News

“Monster” Season 3 is going “Psycho.”

Variety reports that Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf, Emmy nominee Tom Hollander, and British Independent Film Awards winner Olivia Williams have joined the cast of the next installment of Netflix’s massively popular true crime anthology drama series from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. Season 3, “The Original Monster,” will follow serial killer and grave robber Ed Gein, who will be played by Charlie Hunnam. Metcalf will play Gein’s mother Augusta, a volatile religious fanatic with whom he had an extremely dysfunctional relationship.

Gein was the inspiration for the character of Norman Bates in the film “Psycho,” and that fact will be explored in “Monster,” as Hollander will be playing director Alfred Hitchcock and Williams will be playing Hitchcock’s wife Alma Reville.

“Monster” began in 2022 with “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” which is one of Netflix’s most-watched shows of all time.

Rupert Everett, Derek Jacobi and Tom Felton have joined the ensemble cast of “Lead Heads,” described as a “drama about greed and the repercussions it has on the soul.” Also in the cast are Luke Newberry, Mark Williams and Olatunji Ayofe. Giles Borg directs. Principal photography begins in March in London.

The film centers on “a group of men, strangers to one another but all corrupted by greed, who, in their desperation, are drawn together for one night to play a game that may cost them both their souls and lives,” according to a statement from the producers, Lawrence Steven Meyers, Randy Dannenberg and John Evangelides.

Alexa Waugh is onboard to line produce. The script was written by Patrick Makin.

Borg has worked in film and television for more than 20 years, directing commercials, music videos, TV series and feature films. He made his feature debut with “1234” in 2008, a quirky music-themed drama,...

Louisa Mellor Apr 21, 2017

We chatted to actor Luke Newberry about his BBC Radio 4 Home Front role, In The Flesh, getting his start in acting and more…

“I’m still umm-ing, how annoying for you!” he says, but interviewing Luke Newberry isn’t annoying in the least. He’s at pains to give proper answers to questions, literally so judging by some of the noises he makes in our half-hour chat. His frustrated ‘aaghs’ and ‘ooohs’ and ‘umms’ are the sound of someone who doesn’t have a ready-made patter and who doesn’t want to just say any old thing.

See related Line Of Duty series 4 episode 5 review Line Of Duty series 4, and the clues hiding in series 1 Line Of Duty: creator Jed Mercurio interview

When I ask him who would be his dream director, for instance, Newberry pauses, asks if we can come back to it later, pauses...

Sebastian Barry's novel The Secret Scripture has already had a spell of success and attention, winning awards and shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2008. Now it's set to return to the limelight with a film adaptation starring Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave. My Left Foot's Noel Pearson is producing, and after a few months of searching, the film now finally has a director in Thaddeus O'Sullivan.A cinematographer by original trade, O'Sullivan made his debut as a director with the 1991 drama December Bride. He's since made Nothing Personal, Ordinary Decent Criminal, The Heart Of Me and, most recently, 2011's Stella Days. He's also directed regularly for television, most notably with HBO's Emmy-winning 2009 TV-movie Into The Storm.The Secret Scripture sees Chastain playing the young Redgrave, since the novel concentrates on two separate points in the life of Roseanne McNulty. The set up is the occasion of Roseanne's (presumed) hundredth birthday,...

Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave's new drama The Secret Scripture has enlisted a director.

Based on Sebastian Barry's 2008 novel of the same name, The Secret Scripture will be directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Secret Scripture tells the story of Roseanne McNulty, a 100-year old Presbyterian woman who has been "in a mental hospital since World War Two". With the facility closing, "a psychiatrist tries to piece together why the woman is there, not knowing she has been hiding a diary under the floorboards".

It was announced in November that Chastain and Redgrave were to lead the movie as the younger and older versions of the woman, who suffered during Ireland's civil war and was abused by a priest.

O'Sullivan's previous work includes Into the Storm with Brendan Gleeson and The Heart of Me, starring Paul Bettany and Helena Bonham Carter.

Chastain appears in...

Thaddeus O'Sullivan ("Into the Storm"," "The Heart of Me") is set to direct an adaptation of the award-wining Sebastian Barry novel "The Secret Scripture" for Voltage Pictures.

Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave are attached to star in the Ireland-centric story about a 100-year old Presbyterian woman who has been in a mental hospital since World War Two.

With the facility closing, a psychiatrist tries to piece together why the woman is there, not knowing she has been hiding a diary under the floorboards detailing her harsh treatment both during Ireland's civil war and at the hands of an abusive priest.

Chastain and Redgrave will play older and younger versions of the woman. Noel Pearson will produce.

Source: THR...

With Tribeca in full swing, our man on the scene Nomad captured a quick pic of the one-sheet for Frankenstein's Army, and what do you know? Just like that we have it for you right here! It's like magic only we have an explanation as to where it came from!

The feature is a co-production of Mpi/Dark Sky Films, Los Angeles-based Xyz Films, and Pellicola of Amsterdam. It stars Karel Roden (Hellboy), Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), Mark Stevenson (The Last Horror Movie), Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element), Cristina Catalina (Eastern Promises), Robert Gwylim (Escape from Sobibor), and Jan De Lukovicz.

Synopsis:

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed...

• Guillermo del Toro is assembling quite the A-List cast for his gothic horror film Crimson Peak. Yesterday, we learned that Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness) had joined the cast, and news broke today that two-time Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain is in final negotiations to star in the film. Del Toro produced Mama, which starred Chastain, but has never directed the Zero Dark Thirty star before. The project is the midst of a script re-write with Del Toro and Lucinda Coxon (The Heart of Me). Matthew Robbins (The Sugarland Express) wrote the original draft with Del Toro. [Variety]

• The trouble-plagued production for...

Variety reports that Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain (The Help, Zero Dark Thirty) is in “final negotiations” to join Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma Stone and Charlie Hunnam for Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak.

Crimson Peak is described as a “haunted house thriller” to be directed by Guillermo del Toro from a script by the director himself and Mathew Robbins (Mimic).

No plot details are known. The script is currently being rewritten by Del Toro and Lucinda Coxon (The Heart of Me, The Eternal Not).

The film is set to begin filming February of next year.

Chastain remains in talks to play Jane in the upcoming Tarzan film as well.

Del Toro is currently revving up excitement on his soon to be released Pacific Rim (July 12th will be here in no time).

Source: Variety...

In ten days, on January 26th, Dark Sky Film’s Frankenstein’S Army will be making its World Premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Tagging along with this sweet news, we have two new stills from the Richard Raaphorst film.

The first still features Machete Zombot in the corpse cooler, and the second shows Viktor (Karel Roden) in his lab, with a Machete Zombot standing watch.

Here’s the synopsis and cast:

Frankenstein’S Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein’s work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades - a desperate Hitler’s last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.

Frankenstein’s Army has been on the march for so long you would think it was invading Russia. But no, it the Netherlands Frankenstein has his sights set on, specifically Rotterdam International Film Festival where it will make its world premiere.

A interesting concept. The army of pieced together super-soldiers combines an industrial-age aesthetic with nods to modern horror. See the Machete Zombot in the corpse cooler below, more stills here, and read the synopsis:

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades - a desperate Hitler's last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.

The...

Dark Sky Films sent over the second pair of stills from Richard Raaphorst's Frankenstein's Army, and they continue to make us yearn for the flick's release. Check out the latest bit of eye candy right here.

From the Press Release:

Dark Sky Films has released the first two official stills from Dutch director Richard Raaphorst’s eagerly anticipated World War II horror/fantasy Frankenstein's Army. The first still features “Propellerhead”, a hulking Nazi automaton that uses its spinning rotors to slice a bloody swath through the film’s terrified, lost Russian battalion. The second grisly official still features the power-hungry Doctor Frankenstein (Hellboy’s Karel Roden) himself as he dissects an unwilling subject.

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr.

Dark Sky Films announced that Frankenstein’s Army will have its world premiere on January 26th at the Rotterdam International Film Festival and released two new photos from the movie.

“Frankenstein’S Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein’s work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades – a desperate Hitler’s last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.

The feature is a co-production of Mpi/Dark Sky Films, Los Angeles-based Xyz Films, and Pellicola of Amsterdam. It stars Karel Roden (Hellboy), Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class...

Since everyone loves Nazi Zombies as much as I do, I am thrilled to talk about two upcoming Nazi Zombie movies that look more than promising. Exciting is an understatement, even.

Today, Dark Sky Films released the first two official stills from Dutch director Richard Raaphorst’s Nazi Zombie horror film Frankenstein's Army.

This is someone called “Propellerhead”, described officially as "a hulking Nazi automaton that uses its spinning rotors to slice a bloody swath through the film’s terrified, lost Russian battalion."

And this is Doctor Frankenstein, as played by Karel Roden, dissecting someone unwilling to be dissected.

Like any good Nazi Zombie movie, Frankenstein's Army is set at the tail-end of World War II, when Russian soldiers accidentally find a secret Nazi laboratory as they enter Germany's eastern end. Apparently, the journals of Dr. Viktor Frankenstein are serving as the basis for human experimentation to form a -...

Now this is what we call a Halloween treat worth waiting for! Dark Sky Films sent over the first pair of stills from Richard Raaphorst's Frankenstein's Army, and they confirm that we've been right to keep this film locked on our radar!

From the Press Release:

Dark Sky Films has released the first two official stills from Dutch director Richard Raaphorst’s eagerly anticipated World War II horror/fantasy Frankenstein's Army. The first still features “Propellerhead”, a hulking Nazi automaton that uses its spinning rotors to slice a bloody swath through the film’s terrified, lost Russian battalion. The second grisly official still features the power-hungry Doctor Frankenstein (Hellboy’s Karel Roden) himself as he dissects an unwilling subject.

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and...

Just in time for Halloween, Dark Sky Films released the first two photos from Frankenstein’s Army. The first image gives us a look at “Propellerhead”, a hulking Nazi automaton that uses its spinning rotors to slice a bloody swath through the film’s terrified, lost Russian battalion. The second photo gives us our first look at Doctor Frankenstein (Karel Roden) as he dissects an unwilling subject.

Frankenstein’S Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein’s work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades – a desperate Hitler’s last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.

The feature is a co-production of Mpi/Dark Sky Films,...

Here's something super cool you're only gonna see here, a one of a kind Frankenstein's Army action figure. Pity these aren't available for mass consumption just yet, but we'll keep our ears to the ground for you! Dig it!

Karel Roden (The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die) plays mad Nazi scientist Viktor, and the flick also features Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), and Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element).

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their...

Director Richard Raaphorst once again took to his Twitter account today to unveil some more incredible artwork for his film Frankenstein's Army made specifically for this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Check it out right here, and let the drooling continue!

Karel Roden (The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die) plays mad Nazi scientist Viktor, and the flick also features Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), and Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element).

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of...

Director Richard Raaphorst took to his Twitter account today to unveil some incredible artwork for his film Frankenstein's Army made specifically for this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Check it out right here, and let the drooling begin!

Karel Roden (The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die) plays mad Nazi scientist Viktor, and the flick also features Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), and Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element).

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades...

Another delightfully disturbing bit of goodness has come our way from the now shooting Frankenstein's Army. Never let it be said that horror films aren't always there to lend you a hand when you need it!

On the Dutch website Horror.nl, they report that the film will have a theatrical release in the UK and its world premiere in Toronto. Even better? There will be no CGI effects, and from what we're hearing, the movie will be way over-the-top. Below you'll find an image of a mechanized zombie arm. Oh the joy! Thanks to DC reader Tump for the heads-up and translation!

The Czech shoot, portraying Viktor Frankenstein's efforts to turn around German fortunes by animating super soldiers from the body parts of the fallen, is Richard Raaphorst's helming debut and is before cameras right now (how we love saying that).

Karel Roden (The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die...

We have all been waiting patiently for a look at the goods from the now shooting Frankenstein's Army. Finally something juicy has come! See? Good things happen for those who wait. Dig it!

Over on Twitch they have an image/video on display showcasing a rather gory prop from Richard Raaphorst's upcoming flick courtesy of Special Effects Supervisor Rogier Samuels, who appeared last week on the Netherlands talk show "De Wereld Draait Door". Check out the image and hit the link below to watch the video.

The Czech shoot, portraying Viktor Frankenstein's efforts to turn around German fortunes by animating super soldiers from the body parts of the fallen, is Richard Raaphorst's helming debut and is before cameras right now (how we love saying that).

Karel Roden (The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die) plays mad Nazi scientist Viktor, and the flick also features Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass...

Dark Sky took to Twitter where they revealed the following image of some sort of insane contraption from their now-filming Frankenstein's Army, which stars Karel Roden as Viktor, the mad Nazi scientist. The hotly-anticipated action/horror film, set toward the end of World War II, also stars Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), Mark Stevenson (The Last Horror Movie), Hon Ping Tang. The film, "takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab, one that has unearthed and begun experimenting with the journal of one Dr. Viktor Frankenstein. The scientists have used the legendary Frankenstein's work to assemble an army of super-soldiers stitched together from the body parts of their fallen comrades - a desperate Hitler's last ghastly ploy to escape defeat.

Every so often we see an image and can't quite tell what we're looking at, but one thing is painfully apparent... whatever it is, it can't be good. Such is the case with the latest set photo from Frankenstein's Army!

The Czech shoot, portraying Viktor Frankenstein's efforts to turn around German fortunes by animating super soldiers from the body parts of the fallen, is Richard Raaphorst's helming debut and is before cameras right now (how we love saying that).

Karel Roden (The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die) plays mad Nazi scientist Viktor, and the flick also features Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), and Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element).

Frankenstein's Army takes place toward the end of World War II, as Russian soldiers push into eastern Germany and stumble across a secret Nazi lab,...

With Frankenstein's Army finally filming, you can expect all sorts of cool stuff and announcements from now until the flick debuts. Next on tap: a lead has been found who will soon know what it feels like to be god!

According to Variety Czech tough-guy thesp Karel Roden (pictured right; The Abandoned, Hellboy, A Lonely Place to Die ) will play mad Nazi scientist Viktor in Frankenstein's Army, a Gothic WWII fantasy shooting near Karlovy Vary.

The Czech shoot, portraying Viktor's efforts to turn around German fortunes by animating super soldiers from the body parts of the fallen, is Richard Raaphorst's helming debut.

Roden is a "marvelously thrilling addition to our cast," said Greg Newman, executive vp of Mpi Media Group. Mpi/Dark Sky Films is lead producer along with Los Angeles-based Xyz Films and Pellicola of Amsterdam. Prague's Sirena Film is local co-producer.

The flick also features Alexander Mercury...

I know there's a lot of Frankenstein projects to keep straight in your mind these days. But, if it helps, Frankenstein's Army is actually filming. Closing out its first week of principal photography in the ancient village of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, Mpi Media Group and Xyz Films proudly announce the central cast of the film, an international gathering with European talent hailing from The UK, Russia, and Czech Republic. The hotly-anticipated action/horror film, set toward the end of World War II, stars Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), Mark Stevenson (The Last Horror Movie), Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element), Cristina Catalina (Eastern Promises), Robert Gwylim (Escape from Sobibor), and Jan De Lukovicz.

It's a wonderful world that we live in, I tell ya! The Ring hits Blu-ray, The Loved Ones comes to the U.S., Cabin in the Woods and [Rec] 3: Genesis are having their premieres tonight at SXSW, and now more goodies have come in for Frankenstein's Army!

From the Press Release

Closing out its first week of principal photography in the ancient village of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, Mpi Media Group and Xyz Films proudly announce the central cast of Frankenstein’S Army, an international gathering with European talent hailing from The UK, Russia, and Czech Republic.

The hotly anticipated action/horror film, set toward the end of World War II, stars Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), Mark Stevenson (The Last Horror Movie), Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element), Cristina Catalina (Eastern Promises...

Closing out its first week of principal photography in the ancient village of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, Mpi Media Group and Xyz Films announce the central cast of Frankenstein's Army, an international gathering with European talent hailing from The UK, Russia, and Czech Republic.

The film - set toward the end of World War II - stars Alexander Mercury (The Golden Compass), Joshua Sasse (The Big I Am), Luke Newberry (The Heart of Me), Andrei Zayats (X-Men: First Class), Mark Stevenson (The Last Horror Movie), Hon Ping Tang (The Fifth Element), Cristina Catalina (Eastern Promises), Robert Gwylim (Escape from Sobibor), and Jan De Lukovicz.

An announcement regarding the highly-coveted role of Viktor, a charismatic but wildly megalomaniacal scientist whose experiments with the living dead could turn the tide for Hitler’s Nazi forces, is expected from the production next week.

Read more...

According to Variety, Sony has nabbed Robot and Frank, a sci-fi film that stars Frank Langella as Frank, a retired ex-burglar whose kids give him a robot servant (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard) to act as a caretaker. Early reviews indicate that, from this point forward, things get very sweet and funny — or, exactly what I’d want from a movie about an old man and a robot. The rest of the cast is an impressive lineup, one which is led by Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Jeremy Sisto, and Jeremy Strong.

Senior VP of acquisitions, Joe Matukewicz, called it a “winning film [that] strikes a special chord with audiences,” going on to say that they’re “delighted to bring Robot & Frank into the Sony Pictures family. Director Jake Schreier, meanwhile, sounded mutually enthusiastic about working with the studio, but you should expect that by now. Personally, I only have interest...

Irish actor Chris O'Dowd (The It Crowd, The Boat that Rocked) has started filming 'The Crimson Petal and the White' – a four part adaptation of the novel of the same name by Michael Faber. Chris will star in the thriller series alongside Romola Garai (Emma, Atonement), Gillian Anderson (The X Files, Bleak House), and Richard E. Grant (Withnail and I, Gosford Park). It is expected that the four part thriller will broadcast this winter. Chris' other cast members include Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Charles II) , Amanda Hale (Murderland, Bright Star) and Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, The League Of Gentlemen). The Origin Pictures production has been adapted by playwright and screenwriter Lucinda Coxon (The Heart of Me), and directed by award-winning Marc Munden...

The Heart of Me was an extraordinary performance, and made me believe we've only seen a fraction of what Olivia Williams can do

A little over 10 years ago, the question was being asked: what is this very English-seeming actress doing in so many American films? Have the Americans "discovered" her – and, if so, where will she go from here? Olivia Williams made her movie debut in Kevin Costner's very strange film The Postman (1997) about a post-apocalyptic world in which Costner tries to keep the mail functioning in the wild forsaken north-west. Williams was his girl, Abby, and because of the shortage of cosmetics she wasn't meant to look beautiful, exactly. But she looked very good and she never let the film down.

She was far better, and really very striking as the schoolteacher, Rosemary Cross, who wins the love of both Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray in Wes Anderson...

(Paul Bettany in Gangster No. 1, above.)

[I did this interview with Paul Bettany in 2002 and it originally appeared in Venice Magazine, This was one of the earlier long-form interviews he did in the States. Other than as the "Naked Guy" in A Knight's Tale and the imaginary roommate in A Beautiful Mind, he was unknown to the American public at the time. But Gangster No. 1, while not a perfect film (largely due to the difficulty in believing that Bettany grew into Malcolm McDowell as an older man), showcased an actor in Bettany who had screen presence and intensity that was impossible to look away from.

Bettany is currently starring in the film Legion, set to open this month. Here's a look back at the period in his life when he was just about to become famous.]

The Contender

With Gangster No. 1, Paul Bettany reveals himself, all hype aside, as one of the most promising actors of his generation.

by Terry Keefe

The Silent Scream. As delivered by Paul Bettany in his new film Gangster No. 1, it's one of the most bone-chilling moments you'll see on screen this year, or any other year, for that matter. And there isn't a CGI effect in sight. Bettany simply closes his eyes, kicks back his head, and unleashes a blood-curdling scream as the sound drops out completely. This amazingly effective moment is designed to symbolize the unrelenting evil which lurks within Bettany's character, known only as Young Gangster, as he...

LONDON -- Dirty Pretty Things, which centers on an illegal Nigerian immigrant working as a night porter in a London hotel, walked off with the lion's share of this year's British Independent Film Awards. Things, directed by Stephen Frears, scooped up four nods at Tuesday night at London's Hammersmith Palais. The film picked up gongs for best British film and best director, screenplay (Steve Knight) and actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Olivia Williams received the best actress award for her role in The Heart of Me, beating out competition from her co-star Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Ashfield (This Little Life), Samantha Morton (In America) and Tilda Swinton (Young Adam). In the supporting actor category, Susan Lynch scored an award for her role in Richard Jobson's directorial debut, 16 Years of Alcohol.

LONDON -- The Heart of Me co-stars Helena Bonham Carter and Olivia Williams will compete against each other for the best actress nod at the sixth annual British Independent Film Awards. Also nominated in the category, according to organizers Tuesday, are Kate Ashfield for This Little Life, Samantha Morton for In America, and Tilda Swinton for Young Adam. The prize is one of 17 awards to be presented Nov. 4 in a ceremony at the Hammersmith Palais. Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things leads the charge with seven nominations while 16 Years of Alcohol, directed by first-timer Richard Jobson and Gregor Jordan's Buffalo Soldiers picked up five nominations each. Dirty Pretty Things and Buffalo Soldiers will compete with 28 Days Later, Magdalene Sisters and Young Adam for this year's best British independent film crown.

Helena Bonham Carter eased the tension during a sex scene with co-star Paul Bettany on the set of Heart Of Me - by farting. Bettany admits he was horrified, not by Helena's wind, but by the fact she proudly announced it to everyone on set. He says, "She farted on me, announced the fact to the cast and crew, and of course I was the one who ended up feeling embarrassed." But the farting episode hasn't put Bettany off working with the actress again: "She's barking mad, keen as mustard and funny as f**k."...