Buzz from the entertainment industry this week indicates that mega-star George Clooney is “;in talks”; to play the lead role in “;The Descendants,”; an Alexander Payne (”;Sideways”;) movie based on the novel by Hawaii's Kaui Hart Hemmings. Huge news for the movie slated to shoot on Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii island early next year.

In an interesting “;six degrees of separation”; twist, Clooney's newest film, “;The Men Who Stare at Goats,”; opens in theaters tomorrow. He produced and starred in the fictionalized story of the U.S. military's attempt to prepare men to use psychic powers to conquer the enemy. Jeff Bridges portrays Lt. Col. Jim Channon, the retired officer who inspired the movie and now resides way out in — where else? — Hawi …

Don't miss a magnificent Audrey Tautou in “;Coco Before Chanel,”; a dramatization of Gabrielle “;Coco”; Chanel's rise from abandonment in an orphanage through a minor singing career to becoming one of the most iconic designers of all time. Filmmaker Anne Fontaine explores the struggles, setbacks, love and loss that catapult this resourceful woman into her destiny. Along the way, Coco tells one of the men who pursues her, “;I have no intention of marrying anyone.”; And she didn't, instead building a business in a man's world and forever changing fashion with her understated style. Beautifully shot and elegantly paced, the film revolves around Tautou's riveting, refined performance. It opens tomorrow at Kahala. (See review on page 34) …

“;Does it sometimes seem like you are living a tragic soap opera or a comedy of errors?”; reads the Web site promoting a new semi-reality show coming to Hawaii. Here's your chance to grab your 15 minutes. If you and your friends possess a life drama meant for the screen and have a notion to expose your lives to the world, casting teams for “;Oahu Nights”; will be here through Nov. 24. They are searching for a group of Oahu-based friends between ages 25 and 40 to star in a new “;semi-scripted docu-series,”; which probably means that when conflict is lacking, it will be created. They're looking for “;sexy, interesting, outspoken personalities.”; Obviously. To sign up for auditions, visit http://www.OahuNightsCasting.com. The project is launched by Major Broadcast Network with Berlanti Television (”;Brothers and Sisters”;), 25/7 Productions (”;The Biggest Loser”;) and Doron Ofir Casting. Might not be high quality, but it certainly won't be dull …

A bevy of locally based actors will appear on the Animal Planet's “;I'm Alive”; series at 7 p.m. tomorrow. It recalls near-death encounters with animals, using re-enactments. Actor Teddy Wells, who started the Web-based Actors Network, plays Krishna Thompson, who lost a leg but survived a bull shark attack in the Bahamas in 2001. The segment was filmed in Hawaii …

Big Island residents can enjoy some “;big-city”; benefits when the Hawaii International Film Festival travels to Hilo this weekend. Screenings will take place at the Palace Theater, beginning with “;Barbarian Princess”; at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Presentations Saturday include Anne Misawa's (with ACM students) documentary about statehood entitled “;State of Aloha”;; “;Om Shanti Om,”; an homage to Bollywood musicals; “;Rio Breaks,”; a documentary about two young surfers from the ghettos of Brazil; and “;The Harimaya Bridge,”; about a man struggling to make peace with his father's brutal death at the hands of the Japanese in World War II. On Sunday, “;Saving Luna”; starts at 11 a.m., followed by “;Ingredients,”; “;The Last Beekeeper,”; “;Old Partner, Ajumma, Are You Krazy?!”; “;Stones,”; “;The Lychee Thieves”; and “;Honokaa Boy.”; For tickets, call the theater at 808-934-7012. Visit http://www.hiff.org for summaries and trailers of each film.

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Contact Katherine Nichols at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).