Film

Ex-musician destined to take 'Control'

'Gone Baby Gone' actress can take the heat

'Lust, Caution' actress shows emotional side

Studios compete, work with local productions

Contenders wary of tubthumping too early

Red carpet event scheduled for Friday

Martin Campbell in talks to direct for Universal

'30 Days' expected to sink fangs into top spot

Tour to encourage German coproductions

'Location' to star Laura Dern, Diane Ladd

Director's last film was Holocaust drama 'Train'

He'll report to production president Granger

Studio, Madhouse pair up for U.S. films

French company adds to Euro network

Verdicts to be delivered on Nov. 13

Loren honored with IMAIE Acting Award Prize

Madrid office closes

Festival invests in American culture

Leslie Bibb to star in title role

These actors are quickly making names for themselves. Not only are moviegoers admiring their talents, but casting directors, helmers and producers are noticing as well.

The Hollywood Awards mark the season's first movie-kudos presentation on the L.A. sked.
• Hollywood fest spotlights new talent

The Tokyo Intl. Film Festival has been shaken to its core by the soaring international status of rival Pusan.
• Tokyo fest aims to up global profile

Another sweeps period has come and gone. The life and death of television shows, new and old, could be determined by the upcoming Nielsen numbers. Variety chronicles the hits, flops, battles and surprises on the small screen.

At a recent digital cinema event in Hollywood, a speaker joked that it was no accident exhibs had dubbed nonfeature content "Other Digital Stuff." That's O-D-S for short. Pronounced odious. The line was meant as a joke, but many exhibs act like that's what they think.

Hedge funds aren't just for the majors anymore. While the first round of big fund players -- Dune, Virtual, Legendary, Gun Hill -- focused on studio slates and would-be blockbusters, investors have a new target in the entertainment business, with potentially lower risks and higher returns: specialized film.

The Comebacks

The hit-to-miss ratio is deplorably pathetic during the fusillade of gags attempted in "The Comebacks," an exceptionally lame genre parody .

Dennis Harvey

Ronnie Scheib

Todd McCarthy