Kobalt Music taps Sanders as prexy

Richard Sanders has been named prexy of Kobalt Music Group, the independent music publisher announced Friday. In the newly created position, Sanders will be based in NY and report to Kobalt founder-CEO Willard Ahdritz. The fast-growing indie publisher recently acquired digital distributor Artists Without a Label, and launched new divisions in neighboring rights and artist and label services. A three-decade industry vet, Sanders was most recently chairman of Sony Music Intl. as well as president of global marketing. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Jennifer Aniston Knows The Standard Heart

Alec Baldwin & Jim Parsons also aboardThough he introduced this year he was establishing an adaptation of Ray Kramer's autobiographical Helps drama The Standard Heart, director Ryan Murphy (Eat Pay Love) has had a bit longer to drag things together than planned. But in the looks from the cast he's putting together, it seems it had been well worth the wait, as Jennifer Aniston will star alongside Alec Baldwin, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and also the already-attached Mark Ruffalo.Kramer initially authored and staged the play in 1985, searching in the rise of Aids/Helps among NY's gay community within the eighties. It obtained a Tony for the best Revival this past year, as well as won honours for John Benjamin Hickey and Ellen Barkin.Ruffalo's playing author/activist Ned Days, who throws themself in to the struggle to obtain the disease viewed as something apart from the "gay cancer" that lots of top quality it at that time. Roberts is going to be Emma Brookner, a physician who is among the couple of doctors in NY to accept problem seriously. Baldwin is on as Weeks' brother, an attorney that has trouble together with his brother's homosexuality. Bomer's signed on as Felix Turner, who romances Days and tragically contracts the condition. Finally there's Parsons, who's reprising his role in the Broadway version, another activist who's a part of a gay men's health crisis group.Murphy has become searching to lock lower the financing for that film, however with Roberts and also the relaxation aboard, that should not take too lengthy. Meanwhile, the Glee co-creator continues to be busy on his other effective TV series, American Horror Story.Roberts, who starred in Eat, will next be observed in Snow Whitened tale Mirror Mirror. Baldwin has musical Rock Of Age range set to reach this season in addition to his regular job on 30 Rock. Bomer was last observed in Over Time and can next appear in Steven Soderbergh's stripper drama Miracle Mike, while Parsons, usually most widely known as Sheldon around the Large Bang Theory, adorned the giant screen briefly within the Muppets. Last but in no way least there's Ruffalo, who seems within the Avengers, which a couple of of you may be conscious of...

Osvart joins 'Aftershock' thriller

OsvartAndrea Osvart is positioned to star inside the indie thriller "Aftershock," set through the aftermath in the 2010 Chilean earthquake.Nicolas Lopez is helming the pic with Eli Roth and John Oliver creating the pic.Aside from the film's setting, plot particulars are increasingly being saved under systems.Guillermo Armoedo is penning the script with production prone to start sometime this spring.Osvart is completely new for the U.S. market, getting turning up in many photos overseas, but is presently starring inside the Cinemax pilot "The Transporterm" using the Jason Statham action franchise.She's repped by Innovative Artists and Variety. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Oz honors McAlpine

The inaugural Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts kudos kicked off in Sydney on Sunday with an awards luncheon that honored cinematographer Don McAlpine. McAlpine, 77, who lensed local pics "Breaker Morant" and "Don's Party" plus Hollywood hits "Predator" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" among many others, was given the Raymond Longford kudo for services to the industry. "Every time (I worked with him) Don displayed amazing artistry" said helmer Bruce Beresford, who McAlpine worked with on "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie." "He's amiable personality and respect for actors made my job a lot easier." Accepting the kudo, McAlpine, said his love of cinema was undiminished in the digital age. "These electronic cameras are exact tools that will enable us to record pictures with precision that we only dreamt of on film, the computer has enabled us to tell stories that were once locked in our imagination -- do you really think I want to quit now?" he said. AACTA also bowed its inaugural list of international nominees via a live link with the G'Day USA event in Los Angeles where thesp Jackie Weaver ("Animal Kingdom") announced the runners in five categories: screenplay, direction, actor, actress and film. The 10 film noms included "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris" and "We Need to Talk About Kevin." The luncheon also awarded the local TV, docu and f/x prizes. The inaugural AACTA awards kudocast will take place Jan. 31 at the Sydney Opera House. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Watercooler: One Tree Hill's Last Stand

Richard Burgi, Sophia Rose bush It's the start of the finish and we're not Comfortable with that.Although some folks may go through that certain Tree Hill has transpired its prime, you will find individuals diehard fans who still think existence within the small town that made it the WB-CW merger may go so on. Like Celine Dion's heart. Just with super-sensitive voice-overs and crazy baby sitters.For individuals people who updated to the final season's premiere last evening, that belief was just compounded through the pile of tales which were established to help drive this last batch of episodes. Within the opening three minutes alone, we've got expensive-submitted glimpses of mayhem in the future that may fuel a whole tenth season. In the shot of Serta loading a gun alongside Chris Keller and the Jimmy Neutron hair towards the mental issues driving Clay's sleepwalking, it's obvious there is a still lot happening with one of these figures, a number of whom have been in existence since Day 1 (yay, Brooke and Haley!), some we are finally beginning to love (that might be you, Chase). To become completely honest, a whole episode of Brooke driving around using the twins, narrating her feelings about becoming an adult in Tree Hill wouldn't be a poor factor whatsoever. She, a lot more than anybody, has developed probably the most and that we lovelovelove Sophia Rose bush.But alas, the show's fate continues to be sealed, so we'll need to be satisfied with what executive producer Mark Schwahn calls "a 13-part miniseries" that'll be "just a little more dark and a bit more questionable." What am i saying? Might be that we are gonna see some kind of body count prior to the finale (and not simply due to that clip of Haley determining an appearance within the morgue or even the gossips of Nathan's kidnapping). Important figures have left previously and thinking about the number of wackadoos came and gone, a couple of deaths could create some serious lather for that soap's swan song. Which, knowing this show's killer style of music, will most likely be some awesome emo ballad set to some montage of moments we'll always remember.Are you currently adhering using the show 'til the finish? Or are you currently within the Hill?Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Charlie Sheen: Im Not Crazy Anymore

First Published: January 9, 2012 11:28 AM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Charlie Sheen is seen at Foxs All-Star Party at Castle Green in Pasadena, Calif. on January 8, 2012 Charlie Sheen says hes back to reality! Im not crazy anymore. That was an episode, the actor told reporters at Sunday nights FOX Television Critics Association party in Pasadena, Calif. I think Im a different person than I was yesterday. Everything is a lot more mellow and focused and much more rooted in reality. The headline-making 46-year-old actor is excited to begin shooting his new FX show, Anger Management, which plans to film 10 episodes in six weeks. Ive been at this 30 years. Its nice to be in a situation where the people Im working with are excited about my input. That wasnt the case for a long time, he said. Charlie said it is premature to name other actors who might guest star on his new series, but teased that everybody wants to be on the new comedy. The actor also said hes traded in Twitter rants and nights with his former Goddesses for quality time with his family. Ive been spending a lot of time with the kids, a lot of time with the family and Im getting back into work mode, he explained. Im a single guy hanging out with my children. As for his former Two and a Half Men co-star Jon Cryer and the shows producer Chuck Lorre, he says some lines of communication are open. Jon and I text. Chuck, no, he explained. But at some point we are going to have to get some closure there. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Weekend Box Office: 'Devil Inside' Scares Up Record-Breaking Debut

Tough to say what's more frightening: the completely hostile reviews and word-of-mouth for 'The Demon Inside,' or the truth that the pans did not stop the brand new horror movie from the record-breaking box office debut. 'Devil' required having this area office crown by having an believed $34.5 million, about two times that which was expected, setting an archive for that greatest opening ever for that first weekend of the season. Nobody expected much in the low-budget chiller, a star-free effort opening on just 2,285 screens. However the film had a couple of things going for this: the marketing secrets of Vital -- last year's top-grossing studio and also the distributor from the similarly cheap, docu-style 'Paranormal Activity' horror franchise, which now is the owner of October -- and audiences' fondness for exorcism movies, which appear to complete especially well in The month of january, when audiences want an antidote towards the sugarplum sweetness of holiday fare. Past Januarys have experienced such related hits as 'One Skipped Call,' 'The Unborn,' and 'The Rite.' Still, not one of them did in addition to 'The Demon Inside,' which isn't just the top first-weekend debut but the third best ever opening in The month of january, capped only by fellow docu-horror movie 'Cloverfield' in 2008 ($40.a million million) and also the 'Star Wars' exclusive edition re-release in 1997 ($35.9 million). Still, it's difficult to take into account this type of huge opening for any movie so poorly received by audiences in addition to experts. (Demonic influence, possibly?) It will be interesting to determine the way the movie stands up next weekend, once the movie will not face any new wide-release competition for that horror audience, so when its only obstacle is going to be its very own negative buzz audiences gave 'The Demon Inside' a nearly unheard-of F-grade on Cinemascore. The prosperity of 'Devil' scared up crowds for other movies too, knowing because when well older movies held onto their audiences. Last week's champion, 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' ended up to second place but lost just 30 % of last weekend's business, a shallow drop for any movie in the 4th week of release. It gained an believed $20.5 million, for any total up to now of $170.two million. In third was 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows,' another four-week veteran, which fell just 33 percent for an believed $14.a million. Its total to date is $157.4 million. The littlest dip among wide releases belonged to 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo,' The thriller slid just 24 percent, consuming an believed $11.3 million, great for 4th place. Despite a sluggish start three days ago, the film has gained $76.8 million to date, and distributor The new sony thinks it's on the right track to mix $100 million. The very best family movie was still being 'Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,' which finished in fifth place. Its believed $9.5 million take, lower 42 percent from a week ago, brings the film's four-week total to $111.six million. Getting into wider release, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' broke in to the top ten by growing from 57 screens to 809. It gained an believed $5.8 million, great for ninth place along with a five-week total of $10.4 million. Honours buzz for 'Tinker' and many more limited-release movies was reflected in large per-screen earnings for many year-finish challengers playing in a number of theaters. 'The Iron Lady' averaged an believed $34,420 on all of five screens. 'A Separation' gained an believed $16,103 on all of its six screens. The per-screen average of 'Extremely Noisy and extremely Close' (six screens) was an believed $16,000. 'Pina' obtained a typical believed at $27,000 for every of three screens. In comparison, 'Devil Inside' loved a per-screen average of $15,098. Already, box office for 2012 is $283.8 million, some 12.6 % in front of the same period last year. Between last weekend's busy New Year's traffic which weekend's achievements, 2012 is off and away to a roaring start. 'The Demon Inside' - Trailer No. 1 The entire top ten: 1. 'The Demon Inside,' $34.5 million (2,285 screens), era 2. 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' $30.5 million (3,555), $170.two million total 3. 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows,' $14.a million (3,603), $157.4 million 4. 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo,' $11.3 million (2,950), $76.8 million 5. 'Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,' $9.5 million (3,425), $111.six million 6. 'War Equine,' $8.six million (2,783), $56.8 million 7. 'We Purchased a Zoo,' $8.5 million (3,170), $56.5 million 8. 'The Adventures of Tintin,' $6.six million (3,006), $61.9 million 9. 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' $5.8 million (809), $10.4 million 10. 'New Year's Eve,' $3.3 million (1,864), $52. million [Photo: Vital] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman

Don Cheadle Updates On Miles Davis Film

His would be the gangster versionUnperturbed in the news that the rival biopic has been produced by George Tilman Junior, Don Cheadle has revealed towards the Wall Street Journal that their own lengthy-developing Miles Davis movie continues to be greatly a going concern. "When the world is able to have two Miles Davis movies, fantastic," he states. "He must have eight or ten of these.InchCheadle states that as opposed to the conventional Walk The Road / Ray approach that his rivals now utilize (according to Dark Magus, the biography by Davis' boy Gregory), his can be a far more "cubist" undertake the legendary jazz trumpeter. Through which we assume he means Davis is going to be seen and examined from numerous viewpoints to provide a much better knowledge of his character, instead of that Davis will be provided together with his face on the rear of his mind for the whole film."We are attempting to shuffle it, without tossing history away," Cheadle describes. "It isn't a biopic, by itself. It is a gangster pic. It is a movie that Miles Davis might have desired to star in."The participation of Davis' own family at nighttime Magus project can also be not always an issue, Cheadle thinks, since, "We are working with your family [too] and most of us have the background music we want. [Another film covers] another duration of music, about 3 or 4 years, which estates are occasionally bifurcated.I do not think anyone's likely to be making the type of movie we are making.The majority of it happens in 1979, inside a period where he really wasn't playing. We traverse lots of his existence, but it is not really a cradle to grave story."Already lengthy in development, Cheadle states he and the creating partners do are in possession of a studio offer, and are attempting to crunch the amounts for that profferred budget. "This is actually the type of movie the company 10 years ago might have jumped at," he laments. "Now, you do not really see movies such as this,and we are attempting to back to a financial budget number, like we always need to do, without gutting the piece."He's confident enough to possess already acquired the trumpet though. "It is the new passion for my existence at this time,Inch he enthuses. "I'd this type of kinesthetic sense of the trumpet. I possibly could listen to it pretty rapidly, though not skillfully, that is strange since it is an unforgiving, mean instrument."