LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – For more than 75 years, Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have battled to be the movie industry's top newspaper, but recent layoffs due to the recession and competition from Internet blogs has Hollywood wondering if it will soon become a one paper town.
Publishers of the showbusiness newspapers say advertising has plunged, even during the current Oscar season when movie studios pay well to hype their films with cover page ads.
Moreover, the papers face increased competition from bloggers providing a daily diet of Hollywood news and gossip, such as Nikki Finke's DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com, Tina Brown's TheDailyBeast.com and David Poland's MovieCityNews.com.
Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter continue to compete vigorously through tough economic times.
"I think it's going to be a battle royale, and there may only be one a year from now," said Jonathan Taplin, a professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Hollywood actors, studios set new contract talks
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood's major studios will restart labor contract talks on February 3, both groups said in statements signaling a thaw in their chilly relations.
SAG, which represents some 120,000 U.S. actors, and the studio's representative, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, will hold a new round of negotiations next Tuesday and Wednesday, the groups said late on Wednesday.
No further details were given and the groups said they would not comment further.
The announcements follow the ouster of SAG's chief labor negotiator Doug Allen earlier this week by moderates of SAG's national governing board.
SAG members have been without a film and prime-time TV contract since their old pact expired June 30, after negotiations collapsed and the studios presented what they called their "final" offer.
SAG, which represents some 120,000 U.S. actors, and the studio's representative, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, will hold a new round of negotiations next Tuesday and Wednesday, the groups said late on Wednesday.
No further details were given and the groups said they would not comment further.
The announcements follow the ouster of SAG's chief labor negotiator Doug Allen earlier this week by moderates of SAG's national governing board.
SAG members have been without a film and prime-time TV contract since their old pact expired June 30, after negotiations collapsed and the studios presented what they called their "final" offer.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"X-Files" director, producer Kim Manners dies
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Kim Manners, a prolific director and producer on Fox series "The X-Files," died January 25 of complications from lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 58.
Manners served as a producer on nearly 160 episodes of the series and directed more than 50, receiving four shared Emmy nominations for his work. At the time of his death, he was a director and executive producer on the CW series "Supernatural."
Manners' career started as a second assistant director on the 1971 feature "Valdez Is Coming," which was produced by his father, Sam Manners.
The younger Manners also directed multiple episodes of such TV shows as "Charlie's Angels," "Simon & Simon," "21 Jump Street" and "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr."
Manners served as a producer on nearly 160 episodes of the series and directed more than 50, receiving four shared Emmy nominations for his work. At the time of his death, he was a director and executive producer on the CW series "Supernatural."
Manners' career started as a second assistant director on the 1971 feature "Valdez Is Coming," which was produced by his father, Sam Manners.
The younger Manners also directed multiple episodes of such TV shows as "Charlie's Angels," "Simon & Simon," "21 Jump Street" and "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
"Flight of the Conchords" defy struggling TV story
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. cult hit television show "Flight of the Conchords" follows the travails of a marginally talented musical duo from New Zealand trying to make it in New York City, but in reality the pair are far from struggling.
Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie already have one Grammy, have been nominated for another and the second series of their Emmy-nominated show returned to HBO cable network this month after an absence of more than a year.
James Bobin, co-creator and executive producer, said the second series was delayed by the 14-week writers strike, which ended in February last year, and "the boat to New Zealand," chimed in McKenzie at the show's red carpet launch this week.
McKenzie, 32, and Clement, 35, university friends who formed "Flight of the Conchords" a decade ago to improve their guitar skills, said they set out to make a "funny and musical" TV show and that creating the second series was a little easier.
Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie already have one Grammy, have been nominated for another and the second series of their Emmy-nominated show returned to HBO cable network this month after an absence of more than a year.
James Bobin, co-creator and executive producer, said the second series was delayed by the 14-week writers strike, which ended in February last year, and "the boat to New Zealand," chimed in McKenzie at the show's red carpet launch this week.
McKenzie, 32, and Clement, 35, university friends who formed "Flight of the Conchords" a decade ago to improve their guitar skills, said they set out to make a "funny and musical" TV show and that creating the second series was a little easier.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Jury to visit Spector's home in 2nd murder trial
LOS ANGELES – The jury in Phil Spector's second murder trial will visit the music producer's home where actress Lana Clarkson died, but the judge set strict rules Monday on the presence of Spector's wife and the operation of an outdoor fountain.
Prosecutors complained that during his first jury's tour, Spector tried to change the volume of the fountain to suggest a chauffeur could not have heard him clearly when Spector allegedly said, "I think I killed somebody."
Deputy district attorneys Alan Jackson and Truc Do gave the judge e-mail exchanges they obtained between Spector and his first defense team in which a jury consultant suggested "the fountain be on full bore."
During the first jury's tour, the panelists asked to have the burbling fountain in the courtyard turned on and off so they could hear the ambient noise.
Prosecutors complained that during his first jury's tour, Spector tried to change the volume of the fountain to suggest a chauffeur could not have heard him clearly when Spector allegedly said, "I think I killed somebody."
Deputy district attorneys Alan Jackson and Truc Do gave the judge e-mail exchanges they obtained between Spector and his first defense team in which a jury consultant suggested "the fountain be on full bore."
During the first jury's tour, the panelists asked to have the burbling fountain in the courtyard turned on and off so they could hear the ambient noise.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pfizer, Wyeth nearing deal, sources say
PHILADELPHIA — The boards of Pfizer Inc and Wyeth met on Sunday to finalize a possible combination of the two drug makers that could be valued at roughly $67-billion (U.S.), sources familiar with the situation said.
The Wall Street Journal reported Pfizer was racing late Sunday to secure financing and close the deal before U.S. markets opened Monday morning.
The boards of the U.S. rivals were scheduled to hold separate meetings on Sunday to finalize an agreement and an announcement was seen as imminent, though one source cautioned that the negotiations could be delayed.
The deal would help Pfizer cope with a major gap in revenue in 2011 when its blockbuster Lipitor cholesterol treatment will begin to face U.S. generic competition. Next year, Wyeth loses patent protection on its own top drug, the antidepressant Effexor XR.
The Wall Street Journal reported Pfizer was racing late Sunday to secure financing and close the deal before U.S. markets opened Monday morning.
The boards of the U.S. rivals were scheduled to hold separate meetings on Sunday to finalize an agreement and an announcement was seen as imminent, though one source cautioned that the negotiations could be delayed.
The deal would help Pfizer cope with a major gap in revenue in 2011 when its blockbuster Lipitor cholesterol treatment will begin to face U.S. generic competition. Next year, Wyeth loses patent protection on its own top drug, the antidepressant Effexor XR.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sundance honours 'Push,' 'We Live in Public'
PARK CITY, Utah - The Sundance Film Festival's prizes for best U.S. drama on Saturday went to "Push," the dark yet hopeful story of a young woman finding her way out of nightmarish circumstances in 1980s Harlem.
Based on the 1996 first novel by the poet Sapphire and directed by Lee Daniels, "Push" won both the grand jury and audience awards. The film version is subtitled "Based on the novel by Sapphire" to distinguish it from the Dakota Fanning-Chris Evans sci-fi thriller due out next month.
The penultimate night of the 11-day festival, the nation's premiere showcase for independent film, was marked by political references and jangled nerves.
Sundance Institute executive director Ken Brecher hoisted an honorary festival pass with the new U.S. president's name on it, and presenter Joseph Gordon-Levitt tugged at his red Barack Obama T-shirt, saying: "These awards are exercises in democracy, and it's a good time for democracy right now."
Based on the 1996 first novel by the poet Sapphire and directed by Lee Daniels, "Push" won both the grand jury and audience awards. The film version is subtitled "Based on the novel by Sapphire" to distinguish it from the Dakota Fanning-Chris Evans sci-fi thriller due out next month.
The penultimate night of the 11-day festival, the nation's premiere showcase for independent film, was marked by political references and jangled nerves.
Sundance Institute executive director Ken Brecher hoisted an honorary festival pass with the new U.S. president's name on it, and presenter Joseph Gordon-Levitt tugged at his red Barack Obama T-shirt, saying: "These awards are exercises in democracy, and it's a good time for democracy right now."
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Bahamas police probe Travolta extortion allegation
NASSAU (Reuters) – Bahamas authorities are investigating a suspected extortion attempt against actor John Travolta, whose son died there this month, and a senator was under arrest, although no charges had been filed, police said on Friday.
Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said his officers were investigating an extortion complaint by Travolta.
Police would not elaborate on the nature of the allegation. Media reports said it was a threat to sell pictures of Jett Travolta's body if the actor refused to pay for them himself.
Jett Travolta, 16, died on January 2 of a seizure disorder after being found unconscious at his family's home in the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island.
Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater was arrested but no charges had been filed in the case, police said. Under Bahamian law, police can hold someone for 48 hours without charges.
Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said his officers were investigating an extortion complaint by Travolta.
Police would not elaborate on the nature of the allegation. Media reports said it was a threat to sell pictures of Jett Travolta's body if the actor refused to pay for them himself.
Jett Travolta, 16, died on January 2 of a seizure disorder after being found unconscious at his family's home in the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island.
Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater was arrested but no charges had been filed in the case, police said. Under Bahamian law, police can hold someone for 48 hours without charges.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Oscar nominations come in tough week for Hollywood
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Hollywood tightened its belt a little more on Thursday even as it announced nominations for the Oscars, the movie industry's most glitzy and prestigious awards.
While accolades poured in for Oscar contenders like Walt Disney Co's robot love story "WALL-E," the entertainment company said it was combining two television divisions, ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, to "address the changing realities of the entertainment landscape."
The company said no immediate job losses would result from combining the ABC divisions, but a spokesman said "everything is on the table," including potential job cuts.
A day earlier, Disney sent voluntary buyout offers to 600 theme park executives.
Disney's actions followed 800 job cuts this week at Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros Entertainment, which scored 21 nominations on Thursday, including 13 for leading Oscar contender "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and eight for "The Dark Knight."
While accolades poured in for Oscar contenders like Walt Disney Co's robot love story "WALL-E," the entertainment company said it was combining two television divisions, ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, to "address the changing realities of the entertainment landscape."
The company said no immediate job losses would result from combining the ABC divisions, but a spokesman said "everything is on the table," including potential job cuts.
A day earlier, Disney sent voluntary buyout offers to 600 theme park executives.
Disney's actions followed 800 job cuts this week at Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros Entertainment, which scored 21 nominations on Thursday, including 13 for leading Oscar contender "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and eight for "The Dark Knight."
Thursday, January 22, 2009
NFB makes films free online
The National Film Board of Canada has launched a new project to allow Canadians to see its films through online streaming.
Oscar winners such as 1952's Neighbours, 1977's I'll Find a Way and 2004's Ryan are among the more than 700 films now available for screening online at NFB.ca.
The online screening room was created as part of a $1.3-million project to digitize the NFB's collection of historic films.
"This is part of our ongoing response to the digital revolution," NFB chair Tom Permutter said in an online news conference on Wednesday.
The NFB, which restructured its film programs over the past 18 months to free up resources for the digital project, plans to put 10 new films a month online.
Oscar winners such as 1952's Neighbours, 1977's I'll Find a Way and 2004's Ryan are among the more than 700 films now available for screening online at NFB.ca.
The online screening room was created as part of a $1.3-million project to digitize the NFB's collection of historic films.
"This is part of our ongoing response to the digital revolution," NFB chair Tom Permutter said in an online news conference on Wednesday.
The NFB, which restructured its film programs over the past 18 months to free up resources for the digital project, plans to put 10 new films a month online.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Warner Bros. to cut 800 jobs as Hollywood down
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Warner Bros. Entertainment plans to cut 800 jobs, or 10 percent of its worldwide staff, as Hollywood outsources and downsizes under the weight of the current recession.
The job cuts at Warner follow staff reductions at other major media companies. General Electric Co's NBC Universal and Viacom, owner of Paramount, have already cut jobs.
Studio chiefs of Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros, the producer of the smash hit "The Dark Knight," sent an email to employees worldwide saying they will have to cut jobs in coming weeks due to the current economic downturn.
Time Warner's stock fell 49 cents or 5.1 percent to $9.12 a share in afternoon trade.
The job cuts at Warner follow staff reductions at other major media companies. General Electric Co's NBC Universal and Viacom, owner of Paramount, have already cut jobs.
Studio chiefs of Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros, the producer of the smash hit "The Dark Knight," sent an email to employees worldwide saying they will have to cut jobs in coming weeks due to the current economic downturn.
Time Warner's stock fell 49 cents or 5.1 percent to $9.12 a share in afternoon trade.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Polanski's bid to dismiss rape case tied to film
LOS ANGELES – Roman Polanski's tumultuous, sometimes tragic life had long seemed destined for a movie of its own.
But no one expected the controversy that erupted when a film finally did appear, a documentary that revealed new information about one of the defining events of the film director's past — his 1977 conviction of raping a 13-year-old girl and his flight into exile.
Armed with disclosures from the HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," Polanski's lawyers have gone to court demanding that the still-pending case against him be dismissed because of court misconduct.
Among other things, the documentary says the judge was influenced in his sentencing consideration by a friend. The disclosure stunned both Polanski's lawyers and prosecutors involved in the original case.
But no one expected the controversy that erupted when a film finally did appear, a documentary that revealed new information about one of the defining events of the film director's past — his 1977 conviction of raping a 13-year-old girl and his flight into exile.
Armed with disclosures from the HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," Polanski's lawyers have gone to court demanding that the still-pending case against him be dismissed because of court misconduct.
Among other things, the documentary says the judge was influenced in his sentencing consideration by a friend. The disclosure stunned both Polanski's lawyers and prosecutors involved in the original case.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mariah Carey goes from "Glitter" to grim at Sundance
PARK CITY, Utah (Reuters) – Singer Mariah Carey has taken a break from pop stardom to act in new movie "Push," but far from her lead role in semi-autobiographical "Glitter," Carey has opted for a supporting part in this often grim tale.
In fact, the real star of "Push," which debuted this past weekend at Sundance, is an unknown actress from Harlem, Gabourney Sidibe, playing an obese and overburdened 16-year-old named "Precious" Jones who is twice impregnated by her father and is beaten by her mother.
Yet, she also has adults who look out for her, and one of those is welfare case worker, Mrs. Weiss, played by Carey.
With her stringy hair and no nonsense attitude, Mrs. Weiss is far from the glamorous role Carey took in 2001's "Glitter," which was loosely based on her own rise to pop music stardom.
In fact, the real star of "Push," which debuted this past weekend at Sundance, is an unknown actress from Harlem, Gabourney Sidibe, playing an obese and overburdened 16-year-old named "Precious" Jones who is twice impregnated by her father and is beaten by her mother.
Yet, she also has adults who look out for her, and one of those is welfare case worker, Mrs. Weiss, played by Carey.
With her stringy hair and no nonsense attitude, Mrs. Weiss is far from the glamorous role Carey took in 2001's "Glitter," which was loosely based on her own rise to pop music stardom.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Spike Lee's a Sundance kid with award-winning musical 'Passing Strange'
PARK CITY, Utah - The timing always was off for Spike Lee and the Sundance Film Festival, which had never managed to land a movie from the maverick who has been at the vanguard of independent cinema for nearly 25 years.
So it's appropriate the film finally bringing Lee to the top indie showcase has its roots in the Sundance Institute's theatre lab, where the Tony Award-winning rock musical "Passing Strange" was developed.
Lee's Sundance premiere came Friday with his dazzling take on "Passing Strange," crafted from the musical's final Broadway performances.
The director behind such films as "Do the Right Thing," "Malcolm X" and "Inside Man" has debuted films at Cannes, Venice and other festivals, but he and Sundance previously had been out of sync.
So it's appropriate the film finally bringing Lee to the top indie showcase has its roots in the Sundance Institute's theatre lab, where the Tony Award-winning rock musical "Passing Strange" was developed.
Lee's Sundance premiere came Friday with his dazzling take on "Passing Strange," crafted from the musical's final Broadway performances.
The director behind such films as "Do the Right Thing," "Malcolm X" and "Inside Man" has debuted films at Cannes, Venice and other festivals, but he and Sundance previously had been out of sync.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Patrick Swayze released from hospital
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor Patrick Swayze, the "Dirty Dancing" star who is battling pancreatic cancer, has been released from a weeklong stay at a hospital where he was treated for pneumonia, People magazine reported on Friday.
Swayze, 56, was hospitalized in Los Angeles on January 9, hours before he was scheduled to appear at a gathering of television critics to promote his new TV crime drama, "The Beast," which premiered on the A&E cable network on Thursday.
The actor stars as a rogue FBI undercover agent.
"I am happy to announce that Patrick Swayze is home after a brief hospitalization for pneumonia," his spokeswoman, Annett Wolf, told People in a report published on the magazine's website.
The report added he was resting with his wife, Lisa, 52. There were no further details. His representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
Swayze, 56, was hospitalized in Los Angeles on January 9, hours before he was scheduled to appear at a gathering of television critics to promote his new TV crime drama, "The Beast," which premiered on the A&E cable network on Thursday.
The actor stars as a rogue FBI undercover agent.
"I am happy to announce that Patrick Swayze is home after a brief hospitalization for pneumonia," his spokeswoman, Annett Wolf, told People in a report published on the magazine's website.
The report added he was resting with his wife, Lisa, 52. There were no further details. His representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Redford looks back at Sundance with eye to future
PARK CITY, Utah (Reuters) – The Sundance Film Festival opens its 25th edition on Thursday with founder Robert Redford hoping for a cultural shift in the arts and embracing new forms of distribution like the Internet to escape a gloomy industry outlook.
Sundance, the top event for U.S. movies made outside Hollywood's major studios, starts on Thursday night with the premiere of clay-animation comedy "Mary and Max," but Redford told reporters at an earlier news conference he was focused more on the future than the past 25 years.
The actor used his fame and fortune to found the Sundance Institute for filmmaking, which in turn put its brand on the Sundance festival starting in 1985.
Despite its growth from an event with hundreds of film lovers to one that attracts tens of thousands of fans, major stars, a crush of media and corporate sponsors looking to sell products, Redford said Sundance remains "a festival of discovery" for new talent and new voices in world cinema.
Sundance, the top event for U.S. movies made outside Hollywood's major studios, starts on Thursday night with the premiere of clay-animation comedy "Mary and Max," but Redford told reporters at an earlier news conference he was focused more on the future than the past 25 years.
The actor used his fame and fortune to found the Sundance Institute for filmmaking, which in turn put its brand on the Sundance festival starting in 1985.
Despite its growth from an event with hundreds of film lovers to one that attracts tens of thousands of fans, major stars, a crush of media and corporate sponsors looking to sell products, Redford said Sundance remains "a festival of discovery" for new talent and new voices in world cinema.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sundance filmmakers laugh through gloomy times
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The tables have turned at 2009's Sundance Film Festival.
For most of the past two decades, the United States' top event for independent film that begins on Thursday has been chock full of dark dramas about the grim side of human nature, but this year amid a gloomy real-life economy, organizers promise a broad range of movies -- some with a lot of laughs.
Jim Carrey offers up "I Love You Phillip Morris," in which the comedian plays a con man falling for a male prison inmate (Ewan McGregor). Former "Saturday Night Live" performer Amy Poehler has "Spring Breakdown," about women nearing 40 who take a wild holiday to a party-filled school spring break.
One of the most talked-about films ahead of the festival is director Marc Webb's romance "500 Days of Summer," and Sundance veterans, brothers Mark and Michael Polish are showing "Manure" about a man who sells ... well, the title says it all.
For most of the past two decades, the United States' top event for independent film that begins on Thursday has been chock full of dark dramas about the grim side of human nature, but this year amid a gloomy real-life economy, organizers promise a broad range of movies -- some with a lot of laughs.
Jim Carrey offers up "I Love You Phillip Morris," in which the comedian plays a con man falling for a male prison inmate (Ewan McGregor). Former "Saturday Night Live" performer Amy Poehler has "Spring Breakdown," about women nearing 40 who take a wild holiday to a party-filled school spring break.
One of the most talked-about films ahead of the festival is director Marc Webb's romance "500 Days of Summer," and Sundance veterans, brothers Mark and Michael Polish are showing "Manure" about a man who sells ... well, the title says it all.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
"24"s Jack Bauer gets conflicted on torture
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Special agent Jack Bauer is back on a television thriller "24," and after an almost two-year break, he is feeling a little conflicted -- especially on the controversial subject of torture.
The popular Fox program took heat in 2004 and 2005 for what was seen as popularizing torture at a time when the United States was being condemned worldwide for its treatment of detainees at Guantanamo and at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
But actor Kiefer Sutherland, who returned to American TV screens this week in a two-hour premiere of "24," says counterterrorism unit head Bauer is older, wiser and undergoing an inner struggle both personally and professionally.
"Jack Bauer is in a position where he is questioning a lot of what he has to do," Sutherland said on Tuesday at the Television Critics Association meetings. "He is wrestling with his own history and what he believes is right and fair. ... It is a line which travels through all the episodes this year."
The popular Fox program took heat in 2004 and 2005 for what was seen as popularizing torture at a time when the United States was being condemned worldwide for its treatment of detainees at Guantanamo and at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
But actor Kiefer Sutherland, who returned to American TV screens this week in a two-hour premiere of "24," says counterterrorism unit head Bauer is older, wiser and undergoing an inner struggle both personally and professionally.
"Jack Bauer is in a position where he is questioning a lot of what he has to do," Sutherland said on Tuesday at the Television Critics Association meetings. "He is wrestling with his own history and what he believes is right and fair. ... It is a line which travels through all the episodes this year."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Ledger's Globe expected to go to daughter Matilda
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The emotional parents of the late Heath Ledger welcomed his best supporting actor Golden Globe with bittersweet pride, and the actor's mother said the award was likely to be given to his daughter Matilda.
Ledger's father, Kim, told Australian media that he felt "elated, fantastic" as he watched Monday's awards ceremony from his home in Perth, Australia.
"Absolutely fantastic, bittersweet but feeling great," Kim Ledger said.
"A standing ovation breaks you up," he said, referring to the ovation Ledger's win received from the star-studded audience. "That really goes to the heart, you know."
In an interview with People magazine, Ledger's mother, Sally Bell, also said the family was "bursting with pride" over the critical recognition of her son's performance as the Joker in Batman thriller "The Dark Knight."
Ledger's father, Kim, told Australian media that he felt "elated, fantastic" as he watched Monday's awards ceremony from his home in Perth, Australia.
"Absolutely fantastic, bittersweet but feeling great," Kim Ledger said.
"A standing ovation breaks you up," he said, referring to the ovation Ledger's win received from the star-studded audience. "That really goes to the heart, you know."
In an interview with People magazine, Ledger's mother, Sally Bell, also said the family was "bursting with pride" over the critical recognition of her son's performance as the Joker in Batman thriller "The Dark Knight."
Monday, January 12, 2009
"Slumdog Millionaire" hits Golden Globe jackpot
BEVERLY HILLS (Reuters) – Rags-to-riches tale "Slumdog Millionaire" hit the jackpot at the Golden Globes on Sunday, winning four of the coveted awards including best film drama to give it a leg up in Hollywood's race for Oscars.
"Slumdog," which tells of a young Indian man looking for love and competing for money on a television game show, also earned awards for director Danny Boyle, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and composer A.R. Rahman for best musical score.
Boyle thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which gives out the Golden Globe Awards, for supporting his movie that captures the frenetic pace of life in Mumbai.
"Your mad, pulsating affection for our film is much appreciated, really deeply appreciated," Boyle said.
"Slumdog," which tells of a young Indian man looking for love and competing for money on a television game show, also earned awards for director Danny Boyle, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and composer A.R. Rahman for best musical score.
Boyle thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which gives out the Golden Globe Awards, for supporting his movie that captures the frenetic pace of life in Mumbai.
"Your mad, pulsating affection for our film is much appreciated, really deeply appreciated," Boyle said.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Winnie-the-Pooh in comeback after 83 years
LONDON (Reuters) – The first official sequel to the original Winnie-the-Pooh books will appear in October, its publishers said on Saturday, more than 80 years after the honey-loving bear first appeared in print.
"Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" is the follow up to A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House At Pooh Corner," which were famously illustrated by E.H. Shepard.
The new book, published by Egmont Publishing in Britain and Penguin imprint Dutton Children's Books in the United States, will be written by David Benedictus, who produced an audio adaptation of Winnie-the-Pooh starring actress Judi Dench.
Mark Burgess, who has already drawn classic children's characters including Paddington Bear and Winnie-the-Pooh, is to provide the illustrations. "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" will hit the shelves on October 5.
"Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" is the follow up to A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House At Pooh Corner," which were famously illustrated by E.H. Shepard.
The new book, published by Egmont Publishing in Britain and Penguin imprint Dutton Children's Books in the United States, will be written by David Benedictus, who produced an audio adaptation of Winnie-the-Pooh starring actress Judi Dench.
Mark Burgess, who has already drawn classic children's characters including Paddington Bear and Winnie-the-Pooh, is to provide the illustrations. "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" will hit the shelves on October 5.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Fugitive filmmaker Polanski loses bid to move case
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Fugitive filmmaker Roman Polanski on Friday lost his bid to disqualify the Los Angeles County court system from considering his motion to dismiss a 30-year-old charge of unlawful sex with a minor.
Lawyers for the Oscar-winning director behind such classics as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" filed court papers this week requesting the case be referred to the California Judicial Council for "selection of an impartial, out-of-county" judge.
But Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza ruled the defense motion "discloses no legal grounds for disqualification" and was therefore "ordered stricken."
Polanski's lawyers filed a separate motion in December seeking to dismiss the 30-year-old case altogether, citing "extraordinary new evidence" of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.
Lawyers for the Oscar-winning director behind such classics as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" filed court papers this week requesting the case be referred to the California Judicial Council for "selection of an impartial, out-of-county" judge.
But Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza ruled the defense motion "discloses no legal grounds for disqualification" and was therefore "ordered stricken."
Polanski's lawyers filed a separate motion in December seeking to dismiss the 30-year-old case altogether, citing "extraordinary new evidence" of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Critics' final answer: 'Slumdog' wins 5 awards
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - The critics have spoken, and "Slumdog Millionaire" is their final answer.
The rags-to-riches tale won a leading five prizes, including best picture, at Thursday night's Critics' Choice Awards. "Slumdog" also won honours for director Danny Boyle, writer Simon Beaufoy, star Dev Patel and composer A.R. Rahman.
"It's amazing to see how generous you've been to our film," said Boyle, who called the movie "a love song" to Mumbai.
"You're mad really," he continued backstage. "You're a bit like the Indians are mad about movies. When you find a movie you love, you go for it really."
"The Dark Knight" also won a pair of trophies: best action movie and best supporting actor for the late Heath Ledger. The crowd rose to its feet as the film's director, Christopher Nolan, accepted the award for Ledger.
The rags-to-riches tale won a leading five prizes, including best picture, at Thursday night's Critics' Choice Awards. "Slumdog" also won honours for director Danny Boyle, writer Simon Beaufoy, star Dev Patel and composer A.R. Rahman.
"It's amazing to see how generous you've been to our film," said Boyle, who called the movie "a love song" to Mumbai.
"You're mad really," he continued backstage. "You're a bit like the Indians are mad about movies. When you find a movie you love, you go for it really."
"The Dark Knight" also won a pair of trophies: best action movie and best supporting actor for the late Heath Ledger. The crowd rose to its feet as the film's director, Christopher Nolan, accepted the award for Ledger.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Warner Bros. asks for "Watchmen" call sooner
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – January 20 could be D-day in the "Watchmen" dispute between Fox and Warner Bros.
Or rather I-day, when the studios have agreed to let a judge decide whether to issue an injunction against the superhero film's scheduled March 6 release by Warner Bros.
But Warners is asking that the hearing be moved up to as early as Monday because "time is critical," the studio argues in papers filed this week. The studio must soon commit tens of millions of dollars in marketing for a film it isn't sure it can release.
The injunction fight stems from U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess' Christmas Eve preliminary ruling that Fox has a right to distribute the Zack Snyder adaptation of the popular graphic novel. Feess found that producer Lawrence Gordon failed to acquire Fox's entire interest in "Watchmen" after the studio abandoned the project a decade ago.
The studios are now battling over the key issue of whether that decision allows Fox to stop the film's release or whether the parties should proceed to a trial over monetary damages.
Or rather I-day, when the studios have agreed to let a judge decide whether to issue an injunction against the superhero film's scheduled March 6 release by Warner Bros.
But Warners is asking that the hearing be moved up to as early as Monday because "time is critical," the studio argues in papers filed this week. The studio must soon commit tens of millions of dollars in marketing for a film it isn't sure it can release.
The injunction fight stems from U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess' Christmas Eve preliminary ruling that Fox has a right to distribute the Zack Snyder adaptation of the popular graphic novel. Feess found that producer Lawrence Gordon failed to acquire Fox's entire interest in "Watchmen" after the studio abandoned the project a decade ago.
The studios are now battling over the key issue of whether that decision allows Fox to stop the film's release or whether the parties should proceed to a trial over monetary damages.
"Dark Knight" soars at People's Choice Awards
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Batman movie "The Dark Knight" soared away with five People's Choice Awards on Wednesday including favorite movie and on-screen pairing for stars Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger to kick off Hollywood's annual awards season.
Country singer Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame on television talent show "American Idol," was another big winner, hauling in three People's Choice Awards for favorite female singer, country song "Last Name," and star under 35 years-old.
"Fans and people voting for me are what gave me a career in the first place," Underwood said, acknowledging the voting by music lovers. "This is an amazing night."
The People's Choice Awards, in its 35th edition this year, are a widely watched measure of popular appeal for Hollywood stars and they mark a starting point for the industry's annual awards season which runs through the Oscars, the world's top film awards, that take place in February.
Country singer Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame on television talent show "American Idol," was another big winner, hauling in three People's Choice Awards for favorite female singer, country song "Last Name," and star under 35 years-old.
"Fans and people voting for me are what gave me a career in the first place," Underwood said, acknowledging the voting by music lovers. "This is an amazing night."
The People's Choice Awards, in its 35th edition this year, are a widely watched measure of popular appeal for Hollywood stars and they mark a starting point for the industry's annual awards season which runs through the Oscars, the world's top film awards, that take place in February.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New 'American Idol' judge Kara DioGuardi says male contestants hold edge
LOS ANGELES - Kara DioGuardi was fretting about being the new face of "American Idol," and she put the blame on hungry mosquitoes.
"Here I am in Hawaii and I wake up yesterday and I'm covered in mosquito bites, 15 to 20, and it looks like I have the chicken pox," the songwriter-producer said on Tuesday.
"Nobody cares about a songwriter with mosquito bites. But a judge on 'Idol' who's about to go in front of the press, that's a whole other story," said DioGuardi, who has joined the "American Idol" judging panel and has a whirlwind promotional schedule next week in New York that includes David Letterman's show.
DioGuardi is a hit machine whose songs have been recorded by Gwen Stefani, Faith Hill, Marc Anthony and others, including past "Idol" winners. She represents a big change for the hit Fox series, which is adding a new voice to those of veteran judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul in an eighth-season effort to freshen its familiar formula.
"Here I am in Hawaii and I wake up yesterday and I'm covered in mosquito bites, 15 to 20, and it looks like I have the chicken pox," the songwriter-producer said on Tuesday.
"Nobody cares about a songwriter with mosquito bites. But a judge on 'Idol' who's about to go in front of the press, that's a whole other story," said DioGuardi, who has joined the "American Idol" judging panel and has a whirlwind promotional schedule next week in New York that includes David Letterman's show.
DioGuardi is a hit machine whose songs have been recorded by Gwen Stefani, Faith Hill, Marc Anthony and others, including past "Idol" winners. She represents a big change for the hit Fox series, which is adding a new voice to those of veteran judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul in an eighth-season effort to freshen its familiar formula.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
New Year brings TV time slot tussles
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Soon new battles will wage in primetime: ABC's hit thriller "Lost" against Fox's new crime drama "Lie to Me" on Wednesday. NBC's comedy favorite "The Office" vs. Fox's reality hit "Hell's Kitchen" on Thursday.
And Fox's sci-fi drama "Dollhouse" competing with CBS' Canadian import "Flashpoint" on Friday, to name a few.
Below are some of the most intriguing new time-period face-offs on the midseason schedule, along with predictions on which show will emerge as more popular with viewers.
These are not the easy calls (you can probably figure out who will win the Wednesday duel between "American Idol" and "Knight Rider"), but the potential squeakers that could tilt the odds on a series' chance of survival and its networks' overall performance.
And Fox's sci-fi drama "Dollhouse" competing with CBS' Canadian import "Flashpoint" on Friday, to name a few.
Below are some of the most intriguing new time-period face-offs on the midseason schedule, along with predictions on which show will emerge as more popular with viewers.
These are not the easy calls (you can probably figure out who will win the Wednesday duel between "American Idol" and "Knight Rider"), but the potential squeakers that could tilt the odds on a series' chance of survival and its networks' overall performance.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Travolta son's death caused by "seizure disorder"
NASSAU (Reuters) – Actor John Travolta's son, Jett, died from "seizure disorder," a Bahamas funeral home official said on Monday after pathologists performed an autopsy on the body of the teenager who suffered a seizure last week at his family's holiday home.
Bahamian authorities did not make public the results of the autopsy, which was observed by Travolta's family doctor. Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said the findings would not be released because "there is nothing criminal about the situation."
Keith McSweeney, funeral director for the Restview Memorial Mortuary in Freeport, where the boy's body was sent after the autopsy, said the death certificate listed "seizure disorder" as the cause of death.
Jett, 16, had a history of seizures and was found unconscious in a bathroom at his family's home in the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island on Friday morning. He was pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport.
Bahamian authorities did not make public the results of the autopsy, which was observed by Travolta's family doctor. Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson said the findings would not be released because "there is nothing criminal about the situation."
Keith McSweeney, funeral director for the Restview Memorial Mortuary in Freeport, where the boy's body was sent after the autopsy, said the death certificate listed "seizure disorder" as the cause of death.
Jett, 16, had a history of seizures and was found unconscious in a bathroom at his family's home in the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island on Friday morning. He was pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Travolta ‘heartbroken' at son's death
FREEPORT, Bahamas — John Travolta said Saturday he and his wife Kelly Preston are “heartbroken” over the death of their chronically ill 16-year-old son, who collapsed at the family's vacation home on Grand Bahama.
Police Superintendent Basil Rahming has said a caretaker found Jett Travolta unconscious in a bathroom late Friday morning and he was later pronounced dead at a Freeport hospital. The youth was last seen entering the bathroom on Thursday, according to Mr. Rahming's police statement.
“We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives,” Mr. Travolta and Ms. Preston said in their first public statement since Jett's death.
“Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered,” said a statement posted Sunday on Mr. Travolta's website.
Police Superintendent Basil Rahming has said a caretaker found Jett Travolta unconscious in a bathroom late Friday morning and he was later pronounced dead at a Freeport hospital. The youth was last seen entering the bathroom on Thursday, according to Mr. Rahming's police statement.
“We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives,” Mr. Travolta and Ms. Preston said in their first public statement since Jett's death.
“Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered,” said a statement posted Sunday on Mr. Travolta's website.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
John Travolta's 16-year-old son dies in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas – John Travolta's teenage son, Jett, died in the Bahamas after apparently suffering a seizure and hitting his head at his family's vacation home, authorities said Friday.
A house caretaker found Jett, 16, unconscious in a bathroom late Friday morning. He was taken by ambulance to a Freeport hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Police Superintendent Basil Rahming said in a statement.
The teenager had last been seen entering the bathroom on Thursday and had a history of seizures, according to the statement. An autopsy is planned.
Jett apparently hit his head on the bathtub, said a police officer who declined to be named because she was not authorized to speak on the matter.
Family attorney Michael Ossi said in a statement that Jett died suddenly on Friday. Publicists Samantha Mast and Paul Bloch released the statement but could not be reached for additional comment.
A house caretaker found Jett, 16, unconscious in a bathroom late Friday morning. He was taken by ambulance to a Freeport hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Police Superintendent Basil Rahming said in a statement.
The teenager had last been seen entering the bathroom on Thursday and had a history of seizures, according to the statement. An autopsy is planned.
Jett apparently hit his head on the bathtub, said a police officer who declined to be named because she was not authorized to speak on the matter.
Family attorney Michael Ossi said in a statement that Jett died suddenly on Friday. Publicists Samantha Mast and Paul Bloch released the statement but could not be reached for additional comment.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Alagna, Gheorghiu ring in the new year at the Met
NEW YORK – At the end of Giacomo Puccini's "La Rondine," an enamored woman jilts her ardent but poor lover, saying she can't give up her old life as a rich man's mistress.
And, she says, she doesn't want to financially ruin her soulmate.
But on New Year's Eve, after the Metropolitan Opera's gold curtain fell, there was a second ending: The two lovers went off together into the Manhattan night.
The stars of the company's first production of Puccini's work since 1936 were soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna — married in real life.
"We can say to the audience, 'OK, they will be separated in the story, but not in real life!" Alagna said in a backstage interview.
"And we can go to the New Year's party together!" added Gheorghiu.
And, she says, she doesn't want to financially ruin her soulmate.
But on New Year's Eve, after the Metropolitan Opera's gold curtain fell, there was a second ending: The two lovers went off together into the Manhattan night.
The stars of the company's first production of Puccini's work since 1936 were soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna — married in real life.
"We can say to the audience, 'OK, they will be separated in the story, but not in real life!" Alagna said in a backstage interview.
"And we can go to the New Year's party together!" added Gheorghiu.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Blackout looms as Time Warner, Viacom talks stall
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Viacom Inc and Time Warner Cable remained at a standoff on Wednesday, but were hopeful that top executives would step in to resolve a dispute that threatens to prevent more than 13 million U.S. subscribers from seeing "Dora the Explorer" and Jon Stewart.
No face-to-face meetings between executives have occurred for several weeks, sources on both sides said. The sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
At issue is an extra $35 million to $40 million that Viacom wants Time Warner to pay for carrying its cable channels, including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
Time Warner has refused saying the economic climate makes it impossible to pass along such costs to its customers. Viacom has denied Time Warner's request for an extension of the current terms.
No face-to-face meetings between executives have occurred for several weeks, sources on both sides said. The sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
At issue is an extra $35 million to $40 million that Viacom wants Time Warner to pay for carrying its cable channels, including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
Time Warner has refused saying the economic climate makes it impossible to pass along such costs to its customers. Viacom has denied Time Warner's request for an extension of the current terms.
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