Violet & Daisy

A Magic Violet presentation in association with GreeneStreet Films. (International sales: CAA, Los Angeles.) Produced by Geoffrey Fletcher, Bonnie Timmermann. Executive producers, John Penotti, James Skotchdopole. Co-producer, Steve Kempf. Directed, written by Geoffrey Fletcher.Daisy Saoirse Ronan Violet Alexis Bledel Michael James Gandolfini Iris Marianne Jean-Baptiste Russ Danny Trejo April Tatiana MaslanyFollowing his Oscar-winning script for "Precious," Geoffrey Fletcher's directorial debut manages to be precious in a whole different way, sadly far-removed from the approach he took adapting the novel "Push" by Sapphire. Last and least in a run of pics that fancy teen girls as cold-blooded killers, "Violet & Daisy" offers a questionably sentimental spin on the Hit Girl gimmick seen in "Kick-Ass," casting the armed-and-dangerous stars of "Sin City" (Alexis Bledel) and "Hanna" (Saoirse Ronan) as a pair of implausible assassins. This cutesy dark comedy seems destined for cult status, but could also connect with less Puritanical overseas auds. Written pre-"Precious" in a way that could've been made for virtually no money, "Violet & Daisy" benefits from Fletcher's recent fame, which enables the NYU Tisch grad to shoot his skewed fable in NY with a name cast and decent budget. Frankly, you'd never guess the two pics came from the same pen, so different is this uneasy blend of the hitman and coming-of-age genres. Still relatively new to the whole contract killing thing, Daisy (Ronan) blazes her way through the opening scene like an old pro, celebrating her 18th birthday by offing an apartment full of heavily armed Mafia types. Fletcher fully embraces the absurdity, sending Daisy and her ruthless best friend Violet (Bledel, more than a dozen years her co-star's senior) into the firefight disguised as nuns, packing shotguns in pizza boxes. With realism out the window, the rules of this imaginary world take some time to absorb, since one's instinct is to keep young ladies as far away from heavy artillery as possible. When they're not blasting bad guys, Violet and Daisy play patty-cake and behave like girls half their age (their getaway car is a tricycle, which suggests perhaps the roles were written for even younger actresses). Holding their guns like Hong Kong action stars, the pair kill without remorse or motive, other than to buy the latest dresses from their teenybopper idol, Barbie Sunday -- at least, that's the reason they accept the assignment that preoccupies them for the rest of the film. After "Hanna," which blended its own surreality with a fairly complex portrait of a child groomed to kill, "Violet & Daisy" feels radically disconnected from recognizable human behavior. Then James Gandolfini enters the picture, bringing a soul to Fletcher's wink-wink style. Though the helmer has provided only one previous job to judge by, it seems safe to assume that most targets either beg for their lives or shoot back. Not this guy. He practically wants to be killed, going so far as to bake the girls oatmeal cookies for their trouble. Most of "Violet & Daisy" takes place in the mysterious man's apartment, where the script must keep coming up with excuses to get the girls alone so Gandolfini's character can offer them the kind of one-on-one advice that just might save their lives. First, they run out of bullets, which gives a rival gang opportunity to drop by while Daisy is unarmed and Violet is off making a supply run -- one that lands her in the middle of an improbable Mexican standoff at the neighborhood hardware store. Later, Daisy steps out, so Violet can take a nap. By this point, most auds will have picked sides in the film's inevitable love-it-or-hate-it divide, but Fletcher doesn't give either camp the satisfaction of pinning down the pic's tone. The laughs, which reach their outrageous peak with something the girls call "the internal bleeding dance," gradually taper off, making room for carefully manufactured emotion. There's a magic-trick quality to the film's construction, in which Fletcher distracts with one hand while subtly adjusting the mood with the other; by the time people catch on that the cartoon has given way to something more sincere, they may already care about the characters. "Violet & Daisy" expands what could have been a single-set play with two strong-impression cameos -- Danny Trejo as the girl's boss and Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a sniper ready to take them out if the girls botch the job -- but lacks a character menacing enough to create suspense. For the story to bloom, Violet and Daisy must stall, and yet, the longer they do, the more ludicrous it seems that anyone would trust two hit-girls to do a hitman's job. Production values are strong, especially Vanja Cernjul's widescreen lensing, which translates some of Fletcher's wilder first-time-filmmaker impulses into clean, classy compositions.Camera (color, widescreen), Vanja Cernjul; editor, Joe Klotz; music, Paul Cantelon; music supervisor, Susan Jacobs; production designer, Patrizia Von Brandenstein; art director, Fredda Slavin; set decorator, Regina Graves; costume designer, Jenny Gering; sound (Dolby Digital), Richard W. Murphy; supervising sound editor, Robert Hein; re-recording mixer, Roberto Fernandez; special effects, Philip Beck Jr., Robert Beck; visual effects supervisor, J. John Corbett; associate producers, Rachel Israel, I-fan Quirk; assistant director, Robert C. Albertell; casting, Bonnie Timmermann. Reviewed at Toronto Film Festival (Special Presentations), Sept. 15, 2011. Running time: 96 MIN. Contact Peter Debruge at peter.debruge@variety.com

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Healthy Hollywood: Wellness Wednesday A Sole Treatment For Victoria Beckham!

By Terri MacLeodLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Victoria Beckham once declared she cant concentrate in houses. The form icon mentioned she didnt even own some houses since they made her rail thin legs appear like golf clubs. Oh, my - the struggles to become Victoria! The stiletto-loving mother of four was recently introduced lower to earth carrying out a wound up disc forced her to dump our prime heel footwear meant for more practical (gasp) low heels. Doctors advised her to dare not teeter in stilettos throughout NYs fashion week. No matter the doctors order, the trendy mother was recently taken photos of rocking sky-high boots with newborn Harper in their arms. Old routine is difficult to interrupt! Just request the trendy set punching the shows in NY now. Ultimately, a towering group of heels can be a built-in spotlight sure to outshine the higher grounded (company, cozy) women who dare to use houses. Wearing rearfoot footwear migh result in many problems, from inflamed nerves to extended-term joint discomfort to calf, ankle, and back discomfort. It might offset balance, declare the wellness experts at SpaFinder. In the event you require walking in heels (Victoria, are you currently presently listening) SpaFinder unveils you will discover numerous remedies to assuage your aching foot. In the comprehensive ft fitness training program that evaluates your walk helping obtain a shoes out of your foot to have an ancient Chinese ft massage to specialized pedicures, spas are supplying numerous remedies to help prevent as well as lowering the discomfort triggered by wearing the current super rearfoot footwear. For more information, have a look at internet.spafinder.com If you would rather treat your foot inside the privacy of your house, Jill Cassidy of Josephs Yoga describes to Healthy Hollywood DIY exercises to boost your body for rearfoot footwear. Feet Tapping Take your shoes off despite the fact that keeping your heel on the ground, lift the ball from the ft up started as much as you'll be able to, lower and repeat. Feet Corrector Put a thick rubberband (like one which circles broccoli) around the great foot joint on each ft. The foot they fit on the floor (carried out sitting) as well as the two toes distance themselves from each other. It will help avoid claw toes. Knee Strengthener Place your back flat in the wall and slide downward to make sure that you are sitting along with your back flat concerning the wall along with your knees have been in a 90 degree position (or as near much like ask them to). That certain is useful for legs too! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved.These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Mary Tyler Moore to get SAG Existence Achievement Award

Actor-producer Mary Tyler Moore will get the Screen Stars Guild's 2011 Existence Achievement Award, the union introduced today. The recognition is offered yearly for an actor who demonstrates the "finest beliefs in the acting profession." During the period of her career, Moore has received an Academy Award nomination, a Tony Award, and seven Emmys. Her production company MTM Businesses created several famous television programs, including "The Bob Newhart Show," "WKRP in Cincinnati," and "St. Elsewhere," in addition to her very own "Mary Tyler Moore Show." Moore can also be an enthusiastic philanthropist and can serve as the worldwide chairman from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. SAG leader Ken Howard stated inside a prepared statement: "Mary Tyler Moore won our hearts as Laura Petrie and Mary Richards, our respect as her production company grew to become symbolic of quality television, our awe as she handled difficult subject material in film as well as on Broadway, and our admiration as she switched her public recognition right into a catalyst to highlight critical and deeply personal health insurance and social issues." The award will be provided to Moore in the 18th annual SAG Honours ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 29, 2012, in La.

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Rachel Zoe on New Baby Skyler, Feuding with Rodger and Falling Out with Brad

Rachel Zoe Another season of The Rachel Zoe Project, another new assistant. After amicably parting ways with Brad one year ago, fashion maven Rachel Zoe kicks off Season 4 (premiering Tuesday at 10/9c on Bravo) with a surprising revelation: She and Brad are on the outs. She says he poached clients behind her back after he left. "It's not the first time I've been used. I would say it's going to be the last time, though" Zoe says. Rachel Zoe welcomes baby boy But who has time to dwell on that drama? Zoe's got a new assistant, Jeremiah, but she's also dealing with a new baby, six-month-old Skyler Morrison, the launch of her first fashion line, and a whole new creative team. "There's also a lot of new people on the show and in my life that are pretty incredible - there isn't a lot of fighting and pettiness, I can tell you that! Like, I don't know if there's any!" Zoe says. "OK, maybe a little (laughs). We're all just kind of a family, and it's pretty great. It's the best it's ever been." Below, she tells TVGuide.com about balancing work and Skyler (she takes him everywhere!), why things between her and husband-business partner Rodger are not as bad as they look on the show, and where things stand with Brad: How are you juggling being a mom with your job, which now includes being the head of your own clothing line? Zoe: It's what all the working moms told me before: You just figure it out. And you do! My time is more efficient and more focused now. I don't know exactly why that is, but I think it's because everything that takes me away from my son is something that I need to get done quickly. I find that I'm not really scatterbrained anymore, if that makes sense. Good for Skyler. Helping mom out already! Zoe: He's the greatest thing ever. I do take him everywhere with me unless it involves a long car trip or an environment that I think will be bad for him. He comes to all my meetings, he comes to work with me every day... He's my everything. My heart aches when he's not with me. Who are Skyler's favorite designers? Zoe: He doesn't have any! Whatever is the most comfortable is for him. I have favorite designers for him, though. Bonton, for sure, Gucci Kids is amazing, Dior Kids, Ralph Lauren, Gap... it goes on for days. It's so much fun. He's even rocking over-sized sunglasses like mom already. Zoe: He has really, really light eyes that very sensitive. I always have a hat and glasses for him. But in the case of that photo, it was meant to be a little bit of a joke. [Laughs] There were a lot of paparazzi one day when I was at Whole Foods. I turned around and they were in the window while I was buying produce. So I literally put the glasses on him. It was sort of a joke. He does love having them on, though! Brad Goreski: Without Taylor, "there's not so much tension" Last season, you and Rodger seemed to be doing battle on a weekly basis. There was pen-throwing at one point! Scenes from a Marriage came to mind. How bad - or not bad - did it actually get? Zoe: I mean, Rodger and I have the best relationship of many married couples. We're best friends, and we've been together for 20 years, you know? Literally 20 years. I don't know how to explain it, but Rodger and I, we really don't ever "fight." I call it bickering. My friends laugh at us. We actually are completely dependent on one another and really are happiest when we're together. In the show, when you're filming, there's a lot that doesn't get shown. In the premiere, you two butt heads again when it's time to hire your new assistant. Have you figured out a way to work together in your company where it's less... tense? Zoe: Look, as business partners, we're never going to agree on how we approach business. Rodger is a business-financial-minded person; I'm a creative person. Very often, we're going to be far apart on things. But I almost think if that wasn't the case it would be very strange. You need both. He's much more practical-minded and I'm much more, 'Oh, it's going to be fine.' I run myself and my business pretty much on my gut instinct. [When we hired my new assistant], he'd be like, "Well, I don't know if he's the most experienced," blah, blah, blah... Tell me what you saw in Jeremiah, because he didn't appear to be as qualified on paper as the other candidates you interviewed. Zoe: The thing that I really look for in people is enthusiasm and excitement and, not to sound really sappy, that fire in their eyes. When you meet people who are very jaded and are like, "Whatever, whatever, whatever," I think, "If this is how they are coming in, this is not good." Jeremiah had a tremendous attitude, he was really excited to learn and he clearly had great style and great taste. That means a lot to me. The worst thing you could ever get is people who think they know everything. Rachel Zoe and Brad Goreski part ways It's revealed in the first episode back that you and Brad had a falling out after he left the company; you say he poached clients. Right off the bat, in what ways did you feel Jeremiah would be different from Brad and your other former assistant Taylor, with whom you don't speak? Zoe: I wouldn't really even put them in the same sentence. I think everyone is their own individual, but I would say there is no similarity on any level between Jeremiah and Brad and Jeremiah and Taylor. He's a different person entirely. Do you talk to Brad at all? Bravo recently ordered his reality show, It's a Brad, Brad World. Zoe: I don't. We really don't have a relationship at the moment. But, you know, more power to him. Whatever he wants to do is all good by me. You now have your own clothing line, which will be at Fashion Week this fall. How much does that cut into styling and working with individual clients? Zoe: I'm still working with my clients as much, and I still use all the different designers - it's not like I'm putting my line front and center. When I'm wearing my styling hat, it's always going to be like that, and I'm always going to give as much love and attention to styling and to my clients as I always have. Will Skyler be a big part of this season? Zoe: Um, he's not going to be a main focus. I did, in fact, give birth to a child, though, so you'll have to watch and see. Taylor Jacobson: "I don't know anyone who hasn't been supposedly fired by Rachel Zoe" Did your pregnancy make you hesitant to continue filming? Zoe: For sure! But, I mean, the fact is I do have a TV show and I was pregnant and I did give birth to a child. These are the facts and this is a reality show. Kind of hard to hide it for much longer than I did! I got away with hiding it for six months, so... What else can you say about what viewers will see this season? Zoe: It's a very different season than any other season. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes of launching a collection, and the fear and anxiety that goes into that. Also, I think what many women will identify with is working while you're pregnant, and the reality of that. There's a lot of emotion goes with that. Check out a clip from the season premiere of The Rachel Zoe Project (she talks Brad at the 45-second mark): Who comes out on top, Brad or Rachel? Are you excited to see Rachel as a new mom? Leave a comment below.

Box Office Report: Hurricane Irene a $30 Mil Threat

Hurricane Irene could result in box office losses of as much as $30 million for the weekend as movie-going comes to a standstill up and down the East Coast.our editor recommendsDon't Be Afraid of the Dark: Film ReviewColombiana: Film ReviewThe Help: Film ReviewOur Idiot Brother: Film Review Domestic box office revenues for the frame were on track to reach $120 million, but the massive storm could reduce that number by as much as 25%. By Friday afternoon, the news was grim. "Its horrendous," one distribution executive noted. PHOTOS: How 'The Help' Was Cast Across the board, films were posting lower than expected results, including three new titles-the Luc Besson-produced action pic Colombiana, starring Zoe Saldana and distributed by TriStar, the Weinstein Co.'s R-rated ensemble comedy Our Idiot Brother headlining Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel and Emily Mortimer, and the Guillermo del Toro-produced horror movie Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, distributed by FilmDistrict and starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. DreamWorks and Participant Media's holdover The Help remained the No. 1 film early Friday evening, but is now looking at a weekend gross of $10 to $12 million, versus $15 million. Colombiana was in the No. 2 position on Friday, but may not crack $10 million for the weekend, lower than expected. The rest of the brood -- Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and Our Idiot Brother -- may only reach $6 million or $7 in their openings. PHOTOS: 'The Help's' Retro Southern Style By Friday afternoon, theater owners in the Northeast had started announcing plans to shut their doors. AMC Entertainment, one of the nation's largest theater circuits, has said that theaters in Norfolk, Va., Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C., will close on Saturday, and predicts that numerous New York theaters will be closed on Sunday. The circuit also is closing all New Jersey theaters at 6 p.m. Saturday. And Clearview Cinemas, which operates 57 theaters along the Philadelphia-New York corridor, is closing all of its locations Saturday and Sunday. Other circuits are likely to follow suit, especially as public transportation systems come to a standstill on Saturday in Philadelphia and New York City, making it difficult for employees to get to work. Usually, distribution executives know by Friday afternoon how their films are faring, but the storm is making predictions problematic. Related Topics Emily Deschanel Guillermo del Toro Paul Rudd Zoe Saldana Box Office Colombiana The Help Our Idiot Brother Hurricane Irene

First Footage From The Hunger Games Will Debut at MTV Video Music Awards

And you thought watching Lady Gaga perform “You and I” was going to be the only reason to tune in for the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night. NextMovie reports that the first footage from The Hunger Games will premiere during the telecast, with a special introduction from star Jennifer Lawrence. If you needed even more proof that the adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s YA series is the next Twilight, an association with MTV should do the trick. [NextMovie]

DirecTV pacts with PlayStation for NFL

NFL Sunday Ticket will be available for PlayStation 3 users for a $339.95 charge, even if they dont subscribe to DirecTV. DirecTV will offer "NFL Sunday Ticket" to PlayStation 3 users, even those who don't subscribe to the satellite service. Beginning this season, PlayStation users can pay the "Sunday Ticket" rate of $339.95 to access the weekly game package of out-of-market games. Those who subscribe to DirecTV will be able to watch "Sunday Ticket" on their PS3s by paying $50, thereby turning their consoles into additional DirecTV receivers. "Sunday Ticket" will continue to be available on such digital platforms as iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, Blackberry, Samsung Galaxy, Palm Pre/Pixi and Motorola Xoom and Android. "We are constantly looking at new ways to enhance the NFL viewing experience and create more value for the loyal fans," DirecTV senior veep of product management Tony Goncalves said. "With the growth in mobile and connected consumer electronics devices, we believe it makes sense to enable viewers to watch their favorite team on more of those devices, like gaming consoles, whose users include legions of NFL fans." DirecTV is also appealing to the widespread number of fantasy football league participants with a digital application that will allow them to view their personal teams and scores on their TV sets, via connected set-top boxes. A one-touch "Watch Now" feature will help fans jump to broadcasts of games in which members of their fantasy teams are playing. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com