News

Donald Trump‘s former top aide, Hope Hicks, is engaged to Jim Donovan, who is the Vice Chairman of Global Client Coverage at Goldman Sachs.

Hicks and Donovan first started dating in 2019 and got engaged a few months ago in Italy. The engagement was celebrated at a private members club inside the Gm building. Friends also hosted a dinner for them at Casa Cruz.

This will be Hick’s first marriage, whereas Donovan already has four children with his ex-wife.

Last week, Hicks cried on the witness stand during the hush money trial go her former boss in Manhattan. She testified that Trump knew about payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Donovan joined Goldman Sachs in 1993 and was made a partner in 2000. He also served on the board of the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund from 2002 to 2006. Like his fiancée, he has ties to the Trump administration, serving on his Intelligence Advisory Board.

“Seven Winters in Tehran,” about a 19-year-old Iranian woman sentenced to death for killing the man who tried to rape her, will open the 34th annual Human Rights Watch Film Festival on May 31 in New York City.

The festival, co-presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the IFC Center, will feature 10 documentaries about humanitarian challenges around the world. This year’s edition spotlights themes and topics including the Ukraine conflict (“When Spring Came to Bucha”), climate gentrification and justice (“Razing Liberty Square”), women’s rights (“Draw Me Egypt”) transgender rights (“Into My Name”) freedom of the press (“The Etilaat Roz”) and access to health care in the United States (“Pay or Die”).

“From the war in Ukraine to women’s rights and bodily autonomy, to environmental gentrification and freedom of the press, these films span some of the most pressing human rights issues of our time,” says John Biaggi,...

From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for November 2019, including  "A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting", "Batwoman", "Resident Alien"  and a whole lot more:

Feature Film

Grackle Bird

Local Production Company: Grackle Bird Productions Ltd.

Director: Robert Schwentke

Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam

Oct 15/19 - Dec 06/19

The Last Victim

Local Production Company: Tlv Productions LLC.

Director: Naveen Chathapuram

Producer: Naveen A. Chathapuram, Todd Berger, Charles Leslie, Graem Luis

Nov 04/19 - Nov 28/19

New Media Feature

A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting

Local Production Company: Double Double Productions Ulc.

Director: Rachel Talalay

Producer: Ivan Reitman, Amie Karp, Bob Huberman

Aug 29/19 - Nov 08/19

Christmas Chronicles 2

Local Production Company: Maple Syrup Productions Ulc.

Director: Chris Columbus

Producer: Mark Radclliffe

Oct 21/19 - Feb 01/20

Love, Guaranteed

Local Production Company: Love Guaranteed Productions Inc.

Director: Mark Steven Johnson

Producer: Chris Foss

Oct 21/19 - Nov 20/19

TV Movie

Alice In Winterland

Local Production Company: Alice Road Productions Ltd.

Exclusive: Lifetime has ordered two new original movies for the network’s Ripped From The Headlines fall slate, centered on true life events. They are 53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer (working title) starring Alyson Hannigan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Daphne Hoskins (The Detour); and Saving Alex (working title), starring Addison Holley (Annedroids), Ian Lake (Mary Kills People) and Sarah Booth (American Horror Story).

53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer (wt) is the harrowing true story of high school teacher Mary Stauffer (Hannigan) and her eight-year old daughter, Beth (Hoskins), who are held captive for 53 days by a former student who was obsessed with her. were forever changed when they were held at gunpoint on their way home. With their hands bound and forced into the trunk of Mary’s car, the mother and daughter were held captive by the man, Ming Sen Shiue, who Mary later discovered was...

Steven Spielberg's entertaining true life account of a chapter in the Cold War concerns a crucial negotiation by a brave attorney (Tom Hanks) who goes way out on a limb in East Berlin. Hopefully I'm not alone feeling the same 'narrative undertow' in the storytelling style -- the movie works, but it's also aggravating. Bridge of Spies Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Touchstone 2015 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 141 min. / Street Date February 2, 2016 / 39.99 Starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda, Will Rogers, Austin Stowell, Mikhail Gorevoy, Sebastian Koch, Burghart Kalussner. Cinematography Janusz Kaminski Film Editor Michael Kahn Original Music Thomas Newman Written by Matt Charman, Ethan Coen & Joel Coen Produced by Kristie Macosko Krieger, Marc Platt, Steven Spielberg Directed by Steven Spielberg

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Steven Spielberg doing a genre movie is usually good news, and if you discount Forrest Gump most everybody has fond memories of Tom Hanks. A...

Fangs of War aka Fangs of War 3D continues to develop and now a movie poster has been released for this World War II thriller. Jim Donovan ("Human Prey") will direct this tale of vampires and immortality. The story follows a squad of special forces as they try to intervene in the Nazi's scheme to extract everlasting life from Count Dracula. Stake in hand, they will deliver death once and for all to this creature of the night. But will they get there in time?

Fangs of War will star Dominic Purcell ("Prison Break"), Celina Jade (Legendary Assassin) and Tom Felton. 2013 will be a battle of wills between forces of the supernatural and the silly mortals who get in the way.

Director: Jim Donovan.

Writer: Geoffrey Gunn.

Cast: Dominic Purcell, Tom Felton, Celina Jade, and Gabreiel Freilich.

*Celina Jade will play Anna Van Helsing.

**Dominic Purcell starred in another Nazi...

We’ve had zombies, all manner of supernatural shenanigans, demons, and now, vampires in a World War II setting. Except director Jim Donovan’s “Fangs of War”, from a script by Geoffrey Gunn, seems to be more of a “re-envisioning” of the Bram Stoker “Dracula” tale, but with, you know, WWII and Nazis. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like fun times to me. The film doesn’t have a cast yet, and is still not in production (kinda hard to do without a cast, ahem), but it’s already whipped itself up a promo teaser poster and a lengthy synopsis for those interested: The Year Is 1944.The Nazi Supernatural Division has taken Castle Dracula and set up a secret lab there with one purpose and one purpose only: unlock the secret behind the legendary Count Dracula’s immortality. The Allies however aren’t blind to the Nazi’s ambition,...

Fangs of War is now in pre-production. The film re-imagines Bram Stoker's classic during World War II, where the Nazis and Allies vie for control of Count Dracula and his legendary powers. Now the pic has some sales art to accompany its final financing push. The Director of the film Jim Donovan (Provocateur, Pure) with the original screenplay written by up-and-coming, Canadian born Geoffrey Gunn (Siren). Visual effects will be done by in-demand Rocket Science VFX in Toronto (Resident Evil Extinction, Resident Evil Afterlife 3D, Saw 3D, Land Of The Dead, Name Of The King, Whiteout, Slither, Game Plan) and stunt choreography will be designed by Jennifer Phillips...

World War II and Dracula. Two things that go together like Rankin and Bass, peanut butter and jelly, me and my profound curiosity as to why men have nipples. Either way, we've got some nifty new sales art for ya!

Canadian director Jim Donovan is directing this reimagining of Stoker’s vampire myth called Fangs of War from a script by Geoffrey Gunn. Stealth Media Group will be representing the film at the 2012 Berlin Film Market. Shooting is expected to begin this June. More soon!

Synopsis

The year is 1944. The Nazi Supernatural Division has taken Castle Dracula and set up a secret lab there with one purpose and one purpose only: unlock the secret behind the legendary Count Dracula’s immortality.

The Allies, however, aren’t blind to the Nazis’ ambition, thanks to their man behind enemy lines, Oss agent Rm Renfield. But when Renfield goes dark in Transylvania, it...

With the European Film Market approaching in Berlin, we have been sent a first look at the art for Fangs of War, a new adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula that sets the story's events in the middle of World War II.  Jim Donovan is directing and currently casting.  Siren's Geoffrey Gunn penned the script.

The film re-imagines Bram Stoker's classic title as a World War II tale, where the Nazis and Allies vie for control of Count Dracula and his legendary powers.  Inside, you'll find the art and a full synopsis.

Read more...

It’s no secret that Hitler was into the occult. This premise has allowed for many a supernatural story to emerge. The Nazis want everything supernatural. They want the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the key to demons of another plane in Hellboy, the power of the Witchblade, the Scroll of the Ultimate in Bulletproof Monk, Werewolf Women of the S.S.(nuff said),… the list goes on and now, they seek the secret to immortality!

ShockTillYouDrop reports that Stealth Media Group is presenting a project called Fangs of War to the 2012 Berlin Film Market. Fangs of War is a re-imagining of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in a World War II context “where the Nazis and Allies vie for control of Count Dracula and his legendary powers.” Jim Donovan (Provacateur, Pure) is set to direct a script by Geoffrey Gunn (Siren).

Synopsis:

The Year Is...

London and La based Stealth Media Group will introduce at Berlin Fangs of War, which re-imagines Bram Stoker's classic during World War II, where the Nazis and Allies vie for control of Count Dracula and his legendary powers. The Director of the film Jim Donovan (Provocateur, Pure) with the original screenplay written by up-and-coming, Canadian born Geoffrey Gunn (Siren). Visual effects will be done by in-demand Rocket Science VFX in Toronto (Resident Evil Extinction, Resident Evil Afterlife 3D, Saw 3D, Land Of The Dead, Name Of The King, Whiteout, Slither, Game Plan) and stunt choreography will be designed by Jennifer Phillips (Underworld: Awakening, Thor, Salt, Twilight: Eclipse, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and 300). Producers are looking to roll cameras June 2012 in Eastern Europe with post in Toronto, Canada. Delivery is planned for Early Quarter 2013. Check out a long synopsis inside.

We've seen many various retellings, reimaginings, and retreads of the famed tale of Dracula, which was originally penned by the legendary Bram Stoker. Everything from cartoons to pornos, but now? Now the original fanged fiend goes to war!

According to Screen Daily, Canadian director Jim Donovan is set to direct a reimagining of Stoker’s vampire myth called Fangs of War. Donovan will direct from a script by Geoffrey Gunn. Stealth Media Group will be representing the film at the 2012 Berlin Film Market. Shooting is expected to begin this June. More soon!

Synopsis

The year is 1944. The Nazi Supernatural Division has taken Castle Dracula and set up a secret lab there with one purpose and one purpose only: unlock the secret behind the legendary Count Dracula’s immortality.

The Allies, however, aren’t blind to the Nazis’ ambition, thanks to their man behind enemy lines, Oss agent Rm Renfield. But...

London and La based Stealth Media Group is going to introduce a new project to buyers at the 2012 Berlin Film Market entitled Fangs of War.  Jim Donovan (Provocateur, Pure) will direct from a script by Geoffrey Gunn (Siren).  Shooting is expected to begin this June.

The film re-imagines Bram Stoker's classic title as a World War II tale, where the Nazis and Allies vie for control of Count Dracula and his legendary powers. The film is being set up as a Canadian, Chinese, German Co-production produced by Ken Nakamura, of The Nakamura Group Advantage Inc. out of Canada,  Jan Fantl of Seaside Pictures/ Cine-Plus  out of Germany and Fang Yi Ning and Nicholas Peng of Cfi Film Fund out of China, where Emei Film Group will also handle Chinese distribution.

Here's a synopsis to chew on until then...

Read more...

Sometimes, urban dramas try to have so much sub plots that it becomes next to impossible to make a link between them. However, this isn't the case with Jim Donovan's lovely film 3 saisons, which takes place in Montreal. The film owes its quality not only to the cast's performance, but also to the way Donovan links 3 saisons's three different sub-plots.First of all, Carmine (Romano Orzari), a wealthy publicist, and Sasha (Caroline Néron), an actress stuck in playing in commercials, know that they want a child. The news that Sasha is pregnant should elate the couple. Unfortunately, behind their image of a happy couple, Carmine and Sasha might divorce. Besides, Sasha contemplates aborting her child, because she feels that Carmine cheats on her.

Secondly, Justine and Seb, two vagrants who like "freedom", live in the streets of Montreal. While he learns that Justine is pregnant, Seb tells her that...

Yesterday, the Genie Awards, Canada's equivalent of the Oscars for those who don't know, were handed out. This year, Polytechnique dominated the Genie Awards and even took the award for Best Motion Picture. However, the presentation of the award on TV and on webcast was too short. Besides, it wasn't a live presentation and not all the awards were shows on TV/webcast. Second Besides: When will a TV network (and not some cable network that few Canadians have) broadcast the Genie Awards? Anyway, without further ado, here's the presentation of the winners.

1. Best Motion Picture

* 3 saisons.

* Before Tomorrow.

* Fifty Dead Men Walking.

* Nurse.Fighter.Boy.

* [Winner] Polytechnique.

2. Achievement in Direction:

* Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu for Before Tomorrow.

* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.

* Charles Officer - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.

* [Winner] Denis Villeneuve - Polytechnique.

* Bruce McDonald - Pontypool.

3. Best Original Screenplay:

* Atom Egoyan - Adoration.

* Émile Gaudreault and Ian Lauzon - De père en flic...

Maxim Gaudette in Polytechnique The 30th Genie Awards will take place Monday, April 12 at Toronto’s Guvernment / Kool Haus Entertainment Complex. Best Motion Picture 3 saisons – Maude Bouchard, Jim Donovan, Sandy Martinez, Bruno Rosato Before Tomorrow – Stephane Rituit Fifty Dead Men Walking – Shawn Williamson, Stephen Hegyes, Peter La Terriere, Kari Skogland Nurse.Fighter.Boy – Ingrid Veninger Polytechnique – Maxime Remillard, Don Carmody Best Feature Length Documentary A Hard Name – Kristina McLaughlin, Michael McMahon, Alan Zweig Les Dames En Bleu / Ladies In Blue – Claude Demers Inside Hana’s Suitcase – Larry Weinstein, Rudolf Biermann, Jessica Daniel Prom Night In Mississippi – Patricia Aquino, Paul Saltzman Rip: A Remix Manifesto – Mila Aung-Thwin, Kat Baulu, Brett Gaylor, Germaine Ying-Gee Wong Achievement [...]...

It's one of those years where the great Atom Egoyan's contribution to cinema is totally insignificant (Adoration received 2 noms) and where Denis Villeneuve's Polytechnique, in my books the best Canadian film of the year, grabbed the high count total of eleven nominations for the 30th Genie Awards. - It's one of those years where the great Atom Egoyan's contribution to cinema is totally insignificant (Adoration received 2 noms) and where Denis Villeneuve's Polytechnique, in my books the best Canadian film of the year, grabbed the high count total of eleven nominations for the 30th Genie Awards. What is somewhat odd is how Canada's most internationally celebrated film in I Killed My Mother (J'ai tue ma mere) from Xavier Dolan receive not one single vote, a crime when you consider the textured writing, fluid cinematography and the brilliant performance from Anne Dorval - who plays the neurotic mother...

This morning, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (Acct) had announced the nominees for the 30th Genie Awards. For those who don't know, this is the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars. This year, the leader in the race is Polytechnique with 11 nominations. Moreover, the winners will be announced on April 12, 2010.

1. Best Motion Picture

* 3 saisons.

* Before Tomorrow.

* Fifty Dead Men Walking.

* Nurse.Fighter.Boy.

* Polytechnique.

2. Achievement in Direction:

* Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu for Before Tomorrow.

* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.

* Charles Officer - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.

* Denis Villeneuve - Polytechnique.

* Bruce McDonald - Pontypool.

3. Best Original Screenplay:

* Atom Egoyan - Adoration.

* Émile Gaudreault and Ian Lauzon - De père en flic (Father and Guns).

* Charles Officer and Ingrid Veninger - Nurse.Fighter.Boy.

* Jacques Davidts - Polytechnique.

* David Bezmozgis - Victoria Day.

4. Best Adapted Screenplay:

* Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Susan Avingaq and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu - Before Tomorrow.

* Kari Skogland - Fifty Dead Men Walking.

Toronto -- "Polytechnique," A French-language movie that relives a 1989 Montreal college massacre of 14 women by a crazed gunman on Monday led all comers as nominations for the Genies, Canada's film awards, were announced in Toronto.

With boxoffice-performing Quebec films yet again overshadowing the Genies, Denis Villeneuve's "Polytechnique" earned 11 nominations, including best picture.

Close behind was Charles Officer's "Nurse.Fighter.Boy," an urban story of a single mother and her son, that pulled in 10 nominations .

And the Inuit-language drama "Before Tomorrow," by Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu, earned nine nominations.

Also competing in the best film category is Kari Skogland's "Fifty Dead Men Walking," which earned 7 nominations, and Jim Donovan's "3 Saisons."

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is to hand out Genie awards in Toronto on April 12.

TORONTO -- Canadian director Jerry Ciccoritti received two mentions Thursday as the Directors Guild of Canada unveiled nominations for its film and TV awards. Toronto-based Ciccoritti picked up a film direction nom for Blood, a story about power games between siblings, and a nomination for best TV movie direction for his work on the Sophia Loren-starring drama Lives of the Saints. Ciccoritti will compete in the feature direction category with Jim Donovan (Pure), Michael McGowan (Saint Ralph) and Lewin Webb (The Good Shepherd).