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Exclusive: Just a couple of days after they reunited for the first time in almost 40 years, we can reveal that UK band Frankie Goes To Hollywood is the subject of a new movie biopic from UK powerhouse Working Title and Independent Entertainment.

Titled Relax after the group’s 1983 hit single, and based on frontman Holly Johnson’s memoir A Bone In My Flute, the film is set to star It’s A Sin breakout Callum Scott Howells as Johnson.

The project is heading to the Cannes market with Independent, which is handling sales, and we hear there is already strong interest in the package from potential buyers. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce for Working Title and Luc Roeg is producing for Independent Entertainment.

The film was written and will be helmed by Bernard Rose, director behind the original Relax music video, 1992’s horror classic Candyman, and Howard Marks biopic Mr. Nice.

Dale worked at Independent Entertainment for 10 years

Daniel Dale, Independent Entertainment’s former head of acquisitions and development, passed away last month at the age of 42.

Dale first joined Independent in 2005 in a junior role before being quickly promoted to work on all of the company’s development projects as well as acquisitions for the international side of the business.

In development and production, Dale worked on the films We Need To Talk About Kevin; Mr Nice; New Town Killers; The Sea and The Falling among many others.

Some of the titles he helped to acquire include London To Brighton...

Shot during the pandemic and set on May 30, 2020 — just a few days after the death of George Floyd during an arrest by the Minneapolis Police Department — “Traveling Light” is an experimental attempt at social commentary that fails to provide any insight, emotion or even entertainment of the most basic kind. Nearly a year after its weird-fit premiere at genre-focused Beyond Fest in Los Angeles, this scrappy Covid-era quickie from eclectic director Bernard Rose (who made the original “Candyman”) opens today in New York and Seattle, with other cities to follow.

It seems Rose was aiming for a loose riff on “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie,” focusing on a gathering in the Hollywood Hills of the followers of a self-proclaimed guru/prophet (Danny Huston), where everyone drinks a concoction spiked with an unnamed hallucinogenic and eventually line-dances while chanting “Hare Hare,” even though there isn’t a single Hare Krishna in sight.

Exclusive: Longtime Independent Film Company MD Andrew Orr has joined Comcast-owned Sky as Head Of Original Film.

Orr will be working on the pay-tv broadcaster’s development slate and strategy as well as acting as commissioner on a number of projects alongside Julia Stuart, Director of Original Film, and Laura Grange, Commissioning Manager, Original Film. He will also be working with James Newton on content partnerships.

Orr, who will be in Cannes this week for Sky, spent almost 17 years at UK sales and production firm Independent, selling movies including Moon, Starred Up, Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry, Hallam Foe, London To Brighton and Adulthood. He was an executive producer on movies including We Need to Talk About Kevin, Mr Nice, The Falling and Out of Blue.

In more recent years Orr segued to a role as executive producer and developed the company’s first TV slate. Prior to Independent he was at The Works,...

As the ordinary guy in Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby, Guttenberg was one of the 80s unlikeliest stars – then disappeared. He talks about defying audience expectation, partying with Tom Selleck and Ted Danson and his latest role as a foul-mouthed British gangster

“Steve Guttenberg … in a British gangster film!” sounds like a movie pitch by Alan Partridge. Mr Nice of 80s movies – the actor who embodied friendly normality in films such as Short Circuit, Cocoon and Three Men and a Baby – starring in a weird subgenre of film that is now little more than violence porn and misogyny?

And yet, here we are in 2021, with Guttenberg playing an alarmingly bewigged capo in something called – let me check my notes – Original Gangster. It’s not quite as weird as Donald Trump becoming president of the United States, but it’s not far off.

The Lighthouse – the production company launched by former BBC executives Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts – has optioned the global television rights to the trilogy of novels from author Juno Dawson.

“Clean” (2018) and “Meat Market” (2019) were both published to critical acclaim, with “Meat Market” shortlisted for the forthcoming 2020 Young Adult Book Prize. The third book in the trilogy “Wonderland” will be published by Hachette Children’s Books on May 28.

In a statement, The Lighthouse team said the novels create “a vibrant world where privilege and the upper reaches of society clash with the disadvantaged and the troubled.” They added: “Juno’s voice is intimate, provocative and insightful whilst dealing with difficult subjects such as addiction and identity. Her novels articulate the complexity of growing up in these peculiar and exciting times and are bursting with unforgettable characters and pin-sharp dialogue.”

Dawson said: “I was incredibly impressed by The Lighthouse...

Exclusive: Former BBC Studios scripted chiefs Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts set up their new production venture The Lighthouse in October last year, boasting a shared roll call of credits that includes Luther, Doctor Who, War And Peace and Emmy-winning The Night Of.

But even with this greatest hits list, securing all-important backing for their new venture during a catastrophic social and economic crisis gave rise to some nervy moments. It’s why the trio were “hugely” relieved to get Sky Studios’ investment over the line this week at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

More from DeadlineSky Studios Invests In Former 'Luther' Producer Hilary Salmon's New Venture The LighthouseIndependent Spirit Awards Redresses Female Balance With Wins For Lulu Wang, Olivia Wilde & Julia Reichert - Complete Winners ListRomesh Ranganathan, Star Of Showtime's 'Just Another Immigrant', Strikes First-Look Script Deal With Sky

Sky will take a minority stake in...

Sky Studios, the production arm of Comcast’s European pay-tv operator Sky, has taken a minority stake in The Lighthouse. The drama series production outfit was founded last fall by Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts – three of the U.K.’s most experienced television professionals.

Salmon, former head of drama for BBC Studios, has developed and produced many hit dramas, including “Luther,” “Three Girls,” “MotherFatherSon,” “Rillington Place” and “Silent Witness.” Prior to this she was executive producer on both the BAFTA award-winning series “Criminal Justice,” and the multi-Emmy winning U.S. reversion of the show for HBO – “The Night Of.” Salmon has also co-produced other shows with HBO, including “Five Days” and “House of Saddam,” which won a Grierson Award.

Neville was previously managing director of drama at BBC Studios, and prior to this worked as head of production in drama, overseeing international hit series including “Doctor Who...

Comcast-owned Sky Studios has taken a minority stake in The Lighthouse, the production outfit established by former BBC Studios drama chiefs Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts.

Deadline revealed last October that Salmon had left BBC Studios to launch The Lighthouse, and Sky Studios has swooped to invest in the company, having opened talks over a partnership prior to the coronavirus crisis. Financial details or the size of Sky’s stake were not disclosed.

More from DeadlineIndependent Spirit Awards Redresses Female Balance With Wins For Lulu Wang, Olivia Wilde & Julia Reichert - Complete Winners ListRomesh Ranganathan, Star Of Showtime's 'Just Another Immigrant', Strikes First-Look Script Deal With SkyJeff Collins To Head New Sky Studios-Backed U.S.-Based Unscripted Production Company Catalina Content

Salmon oversaw series including Luther and Richard Gere’s MotherFatherSon during a two-decade spell with BBC Studios. Betts was previously managing director of scripted at BBC Studios,...

Sky Studios, the production arm of Comcast-owned European pay TV giant Sky, has taken a minority stake in new U.K. scripted indie banner The Lighthouse.

Launched in late 2019, The Lighthouse was founded by a trio of former BBC Studios veterans in Hilary Salmon, its former head of drama; Radford Neville, previously managing director of drama; and Nick Betts, BBC Studios' first managing director of scripted.

The Lighthouse already has a number of projects in development, including an adaptation of Howard Marks' cult autobiography Mr. Nice, a co-production with Independent Film Company and written by Neil Forsyth. Salmon ...

Bell has worked on My Summer of Love, Brothers of the Head and Moon.

Imogen Bell has joined Pinewood Pictures as its new head of production.

Bell (below) was previously a freelance line producer, production manager and production co-ordinator for independent film and television productions.

Her credits include My Summer Of Love and Four Last Songs, which she worked on with Chris Collins for BBC films.

Her other projects include the award-winning Moon and Brothers Of The Head, and Heartless, Better Things, Wild Target, Mr Nice and Blitz.

Recently Bell has also worked as a producer within UK advertising agencies.

In a statement, Bell said: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work for Pinewood, a company that continues to contribute so much in our industry and a leader in pathing the future. The Pinewood Pictures portfolio is testament to the strength of the team and I look forward to being part of it; supporting and developing...

HBO’s new drama series “Vinyl” debuted Sunday night, introducing America to James Jagger, the 30-year-old son of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who electrifies the small screen as budding rock star Kip Stevens. Jagger has been acting for nearly a decade (he co-starred in Rhys Ifans‘ 2010 crime comedy “Mr. Nice”), though he still doesn’t have a photo on his IMDb page. The up-and-coming actor honed his craft at Black Nexxus, a New York studio where he studied under renowned acting coach Susan Batson, who helped prepare Nicole Kidman for her Oscar-winning role in “The Hours.” Jagger’s journey led him to.

Director Brian Helgeland’s Legend (2015) tells the based-on true story of Ronald and Reggie Kray: twins (both played by Tom Hardy), East End boys, racketeers, murderers, icons. The Krays were shaped during the 1960s, a post World War II boom for England. They came to symbolise the smartly dressed gangster for a new youth-orientated generation. They had money and they wanted to flaunt it – and that meant suits and a lot of jewellery.

Costume designer for Legend, Caroline Harris, boasting over 20 years experience in both film and television with credits such as Mr Nice (2010), Red Riding (2009) and Fleming (2014), here chats exclusively to Clothes on Film about her work on the project:

Legend is not set during the ‘swinging sixties’; there is still an air of long-established formality present, especially in nightclubs in casinos.

How did you approach your overall representation of the 1960s?

The 1960s was an entire decade and fashion changed and developed throughout.

Nine recipients, including the editor of The Goob [pictured], to receive financial boost.

The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (Ctbf) has revealed the recipients of the annual John Brabourne Awards (JBAs), dedicated to providing invaluable financial assistance to individuals that have faced difficulties in progressing their career.

The 2014 awardees will be honoured during a formal reception at BAFTA this evening.

A record 184 entrants applied for consideration, a 50% uplift on 2013, with the successful candidates receiving a grant ranging between £1,000 and £5,000 towards the development of their careers in the film and TV industries. Nine awards were made this year, with an industry committee finalising the list of recipients.

Awardees being recognised at tonight’s reception at BAFTA include: Charlotte Hudson, a comedy writer with a number of film and TV projects in development, and one half of the double act, Two Left Hands; Adam Biskupski, an award-wining shorts editor whose debut feature The Goob recently premiered at Venice Film Festival...

Movie adaptation of BBC teen magazine show Friday Download to begin shooting this week.

Friday Download, the BAFTA-winning kids TV show that begins its eighth series on Cbbc in the UK next month, is to be adapted for the big screen.

The Friday Download Movie will begin a four-week shoot on Sept 6, primarily in Wales, in and around Swansea.

It will be directed by John Henderson (The Borrowers) and the script has been written by Toby Davies, who has penned British TV series such as Yonderland, Crackanory and Sorry I’ve Got No Head.

Producers are Pilot Media directors Jules Elvins and Dan Shepherd (Chalet Girl, Mr Nice), and Jeremy Salsby of Saltbeef TV, who created the show.

The film has been fully financed by Great Point Media, run by producers Jim Reeve and Robert Halmi Jnr.

International sales will be handled by Genesis Film Sales.

The TV series, which launched in 2011, is a weekly magazine show that...

Actor Mem Ferda has been tapped to cameo in the upcoming action thriller Breakdown. Check out the official details below.

British and Turkish actor Mem Ferda is set to co-star in the new action thriller Breakdown. The movie also centrally stars Craig Fairbrass (Rise of the Footsoldier). Fairbrass plays a professional contract killer. Alfie (Fairbrass) is traumatized by visions of his violent past as he tries to defend his family from murderous employers. Currently, Breakdown is being shot on location in and in the surrounding areas of London and Essex.

Breakdown is written and directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Jonnie Malachi. Also, the cast includes James Cosmo (“Game of Thrones”), Emmett Scanlan (The Fall), Mem Ferda (Pusher), Olivia Grant (Mr. Nice), and Tamer Hassan (The Business). Luke Fairbrass is producing this feature through production house Screen 360.

Actor Mem Ferda plays the role of Hakan Abaci. Hakan is a self made,...

Today's Indie Beat brings come casting news on the upcoming action flick Breakdown, which has already begun shooting and follows the struggles of a contract killer trying to protect his family. Come inside to learn more about the film and what role Ferda will play in it!

Here at Cinelinx we like to talk about all aspects of filmmaking and movie news. To that end, we have Indie Beat where we highlight some of the latest news, trailers, and PR releases from the indie filmmaker scene. So if you're an independent filmmaker and want some coverage on our site, be sure to drop us a line at jordan@cinelinx.com .

British and Turkish actor Mem Ferda is set to co-star in the new action thriller Breakdown. The movie also centrally stars Craig Fairbrass (Rise of the Footsoldier). Fairbrass plays a professional contract killer. Alfie (Fairbrass) is traumatized by visions of...

New British thriller 'Breakdown' marks the directorial debut of writer/director Jonnie Malachi. The movie is currently shooting on location in and around London and Essex and stars Craig Fairbrass ('Devil's Playground'), 'Game of Thrones' star James Cosmo, Emmett Scanlan ('The Fall'), Olivia Grant ('Mr. Nice'), Tamer Hassan ('The Business') and Brit/Turkish actor Mem Ferda ('Pusher') as Turkish gang boss Hakan Abaci. Luke Fairbrass is producing through his Screen 360 production company. 'Breakdown' revolves around a professional contract killer (Fairbrass), haunted by visions of his violent past, spirals out of control. His work compromised as he reaches breaking point, he is forced to defend his family from his ruthless employers....

Breakdown, which stars British Actor Craig Fairbrass (Rise of the Footsoldier), is about as a professional contract killer who is compromised by visions of his violent past. It is currently being shot on location in and around London and Essex.

The film was written and is Directed by Jonnie Malachi and includes an all-star cast inclusing James Cosmo (Game of Thrones), Emmett Scanlan (The Fall), Olivia Grant (Mr. Nice), and Tamer Hassan (The Business).

It has also signed British-­‐Turkish actor Mem Ferda (The Devil’s Double, Pusher) in a strong cameo role. In a recent interview Mem commented, "I am thrilled to be working with Craig, he is a remarkable actor and it’s about time we were seen on screen together."

Luke Fairbras [Continued ...]...

Tamer Hasan and Mem Ferda have signed on to come face to face in the upcoming action thriller, ‘Breakdown.’ The British-Turkish film stars will portray Iraz Kartal and Hakan Abaci, respectively, in the film. The two join fellow supporting cast members James Cosmo (‘Game of Thrones’), Emmett Scanlan (‘The Fall’) and Olivia Grant (‘Mr. Nice’). ‘Breakdown,’ which was written and is being directed by filmmaker Jonnie Malachi, is currently shooting on location in and around Londodn and Essex. Luke Fairbrass is producing the movie for screen 360. Craig Fairbrass stars as Alfie Jennings, a professional contract killer, in ‘Breakdown.’ His job is compromised as he endures visions of his violent [ Read More ]

The post Tamer Hassan and Mem Ferda Come Face to Face in New Thriller Breakdown appeared first on Shockya.com.

The actor on his collaboration with Jake and Dinos Chapman, how Irish folk singer Fionn Regan inspired his tattoo, and the war film he thinks is the best ever made

Born in Pembrokeshire, Rhys Ifans made his earliest screen appearances as a presenter on Welsh-language television. After a brief stint as a founding member of psychedelic rock band Super Furry Animals, Ifans launched an acting career. He was Bafta-nominated for his breakthrough role as Hugh Grant's flatmate, Spike, in the 1999 film Notting Hill, before winning the award for his portrayal of Peter Cook in Not Only But Always. He also starred in the film adaptation of Howard Marks's autobiography, Mr Nice, and counts the villainous Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man among his notable big-screen roles. Ifans has made several stage appearances, including roles in Under Milk Wood and Volpone at the National Theatre, where he is currently starring in Protest Song,...

Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Nov. 5, 2013

Price: DVD $24.98, Blu-ray $39.99

Studio: Anchor Bay

Amanda Seyfried is adult film icon Linda Lovelace in Lovelace.

Amanda Seyfried (In Time) and Peter Sarsgaard (Green Lantern) star in a 2013 film drama about the iconic Seventies adult film star Linda Lovelace in the drama Lovelace.

In 1972—before the internet, before the adult film explosion—Deep Throat was a phenomenon: the first scripted adult theatrical feature film, featuring a story, some jokes, and an unknown and unlikely star, Linda Lovelace (Seyfried). Escaping a strict religious family, Linda discovered freedom and the high-life when she fell for and married charismatic hustler Chuck Traynor (Sarsgaard). As Linda Lovelace, she became an international sensation—less centerfold fantasy than a charming girl-next-door with an impressive capacity for fellatio. After struggling to break free from Traynor whose endless abuse nearly killed her, Linda made it her life’s mission to fight violence against women.

Welsh opera star Bryn Terfel picks his cultural highlights of the moment, from Rhys Ifans to operatic Tudors

Bryn Terfel is a Welsh bass-baritone opera singer. Born in Pant Glas, Caernarfonshire, Terfel attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 1989 with the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial award. He has since performed leading roles in Mozart, Puccini and Wagner at some of the most famous opera houses in the world. In 1996 he won the Royal Philharmonic Society award for singer of the year and he became the second recipient of the Queen's medal for music in 2006. His new album Homeward Bound, recorded in Salt Lake City with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is out now.

Actor: Rhys Ifans

I was at Guildhall with him and he has done some magnificent work since he left. He stole the show in Notting Hill and as Howard Marks in Mr Nice (left). Now he's in the latest Spider-Man movies.

Decca Aitkenhead meets Hollywood's Mr Nice to talk politics, parenting and his latest film Elysium

Matt Damon's politics owe a great deal to his mother. The first time Nancy Carlsson-Paige saw her son featured in a glossy magazine, she was appalled. "My beautiful boy is being used to sell products," she told a newspaper. "He is just a cog in the capitalist system." She'd never even read a magazine like Vanity Fair before, her son explains. "She's a professor. If it's not the Nation, she doesn't read it. And she said, 'This thing is nothing but page after page of adverts for products that nobody needs!'" He chuckles. I'd love to know what his mother makes of his latest film, Elysium, a big-budget sci-fi action thriller packed with set-piece fights and expensive pyrotechnic violence. "Hmm, well, my mom's big on non-violent conflict resolution," he grins.

Damon has travelled...

News Louisa Mellor 27 Jun 2013 - 07:49

The role of Mycroft Holmes in Elementary has gone to Mr Nice and The Amazing Spider-Man actor, Rhys Ifans...

Elementary, it has to be said, was the surprise of last autumn's new additions to the TV schedule. Far from the car crash Sherlock imitation many were expecting, it started well-enough and steadily grew into a show with wit, intrigue, and at the heart of it, a consistently strong performance from Jonny Lee Miller that elevated it above your standard police procedurals. You can read more on how it silenced the critics, here.

Elementary's taste in British supporting actors, has so far been second to none (okay, well, second to Game of Thrones, but that's a given). First there was a brief appearance from Roger Rees, then John Hannah showed up, and Natalie Dormer arrived to close the first season. Even Vinnie Jones brought...

How far is too far on "American Horror Story: Asylum"? We haven't reached the point just yet, but the way things are heading we might find out soon enough.

"The Origins of Monstrosity" served up a whole lot of demented visuals while giving the audience a bit of backstory on several key characters. It was an overly talky episode and not quite as compelling as the rest of the season so far, but here's what we found out:

Jenny Reynolds (Nikki Hahn) is an evil little girl and Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe) loves her for it

"Monstrosity" introduces a pint-sized psychopath in the frightening form of Jenny Reynolds, a little terror rejected from Briarcliff because they don't have a children's ward. Still, her visit gives her enough time to bond with demonically possessed Sister Mary Eunice, who encourages Jenny to act on all of her darkest impulses. She also...

Reviewer: James van Maanen

Ratings (out of five): ***

The Kreutzer Sonata, directed and co-written (with Lisa Enos) by Bernard Rose tracks the journey of a jealous husband's relationship with his pianist wife. A modern adaptation of a Tolstoy novella, the film has a number of good things to warrant a recommendation. The movie leaves all credit information, save its title, to the end, a fact I was grateful for when I finished considering the quality of the director's previous works (Paperhouse, Candyman, Immortal Beloved and Anna Karenina). Yet, it is my second favorite of his films I've seen so far (his most recent work, Mr. Nice with Rhys Ifans, is even better). ...

Blu-ray Release Date: July 24, 2012

Price: Blu-ray $39.95 each

Studio: Criterion

Chris Eigman is flanked in Metropolitan.

A pair of New York independent filmmaker Whit Stillman’s (Damsels in Distress) sophisticated comedy films from the 1990s, Metropolitan (1990) and The Last Days of Disco (1998), arrive on Blu-ray from Criterion following the label’s previous release of the titles on DVD in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

Acclaimed as one of the great American indies of the 1990s, writer/director Stillman’s Metropolitan is a comedic chronicle of a middle-class young man’s (Edward Clements) romantic misadventures in New York City’s debutante society, where a chatty group of young upper-class Manhattanites are blithely passing through the gala debutante season. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, the movie co-stars Chris Eigman, Carolyn Farina and Taylor Nichols.

The Blu-ray of Metropolitan contains the following features, all of which were first issued on the DVD (except...

DVD Release Date: May 8, 2012

Price: DVD $29.99

Studio: Zeitgeist

Danny Huston stars in The Kreutzer Sonata.

The 2008 British psychological drama film The Kreutzer Sonata is based on the classic 1889 novella by Leo Tolstoy.

In the film, Edgar Hudson (Danny Huston, The Warrior’s Way) and concert pianist Abby (Elisabeth Röhm, TV’s Heroes) become romantically involved and ultimately have a child together, though it was not something that was planned. As the years begin to pass by, Edgar grows in wealth and becomes a man who has everything, including a gorgeous wife and two beautiful children. But the significant changes in Abby’s life have made being a pianist, her true passion, a distant memory, causing her to descend into a period marked by restlessness and a lack of fulfillment.

Directed by Bernard Rose (Mr. Nice), The Kreutzer Sonata also features a supporting turn by Angelica Huston (The Big Year) as...

British moviemaker Ken Russell has died at the age of 84.

Russell directed several classic British films during his 55-year career, including spy thriller Billion Dollar Brain, The Who's rock opera Tommy, and Oscar-winning 1969 movie Women in Love.

He also notched up a range of acting and writing credits, and was working in front of the cameras as recently as 2010, when he played a university lecturer in crime drama Mr. Nice. He even has a role in upcoming horror movie Invasion of the Not Quite Dead.

Actress-turned-politician Glenda Jackson, who won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Women in Love, paid tribute to Russell after news of his death was announced on Monday.

She told the BBC, "(It was) just wonderful to work with him and to work with him as often as I did. He created the kind of climate in which actors could do their job and I loved him dearly."

Jackson insisted it's "a great shame" Russell was not more widely recognised in the movie industry, adding: "It was almost as if he never existed - I find it utterly scandalous for someone who was so innovative and a film director of international stature."

Joely Richardson, who starred in Russell's BBC TV series Lady Chatterley, adds, "I will forever feel privileged and honoured to have worked with the great Ken Russell. More than that, I was extremely fond of the man himself."

Russell's fellow British filmmaker Michael Winner told the Daily Mirror, "I've known Ken since 1968. He was the most innovative director. I persuaded Oliver Reed to work with him even though Oliver said, 'I'm not a TV star, I'm a movie star.'

"His television was in a field of its own, it was absolutely extraordinary. Then he graduated to movies... He was also a very nice person. He was very cheerful and very well-meaning. He had a very good run even though his style of picture-making became obsolete, but that happened to everyone, Billy Wilder and (Alfred) Hitchcock."

Russell passed away in a hospital on Sunday after a series of strokes. He is survived by his wife Elize.

British moviemaker Ken Russell has died at the age of 84.

Russell directed several classic British films during his 55-year career, including spy thriller Billion Dollar Brain, The Who's rock opera Tommy, and Oscar-winning 1969 movie Women in Love.

He also notched up a range of acting and writing credits, and was working in front of the cameras as recently as 2010, when he played a university lecturer in crime drama Mr. Nice. He even has a role in upcoming horror movie Invasion of the Not Quite Dead.

Fellow British filmmaker Michael Winner paid tribute to Russell after news of his death was announced on Monday, telling the Daily Mirror, "I've known Ken since 1968. He was the most innovative director. I persuaded Oliver Reed to work with him even though Oliver said, 'I'm not a TV star, I'm a movie star.'

"His television was in a field of its own, it was absolutely extraordinary. Then he graduated to movies... He was also a very nice person. He was very cheerful and very well-meaning. He had a very good run even though his style of picture-making became obsolete, but that happened to everyone, Billy Wilder and (Alfred) Hitchcock."

Russell, who Winner insists had been "terribly ill for some time", passed away in a hospital on Sunday. No further details were available as WENN went to press.

Educations come in all shapes and sizes. You can go the average “American Dream” route, go to high school, a nice college and then get a high-paying job. Or maybe you go to a technical school and start a small business. There’s always the journeyman route where you scour the globe looking for any experience you can get. Of course, none of these paths are necessarily mutually exclusive, nor are they the only choices, and perhaps the best real-life illustration of this fact is the notorious British drug smuggler Howard Marks. He went from a scholar to a drug dealer to a British spy and eventually a convicted felon, but in the course of it all he saw the world, wined and dined with powerful men on both sides of the law, and had one hell of a time doing it. Mr. Nice tells Marks’s story from his...

Mr. Nice

Blu-ray | DVD

Directed by Bernard Rose

Starring Rhys Ifans, Chloe Sevigny, Crispin Glover, David Thewlis

Mpi Home Video

Release Date: October 11, 2011

Some lives are just too entertaining to not bring to the big screen. And Howard Marks lived one of those very lives.

Better known as his alias, and subsequent title of this recently released Bernard Rose film, Mr. Nice, Marks was both a drug dealer and ultimately a spy for the British government. Toss in some relationships with various women and even an Ira member, and you have a life that is more than worthy of a big screen adaptation. Drugs, women, espionage, what’s not to like?

Mr. Nice, that’s what [...]...

DVD Playhouse—October 2011

By Allen Gardner

Terri (20th Century Fox) An awkward, obese teen (Jacob Wysocki) finds himself forming an odd friendship with his equally left-of-center vice-principal (John C. Reilly), who decides to help the boy navigate his way through adolescence’s rocky road. Low key film is filled with pathos and humor, but is ultimately too laid back for its own good (not to mention too long). Worth seeing for young Wysocki’s amazing, completely natural performance, and Reilly’s goofy charm. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurette; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.

Mr. Nice (Mpi) Rhys Ifans stars in the true story of Howard Marks, a Welsh-born Oxford grad who gained the most notoriety in his life for being the UK’s biggest hashish smuggler during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when he wasn’t busy spying for Her Majesty’s government, hanging out with a...

Release Date: Oct. 11, 2011

Price: DVD $27.98, Blu-ray $23.98

Studio: Mpi

Rhys Ifans is Howard Marks, one of Britain’s biggest marijuana smugglers, in Mr. Nice.

The story of Howard Marks – a real-life cult figure who achieved notoriety as one of Britain’s biggest marijuana smugglers – is recounted in the 2010 comedy-drama film Mr. Nice, written and directed by Bernard Rose (Immortal Beloved).

Set against the hip, colorful backdrop of England in the 1970s and 1980s, the movie stars Rhys Ifans (Pirate Radio) as Marks, whose legacy as an international hashish trader was elevated by stints as a spy for the British government, his involvement with an unhinged Ira operative (David Thewlis, Naked), and his eventual 25-year prison sentence.

Mr. Nice also stars Chloe Sevigny (Barry Munday) and Crispin Glover (Hot Tub Time Machine) and offers an era-appropriate soundtrack featuring such artists as John Lennon and Deep Purple.

The biographical movie enjoyed a rollout...

Fast Five was Justin Lin’s third film in the popular car driving/face hitting series and it turned out far better than anyone expected with Dwayne Johnson entering the series with the subtlety of a fifty foot fist to the face.

What Lin got right with this installment was to wrap a decent heist thriller around the trappings of a F’n'f film, not forgetting to add a smidge of family drama and the requestite semi-nakedness, some of which can be seen in the clip below.

It’s a lot of fun, looks great on Blu-ray and we have a brief chat with actress Elsa Pataky, who prior to this film was perhaps best known in the UK as Ilze in Bernard Rose’s Mr. Nice with Rhys Ifans.

Take it away Elsa,...

Mr. Nice is an odd film. An odd film, but also ultimately, mostly boring. Written and directed by the talented, eclectic filmmaker Bernard Rose (Immortal Beloved, Candyman), this film falls shy of what I believe the film could have achieved. Mr. Nice is the adult life story of Howard Marks, a British dope smuggler, based on Marks. autobiography.

Rhys Ifans (Greenberg, Pirate Radio) plays Howard Marks, operating within the elite sector of the drug trade, but gets in his own way as a dealer due to his own habitual use and relative ignorance. Despite being based on a true story, Mr. Nice plays more like a low-key farce. The film isn.t riddled with laughter-inducing moments, but I found myself constantly thinking this is too strange to be true, but we all know what they say about truth being stranger than fiction. Unfortunately, strange does not allows equate to interesting.

Rhys Ifans is set to star in the next James Bond film. The 'Mr. Nice' actor is in discussions for a role in the next instalment in the British spy franchise - which will star Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig, who will reprise his role as 007 for a third time - which is being directed by Sam Mendes. A source said: ''Ifans will appear in the film, as well as Javier Bardem, who will play the main villain. Much of the filming will take place in South Africa.'' The...

He will going all green, slimy and reptile-like as the tragic and monstrous villain The Lizard when he battles The Amazing Spider-Man next July, but let’s hope he recovers quickly because less than four months later he will be getting shaken and stirred with the James Bond franchise!

A source has told Brit newspaper The Telegraph over the weekend that “Ifans will appear in the film, as well as Javier Bardem, who will play the baddie. Much of the filming will take place in South Africa” capping off what will be the franchise year of the Ifans! Couldn’t happen to a better actor either.

There’s no word on what role he might be playing but I would enlist on her majesty’s secret service today if he was bringing back the sarcastic, gadget-God Q, which is much better casting than anything we suggested last week for who...

More casting news for MGM's upcoming Bond 23, being directed by Sam Mendes. It was confirmed a few weeks ago that Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes were all officially cast in the new Bond film, now we also know that Welsh actor Rhys Ifans is joining. The news comes from The Telegraph (via Bleeding Cool) where they confirm: "Ifans will appear in the film, as well as Javier Bardem, who will play the baddie." They also add, "much of the filming will take place in South Africa." Unfortunately no details on who he'll play. Maybe a henchman? Either way, I'm extremely excited that a new Bond flick is in the works. Rhys Ifans is a BAFTA nominated actor on the rise, appearing in films like The Informers, Pirate Radio, Mr. Nobody, Mr. Nice, Greenberg, Nanny McPhee Returns, Passion Play and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1...

Longtime Welsh character actor Rhys Ifans is finally cashing in on decades of great work. Perhaps best known for roles in "Notting Hill" and "Enduring Love," you've probably seen Ifans lately in films like "Greenberg," "Mr. Nice" or "The Boat That Rocked." But lately, the thespian has been banking paychecks for blockbuster fare--He played Xenophilius Lovegood in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," popped up in "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang" and next summer he'll get tangled with Peter Parker as Dr. Curt Connors, aka The Lizard, in "The Amazing Spider-Man." But one more mega franchise can…...

Cell 211, Spanish director Daniel Monzon’s contribution to the prison sub-genre, roars out of the blocks like a lean action film, but ultimately bogs down under the weight of its ambitions and numerous plot twists. A multiple award-winner in its homeland, the film features a strong ensemble cast who breathe life into stock characters, and it’s their performances which are the main reason to keep watching.

Within minutes of beginning his tour of the prison where he is to begin working as a guard the following day, Juan Oliver (Alberto Ammann) is struck on the head by falling debris: it’s not an accident. The experienced guards who are escorting him place him in an empty cell rather than carrying him to the infirmary, a decision which is to have fateful consequences when an inmate riot immediately erupts and they are forced to flee for their safety, leaving Juan to fend for himself.

Notorious Welsh drug smuggler Howard Marks secured his legend with the 1996 autobiography Mr. Nice, which compiled anecdotes about brushes with the law, colorful underworld types, and how cooperating with various covert agencies kept an illicit business running. Writer-director Bernard Rose adapts Mr. Nice with Rhys Ifans starring as Marks; the film tells his story from his days as a precocious dope-smoking Oxford student in the ’60s to his almost accidental transition into hashish distribution, which required him to partner up with a paranoid, porn-obsessed Ira operative played by David Thewlis. Rose tries to balance historical accuracy, criminal thrills, black ...

Reviewed by Chris Allsop

(June 2011)

Directed/Written by: Bernard Rose

Starring: Rhys Ifans, Chloë Sevigny, David Thewlis, Elsa Pataky, Crispin Glover, Andrew Tiernan and Omid Djalili

For several decades now, the drug smuggler Howard Marks (aka Mr. Nice) has maintained a minor celebrity in England through an endless schedule of live shows, lads’ mags features and a few books. With an obviously decent drug tale to be told, and with a readymade audience in the waiting, it’s a wonder that the film’s taken so long to get made. Surprisingly then — especially considering that the target audience probably overlaps with fans of Guy Ritchie’s East End output — it’s one of the most ordinary, unglamorous celluloid drug tales ever told.

Suitably enough, the film is framed as one of Marks’ live shows. Besides this top and tail, it’s a linear narrative that begins with Marks’ childhood in Wales,...

Reviewed by Chris Allsop

(June 2011)

Directed/Written by: Bernard Rose

Starring: Rhys Ifans, Chloë Sevigny, David Thewlis, Elsa Pataky, Crispin Glover, Andrew Tiernan and Omid Djalili

For several decades now, the drug smuggler Howard Marks (aka Mr. Nice) has maintained a minor celebrity in England through an endless schedule of live shows, lads’ mags features and a few books. With an obviously decent drug tale to be told, and with a readymade audience in the waiting, it’s a wonder that the film’s taken so long to get made. Surprisingly then — especially considering that the target audience probably overlaps with fans of Guy Ritchie’s East End output — it’s one of the most ordinary, unglamorous celluloid drug tales ever told.

Suitably enough, the film is framed as one of Marks’ live shows. Besides this top and tail, it’s a linear narrative that begins with Marks’ childhood in Wales,...

They say honesty is the best policy, but few actors take that sentiment to heart as genuinely as Chloë Sevigny, who was kind enough to sit down with me and a few other curious minds this morning in midtown Manhattan. She has one of those ebullient laughs that nervously tumbles out without warning. Ms. Sevigny is promoting her latest film, the little seen Mr. Nice, which played SXSW last March and has its U.S. premiere on June 3rd. It's the true life story of Howard Marks, a Welsh dope smuggler played by Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Replacements), as directed by Bernard Rose (Candyman, Immortal Beloved). Ms. Sevigny plays Howard's wife Judy, and had plenty to say on a myriad of topics. Things like:

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Photo by Michael Yarish/NBC

After way too long of a break, Paul Reiser is finally back on TV. The Paul Reiser Show premieres tonight and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We've loved Paul since his Mad About You days and have waited for him to come into our living rooms again.

On Mad About You, Paul played a character similar to his real-life self, but on this new series he is out and out mimicking his own existence. In a recent conference call interview he stated, "This show to me is everything that Mad About You had and then so much more. At the heart of it, it's really based on my life and my life starts with my family and that is the priority… It comes down to here's what's going on in the home and here's what's going on with my wife and my kids. But...

Chris Pratt has teamed Nicholas Stoller‘s Universal comedy Five-Year Engagement. Rhys Ifans, the villain in upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man, is also in talks for a role in the pic.

Five-Year Engagement will not be a prequel to previous Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, which Stoller co-wrote with Jason Segel. Stoller made certain steps toward screenwriting for The Muppets and Gulliver’s Travels, and “Five-Year Engagement” represents his return to the director’s chair.

Jason Segel and Emily Blunt lead in the picture, which refers to both the happy times and the bad times of their extensive relationship. Alison Brie co-stars as Blunt’s younger sister. Judd Apatow and Rodney Rothman are producing the project. Segel is also exec. producer.

Five-Year Engagement principal photography is scheduled to begin by the end of next month. Pratt and Ifans have been on a roll lately.

Relativity Media’s...

Lying on the golden beach of Koh Tao, Thailand, in the sweltering heat of last December, I was totally absorbed in Howard Marks’ life story Mr. Nice. His autobiography emulated such wit and sparkle and wove such a fascinating story that I was still turning pages well after the sun went down. So I was understandably more than excited about the DVD release of Bernard Rose's film adaptation of the same name. Unfortunately, I finished the film with an overall feeling of being profoundly underwhelmed.

Mr Nice (2010) introduces Marks as an affable and unassuming schoolboy. Marks excels in school and gains a place at Oxford, where he stumbles across his first hash experience. From here, the black and white footage diminishes as he tokes for the first time, exhaling in glorious Technicolour. From here onwards, we see Marks move into the world of drug smuggling following the arrest of a friend,...

Some smaller indie film deals were made today. There was an international pact for Sundance documentary competition entry Connected: An Autoblogography about Love, Death & Technology, Tiffany Shlain’s timely meditation on the interconnectedness of humankind. Doc licensing specialist Ro*co Films International took on the film's foreign distribution. Ro*co’s Annie Roney said the pic “embodies the very reason our company exists: to connect global audiences to each other around the issues of our time, through an emotional connection to real people.” And, off the Sundance radar, director Bernard Rose's festival circuit veteran Mr. Nice, starring Rhys Ifans and Chloe Sevigny, found an American home with Chicago-based Mpi Media Group. The distributor picked up all U.S. rights to the British dramedybased on the life of drug dealer Howard Marks. Produced by Luc Roeg's London-based Independent shingle, Mr. Nice made the festival rounds starting at South by Southwest last year,...