Source: Scoop

New Zealand feature Show of Hands has been invited to the Montreal Film Festival, which takes place August 21 to September 1.

Written and directed by Anthony McCarten, the film is inspired by a true story. Show of Hands is an off-beat love story starring Melanie Lynskey and Craig Hall. It is centered on a car yard in an everyday suburb, where an endurance competition with a difference is being staged. Show of Hands is Anthony’s second feature as director, and the screenplay is based on his novel of the same name.

Anthony will be in Montreal to introduce his film to audiences along with Melanie Lynskey and the film’s producer, Angela Littlejohn of Great Southern Films.

Anthony McCarten commented “The film was a passion project for all involved, we were often shooting more each day than some films shoot in three, and by the end you’re not quite sure what you have. Being officially selected for a festival like Montreal, consequently, is a great compliment and an endorsement that all the work might not have been in vain.”

Rialto Distribution will release Show of Hands in New Zealand. After viewing the film Rialto CEO, Kelly Rogers said that he “thought the film has was a touching love story, a film about everyday people, very engaging with instant appeal for a wide New Zealand audience” he added “the Montreal selection is a wonderful accolade for the film makers, our team is looking forward to contributing to the film’s local success”

Set in Taranaki, Anthony’s old hometown (and coincidentally also that of the lead actress, Melanie Lynskey) Show of Hands will be released nationwide on November 13 after a star studded premiere in New Plymouth this spring.

Show of Hands was financed by Venture Taranaki Trust, the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air and Television New Zealand. Executive Producer is Trevor Haysom of T.H.E Film.

Source: Stuff.Co.Nz

Melanie Lynskey played one of New Zealand’s most infamous teen killers, Pauline Parker, in home-grown hit movie Heavenly Creatures.

But the star actress says she may quit the madness of Hollywood to raise a family in the Kiwi lifestyle.

Los Angeles-based Melanie recently returned to her home town of New Plymouth to film Show of Hands, based on a contest where the person who keeps their hand on a car longest wins it.

“I wanted to come home and work but not just to do any old thing,” she told Sunday News.

“I was waiting and waiting and this came up. It’s so good, I’m really happy. It’s a good movie.”

The taste of home renewed her appetite to settle here with American actor husband Jimmi Simpson (Seraphim Falls, My Name Is Earl).

“We have this dream that we will be able to go back and forth and have a house in New Zealand,” Melanie said.

“The childhood that I had, and the childhood that people can still have in New Zealand, is so different to what it’s like over here.”

Melanie, 31, has followed Heavenly Creatures with lead roles in The Frighteners, Coyote Ugly and Flags of Our Fathers.

She is currently filming The Informant with Matt Damon.

But Melanie has no desire to live the star lifestyle.

“I’m not going to be a movie star. I’m a character actor. Imagine if you were someone really famous. I’d go crazy! I would hate to deal with all that stuff that people deal with,” she said.

“Sometimes I see Katie Holmes and Paris Hilton or someone and they are followed by a team of photographers.

“Oh my God I would hate that.”

Melanie has also made her mark on the small screen, playing stalker-neighbour Rose in hit American sitcom Two And A Half Men.

She quit the show two years ago to do another TV series.

But when that got canned, the producers of Two and a Half men immediately tried to woo her back.

“They called the day my show got cancelled. It was very nice of them. Now I’m coming back on the show now and again,” she said.

“I feel good about it because I still have a contract where I can come and go and they let me out for other things. It’s kind of on my terms. I’m really lucky.”

While Melanie’s co-star Charlie Sheen is constantly in the headlines due to his bitter breakup with ex-wife Denise Richards, Melanie has only good things to say about her co-star.

“Charlie is very, very professional and he’s great to work with,” she said.

“Beyond that, he’s the nicest person. He’s really completely lovely.

“He does so many good things for people. I have so much respect for him as a person.”

Sandy just sent us screencaptures of Melanie in Park. Just click on the images below for more images.

Source: Screen India

Talk Soup host Joel McHale, Scott Bakula and a host of comedic actors are set to join Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh’s darkly comic thriller The Informant.

Bakula and McHale will play FBI agents working with agri-business insider Mark Whitacre (Damon) to stop a price-fixing scam. The film is based on Kurt Eichenwald’s 2000 best-seller The Informant: A True Story.

Other new cast members known for their comedic turns are Mike O’Malley (CBS’ Yes, Dear), Andrew Daly (Semi-Pro), Adam Paul (Starz’ Hollywood Residential) and Melanie Lynskey (CBS’ Two and a Half Men). Comedian-actors Tom Wilson, Rick Overton and Tom Papa will round out the cast.

Although the subject matter is serious, one behind-the-scenes informant said Soderbergh is looking to create a thriller with dark comedy elements. He chose comedic actors who haven’t been overexposed on film, planning to have them play their roles seriously and have a humorous tone emerge naturally.

The prestige film is a breakthrough for McHale, who has gained a cult following on the same E! series that gave Greg Kinnear his start. It also marks one of the biggest big-screen roles for Bakula (Quantum Leap, Enterprise). Principal photography on the Warner Independent Pictures will begin soon.

New screencaptures of Melanie in Two and a Half Men have been added to the gallery.

• 195 x A Little Clammy and None Too Fresh
• 52 x Winky-Dink Time
• 96 x Look At Me, Mommy, I’m Pretty

Melanie will be appearing in the upcoming Two and a Half Men episode Look At Me, Mommy, I’m Pretty as Rose.

Alan makes wedding plans for Evelyn and Teddy, while Charlie figures out how to get more acquainted with his future step-sister.

So tune in for Melanie on April 28th. Captures of the episode will be added to the gallery when available.

I have added screencaptures of Comanche Moon and Psych to the gallery.

Also Melanie will be starring in two The L Word episodes: Lunar Cycle (March 16th) and Loyal and True (March 23rd). So remember to tune in.

The Park has finally entered the theater release phase. You can find the city nearest to you from the official website.

I have added few photos from the movie to the gallery, more will be added as I stumble upon them.

• Promotional
• Trailer captures

Source: Stuff.co.nz

New Plymouth-born actor Melanie Lynskey is coming home to star in the romantic comedy Show Of Hands.

The news was announced in New Plymouth last night by the film’s writer and director, ex-Taranaki resident Anthony McCarten.

Shooting for the film begins next month and will go for about six weeks.

McCarten said negotiations with Lynskey were concluded on Monday.

“She was chosen because she is perfect for the role,” he said.

“She had heard of me before and she read the script and decided solely based on that.

“She is courted by Hollywood directors, but has decided to come back here for this role.”

Lynskey has featured in several films including Flags Of Our Fathers (2006), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Ever After (1998) and Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures (1994).

Lynskey married actor Jimmi Simpson in April and the couple now live in Los Angeles. She currently appears on New Zealand television in the US sitcom Two And A Half Men.

McCarten said the other two leads would be played by Craig Hall, who played the part of Mike in the 2005 film King Kong, and Stephen Lovatt, a New Zealand actor probably best known for his role as Max Hoyland on Neighbours.

Show Of Hands is about a competition where people try to keep their hands on a car for longer than everyone else to win the car.

“They used to run these competitions in the 1980s where people would go for six days with no sleep to win a car,” McCarten said.

There will be a core cast of 20 with 50 extras. McCarten, best known for his play Ladies’ Night, once worked for the Taranaki Herald, but is now based in England.

Venture Taranaki chief executive Stuart Trundle said the film was a wonderful opportunity for one of Hollywood’s rising stars to give something back to her home region.

McCarten said the film was planned for release late next year.