Yesterday, Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline lead the cast of “Courage in Concert” – a benefit performance of music from Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children. Joining principal cast members Jenifer Lewis, Austin Pendleton and Frederick Weller for the benefit were the cast members from the Tony-winning revival of Hair as well as Daniel Craig, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Linda Emond and Mike Nichols. The evening served as a benefit for the American Jewish World Service and Partners In Health, both of which aim to improve the well-being of people in impoverished communities around the world. Pictures can be found in the Image Library.

Courtesy the Internet Movie Database comes a new theatrical poster for “It’s Complicated” – probably a second draft for its US release, or an international version.

A new theatrical trailer for “It’s Complicated” has been released, featuring lots of new scenes from the film. The trailer can be watched in the video archive, with captures from the additional scenes being added to the Image Library. Thanks to everybody for the heads-up!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julie Powell is coming to Blu-ray Disc and DVD on December 8. Blu-ray will be the best version to own of this summer hit and not just for the 1080p picture and lossless audio. Sony is taking advantage of Blu-ray’s extra space and BD-Live to deliver the majority of bonus features as Blu-ray exclusive.  The complete list of bonus features are as follows:

Commentary with writer/director Nora Ephron
Secret Ingredients: Creating Julie & Julia – Go behind the scenes with Meryl Streep & Amy Adams

Family & Friends Remember Julia Child (BD exclusive)
Julia’s Kitchen – Learn all about how the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History acquired Julia’s kitchen and take a tour inside. (BD exclusive)
Cooking Lessons: (BD exclusive)
Poaching Eggs with Julia Child & Jacques Pépin
Making Hollandaise Sauce with Julia Child & Jacques Pépin
Mark Peel Prepares Scrambled Eggs
Suzanne Goin Prepares Braised Beef Shortribs
Steven Lewandowski & Drew Nieporent Prepare Butter Poached Maine Lobster
movieIQ – Julia’s Recipe Collector – collect and email your favorite Julia Child recipes while watching the film! (BD exclusive)

 
Julie & Julia on Blu-ray has a retail price of $39.95. Pre-order information and cover art are expected to be released in the days ahead.

Meryl Streep and Nora Ephron were recently presented with honorary diplomas from the famed Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, France. Streep was honored for her outstanding interpretation of the legendary Julia Child and Nora Ephron for the film adaptation of the book Julie & Julia. The ceremony took place at the United States Embassy in Paris during an advance screening of the film hosted by US Ambassador Charles Rivkin; newly appointed to France by President Obama. Mr Andre Cointreau, president of Le Cordon Bleu International presented Ms. Ephron and Ms. Streep with the distinctions.  Visit Le Cordon Bleu at at www.cordonbleu.edu/julieandjulia for inspiring recipes and the latest Le Cordon Bleu events and classes worldwide.

According to the New York Times, Meryl Streep will reprise the role of Mother Courage in a one-night benefit performance of “Courage in Concert” at the Public Theater on Oct. 19. On Wednesday, the Public said in a news release that Ms. Streep, who played the title role in its 2006 Shakespeare in the Park production of Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage and Her Children,” would be rejoined by her costars from that production, including Kevin Kline, Jenifer Lewis, Austin Pendleton and Frederick Weller. The concert, which is a benefit for the American Jewish World Service and Partners in Health, will feature songs from “Mother Courage and Her Children” (translated by Tony Kushner with music by Jeanine Tesori) as well as appearances from the cast of the Broadway “Hair” revival and other special guests. The Public’s 2006 production was directed by George C. Wolfe. Tickets for the benefit will go on sale Thursday. Thanks to everybody for the heads-up!

In the past days there have been lots of new interviews with Meryl and Stanley Tucci on their European tour to promote “Julie & Julia”. Clips of various French and Spanish tv programmes were uploaded, as well as the previously announced interviews on GMTV and This Morning, yesterday. A complete list can be found below the previews. Enjoy!

Video Archive > News Segments > 2009 > This Morning (September 11, 2009)
Video Archive > News Segments > 2009 > GMTV (September 11, 2009)
Video Archive > News Segments > 2009 > Telecinco (September 09, 2009)
Video Archive > News Segments > 2009 > Sé Lo Che Hicisteis (September 09, 2009)
Video Archive > News Segments > 2009 > France 24 (September 06, 2009)
Video Archive > Miscellaneous > Le Grand Journal Interview Session (September 04, 2009)
Video Archive > Making Ofs > The Making of “Julie & Julia”

Added a very interesting making of for “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, including some new voice footage by Meryl, as well as the film’s theatrical poster. Thanks to everybody for the heas-up!

Added screencaptures and a video transcript of Meryl’s appearance on the French talkshow Le Grand Journal to promote “Julie & Julia”, yesterday. Thanks to Nora for helping me on this. Also, make sure to check the show’s official website, they have more goodies on the show. And as Meryl will be attending the Deauville Film Festival today, check back later for coverage.

According to AFP, Hollywood stars Harrison Ford, Meryl Streep and Robin Wright Penn descend on the famed French seaside resort of Deauville from Friday for the town’s annual festival of American films. Streep and Wright Penn will be on hand, respectively, for the French premieres of “Julie & Julia” and “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee”, among 16 US movies showing out of competition at the festival, which closes with its awards ceremony September 13. The festival opens tomorrow – and “Julie & Julia” is announced to premiere this Saturday, September 05. A complete schedule can be found at the festival’s official website.

Also, Meryl and Amy Adams have been announced to attend “Le Grand Journal”, tomorrow, although I’m not sure if this is a new appearance or a re-run of their interview earlier this year for “Doubt”. Thanks to everybody for the heads-up!