Film Arcade nabs first title with 'Dream Team'

New distributor Film Arcade makes its first acquisition since starting right before the Sundance Film Fest, joining up with Lionsgate to nab "Another Dream Team," a documentary that stories Lithuania's 1992 Olympic games bronze medal-winning basketball squad. Longtime producer Marius Markevicius' directorial debut performed within the U.S. documentary section only at that year's Sundance Film Fest, where Variety first reported that Ambush Entertainment producers Miranda Bailey and Matthew Leutwyler, in addition to Andy Bohn and Jason Beck, were starting Film Arcade. The self-referred to low-overhead, "filmmaker-friendly" stand alone outfit, which positively went after game titles throughout the The month of january fest, aims for 4 to 6 features each year. Now it's its first title in "Dream Team," an beneficial docu that highlights the small Baltic country's dependence on basketball and it is 1992 medal run in the Barcelona Games, in which the Grateful Dead come onboard to assist the reason by supplying Dead-style tie-dye uniforms in national colors. Final documents around the deal had been completed, and plans based on how Film Arcade and Lionsgate will divvy the discharge weren't immediately revealed. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Lorax Finds Eco-friendly In The US Box Office

Project X parties in second placeIt seems that Dr Seuss continues to be great for box office business because the latest 'toon according to his work, The Lorax, just obtained the greatest spring opening to have an animated movie ever. The brand new Seussian film made $70.5 million in the opening weekend, handily trouncing the relaxation from the chart.Project X, for those its hanging out and madness, also obtained a good haul, making $20.5 million. Given its low quality, which should mean it'll earn profits. Model of that what you should. The 2 beginners meant Navy SEAL action pic Act Of Valor was demoted to 3rd place, adding $13.3 million to the total. Safe House was 4th with $7.two million and Tyler Perry's Good Deeds fell to fifth and $7 million.Journey 2: The Mysterious Island sank to sixth place, generating $6.9 million, as the Vow was lower a few places to seventh and $6.a million. What This Means Is War required eighth with $5.six million, Ghost Driver: Spirit Of Vengeance what food was in ninth, consuming $4.7 million and also the Artist snuck in to the top ten for that first time off work the rear of its Oscar haul. It notched up $3.9 million a few days ago for any running total of $37 million.To question and blunder and worry and sway, to finagle and flimflam and also have your personal say using the charts, mind on to Box Office Mojo.

Ratings: GCB Features a Modest Debut

CBS isn't any more ongoing to maneuver forward while using drama pilot Quean. Pilot Season: CBS builds up three drama aircraft aircraft pilots, including one out of the L Word creatorThe project, which was being produced by Warner Bros. TV, remains stopped due to ongoing legal pressure in the new the new sony Pictures, according to Deadline, which first reported what is the news. The brand new the new sony alleges the pilot is just too such as the Girl While using Dragon Tattoo, that the organization released a year ago with expects to help adapt the very best-selling trilogy of books into films. Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com The L WordIlene ChaikenThe Girl While Using Dragon Tattoo

Kinepolis sees 30% profit hike

LONDON -- European cinema group Kinepolis reported a 30% increase in profit to 36.5 million ($47.5 million) this season, with sales up 6.1 % to 253.7 million ($329.8 million). The Belgium-based exhibitor, which works multiplexes in France, The nation, Europe and Belgium, drenched 21.3 million admissions a year ago, just .3% lower from 2010. But box office revenue was up 2.1% to 149.millions of ($193.8 million), due to greater ticket prices. Credits and screen advertising were also up. A Kinepolis statement mentioned this revenue growth reflected a noteworthy difference inside the customer experience from purchasing digitization, re-creating its theaters, and improving the refreshments available. Growth wasn't uniform within the areas through which Kinepolis works. The The the spanish language language business experienced from that country's economic worries, with ticket sales falling 7.9% to 4.2 million inside the group's three sites. Belgian admissions elevated 2.8% from 11 sites, while French ticket sales ticked up .5%. Admissions across Europe completed most effective inside the final quarter of 2011, after lagging substantially behind 2010 inside the first nine several days of year. France and Belgium were buoyed by strong local movies, for instance "Intouchables" and "Rundskop," because the local connection of "The Adventures of Tintin" and "The Smurfs" also aided to push people films to the 5 best artists for Kinepolis. Despite a larger volume of 3d releases, total 3d ticket sales were lower this season, with no blockbuster to enhance the 3 dimensional success of "Avatar" this season. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Music and memories

Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears flank honoree Richard Branson at the Salute to Industry Icons gala on Saturday. Clive Davis and Sean Combs speak onstage at the BevHilton. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Gladys Knight, William McDowell and Carole King gather at Icons gala. Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M Jimmy Iovine and producer Dr. Dre attend Clive Davis and The Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Richard Branson.Alicia Keys sings at Icons gala. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group Lucian Grainge and producer Nigel Lygothe.Berry Gordy and Diana Ross reteam at Icons gala. Blake Shelton and Dwight Yoakam at Icons gala Rusty Anderson, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl and Brian Ray help raise $6.5 million for MusiCares, which aids musicians in need. Tally eclipsed last year's $4.7 million record. Doug Morris, Leslie Moonves and Neil Portnow at MusiCares James McCartney and Yoko Ono at MusiCares Katy Perry performs at MusiCares. Kim and Glen Campbell at the Wilshire Ebell The pre-Grammy parties kicked off Friday with the MusiCares Person of the Year event. And leave it to Paul McCartney to upstage his own tribute, breaking tradition for a MusiCares honoree by opening the show with a rousing rendition of "Magical Mystery Tour," a fitting intro to the McCartney songbook that would assume new definition with every artist who appeared onstage. Coldplay performed "We Can Work It Out" as if it were a plea for world peace; Katy Perry tapped her inner torch singer with "Hey Jude"; Neil Young and Crazy Horse slowed "I Saw Her Standing There" to a loping, grungy gate; and Norah Jones' smokey delivery on "Oh Darling" helped prompt McCartney to comment later about "all these fantastic artists putting nuances on songs that I didn't know were there." On Saturday, news of Whitney Houston's death was a startling coda to an already emotional afternoon as the Grammy Special Awards honored several legends at the Wilshire Ebell. Recording Academy prexy Neil Portnow predicted, "There will be tears today," but he had no idea how true this would be.From Glen Campbell's courage in the face of Alzheimer's to the tear-filled acceptance speech from Wayne Jackson of the honored Memphis Horns and the onstage presence of the families of such luminaries as recording engineer Roger Nichols and producer-songwriter Dave Bartholomew, storied careers were poignantly celebrated. Diana Ross pointed to her five children onstage and said, "My children are my lifetime achievement." And Allman Brothers Band founding member Gregg Allman alluded to his past by noting, "Music does soothe the savage beast" while also proclaiming his determination to be "back on the road again, making music."An ashen-faced Portnow rushed out of the Wilshire Ebell only moments after the ceremony ended to grapple with the acad's response to Houston's passing.Rumors swirled that Clive Davis' annual Salute to Industry Icons would be canceled, but the show went on. Davis dedicated Saturday's event at the BevHilton to Houston's memory, and began the evening with a moment of silence. Tony Bennett drew a standing ovation with the night's first number, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing." A subdued solo version of "If I Had You" by Diana Krall was succeeded by somber speeches by Portnow and Sean Combs. And Alicia Keys recalled practicing Houston's early hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" before a mirror as a girl, and said the late singer became a personal "barometer for what you wished for and hoped for and dreamed of." Elsewhere that night, the 6th Annual Primary Wave Music Pre-Grammy Party took place at the SLS Hotel, and a beyond-capacity crowd gathered to see perfs by Airborne Toxic Event, Alien Ant Farm, Natasha Bedingfield and Cee Lo Green. "What can I say that hasn't already been said about the great Whitney Houston?" asked Green. "She was eloquent and extremely influential to me and it's so tragic because it was so all of the sudden. She shined with her beauty and ability."(Christopher Morris and Erin Maxwell contributed to this report.) Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

MTV Movie Brawl 2012: Final Four Voting Begins!

Much like that, the MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is gloomier to four. Starting with 32 initial players together with an outrageous card round that introduced another five, the brawl with this all has finally whittled itself lower to merely four remaining rivals: "Cosmopolis," the Rachelle Lefervre thriller that beat "Breaking Beginning" for just about any top place "The Dark Dark evening Increases," Christopher Nolan's third and final Batman movie "The Hunger Games," the arrival youthful adult franchise starring Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence and "The Woman In Black," an unforeseen dark equine after tearing through fan faves "Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman" and "The Hobbit: An Unforeseen Journey." Voting is open round the Final Four until Thursday (The month of the month of january 19) at 11:59 PM EST. Beginning Friday (The month of the month of january 20), we'll enter in the one-on-the final round, where only one movie will bid farewell to the brawl while using title of can't-miss movie of 2012. Obviously, keep voting making your voice heard!

Discovery, NHK, Bang plan doc on Japan disaster

Tokyo -- Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, pubcaster NHK and TV production house Bang Singapore are partnering on a documentary about Japan's recovery from the March 11 disaster, featuring Ken Watanabe. The lead helmer of the doc will be NHK's Yasushi Koyama, working with a core Japanese production team, while execs from the international partners will co-produce. The doc will bow at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which runs Jan. 25-29, where Watanabe is skedded to speak. Watanabe, who starred in "Inception," "Batman Begins" and "The Last Samurai," has taken an active role in the post-disaster recovery effort, launching the kizuna311 and Unite for Japan websites to raise fund for victims and their communities. In the doc he will serve as moderator and reporter, visiting the areas in the northern Tohoku region devastated by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor meltdown, and talking to locals about how they are reviving local industries and planning for the future. "I'm excited that we have had the opportunity for this collaboration at such an important time for Japan," Koyama said. "Together with Ken Watanabe, we'll do our utmost to communicate Japan's ongoing recovery to the world." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Auto biz tunes up branding engine

Audi MMIBMW ConnectedDriveToyota EntuneChevrolet MyLinkCadillac CueFord Sync/MyFord TouchBuick IntelliLinkKia UVOWith infotainment systems growing popular, automakers hope branding them will make their cars more attractive the way General Motors promoted OnStar (which faces competish from BMW's BMW Assist, Hyundai's Blue Link, Lexus' Enform and Mercedes' mbrace). Here are a few and what they offer:Audi MMIThe German automaker's Multi Media Interface appears on a 5-inch black and red or 7-inch full-color screen, the latter of which displays all entertainment options, Google Earth navigation (in 3D), Sirius Traffic updates and local points of interest accessible via buttons around a control dial and pad that reads handwriting. T-Mobile provides Audi Connect's high-speed Wi-Fi web service accessible via mobile devices such as Apple's iPad.BMW ConnectedDriveA futuristic version was shown off in "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," but BMW's infotainment system features all the expected bells and whistles and connects to the Internet through BMW Online, a $99 a year service that features Wiki Local, Wikipedia entries on area destinations and Yelp restaurant reviews read aloud through text-to-speech functionality. Apps are only compatible through Apple's iPhone but will soon expand to Android.Toyota EntuneEntune controls media, navigation and cell phones, as well as apps such as iHeartRadio, Bing, Pandora, OpenTable and MovieTickets.com and info like realtime traffic, weather, sports scores and stock prices. Also offers voice controls. Launched with Prius V.Chevrolet MyLinkSystem connects to phones and offers voice commands to control media and such apps as Pandora and Stitcher.Cadillac CueThe Linux-based Cadillac User Experience sports an 8-inch LCD display to showcase apps, 3D navigation and provides tactile feedback when scrolling, selecting and swiping, and multi-touch gesturing, similar to a smarphone. It supports two Bluetooth connections and 10 devices. Voice controls enable more natural language usage. Internet browsing is available when parked. Bows with new XTS and ATS sedans and SRX crossover.Ford Sync/MyFord TouchThe Touch system, also available in Lincoln's luxury cars, gets a needed update to provide faster response times, better voice recognition, compatibility with more mobile devices, Audible.com's e-books, and clearer phone calls. Fonts are larger and easier to read, while the overall design is simpler and less cluttered. Navigation includes 3D maps, and photorealistic road signs and info on nearby landmarks.Buick IntelliLinkSimilar to Chevy's MyLink infotainment system, IntelliLink is also available on GMC vehicles with the same functionality but with flashier graphics.Mercedes-Benz ComandMercedes is embracing Siri-like voice controls found on Apple's iPhone 4s to power its Comand system, which will utilize natural language dictation for text messaging, emails and web browsing while driving and control apps like Twitter, Facebook, Pandora and Google Street View navigation. Handwriting recognition and gesture controls for interior lighting is also in the works. Kia UVOPowered by Microsoft, the system is short for "Your Voice," and displays on a 4.3-inch screen to connect to a phone and media files. Also offers voice controls. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

New Still From Warm Physiques Arrives

Nicholas Hoult Is RWhile offbeat zombie tale Warm Physiques does not hit here until late August, Summit Entertainment is attempting to make certain all of us remember it's in route. That might explain why the organization has launched a brand new picture of star Nicholas Hoult as central zombie character R. Have a gander below via Collider.Case the most recent look we have had in the groaning, but completely different zomboid featured within the story, because he seemed to be area of the first, disturbingly Twilight-esque image that made an appearance this past year.But we've belief this is a lot more than the usual decaying flesh variation on Edward and Bella's complicated love story. Modified from Isaac Marion's novel by 50/50 director Jonathan Levine, Physiques is occur a global where zombies abound and also the remaining human children are holed up inside a heavily guarded city.R is definitely an unusual zombie: he's still a bit alive inside. So when he spots Julie (Teresa Palmer), he becomes going to save her from both his fellow zombies and also the lethal Boneys, the next phase in undead transformation. Naturally, she's less than so convinced, but R wins her over by promising off flesh and protecting her more often than once. The issue here is, their burgeoning love is within danger from her father (Malkovich), who's set on eliminating the zombie menace...Warm Physiques is going to be on August 24.

Jeremy Renner Thailand Bar Fight? 'Mission: Impossible' Actor Apparently at the end of Evening Scuffle [UPDATE]

It seems Thailand might have Jeremy Renner now. With what seems like a erased scene from 'The Hangover Part II,' the actor was apparently in the center of a bar fight in Phuket, Thailand that ended with one guy in serious condition after being stabbed within the neck by having an axe. Based on TMZ, your dream started at 4:30 a.m. local time when someone in Renner's number of buddies -- apparently a guy named Vorasit Issara, the gm from the Siri Panwa Resort -- "dropped a glass on the ground that began the melee." Within the ensuing scuffle, Issara was stabbed, while Renner experienced minor injuries. Increasing star is onscreen now in 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' and may be observed in the approaching features 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' and 'The Bourne Legacy.' UPDATE: Based on Renner's reps, he was in the resort in which the fight started, but wasn't active in the altercation. [via TMZ] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook