CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) – NASA's outreach to the public to drum up interest in the International Space Station started innocently enough with an online contest to name the station's new living quarters.
But Stephen Colbert, a comedian who poses as an ultra right-wing news commentator on cable television's Comedy Central, nosed into the act with a grass-roots appeal that has backed the staid U.S. space agency into a corner.
The comedian's supporters cast 230,539 write-in votes to name the new module at the $100-billion space outpost "Colbert." The top NASA-suggested name, "Serenity," finished a distant second, more than 40,000 votes behind.
Contest rules stipulate that the agency retains the right to basically do whatever it wants, but it may not be that easy.
Last week, U.S. Representative Chaka Fattah, a Pennsylvania Democrat, called on NASA to do the democratic thing and use the name that drew the most votes.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Triple X-cited
Vancouver — They were cover girls from the day they were born. Identical triplets, Joelle, Jade and Mariah Tang came into the world on Dec. 25, 1990.
They were the first natural set of triplets born in Edmonton in a quarter century and their Christmas birth made headlines across the country.
It's fitting that their acting debut should be in the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie. There is a touch of the mutant to this trio.
All grown up and hovering around the 5-foot-9 mark, they stand taller than both their Hong Kong-born father and Caucasian mother. With delicate half-Asian features all the more ethereal on their mannequin frames, they seem destined for a life on display.
They were the first natural set of triplets born in Edmonton in a quarter century and their Christmas birth made headlines across the country.
It's fitting that their acting debut should be in the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie. There is a touch of the mutant to this trio.
All grown up and hovering around the 5-foot-9 mark, they stand taller than both their Hong Kong-born father and Caucasian mother. With delicate half-Asian features all the more ethereal on their mannequin frames, they seem destined for a life on display.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Morissette, Roberts, Kardinal take day one Junos
VANCOUVER — The bulk of the hardware has already been handed out, but Sunday's Juno Awards still look wide open.
Montreal indie rockers the Stills were the only two-time winners at a private dinner ceremony held Saturday, the day before the main show, which will be televised on CTV (check local listings).
Alanis Morissette took pop album of the year for “Flavors of Entanglement,” Montreal's Sam Roberts took rock album of the year for “Love at the End of the World” and Coldplay took international album of the year for “Viva La Vida.”
In the evening's biggest upset, Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall took single of the year for his slick dance-floor anthem “Dangerous,” which toppled such big-name competitors as Celine Dion, Michael Buble and Nickelback.
The Hanna, Alta., rockers led with five nominations going into the Juno Awards, but were shut out in two categories that were awarded Saturday.
Montreal indie rockers the Stills were the only two-time winners at a private dinner ceremony held Saturday, the day before the main show, which will be televised on CTV (check local listings).
Alanis Morissette took pop album of the year for “Flavors of Entanglement,” Montreal's Sam Roberts took rock album of the year for “Love at the End of the World” and Coldplay took international album of the year for “Viva La Vida.”
In the evening's biggest upset, Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall took single of the year for his slick dance-floor anthem “Dangerous,” which toppled such big-name competitors as Celine Dion, Michael Buble and Nickelback.
The Hanna, Alta., rockers led with five nominations going into the Juno Awards, but were shut out in two categories that were awarded Saturday.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
No more oil rigs for ousted "American Idol" Sarver
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Ousted "American Idol" contestant Michael Sarver said on Friday he was abandoning his job as a Texas oil rig worker to focus on making a career in the music business.
Sarver, 27, said he had written hundreds of songs and that after spending time with his wife and children and doing the summer Top 10 "American Idol" tour, he hoped to make a solo album.
"I will not be going back to the oil rig", Sarver told reporters in a conference call the morning after he was voted off the TV talent show.
"There is something that America does not know about me. I am a serious writer. I have written over 890 songs since the age of 14. There is a lot of stories, a lot of life, a hard-lived life and a good-lived life...and I'm going to share it."
Sarver said he had received huge support from oil rig workers around the nation during his time on "American Idol."
Sarver, 27, said he had written hundreds of songs and that after spending time with his wife and children and doing the summer Top 10 "American Idol" tour, he hoped to make a solo album.
"I will not be going back to the oil rig", Sarver told reporters in a conference call the morning after he was voted off the TV talent show.
"There is something that America does not know about me. I am a serious writer. I have written over 890 songs since the age of 14. There is a lot of stories, a lot of life, a hard-lived life and a good-lived life...and I'm going to share it."
Sarver said he had received huge support from oil rig workers around the nation during his time on "American Idol."
Friday, March 27, 2009
U.S. digital TV switch may still need fine-tuning
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Despite a nearly four-month delay in a mandatory nationwide switch to digital television signals, there is still a chance that demand for the converter boxes needed for the transition will exceed supply, a top regulator said on Thursday.
"I do share (the) concern about whether inventory levels will be sufficient," Anna Gomez, the acting assistant secretary for communications at the Commerce Department unit handling the switch, told a U.S. House panel.
The federally mandated transition was originally set for February 17, but lawmakers postponed it to June 12.
About a third of the nation's 1,800 full-power broadcasters did switch from analog to digital TV signals on the original February 17 date.
President Barack Obama and most congressional Democrats pushed for and won a delay until June 12, as a government coupon program partly subsidizing the cost of converter boxes needed for the 15 percent of older television sets not connected to cable or satellite systems had run out of money.
"I do share (the) concern about whether inventory levels will be sufficient," Anna Gomez, the acting assistant secretary for communications at the Commerce Department unit handling the switch, told a U.S. House panel.
The federally mandated transition was originally set for February 17, but lawmakers postponed it to June 12.
About a third of the nation's 1,800 full-power broadcasters did switch from analog to digital TV signals on the original February 17 date.
President Barack Obama and most congressional Democrats pushed for and won a delay until June 12, as a government coupon program partly subsidizing the cost of converter boxes needed for the 15 percent of older television sets not connected to cable or satellite systems had run out of money.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
CBC to cut up to 800 jobs, sell assets
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. plans to cut up to 800 jobs as part of its strategy to make up for a $171 million shortfall in 2009-10.
CBC president and chief executive Hubert Lacroix announced the layoffs Wednesday in a broadcast to employees.
He said the public broadcaster also needs to sell $125 million worth of assets to make up the shortfall.
The sale of assets depends on approval by the federal government. Lacroix did not say which assets would be sold.
The CBC is projecting 393 layoffs in its English services and 336 layoffs in French services. An additional 70 jobs will be lost at the corporate level.
Layoffs could start in May. The full number of layoffs could be reduced if some employees opt for retirement.
CBC president and chief executive Hubert Lacroix announced the layoffs Wednesday in a broadcast to employees.
He said the public broadcaster also needs to sell $125 million worth of assets to make up the shortfall.
The sale of assets depends on approval by the federal government. Lacroix did not say which assets would be sold.
The CBC is projecting 393 layoffs in its English services and 336 layoffs in French services. An additional 70 jobs will be lost at the corporate level.
Layoffs could start in May. The full number of layoffs could be reduced if some employees opt for retirement.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Forensics show Spector innocent of murder: lawyer
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Forensic evidence in music producer Phil Spector's murder retrial proves he is not guilty of the shooting death of a Hollywood actress six years ago, his lawyer told the jury on Tuesday.
Making his closing arguments after a five-month long retrial, defense attorney Doron Weinberg said the dead woman, Lana Clarkson, shot herself in her mouth and there were no traces of Spector's DNA anywhere on the gun.
"Phillip Spector did not kill Lana Clarkson. That's what the evidence shows. That's what the truth shows," Weinberg told the jury.
"The forensic evidence shows that Phillip Spector is innocent," he said, listing 14 pieces of scientific evidence used by the defense in the trial. Spector's lawyers have argued that Clarkson was depressed over her faltering career as a B-movie actress.
Making his closing arguments after a five-month long retrial, defense attorney Doron Weinberg said the dead woman, Lana Clarkson, shot herself in her mouth and there were no traces of Spector's DNA anywhere on the gun.
"Phillip Spector did not kill Lana Clarkson. That's what the evidence shows. That's what the truth shows," Weinberg told the jury.
"The forensic evidence shows that Phillip Spector is innocent," he said, listing 14 pieces of scientific evidence used by the defense in the trial. Spector's lawyers have argued that Clarkson was depressed over her faltering career as a B-movie actress.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Robin Williams recovering from heart surgery
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oscar winner Robin Williams is expected to make a complete recovery from his recent heart surgery in the next two months and plans to resume his comedy tour afterward, his representatives said on Monday.
Williams, 57, one of Hollywood's leading comedians and known for his manic stand-up routine steeped in wacky accents and improvisation, had surgery on March 13 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
"His heart is strong and he will have normal heart function in the coming weeks with no limitations on what he'll be able to do," Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the clinic, said in a statement.
The operation was done to replace Williams' aortic valve, repair his mitral valve and correct an irregular heartbeat.
Williams postponed his "Weapons of Self-Destruction" comedy tour earlier this month to undergo the procedure after complaining of shortness of breath.
Williams, 57, one of Hollywood's leading comedians and known for his manic stand-up routine steeped in wacky accents and improvisation, had surgery on March 13 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
"His heart is strong and he will have normal heart function in the coming weeks with no limitations on what he'll be able to do," Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the clinic, said in a statement.
The operation was done to replace Williams' aortic valve, repair his mitral valve and correct an irregular heartbeat.
Williams postponed his "Weapons of Self-Destruction" comedy tour earlier this month to undergo the procedure after complaining of shortness of breath.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friends, family remember Natasha Richardson
LITHGOW, N.Y — A sombre group of friends and family gathered in a small Hudson Valley town Sunday to say a final farewell to Tony Award-winning actress Natasha Richardson.
Liam Neeson, in a dark suit and sunglasses, was at the head of the casket as he and five other pallbearers carried his wife's coffin into St. Peter's Episcopal Church, near the home where the two married in 1994.
He and Richardson's mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave, waved to the dozens of reporters crowded behind a police barricade on the dirt road leading to the tiny white clapboard church. The grieving family — including the couple's two sons, Micheal, 13, and Daniel, 12 — then paused to allow the media to photograph them in front of church before the service.
Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Uma Thurman and Timothy Dalton were among the friends who filed into the church on the chilly spring afternoon.
Liam Neeson, in a dark suit and sunglasses, was at the head of the casket as he and five other pallbearers carried his wife's coffin into St. Peter's Episcopal Church, near the home where the two married in 1994.
He and Richardson's mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave, waved to the dozens of reporters crowded behind a police barricade on the dirt road leading to the tiny white clapboard church. The grieving family — including the couple's two sons, Micheal, 13, and Daniel, 12 — then paused to allow the media to photograph them in front of church before the service.
Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Uma Thurman and Timothy Dalton were among the friends who filed into the church on the chilly spring afternoon.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Woodstock co-founder seeks sponsors for 2009 edition
AUSTIN, Texas (Billboard) – Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang says plans for a 40th anniversary concert are "all speculative ideas" for now, but he hopes to bring them to reality this summer.
Lang told Billboard.com that his vision is "a free event ... a very green project," possibly in New York City.
"We want to have as small a carbon imprint as we can and use as many green techniques as we can," said Lang, who was in Austin to participate in a South by Southwest panel discussion on the legendary 1969 concert.
The holdup? "It's got to be sponsor-driven," he said.
"It's free, but it costs a lot of money. That's kind of what we're in the middle of right now. Depending on how successful we are in raising that sponsorship (money) will determine when and how we do this event -- or if we do this event, frankly."
He added that reports of a concurrent Woodstock festival in Berlin, possibly at Tempelhof airport, were "premature."
Lang told Billboard.com that his vision is "a free event ... a very green project," possibly in New York City.
"We want to have as small a carbon imprint as we can and use as many green techniques as we can," said Lang, who was in Austin to participate in a South by Southwest panel discussion on the legendary 1969 concert.
The holdup? "It's got to be sponsor-driven," he said.
"It's free, but it costs a lot of money. That's kind of what we're in the middle of right now. Depending on how successful we are in raising that sponsorship (money) will determine when and how we do this event -- or if we do this event, frankly."
He added that reports of a concurrent Woodstock festival in Berlin, possibly at Tempelhof airport, were "premature."
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Gere tours Galapagos, meets unique tortoise
QUITO, Ecuador – Richard Gere may be adopting a new cause: the preservation of the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos National Park spokeswoman Vanessa Garcia says that during a visit to the Ecuadorean islands, he offered to speak out publicly for their conservation.
The Galapagos are home to unique animal and plant species and were a living laboratory for Charles Darwin. But conservationists say they are threatened by development and tourism.
The 59-year-old star of "Pretty Woman" and "Chicago" is touring the archipelago with his wife and son. Ecuadorean TV shows Gere meeting Lonesome George, believed to be the last living member of the Geochelone abigdoni tortoise species.
Gere is an outspoken advocate for human rights in Tibet and other causes.
Galapagos National Park spokeswoman Vanessa Garcia says that during a visit to the Ecuadorean islands, he offered to speak out publicly for their conservation.
The Galapagos are home to unique animal and plant species and were a living laboratory for Charles Darwin. But conservationists say they are threatened by development and tourism.
The 59-year-old star of "Pretty Woman" and "Chicago" is touring the archipelago with his wife and son. Ecuadorean TV shows Gere meeting Lonesome George, believed to be the last living member of the Geochelone abigdoni tortoise species.
Gere is an outspoken advocate for human rights in Tibet and other causes.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Tonight friendly turf for Obama
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — If TV talk shows have become a battleground where hosts and newsmakers duke it out, Jay Leno and U.S. President Barack Obama didn't get the message.
“Mr. President, I must say this has been one of the best nights of my life,” a beaming Leno announced at the end of Obama's visit Thursday to the Tonight show.
Leno queried Obama about difficult issues — including AIG's executive bonuses and criticism of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner — but with minor exception allowed the president to answer without challenge.
It was a sharp contrast to the recent high drama of CNBC host Jim Cramer's painful woodshed appearance on Jon Stewart's show or David Letterman's roasting of John McCain during the presidential campaign.
“Mr. President, I must say this has been one of the best nights of my life,” a beaming Leno announced at the end of Obama's visit Thursday to the Tonight show.
Leno queried Obama about difficult issues — including AIG's executive bonuses and criticism of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner — but with minor exception allowed the president to answer without challenge.
It was a sharp contrast to the recent high drama of CNBC host Jim Cramer's painful woodshed appearance on Jon Stewart's show or David Letterman's roasting of John McCain during the presidential campaign.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Natasha Richardson dies after ski fall
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Award-winning actress Natasha Richardson, a member of Britain's Redgrave acting dynasty, died on Wednesday at age 45 after a suffering a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in Canada earlier this week.
Richardson had been hospitalized in New York since Tuesday, surrounded by her husband, actor Liam Neeson, her two sons Michael, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12, and members of her immediate family including her mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave.
"Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time," family spokesman Alan Nierob said in a statement.
Richardson followed her Oscar-winning mother and her father, the late film director Tony Richardson, into a career on stage and screen in England and the United States. She won Broadway's Tony Award in the 1998 musical revival, "Cabaret."
Richardson had been hospitalized in New York since Tuesday, surrounded by her husband, actor Liam Neeson, her two sons Michael, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12, and members of her immediate family including her mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave.
"Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time," family spokesman Alan Nierob said in a statement.
Richardson followed her Oscar-winning mother and her father, the late film director Tony Richardson, into a career on stage and screen in England and the United States. She won Broadway's Tony Award in the 1998 musical revival, "Cabaret."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Natasha Richardson seriously hurt in ski fall
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Actress Natasha Richardson, a member of Britain's Redgrave theatrical dynasty, was severely injured while skiing at a Canadian resort and returned to New York on Tuesday with her husband, actor Liam Neeson, according to media reports.
Newspapers in New York and London said Richardson, 45, the daughter of actress and activist Vanessa Redgrave, suffered a life-threatening brain injury. But the severity of her condition could not be confirmed as her British and U.S. representatives repeatedly declined comment.
Neeson, who was filming in Toronto, flew to be with his wife in Montreal immediately after hearing of the accident, according to reports.
The Toronto Star said one of its reporters saw Richardson, wrapped in blankets and lying on a stretcher with Neeson nearby as she was placed in an ambulance outside Montreal's Hopital du Sacre-Coeur where she had been taken.
Newspapers in New York and London said Richardson, 45, the daughter of actress and activist Vanessa Redgrave, suffered a life-threatening brain injury. But the severity of her condition could not be confirmed as her British and U.S. representatives repeatedly declined comment.
Neeson, who was filming in Toronto, flew to be with his wife in Montreal immediately after hearing of the accident, according to reports.
The Toronto Star said one of its reporters saw Richardson, wrapped in blankets and lying on a stretcher with Neeson nearby as she was placed in an ambulance outside Montreal's Hopital du Sacre-Coeur where she had been taken.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Bands often scalp tickets, says Nine Inch Nails' Reznor
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Performers often scalp tickets to their own performances, using TicketsNow.com and StubHub.com as outlets, says Nine Inch Nails founder Trent Reznor in a blog posting.
With the face value of tickets for the best seats so much less than what high rollers and avid fans are willing to pay, performers have to choose between letting scalpers reap the profits of their work or cashing in themselves, said industrial rocker Reznor in a blog posting on Sunday.
"The venue, the promoter, the ticketing agency and often the artist camp (artist, management and agent) take tickets from the pool of available seats and feed them directly to the re-seller," wrote Reznor, who has a long history of battling the music industry.
"I am not saying every one of the above entities all do this, nor am I saying they do it for all shows but this is a very common practice," wrote Reznor. "StubHub.com is an example of a re-seller/scalper. So is TicketsNow.com."
Reselling may disappear and the face value of tickets go up if U.S. Justice Department antitrust officials allow the planned merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation Inc, Reznor predicted.
With the face value of tickets for the best seats so much less than what high rollers and avid fans are willing to pay, performers have to choose between letting scalpers reap the profits of their work or cashing in themselves, said industrial rocker Reznor in a blog posting on Sunday.
"The venue, the promoter, the ticketing agency and often the artist camp (artist, management and agent) take tickets from the pool of available seats and feed them directly to the re-seller," wrote Reznor, who has a long history of battling the music industry.
"I am not saying every one of the above entities all do this, nor am I saying they do it for all shows but this is a very common practice," wrote Reznor. "StubHub.com is an example of a re-seller/scalper. So is TicketsNow.com."
Reselling may disappear and the face value of tickets go up if U.S. Justice Department antitrust officials allow the planned merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation Inc, Reznor predicted.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Actor Ron Silver, 62, dies of cancer
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Award-winning actor and activist Ron Silver, who was Emmy-nominated for his role on the hit U.S. television drama "The West Wing," died on Sunday of cancer. He was 62.
"Ron Silver died peacefully in his sleep with his family around him early Sunday morning," said Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition, which Silver helped found.
Bronk said Silver was with his family in New York City and he had been fighting esophageal cancer for two years.
Bronk called Silver not only a very talented actor, but a champion of free speech and artists rights.
New York-based Creative Coalition is an art-oriented political group founded in 1989 by Silver, Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon, among others.
After the September 11 attacks, Silver, a longtime Democrat, became an outspoken supporter of Republican President George W. Bush.
"Ron Silver died peacefully in his sleep with his family around him early Sunday morning," said Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition, which Silver helped found.
Bronk said Silver was with his family in New York City and he had been fighting esophageal cancer for two years.
Bronk called Silver not only a very talented actor, but a champion of free speech and artists rights.
New York-based Creative Coalition is an art-oriented political group founded in 1989 by Silver, Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon, among others.
After the September 11 attacks, Silver, a longtime Democrat, became an outspoken supporter of Republican President George W. Bush.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Coldplay, Minogue, Midnight Oil rock at Australian fire concerts
A parade of music stars, from Coldplay to Kylie Minogue and a reunited Midnight Oil — featuring ex-frontman Peter Garrett, now Australia's environment minister — played to sold-out crowds Saturday night at two charity concerts for victims of Australia's deadly wildfires.
Stormy weather did not deter crowds from turning out to the Sound Relief concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. Organizers say they hope to raise about $5 million Australian ($4.18 million Cdn) from the charity events.
The recent fires killed 210 people and devastated hundreds of families.
"I'm so thankful I can make it home tonight and share this with all of you," said Minogue, who flew back from a Bollywood film shoot in India, before leading the 80,000-strong Melbourne crowd to a singalong of I Still Call Australia Home.
Stormy weather did not deter crowds from turning out to the Sound Relief concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. Organizers say they hope to raise about $5 million Australian ($4.18 million Cdn) from the charity events.
The recent fires killed 210 people and devastated hundreds of families.
"I'm so thankful I can make it home tonight and share this with all of you," said Minogue, who flew back from a Bollywood film shoot in India, before leading the 80,000-strong Melbourne crowd to a singalong of I Still Call Australia Home.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Almodovar shows his dark side with "Broken Embraces"
MADRID (Reuters) – This year in Spanish cinema, Pedro Almodovar is the new black.
Oscar-winning director Almodovar's latest film "Broken Embraces" drops his distinctive comic melodrama for the best tradition of "film noir," the dark and stylish film genre used in many crime dramas.
Set for release on March 18 in Spain and in the rest of Europe in May, the film stars recent Oscar winner Penelope Cruz in the role of a tragedy-dogged aspiring actress.
"The film noir genre is one of my favorites," Almodovar told reporters at a screening of the film on Friday. "The fact this film was really "black" was what was very satisfying."
"Broken Embraces" centers on a quartet of characters in the movie business whose lives are interwoven in a torrid tale of love, power, secrecy, betrayal and vengeance. There is the actress Lena (Cruz), script writer and director Mateo, film producer Judith and unscrupulous financier Ernesto
The dark and stylish cinematography recalls classic Hollywood thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s, including one scene where Lena's jealous lover pushes her down a long, winding staircase, evoking a similar scene in Henry Hathaway's "The Kiss of Death."
Oscar-winning director Almodovar's latest film "Broken Embraces" drops his distinctive comic melodrama for the best tradition of "film noir," the dark and stylish film genre used in many crime dramas.
Set for release on March 18 in Spain and in the rest of Europe in May, the film stars recent Oscar winner Penelope Cruz in the role of a tragedy-dogged aspiring actress.
"The film noir genre is one of my favorites," Almodovar told reporters at a screening of the film on Friday. "The fact this film was really "black" was what was very satisfying."
"Broken Embraces" centers on a quartet of characters in the movie business whose lives are interwoven in a torrid tale of love, power, secrecy, betrayal and vengeance. There is the actress Lena (Cruz), script writer and director Mateo, film producer Judith and unscrupulous financier Ernesto
The dark and stylish cinematography recalls classic Hollywood thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s, including one scene where Lena's jealous lover pushes her down a long, winding staircase, evoking a similar scene in Henry Hathaway's "The Kiss of Death."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Where words, notes, steps meet
Call it a bicycle-wheel model of artistic programming that's gaining momentum – as it should. The Art of Time Ensemble's artistic director, Andrew Burashko, has been kicking the tires for nearly a decade.
Ted Dykstra, one of his current collaborators, recently ruminated that Burashko's projects are constructed like a simple bicycle wheel.
“The spokes on a bike all connect to the centre. He picks a centre and then he chooses what spokes to concentrate on,” Dykstra says.
It's an apt description of the cascade of connections that link Art of Time's latest offering, The Kreutzer Sonata, collectively staged by Burashko and actors Dykstra and R.H. Thomson, Canadian Opera Company concertmaster Marie Bérard and the dancers of Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie.
Ted Dykstra, one of his current collaborators, recently ruminated that Burashko's projects are constructed like a simple bicycle wheel.
“The spokes on a bike all connect to the centre. He picks a centre and then he chooses what spokes to concentrate on,” Dykstra says.
It's an apt description of the cascade of connections that link Art of Time's latest offering, The Kreutzer Sonata, collectively staged by Burashko and actors Dykstra and R.H. Thomson, Canadian Opera Company concertmaster Marie Bérard and the dancers of Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Chris Brown, Rihanna recording love duet: reports
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Chris Brown and Rihanna are recording a duet together -- said to be a love song -- despite prosecutors charging Brown with a violent attack on his girlfriend, celebrity websites reported on Tuesday.
While lawyers work behind the scenes on a possible plea deal that could allow the 19-year-old R&B singer to avoid jail time, Brown and Rihanna have been in a Los Angeles area studio working on a love song, celebrity website TMZ.com said.
TMZ said the song was originally written for Rihanna before the couple fought on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February. But afterward, music producer Polow Da Don believed the track -- which focuses on overcoming difficult challenges as a couple -- would make a good duet.
The late night sessions were "very, very emotional...the feeling in the room was pure love," an unidentified source was quoted as telling TMZ.
While lawyers work behind the scenes on a possible plea deal that could allow the 19-year-old R&B singer to avoid jail time, Brown and Rihanna have been in a Los Angeles area studio working on a love song, celebrity website TMZ.com said.
TMZ said the song was originally written for Rihanna before the couple fought on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February. But afterward, music producer Polow Da Don believed the track -- which focuses on overcoming difficult challenges as a couple -- would make a good duet.
The late night sessions were "very, very emotional...the feeling in the room was pure love," an unidentified source was quoted as telling TMZ.
Friday, March 6, 2009
"Watchmen" looking at $60 million opening
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Warner Bros. is not the only studio hoping for big numbers when "Watchmen" opens across North America this weekend.
Its one-time legal adversary, 20th Century Fox, will also be rooting for the superhero film. The studio is in line to receive up to 8.5% of the picture's eventual worldwide gross following the settlement of a legal squabble with Warners over who actually owns the rights.
No studio has dared schedule a wide release to open opposite the gritty action movie, which gets an early start on the weekend with a series of midnight screenings on Thursday.
Its two-hour, 40-minute running time could hamper daily grosses a bit, but likely won't keep "Watchmen" from ringing up $60 million or more through Sunday. Similarly, early reviews have been mixed, but that won't matter much to fans of the 1980s comics series -- by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons -- on which the film is based.
Its one-time legal adversary, 20th Century Fox, will also be rooting for the superhero film. The studio is in line to receive up to 8.5% of the picture's eventual worldwide gross following the settlement of a legal squabble with Warners over who actually owns the rights.
No studio has dared schedule a wide release to open opposite the gritty action movie, which gets an early start on the weekend with a series of midnight screenings on Thursday.
Its two-hour, 40-minute running time could hamper daily grosses a bit, but likely won't keep "Watchmen" from ringing up $60 million or more through Sunday. Similarly, early reviews have been mixed, but that won't matter much to fans of the 1980s comics series -- by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons -- on which the film is based.
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