Archive for the ‘News’ Category

As I mentioned on twitter last week, Michael Sheen is reported to be attending The Moët British Film Awards.

This has not been confirmed, but as one of the proud patrons of the awards, there is a good chance he will be in attendance.

The awards take place on Sunday 4th December 2011 at Old Billingsgate in Central London. Although this is right in the middle of his run as Hamlet at the Young Vic, I understand he gets Sundays off, so it is doable.

The nominations for the awards will be announced on October 31st.

As soon as I have confirmation either way, you will be the first to know.

Recently, I mentioned about how the BBC was funded uniquely as I had seen a few grumbles from non-UK members in regard to the fact they cannot watch iPlayer.

I explained that the BBC is a unique broadcasting company in that they are totally funded by the British people, and not by the Government or by commercial advertising sponsorship.

All British residents pay a license fee to watch this channel and as it is funded solely by contributions from the British public, it is deemed by the British Broadcasting Company that only residents of Britain get to watch it, which is fair.

The BBC launched a subscription channel in the US called BBC America some time ago, which I believe shows a lot of the popular shows.

There is now a way for our European cousins to watch iPlayer – via a new app for your iPad.

The long-awaited international expansion of the BBC iPlayer begins today with the launch of the service in 11 European countries exclusively via the Apple iPad app.

The global iPlayer service will be available only on the iPad during a one-year trial, during which the US, Canada and Australia will also gain access at some stage.

The BBC is pushing the global iPlayer as a video on-demand portal rather than just the catch-up TV platform we’ve become accustomed to on domestic shores.

The app will feature that month’s new content, including the likes of Top Gear, Dr Who and Eastenders but will also feature on-demand access to classics from the BBC’s 60-year catalogue.

I thought this may be of interest to those who would like to view programs from the BBC that Michael makes an appearance in (Coming Home, Wales and Hollywood, The Passion of Port Talbot).

You can read the full article HERE.

That is what Kay Shackleton in a recent article for Examiner.com reckons.

Does this mean that it could be a contender for the 2012 Academy Awards (Oscars)? Despite Anchor Bay delivering a relatively limited release, a lot of people seem to think so.  Ropes Of Silicon have it listed as one of their contenders, along with Midnight In Paris.

Midnight In Paris has recently become the highest grossing Woody Allen film to date, much to the delight of distributors Sony Pictures Classic.

For many, this film is seen as a return to form for the veteran director.

The 84th Academy Awards ceremony is still a long way off, due to take place on Sunday, February 26th 2012. At the moment, the Academy are still receiving nominations with the final list is due to be released Tuesday, January 24, 2012 so add this date to your diary.

Michael Sheen, along with Wales Online, recently launched a campaign to get a star on the Hollywood walk of fame for fellow Port Talbot boy, Richard Burton.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce accepted his nomination following the A Star for Burton appeal launch.Now almost £20,000 needs to be raised before his star can be installed on the world-famous Californian boulevard.

After hearing the news, Michael Sheen, who officially launched the A Star For Burton campaign in March and is now based in LA, said: “I am absolutely delighted this has happened. No star is more thoroughly deserved and it will be good to have another Port Talbot boy to go and talk to just up the road.”

(source)

You may remember that a few weeks ago, I published an article in the Rumour Mill about how Hollywood has Michael Sheen as one of the people hotly tipped to play Richard Burton in a possible Scorcese directed drama of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Martin Scorsese is in talks over the film with Paramount Pictures, who have bought the film rights to ‘Furious Love’ a biography of the couples tempestuous marriage by Nancy Schoenberger. The author has her own ideas on who she would like to play the part of Burton in a screen version.

“At the top of our list has always been Russell Crowe to play Richard Burton. He has that wounded intensity, that smouldering charisma that Burton possessed.

“As for Elizabeth, it’s much more difficult to cast that famous face, certainly Catherine Zeta-Jones, for her passionate nature as well as her beauty.

In a recent WalesOnline article, it appears that the brother of Burton, Graham Jenkins said:

“I don’t really want to see Russell Crowe playing Richard. If anyone can do it, it is Michael Sheen. He’s a Port Talbot boy and will have no trouble with the accent.”

Asian film festival, ScreenSingapore, are hosting the international premiere of Dennis Lee’s Jesus Henry Christ.

ScreenSingapore is held in Singapore between 5 – 12 June 2011. Jesus Henry Christ will form part of the Red Carpet Gala Premiere on Friday 10th June