You don’t need to be a sports fan to have been touched by the 30 For 30 documentary series produced by ESPN, one of the few thriving outlets anywhere for nonfiction filmmaking and a patron of diverse directors from Oscar winners Barry Levinson, Alex Gibney and Barbara Kopple to legends Albert Maysles and Steve James to neophytes Ice Cube and Steve Nash. As such, today’s a good day for all of us, with ESPN announcing that it will continue 30 For 30 both on the network and online. Originally intended to celebrate ESPN’s 30th anniversary from late 2009 to the end of 2010, the series gained enough popularity to continue through 2011 and beyond; its most recent installment, Jose Morales’s 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story , premiered in March. Today, meanwhile, the NYT reports that the network has re-upped 30 For 30 for two years in conjunction with its sports-culture offshoot Grantland : “When we embarked on 30 for 30 , we always wondered if there would be 30 good stories,” said Connor Schell, vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films. “Now, I think all of us in this group believe that there is an infinite number of stories.” As the films roll out, they will be augmented on Grantland by podcasts, feature stories and oral histories. A short digital film — which will be unrelated to the longer ones — will make its debut each month on Grantland. Mr. Schell described the shorts as “visual editorials,” of five to nine minutes. “They’re meant to be interesting conversations with people who have a point of view about something or sports stories that don’t require a four-act treatment,” he said. The first short, Eric Drath’s Here Now , went online today and concerns the continuing odyssey of baseball’s exiled all-time hit king Pete Rose. Check it out , and mazel tov to all. [ NYT , Grantland ]
In this 70th anniversary year of Casablanca , it only seems fitting that Michael Curtiz’s classic should emerge this week in the medium where its indelible romantic splendor finally can take root and thrive: on Facebook. At last! The wait is over, per a press release just over the wires at ML HQ. The best part, without question: “On Wednesday, May 16 movie fans across the United States are invited to microwave some popcorn and gather by the warm glow of the computer monitor to enjoy a complimentary showing this timeless love story at 7 pm ET and 7 pm PT.” Totes McGotes, Wizzarners! ROMANTIC CLASSIC “CASABLANCA” TO BE SCREENED FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY ON FACEBOOK MOVIE FANS CAN WATCH A COMPLIMENTARY SCREENING AND COMMENT IN REAL-TIME DIRECTLY ON FILM’S FACEBOOK PAGE SCREENING TO TAKE PLACE THIS WEDNESDAY AT 7 PM ET/PT BURBANK, CALIF., May 15, 2012 – Here’s looking at you kid! Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced the legendary film Casablanca – which critic Leonard Maltin calls “the best Hollywood movie of all time,” starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and winner of three Academy Awards®, including Best Picture (1944), can be viewed directly on the “Casablanca” movie Facebook Page ( http://www.facebook.com/CasablancaTheMovie ). On Wednesday, May 16 movie fans across the United States are invited to microwave some popcorn and gather by the warm glow of the computer monitor to enjoy a complimentary showing this timeless love story at 7 pm ET and 7 pm PT. This complimentary screening of Casablanca celebrates the recent launch of the “ Casablanca 70th Anniversary Three-disc Blu-ray + DVD Combo Edition” from Warner Home Video. This limited and numbered gift set edition will introduce two never-before-seen documentaries – “ Casablanca : An Unlikely Classic,” and “Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You Never Heard Of.” The new documentaries will complete the most extensive collection of content in one gift set — more than 14 hours of bonus material that also includes a compilation of three comprehensive feature length documentaries: “The Brothers Warner, You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story” and “Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul.” The “ Casablanca 70th Anniversary 3-Disc Blu ray + DVD Combo Edition” is now available for $64.99 SRP. This special screening event also celebrates “Inside the Script,” a new digital publishing initiative that gives movie fans an innovative new way to go deep inside their favorite films. “Inside the Script” is a series of highly illustrated eBooks that contain the film’s actual shooting script, rare materials from the Warner Bros. Corporate Archive and much more. The first series of “Inside the Script” titles are based on cinematic treasures including, Casablanca, Ben-Hur, An American in Paris and North by Northwest , and are currently available via iBookstore, Kindle and NOOK by Barnes & Noble. “Inside the Script” offers movie fans an all-access pass to go behind-the-scenes of the films they know and love. Every “Inside the Script” title includes the film’s complete shooting script in a customizable eBook format; dozens of chapters about the script and the film that detail the movie’s development; rare historical documents such as production notes, storyboards and candid photos; and an interactive image gallery of costumes, on-set stills, movie posters, set designs and behind-the-scenes photos. Highlighted elements from “ Casablanca : Inside the Script” include: – Jack Warner’s telegrams and memos – Producer Hal Wallis’ script and production notes – Production Code Administration letters, notes and seal of approval – Telegram from producer Hal Wallis refuting his fight with Jack Warner Note: Movie fans must begin watching Casablanca prior to 9 pm PT through the film’s Facebook Page. Only one screening per Facebook account is permitted. Got it? Only one screening per Facebook account , all right? Don’t get greedy! And keep the Kleenex handy! The heart-shattering collapse of film culture really sneaks up on you in the end. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
MPAA’s ratings explanation offers hints at Bruce Wayne’s relationships with Selina Kyle and Talia al Ghul. By Kevin P. Sullivan Tom Hardy as Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises” Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures With a little more than three months to go until the release of Christopher Nolan ‘s final Batman film, describing the fans as starved for information would be a criminal understatement. We are now at the point where any intel about ” The Dark Knight Rises ” is scrutinized beyond recognition. The latest piece of info to analyze comes from the Motion Picture Association of America. The MPAA bestowed a PG-13 rating upon “The Dark Knight Rises,” the same rating given to ” Batman Begins ” and ” The Dark Knight .” The rating appeared on the Warner Bros. exhibitor services site with a brief explanation for the classification. “PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language,” the site reads. The specifics of the rating are where the conclusion of the trilogy differs from the previous two installments. “Batman Begins” was PG-13 for “intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements.” “The Dark Knight” earned the same rating for “intense sequences of violence and some menace.” The big difference here is the phrase “some sensuality,” but the addition makes sense based on what we’ve seen from the film so far and what we know about the characters. Both Selina Kyle and, as most people assume by now, Talia al Ghul are in the film and have had physical relationships with Bruce Wayne in the comic books. With “The Dark Knight Rises” taking place seven years after the events of “The Dark Knight,” Bruce may be back on the market for the first time since Rachel blew up. “Some sensuality” indeed. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Dark Knight Rises.” For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com . Related Videos The Dark Knight Rises ‘Dark Knight Rises’: The Year In Review Related Photos ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Trailer: 5 Key Scenes Analyzing Catwoman’s Costume In ‘Dark Knight Rises’
The world was so consumed with the January 7th birth of Jay-Z and Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter, that the arrival of New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz ‘s first child went under the radar. His first child was born on January 9th, and she was named Kennedy. Elaina Watley, the longtime girlfriend of Victor Cruz, is the mother. About his daughter, Victor Cruz told said , It’s amazing just to see her and to hold her in my arms. It’s been an amazing feeling, and I can’t wait to raise her and teach her all the good stuff … Every time I’m out there, I’m out there running around for her and catching the ball for her, so she’s always on my mind.” Victor Cruz and the New York Giants will play the Green Bay Packers tomorrow (January 15th) in the NFL playoffs. SOURCE RELATED POSTS: Blue Ivy Becomes Popular Weed In Los Angeles Nia Long Shows Off Baby Boy Kez [PHOTOS]
Mariah Carey and hubby Nick Cannon hit the red carpet for the 2012 BET Honors held at the Warner Theater on Saturday January 14th in Washington, D.C. Culture Fest: Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival – The Art of Music 2012 Cannon, who had recently been hospitalized for mild kidney failure appeared fully recovered. The actor and comedian tweeted from the awards and thanked his fans for their support. “Tonight in DC with my wife and kids at the BET HONORS was one of the most amazing and inspirational times of my life!,” he wrote on this Twitter account. “I really must say I am completely humbled by the outpour of support, love and prayers that came my way during my recovery. I love you all! My wife @ MariahCarey has been my hero through this whole process. Definition of an Angel!” Check out more photos from the BET Honors at JustJared.com RELATED POSTS: Nick Cannon Transferred To LA Hospital Nick Cannon Hospitalized After Mild Kidney Failure
Ellen DeGeneres suffered chest pains during a producers’ meeting on the Warner Bros’ lot this morning and received medical attention, according to TMZ . Someone from the talk show host’s staff called 911, and the Burbank Fire Department dispatched a crew to the set of DeGeneres’ program at 11:53 a.m. Ellen is reportedly doing fine, and was even seen walking on her own after the Fire Dept. left. That’s an encouraging sign and we’re very glad she’s okay. More details to follow when and if the story develops. Here’s wishing Ellen a speedy recovery from the apparently minor incident. [Photo: WENN.com]
Gaga will appear live on MTV to make a VMA announcement Thursday at 7:49 p.m. ET/PT. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga It’s a big week for Lady Gaga . After announcing she’d be performing at the 2011 Video Music Awards on Sunday, August 28, promos for the big show featuring the Mother Monster herself were unveiled, giving fans a very candid, stripped-down take on her latest single, “Yo
