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X-Men '97 features a wide array of cameos that pay homage to the animated series and Marvel's comic book history. The attention to detail in X-Men '97 has led to high praise and the development of a second season before the first even aired. Numerous characters from X-Men and beyond make cameo appearances, revealing important developments in X-Men '97.

X-Men '97 features an enormous swathe of cameos throughout season 1, which honor both the animated legacy and Marvel's comic book history. Reviving the classic 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men '97 recommences the narrative just months after the original concluded in 1997. With numerous characters appearing from X-Men and beyond, several important developments have been revealed by these X-Men '97 cameos.

X-Men '97 has proven itself to be an absolute triumph, boasting higher praise than several movies in the MCU timeline. In fact, X-Men '97 season 2 was in development before the first season even aired.

This week on The CW’s The Flash, Caitlin asked her mom for help with her frosty problem, Julian warmed up to Barry and Team Flash learned a cold, hard truth (or two) about H.R. Wells.

PhotosThe Flash Season 3: Doctor Alchemy vs. Wally!

Cold Comfort | Chilled by the gradual manifestation of her latent powers, Caitlin sought out her scientist mom, Dr. Carla Tannhauser, for help in treating them. As hinted in the past, things are cool between the women, dating back to when Caitlin’s father got sick, and how after he died, Carla buried herself in work.

Accidental president. Vietnam. Civil Rights Act. Bully. This is Lyndon B. Johnson’s legacy, or at least how he’s often remembered. New HBO film All the Way seeks to illuminate many sides of the man who stepped into the highest office in the land after John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Bryan Cranston plays Lbj in the film, premiering on HBO tonight, following his Tony-winning turn as the president in All the Way on Broadway. After he’d already done extensive research and study of the play’s text (itself thoroughly researched by playwright Robert Schenkkan), Cranston went on a second visit to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, TX, and that’s where the person of Lbj really clicked for the actor. “The character is always outside of you until you hopefully allow it to seep in. Then it becomes a part of you,” Cranston told HitFix.

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Mr Robot, Cucumber, Inside No. 9...Here are Den Of Geek writers' top 15 TV episodes of 2015. Did your favourites make the cut?

The votes are in.

Earlier this month, over thirty of Den Of Geek's writers nominated up to five of their favourite television episodes of the year, ranked in order of preference. Points were allocated. Favourites emerged. And the sanity of the site's TV editor was offered once again as a festive sacrifice to the God of Microsoft Excel worksheets.

Over eighty individual episodes were nominated in total, and below are the fifteen that placed highest overall...

15. Rick & Morty – Total Rickall

What our writer said:

“Clip shows are traditionally seen as ways to save money, building a flimsy narrative framework of nostalgia-fuelled new footage around flashbacks to previous episodes. Somehow, Dan Harmon's shows usually manage to put more effort into spoofing this type of episode than any other episode.

You never quite know what you're going to get when you venture Inside No. 9.

Each week, the anthology series from Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith can veer from the grotesque to the hilarious - all in the space of a single episode.

From a witch trial in the 17th century to the very human tragedy of a birthday party gone awry, series two took in the heartbreaking '12 Days of Christine', the chilling 'Cold Comfort' and more.

Digital Spy spoke to series co-creator, writer, performer and first-time director Shearsmith about how series two was crafted - and whether a third might be in the works.

There's been a great response to this series of Inside No. 9 - do you follow the reaction as it goes out?

"Yeah I do, it's great to see the reaction - especially because there's so many surprises, which happily we've managed...

You never quite know what you're going to get when you venture Inside No. 9.

Each week, the anthology series from Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith can veer from the grotesque to the hilarious - and that's in the space of a single episode!

A second series of one-off stories drew to a close tonight with 'Séance Time' - a typically twisty-turny tale of a fake haunting which turned out to be terrifying real.

Now Digital Spy wants your thoughts on the series. Which was your favourite episode this year?

Was it the heartbreaking 'The 12 Days of Christine'? The unsettling 'Cold Comfort'? Tonight's finale? Or another episode altogether?

Did series two measure up to the first - and are you hoping BBC Two offers us the chance to explore more no. 9s in a third series?

Share your thoughts in the comments section:

The brilliance of Inside No...

What’s more horrifying than vampires, psychos, or zombies? Family gatherings, as we saw in this week’s Inside No. 9...

This review contains spoilers.

2.5 Nana's Party

This week’s episode of Inside No. 9, the second of this series to be directed by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, took as its setting something that’s bound to induce a shiver down most spines – a family birthday party. The kind of enforced fun where only one person, at the most, actually wants to be there, and every hug between family members (hardly) hides years of petty resentments. Pemberton and Shearsmith have picked some incredibly scary places for both series one and two – a housebreak, a creepy old mansion, a locked wardrobe – but Nana’s Party shows that the domestic is what’s really dangerous, and a person’s loved ones can be the cruellest.

Following a harried paramedic to the...

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton write, act, And direct this week’s Inside No. 9 ‘whodunit’ with a difference...

This review contains spoilers.

2.4 Cold Comfort

“This one is something you don’t usually see. We did long takes, sometimes up to five or six minutes long, which don’t cut, so each take had to be perfect […] It’ll either be really tense or really boring…”

– Steve Pemberton on Cold Comfort

A whole episode filmed CCTV-style with script-writing, acting and directing duties being wrangled by show creators Pemberton and Shearsmith simultaneously? This was never going to be boring. In this week’s tension-filled playlet Cold Comfort we were dropped into booth number 9 of call centre Comfort Support Line with new volunteer Andy (Pemberton) as he’s trained up to provide a sympathetic ear over the phone. Co-workers walking past the fixed security camera at his desk include fellow volunteers Liz...

Here's a spoiler-free look at what to expect from the second series of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's glorious Inside No. 9...

Inside No. 9 returns to BBC Two on Thursday the 26th of March for six more ingenious genre slices of horror, suspense and psychology. Those who were rattled and gripped by the first round of half-hour plays from Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith know to expect to be skilfully sucker-punched with sharp, tricksy writing and well-drawn characters.

Viewers engrossed by the psychological character focus of series one’s Tom & Gerri, the jump scares of series finale The Harrowing, and the unexpected emotional sting of opener Sardines have lots to look forward to from the second series’ first brace of episodes. La Couchette and The 12 Days Of Christine tell the respective stories of a fraught overnight train journey and a woman plagued by a mysterious visitor, featuring guest roles from Mark Benton,...

The countdown has begun to Whistler’s 14th annual cinematic celebration. The Whistler Film Festival (Wff) returns December 3 to 7, 2014 and with just 16 weeks to go, the Festival is proud to offer a sneak peek at the first round of confirmed films and industry program highlights.

Located in North America’s premiere destination mountain resort, the Whistler Film Festival combines an international film competition with a screen-based industry Summit to address the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age. The Festival hosts filmmaking luminaries for an intimate, five-day program featuring up to 90 original films from Canada and around the world, including filmmaker tributes, special events and industry initiatives. Recognized by filmmakers and film lovers alike as one of Canada’s most important showcases for film, Wff is a place where artists are celebrated, audiences are inspired, new ideas are discussed and business opportunities are solidified.

Wff’s Director of Programming and industry veteran Paul Gratton has this to say about the 2014 lineup: "The Whistler Film Festival continues to be a must-attend event for hip, young film buffs and emerging filmmakers, and we are pleased to carve out our own unique niche by offering an impressive selection of Canadian premieres. This year's titles will cast a wide net in terms of subject matter, and our Summit will complement our film programming by addressing key challenges and opportunities facing the industry this year. Wff will have something for everyone.”

The Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia celebrates its 11th anniversary this year offering the second largest cash film festival prize for a Canadian film in the country, with additional awards for Best Performance, Best Screenwriting and Best Direction.

Opening the Borsos competition this year will be the World Premiere of Cameron Labine’s BC filmed comedy "Mountain Men" starring Chace Crawford and Tyler Labine as estranged brothers who journey to their family cabin in the middle of winter. When the cabin accidentally burns to the ground, what started as a fun weekend quickly goes from bad to worse. The brothers find themselves fighting for survival as they perilously try to find their way down the mountain, all while rehashing family memories and challenged by sibling rivalry.

The breathtaking scenery of Nova Scotia is showcased in Wff's second Borsos competition film, the Western Premiere of "Relative Happiness" directed by first-time, female feature filmmaker Deanne Foley. Starring Australian actress Melissa Bergland and Wff alumni Aaron Poole, the romantic comedy tells the story of feisty but somewhat oversized bed and breakfast owner Lexie Ivy, who is tasked with finding a date to her sister’s wedding.

Other confirmed films include the World Premiere of the hilarious mockumentary "After Film School," by Vancouver filmmaker Joel Ashton McCarthy, who enlisted the help of over 100 local volunteers and featured original music from local musicians. It asks the question of young filmmakers everywhere, “What happens after film school?” The answer is a movie within a movie: "High School Shootings: The Musical."

"The Cocksure Lads Movie," also having its World Premiere at WFF14, is a fun musical in the style of Cliff Richards about a British boy band that travels to Toronto for a gig, only to split up hours after landing. Directed by Murray Foster, a former member of band Moxy Fruvous, the film features songs written by Murray over a twenty-year period in honor of his love for 1960s Britpop.

Canadian premieres include the comedy thriller "What an Idiot" from Vancouver husband-wife duo Peter and Julia Benson, featuring the story of a man pretending to be gay to get near his hot, new boss at work, and documentary "That Guy Dick Miller," chronicling the life of veteran character actor Dick Miller, which had its World Premiere at South by Southwest this year.

Wff’s World Documentary Competition will include "The Backward Class," the 2014 Audience Award winner at Hot Docs that follows a class of poverty-stricken children from India’s “untouchable class” as they are separated from their families for more than 13 years to receive an education, facing the pressure to succeed while preparing for college entrance exams.

Wff’s Family program we will feature the 24th film in Rock Demers’ Tales for All series,"The Outlaw League," about a group of scruffy kids who want to turn the local junkyard into a baseball diamond. The film broke box office records in New Brunswick and will be a Western Canadian premiere.

Wff’s second From the Vault program will feature three newly discovered long-lost shorts "Cold Comfort, Insomnia is Good for You" and "Dearth of a Salesman" -- from comic legend Peter Sellers, which played 1950s UK theater screens as an addition to the main programming.

Other official selections featuring wilderness settings include the Western Canadian premiere of family drama "We Were Wolves" by director Jordan Canning, about two brothers who reconcile at the family cabin following the death of their father, and "Backcountry" directed by Adam MacDonald and starring Rookie Blue actress Missy Peregrym in a true story about two campers who are viciously attacked by a black bear. The bear attack footage was shot in Squamish, BC.

Western Canadian premiere "I Put a Hit on You" stars Aaron Ashmore and Sara Canning as a separated couple who team up to stop the hit man she accidentally hired to kill him and comes to Wff from the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival. The BC Premiere of dark comedy-thriller "Ally Was Screaming" directed by Jeremy Thomas and starring Camille Sullivan follows a couple of buddies who discover a late friend's winning multi-million dollar lottery ticket and how they deal with what stands in the way of their prize. Both will be featured in Wff’s Discoveries strand.

These films are but a few tantalizing offerings that represent what audiences can expect from this year's exciting lineup. Wff is still seeking submissions for its 14th edition. Canadian and International filmmakers are invited to submit films of all lengths and genres by the extended deadline of September 19.

Wff’s Summit will feature three concentrated days of business programs and networking events where industry-goers can delve into cinema’s converging fields of art, technology and commerce. Offering in-depth conversations, lively debates and critical insight into a broad range of issues vital to the international and domestic film communities while addressing crossing borders and platforms in the digital age, Whistler is the place to be, connect and deal.

Project development programs include Wff’s Feature Project Lab, an intense four-day business and marketplace immersion experience for six Canadian producers, which focuses on strengthening dramatic feature projects from script to screen by facilitating feedback, collaboration and investment in film projects that have Us and international appeal.

Writer-producer teams are invited to submit their feature film story ideas for this year's third consecutive China Canada Gateway for Film® Script Competition, a dynamic pitching competition designed to stimulate international financing for Canadian creators to participate in a China-Canada co-production. The competition will introduce up to 12 experienced writer/producer teams to Chinese studios with production financing on the table for three selected projects.

New for 2014 , the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab is an intense five-day workshop presented by the Whistler Film Festival and Praxis Centre for Screenwriters. Designed to advance Canadian creative talent, the Lab focuses on strengthening feature length scripts by facilitating feedback and mentorship from veteran screenwriters and story editors. Up to eight screenwriters will be invited to participate.

Wff’s Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship , a creative and business immersion experience designed to advance Canadian Aboriginal creative talent, focuses on strengthening short script projects by facilitating feedback from mentors who are successful and well-respected members of the Canadian film community. Up to four Aboriginal filmmakers from British Columbia will be invited to participate in the 2014 Aboriginal Filmmaker Fellowship with a call for applications opening September 1.

The Mppia Short Film Award, a partnership initiative of Mppia, Creative BC, and the Whistler Film Festival for BC filmmakers , returns for its 8th edition as part of Wff’s ShortWork Lab, providing one filmmaker with the opportunity to develop his/her directing career by realizing a unique creative vision in a short film project. Five short-listed candidates will pitch their projects at the 2014 Festival, and the winning film will have its world premiere at Wff 2015.

Application details and information for all Wff industry and project development programs are available at whistlerfilmfestival.com.

The Whistler Film Festival is supported by Telefilm Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler, and is sponsored by Variety, Elle Canada, the Directors Guild of Canada - British Columbia, Creative BC, Sorel, Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb and the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.

About the Whistler Film Festival Society

The Whistler Film Festival Society (Wffs) is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler. Wffs produces one of Canada's leading film festivals and plays a leadership role in offering project development programs for Canadian filmmakers. Find out more at whistlerfilmfestival.com .

About Whistler

Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is Canada’s premier, year-round destination. Consistently ranked the number one mountain resort in North America, Whistler features two majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding conditions, four championship golf courses, more than 200 shops, 90 restaurants and bars, accommodations galore, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world. In short, Whistler has everything you will ever need to have the time of your life and so much more. Find out more at whistler.com .

Festival will also see director Rowan Joffe and novelist Sj Watson present Before I Go To Sleep, starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.

The 34th edition of the Cambridge Film Festival (Aug 28 - Sept 7) is to open with The Kidnapping Of Michel Houellebecq, Guillaume Nicloux’s comedy-drama based in part on true events.

It recounts the disapperance of reclusive French novelist Michel Houellebecq during a book tour in 2011. The rumours of his whereabouts led to endless speculation, including a kidnapping. The film, which stars the novelist as himself, will be presented at the festival by Nicloux.

Special guests at this year’s festival include writer-director Rowan Joffe and novelist Sj Watson who will present Before I Go To Sleep, an amnesiac thriller starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.

Skip Kite will present his timely tribute to late politican Tony Benn: Will and Testament, while Andrew Sinclair, director of 1972’s...

Southend Film Festival | Sci-Fi London | We Heart Miyazaki | Rooftop Film Club

Something of a coup for the festival this year: two "new" Peter Sellers films. Freshly restored, having been discovered in a skip, 1950s shorts Dearth Of A Salesman and Insomnia Is Good For You screen at the opening gala, along with another rare Sellers short Cold Comfort. It's the first time they've screened in 60 years. There are plenty more retro treats in the mixed selection, including Sellers and Ringo Starr in groovy 1960s comedy The Magic Christian; Barbara Stanwyck in Lady Of Burlesque, a tale of strippers strangled by their G-strings; and Bette Davis in the Busby Berkeley-enhanced Fashions Of 1934; not to mention punk casualties John Otway and Bruno Wizard, both accompanying their comical biodocs.

Continue reading...

"I've always had enormous Mary Poppins bags, like the kind she'd keep pulling stuff out of!" Jordana Brewster, the 33-year-old star of TNT's Dallas (Mondays, 9 P.M.), tells Us Weekly. Now mom of 7-month-old Julian (with husband Andrew Form, 45), she admits her Coach bucket bag -- identical to one she carried at age 10 -- gets a bit messy: "But I have a lavender sachet, so it smells good!" What else does she have tucked away? Cold Comfort  "This Green Sprouts teething ring is awesome. I put [...]...

(Cbr) Deadline reports the "Amazing Spider-Man" and "(300) Days of Summer" director is attached to helm "Cold Comfort", Fox’s adaptation of the novel "How to Catch a Russian Spy", co-written by Ellis Henican. It’s based on the true story of an American civilian who trains himself to become a spy, working with the FBI to take down a Russian intelligence operative working within the United States. There’s no word on when production on "Cold Comfort" will begin. Remember that Webb has been confirmed by Sony to direct "The Amazing Spider-Man 3", due out in theaters in 2016.

The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb is going to take a break from Spider-Man for a few months to direct a Soviet spy thriller for Fox based on a book called Cold Comfort (aka How To Catch A Russian Spy). 

The film will tell the true story of an American civilian turned self-taught spy, "who worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent on American soil." 

Webb is a crazy talented director, and this will be another great project for him to develop. On top of the Spider-Man films, Webb directed another one of my favorite movies (500) Days of Summer. I imagine that he will direct Cold Comfort before he takes on the task of bringing The Amazing Spider-Man 3 to the screen. 

Via: Deadline...

Franchises are now in the process of trapping directors. Want to make anything other than sequels? You.re S.O.L. dude. You can only hope that the consistency that.s being developed involves quality control: if you.re going to trap a director in your web (Pun Intended), it might as well be a capable one. Is Marc Webb that guy? Sony thinks so, because the man who reinvented The Amazing Spider-Man has a second installment coming this summer and is now attached to direct the third. Fortunately for him, he.s looking to diversify. Deadline reports that Webb is attached to Cold Comfort, a true-life spy story written by Ellis Henican and a mysterious second writer who cannot reveal his identity. Fox will be producing the film, and they hope to find a way to pluck Webb from Sony.s clutches before the studio can lock him into...

Marc Webb will direct Cold Comfort.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 director has signed on for 20th Century Fox's comedy spy thriller, reports Deadline.

It will be based on Ellis Henican's upcoming non-fiction book Cold Comfort (aka How To Catch A Russian Spy), written alongside a currently anonymous American civilian who became a self-taught spy.

The individual worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent on Us soil.

Webb's next release will be the Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone-starring Amazing Spider-Man 2.

The director was announced this week to have signed on for The Amazing Spider-Man 3, with Sony Pictures planning a new film in the franchise every year.

Watch a trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 below:...

Even though Marc Webb has already directed two "The Amazing Spider-Man" installments and is set to return for the third one, Deadline is reporting that he just signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to direct the true spy thriller "Cold Comfort," based on the upcoming book "How to Catch a Russian Spy." "How to Catch a Russian Spy" is officially described as being the true account of an American civilian turned self-taught spy, who worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent on American soil. No word on whether this will impact "The Amazing Spider-Man" franchise.

"The Amazing Spider-Man" series director Marc Webb is attached to helm "Cold Comfort," an adaptation of the upcoming book "How to Catch a Russian Spy" for 20th Century Fox.

The book chronicles the true story of an American civilian who became a self-taught spy and helped bring down a Russian agent operating on American soil. Despite the serious sounding subject matter, the film is actually seen as a vehicle for a comedic actor.

Journalist Ellis Henican and a real-life civilian-turned-spy penned the book, the latter set to reveal their true identity upon the book's publication.

Bard Dorros, Michael Sugar and Marc Webb are producing. No writer is presently attached and how this will fit in with Webb's 'Spider-Man' commitments is unknown at this time.

Source: THR...

Marvel Studios has Kevin Feige serving as the “chief architect” for its movie universe, while Simon Kinberg is currently shepherding the Fox side of the Marvel film world with the X-Men and Fantastic Four properties. In the meantime, director Marc Webb has become a key creative force behind Sony’s rebooted Spider-Man universe.

Ever since the 2012 release of The Amazing Spider-Man, the filmmaker has been entrenched in Spidey’s world, prepping this summer’s sequel as well as laying groundwork for future installments and spin-offs. While we’re not sure exactly how long Webb will remain onboard as captain on the franchise (we now know that he ...

Click to continue reading ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Director Marc Webb To Helm Soviet Spy Film ‘Cold Comfort’

The post ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Director Marc Webb To Helm Soviet Spy Film ‘Cold Comfort’ appeared first on Screen Rant.

20th Century Fox has acquired Cold Comfort (aka How to Catch a Russian Spy) today for The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb to helm. Based on the yet-to-be-published novel of the same name by Ellis Henican, the project is said to be a star vehicle for “a comic actor in the vein of Jonah Hill.” The comedic spy flick will tell the true story of an average everyday U.S. citizen who taught himself how to be a spy and worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence officer.

With his current commitment to Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man franchise, it might be some time before Webb gets this project off the ground. Hopefully it’s not too long though. While I didn’t love the director’s take on the webslinger, I’m a huge fan of (500) Days of Summer and I’m eager to see Webb...

Briefly: The Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb is something of a golden boy at Sony right now, as he’s set to continue with the Spidey franchise through at least the series’ third installment. But he’s casting his eye beyond that, and naturally looking for projects outside the superhero realm. So Marc Webb is now attached […]

The post Marc Webb Attached to ‘Cold Comfort’ Spy Thriller at Fox appeared first on /Film.

Though director Marc Webb was recently pegged to take on The Amazing Spider-Man 3, making him the sole director in the rebooted comic book franchise, he also has his eye on shooting a film that doesn't involved the webhead. Deadline has word that 20th Century Fox has picked up a book called Cold Comfort (aka How to Catch a Russian Spy) and will develop the film as a directing vehicle for Webb. For now the subject of the book is keeping their identity a secret, because it's the true account of an American civilian turned self-taught spy, who worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent on Us soil. Apparently the story will allow a great comedy actor, the trade specifically naming Jonah Hill as a comparison, to put in a strong performance, and several studios and directors were after this new property. Of course, with Webb already...

At one time, Marc Webb was the guy who directed some music videos and the charming rom-com "(500) Days Of Summer." And the next thing he knew, he was caught in the web of "The Amazing Spider-Man," directing two films of the franchise so far, and recently confirmed for the third. But it looks like he's getting an exit strategy together. Fox has snapped up the rights to the upcoming book "Cold Comfort (aka How To Catch A Russian Spy)" co-written by journalist Ellis Henican, with the material being developed for Webb to direct. The comedy, which is said to have a lead role perfect for a Jonah Hill type, tells the story of a self-taught spy who works with the FBI to track down a Russian agent in the United States. Sounds cool bro, but with Webb tied up through 2016 with Spidey, this is a long way off. [Deadline] Polish filmmaking...

In a bit of a bidding battle, 20th Century Fox has acquired the Soviet spy thriller Cold Comfort for Marc Webb to direct. Deadline reports that plenty of other studios and directors were in the mix given that the material lends itself to a strong comedic performance for a lead actor in the vein of Jonah Hill, and Fox will develop the property as a directing vehicle for Webb, who will also produce. The pic is an adaptation of the upcoming novel Cold Comfort (aka How to Catch a Russian Spy) by columnist Ellis Henican and follows an American civilian who convinced the FBI to allow him to help bring down a Russian agent on American soil. Hit the jump for more on when Webb might be able to tackle the material. Webb most recently directed The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and he was just confirmed as the director of The Amazing Spider-Man...

20th Century Fox has acquired the rights to the upcoming book How to Catch a Russian Spy for an adaptation entitled Cold Comfort, with Marc Webb attached to direct.

The book chronicles the true story of an American civilian who became a self-taught spy and helped bring down a Russian agent operating on American soil. The book was co-written by journalist Ellis Henican alongside this real-life civilian-turned-spy, who will reveal his true identity upon the book's publication, although it isn't known when the book will be released.

Several studios and directors were vying for the rights to How to Catch a Russian Spy, since the project is being viewed as a starring vehicle for a strong comedic actor such as Jonah Hill. Bard Dorros, Michael Sugar and Marc Webb are producing, with Ashley Zalta co-producing. No screenwriter is attached at this time.

Marc Webb's superhero sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2...

Exclusive: In the second big material deal of the day, Fox has acquired Cold Comfort (aka How To Catch A Russian Spy), a film that will be developed as a directing vehicle for Marc Webb. The subject of the book is keeping his name under wraps, and it is being co-written by Ellis Henican, a longtime pal of mine from Newsday who’s still a columnist there and a bestselling author. Several studios and directors were in the mix on this one, because it’s such a strong star vehicle for a comic actor in the vein of Jonah Hill. This is the true account of an American civilian-turned-self-taught spy, who worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent on American soil. Anonymous Content’s Michael Sugar and Bard Dorros are producing, with Webb also serving as producer. Fox’s Emma Watts and Kira Goldberg negotiated this...

Fox has acquired Cold Comfort (aka How to Catch a Russian Spy) with Marc Webb attached to direct. The upcoming book is from Ellis Henican, a columnist at Newsday and Fox News Channel political analyst. Scribner will publish the book. Story: SXSW: Marc Webb Added to Keynote Lineup The story follows a man who convinces the FBI to let him conduct a sting against a top Russian spy. Michael Sugar, Webb and Bard Dorros are producing. Henican co-wrote Home Team, a New York Times best-seller recounting the story of the New Orleans Saints' rise to a Super Bowl

read more...

Though his life is dominated by his commitment to the Amazing Spider-Man film series (he was recently confirmed as director for the third outing), Marc Webb still owes 20th Century Fox another film on his contract following (500) Days Of Summer. The studio is now developing another project, spy book Cold Comfort, as a potential directing vehicle.Journalist Ellis Henican is co-writing the non-fiction book, which boasts the subtitle How To Catch A Russian Spy. It’s an account of an American citizen fascinated with spy craft who taught himself the art of espionage and worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent. It certainly sounds like the basis for a compelling film, but of course it’s still early days. There’s no writer attached yet, so don’t expect this one to rush into cinemas.Webb remains busy with Peter Parker and co, finishing up the second Amazing Spider-Man and,...

Following word earlier this week that he'll be continuing his Marvel franchise with Columbia Pictures' The Amazing Spider-Man 3 , comes word, via Deadline , that Marc Webb will also helm 20th Century Fox's upcoming true spy thriller Cold Comfort , based on the upcoming book "How to Catch a Russian Spy." "How to Catch a Russian Spy" is officially described at Publisher's Marketplace as being, "the true account of an American civilian turned self-taught spy, who worked with the FBI to bring down a Russian intelligence agent on American soil (and who will reveal his identity at publication), co-written by Newsday columnist and Nyt bestselling author Ellis Henican." Outside of his work in the Marvel Universe, Webb is best known for his debut...

Venice - As we near the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination, it's comforting to know that he died surrounded by so many attractive people. Cold comfort, admittedly, if indeed we still require any consolation at all for a moment in history that, however rupturing, has by now been amply processed -- both on screen and elsewhere. But it's pretty much all I gained from Peter Landesman's vapidly exploitative take on the events of November 22, 1963, as experienced by the sundry agents, doctors, servicemen and civilians who played a tangential but first-hand role in the unhappy day. Like Emilio...

Welcome back to our weekly look at the new podcasts available at our “partners in podcast crime” the GeekCast Radio Network. As usual here’s our weekly look at the podcasts from Gcrn, with descriptions and links to each and every one for your audio/visual pleasure!

Podcasts:

Punisher: Body Count Episode 34

Merry Christmas, Punisher fans! For this Yuletide season, we have gifted you with an extra-large episode that deals with our deep opinions about the three official Punisher movies. Introduction - Jake and I start with what could be the worst opening ever before we catch up on our heart-warming Christmas tales. We then open our gifts we sent each other on the air! News – There’s a bunch of new Punisher fan films new and upcoming, and we want you all to check ‘em out!

Wojm Special Edition #22: A look back at the 25th Anniversary/Modern Era...

Our rugby columnist recounts the day he made the lengthy journey to the home of London Wasps to watch Newcastle Falcons have one last unlikely stab at avoiding relegation. This is his story.

If you were there or watched the game, let us know your thoughts as usual in the comments below or on Twitter @ballintouch.

It is one of those sensations that dulls with the passing of time and the entry into adulthood, but there is no doubt that by and large, everyone was dreading their first day at ‘big school’. Having risen to the top of the tree in middle school, as a prepubescent youth having enjoyed six weeks of summer freedom, that date circled on the family calendar looms larger and larger until it is but a day away for all of us.

The following morning you will have to rise at an unfathomable hour to dress in your uniform,...

The former Potter takes a shrewd baby-step towards a career away from Hogwarts in this busy, bustling ghost story

The jury is still out on whether Daniel Radcliffe possesses the chops, nous and nuance to sustain a rewarding acting career away from Hogwarts. But credit where it's due: the former Potter has taken a shrewd baby-step in the right direction with this busy, bustling ghost story that at times appears less indebted to the Susan Hill bestseller than the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. The plot is skeletal, a bag of bones, spring-loaded with booby-traps and wired to the mains as it shuttles Radcliffe's widowed young lawyer around Eel Marsh House, the obligatory "old place cut off from the outside world".

Outside, in the cold, the Cold Comfort locals have secrets to hide. Inside, in the dark, the chairs are rocking and the stairs are creaking. There's a face in...

Oh, Math Nerds, you clever gehls and boys, by associating your "Pi Day" with the delectability of pie, you've forced us all, for love of pastry, to sit up and take notice every March 14th. So happy day, nerds, you win again. Here's an online game of Pick Up Sticks for you mathematically inclined. (Tommy Ogden)

Did you know that there is some weird group of Pi dissenters that advocate Tau Day instead? I'm afraid they'll never win, for the Pi-heads have pastry on their side. (Tau Day)

And I know some of you more fractious fractals were saddened when this Amazing Pi/Pie shirt was no longer available at Woot. (What Is With Your One Day Availability Reign Of Terror, Woot?) I found a somewhat similar shirt over at Zazzle. Cold comfort, I know. But cold pie, is still tasty pie. (Zazzle)

In case you're doubting the supremacy of pie,...

Canadian film and television actor Maury Chaykin passed away today in a Toronto hospital on his 61st birthday. Born in New York to an American father and Canadian mother, Chaykin made his way to Toronto in the '70s, where he remained for the rest of his life, amassing a myriad of roles, Genie nominations for Iron Eagle II and Cold Comfort, and a win for 1994's Whale Music.

Boasting an impressive 153 film and television credits, Chaykin was known in and out of the land of the maple leaf. In Canada, he graced a number of Atom Egoyan films including The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, and Where the Truth Lies, he teamed up with Don McKellar (who recently lost wife Tracy Wright) on Blindness and Cooking with Stella, and more recently played Sam Blecher in the Mark McKinney-produced Less Than Kind. But his accomplishments and impact reached stateside features as well.

Boys and girls, cats and dogs, people of all ages, it’s time for another installment of Freelance Writers Do (& Say) The Darnedest Things. With almost three decades’ experience editing magazines, I have countless anecdotes about the strange behavior of freelancers when interacting with especially curmudgeonly editors (like me). Here are three more—though let me warn you, there are No punchlines here, just mysteries.

To start, I should explain one basic fact. Freelancers usually first come to a magazine editor’s attention by either sending in an already done interview all written up in manuscript (so we can read and see what’s offered for sale) or pitching someone they could talk to (along with writing samples so we can judge the risk of moving forward). After a freelancer has repeated this a couple times and trust has been established, the editor may begin giving him assignments (“We have...

If you're like me, the results of last night's Project Runway were a shock. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed by who won and who lost.

The show opens at the designer apartments. Ra'mon says to Logan how strange and sad it is that Malvin & Johnny are gone. Me, I'm thinking it's strange and sad that Logan already has his shirt on.

In another bedroom Nicolas is chatting up Epperson and telling him how the competition is going to be a lot quieter: "I can focus on design now, and not on comforting Johnny." Uh, Nicholas, when did you ever focus on "comforting Johnny"? Cold comfort maybe. Last week you threw him under the bus with the judges.

It's off to the studios where Heidi tells them they'll be taking their inspiration from the movies. She dispatches them to a Hollywood studio lot where Tim Gunn and Collier Strong of L'Oreal Paris.

For the lot of us, “X-Men” defined what we’d think of the characters and for sure, it is what made me a fan of the mutants and introduced me to their adventures in comics. The series may not have translated every single comic story to a T, but it was exceptional at honoring the characters and defined them for my generation. It was akin to Batman: The Animated Series in that regard although that masterpiece did feature better animation. Not to say that the stuff in “X-Men” wasn’t creative, quite the contrary. While the first season or two took a hit as far as how well the animation was crafted, the series did come into it’s own and was dazzling.

But as kids, we didn’t care. We wanted pure, all our mutant mayhem and “X-Men” delivered in spades. But again it wasn’t just about the action.

Irish/Canadian co-production 'A Shine of Rainbows' beings to seven the number of Irish features to be screened at this years Toronto International Film Festival which runs 10 - 20 September 2009. Directed by Emmy award winning Indian Filmmaker/Dop Vic Sarin (Partition, Cold Comfort), the film stars Irish/American actor Aidan Quinn (32A, Legends of the Fall) and Danish actress Connie Nielson (Gladiator, One Hour Photo). With a budget of approximately €3.5 million, 'A Shine of Rainbows' was produced by Tina Pehme (Sepia Films), Kim Roberts and James Flynn (Octagon).

It’s hard to think of the 1990s “X-Men” animated series that ran from 1992-1997 without hearing the theme song run through your head. However, for quite a few comic fans out there, that might not be a bad thing.

Not only did the cartoon have a cool intro, but it’s widely regarded as one of the best animated adaptations of a comic book series thus far — right up there with “Batman: The Animated Series” (and maybe even “The Maxx,” too). Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has announced that it will release DVD collections of the third and fourth volumes of the “X-Men” animated series on September 15, and offered the full specs on what you’ll find in each volume.

While volumes 3 and 4 pull primarily from the third and fourth seasons of the series, it’s probably worth pointing out that the DVD collections appear to organize the episodes...

You can relive more animated adventures from a popular series on DVD in two new volumes this September. Marvel X-Men, Volume 3 and Volume 4 will both hit the shelves on DVD on September 15. Each two-disc set will be priced at $23.99 Srp and you can find details on the episodes below.

Marvel X-Men, Volume 3

The X-Men are back for more nonstop thrills and excitement in Volume 3

of the definitive animated series. Faithfully created from the pages of the original Marvel comic books, these classic stories are a must-have for any X-Men fan! When the all-powerful Dark Phoenix inhabits the body of Jean Grey, The X-Men go to battle in order to save one of their own. Get into the action with 15 spine-tingling episodes, including the 4-part "Dark Phoenix" saga, in this collectible 2-disc set!

Episode Guide

Disc 1

- Savage Land, Strange Heart (Part 1)

- Savge Land, Strange Heart (Part 2)

- Obsession

-...