O'Connor in tune with 'Albert Nobbs'

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"Her voice is similar to a vintage fiddle," states John Byrne of Sinead O'Connor. "There's not one other voice in the world appreciate it.In . Which explains why the composer was thrilled when she made the decision to sing "Lay The Mind Lower," the conclusion-credits track for "Albert Nobbs," whose score Byrne written.The lyrics are by Glenn Close, the pic's star together with its co-author and producer. Yet establishing the track was almost an emergency.InchSinead loved the song, but she couldn't record it in Ireland because of an Eastern European tour," Byrne states.Consequently, a web-based set-up was arranged in Bulgaria -- with Byrne in Ireland and Close, connected on the phone, in the united states. Sadly, the equipment eliminate rapidly, and Skype must be utilized rather. "It's good for just about any conversation while not for just about any multitrack recording," Byrne notes.Additionally, O'Connor had barely examined the song just before the session. "The initial three several hours did not go well whatsoever," Byrne recalls. "Sinead would say, 'How does it appear?' And I'd say, 'I don't actually know.A Essentially, i had been rehearse-recording. Glenn finally stuck.InchThen, six and half several hours in, "Sinead was rocking. She mentioned she 'had it in their bones,'" Byrne recalls. "She sang the song 167 occasions, which we found the right performance about 120 in. It shouldn't have meet up. I still can't believe we actually have a very song."Eye round the Oscars: Song & Score Are acad rules from synch? 'Muppety' while not too 'Flighty' Pinch hitter Elizabethan notes culled from big chunks of rock Utility player orchestrates 'Miracle' Powell animated by quartet of pix Animal, mineral add 'Apes' score Gregson-Williams relishes the chase Byrne scores large 'Albert Nobbs' O'Connor in tune with 'Albert Nobbs' Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Warren Buffett, crooner

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BuffettBeijing-- This is a truly rich way to see in the Year of the Dragon.Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett is expanding his repertoire beyond canny stock-picking to sing and play guitar on the "Chinese Lunar New Year Gala" on pubcaster CCTV's website.The 81-year-old investment guru, known as the "Oracle of Omaha," has already recorded his performance, which is to be aired on Jan. 23, the official Xinhua news agency said. The song title was not revealed. The Berkshire Hathaway prexy has showbiz form, having dressed up as Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose last year to sing on an advert for Geico Insurance, in which he has shares."Each year we invite Chinese and international celebrities to perform and send greetings," said Luo Yan from Long Legacy Intl. Communications, a company jointly holding the event with China Network Television. "Buffett is one of them."The gala will be broadcast on CNTV.cn, and will also feature Hong Kong multihypenate Jackie Chan. A condensed version of the show will air on CCTV.Buffett, along with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has been active in encouraging China's growing army of super-rich to get into donating their huge wealth to charity, as he does. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Fashion Slam: What's Hot For 2012

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First Launched: The month of the month of january 20, 2012 1:43 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Avoi Mendes poses onstage throughout the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations press conference within the London West Hollywood on November 30, 2010 I went shopping the first time yesterday since just before the holiday season and boy hold the stores developed a Technicolor transformation! Color, color, color was everywhere- there's no avoiding it! What else will probably be large? People StyleWatch provides the form scoop! Prints are hot this season, states Kate Dimmock, fashion director in the magazine. A few typically the most popular prints at this time around are florals and polka dots. With florals, the recognition this really is really the balance more bold paper, the higher. Choose vibrant colors, adding neutrals for add-ons to balance it. Polka dots are a fun way to update a classic look which makes it new. A polka us us dot top or dress might be chic, or perhaps a chuckle, mix the size and colors to create contrast. Color is showing up everywhere, which is a terrific way to welcome in the new spring season, states Dimmock. Some hot color trends: Mint eco-friendly might be the it pastel colour of year which is huge. Were seeing it on pants and dresses too as with even add-ons. Red-colored-colored lips are globally flattering. Jennifer Aniston had gorgeous red-colored-colored lips within the Golden Globe Honours plus it really attracted together her whole look. Blue-eco-friendly jewelry, these ocean inspired colors are perfect for add-ons. Were seeing this color combo on chunky bracelets and bold rings. Metallic heels are perfect for day and evening. They could amplifier up any spring outfit, and so they go for everything---from jeans to dresses! For further style and wonder inspiration, see the new problem of people StyleWatch. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Food Network makes changes at 'Star'

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Alton Brown will change from host to mentor on Food Network Star. As Food Network's "Food Network Star" heads into production because of its eighth season, premiering May 13, it's made plans for changes both onscreen and off. The truth competition skein will change the option of the growing season champion in the idol judges to some fan election that'll be held prior to the season finale. The grand prize remains a show on Food Network, but this time around around, it will likely be created through the winner's mentor. Additionally, Bobby Flay and Giada P Laurentiis will shed their knowing responsibilities and, together with first-time series regular Alton Brown, will each choose a team of runners up to mentor with the competition. "Bobby, Giada and Alton would be the the best in food television," stated Food Network g.m. and SVP of programming and production Bob Tuschman. "Combined, they have created 100s of hrs of award-winning programming. Using their abilities and instincts, those are the perfect individuals to allow us to find, develop and convey our next 'Food Network Star.' " Tuschman and Food Network senior veep of promoting, creative and brand strategy Susie Fogelson will go back to handle knowing responsibilities, assisted by a number of guest idol judges. Tuschman stated the intent from the changes would be to "dial-up your competition and also the excitement." CBS Eye Too Prods. produces "Food Network Star." Principal filming is moving to NY, the show's original home, after several seasons located in La. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace': The Reviews Were In!

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"Star Wars: Episode I" returns to theaters today, in 3D. But lets flash back for a few moments to May 19th, 1999 the day The Phantom Menace was originally released. If you were a die-hard Star Wars fan, like I was, you were going to see this movie regardless of what the critics wrote about it. You ached to hear, once again, that familiar yet exciting 20th Century Fox fanfare before reading the opening crawl. You may have camped out on a dirty sidewalk for hours, days, weeks even, just so you could be one of the first to experience it. But if you werent one of those fans, you might have waited and checked out the reviews before making the decision to see The Phantom Menace. The following is a sampling of what youd have read. The Story The plot has something to do with a trade embargo being waged against a small planet called Naboo, an embargo that turns out to be a disguise for a planned full-scale invasion. Were never told what this tiny planet could possibly be worth to the enormous Trade Federation (the way we understand, in the first Star Wars, what the baddies stand to gain from the elimination of the rebel forces), so the storys basic conflict has no weight. Charles Taylor, Salon.com The Look There are new places here--new kinds of places. Consider the underwater cities, floating in their transparent membranes. The Senate chamber, a vast sphere with senators arrayed along the inside walls, and speakers floating on pods in the center. And other places: the cityscape with the waterfall that has a dizzying descent through space. And the other cities: one city Venetian, with canals, another looking like a hothouse version of imperial Rome, and a third that seems to have grown out of desert sands. Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times The Gungan Yoda puts in a cameo, but the film's designated alien is Jar Jar Binks, a rabbit-eared ambulatory lizard whose pidgin English degenerates from pseudo-Caribbean patois to Teletubby gurgle. (Although Jar Jar can be construed as grotesquely Third World and the fish faces talk like Fu Manchu, the most blatant ethnic stereotype is the hook-nosed merchant insect who owns young Anakin.) Jar Jar and his fellow Gungans suck the oxygen out of every scene; their human costars seem understandably asphyxiated. J. Hoberman, The Village Voice The Kid Based on what we see here, it doesn't seem like such an ineffable mystery that this kid will end up a wheezing, intergalactic power-mongering control freak. A slave boy who already fashions himself a Jedi knight, Anakin is a precocious brat -- the kind of kid who, in our own galaxy, might commandeer a playground and run everybody else off the jungle gym. If the psychological richness of the Star Wars movies is grounded in Darth Vader's movement in and out of the light, then it may be high time to create a new myth -- i.e., a new franchise. Peter Rainer, NY Magazine The Final Word Nothing could live up to the hype of this film. Nothing. "Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace" is a movie. It's not the Second Coming. It's not even the First Coming, depending on your religious stance. It's just a movie. ... And while I'm saddened to report that it's a deeply flawed film in terms of both story line and character development, I'm happy to note that visually it's a marvel. Paul Clinton, CNN.com "Phantom Menace" discussed this week in Talk Nerdy!

Manga UK Confirms Blu-ray Release of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection

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Manga Entertainment UK has today confirmed that the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection, which consists of four different OVA Episodes and a Digital Comic Collection, will be released into the UK later this year.

The News comes direct from MangaUK's official Twitter account, stating that not only will the OVA Collection be released in the UK, but it will also be released as part of a Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack.

At the same time as the Twitter announcement MangaUK Shared more details about the OVA Collection's content on its official Facebook page:

We are happy to announce that we will be releasing Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OVA and Digital Comic in the UK as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack in October. Aiming for 22-Oct street date. Will be online to pre-order by end of May we hopefully. This is the same release as the Funimation version in the US. Includes 2-discs, 4 x OVAs and the entire digital comic series.

The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection consists of four different and unique episodes that fill in gaps left over from the TV Series, such as an episode that explains how Izumi (aka Ed and Al's Teacher) survived on the cold harsh mountains for a month during her training.

The OVA Collection will contain the following Episodes:

- OVA 1: The Blind Alchemist
- OVA 2: Simple People
- OVA 3: Tales Of The Master
- OVA 4: Yet Another Man's Battlefield

In Addition to these 4 Episodes a Digital Comic Collection, which can be viewed on the disc, will also be included.

The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection will be released on DVD as well as a Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack on 22nd October 2012

Marketing prexy Carney departs Disney

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CarneyWith MT Carney's quiet exit as Disney president of worldwide marketing, the big question is how the studio plans to fill the position. Disney declined to comment Sunday, but sources said the departure is amicable. When Carney was hired in April 2010, skeptics questioned whether a person without a background in studio marketing could fill the role. Rumors of her exit began almost immediately, but studio execs repeatedly said they were happy with her work. Since she signed on, "Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides" passed $1 billion worldwide, while "Cars 2" hit more than $500 million. An elaborate campaign for the imminent "John Carter" is already in place, spearheaded by Carney.Carney let the studio know several months ago that she wanted to move back to NY, where she worked in the advertising biz and founded the U.S. offices of ad shop Naked. Her family also lives in Gotham. In hiring Carney, studio chief Rich Ross turned to an outsider after conducting an exhaustive search both in Hollywood and on Madison Avenue to market Disney and DreamWorks' films. So the question is whether he will look for another outsider, someone with film-marketing background, or promote from within. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com