Neuigkeiten

As the world gears up to take in Dune’s anticipated reboot at the Venice Film Festival, I sat down with British actress Francesca Annis, star of the original Dune, to talk candidly about the ins and outs of working on one of the most fabled sci-fi films of the 1980s.

Were David Lynch and Dino De Laurentiis really at loggerheads? What was the atmosphere like on set? How challenging was it relocating her family to Mexico for the shoot? And which hit movie was she promised during production?

I should note at this juncture that Francesca Annis is my mother. I’ve never interviewed her before and doing so never crossed my mind in more than 13 years as a journalist. That is, until last month when I began thinking about our coverage of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, the year’s most anticipated movie.

You could say I owe Lynch’s Dune quite a bit.

Acorn presents the complete miniseries .Lillie,. a classic Masterpiece Theater offering from 1979 on DVD for fans and new audiences to enjoy. Brought to life by the beautiful Francesca Annis as Lillie Langtry, the story of a remarkable woman making her way in a dazzling age of manners and social intrigue is simply irresistible viewing. Lillie Langtry (also known affectionately to the public as the Jersey L.ily) was a late 19th century actress and celebrity. Born Emilie Charlotte Le Baron on Britain.s channel island of Jersey Lillie was Not the first example of a Jersey Shore citizen as my co-worker announced when I began telling him about her. The events of her life might make one think she was...

Dr Zhivago

By Kieran Kinsella

British TV specialists Acorn Media have decided to capitalize on the wintery weather by releasing the critically acclaimed 2003 version of Boris Pasternak’s snow swept epic Dr Zhivago. This 2 disc set is for mature audiences only and includes the unedited UK version of the 225 minute revolutionary drama. Additionally, the box set includes 70 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage including cast interviews, and you also get a mini-biography of Pasternak.

As an avid fan of the 1965 film version of this same book, I was a little bit skeptical when I first heard about the small screen version. However, my fears were without foundation as this ITV production is just as enthralling as David Lean’s version and many people would argue that it is also closer to Pasternak’s book. That being said, BBC veteran writer Andrew Davies does a very good job of converting the wordy dialogue...

Chicago – I wasn’t a big fan of “Last Man Standing” when it premiered over a year ago but it looks like a landmark program when compared to the vastly inferior new sitcom with which it has been paired, the new “Malibu Country” with Reba (who apparently goes by one name now) and Lily Tomlin. Both shows hearken back to the old-fashioned Tgif brand of programming, complete with laugh tracks and borderline offensive cliches. Do you miss “According to Jim” and “My Wife and Kids”? ABC has a couple of shows for you.

And I don’t mean that to sound as cynical or negative as it might. The fact is that sitcoms have come a long way in the last decade and what used to be passable in the genre looks cliched now. I have no problem with a well-done family sitcom (“The Middle” borders on being a great...

Clemenger Bbdo Melbourne was named agency of the year at the Melbourne Advertising & Design Club Awards tonight.

The agency won top honours for the second year running. However, rival Gpy&R Melbourne – which won more lions at Cannes this year than any Australian agency – did not enter for the second consecutive year. Last year, Patts Ecd Ben Coulson cited cost reasons for not supporting the event, which is Melbourne’s top awards show.

The awards list in full:

The Adstream Award for Agency of the Year

Winner

Clemenger Bbdo Melbourne

The Madc Award for Best in Show

Winner

Guilt Trips V/Line Agency McCann

The Madc Award for Lifetime Achievement

Winner

Scott Whybin, Whybin Tbwa

The Blackley Award for Creative Leader of the Year

Winner

Jason Williams, Leo Burnett

The Madc Award for Client of the Year

Winner

Carlton United Brewers

The Exit Films Award for Best Junior

Winners

Jono...