Simon Fuller Movies
A successful manager, producer, and TV personality, Simon Fuller became a celebrity in the early 2000s, when he helped create a pop group called S Club 7 that starred in an accompanying BBC TV series. Fuller moved on from this initial success to create the formats for Pop Idol and American Idol, one of the most lucrative TV formats in history. He would then co-create the reality series So You Think You Can Dance -- another phenomenal reality format -- before getting to work on yet another reality show slated for 2010 called If I Can Dream. He branched out into feature films without a pop-music tie-in with 2012's period piece Bel Ami. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi
Guy de Maupassant's classic tale of passion in late-18th century Paris gets adapted for the big screen in this scintillating erotic drama starring Twilight's Robert Pattinson as a destitute young soldier who plots to gain power by seducing the mistresses of the city's most influential men. Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colm Meaney co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Pattinson, Christina Ricci, (more)
- 2009
Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley hosts this top-tier dance competition, taking some of the best and most celebrated forces in dance from various styles and cultures spanning all over the world, and placing them in competition against each other. Eight nations are represented in the competition, and viewers watch as each one prepares with coaches on a rigorous training schedule, eventually presenting their routines before a live audience in the hopes of winning the coveted title Superstar of Dance. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Flatley, Susie Castillo, (more)
- 2008
- Add American Idol: Season 6 Finale Performance Show - The Top 2 to Queue Add American Idol: Season 6 Finale Performance Show - The Top 2 to top of Queue
This release contains the next to last program from the sixth season of American Idol. That episode featured Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis showcasing the talents that got them into the finals of the popular talent contest. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, (more)
- 2007
Still one more reality-competition series from the American Idol team, Fox's The Next Great American Band was a weekly talent contest wherein the hopefuls were groups rather than solo performers. The time-honored American Idol formula was followed to the minutest detail: The "Ryan Secrest"-style host (New Zealander Dominic Bowden); the three-person panel of judges, comprised of the sarcastic Simon Cowell clone (Ian "Dicko" Dickson, costar of the spinoff series Australian Idol), the sympathetic pop singer (Sheila E.) and the neutral "buffer" between the other two (Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls); the opening episode, wherein several born losers and weirdos paraded across the camera with no possible hope of being asked to return; the weekly winners, ultimately pared down to 12 semifinalists; the categorical competitions, ranging from "cover song" to "original composition"; and the input of the home viewers, who voted for their favorites via telephone and internet. The winners on this occasion not only landed a contract with the 19 Recordings label, but also the bragging rights as "The Next Great American Band." The festivities first got under way on October 19, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2005
In between seasons two and three of Fox's phenomenally popular talent contest American Idol, first-season winner Kelly Clarkson teamed with that same season's runnerup Justin Guarini to star in the theatrical feature From Justin to Kelly. Unfortunately (or, depending upon one's opinion of From Justin to Kelly, fortunately), second-season winner Ruben Studdard didn't have enough time to exploit his newfound celebrity in a similar manner. Beginning January 19, 2004, the series' third season gets under way with several weeks' worth of auditions held in New York, Atlanta, Houston, LA, San Francisco and Hawaii (this last episode would receive an inordinate amount of press coverage in that state when the Hawaiian semifinalist turned out not to be the favorite among American Idol viewers and voters). Once the wheat is separated from the chaff, the audience is treated to a special episode about the "lost" contestants--with emphasis on the reasons that they were not only lost, but would probably stay lost! There'll be a later special episode in a similar vein, focusing on notorious runner-up William Hung, who would unexpectedly become a recording sensation despite his stunning lack of singing ability (or even a sense of pitch!) Finally the 32 lucky contestants are chosen, from which will be gleaned the 12 semi-finalists. As the contest proceeds, there'll be return visits from such popular American Idol "losers" as Clay Aiken and Tamyra Gray, not as aspirants but as celebrities. Inevitably, the semifinalists are pared down to two: Fantasia Barrino an dDiana DeGarmo, who square off in the season's two-hour finale, which originally aired live. Without giving away the name of the winner, it can be noted that she will ultimately join previous winners Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Stoddard in a tuneful American Idol holiday special, telecast November 24, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ryan Seacrest, Kristin Holt, (more)
- 2005
Now seen three times per week, Fox's amazingly popular talent contest American Idol launches its fourth big season on January 18, 2005. As in previous seasons, the festivities get under way with several episodes devoted to auditions in such locales as Washington DC, St. Louis, New Orleans and Las Vegas. During this elimination process, regular judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are joined by a vast array of celebrity judges, including LL Cool J, Gene Simmons, Kenny Loggins and Brandy Norwood Finally the 200 regional winners are boiled down to 24--12 boys, 12 girls--in Hollywood, with a second round of auditions taking place over a span of four episodes. These 24 are whittled down to 20 and finally the Top 12, all of whom are given a chance to perform in an episode originally telecast March 15, 2005. Although it isn't evident on screen, the series' fifth season was briefly tainted by a scandal, when rejected second-season contestant Corey Clark, reportedly angling for a book deal, alleged that he had had an affair with series judge Paul Abdul. Although not backed up with any credible evidence, Clark's allegation very nearly got Abdul bounced from the show; fortunately, she was able to discredit the story and clear her name with the help of an independent counsel hired by Fox. Just before the final episode of the season, the network will offer up a special, American Idol Presents the World's Worst Auditions, featuring the "cream of the crop" from all over the world. Finally, it's down to the two last semifinalists: Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood (and for the benefit of all three of you who don't know who won, we'll keep you in suspense here!) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ryan Seacrest, Kristin Holt, (more)
British music-video maven Nigel Dick directs Seeing Double, featuring the U.K. pop band S Club. The story involves mad scientist Victor (David Gant) creating clones for each member of the band in his laboratory at Eagle Peak. After seeing the clones perform on TV, manager Alistair (Joseph Adams) is kidnapped and the real band is sent to jail. They manage to escape and fly to L.A., where bandmembers Jon, Rachel, and Hannah replace their clones, who help out Brad, Tina, and Jo. Everyone ends up back at Eagle Peak, Victor is eventually arrested, and the clones perform a show while the real band goes on holiday. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Starring:
- Hannah Spearritt, Jo O'Meara, (more)
From the producer and writer of Spice World and the director of She's All That comes this musical comedy inspired by and featuring the stars of Fox's hit reality show American Idol. Starring the winner and runner-up of the show's first season, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, as slightly fictionalized versions of themselves, From Justin to Kelly attempts to recreate the atmosphere of the fun-loving beach musicals of the 1960s. When Kelly (Clarkson) and Justin (Guarini) embark on a vacation in search of some fun in the sun with their respective groups of friends, the two meet and fall for each other at first sight. Unfortunately, a series of comedic mishaps and hijinks gets in the way of them getting together. Several song-and-dance numbers ensue. In addition to Clarkson and Guarini, the film stars Greg Siff, Brian Dietzen, and Katherine Bailess. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, (more)
- 2003
Having made an overnight star of aspiring pop singer Kelly Clarkson at the end of American Idol's first season, the producers return to perform the same magic on another unlucky unknown as the twice-weekly Fox talent show launches Season Two. And it's going to take quite a bit of doing to select the best of the best: Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of American Idol's maidedn season, no fewer than 50,000 hopefuls have shown up for the audition held all over the country. Ryan Seacrest is back as host, this time flying solo with the departure of cohost Brian Dunkelman. And of course, the contestants are still at the mercy of the three-person panel of judges: Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and the redoubtable Simon Cowell. New to the proceedings is Kristin Holt, a first-season contestant and former member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, now on hand as a "special correspondent" to offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of this season's aspirants. Other changes include the mode of selection for the final "wildcard" contestants, with each of the three judges choosing his or her favorite, with a fourth hopeful chosen via public call-ins. This means that during the season's final stretch there will be 12 rather than 10 finalists, with one contestant eliminated per week for the next twelve weeks, and with a different "celebrity" judge participating on each show. Also, for the first time Fox will offer a special "best of the worst" episode with highlights (or lowlights) from the most execrable and ear-shattering auditions. Along the way, there'll be a bit of controversy when semifinalist Corey Clark is removed from the running, not because of his singing but due to his off-screen misbehavior (it turns out that he'd once assaulted his own sister). Unfortunately, it will not be the last we'll hear from the contentious Mr. Clark. And in a slightly more amusing development (most of which was edited from the show), curmudgeonly Simon Cowell is senn preparing to lower the boom on a brace of "brothers" auditioning in Austin, Texas, when it is suddenly revealed that these two supposed no-talents are actually British comedians Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the original hosts of American Idol's British prototype Pop Idol, who are playing a practical joke on Mr. Cowell. The season ends in virtually a dead heat, with contestants Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken tying for the million-dollar grand prize--a tie ultimately broken by a margin of a mere 130,000 of the 24 million votes cast by the viewers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ryan Seacrest, Kristin Holt, (more)
- 2002
Following the precedent established by the popular network game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, the Fox talent contest American Idol: The Search for a Superstar was afforded multiple weekly showings, telecast on both Tuesday and Wednesdays throughout it first season--and sweeping the ratings on both nights! Ryan Seacrest of course serves as host, sharing these duties during Season One with Brian Dunkelman. But as everyone knows, the real stars of the proceedings can be found on the three-person panel of judges: singer Paul Abdul, music producer Randy Jackson, and "Mr. Nasty" himself, the wickedly sardonic and brutally honest record executive Simon Cowell. The format is set up with admirable rapidity: dozens upon dozens of aspiring young pop singers, age 16 to 24, are audtioned throughout the nation in the opening episodes, with the best 30 aspirants remaining as "regulars" for the next three weeks; ultimately 10 semifinalists remain standing to strut their stuff for the balance of the season, as the viewers vote for their favorites via toll-free calls. The "judging" portion of takes place on the Tuesday telecast, with Wednesday given over to highlights and interviews and chats with the finalists--one of whom is eliminated at the end of each episode. And it isn't only their talent (or lack of same) that brings about the eliminations, as proven in the July 2002 episode wherein one of the semi-finalists is disqualified because he lied about his age (instead of 23, he was an old geezer of 29!) This, in fact, obliged the judges to bring forth a "wildcard" contestant from those who hadn't been selected by the viewers to bring to number up to ten again. From this point on, the contestants are judged according to their skills at interpreting different musical styles, ranging from Motown to middle-of-the-road. All of this is but prelude to the now-legendary Season One finale, originally telecast on September 4, 2002, in which the decision boils down to the two surviving semifinalists: Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ryan Seacrest, Brian Dunkleman, (more)
Bob Spiers (director of TV's Absolutely Fabulous) directed this feature-film debut of the five Spice Girls -- Posh Spice, Sporty Spice, Scary Spice, Ginger Spice, and Baby Spice -- as the quintet challenges the London pop scene during five days before their first live performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Photojournalists follow as they travel from press conferences to practice sessions to photo ops, passing London landmarks in the comfort of their cavernous Spicebus and emerging in a musical cascade of color, trendy clothes, and blinding flashbulbs. Shot in 43 days, the film features cameos by everyone from Elton John and Elvis Costello, to Stephen Fry and Bob Hoskins. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Spice Girls, Melanie Brown, (more)
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