What's Playing Sep 10, 2009
District 9 - First-time feature film director Neill Blomkamp's short video work impressed producer Peter Jackson so much, Blomkamp originally was tapped to direct the film adaptation of the "Halo" video game franchise. Cue standard Hollywood story: Studio decides Blomkamp is too green and kills "Halo" project during preproduction. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Tolkien Estate, New Line Settle Lawsuit Over 'Lord of the Rings' Films Sep 10, 2009
Peter Jackson, who directed "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, will serve as executive producer on "The Hobbit" films. The prequels have already endured a legal path as treacherous as the story's trek by hobbit Bilbo Baggins to the Lonely Mountain. (Law.com)
Will Ecuador's Indians bankrupt Chevron? Sep 10, 2009
" Way back in the January snows of the Ashton Kutcher gigolo movie briefly looked like a hot target for studio acquisitions people, or as hot as anything looked in the depressed film economy of 2009, anyway. This stuff happens a lot at film festivals -- some picture wows the throngs of industry insiders and then vanishes, essentially forever -- but "Spread" seemed to have a lot of ingredients: A Hollywood hunk well-liked by the lay-tees, proving that he could act; a leggy Anne Heche, in an oddly... (Salon)
9 stitches together an exciting adventure Sep 9, 2009
Elijah Wood talks with Access' Scott Mantz about his new animated feature, "9." Plus, has he run into "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson. Access Hollywood. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Shane Acker stretches animation with '9' Sep 9, 2009
Producer J.J. Abrams helped Matt Reeves usher the monster movie into the YouTube era with 2008's "Cloverfield," and more recently Peter Jackson worked behind the scenes to ensure that could make his science fiction thriller "District 9" the way he felt it should be made. "They had the kind of critical distance that I didn't, they could ask the big questions and see it with fresh eyes," Acker said of his mentors. (FOX59, IN)
Final Destination stays top in US Sep 7, 2009
The extra-terrestrial movie was produced by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. Extract, the only other new release in the top 10, opened with $4. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
‘District 9’ owes its low budget of $30 million to some of the director’s other talents Sep 6, 2009
For the type of film it is, with 600 CGI [computer-generated imagery] shots, every dollar is on the screen, said Peter Jackson, the executive producer. Speaking to Blomkamp, an award-winning commercials director and visual effects creator who began making FX-heavy short films as a young teen, it had to be asked: Just $30 million. (Boston Globe)
200 '9 fall film preview Sep 6, 2009
From Peter Jackson, the story of a murdered girl (Saoirse Ronan, of Atonement ) who watches from above as her family attempts to solve the crime ... From Peter Jackson, the story of a murdered girl (Saoirse Ronan, of Atonement ) who watches from above as her family attempts to solve the crime. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Sentinel Lunchtime Blog (Movies): Virtual reality takes dystopian view Sep 3, 2009
But as the video game industry suffers in the recession and directors like Peter Jackson (though that did result in District 9 instead, which is more to my liking), maybe well see less of the movies based on video game plots and more looking at science-fiction avenues of dystopian video gamers. At least the latter is more likely to produce something of quality. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Final Destination tops film chart Sep 1, 2009
Halloween II was a new entry at number three, with sci-fi film District 9, produced by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, in fourth spot. District 9 tells the story of an extra-terrestrial race living on earth. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Vampires, werewolves, liars lead fall film cast Aug 31, 2009
Beloved literature and storybook adventures come to the screen with Maurice Sendak's children's classic "Where the Wild Things Are," Disney's animated fairy tale "The Princess and the Frog" and "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson's adaptation of modern favorite "The Lovely Bones." ... Peter Jackson adapts Alice Sebold's "The Lovely Bones," featuring Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg and Susan Sarandon in the saga of a murdered girl (Saoirse Ronan) watching over her grieving family as well as... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Vampires, Toys Take To The Screen This Fall Aug 31, 2009
Beloved literature and storybook adventures come to the screen with Maurice Sendak's children's classic "Where the Wild Things Are," Disney's animated fairy tale "The Princess and the Frog" and "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson's adaptation of modern favorite "The Lovely Bones." ... " ___ CLASS ACTS: Hollywood's prestige season includes entries from Academy Award winners Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank as real-life role models. Swank stars as Amelia Earhart in director Mira Nair's... (Click2Houston, TX)
Highlights of Hollywood's fall, holiday schedule Aug 31, 2009
THE LOVELY BONES: Peter Jackson directs the story of a slain girl watching over her family from heaven. With Rachel Weisz and Mark Wahlberg. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
'Hangover,' 'Up' And More Of The Summer's Biggest Box-Office Hits Aug 29, 2009
Credit producer Peter Jackson with another triumph, and keep an eye on newbie director Neil Blomkamp for years to come. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Hollywood used to believe that every sequel made a little bit less than the one before it, and most franchises were lucky if they were still profitable by the third installment. (VHI.com -- Music News)
A Double Review: District 9 and Ali... Aug 29, 2009
Director Peter Jackson takes a first-time movie director and a first-time actor and makes a memorable science fiction film with a moral ... Peter Jackson Spins Gold from Straw ... District 9 was produced by Peter Jackson (dir. (Suite101.com)
Finally, a reason to like August at the movies Aug 28, 2009
Made for a paltry $30 million and lacking any big names (save for behind-the-scenes producer Peter Jackson), it nevertheless became a smash thanks to director Neill Blomkamp's breathless storytelling, which mixes slam-bam action with political allegory (aliens land in South A 00003CC5 frica and are treated to a taste of apartheid). Last weekend, of course, the 500-pound gorilla was Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," a goofy war melodrama that blithely rewrote the history of WWII and was... (Herald Online, SC -- Lifestyles)
Elijah Wood Says He Could Never Play Bilbo Aug 26, 2009
Director Guillermo Del Toro is currently at work on the film adaptations of the famed J.R.R. Tolkien novel, which will be produced and co-written by "Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson. Wood said that he could understand why people would think he's a natural to play Bilbo, who was played in his later years by Ian Holm in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. (Click2Houston, TX)
McKellen: Bilbo is Cast Aug 25, 2009
Exec producer Peter Jackson said at July's San Diego Comic-Con that, since The Hobbit hadn't been greenlit yet, no actors had been offered any roles in the film. If the script has indeed been completed, turned into the studio and budgeting is under way, then casting would follow thereafter. (IGN FilmForce)
"Inglourious Basterds" storms N American box office Aug 24, 2009
It was produced by Oscar-winning writer-director Peter Jackson of "Lord of the Rings." Director Neil BLomkamp is turning 30 only next month and lacks feature film experience before the film was launched. "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," Paramount's live action adaptation of a popular toy franchise, took the number three slot with 12. (Xinhuanet, China)
Tarantino strikes box office gold Aug 24, 2009
District 9, produced by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, is on course to surpass the $100m mark. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
"District 9" Is Summer's Sleeper Hit Aug 22, 2009
Fans Flock to Peter Jackson-Produced Film Featuring Unknown Director and Cast ... The Peter Jackson produced sci-fi thriller "District 9" may be the sleeper hit of the summer ... Producer Peter Jackson, best known for the Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, said "District 9," at the end of the day, is "ultimately (about) aliens and exploding bodies and ray guns and all the cool stuff you would hope to see but, it has a sense of originality that I'm really proud about.". (CBS News)
• 'District 9' full of surprises Aug 21, 2009
Writer, director Neill Blomkamp (an apparent discovery of Lord Peter Jackson) does some unique things visually from the very beginning. There's a reason the trailers projected "documentary;" Blomkamp uses an in-movie film crew to introduce us to the movie's hero, Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley). (Juneau Empire)
'Lovely Bones' explores life after death Aug 21, 2009
In previews for the movie (being released Dec. 11 with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson), the in between is a magical CGI world akin to the most imaginative fantasies ever dreamed. An all-star cast of Susan Sarandon, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci and young Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan (Atonement), it looks to be one of the winters most anticipated releases. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
‘Not Quite Hollywood’ an over-the-top look at films from down under Aug 21, 2009
You can see how a director like a young Peter Jackson learned to make movies. This is as insightful a glimpse into a country s cinema as you re likely to see at this running time. (Boston Globe)
Disney, Zemeckis board 'Yellow Submarine' Aug 20, 2009
Maybe Peter Jackson or the Pixar gang. The problem is - the smarter these guys think they are - the worse their movies are - and the corporate overlords of the studios are too cheap to spend the money to make things right. (Variety)
'District 9' sequel plan Aug 19, 2009
In an exclusive interview with he also talks candidly about his experiences working on the 'Halo' movie he was supposed to have directed with Peter Jackson ('Lord of the Rings', 'King Kong') producing. He says that his involvement with the project is definitely "dead" and that he isnt particularly interested in directing it even he were asked to do so. (iAfrica.com)
GC 2009: Gaming in Stereoscopic 3... Aug 19, 2009
Oliver says that Hollywood is committed now to producing digital, 3D movies, and that it'll start with animated films because it's easier to get the cameras lined up properly, but Oliver did mention that Spielberg and Peter Jackson were working on 3D movies, and that he's even seen sports broadcasts in 3D.With the right hardware on PCs, it is possible to get your games working in 3D, though they haven't necessarily been tuned to play that way. For televisions, they're currently on sale, but... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
'District 9' Takes Top Spot At Box Office Aug 18, 2009
The R-rated thriller has turned out to be a Cinderella story for producer Peter Jackson and its director, newcomer Neill Blomkamp. After their "Halo" project fell apart, the pair teamed up to remake Blomkamp's short film "Alive in Joburg" with a $30 million budget. (VHI.com -- Music News)
$37M Box Office Liftoff for "District 9" Aug 18, 2009
Peter Jackson-Produced Sci-Fi Thriller Edges Out "G.I. Joe," "Time Traveler's Wife" for Top Spot ... The Sony release produced by "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson led the weekend with a $37 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Alien thriller 'District 9' lands atop box office Aug 18, 2009
Producer Peter Jackson speaks during a panel discussion for Sony Pictures Entertainment: "District 9" at Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center. Creepy aliens landed on top of the North American box office over the weekend, with "District 9" opening with 37. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Alien thriller 'District 9' lands at box office top spot Aug 17, 2009
Producer Peter Jackson speaks during a panel discussion for Sony Pictures Entertainment: "District 9" at Comic-Con 2009 held at San Diego Convention Center. "District 9," an alien thriller set in an apartheid society divided between humans and space creatures, landed at the top of the North American box office on Sunday, initial weekend figures showed. (Yahoo! Asia News)
'District 9' is No. 1 Aug 17, 2009
Produced by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, the film s about extraterrestrials forced by humans to live in squalor in a ghetto in South Africa. It s the first feature from music-video director Neill Blomkamp, who also co-wrote the script. (Boston Globe)
New Zealand hails Rings heroes Aug 17, 2009
Director Peter Jackson enjoyed a celebratory homecoming after his Oscar triumph with a civic ceremony in his hometown of Wellington, New Zealand. Jackson and his fellow Oscar winners were presented with glass goblets after winning 11 Oscars for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. (Yahoo News -- Lord of the Rings)
Scoop: Jon Gosselin hanging around with paparazzi Aug 17, 2009
In an excerpt of the book proposal, Jermaine Jackson wrote: "My brother is not what the world thinks he is; hes not what weve always told you he was either. My brother is a superstar, yes. My brother is wealthy. He owns shares in Sony music. He drinks, he does drugs, he lies, he cheats, he changed his skin color and mostly, hes human. Currently there are no plans to complete or publish the book. Click for related contentWeekend box officeEven if "District 9" isn't your kind of... (MSNBC -- Gossip)
The face only a film geek could love Aug 15, 2009
After years of directing, Peter Jackson thoroughly enjoyed being a producer on the sci-fi thriller District 9, writes Garry Maddox ... But all that didn't mean Peter Jackson could use his own visual-effects company for his latest movie as producer, the science-fiction thriller District 9. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
“District 9” jumpstarts young director’s career Aug 15, 2009
Combine this delight in speculation with a political undercurrent worth exploring and an exquisite sense of place and purpose, and I m starting to agree with Peter Jackson. District 9 and Blomkamp are a film and filmmaker worth supporting. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Review: 'District 9' Original, Effective Aug 15, 2009
The 29-year-old South African-born director cut his teeth doing special effects in Canada for TV shows like "Smallville" and "Stargate SG-1." He graduated to music videos and commercials for clients like Nike and Panasonic, and was then picked by director "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson to do a movie based on the video game, "Halo.". When that project fell apart, the two resurrected a concept from a short mockumentary Blomkamp made years earlier about aliens on earth. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
District 9 could be stealth summer hit Aug 15, 2009
Its an utterly original film, says District 9s single A-list name, producer Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) ... Go behind-the-scenes with producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp as they shoot their action-packed sci-fi movie about aliens that accidentally land on Earth and are forced into refugee camps while humans try to steal the secrets to their technology ... Halo loss is summer movie seasons gainDistrict 9 wasnt the movie Neill Blomkamp first... (MSNBC -- Movies)
'District 9': The Uninvited, By Kurt Loder Aug 15, 2009
A South African now residing in Vancouver, Blomkamp became such a hot commodity directing music videos and TV commercials that he came to the attention of Peter Jackson, the noted New Zealand Ring-lord. Jackson recruited Blomkamp to direct a movie based on the Halo video games. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Meet 'District 9' Star Sharlto Copley Aug 14, 2009
I was never set to star in the film,' Copley says of producer Peter Jackson pushing for him to get the role ... Sharlto Copley and peter Jackson ( Chelsea Lauren/ WireImage ) ... But Peter Jackson liked the idea of Copley playing the lead and he told the film's director, Neill Blomkamp, who offered the role to his longtime friend and producing partner by saying, "Look, Peter is totally behind this.". (VHI.com -- Music News)
Peter Jackson improvises with District 9 Aug 14, 2009
Peter Jackson improvises with District 9 - Movie interviews- msnbc ... Peter Jackson improvises with District 9 ... Peter Jackson is the producer for Neill Blomkamp's new film "District 9." And he also has his own directorial efforts on deck, "The Lovely Bones" and "The Hobbit.". (MSNBC -- News)
'District 9' Aug 14, 2009
When his collaboration with producer Peter Jackson on an adaptation of the video game "Halo" fell through, they took a six-minute short Blomkamp shot in a Johannesburg shantytown and spun it into a feature. Although "District 9" can be seen as caustic commentary on apartheid, moviegoers can look at the escalating tensions, street protests and signs such as "No non-human loitering" and think about anti-immigration fever old and new or ethnic battles or America in the 1950s and '60s. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Jackson's Best Films Stem from Self-Doubt Aug 14, 2009
Director Peter Jackson poses for a portrait in San Diego, Thursday, July 23, 2009 ... (AP) Peter Jackson is driven by a deep-seated neurosis: The fear that his films are terrible. (CBS News)
La Toya Jackson wont be Dancing Aug 14, 2009
Go behind-the-scenes with producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp as they shoot their action-packed sci-fi movie about aliens that accidentally land on Earth and are forced into refugee camps while humans try to steal the secrets to their technology. . (MSNBC -- News)
Infiltrating "District 9" Aug 13, 2009
The much hyped, Peter Jackson backed District 9, the first full-length film for director Neill Blomkamp, opens Friday. To keep the anticipation rolling, Blomkamp and lead actor Sharlto Copley recently sat for a roundtable interview with local press and talked aliens, South Africa and why the Halo movie never materialized. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Ashton Kutcher proves he can actually act in "Spread" Aug 13, 2009
Peter Jackson prot;g; Neill Blomkamp talks about "District 9," the sci-fi breakthrough of the summer. Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009 13:12 EDT. (Salon)
Thrilling District 9 lives up to the hype Aug 13, 2009
(Peter Jackson is the big name attached to this refreshingly star-free project hes one of the producers and Weta Digital, the company behind Jacksons Lord of the Rings trilogy, provided the intricate alien effects. . (MSNBC -- Movies)
Capsule reviews: `District 9,' other films Aug 13, 2009
(Peter Jackson is the big name attached to this refreshingly star-free project _ he's one of the producers. Blomkamp set "District 9" in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was born and raised, so it's easy to assume his themes of racial division are a metaphor for apartheid. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Peter Jackson Proud Of 'Fiercely Original' 'District 9' Aug 12, 2009
Peter Jackson Proud Of 'Fiercely Original' 'District 9 ... Peter Jackson ( MTV News ) ... If there's one thing Peter Jackson seems to be proud of as far as "District 9" is concerned, it's that the film is an original work. (VHI.com -- Music News)
"District 9": Is apartheid acceptable -- for giant bugs? Aug 12, 2009
Neill, here you are with your debut feature film coming out, and it's produced by Peter Jackson ... Peter Jackson prot;g; Neill Blomkamp talks about "District 9," the sci-fi breakthrough of the summer. (Salon)
Jackson is back to basics on low-budget 'District 9' Aug 5, 2009
In Peter Jackson's new movie, starring Sharlto Copley, an alien race known as "prawns" is kept segregated from humans in the stark ghettos of Johannesburg ... Peter Jackson is back to basics on low-budget 'District 9 ... " He's taking one with District 9, a documentary-style tale of aliens who are forced into the ghettos of Johannesburg. Fans used to the exotic worlds that spring from Jackson's effects house may be startled by the bloody, barbed-wire world of District 9. The film marks a return... (USA Today -- Life)
Jon Favreau Wants To See Iron Man In 3-D Jul 30, 2009
SAN DIEGO At the recently concluded Comic-Con, there seemed to be one number and one letter on everyone's lips: 3-D. Directors like Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis unveiled new footage flaunting it, James Cameron and Peter Jackson held. panels praising it, and Hall H was equipped to show it for the first time. (VHI.com -- Music News)
'The Hobbit' Not Yet Green-Lit, Peter Jackson Says Jul 30, 2009
The Hobbit' Not Yet Green-Lit, Peter Jackson Says ... Peter Jackson ( MTV News ). (VHI.com -- Music News)
Directors, actors geek out with fans at Comic-Con Jul 26, 2009
Peter Jackson joked about ducking out of a discussion with director James Cameron _ which drew thousands of fans to the San Diego Convention Center's largest meeting hall _ to walk the floor with fewer crowds ... Peter Jackson joked about ducking out of a discussion with director James Cameron _ which drew thousands of fans to the San Diego Convention Center's largest meeting hall _ to walk the floor with fewer crowds. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
SDCC 09: Peter Jackson Updates IGN Jul 25, 2009
- Peter Jackson talks - Avatar is amazing - Bungie: No more Halo - Friday Giveaway - District 9 premiere. We'd been talking about releasing the first movie in December 2011 and the second in December 2012 ; and that's what we're aiming for ; but the studio is obviously not going to sign off on the films until they see a script. (IGN FilmForce)
Peter Jackson Welcomed Freedom To Make 'District 9' 'Grungy' Jul 25, 2009
Peter Jackson Welcomed Freedom To Make 'District 9' 'Grungy ... SAN DIEGO On Thursday, Mr. "Lord of the Rings" himself, Peter Jackson, invited MTV News to a private event at Comic-Con. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Geeks steamrolled by Hollywood's sci-fi spruikers Jul 24, 2009
Close on Cameron's heels will be another Oscar winner, Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, who, surprisingly, has never made it to Comic-Con before, despite his work in Middle Earth and on King Kong. Jackson will be in town to promote District 9, an original tale about aliens who come to Earth and are forced to live in internment camp slums. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Fans swarm Comic-Con for big film previews Jul 24, 2009
Megan Fox is set to attend in support of Jennifers Body and Jonah Hex; Robert Downey Jr. will be on hand for Iron Man 2 and Sherlock Holmes; Peter Jackson is coming to his first Comic-Con to show off the latest film he produced, District 9, and Cameron Diaz is set to promote her new thriller, The Box. . (MSNBC -- Lifestyle)
Comic Con Promises 'Avatar,' 'New Moon,' 'IM2' Jul 23, 2009
Megan Fox is set to attend in support of "Jennifer's Body" and "Jonah Hex"; Robert Downey Jr. will be on hand for "Iron Man 2" and "Sherlock Holmes"; Peter Jackson is coming to his first Comic Con to show off the latest film he produced, "District 9," and Cameron Diaz is set to promote her new thriller, "The Box.". Sigourney Weaver, one of the stars of "Avatar," said she's excited to make her Comic Con debut. (Click2Houston, TX)
SAN DIEGO: Thousands attend preview night in anticipation of Comic-Con weekend Jul 23, 2009
"It's not all big-budget and movie stars, though. The Con still is a place where budding artists can show their portfolios to professionals and where small publishing houses can hawk what they hope will be the next superhero.Encinitas comic artist Mary Fleener and San Marcos resident and Luann creator Greg Evans are regulars at the convention, and Del Mar resident and former Mystery Science Theater 3000 host Michael J. Nelson will perform with fellow cast members Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett on... (North County Times)
From Halo to District 9 Jul 22, 2009
Peter Jackson and co. go from Master Chief to the alien problem ... July 20, 2009 - Lord of the Rings maestro Peter Jackson's latest producing effort, , first came to the attention of the mainstream public with a series of very sneaky and intriguing viral-marketing ads that began popping up about a year ago at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. (IGN FilmForce)
SDCC 09: IGN's Comic-Con Preview Jul 22, 2009
He'll be joined by Peter Jackson. Yes, that Peter Jackson. (IGN FilmForce)
Hobbit films snarled in lawsuit Jul 15, 2009
Peter Jackson, who directed all three ''Rings'' films, sued New Line in 2005, claiming the studio miscalculated his proceeds from the first movie. They settled for an undisclosed sum in 2007. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Comic-Con 2009 Preview: 'New Moon,' 'Iron Man 2' And More Jul 14, 2009
" Oh, and did I mention that Megan Fox might get the geeks' attention by ? "9" (Friday at 2:30 p.m., Hall H) Produced by Tim Burton and "Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov and from the studio that brought us the eye-dazzling "Coraline" earlier this year this 9.9.09 movie could be something special. Stars Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly will be at the panel, along with a ton of new footage. "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (Thursday at 2:00 p.m., Room 6BCF) It's a movie aimed primarily at... (VHI.com -- Music News)
