Cheetah Dead: 'Tarzan' Chimpanzee Dies at Near 80 [UPDATE]

From 'Project Nim' to 'Rise in the Planet in the Apes,' 2011 was the season in the primate. Sadly, it seems like things will finish around the sad note. Cheetah, the chimpanzee most broadly noted for his be employed in the 'Tarzan' movies in the '30s, died on Sunday of kidney failure. He was almost 80 years of age. Cheetah came out in Tarzan films between 1932 and 1934 -- particularly 'Tarzan the Ape Man' and 'Tarzan and also the Mate' -- opposite actor Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan. "He was very compassionate," Darlene Cobb, the outreach director at Suncoast Primate Sanctuary told The Polk Tribune. "He could determine if I used to be obtaining a great day or possibly a poor day. He was always searching to obtain me to laugh if he thought I used to be obtaining a poor day. He was very in tune to human feelings." Cheetah outlived normal captivity chimps by over 3 decades. It doesn't appear that Cheetah omitted any children. UPDATE: Or even Cheetah didn't die in the last weekend. Inside an interview with Dork Itzkoff in the NY Occasions, Dr. Steve Ross, the assistant director within the Lester E. Fisher Center for your Study and Conservation of Apes within the Lincoln subsequently subsequently Park Zoo in Chicago, mentioned it absolutely was "very improbable" that Cheetah live being nearly 80, which records were dodgy at best. The plot, as they say, thickens... [Polk Tribune via NYT/ArtsBeat] [Photo: AP] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Watch Madonna and Her W.E. Cast Make Their Movie Seem Likable in 24-Minute Doc

I am obviously a thundering shill for Madonna whether she’s making terrible movies with her ex-husband or making terrible movies with Griffin Dunne, but there’s something about W.E.’s self-serious, accidental telenovela that’s not even watchably bad. It’s just humorless and overlong — though Andrea Riseborough is fabulous as the polarizing Wallis Simpson. In a new 24-minute documentary about Madonna’s big feature, the director and her cast do their best to sell their watercolored biopic, and I tell you what? They do a good job. Don’t ask me to explain it. But James D’Arcy still looks like Anthony Perkins, so shut up and start crying in adoration. Here’s what strikes me as a little misguided: 1) The extreme importance placed upon the costuming and jewelry. W.E. feels like a De Beers commercial with all its slow-motion carat porn. 2) Wallis Simpson is an interesting historical figure, but there’s no there there in terms of a satisfying character arc. Madonna has always loved controversial women, but she’s ultimately too tame an iconoclast for such a lengthy movie. Still, I dig Madonna’s commentary here. It gives me hope for a decent follow-up feature — though if you ask me, she should try her hand at directing an all-female comic ensemble. If her acting past is any indication, that’s her surest bet for success. W.E. - Promotional Documentary [YouTube]

The Flowers of War Trailer with Christian Bale: The Dark Knight Races to China

Now, the Second Sino-Japanese War may not seem like the perfect backdrop for Christian Bale to showcase his heartthrob chops, but it appears there’s a romance nestled in this very expensive, ornate chronicle of the Japanese invasion of China. The Flowers of War is China’s official submission to the Oscars, and it won’t take long to see why: This thing is too gigantic and textbook-serious to be ignored. Let’s forgive a few things in this trailer: 1) Christian Bale; 2) Christian Bale’s - and forgive me if I’m misdiagnosing this — Blue Collar Comedy Tour accent; 3) The following exchange: “Are you going to fall in love with me?” “…ALREADY HAVE.” Forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness. I have a surplus of it today. Because otherwise, this looks breathtaking. I also thought this year’s Fox Searchlight release Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a “historical drama set in 19th century China”: http://www.movieline.com/2011/07/review-snow-flower-and-the-secret-fan.php, looked incredible, and that disappeared from the public consciousness faster than it entered (if it even entered). While I’m sure Flowers of War is more entertaining than didactic, there is a serious lack of knowledge in America about Asian history, so I hope this finds a way to catch hold in the states. Let’s face it, the last movie about 1930s China that moved me to tears was Shanghai Surprise, and I don’t believe that was intentional. Verdict: A bouquet of gorgeous cinematography and harsh history The Flowers of War opens in limited release this month.

A 'Tinker's' murmer

Helmer Tomas Alfredson began the 12 ,. 7 preem of Focus Features' "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy" in the Arclight by singing a Swedish version of "Happy Birthday" to producer Robyn Slovo. After getting a warm round of applause, Alfredson told everyone else he wished they'd understand his film, according to John le Carre's dense espionage novel. The afterparty in the Chateau Marmont found stars Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong interacting with well-wishers. Alfredon mused concerning the pic's protag, George Smiley, being "so complicated to have an actor to complete, because Smiley does not speak for 16 or 17 minutes at first, and ultimately, he boosts his voice slightly." On certain takes, Oldman's Smiley was a little lacking-keyed. "Tomas would request me to visit just a little bigger sometimes, because things i was doing am small it wasn't signing up," remembered the thesp. "He'd request me to glance at Colin and I'd say, 'I did,' and he'd say, 'Can you turn it into a tiny bit bigger because we did not quite view it.A Through the finish, we conveyed telepathically." n Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Paris Jackson Lines Up First Feature Film Role Alongside Ray King

First Launched: December 9, 2011 3:49 PM EST Credit: C-It Entertainment Group, LLC La, Calif. -- Caption Paris Jackson round the cover of Lundons BridgeJust the other day, within the Las vegas premiere of Cirque Du Soliels Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour, Paris Jackson told Access Hollywood she planned to follow along with together with in their fathers actions and enter in the entertainment world becoming an actress. Now, Access has confirmed the 13-year-old has arranged her first feature film role. Paris will star becoming an so far undisclosed human character in Lundons Bridge as well as the Three Secrets, an energetic action feature film, with various kids book series by Dennis H. Christen. In line with the books description on Amazon . com . com, the story surrounds the war involving the land as well as the sea. Ancient sea-miracle turns a dolphin in to a human, an evil spell changes a teenage boy in to a dragonfly together with a once good and loving jellyfish full becomes an evil fairy godmother. This contemporary day adventure forces an naive family being the weapon to fight the war which rages round the land and beneath the sea, the description reads. Paris may also be featured round the book cover. The film may even feature the voices of Ray King as King Pom, his wife, Shawn King as Full Dalina,and Joey Fatone as Paco, a sea equine. The project is presently in production without any release date is presently available. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Dexter Co-Stars Finalize Divorce

First Released: December 6, 2011 3:21 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Jennifer Contractor and Michael C. Hall get through to the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Honours held in the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, La, August 29, 2010A judge has completed an uncontested divorce between Michael C. Hall and the Dexter co-star Jennifer Contractor. Court public records show Superior Court Judge John Sandoz completed the divorce on Friday in La. Contractor declared divorce nearly last year, stating irreconcilable variations. Hall and Contractor married in December 2008. Court filings condition the particulars from the division of property will stay private. Hall plays Dexter Morgan, a murderer who targets other murderers around the hit Showtime series, that is now in the sixth season. Contractor plays Halls sister, a Miami police detective who's frequently around the trail of her siblings sufferers, but doesn't know he's a killer. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Paranormal Director Heads Across River

Prepares sacrifice for Akiva GoldsmanHe did not stay around for Paranormal Activity 3, however the director from the second instalment, Tod "Kip" Williams, is adhering with horror for his next film. He's presently at the office planning Christopher Buehlman's novel Individuals Over The River for that screen.It, occur Georgia throughout the truly amazing Depression, involves Frank Nichols, a disgraced academic and Great War veteran who gets property inside a rural town. Likely to write a magazine about his grandfather, a terrible plantation owner who declined to produce his slaves in the finish from the Civil War, Nichols heads lower to his inheritance, and finds a residential area still darkly in thrall to his family's history. Nobody visits the plantation any longer - abandoned and isolated around the far side of the river - but a lengthy-standing tradition known as 'The Chase' sees two pigs sent over the river each month (for an unknown fate) like a ritual offering. When, because of hard occasions, the townsfolk election to knock The Chase around the mind, things start gettin' bad.Mike Medavoy (Black Swan) acquired the privileges towards the novel for Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road production company, and Williams will both direct and write the script. It does not look as though Individuals Over The River continues to be released yet within the United kingdom, however the American edition is definitely enough offered by Ace Books.

Sienna Miller & Toby Jones To Star In BBC/ HBO Film About Hitchcock & Tippi Hedren

UPDATE 3:30 PM : HBO Films is on board to co-produce The Girl, which will air in the U.S. on HBO, marking the latest collaboration between HBO and the BBC. PREVIOUS 7 AM: Sienna Miller and Toby Jones will play Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock in BBC Two drama The Girl. The film will chronicle the directors obsessive relationship with his The Birds star. According to BBC Two, Hedren has cooperated by giving interviews to writer Gwyneth Hughes, while Hitchcock biographer Donald Spoto is attached as a consultant. Miller and Hedren recently met to discuss the project and, says Hughes, got on like a house on fire. Becoming Janes Julian Jarrold is directing with Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton also in the cast. Hitchcock was at the height of his fame and creativity when, in 1962, he chose an unknown fashion model to star in his most ambitious film — The Birds. But as he sculpted Hedren into the perfect Hitchcock blonde of his imagination, he became obsessed with the impossible dream of winning the real womans love. His failure arguably destroyed both of their careers. In a statement, Hughes said: “It’s been the most enormous privilege to talk at length to Tippi Hedren, the last Hitchcock blonde in the life of Britain’s most original and successful film director. At the time, in the early 1960s, the American star suffered in silence. But now, at the age of 81, her wisdom and insights have helped me to put her real life ordeal on to the screen. The Wall to Wall Television production will be produced by Amanda Jenks and executive produced by Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall and Lucy Richer at the BBC. Shooting starts this week in South Africa.

Martin Scorsese to Be Honored at Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Chris Jackson/Getty Images (Miller)Alan Moore, left, and Frank Miller Comics legendAlan Moore (V for Vendetta, Batman: The Killing Joke) has joined Occupy Comics, a group of comic artists and writers planning on producing Occupy Wall Street-inspired material and donating the profits to support further protests.our editor recommendsComic Book Legends Alan Moore and Frank Miller Feud Over Occupy MovementHow Music Is Playing an Integral Role in the Occupy Wall Street Protests Moore described his contribution as an illustrated prose piece that would touch on the ideals of the Occupy Movement and how those ideals compare and contrast with the both the business of comics and the ideology of different types of superheroes. PHOTOS: Entertainers On Scene of Occupy Protests Occupy Comics organizer Matt Pizzolo called Moore's decision to to join the group "really incredible," adding V for Vendetta "inspire activists today" and in turn Moore is inspired by the activists [he] helped influence." In recent weeks, Moore has spoken out in favor of the Occupy Movement, taking on fellow comics legend Frank Miller (300, Sin City, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) for criticizing the protestors. After Miller wrote on his blog that, " 'Occupy' is nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid false righteousness. These clowns can do nothing but harm America,"Moore responded by saying,"It's about what I'd expect from him. It's always seemed to me that the majority of the comics field, if you had to place them politically, you'd have to say centre-right. ... So yes I think it would be fair to say that me and Frank Miller have diametrically opposing views upon all sorts of things, but certainly upon the Occupy movement." Moore went on to call Miller's work "unreconstructed misogyny," "wildly ahistoric" and "homophobic." PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy Wall Street Occupy Comics plans to produce a series of digital comics in early 2012, followed by limited edition paper comics, and finally a deluxe hardcover anthology by the end of 2012. More than 35 major comics figures have joined Occupy Comics, including Mike Allred (Madman), J.M. DeMatteis (Spider-Man), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), and Moore's V for Vendetta collaborator David Lloyd. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery '75 Years of DC Comics' Frank Miller