Film restorer John Lowry dies

John D. Lowry, a specialist in film restoration who was set to receive an Academy Plaque for his innovative Lowry Process at Feb. 11's Scientific and Technical Awards, died Jan. 21. He was 79. With several colleagues, Lowry developed what AMPAS described as a "unique and efficient system for the reduction of noise and other artifacts, thereby providing high-quality images required by the filmmaking process." Lowry's company enhanced the image quality on dozens of films, including recent pics such as "Avatar" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and classics such as "Gone With the Wind," "Citizen Kane," "Sunset Boulevard," "Singin' in the Rain," "Roman Holiday" and "Dr. Zhivago." Lowry founded his company in 1988 as Lowry Digital Images. It later became DTS Digital Images under the ownership of DTS from 2005-08 but the Burbank-based firm eventually became part of India's Reliance Big Entertainment Group. Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Lowry. He was a visionary who brought unprecedented technological and imaging advancements to the motion picture industry. His work has been used to restore some of the most prestigious classic films of the century and respected for the standards and excellence the tools stood for." In addition to its work restoring historically significant films, Lowry Digital has become increasingly expert in work on 3D films. Jon Landau, co-producer of "Avatar," which won an Oscar for visual effects, said: "Lowry Digital's innovative digital image processing helped us create the wholly immersive world that (director and co-producer James Cameron) imagined. We brought Lowry in to clean up and enhance live-action scenes where necessary, allowing us to present 3D images with unprecedented quality." Lowry was also involved in the transfer of Cameron's "Titanic" to 3D. Born in Toronto, Lowry started in the entertainment industry as a stagehand at the CBC in 1952. In 1971 he gained recognition in the industry for his algorithms used in the restoration of the NASA Apollo missions 16 and 17 films. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Pilot Season: CBS Orders Greg Berlanti Drama Pilot Golden Boy

Greg Berlanti CBS has bought an plane pilot for Greg Berlanti's Golden Boy. The primary one-hour drama tales one cop's meteoric rise from officer to detective to Police Commissioner. Nicholas Wootton will write and executive-produce alongside Berlanti, who offers drama aircraft aircraft pilots at Fox (Guilty) as well as the CW (Arrow). Pilot Season: CBS Orders Jerry Bruckheimer Drama Trooper CBS formerly acquired the aircraft aircraft pilots Elementary, a modern day to experience a Virtual Detective, an activity from Jerry Bruckheimer, the legal drama Baby Large Shot, plus an untitled Nick Stoller comedy.

Katherine Heigl Blogs About Motherhood, 'Having It All'

Ever desired to have girl time with Katherine Heigl? She informs all of you her fears and worries and also you say, "No, Kat," that is what you call her, "You are so pretty and excellent!Inch Well, you can now. Type of. Heigl has became a member of Denise Richards, Alanis Morissette and Ricki Lake (a fascinating selection) as iVillage's latest celebrity blogger. All of this-star blogging team comprises the site's CelebVillage section, a forum for celebs to talk about their insight and private struggles for the internet to determine. (Quite simply: stars, they are much like us!) Each blogger creates four posts, that are released throughout the path of per month. Last Year, the actress adopted a daughter and her first publish is devoted to attempting to reconcile motherhood and dealing. (Seem just like a movie she'd star in?) "I requested myself that which was wrong beside me. How do i wish to leave my child to return to work? How do i miss all individuals important little moments together with her to complete anything significant make a film? I am talking about, a minimum of basically were a famous researcher focusing on fixing world hunger I would come with an excuse." (...OK?) The actress continued a 'having it all' bender a la Barbara Bradshaw and described that as being a mother is not Heigl's only job -- she's an actress, too. "I Quickly pray to God that they will understand eventually which my example will encourage her to locate and follow her bliss too ... after I have taken care of all of the therapy, obviously.Inch Judd Apatow, are you currently listening? [iVillage via THR] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

MTV Movie Brawl: 'Dark Dark evening Rises' Versus. 'Avengers'

The MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is formally on! Following a initial play-in and wild card models, 16 films are actually selected to compete in many mind-to-mind single elimination matches inside our March Madness-style bracket. Ultimately, only one of these brilliant movies might be crowned the can't-miss movie of year, as well as the choice is entirely your choice. Which movie will win the brawl with this all? Election at MTV Movies Blog deciding known! Two of the very fundamental comic movies of 2012 heck, ever are likely to enter in the arena in the mind-to-mind match-up that numerous would agree can be a very very long time coming. In one corner, the hero that Gotham needs. Inside the other, Earth's Mightiest Heroes. How do i superpower-less crime-fighter defeat a veritable military of superheroes? You are able to say for several he's Batman, right? (3) "The Dark Dark evening Increases" versus. (6) "Marvel's The Avengers" Christopher Nolan's conclusion to his Batman trilogy, "The Dark Dark evening Increases," is certainly most likely probably the most anticipated movies of year. Nevertheless the identical may be mentioned for "The Avengers," Marvel's reaction to DC's finest effort of 2012. Two rival galaxies are likely to collide as batman charges headfirst at Iron Guy, Thor, Cap in addition to their allies in this first round fight. Both movies completed well beneath our anticipation in round one, so our guess is like yours. Perform know this, though: whoever wins, it'll be one hell from the epic fight. Watch our MTV Movie Brawl 2012 analysis!

Fox 2000 eyes Goodman for prod'n Vice president

Fox 2000 is within early talks with former Warner Bros. professional Jessica Goodman to become professional Vice president of production.Goodman would replace former professional veep Carla Hacken, who required employment as New Regency's production prexy in November.Goodman's production credits with WB include Steven Soderbergh's "Contagion," "Watchmen" and "I'm Legend."Professional offered in excess of 13 years in the studio before departing this year. Last Century Fox-based Fox 2000, capped by Elizabeth Gabler, is presently at the office on projects including Ang Lee's "Existence of Pi," David Bowers' "Diary of the Wimpy Kid: Dog Days," Thor Freudenthal's "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Ocean of Monsters" and Michael Sucsy's "Rosaline."Fox rejected to comment. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Melrose Place 3.? CW Is Buying the Canadian Series L.A. Complex

The L.A. Complex It seems like the CW is planning a proceed to La. The network is approaching a deal to buy the arrival Canadian cleaning cleaning soap The L.A. Complex, Deadline reviews. The series follows the lives of numerous twentysomethings who live in the identical La apartment complex and continue to ensure it is in Hollywood. The CW orders mystery drama pilot Cult The series, which will premiere round the Canadian music funnel MuchMusic inside a couple of days and may also air on Canadian sister network CTV, sounds a good deal like Melrose Place. The drama initially went from 1992 to 1999 on Fox just before the CW remade the series this past year, however canceled it after 18 low-rated episodes. The CW is searching to buy no less than the initial six cases of The L.A. Complex, but sometimes get around 13. The network expects to produce the show this summer season, according to Deadline. The L.A. Complex stars Jonathan Patrick Moore (Neighbours), Cassie Steele (Degrassi), Joe Dinicol (Existence with Derek) and Chelan Simmons (Kyle XY). Watch a preview: Will you watch The L.A. Complex?