Granik's 'Winter's Bone' wins two IFFBoston awards

The Ozarks-set flick "Winter's Bone," directed by Debra Granik and starring actor John Hawkes known as Bugsy from the made-in-Gloucester film "The Perfect Storm" and roles in "Deadwood" and "Lost," scored two top prizes at the Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) including the special jury prize and audience award for narrative feature.

Unleashed to the masses on Friday, April 23 at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, "Winter's Bone" follows a 17-year-old girl as she as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.

In addition to its list of 2010 winner,s IFFBoston announced that its last-minute closing night film switcheroo, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s latest masterpiece "Micmacs" was screened in place of James Franco's documentary "Saturday Night," sold out in less than 48 hours.

Below are the IFFBoston's top award winners:

• Grand jury prize for narrative feature is "Down Terrace," directed by Ben Wheatley
• Special jury prize for narrative feature is "Winter's Bone," directed by Debra Granik
• Audience award for narrative feature is "Winter's Bone," directed by Debra Granik
• Grand jury prize for documentary feature is "The Oath," directed by Laura Poitras
• Special jury prize for documentary feature is "Marwencol," directed by Jeff Malmberg
• Audience award for documentary feature is "Family Affair," directed by Boston-based filmmaker Chico Colvard
  

Click here for the latest on IFFBoston 2010.

--Photos by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo

De Niro, Harris and Freeman toast the Kennedys

Camelot heading to the Symphony Hall this Spring Pops season?

Acclaimed actors Robert De Niro, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman give life to the words of John, Robert and Edward Kennedy, respectively, when they join conductor Keith Lockhart, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus for the world premiere performance of "The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19 at Symphony Hall in Boston.

This new multi-media work combines quotes from speeches by the Kennedy brothers with original text and video, accompanied by a dramatic orchestral and choral score.

For the record, the title of the work was taken from the closing lines of the late, great Ted Kennedy’s speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The celebrity love fest honoring the Kennedy brothers will continue this summer.

Alec Baldwin from "30 Rock," who recently spoke at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, is slotted to narrate "The Dream Lives On" at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (parent organization of the Boston Pops) at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18 in Lenox.

On Sunday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m., Oscar-winning actor Chris Cooper, who lives in Massachusetts, will serve as narrator for a special performance of the new work on the Hyannis Village Green in Hyannis.

Click here for the lowdown.

--Photos courtesy of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

'What's Your Number?' film on the hunt for extras

Here comes the bride? Casting scouts with the upcoming made-in-Boston flick "What's Your Number," starring Anna Faris from "The House Bunny" and "Scary Movie," is holding an open casting call for union-members only over 18-years-old on Friday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 537 Tremont Street in Boston.

On Friday, May 7 from 2-7 p.m., they're holding an open casting call at Boston Teacher's Union Hall, located at 180 Mount Vernon St., in Dorchester.

Slotted to film from Friday, May 14 to Thursday, July 1, "What's Your Number?" follows Faris' character Delilah who looks back at the past 20 men she's dated in her life and wonders if one of them might be Mr. Right.

Chris Evans, the homegrown actor originally from Sudbury known for his work in "Fantastic Four" and the upcoming "Captain America," is teaming up with Faris as her womanizing next-door neighbor.

Other actors attached to the "What's Your Number?" project include Andy Samberg from "Saturday Night Live"and Zachary Quinto who stars as Spock in the 2009 "Star Trek" remake and, of course, is "Sylar" from "Heroes."

They're shooting three wedding scenes, ranging from a blue-collar bash to a big-fat Italian wedding to a young/corporate soiree--so here's your chance to whip out that barely used bridesmaid gown.

CP Casting is also on the hunt for:

• Young business types
• Bistro/upscale restaurant patrons
• Waitstaff
• Upscale ladies who lunch
• Young/hip nightclub goers
• Barney's department store shoppers
• Theme-inspired wedding guests, including bridesmaids and groomsmen
  

Click here for the latest on "What's Your Number?"

WCVB-TV's 'Chronicle' re-airs 'Star Gazing' segment

WCVB-TV's "Chronicle" is re-airing its "Hollywood Star Gazing" segment featuring LoadedGunBoston.com on Tuesday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.

The TV package was shot in October 2009, and follows a day-in-the-life of the LGB crew tracking the slew of made-in-Boston film action including "Knight and Day" with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, "The Town" with Ben Affleck, Jon Hamm and Blake Lively and "Zookeeper" with Kevin James and Rosario Dawson.

Some behind-the-scenes buzz? We had a minor issue with security on the set of "Knight and Day" at the Massport Haul Road rotary in South Boston near the Bank of America Pavilion on Northern Ave. The cameraman inched a bit too close to the off-limits set.

The scene involved some shoot 'em up action in the Waterfront district--prop guns were fired--with Diaz in the back seat of a getaway car propped up on a filming rig with two CIA-type guys driving in the front seat.

Meanwhile, Tom Cruise was riding shotgun in the rear of the rig and stepped in front of the camera as the day progressed.

After following "Knight and Day," we zipped over to Copley Square where Cambridge homeboy Ben Affleck was shooting a scene for "The Town." The "Chronicle" team ended up getting some great footage while director Affleck was setting up the shot in front of the Copley Square fountain.

Since that busy day in October, made-in-Boston movie production has slowed down a bit. Good news? Filming will heat up again in May.

Chris Evans, the homegrown actor originally from Sudbury known for his work in "Fantastic Four" and the upcoming "Captain America," is teaming up with "The House Bunny" actress Anna Faris in the locally shot movie "What's Your Number?" which is slotted to begin shooting in Boston next month.

In September, crews with the previously benched baseball flick with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill called "Moneyball," based on Michael Lewis' book about Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, are reportedly filming scenes in Boston.

Also, buzz surrounding the locally shot TV pilot for ABC called "Boston's Finest," starring Katee Sackhoff from "Battlestar Galactica" and "ER" alum Goran Visnjic, is positive. If the pilot is picked up, expect an onslaught of filming action for the series hitting Boston in the near future.

Meanwhile, we're looking to publish a limited-edition magazine version of the blog geared toward tourists visiting Boston. Think of it as a star maps for made-in-Massachusetts movie buffs.

Our goal is to launch it in late May/June. Interested in advertising in the premiere issue? Contact me at sjbaltrusis@yahoo.com.

Click here for the lowdown on the WCVB-TV segment airing on "Chronicle."

--Photos by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo

IFFBoston announces closing night film switcheroo

Say bye-bye to James Franco's documentary "Saturday Night," a flick taking an in-depth look behind the scenes of one week creating an episode of "Saturday Night Live."

The actor's documentary was slotted to close the Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) on Wednesday, April 28 at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.

The show will go on, but not with Franco's film.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the film 'Saturday Night' will not be shown," announces IFFBoston organizers via a release.

Instead, the popular festival announced today that the closing night film of the 2010 festival will be the New England premiere of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s latest masterpiece, "Micmacs." This visually stunning and highly imaginative film by the international celebrated director is in the same vein as his previous works including "Amelie," "Delicatessen" and "City of Lost Children."

The screening will take place on Wednesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. Tickets are $12 and are available at the door.

The IFFBoston, complete with over 150 film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, visiting filmmakers, parties and events continues to showcase the works of filmmakers who seek to create films that are life changing, thought provoking and expose aspects of life in new and revealing manners.

Click here for the latest on IFFBoston 2010.

The week in quotes from Hollywood in the Hub

"Brookline Booksmith much? See you there, Massholes!"

--Comedian Sarah Silverman, author of "The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee," tweets about her sold-out reading at the Coolidge Corner Theatre and her much-hyped visit to the Brookline Booksmith on Friday, April 23.

"On the T and it smells like pee. I swear to God it wasn't me."

--Amber Benson from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," in town to promote her indie flick "Drones" which screened at the IFFBoston on Saturday, April 24, muses about her recent MBTA experience.

"You have to take the piss out of yourself first so nobody else can."

--Brendan Fraser, star of the made-in-Topsfield comedy "Furry Vengeance," says he had to endure a lot during the making of the locally shot movie including gaining 40 lbs. and being covered with 400 gallons of fake animal waste.

"Our team simply chose to move on from Lindsay and we'll soon be announcing a replacement."

--David Michaels, writer and director of the upcoming made-in-Massachusetts flick "The Other Side," says troubled actress Linsday Lohan has been booted from the New England-set movie.

"'RoboCop' is America's Jesus."

--Director Paul Verhoeven, in Boston to promote his new book "Jesus of Nazareth" on Monday, April 12 at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, finds an unlikely recurring motif with the 1987 flick and his new tome.--Sarah Silverman photos by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo

John Hawkes heats up IFFBoston's 'Winter's Bone'

Actor John Hawkes, known as Bugsy from the made-in-Gloucester film "The Perfect Storm" and roles in "Deadwood" and "Lost," sizzles as "Teardrop" in the Ozarks-set flick "Winter's Bone," which he unleashed to the masses at the Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) on Friday, April 23 at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

Director Debra Granik (pictured below) accompanied Hawkes to the screening of the Sundance Jury Prize winner following a 17-year-old girl as she as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.

Other narrative flick picks hitting the IFFBoston? Here's our list:

On Saturday, April 24, director and star Katie Aselton screens "The Freebie" at 5:15 p.m. (Som 3) about a young couple who agree to break from monogamy for just one night.

Indie director Todd Solondz, known for his 1998 flick "Happiness," will present "Life During Wartime" (Som 5) at 9:30 p.m.

At 10:30 p.m., Amber Benson from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" unveils her feature "Drones," about a guy who is shocked out of his dull, everyday work routine when he discovers that his co-workers aren't exactly from this planet.

On Sunday, April 25 at 7 p.m. (Som 1), Boston homeboy Casey Affleck stars in "The Killer Inside Me," based on a '50s pulp story by Jim Thompson following a charming, unassuming small-town sheriff deputy named Lou Ford as he juggles his long-term girlfriend Amy (Kate Hudson) and a prostitute named Joyce (Jessica Alba).

"Putty Hill," a doc-fiction hybrid showcasing marginalized youth and people on the fringes of society, is co-produced by BU grad Matt Porterfield and screens at 8 p.m. (Som 4).

On Monday, April 26 at 7 p.m. (Som 3), Patricia Clarkson plays a fashion magazine editor who tries to meet her husband on a three-week vacation but ends up hooking up with his friend Tareq in "Cairo Time."

Click here for the latest on IFFBoston 2010.--John Hawkes and IFFBoston photos by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo

Kevin Kline opens IFFBoston with 'The Extra Man'

Actor Kevin Kline, starring in Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's "The Extra Man" with Paul Dano, Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly, kicked off opening night festivities of the Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) on Wednesday, April 21 at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

Kline, who made the trek to Somerville with director Pulcini to unveil "The Extra Man," received the IFFBoston Career Achievement Award to recognize his impressive overall body of work as an actor.

When asked by Loaded Gun Boston how he felt about receiving the award, he mused: "I'm honored."

In the flick, Kline stars as a playwright who teaches Dano from "Little Miss Sunshine" and the upcoming made-in-Boston film "Knight and Day" how to be an escort for wealthy women.

The 8th annual festival continues until Wednesday, April 28. The IFFBoston, complete with over 150 film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, visiting filmmakers, parties and events will showcase the works of filmmakers who seek to create films that are life changing, thought provoking and expose aspects of life in new and revealing manners.

Other special guests expected to attend the festival this year include Amber Benson "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," John Hawkes from "Deadwood" and "Lost," director Todd Solondz and a slew of others.

Loaded Gun Boston plans to serve up extensive coverage of the IFFBoston this year. Click here for the latest.

Also, click here for more information on Boston's Independent Film Festival.--Kevin Kline and IFFBoston photos by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo

Boston native Linas Phillips unveils 'Bass Ackwards'

Boston-bred filmmaker and actor Linas Phillips, known for his documentary “Walking to Werner,” is on the road again.

Next stop? He's unveiling his latest indie flick "Bass Ackwards" to the hometown crowd at the Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 23 at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

But, don't expect the 34-year-old to drive up in the beat up '76 Volkswagen van he literally drove across America while making the film.

"I thought about bringing it to the screening on Friday, but there may be issues with ticketing," he tells Loaded Gun Boston, phoning from his new home in Brooklyn.

In "Bass Ackwards," Phillips decides to drive from Seattle to his parent’s house in Dedham after he's kicked off his friend’s couch and rejected by his married lover.

"It's a sweet, road-trip movie about a guy who travels cross-country and meets a lot of people and ultimately ends up finding himself along the way," Phillips explains.

The dented VW van that he finds on a llama farm outside of Seattle, which surprisingly made the trek from the West Coast to Massachusetts, serves as a metaphor of the fragility of the human condition in the film.

And, as the NYU grad spills to Loaded Gun Boston, it continues to reside in his father's backyard in Dedham.

"Yes, it's still there," he jokes, adding that he shot several scenes for the film in Massachusetts, including a dream sequence in Cape Cod and his childhood home in Dedham. "The film's alternative ending was actually shot in Boston, but I decided to have it end in New York because it made more sense. But, we did end up driving the VW van to Dedham where it still lives."

In addition to screening "Bass Ackwards" on Friday, Phillips is participating in a panel discussion called "Working Boston Sides of the Camera: Actors Who Direct, Directors Who Act" at noon on Saturday, April 24 at the Somerville Theatre with Katie Aselton from "The Freebie," Amber Benson from "Drones" and Lena Dunham from "Tiny Furniture."

When asked if he has any advice for young, up-and-coming filmmakers, Phillips says the IFFBoston is a good place to start.

"Going to these types of festivals is a great way to meet people in the industry," he adds.

Click here for more information on Boston's Independent Film Festival and here for the lowdown on "Bass Ackwards."

'What's Your Number?' flick will film in Boston

Chris Evans, the homegrown actor originally from Sudbury known for his work in "Fantastic Four" and the upcoming "Captain America," is teaming up with "The House Bunny" actress Anna Faris in the locally shot movie "What's Your Number?" which is slotted to begin shooting in Boston next month.

The made-in-Massachusetts flick follows Faris' character Delilah who looks back at the past 20 men she's dated in her life and wonders if one of them might be Mr. Right.

Other actors attached to the "What's Your Number?" project include Andy Samberg from "Saturday Night Live"and Zachary Quinto who stars as Spock in the 2009 "Star Trek" remake and, of course, is "Sylar" from "Heroes."

The film, slotted to begin filming in May, is based on Karyn Bosnak’s book "20 Times a Lady." Sudbury-bred actor Evans is attached to play Faris' womanizing next-door neighbor.

Evans has expressed interest to make the return trek home to Boston in the past.

“Anytime I hear a movie that might be filming in Boston, it shoots up on my priority list," he says here. "I did grow up in Sudbury, but all my friends live in Boston, so we pretty much hit sleazy, dirty Boston bars."

Click here for the latest on "What's Your Number?"

--Photo for Loaded Gun Boston by Ryan Miner

Boston Public Library showcases local filmmakers

The Boston Public Library, the Copley Square mainstay that has been a hotbed of made-in-Boston film action including an elaborate chase sequence for Cameron Diaz's flick called "The Box" as well as a location in Tom Cruise's upcoming spy flick "Knight and Day," continues its free film series called "Made in Massachusetts" showcasing local filmmakers.

Writers, producers, and directors will describe their works and take questions at each of the four Monday night film screenings planned in May.

Here's the lineup:

• May 3, "On Broadway" with writer/director Dave McLaughlin. "On Broadway" tells the story of a Boston man who produces a play in back room of his neighborhood pub.
• May 10, "The Lost Son of Havana" with producer Kris Meyer. A heartwarming 2009 documentary about Luis Tiant, the Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox in the 1970s.
• May 17, "What’s Going On Up There?" with writer/producer/director Maryanne Galvin. This documentary explores the pros and cons of the future of space exploration through the eyes of local artists, scientists, attorneys and potential travelers.
• May 24, "Touching the Game: The Story of the Cape Cod Baseball League" with writer-producer Jim Carroll. This feature-length documentary tells the story of the Cape Cod Baseball League, the most prestigious amateur summer league in the U.S.
  

With a roster of movies dating back to 1937's "Captains Courageous" to recent films including "The Box" and "Pink Panther 2," screenings are free and are slotted for Mondays at 6 p.m. at the Boston Public Library’s Rabb Lecture Hall at the Central Library in Copley Square.

Click here for the Boston Public Library's online calendar.

'Jersey Shore' spin-off promises 'Wicked Summer'

Gasp, the rumors are true. Casting scouts responsible for MTV's "Jersey Shore" are fist pumping their way to the Boston area to film a "masshole" spin-off version of the popular reality show.

Its name? Producers are calling the show "Wicked Summer."

Yep, instead of Italian-American "guidos" and "guidettes," the Boston-area house will sport a crew of "iconic Massachusetts types" who possess a nearly carnal love for the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins; operates motor vehicles in an aggressive fashion; drinks Narragansett Light and overuses the adjective "wicked."

According to the casting call here, Doron Ofir is on the prowl for "blue collar, hard working, harder partying, tough talking, damn good-looking Mass natives from all over the state."

The ad continues, "We are seeking quintessential and iconic Massachusetts types, from long-time dock workers to fisherman, beer guzzlers to chowder lovers, Fenway fanatics to the men and women in blue, cabbies to yachtsman, cheerleaders to Brookline babes. Represent your state with pride!"

The shocker? Ofir is opening the casting call beyond MTV's typical under-25 age cap. In fact, they're looking for all types between 21 and 80.

Reports here say "Wicked Summer" producers haven't secured a network slot yet, but the second season of "Jersey Shore" returns to MTV on July 29.

Click here for the casting lowdown and here for the latest on "Wicked Summer."

'Project Runway' sartorialists heading to Boston

Lifetime's "Project Runway," currently catwalking its way through season 7, is heading to Boston with two personalities hitting the Boston area this week.

On Sunday, April 11, recent "Project Runway" castaway Jonathan Joseph Peters, who currently lives in Providence, is showcasing his bridal collection at Boston Spirit magazine's gay and lesbian wedding expo from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental located at 776 Boylston St.

In the recent edition of the bi-monthly GLBT pub, Peters says his style is where gritty meets pretty. "I never look to make something cutting edge. I hate that," he says, giving props to Coco Chanel as his style inspiration.

Peters will give one-on-one consultations at the free event. Click here to RSVP.

On Wednesday, April 14, the show's ultimate sartorialist and long-time "Project Runway" mentor, Tim Gunn, will "make it work" at the Kate Spade shop located 117 Newbury St. from 6-8 p.m. The guru will serve up spring style tips and fans who spend $100 or more will get a photo taken with the reality TV star.

On Thursday, April 5, Gunn is heading to Bloomingdale's located at 225 Boylston St. from 6-8 p.m at the Chestnut Hill Mall.

Speaking of "Project Runway," casting scouts are on the prowl for season 8. Applicants must be over 21 and, of course, have a passion for fashion. Deadline is Thursday, April 22.

Click here for the lowdown.

iPhone application debuts at Boston film festival

The iPhone application called "Walking Cinema: Murder on Beacon Hill," a location-based adventure augmented with film-festival worthy video helping folks sleuth around the city to solve a Beacon Hill crime, will appear on the silver screen at the AMC Boston Common theatre on Sunday, April 18 as part of the Boston International Film Festival (BIFF).

A film fest first? Patrick Jerome, the director of BIFF, believes it's the first time an iPhone app has made the festival-circuit cut.

“We were just blown away at how watchable the story is in a theatrical setting,” Jerome says in a statement, adding that BIFF viewers will watch all 33 parts of the video on the big screen. “It’s quick-paced, full of juicy details, and, to our knowledge, it’s the first location-based application to screen at a film festival.”

The iPhone app, developed by Boston-based Untravel Media, follows the well-to-do Dr. George Parkman after he suddenly disappears in Nov. 1849. In the real-life mystery, the police conduct an extensive search of the city and dredge the Charles River.

According to the true story, Parkman had last been seen walking toward the Harvard Medical College. The Medical School's janitor, Ephraim Littlefield, who had a suspicion where Parkman might be found, spent two grueling nights tunneling beneath a basement laboratory looking for clues. What Littlefield discovered horrified Boston and led to one of the most sensational trials in American history.

The application contains footage from "Murder at Harvard," a PBS documentary crafted by Arlington-based director Eric Strange.

Click here for the lowdown.

The week in quotes from Hollywood in the Hub

"Please, for your own safety, please stay in the booth."

--In the new "Knight and Day" trailer, Tom Cruise takes control over Cameron Diaz's character in a scene shot at Gaslight Brasserie located at 560 Harrison Ave. in SoWa. As previously reported by Loaded Gun via Twitter, the release of the made-in-Boston flick "Knight and Day" is moving from July 2 to June 25.

"Ben is half of one of the greatest love stories ever told. Not with me. The actual prototype for the great Hollywood bromance. Here's proof that love is alive and well in Hollywood. At least for my darling husband and my husband's darling husband."

--Actress Jennifer Garner, wife of Ben Affleck and jokester at Matt Damon's 4th American Cinematheque Award roast, says the two Cambridge homeboys are the prototype of the quintessential Hollywood bromance.

"I think it’s going to East Coast because there’s something about that New England Boston sensibility that feels right for this, but we haven’t decided yet."

--David Howe, president of the SyFy network, alludes to the rumors that Americanized version of the BBC hit "Being Human," following the trials of a vampire, werewolf and ghost sharing a flat, may be set and possibly shot in Boston.

"Are y'all sitting down? The grand total raised for Camp Hale with your bids/buys is $23,086.66! I'm vah-clempt. Talk amongst yah-selves!"

--Watertown native Eliza Dushku tweets that her auction selling a bevy of items from her closet to benefit Camp Hale, a local non-profit group responsible for sending low-income kids from Boston to camp at Squam Lake in New Hampshire, was a huge success.

--Tom Cruise photo by Ryan Miner, Beantown Photo

'Boston's Finest' filming at Copley Square's BPL

Crews with the locally shot TV pilot for ABC called "Boston's Finest," starring Katee Sackhoff from "Battlestar Galactica" and "ER" alum Goran Visnjic, are setting up shop at the Boston Public Library as well as the streets behind the Orange Line T stop between Columbus Ave and Stuart on Clarendon Street, with the Back Bay filming slotted for Saturday, April 3.

"I was walking by the Boston Public Library earlier tonight and I noticed filming equipment. There were filming signs on the street around the library that said they would be filming from Friday, April 2 until Tuesday, April 6," says one Loaded Gun tipster. "There were also cones surrounding the entire library so the trailers and vehicles can be parked there this weekend."

"Boston's Finest" stars Sackhoff as a detective who teams with a disgraced ex-cop (Visnjic) to solve crimes and untangle the conspiracy that sent him underground. Nia Long ("Alfie") has also joined the cast, as her friend, mentor and partner.

Also, actors Treat Williams, Jason Wiles and celeb offspring Kate Burton are co-starring in the pilot.

The Boston Public Library has been a hotbed of made-in-Boston film action including an elaborate chase sequence for Cameron Diaz's flick called "The Box" as well as a location in Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz's upcoming spy flick "Knight and Day."

In addition to "Knight and Day" and "The Box," the BPL has been a favorite location for filmmakers. In early October 2009, Copley Square was transformed into a Hollywood-esque movie lot with the cast of the Adam Sandler-produced "Zookeeper," including Kevin James, Rosario Dawson and Leslie Bibb, filming scenes at the upscale Fairmont Copley Plaza. For the scene, designers lit up the Boston Public Library with dramatic lighting.

Also, back in September 2007, the Boston Public Library was the scene of the crime in "The Pink Panther 2" starring Steve Martin as Inspector Jacques Clouseau. While filming at the BPL, there were reports that a priceless marble bust was knocked on the floor of the Grand Staircase. Fortunately, the damage wasn't caused by the movie crews.

On Tuesday, April 6, crews filmed on the South Boston side of the Summer Street bridge. Word is there was simulated shoot 'em up action in the Southie location used for a slew of made-in-Boston films including "The Departed," "Surrogates" and "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

Click here for the latest on "Boston's Finest."
--Copley Square photo by Ryan Miner and Sackhoff photo courtesy of Mike Giannattasio

IMAX heading to AMC Boston Common 19 theatre

In lieu of the recent news that there's a movie ticket price hike to cover costs for 3D and IMAX movies, AMC Boston Common 19 announced that they're building a new IMAX theatre slotted to open on Friday, May 7.

Time to whip out those stylish 3D glasses.

The opening-night flick? “Iron Man 2: The IMAX Experience,” which has been digitally re-mastered for the new theatre's format exclusively for presentation in the IMAX auditorium at the AMC Boston Common screen.

Upcoming Hollywood movies to be released in IMAX’s format include: “Shrek Forever After” (May 21); “Toy Story 3” (June 18); “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” (June 30); “Inception” (July 16); and “Tron: Legacy” (Dec. 13).

The IMAX® theatre at the AMC Boston Common, located at 175 Tremont St., has been custom-designed for a multiplex. To maximize the field of view in the modified auditorium, the screen was replaced with a larger, slightly curved and specially treated IMAX screen positioned closer to the audience.

The opening of the IMAX theatre at AMC Boston Common 19 is part of a joint-venture agreement by AMC and IMAX to install 100 IMAX digital projection systems at AMC locations in 33 major U.S. markets.

Click here to follow IMAX on Twitter.