Abigail Breslin Learns To Rock In 'Janie Jones'

It's not an easy thing, playing a father-daughter rock-duo, and making it seem authentic. For "Janie Jones" stars Abigail Breslin and Alessandro Nivola had to fit the bill, but it was easier for one than the other. Breslin may be known for her dance moves from her breakout role in "Little Miss Sunshine," but when it came to singing, she was a novice before getting the role. "For me, I never really sung before. I started taking a few voice lessons just for fun, and then it was kind of coincidence that this script came about," said Breslin, who plays the titular role of Janie Jones, a young sing-songwriter abandoned by her mom and left to live with her dead-beat rocker dad, played by Nivola. The role presented Breslin with an opportunity that she found both rewarding and stressful. "It was incredibly nerve-racking especially to go in with somebody who was so experienced," Breslin said in regard to Nivola. "He's such a good singer and guitar player." Nivola talks about his experience a little more modestly, and says he never had any real professional ambitions. "I had played in some bands in college and high school, all of them distinctly amateurish," Nivola said. "My most glamorous gig was playing toga parties at frats in college, and I remember having beer poured over my head while I was trying to find the chords to 'Magic Carpet Ride.'" Nivola might not continue his career as a rocker past the release of the movie, but for Breslin, "Janie Jones" was only the beginning of her musical career. After her experience with the film and learning how to sing and play guitar, she formed a band with her friends called Cabb. "Janie Jones" is now in select theaters and is available on demand. Tell us what you think in the comments section and on Twitter!

Is the Worst Movie Occur History?

Can you travel in time for the opportunity to reside in Soviet Russia? Most likely not. But let's say doing this meant you would be inside a movie -- would you're doing so then? Most likely not? The concept sounds absurd, although not to director Ilya Khrzhanovsky. Going back six years, the Russian filmmaker continues to be focusing on 'Dau,' a film in line with the existence of Soviet physicist Lev Landau. To film it, Khrzahnovsky has been doing the unthinkable: he's setup a precise replicable of the Soviet town in a enormous brick building, where saying the incorrect word may either mean lack of salary, or, lack of job. Within the latest problem of GQ, author Michael Idov travels to Russia to go to the set (or, because the film crew describes it, "The Institute") and document his experience. However, this is actually the era of Communism! He can't go walking inside like a journalist. Before he's permitted to go in, Idov needs to decorate in Soviet attire and also have his haircut. Then things get even weirder when he starts to interview the stars, particularly a woman named Olya. Olya continues to be living [on set] 'since 1949,' a pat answer everybody gives now the truth is, she has been around the looking for four several weeks. She works in the cafeteria from noon to 10 p.m. and stays the relaxation of her amount of time in a communal apartment she explains to a 'physicist' named Konstantin. On which I imagine is Khrzhanovsky's signal, she invites us over later that evening. Outdoors for any quick Soviet cigarette, not even close to the director's gaze, Olya does not allow the facade crack for any second. 'Do you need to be an actress,' I request. 'What? No! I wish to be considered a researcher. And that's it folks: method acting at its finest. In true USSR form, the director continues to be taking everything through hidden cameras and microphones. And when one happens to behave that isn't up-to-snuff using the set's strict policy, you have access to penalized. At some point, Idov asks when the director intentions of enhancing the town with CGI in publish-production. "See, if among the pads heard you, he'd fine us a 1000 hryvinas [about $125] ... You cannot use words which have no meaning nowadays,Inch states Khrzhanovsky. In most honesty, this project sounds less just like a movie and a lot more like some giant try a persons condition. In the end, production continues to be happening since 2006. They have almost been shut lower several occasions, just for Khrzhanovsky to locate funding in the last second. What exactly is the purpose of all of this? Which kind of film is Khrzhanovsky attempting to shoot? Khrzhanovsky emerged with the thought of the Institute not lengthy after preproduction on 'Dau' started in 2006. He wanted an area where he could elicit the appropriate feelings from his cast in controlled conditions, twenty-four hrs each day ... The Institute's ostensible goal ended up being to re-create '50s and '60s Mostcow, the place to find 'Dau''s subject, Lev Landau. Based on the article, the film is all about 80 % done. In the finish from the piece, Idov screens some raw footage. He describes it as being "a vertiginous mixture of avant-garde sensibilities, Hollywood sweep, and reality-show techniques. One sequence, a riot in a stop, appeared as if Michael Bay entered with Heironymus Bosch... Another piece would be a forty-minute-lengthy improvised squabble between Landau and the wife." So, once the movie is finally finished, what is going to occur to The Institute? "I'm not sure," stated Khrzhanovsky. "At this time, shooting may be the only factor that justifies the enormous costs of keeping up. I'm not sure how to proceed later." [via GQ] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

There's Another Osama Bin Laden Movie along the way

Look out, Kathryn Bigelow you will have company. Variety reviews that John Stockwell (yes, this John Stockwell) is positioned to direct an Osama Bin Laden movie referred to as 'Code Title Geronimo.' Bigelow has turned into a jump along with her project, tentatively titled, 'Kill Bin Laden,' so it'll be interesting to determine which continues because they movies progressively enter focus. It's still too early to start evaluating both films, nevertheless it appears 'The Hurt Locker' director intentions of creating the decade-extended look for Bin Laden the primary focus of her's, whereas Stockwell will remain with covering just the raid round the late al Qaeda leader. No offense to Stockwell's previous work (he directed 'Blue Crush' and 'Turistas'), nevertheless it seems like the studio behind the project requires a large risk here ultimately, it's inevitable that 'Code Title Geronimo' will probably be compared to Bigelow's film. So, how can a director who's most broadly noted for any surf movie stack facing an Oscar champion? You'll uncover very quickly. [via Variety] [Photo: AFP/Getty Images] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Comedy Central Renews Workaholics For Third Season

Comedy Central has picked up a third season of comedy series Workaholics, with stars/co-creators Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck set to return. Its such an honor to be able to keep Workaholics going,” said Comedy Central’s head of programming Kent Alterman. We feel like the show is one big public service announcement, teaching the youth of America how to engage with the workplace.

Zentropa Intl. The nation boards 'Chrysalis'

BARCELONA -- Zentropa Intl. The nation, the Barcelona-based arm of Lars von Trier's and Peter Aalbaeck Jensen's Zentropa Ing., has boarded Paula Ortiz's intimate drama "P tu ventana a la mia" (Chrysalis). Maribel Verdu ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Y tu mama tambien") stars. Also produced by Amapola Films and Puy Oria's Oria Films, "Chrysalis" world preems Friday within the 56th Valladolid Festival. Danish sales outfit TrustNordisk handles worldwide sales. "Chrysalis" triggers 30 years of girls -- represented by Violeta, Ines and Luisa -- who battle to safeguard their dreams and freedom inside the male-ruled The nation of 1923, 1940 and 1975, turning points inside the country's history. Leticia Dolera ("The the spanish language language Movie") and Luisa Gavasa ("Mensaka") play Violeta and Luisa. "This is often a drama within the kind of Federico Garcia Lorca, in the look for character, its passions and aesthetic care: Every frame may well be a poster," mentioned David Matamoros, Zentropa The nation Boss. He added the film was specific inside a broad audience, but specific women. Amapola Films can be a new Zaragoza-based company setup by Ortiz, Kike Mora and Raul Garcia. Mora and Ortiz examined at NY's Tisch School in the Arts and L.A.'s UCLA. Founded in 1999, Oria Films has produced all of the recent films from Montxo Armendariz, including his latest, "You Should not Hesitate,Inch and 2005's "Obaba." Among Spain's best-known vet auteurs ("Methods of a person's heartInch), Armedariz professional produces. Pic is Spaniard Ortiz's feature debut. She also composed the script. "Chrysalis" remains pre-agreed to pubcaster TVE and contains received a ICAA The the spanish language language Film Institute subsidy. "Chrysalis" opens March 9 in the united states via Alta Films, a following day of Worldwide Women's Day. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

On The Download: Portishead Sets A Tantalizing Mood At Los Angeles Shrine Expo Center

First Published: October 24, 2011 3:02 PM EDT Credit: Brenda Janairo LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption On The Download: Portishead performs at the Shrine Expo Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on October 18, 2011It is a rare day that we get to knock items off of our bucket list, but I did just that when I saw the incomparable Portishead in concert on October 18 at the Shrine Expo Center in Los Angeles, Calif., presented by KCRW. I remember the very first time I ever heard a Portishead song. I was in a clothing store as a teenager and I heard the lyric Nobody loves me from Sour Times. Due to my ever-present melancholy and angst at that time in my life, I was immediately mesmerized. Unfortunately, no one at the store knew who the song was by and I spent years trying to find that gorgeously haunting tune. When I finally did find their first album, Dummy, in college I felt like I had just found my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Getting to see Portishead play live all these years later was the fulfillment of a long-time dream. Portishead released two influential albums in the 90s (Dummy and Portishead), but then disappeared from the spotlight for years. The band was always press-shy, which added to their mysterious allure, but their absence from the music scene was especially frustrating, because music as unique and emotive as theirs doesnt come by often enough. It wasnt until 2008 that fans were finally rewarded with another album, Third. The great thing about the show at the Shrine Expo Center was that it was a nice blend of all three albums. Their music has such a specific, dark sound that it flows effortlessly from one song to the next. Portishead doesnt create singles; they create a feeling. They opened with two songs from their third album (Silence and then Nylon Smile), but then slipped into Mysterons from their first album, which set the tone for going back-and-forth between old classics and newer tunes. I reveled in getting to hear them play so many songs of theirs that I love from Over to Roads to Magic Doors, but there were also some moments in particular that stood out from the rest. When it came time for Wandering Star, they played a stripped-down version with bare, quiet musical accompaniment to Beth Gibbons vocals. This subdued version of the song brought out the sorrow behind the lyrics even more. Also, during my favorite song from their third album (The Rip), a trippy and surreal cartoon played in the background depicting people floating over vast landscapes, uncomfortably overcrowded city streets and other abstract images that are too complex to describe. It was also great to hear Glory Box live. Glory Box is their sexiest song, and you could feel the heat turn up in the room between all the couples holding tight (it gave me a chance to squeeze my beautiful wife tighter, too). Then, of course, they played the song that started it all for me, Sour Times, and crazy enough I didnt even recognize it at first, because they played a jazzier version. What a landmark moment for me to hear them play that song live. Portishead makes such wonderfully moody music that you can escape into it, get lost in it. Their music has an excitingly alluring vibe to it; you instantly feel like youre living in some vampy film noir. If youre lucky enough to have Portishead come to your area, I highly recommend checking out a show. It will transfix you and send you into just the right mood, and who doesnt like to be seduced by music every once in a while? You can find ticket info here: http://www.portishead.co.uk/. - By Christopher Locke Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The American Idol Show: With Scotty McCreery's Effective Debut, Did Universal Study From Sony's Mistakes?

Michael Becker / FOX Professionals at Universal Group breathed a collective sigh of relief March. 11. This is when the sales amounts arrived on The American Idol Show season 10 champion Scotty McCreery's debut album, Obvious As Day, the very first full-length release to leave the business's partnership with TV's No. 1 show.our editor recommendsAmerican Idol Champion Scotty McCreery Makes Chart History Without Any. 1 Debut Scotty McCreery Talks 'Clear As Day' Tracks, Support Of Loved Ones and also the 'American Idol' 'Pressure Cooker' Lauren Alaina Talks 'Wildflower,' Barbara Underwood, 'American Idol' Tour Incidents Based on Nielsen SoundScan, the album in the 18-year-old New York native moved 196,739 copies in the first week out, some 50,000 a lot more than season 9 champion Lee DeWyze offered throughout his entire Idol tenure underneath the The new sony Music umbrella (that number moves around 146,000). Not much later, runner-up Lauren Alaina moved 69,000 models of her album,Wildflower (to check: Alaina's season 9 counterpart, Very Bowersox, has offered an overall total of 205,000 albums). "Nobody were built with a clue what to anticipate,Inch states John Wright, mind of the&R at Mercury Nashville, the label that signed the deep-voiced McCreery in addition to Alaina. "We are absolutely thrilled." Credit resilient new bands fans, who still buy physical product, together with a young fanbase, and... Idol perma-mentor and Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine. "He did not wish to wait 6 to 8 several weeks, Jimmy wanted the record out at some point,Inch adds Wright. PreviousIdol albums were typically launched in November or December -- although season 9's Casey James, who signed with The new sony Music Nashville in August 2010, has yet to announce a street date for his debut. VIDEO:'American Idol's Scotty McCreery Flubs National Anthem at World Series Clearly, Iovine analyzed Sony's knowledge about Idol, that has seen mixed results throughout its nine-year partnership (it expired after this year). For each multi-platinum success, just like a Kelly Clarkson or Chris Daughtry, you are able to count two more runners up who flopped. But Wright states he only looked to 1 alum for example: Barbara Underwood. "She did a fantastic job adopting the Nashville community and that i understood which was the important thing,Inch he describes. Still, lengthy before McCreery made history with Obvious As Day, becoming the youngest new male artist to debut atop the Billboard 200 chart his very first time out, Wright confesses he was "just a little nervous," mainly about song content. "In new bands, artists are required to sing about cheating and consuming which type of stuff," Wright describes. "But clearly, together being so youthful... well, it had been an problem. With Scotty, he understood what he'd sing about and what he wouldn't. There have been a few tunes where we needed to obtain a couple of lines rewritten, where they pointed out beer or something like that, but apart from that, it had been much better than I was expecting.Inch STORY: Lee DeWyze Came By RCA Records The finish result would be a group effort, between your label, that is run based on country music veteran Luke Lewis, Interscope A&R executive Ray Jackson, Iain Pirie at 19 Entertainment and Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment, the organization that handles both season 10 Idols. As Wright informs it, the label did not start getting involved until Idol's final 5, and 2 days prior to the finale was the very first time he and Lewis met McCreery and Alaina. So what's his perspective since he's reached be aware of process? "I view it such as this: Idol built them into stars, our obligation to build up them into super stars." He's especially convinced of McCreery's potential, promising a committed investment in the united states teen. "He's that 'It' factor," Wright informs The Hollywood Reporter. "When he walks within the room, you'd like to learn who he's. He's pure, they know who he's and that he stays as to the he thinks in. That's huge, especially at this time within this country. And case the very first chapter within the book. We always say, probably the most difficult record is the next. So I am already searching in the 196,000 and thinking, 'Geez, now we have gotta beat that!'" Discuss a tough act to follow along with. Twitter: @shirleyhalperin The American Idol Show Jimmy Iovine Universal Group Interscope-Geffen-A&M Very Bowersox Lee Dewyze Lauren Alaina Scotty McCreery Casey James The new sony Music