“It’s confirmed?” followed “Today” interviewer Natalie Morales.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ve confirmed that already,” Jolie said. “Well, Jack’s just confirmed it actually.”

“Is that true?” Black said jokingly.

“Yeah, you did,” Jolie replied.

“Sorry,” Black said.

“She said: ‘What do you know about Jack? It’s hard to get revenge because he’s so out there. He has no secrets!’”

CANNES, France, May 18 /PRNewswire/ – The Weinstein Company announced today at the Cannes Film Festival that Harvey Weinstein will produce Paulo Coelho’s international best-selling novel “The Alchemist” and that The Weinstein Company will hold exclusive world-wide motion picture and television rights for the film.

Glen Basner, President of The Weinstein Company International, will handle global sales. “The Alchemist” was packaged by the Paradigm Motion Picture Finance Group and represents Laurence Fishburne, the star, director and producer of the project, along with manager Helen Sugland, and attorneys Nina Shaw and Jeff Finkelstein.

Today’s announcement builds on the Weinstein’s success of adapting beloved literary classics including “The English Patient,” “Cider House Rules,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Cold Mountain” to film. Since its debut in Brazil in 1988, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” has captured the hearts and minds of millions of readers across the world selling over 30 million copies and reaching first place on best-seller lists in 18 countries. The book has also captivated a new generation of readers and has appeared on The New York Times bestseller list for 34 weeks, placing at #6 on this week’s paperback trade fiction list.

The Weinstein Company is currently in negotiations with an Academy Award(R) winning screenwriter to adapt the novel into a screenplay, which will be announced shortly. Production teams from past Weinstein produced films, such as “Gangs of New York,” “Cold Mountain,” “The English Patient,” and “The Aviator,” will be brought on board to work on the film. As producer, Harvey Weinstein has already begun to scout locations all over the world.

Various locations in Europe, as well as the Middle East, including Jordan, Abu Dhabi and Northern Africa will serve as backdrops for this global shoot. To join Fishburne in the cast, a search in Spain and Latin America for the role of Santiago will start shortly and other stars are expected to be announced to round out the cast.

Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company stated: “Personally producing a project is rare for me, but bringing ‘The Alchemist’ to the screen has been my dream. It is a spiritual and moving story and I am thrilled to be working side by side with Laurence. The pieces are now in place to jump start this project and we are eager to get going.”

Paulo Coelho stated: “I am very happy that my book will be filmed in the way I intended it to be and I hope the spirit and simplicity of my work will be preserved. I am excited my friend Laurence Fishburne and Harvey Weinstein will be working together.”

In addition to Weinstein, as previously announced, Laurence Fishburne (”Akeelah and the Bee,” “The Matrix,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”) will direct, star and produce the adaptation along with his producing partner Helen Sugland (”Akeelah and the Bee,” “Once in the Life,” “Five Fingers”) and their production company Cinema Gypsy. Paula Weinstein (”Blood Diamond,” “The Perfect Storm,” “Analyze This”) and Kathy Morgan are serving as executive producers, along with Steven Markoff (”Alpha Dog,” “Timber Falls”) and Bruce McNall (”Timber Falls,” Weekend at Bernie’s”) from A-Mark Entertainment.

Said Laurence Fishburne: “This is a special project that now has a special team behind it to ensure that its path to the big screen is handled with the proper care it deserves. I am looking forward to directing it, acting in it, and collaborating with Harvey Weinstein to produce a beautiful film that will do justice to Paulo’s enormously successful novel.”

“We are so pleased we were able to assist our client and friend Laurence Fishburne get his passion project, this beautiful book and story made into a film with Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Company, who understand how to make and market material as rare and exceptional as this,” stated Sam Gores, Chairman of Paradigm.

“The Alchemist” is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist. The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, above all, following our dreams.

Paulo Coelho is one of the most successful authors of all time. His books have sold over 100 million copies, have been translated into 67 languages and released in more than 150 countries.

“The Alchemist” joins TWC’s diverse slate of adaptations of best-selling novels including “Youth in Revolt,” “The Reader,” and “Wolf Boy.”

About The Weinstein Company

The Weinstein Company (TWC) was created by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films Corporation in 1979. TWC is a multi-media company that officially launched on October 1, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that was founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, is also included under the TWC banner.

During the Weinsteins’ tenure at Miramax Films the company released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films which received 249 Academy Award(R) nominations and won 60 Oscars(R), have generated billions of dollars in worldwide box office receipts and billions more in home video sales. In its history, Dimension Films has released some of the most successful franchises including “Scream,” “Spy Kids” and “Scary Movie.”

Ever imagine what it would be like to live where zombies are status symbols?  Well…me either.  But you can experience that kind of world in Fido, and it is pretty amusing.  This movie is kind of a mix between Shaun of the Dead comedy, “Leave it to Beaver” time period, and a “Lassie” plotline.  Did I confuse you, or make you more intrigued?  I hope it’s the latter.   Yes, it’s another dark comedy.  Zombies eating people for laughs usually falls under that category, and for me personally it doesn’t get old…just like in Shaun of the Dead.  Fido also takes place in an idyllic time period, the 50’s.  Where women stayed at home and husbands earned the money…hence “Leave it to Beaver” – not to mention all the costumes remind me of that TV show too.  Now, how did I get to “Lassie” you might be wondering, well that’s kind of the plot of the movie only replace the dog with a zombie named Fido (Billy Connolly, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events).  You still have the kid named Timmy (this time played by K’Sun Ray) who is always finding himself in tight spots and needs rescuing.   

So now that I’m done with my comparisons, on to the actual plot of Fido.  The Zombie Wars have ended, and a company called Zomcon has figured out a way to employ the zombies in every day activities by having them wear collars that control their bloodlust, and let humans have control over them with a remote.  Not all zombies are employed though, as some are banished to the Outlands.  Most families though do own at least one zombie (the more you own, the richer you must be) and zombies are also employed in many different jobs like paperboys and milkmen. 

The Robinson’s live in this community but are the only family on the block to not own a zombie.  Bill Robinson (Dylan Baker, Happiness) is obsessed with funerals, since they bury the dead person’s head in a lead box therefore preventing it from coming back as a zombie.  He also would rather play golf then spend time with his son or wife (Carrie-Anne Moss, The Matrix).  One-day Timmy’s mom brings home a zombie to impress the new neighbors.  At first the zombie annoys Timmy, but when he saves him from some bullies they become fast friends. Everything is going great between Timmy and Fido, until his collar goes off and he eats one of the neighbors.  Oops.  Now Timmy must keep Fido’s bloodlust a secret, but in the end this secret will bring the whole family together. 

I found this movie to be quite funny.  I especially enjoyed Tim Blake Nelson’s (The Good Girl) character as the family’s neighbor who comes to Timmy’s aide more than once. His interactions with his zombie were some of the funnier points of the movie.  But this movie isn’t just a comedy, or even a zombie movie; it’s more of a satire on America.  It really shows how people want to do things just because other people are doing it, like owning a zombie – surely that can’t be safe.  Zomcon could be almost any big name company nowadays, hiding the truth from the people for their own gain and benefit.  Of course this movie is nothing compared to George A. Romero’s work, but the writers (Robert Chomiak, Dennis Heaton, and the director Andrew Currie) still do a nice job.

I’d probably rate this movie B.  It was definitely funny, and had sweet moments but things kind of fall apart towards the end.  If you were a fan of Shaun of the Dead, I’d recommend giving Fido a viewing.

Daniel (Matthew McFadden) is faced with the difficult task of presiding over his father’s funeral. All the careful planning soon goes awry as his family and friends struggle through mishaps and a shocking secret at the family manor. The only question is whether Daniel can send his father off with the dignity he deserved.

I’ve only ever heard good things about this film. A black comedy that’s ‘insanely hilarious’ says the box and looking at the cast I figured it can’t go wrong, Matthew McFadden and Keeley Hawes (Spooks), Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting), Alan Tudyk (Serenity), Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent), Kris Marshall (My Life in Film). I really was anticipating watching a fine British comedy. Unfortunately I was hugely disappointed

This was obviously meant to be a farce, and because of that I don’t mind you can see the jokes coming. It’s the nature of the comedy. The humor comes from seeing how the characters react to a situation as it disintegrates. And, a funeral is the perfect setting. A dead body, a slightly dysfunctional family coming together with some oddball friends are perfect ingredients. I can imagine Peter Sellers or Alec Guinness rubbing their hands at the prospect of the ensuing madness. However, the script fails to bring the sense of impending doom that’s needed as the wheels begin to fall off.

I think Alan Tudyk got the shortest straw. His character has an unfortunate mishap with a hallucinogenic drug. All well and good, except he never gets to interact with the other characters in a funny way. He just bounces around looking dazed and confused. Peter Dinklage, as the man holding the dark and shocking secret, was the best performance in the movie. He played the character well, but had the advantage of having something in the script to work with.

Unfortunately, the only other good thing I have to say is about the opening title scene. So, I’ve had a quick look at the credits to find out they were done by Brandt Animation. Hats off to you guys, I liked the animated coffin.

I don’t think the director, Frank Oz could have done much more than he did. The movie moves at a decent pace and you certainly feel as if you’re at a funeral. I should really make a joke like ‘it’s because all the actors are mourning the script’ but it awkwardly comes close to being the truth.

It seems that a lot of people liked this film, and I might be in the minority, but I thought it was dreadfully flat and a waste of some great acting talent. By the end I felt a bit sorry for Matthew McFadden trying to play the straight man in a comedy of few laughs. Watch it and see what you think.