Amazing Race's Bill and Cathi: I Had Been Too Careful on the road

Bill and Cathi After you have having the ability to escape elimination two occasions round the Amazing Race, Bill and Cathi Alden understood their there is a period up after they lost an hour or so approximately searching for the homing pigeon location in Belgium. "We'd a great deal trouble searching for the wall which we're able to not suppose another team had too many problems after they situated the pigeons," Cathi notifies TVGuide.com. "I had been confident i had been last. It absolutely was so dark and late in those days.In . But losing your way wasn't really the only aspect in their elimination. See what else they feel brought for his or her demise and the way they remain in this fit condition.Incredible Race's Laurence and Zac: The U-Turn and achieving lost "pressed us inside the edge"Perhaps you have perform pigeon task? They didn't demonstrate carrying it out.Cathi: We have arrived plus it am dark they didn't release the pigeons. They just gave us a card in the address of where the pigeon might be. That was just [more confirmation] that individuals were last.Do you realize the amount of time you lost searching for the pigeons?Bill: Probably an hour or so approximately. We have arrived very late. The twelve signs near to the town - I am unsure if an individual switched the sign slightly or what - but that needed us nearly half an hour, running forward and backward. We visited the wrong perfect the wall, so some nice youthful kids directed us right finish in the wall. It absolutely was so dark that individuals ended up available the wall and finally we found the clues lower below, that your couple of from the teams drove up and spotted immediately. It aided to experience a little sunlight. It needed us quite a while. As we had that, we're able to mind towards the city pretty fast. We lost the required time. We'd not seen almost every other team. We figured it absolutely was in regards to the finish.Why maybe it had been so difficult to get the region?Cathi: It absolutely was a very small place, nevertheless the actual wall can be a fence kind of component that circles just a little peak. It really meanders which is apparent around the rear from the city. People would say, "You're going here, you're going here, you're going here," but, you possessed to go to precisely the best place.Expenses: Also the roads don't go straight, so soon you're headed back the way you just came and you're simply in trouble. Individuals are nice be familiar with terrain virtually, however they don't realize that after it is said this, it doesn't appear sensible for you personally. You're while using first street that turns off and so they mean the main street that turns off in position the hill.You made an appearance to have trouble with self-navigation. You lost time likely to Legoland the other day now this.Cathi: I wouldn't condition which i was bad at navigation because we never went the wrong method round the freeway ever. I had been careful, maybe too careful. We stopped and asked for probably more perhaps a couple of from the other teams. Another factor is, searching back, i was less aggressive inside our driving after we probably must have been. Basically, we really did bring them at their word after they mentioned to go to the published posted speed limit. In my opinion a couple of from the other teams were more aggressive inside their driving and could constitute any error time. We just kind of saved it within the published posted speed limit the whole time. Maybe once we had driven faster, we could've taken track of someone. We'd great luck in Copenhagen while using directions as well as the driving, but no such luck here.Amazing Race's Justin and Jennifer: It absolutely was a "huge mistake" not biking backWhy weren't you more aggressive?Cathi: We're pretty rule-bound. After they say "go the published posted speed limit," we go the published posted speed limit. Once we were to make it happen again, we wouldn't go the published posted speed limit. [Laughs] We'd speed so when we have a ten-minute penalty, whoopee! Since you have composed people 10 mins.Costs: In general, it absolutely was almost 1,000 kilometers of driving. We'd experienced Europe numerous occasions, but we always used mass transit, so to date because the driving goes, I wasn't acquainted with it, therefore i didn't push it. We could've composed lots of time because manner. We have got directions which were not easily understood, when you went from everything you understood, you stopped and asked for again. After being almost goners the initial leg, how managed to get happen feel to produce the best five? Cathi: I had been grateful for every moment. To own [been saved by] two non-elimination legs? I had been very grateful for your first non-elimination because we'd this type of difficult time finding the board. So next, it absolutely was like, "Perform best you'll be able to, enjoy every minute" which we did. Just before the race began, the philosophy was "nearly all you will be removed," and that means you use knowning that and knowing you're going for any huge risk submitting yourself. Nevertheless it was certainly useful.How will you retain in this fit condition? In my opinion everyone desires to look much like everybody do inside their 60s.Cathi: [Laughs] Perhaps you have like how a bodybuilder observed that?Amazing Race's Liz and Marie: Our cabbie ripped us offThey paid out you more compliments in comparison as to the they did almost every other team.Cathi: I realize! We exercise, probably four to six occasions each week. We now have attempted it for several years. It is not something we did two or three several days [just before the race]. It's a lifestyle for people. Perform it because you need to live as extended to ensure that as happily to ensure that as healthy as you possibly can.Cathi, you saved falling lower. The amount of bruises perhaps you have get? Cathi: I used to be engrossed in bruises following a grain patty. There has been no real injuries whatsoever. My balance isn't excellent to begin with which we didn't remember to consider our backpacks off, and so the weight would change which i'd fall.Bill: She also handled to acquire some kind of special gems hanging towards the elephant. You saved rising minimizing on that, and he or she got her arms bruised up trying to keep on.Cathi: After, I asked for the cameraman if he'd put the falls together [in the montage] personally because it only decided to be amusing!Exactly what are you to date?Cathi: We'll Nz in two and a half days. Our daughter's husband originates from Nz, so our whole household is certainly going there for Christmas. It's summer season there, to depart Or and also to visit Nz will probably be great.

Casting Standout: 'Midnight in Paris'

Juliet Taylor has been casting movies for Woody Allen since the early 1970s, yet she still finds a special kind of thrill in embarking on a new project for the celebrated auteur. In the case of "Midnight in Paris," Allen's time-hopping love letter to the City of Lights, Taylor immediately recognized that it was a different sort of project for the filmmaker. "I thought it was unique, for sure," she says. "It was very exciting; it's a movie he's been trying to make for a few years and was very eager to do, and all of the ingredients fell together perfectly this time."The firstand perhaps greatestchallenge was finding an actor who could properly inhabit the central role of mild-mannered screenwriter Gil. Taylor says she and Allen talked for a month about many possible actors and angles for the part. "We really wanted to set the tone of the film in a particular way," she recalls. "Sometimes people tend to think that the male protagonists in Woody's movies are so much Woody's voice that it becomes complicated for the actor. I think what worked so beautifully with Owen Wilson is that Owen Wilson has his own voice, and his own voice was a really interesting way of expressing Woody's thoughts and feelings and getting underneath his humor. He's not typical of what a Woody guy would be."Luckily, Wilson responded immediately to the scripteven though he had a limited amount of time to read it. Sending the script "is always a bit of a challenge with Woody," says Taylor. "Basically, someone had to drive it to Owen Wilson's house and pick it up a few hours later."After that initial challenge, casting Wilson's leading ladiesRachel McAdams as prickly fiance Inez and Marion Cotillard as sultry muse Adrianawas a no-brainer. "Woody has always wanted to work with Rachel McAdams and it's never worked out," Taylor says. "And then of course Marion Cotillard was sort of our ideal for that part."Another massive casting feat soon presented itself, however: populating the vibrant 1920s Paris to which Wilson finds himself transported and that features a number of well-known historical figures. "It was a huge research undertaking," says Taylor. "Everything had to be done accurately to the year. You had to know how old, say, Ernest Hemingway was in that year. It was done quite meticulously with photographs and in some cases with old footage."Though Taylor wasn't necessarily looking for well-known faces, certain A-list actors were obvious choices, such as Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein or Adrien Brody as Salvador Dal. "You couldn't not think of him for that," the CD says of Brody.In other cases, less-established performers proved to be perfect fits. Taylor spotted Corey Stoll, who cuts a charismatic, scene-stealing figure as Hemingway, in a Broadway revival of "A View From the Bridge" opposite Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson. "He played their Italian immigrant cousin who comes to the United States, and it's a really difficult part, 'cause it's an old-fashioned, kind of cumbersome role," Taylor says. "He was so fantastic, and he just brought it to life. Woody went to see it too, and then [Stoll] came in and read, and he just knocked us out. That was a fun find."Taylor proudly notes that Stoll and Tom Hiddleston, who was cast as F. Scott Fitzgerald, have gone on to higher-profile roles: Stoll as one of the lead detectives in "Law & Order: LA" and Hiddleston as vengeful Loki in "Thor" and the upcoming "The Avengers."Back in the realm of present-day Paris, Taylor cast beloved character players Mimi Kennedy and Kurt Fuller as Inez's very American parents. "I've known both of them for quite a long time," the CD says of the actors. "I knew Mimi Kennedy years ago when she was in NY, and when I saw her in [the film 'In the Loop'], I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, she's grown up to be this really interesting persona.' They both felt so real. They didn't feel actory."The casting team rounded out the ensemble with an interesting mix of well-knowns (Michael Sheen as a know-it-all friend), up-and-comers ("Inglourious Basterds" supporting player Lea Seydoux as a charming antiques dealer), and offbeat choices (French first lady and recording star Carla Bruni as a museum guide) to give the entire film a fresh, unique feel.Says Taylor, "From a casting director's standpoint, it was very satisfying because we used a wonderful combination of new people and people who are quite well-known but were doing things that people haven't seen them do before. It was a fun balance."Casting Directors: Juliet Taylor, Patricia DiCerto, and Stphane Foenkinos Director: Woody AllenWriter: Woody AllenStarring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Michael Sheen, Carla Bruni, Kurt Fuller, Mimi Kennedy, Corey StollThe Pitch: A young writer (Wilson) re-evaluates the state of his life when he's transported back in time to the 1920s while vacationing in the most romantic city in the world: Paris, France. To read Back Stage's complete coverage of Awards Season, please get our FREE SAG Nomination Committee Guide. Or follow all our daily coverage with Back Stage's new online Awards Season section.

Live! With Kelly Books More Co-Hosts

Is these males the primary one? Live! With Kelly has attracted on several more guest co-hosts since the show continues to locate a lasting alternative for Regis Philbin. Joining co-host Kelly Ripa the first time will beDancing while using Stars ballerina and Season 13 finalist Derek Hough on 12 ,. 5 and actor Jonah Hill on 12 ,. 6. In addition previous guest co-hosts Jerry O’Connell and Josh Groban will return with an encore on November. 25 and from 12 ,. 7-9, correspondingly.

Britdoc, Bertha team on docus

"The Interrupters" has won the very first grant in the Connect Fund. The Funnel 4 Britdoc Foundation has became a member of forces using the Nigeria-based Bertha Foundation to produce two funds for documentary features amassing 1.5 million ($2.4 million) over 3 years.The Bertha Britdoc Connect Fund and also the Bertha Britdoc Documentary Journalism Fund will each hands out $400,000 annually to aid social activist filmmaking."The Interrupters," by Steve James, has won the very first grant in the Connect Fund, which is supposed to back "outreach and engagement" campaigns for completed films. Soniya Kirpalani's "We the folksInch may be the first project to obtain backing in the Documentary Journalism Fund, that will support producing investigative paperwork.Included in the partnership, an agent of Bertha, a household foundation devoted to marketing social activism, will join the board of Britdoc, a nonprofit org released through the U.K.'s Funnel 4 in 2005."The Bertha Foundation is really a visionary organization having a history in supporting social justice causes through documentary film," stated Britdoc Boss Jess Search. "We feel that by joining forces, we are able to enable documentary filmmakers globally."Rebecca Lichtenfeld, an agent to Bertha, stated, "The Bertha Foundation supports passionate people, strong leadership and activism to produce telecomutting saves gas. The building blocks thinks in the significance of documentary film and capability to have an optimistic social impact." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

New DVD & Blu-ray Releases, Week of Nov. 22: 'Super 8,' 'Sarah's Key,' 'Conan the Barbarian'

Things are beginning to pick up on the home entertainment front this week: There's two best bets for your viewing enjoyment -- 'Super 8' and 'Sarah's Key' -- as well as a handful of interesting titles that should keep you busy every night this week -- until next Tuesday's onslaught of new releases. Read on. 'Super 8' What It's About: This homage of sorts to the kids-coming-of-age movies of the 1980s (think 'Stand by Me,' 'Goonies') concerns a group of small-town kids in 1979 who witness a catastrophic train crash while making a Super 8 zombie movie. They then discover that the train was carrying a cargo more terrifying than any of them could have imagined -- and it's been let loose on the countryside. It turns out that an extraterrestrial had been captured by the U.S. government and was being transported to a new location -- and the train crash wasn't accidental. With people and animals disappearing at an alarming rate, the kids pool their resources to aid the local deputy in preventing a major disaster. It's Kinda Like: 'E.T.' meets 'Predator' What We Say: 'Super 8' is the latest in a long line of films in which a bunch of kids get together to solve a problem adults can't understand or handle properly (they're either too mean or too stupid) -- it honors a tradition extending from 'The Blob' and 'Invasion of the Saucer Men' to 'E.T.' and 'The Monster Squad.' Director J.J. Abrams, of course, sides with the kids, clearly taking a page from producer Steven Spielberg's never-want-to-grow-up notebook. He understands the dynamics of kids growing pains, blossoming young love and alienation, and here mixes those ingredients with the sci-fi motifs of a rampaging alien (he's one nasty E.T.) for an enjoyable action-thriller. The train crash alone is worth the price of home admission. • Extras: Commentary by J.J. Abrams, deleted scenes and a host of interesting featurettes. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Buy DVD | Save DVD to your Netflix queue Watch a trailer: 'Sarah's Key' What It's About: In this drama centered on the tragedy of the Holocaust, Kristin Scott Thomas plays an American journalist who, 67 years after the war ended, uncovers one more missing piece of the story. As she and her family plan to move into an apartment in Paris, she learns the history of the building -- not only its connection to a tragic event that occurred during the Nazi occupation of Paris, but also her husband's family's possible connection to the event as well. The film bounces back and forth in time -- from the incarceration of Jews during WWII, including 10-year-old Sarah and her family, to the present, as Scott Thomas investigates what happened to the former occupants of the apartment. It's Kinda Like: 'Schindler's List' meets 'Tell No One' What We Say: There's always room for more stories about the Holocaust, particularly if they're well-written, directed and acted. 'Sarah's Key' scores only on one of these three points, however: the acting is top notch, but the storyline and direction at times lacks the dramatic punch that befits a film that's basically a tragic mystery. When Scott Thomas slowly works her way toward solving the story's central conceit, the film's pace almost slows to a halt. Though almost low-key to a fault, we'll forgive its sins to get to the involving, poignant Holocaust tale. • Extras: A behind-the-scenes featurette. Rotten Tomatoes Reviews | Buy DVD | Save DVD to your Netflix queue Watch a trailer: Other New November 22 Releases: 'The Adventures of Tintin: Season One': (2011) To prepare for Steven Spielberg's 'The Adventures of Tintin,' due Dec. 23, you might want to take a look at the precursor, 'The Adventures of Tintin,' adapted from the long-running French comic strip and graphic novels (begun in the 1920s) by the late cartoon artist Herge (a.k.a. Georges Remi) that chronicles the young and intrepid investigative reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy, as they embark on incredible globe-trotting adventures full of excitement, mystery and fun. The first season of the 1991 animated TV series has just been released as a two-disc set with 13 episodes. 'Becoming Santa': (2011) A humorous documentary that follows one man's journey to regain his Christmas spirit. After Jack Sanderson's parents died, he realized he wasn't looking forward to the holidays and, in a dominant commercial culture, avoiding Christmas seemed impossible. So with that, Jack decided that the best way to get through the Christmas Season was to become Santa Claus. Director Jeff Myers followed Jack on his journey, which entailed getting a custom Santa suit from Adele Saidy of Adele's of Hollywood, attending the American Events Santa School taught by Susen Mesco in Denver, Col., and ultimately booking Santa jobs. 'Carjacked': (2011) During a routine stop at a gas station, Lorraine (Maria Bello), a vulnerable single mom, and her 5-year-old son (Connor Hill), are carjacked by Roy (Stephen Dorff), a vicious bank robber on the run who forces her to drive him to meet up with his accomplice. 'Conan the Barbarian': (2011) Hey Conan fans: The legendary Barbarian is back -- big time. Spiffy special effects (and lots of blood and guts) makes the Cimmerian warrior come alive on the big screen as he grows from a killer-of-a-boy to a grown-up killer-of-a-warrior who has to save the world from a power hungry warlord who slaughters all in his path -- including Conan's family and village. Not for the queasy. Watch an exclusive clip: 'The Devil's Double': (2011) Dominic Cooper gives a tour-de-force performance as both Uday Hussein, Saddam Hussein's reckless, sadistic party-boy son who has a rabid hunger for sex and brutality; and Latif Yahia, an Iraqi army lieutenant ordered to become the 'fiday' -- or body double -- to the notorious "Black Prince" in 1987. It's kinda like 'Scarface' set in Iraq with Cooper as a Middle-Eastern Tony Montana. It's based on a true story -- and is brutally violent. 'The Family Tree': (2011) When a bizarre accident leaves desperate housewife Bunnie with a case of amnesia, her dysfunctional family -- consisting of husband, Jack and twin 17-year-olds Eric and Kelly -- gets an unexpected second chance at happiness in this offbeat comedy. Stars Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Max Thieriot, Brittany Robertson. 'Helldriver': (2010) After a meteorite crashes into Japan, releasing a toxic ash that turns inhabitants in the northern half of the country into bloodthirsty zombies, a stunning high school girl armed with an artificial heart-powered chainsaw sword leads a motley crew of desperadoes into the zombie-infected wilds to exterminate the zombie queen. This low-budget flick has more ambition than smarts; after the first foray into zombieland, the killings become an endless loop of bloodshed with no rhyme nor reason nor story line. 'Spy Kids: All the Time in the World': (2011) What do you do when a franchise has run its course? Reboot it by bringing in new blood. That's what Robert Rodriguez did with this entry in the once-popular Spy Kid series. But where the previous sequels were giddy with self-referential musings and outlandish villains, this one is downright stupid. Even the presence of Jessica Alba as the spy mom can't enliven the proceedings, which is about an evil villain who is speeding up and destroying all the time in the world. Check out more November 22 DVD releases at OnVideo.

Kidpic trio will have trouble toppling 'Dawn'

"The Muppets" "Arthur Christmas" A wealth of choices for family auds over Thanksgiving weekend could result in kidpic cannibalization.Disney's "The Muppets" is expected to top Aardman Animation's 3D CGI "Arthur Christmas" and Martin Scorsese's 3D f/x-laden "Hugo." But B.O. observers aren't expecting Kermit and the gang to beat Summit's "Twilight" crew, as holdover "Breaking Dawn -- Part 1" is projected to gross in the $60 millions in five days."The Muppets," which bows today at 3,440 locations, should earn somewhere north of $40 million through Sunday, according to pre-weekend tracking services.B.O. pundits expect Sony's "Arthur Christmas," which cost a reported $98 million, to earn between $15 million and $17 million in five days at 3,376 locations, while Paramount's "Hugo," made by GK Films for a pricey $170 million, is tracking on the soft side in the low double digits, though it opens at just 1,277 locations. All three wide openers are seeing more positive reviews than the average family pic, which could add to wider appeal.Overseas B.O. won't see a similar holiday boost, and "Breaking Dawn" should win again after last weekend's $152.9 million international bow."Arthur Christmas" bows day-and-date in Australia, France and Japan, while "The Muppets" launches only in Mexico.Disney has a steady track record at the Thanksgiving box office.Last year, Disney's "Tangled" started out strong with a five-day take of $53.7 million. But that wasn't enough to beat "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," which collected $75 million in its second outing.Given the multi-generational appeal for "The Muppets," budgeted at a relatively inexpensive $45 million, some bizzers say the film could outdo expectations and appeal to both kids and their parents who grew up with the property. Disney has flexed considerable marketing muscle in promoting the live action/puppet film, which stars Amy Adams and Jason Segel, to older teens and college-age students. For instance, the Muppets, who became popular through their "Sesame Street" appearances before getting their own show in 1976 -- recently appeared on such late-night shows as "Saturday Night Live" and "Chelsea Lately."The Mouse is being more modest with its predictions in the high $30 millions.Thanksgiving B.O. usually starts strong on Wednesday, tapers off slightly on the holiday itself, and then picks up again over the weekend."Breaking Dawn" should see a similar three-day week-to-week drop as "New Moon," which fell 72% this weekend in 2009. "New Moon" debuted with $143 million; "Breaking Dawn" collected $138 million opening weekend and has tallied so far almost $148 million.The penultimate "Twilight" pic has little competition among teen girls. That's not the case with family films -- in addition to the trio of new entries, holdovers like "Happy Feet Two" and "Puss in Boots" will also look to lure tots. The former pic bowed last weekend to a soft $21 million in three days, but should hold steady, with a projected five-day take in the mid-$20 millions."Happy Feet Two" has cumed nearly $23 million through Tuesday; "Puss in Boots" approaches $125 million domestically.Both "Arthur Christmas" and "Hugo" are tracking best with families, though "Hugo" could also pick up adult Scorsese fans.3D likely will have a marginal effect on both films. Last weekend, "Happy Feet" earned just 50% of its opening from 3D -- similar to "Puss in Boots" at 51%. That's better than some of the summer's 3D toons (i.e. "Cars 2"), but down significantly from this time last year with films like "Megamind" and "Tangled.""Arthur Christmas" bows at 2,378 3D locations; "Hugo" has approximately 1,000 3D locations. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Woodsy Woodpecker Movie Developing at Universal

Guess who? Based on the Hollywood Reporter, Universal and Illumination Entertainment -- the animation hub behind 'Despicable Me' and 'Hop' amongst others -- will synergy again to make a large-screen version of Woodsy Woodpecker. Debuting in 1940 (using the voice of Mel Blanc), the Woodsy Woodpecker cartoons rose to prominence through the next two decades. Plenty of which had related to the cartoon's legendary theme, the only real song ever from the video clip to obtain nominated to have an Academy Award. Arrived at for comment, the film-less Porky Pig stated, "That's all, folks," before storming away. [via THR/Warmth Vision] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook