HBO's 'Boardwalk' tops ASC TV noms

HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" led the TV nominations for the American Society of Cinematographers' 26th annual Outstanding Achievement Awards competition with lensers David Franco and Jonathan Freeman among the five nominees for one-hour episodic television. They were nominated for the "To the Lost" and "21" episodes, respectively. Rounding out the field were David Katznelson for the pilot of PBS' "Downtown Abbey," John Lindley for ABC's "Pan Am" pilot and David Stockton for the "Narco Part 2" episode of NBC's "Chase." For movie/miniseries, the contenders are Ed Lachman (HBO's "Mildred Pierce"), Kevin Moss (Showtime's "Chicago Overcoat"), David Moxness (for the "Moral Issues and Inner Turmoil" segment of ReelzChannel's "The Kennedys"), Martin Ruhe (PBS' "Page Eight") and Wojciech Szepel (Episode 2 of PBS' "Any Human Heart"). In the newly created half-hour episodic series or pilot category, James Bagdonas ("Bixby's Back" from ABC's "Modern Family"), Michael Balfry ("Brush with Madness" for the Hub's "R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour"), Vanja Cernjul, ("Forget the Herring" from HBO's "Bored to Death"), Levie Isaacks ("Acceptance" from ABC's "Man Up") and Michael Weaver ("Suicide Solution" from Showtime's "Californication") will vie for top honors. "Narrowing down the field to these nominees was a tough task given the tremendous quality of work being done," said ASC prexy Michael Goi. "Innovation and technology has raised the bar for television viewers, and these nominees' imagery more than meets a new standard." The awards ceremony will be held Feb. 12 at the Hollywood & Highland Grand Ballroom. Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

10 of Hollywood's Priciest Pieces of History: From the 'Friends' Couch to 'Oz's' Ruby Reds

Zade Rosenthal/Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures"Thor" Marvel Studios is wasting no time in getting Thor 2 back on track after shocking Hollywood by parting ways with director Patty Jenkins on Tuesday.our editor recommends'Thor 2' Director Patty Jenkins Exits'Pretty Little Liars,' 'Thor,' Charlie Sheen Are Top Twitter Topics of 2011 Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the company is looking at two director prospects: Alan Taylor and Daniel Minahan. Taylor's most well-known feature may be 1996's Palookaville, but he has become a huge cable TV helmer, directing episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos and AMC's Mad Men, among others. He also directed the pilot for NBC's Playboy Club. Minahan also is a big name in the TV world, working on Game of Thrones, True Blood, Deadwood and Grey's Anatomy. Marvel was also in the middle of hiring a writer when the Jenkins exit occurred. Don Payne had written a draft and Sheldon Turner was among those being discussed to work on the script, but the new shortlist of possible writers consists of John Collee, whose credits include Happy Feet and Master and Commander: Far Side of the World, Robert Rodat, the scribe who created the TNT show Falling Skies and wrote Saving Private Ryan, and Roger Avary, best known for sharing an Oscar with Quentin Tarantino for writing Pulp Fiction. Jenkins beat out several other contenders for the Thor 2 directing gig when Marvel announced her as its choice in mid-October. The move put the helmer on track to be the first female director of a Marvel movie and only woman to ever direct a big-budget superhero or comic book movie. That changed when word broke on Tuesday that she and Marvel were going their separate ways over the standard excuse of "creative differences." Marvel may be moving fast on the sequel to this past summer's hit, but it does have some time on its side: Thor 2 is slated for a Nov. 15, 2013 release. Marvel declined to comment. Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Kit Email: Kim.Masters@thr.com Twitter: @KimMasters PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'Thor' Premiere Pics Thor Thor 2

Adele Is Billboards Top Artist Of 2011

First Published: December 9, 2011 1:15 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium Caption Adele performs on stage at Paradiso in Amsterdam on April 8, 2011NY, N.Y. -- If there is a best-of list for music this year, its a safe bet to put Adele on top. Billboard has declared her the No. 1 artist of 2011. Rihanna was No. 2, followed by Katy Perry, Lady Gaga andLil Wayne. The list, announced Friday, takes into account album sales, charting singles, radio airplay and other factors. Rounding out the list was Bruno Mars at No. 6, Nicki Minaj at No. 7, Taylor Swift at No. 8, Justin Bieber at No. 9 and Chris Brown at No. 10. Adeles album 21 was the best-selling of the year with 4.8 million sold. Following 21 on the list: Swifts Speak Now, Gagas Born This Way, Jason Aldeans My Kinda Party and Susan Boyles The Gift. Adele also had the most popular song with Rolling in the Deep. LMFAOs Party Rock Anthem featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock was No. 2, Perrys Firework was No. 3, her E.T. with Kanye West was No. 4 and Pitbulls Give Me Everything featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack&Nayer was No. 5. Adele was the top female artist. Lil Wayne was the top male. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

What Kevin Spacey Thinks About Using Cell Phones in Theaters

While there’s hope that one idiotic theater in Washington encouraging audiences to text during movies dies a speedy death, take heart in the actions of new Movieline hero Kevin Spacey. The actor took a stand at a recent Sydney performance of Richard III when a rude theatergoer answered their cell phone during the play. “Spacey, the would-be Duke of Gloucester, singled out the phone owner and bellowed ‘Tell them we’re busy!’,” reports the UK Telegraph. “The audience erupted in support.” Sigh. If only actors could leap off the screen to do the same in cineplexes. [Telegraph via Movie City News]