LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – VH1 is giving two female hip-hop artists their own reality series -- Sandra "Pepa" Denton of Salt-N-Pepa and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas from TLC.
The as-yet-untitled series are scheduled to premiere in 2010. Eight half-hour episodes have been ordered for each.
The "Pepa" series follows Denton as she begins her to search for love after living a celibate life for years.
"Chilli" from R&B group TLC is also searching for romance and has enlisted the help of Brooklyn relationships expert Tionna Smalls.
The network has also renewed "Celebrity Fit Club" for a seventh season and "Sober House with Dr. Drew" for a second season.
Recently VH1 also announced new primetime series including Jessica Simpson's "The Price Of Beauty;" a series about the family and career of "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino; "The OCD Project," about obsessive-compulsive patients living together; and "The Aspen Project," a docusoap set in one of the wealthiest communities in the world.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
'Transformers' takes to sky with $112M weekend
LOS ANGELES – Alien robots have transformed into box-office superstars with $200 million in domestic ticket sales in just five days.
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" took in $112 million in the sequel's first weekend and $201.2 million since opening Wednesday, according to Sunday estimates from Paramount, which is distributing the DreamWorks movie.
It was well on the way to becoming the year's top-grossing movie.
That was a few million dollars higher than other studios were expecting for the movie, and the figures could change a bit when final numbers are released Monday.
Still, it was a colossal start for the "Transformers" sequel, whose opening five days amounted to nearly two-thirds of the $319 million domestic total the franchise's first movie did over its entire run in 2007.
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" took in $112 million in the sequel's first weekend and $201.2 million since opening Wednesday, according to Sunday estimates from Paramount, which is distributing the DreamWorks movie.
It was well on the way to becoming the year's top-grossing movie.
That was a few million dollars higher than other studios were expecting for the movie, and the figures could change a bit when final numbers are released Monday.
Still, it was a colossal start for the "Transformers" sequel, whose opening five days amounted to nearly two-thirds of the $319 million domestic total the franchise's first movie did over its entire run in 2007.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thread of pain ran through Jackson's career
It was the last day of shooting for a Pepsi commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1984, and the only hiccup had been an argument between Michael Jackson and an ad executive over whether the young superstar would take off his sunglasses.
"Then," as the executive later wrote, "we set his hair on fire."
Jackson was descending a staircase in an extravagant, pyrotechnic opening sequence, dancing to "Billie Jean," when a spark landed on his head. Jackson cried out. People nearby leapt on him to put out the fire, but Jackson was hospitalized for days with a burned scalp.
Thus began a thread of pain that ran through a remarkable career — and made painkillers all too accessible.
Because of accidents, frequent plastic surgery and the sheer intensity of his dancing, physical agony was the unshakable problem with being Michael Jackson.
Medical examiners in Los Angeles are perhaps weeks away from determining an official cause of death, but officials did say Friday that tests showed Jackson was taking prescription medication.
"Then," as the executive later wrote, "we set his hair on fire."
Jackson was descending a staircase in an extravagant, pyrotechnic opening sequence, dancing to "Billie Jean," when a spark landed on his head. Jackson cried out. People nearby leapt on him to put out the fire, but Jackson was hospitalized for days with a burned scalp.
Thus began a thread of pain that ran through a remarkable career — and made painkillers all too accessible.
Because of accidents, frequent plastic surgery and the sheer intensity of his dancing, physical agony was the unshakable problem with being Michael Jackson.
Medical examiners in Los Angeles are perhaps weeks away from determining an official cause of death, but officials did say Friday that tests showed Jackson was taking prescription medication.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
AP Source: Jackson suffered a heart attack
LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, who was with a cardiologist when he collapsed at his rented home in Los Angeles, appeared to have suffered a heart attack, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, said Jackson suffered a heart attack, which is a blocking of the arteries that deprives the heart of adequate blood. That can lead to cardiac arrest, an interruption of the normal heartbeat.
Jackson's brother Jermaine said Thursday that it was believed the pop singer went into cardiac arrest. The Los Angeles County coroner's office, which completed its autopsy Friday, said determining the cause of death will require further tests that will take six to eight weeks.
The possibility of a heart attack could be a key clue as to why Jackson had a cardiologist at his home while he went through vigorous training for an upcoming series of concerts in London: Heart attacks can indicate a long-term problem, such as heart disease. It would not necessarily rule out another factor, such as drug use, however.
The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, said Jackson suffered a heart attack, which is a blocking of the arteries that deprives the heart of adequate blood. That can lead to cardiac arrest, an interruption of the normal heartbeat.
Jackson's brother Jermaine said Thursday that it was believed the pop singer went into cardiac arrest. The Los Angeles County coroner's office, which completed its autopsy Friday, said determining the cause of death will require further tests that will take six to eight weeks.
The possibility of a heart attack could be a key clue as to why Jackson had a cardiologist at his home while he went through vigorous training for an upcoming series of concerts in London: Heart attacks can indicate a long-term problem, such as heart disease. It would not necessarily rule out another factor, such as drug use, however.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hundreds of Jackson fans converge on hospital
LOS ANGELES – Across the country, people reacted in stunned disbelief Thursday as word spread that Michael Jackson had collapsed and died.
Within minutes of Jackson's arrival by ambulance at UCLA Medical Center people began arriving by the hundreds, the crowd quickly filling a grassy entrance outside the hospital. As word spread that Jackson had been pronounced dead, several people burst into tears. Others simply stood in disbelief. Still others whipped out cell phones and began calling or texting friends.
At Times Square in New York, where people had begun gathering as word spread that Jackson had fallen ill, a collective groan went up from the crowd as the words announcing his death flashed across a giant TV screen.
During Los Angeles' notoriously slow-paced rush-hour commute, Jackson's music could be heard blaring from several cars along busy Wilshire Boulevard.
Within minutes of Jackson's arrival by ambulance at UCLA Medical Center people began arriving by the hundreds, the crowd quickly filling a grassy entrance outside the hospital. As word spread that Jackson had been pronounced dead, several people burst into tears. Others simply stood in disbelief. Still others whipped out cell phones and began calling or texting friends.
At Times Square in New York, where people had begun gathering as word spread that Jackson had fallen ill, a collective groan went up from the crowd as the words announcing his death flashed across a giant TV screen.
During Los Angeles' notoriously slow-paced rush-hour commute, Jackson's music could be heard blaring from several cars along busy Wilshire Boulevard.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
"Watchmen" director's cut headed to theaters
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The director's cut of "Watchmen," featuring an additional 25 minutes of footage and the death of a supporting character, will receive a limited theatrical rollout during the weekend ahead of its July 21 home-video release.
The superhero saga, which was considered to be a bit of a box office disappointment during its first go-round in March, will screen in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Dallas.
The rollout will culminate with a special screening July 25 at the Comic-Con International confab in San Diego, taking advantage of a Blu-ray Disc feature that will allow any viewer in North America to watch the movie at the same time as the audience at Comic-Con, see and hear director Zack Snyder comment on the movie, and even ask questions. The screening will then be archived and will be able to be accessed for future viewings.
"Comic-Con, it isn't just comic book fanatics, it's cinephiles as well. It'll be cool to discuss what people are thinking," Snyder said at a "Watchmen" press day, held Wednesday at Warner Bros., where the news was unveiled.
The superhero saga, which was considered to be a bit of a box office disappointment during its first go-round in March, will screen in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Dallas.
The rollout will culminate with a special screening July 25 at the Comic-Con International confab in San Diego, taking advantage of a Blu-ray Disc feature that will allow any viewer in North America to watch the movie at the same time as the audience at Comic-Con, see and hear director Zack Snyder comment on the movie, and even ask questions. The screening will then be archived and will be able to be accessed for future viewings.
"Comic-Con, it isn't just comic book fanatics, it's cinephiles as well. It'll be cool to discuss what people are thinking," Snyder said at a "Watchmen" press day, held Wednesday at Warner Bros., where the news was unveiled.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Daniel Craig eyes psychological thriller
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – Daniel Craig can shake, but can he stir?
The latest James Bond has proved a critical and commercial success in his two turns in the iconic role, for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." But he has been deliberate in choosing his next live-action role.
Now comes word he is in early talks to star in "Dream House," a psychological thriller to be directed by Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan for indie producer Morgan Creek, though principals stress that the two sides have not reached a deal.
In the David Loucka script, Craig would play a man who moves his family to an idyllic small town, only to find his house haunted by its former inhabitants, who were murdered there.
With a pedigreed director like Sheridan ("In America," "My Left Foot"), the movie would accomplish the goal of branching Craig out into a more prestige direction post-"Quantum" while keeping him in the realm of the commercial.
The latest James Bond has proved a critical and commercial success in his two turns in the iconic role, for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." But he has been deliberate in choosing his next live-action role.
Now comes word he is in early talks to star in "Dream House," a psychological thriller to be directed by Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan for indie producer Morgan Creek, though principals stress that the two sides have not reached a deal.
In the David Loucka script, Craig would play a man who moves his family to an idyllic small town, only to find his house haunted by its former inhabitants, who were murdered there.
With a pedigreed director like Sheridan ("In America," "My Left Foot"), the movie would accomplish the goal of branching Craig out into a more prestige direction post-"Quantum" while keeping him in the realm of the commercial.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Chris Brown gets probation for assault on Rihanna
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – R&B singer Chris Brown pleaded guilty on Monday to assaulting his former girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, in an agreement with prosecutors that calls for him to spend five years of probation and attend courses on domestic violence.
Brown, singer of the hits "Run It" and "Kiss Kiss," will be formally sentenced August 5. He had faced four years in prison if convicted in a trial on charges of assault and a making a criminal threat. There was no plea deal on a second charge.
In addition to the probation and the domestic violence course in his home state of Virginia, Brown also must perform 180 days of community service.
He was ordered to keep his distance from Rihanna, 21, who was in the courthouse on Monday and prepared to testify against him.
Brown, 20, showed no emotion as his high-profile defense lawyer Mark Geragos told Los Angeles Judge Patricia Schnegg of the plea agreement with prosecutors.
Dressed in a gray suit, the singer was accompanied into the courtroom by his mother and an entourage of supporters.
Brown, singer of the hits "Run It" and "Kiss Kiss," will be formally sentenced August 5. He had faced four years in prison if convicted in a trial on charges of assault and a making a criminal threat. There was no plea deal on a second charge.
In addition to the probation and the domestic violence course in his home state of Virginia, Brown also must perform 180 days of community service.
He was ordered to keep his distance from Rihanna, 21, who was in the courthouse on Monday and prepared to testify against him.
Brown, 20, showed no emotion as his high-profile defense lawyer Mark Geragos told Los Angeles Judge Patricia Schnegg of the plea agreement with prosecutors.
Dressed in a gray suit, the singer was accompanied into the courtroom by his mother and an entourage of supporters.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Simultaneous worldwide release a dilemma for films
AMSTERDAM (Hollywood Reporter) – Two of this summer's biggest hit movies illustrate the lucrative possibilities of a simultaneous worldwide release -- as well as its limits.
Sony greenlighted its Tom Hanks starrer "Angels & Demons" -- based on author Dan Brown's less well-known follow-up to "The Da Vinci Code" -- specifically because of its international expectations. Staging a simultaneous worldwide bow in May, the results haven't disappointed: "Angels" has soared to $329 million internationally, combining with a more earthbound $128 million in North America.
"The world has become so small, and a film like 'Angels & Demons' is able to tap into a worldwide audience," said Sony worldwide distribution president Rory Bruer, who's in the Netherlands here this week for the annual Cinema Expo confab. "But you have to look at what's best for the picture."
Indeed, though executives at all studios now routinely scrutinize foreign boxoffice projections when developing projects and planning campaigns, one need look no further than "Terminator Salvation" to realize some films will always elude easy alignment around the world.
Sony greenlighted its Tom Hanks starrer "Angels & Demons" -- based on author Dan Brown's less well-known follow-up to "The Da Vinci Code" -- specifically because of its international expectations. Staging a simultaneous worldwide bow in May, the results haven't disappointed: "Angels" has soared to $329 million internationally, combining with a more earthbound $128 million in North America.
"The world has become so small, and a film like 'Angels & Demons' is able to tap into a worldwide audience," said Sony worldwide distribution president Rory Bruer, who's in the Netherlands here this week for the annual Cinema Expo confab. "But you have to look at what's best for the picture."
Indeed, though executives at all studios now routinely scrutinize foreign boxoffice projections when developing projects and planning campaigns, one need look no further than "Terminator Salvation" to realize some films will always elude easy alignment around the world.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Novelist Kaye Gibbons faces yet another hurdle
RALEIGH, N.C. – On a spring day in 2006, as the sun set on the Duke University campus, novelist Kaye Gibbons strode across the lawn. She had just finished speaking at the Festival of the Book, and two of her three daughters trailed behind her.
A bevy of fans awaited her book signing. "She looks like a rock star," said festival organizer Aaron Greenwald.
On that April day, Gibbons was clearly at the top of her game. She had plans for a second novel with Harcourt Brace, which had just published the sequel to her first novel, "Ellen Foster." She looked good; she had lost the weight that was, perhaps, linked to the drugs she took to treat bipolar disorder.
"I remember her being first, slender; second, really vivacious and sort of sassy in the way she can be and the way you always imagined the characters in her books," said Greenwald, now director of Duke Performances.
A bevy of fans awaited her book signing. "She looks like a rock star," said festival organizer Aaron Greenwald.
On that April day, Gibbons was clearly at the top of her game. She had plans for a second novel with Harcourt Brace, which had just published the sequel to her first novel, "Ellen Foster." She looked good; she had lost the weight that was, perhaps, linked to the drugs she took to treat bipolar disorder.
"I remember her being first, slender; second, really vivacious and sort of sassy in the way she can be and the way you always imagined the characters in her books," said Greenwald, now director of Duke Performances.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Eco-activist rock musician thinks local, acts global
NEW YORK (Reuters) – It's a long way from rock and roll to eco-activist but Chuck Leavell, most recently keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, believes the two are anything but mutually exclusive.
Leavell, 57, said while the 60's are best known for the music and sexual revolutions, in a smaller but equally important way there was greater recognition that people had to start taking care of the environment.
His most recent incarnation is as a co-founder of The Mother Nature Network, an environmental news and information website that launched in January 2009.
As well as director of environmental affairs and a board member, he hosts two video series on mnn.com: "Love of the Land," in which he discusses sustainability and conservation issues, and "The Green Room," a series in which he interviews fellow celebrities about the environment and their philanthropic work.
Leavell, 57, said while the 60's are best known for the music and sexual revolutions, in a smaller but equally important way there was greater recognition that people had to start taking care of the environment.
His most recent incarnation is as a co-founder of The Mother Nature Network, an environmental news and information website that launched in January 2009.
As well as director of environmental affairs and a board member, he hosts two video series on mnn.com: "Love of the Land," in which he discusses sustainability and conservation issues, and "The Green Room," a series in which he interviews fellow celebrities about the environment and their philanthropic work.
Friday, June 19, 2009
U.S. porn industry HIV cases prompt investigation
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California health officials are investigating the Los Angeles clinic where a pornographic film actress recently tested positive for HIV, saying it has failed to alert local authorities to cases of sexually transmitted disease in the adult film industry.
Investigators from the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health on Wednesday conducted a surprise inspection of the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation in suburban Los Angeles as part of the investigation.
The clinic tests performers in the $12 billion-a-year U.S. adult film industry, which is largely centered in the San Fernando Valley suburbs of Los Angeles, and issues work certificates for those who come up clean.
"We are investigating the clinic," Cal-Osha spokeswoman Erika Monterroza told Reuters.
"All talent goes through them for monthly testing and it seems like this clinic had received positive results for HIV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases and didn't report them to the county health department," Monterroza said.
Investigators from the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health on Wednesday conducted a surprise inspection of the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation in suburban Los Angeles as part of the investigation.
The clinic tests performers in the $12 billion-a-year U.S. adult film industry, which is largely centered in the San Fernando Valley suburbs of Los Angeles, and issues work certificates for those who come up clean.
"We are investigating the clinic," Cal-Osha spokeswoman Erika Monterroza told Reuters.
"All talent goes through them for monthly testing and it seems like this clinic had received positive results for HIV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases and didn't report them to the county health department," Monterroza said.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Cohen camps it up as Queen's guard for UK premiere
LONDON (Reuters) – British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen adopted his latest guise as an outrageous gay Austrian fashion reporter on Wednesday for the London premiere of "Bruno," which hits cinemas in most territories next month.
Hoping to replicate the success of his surprise 2006 box office hit "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," the 37-year-old has been typically over-the-top in promoting Bruno.
On Wednesday evening he led a brass band and dressed as a camped-up member of the Queen's guard, complete with towering bearskin hat, sleeveless red tunic revealing his midriff, ultra-tight black hotpants and knee-length boots.
Sticking to his habit of appearing only in character, he addressed the crowd in central London and called Bruno "the most important movie starring a gay Austrian since 'Terminator 2,'" a joking reference to Austrian Terminator star, and now California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Hoping to replicate the success of his surprise 2006 box office hit "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," the 37-year-old has been typically over-the-top in promoting Bruno.
On Wednesday evening he led a brass band and dressed as a camped-up member of the Queen's guard, complete with towering bearskin hat, sleeveless red tunic revealing his midriff, ultra-tight black hotpants and knee-length boots.
Sticking to his habit of appearing only in character, he addressed the crowd in central London and called Bruno "the most important movie starring a gay Austrian since 'Terminator 2,'" a joking reference to Austrian Terminator star, and now California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Ventures guitarist Bob Bogle dies at 75
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Pioneering guitarist Bob Bogle, whose rock-instrumental band the Ventures scored a pair of hits in the 1960s with "Walk, Don't Run" and "Hawaii Five-O," has died, the group said on Tuesday. He was 75.
Bogle died on Sunday of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at a hospital after falling ill at his home in Vancouver, Washington, according to bandmate Don Wilson.
The Ventures were "the most popular instrumental rock 'n' roll band of all time" and are worshiped as "gods" in Japan, rocker John Fogerty said at the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction last year.
Influenced by the likes of Les Paul and Chet Atkins, the Ventures helped pave the way for surf music, and sent 38 albums into the pop charts between 1960 and 1972. They continue to perform to this day with a slightly different lineup.
The Ventures' origins date back to 1958, when Bogle and Wilson started performing as a guitar duo around Tacoma, Washington.
Bogle died on Sunday of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at a hospital after falling ill at his home in Vancouver, Washington, according to bandmate Don Wilson.
The Ventures were "the most popular instrumental rock 'n' roll band of all time" and are worshiped as "gods" in Japan, rocker John Fogerty said at the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction last year.
Influenced by the likes of Les Paul and Chet Atkins, the Ventures helped pave the way for surf music, and sent 38 albums into the pop charts between 1960 and 1972. They continue to perform to this day with a slightly different lineup.
The Ventures' origins date back to 1958, when Bogle and Wilson started performing as a guitar duo around Tacoma, Washington.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Curtis, Chenoweth sign on for comedy "Again"
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The comedy feature "You Again" has taken on some female power.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristin Chenoweth, Odette Yustman and Betty White have joined the cast of the Disney film, as has Victor Garber. They join Kristen Bell and Sigourney Weaver in the movie, which will be directed by Andy Fickman.
The story centers on a woman (Bell) who finds out that her brother plans to marry the girl who made her high school years a living hell and tries to convince him that his fiancee is not the nice girl she pretends to be.
Curtis and Garber will play Bell's parents, and White will play her grandmother. (Weaver is her rich Aunt Ramona.) Chenoweth plays "a wedding extraordinator." Yustman plays Bell's nemesis.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristin Chenoweth, Odette Yustman and Betty White have joined the cast of the Disney film, as has Victor Garber. They join Kristen Bell and Sigourney Weaver in the movie, which will be directed by Andy Fickman.
The story centers on a woman (Bell) who finds out that her brother plans to marry the girl who made her high school years a living hell and tries to convince him that his fiancee is not the nice girl she pretends to be.
Curtis and Garber will play Bell's parents, and White will play her grandmother. (Weaver is her rich Aunt Ramona.) Chenoweth plays "a wedding extraordinator." Yustman plays Bell's nemesis.
Monday, June 15, 2009
N.Y. indie film studio launches in tough times
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Two New York financiers have launched an independent film company to make and sell low-budget movies in a tight U.S. market that has seen hard times for two years due to competition, slowing DVD sales and a lack of fresh money.
Mary Dickinson and Charlene Fisher unveiled DF Indie Studios late Friday to eventually produce 10-12 films annually with a production cost of $10 million or less. They plan to guarantee distribution in the U.S. and Canada, backed by what they say is $150 million in equity financing.
DF Indie Studios (DFIS) has the support of big-name movie makers such as brothers Tony and Ridley Scott ("Gladiator") and independent film veterans Ted Hope and Anne Carey. ("Adventureland" and "In the Bedroom").
"We've been amazed to see the competitors in our budget range have pretty much disappeared," Dickinson told Reuters.
"That's why we're excited about this time period," added Fisher. "We see it working in our favor."
Mary Dickinson and Charlene Fisher unveiled DF Indie Studios late Friday to eventually produce 10-12 films annually with a production cost of $10 million or less. They plan to guarantee distribution in the U.S. and Canada, backed by what they say is $150 million in equity financing.
DF Indie Studios (DFIS) has the support of big-name movie makers such as brothers Tony and Ridley Scott ("Gladiator") and independent film veterans Ted Hope and Anne Carey. ("Adventureland" and "In the Bedroom").
"We've been amazed to see the competitors in our budget range have pretty much disappeared," Dickinson told Reuters.
"That's why we're excited about this time period," added Fisher. "We see it working in our favor."
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Bollywood's Jodhaa Akbar wins at Indian film awards
MACAU (Reuters) – Indian epic film Jodhaa Akbar scooped top honours in India's version of the Oscars at a ceremony in the Chinese gambling haven of Macau Saturday.
Some of Indian cinema's biggest names including Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan graced the green carpet, as thousands of fans screamed and jostled for autographs at the annual IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards.
The night's big winner in an awards ceremony replete with circus performers, fireworks and high-octane Bollywood dance routines was Jodhaa Akbar, about a 16th century Muslim emperor who marries a Hindu princess.
The film picked up awards including best picture and best director for Ashutosh Gowariker, while heart-throb Hrithik Roshan won best male actor and A.R. Rahman best music direction.
The film's director said the central theme of religious tolerance was a vital one for contemporary Indian society.
Some of Indian cinema's biggest names including Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan graced the green carpet, as thousands of fans screamed and jostled for autographs at the annual IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards.
The night's big winner in an awards ceremony replete with circus performers, fireworks and high-octane Bollywood dance routines was Jodhaa Akbar, about a 16th century Muslim emperor who marries a Hindu princess.
The film picked up awards including best picture and best director for Ashutosh Gowariker, while heart-throb Hrithik Roshan won best male actor and A.R. Rahman best music direction.
The film's director said the central theme of religious tolerance was a vital one for contemporary Indian society.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Televisa, Univision rest in Internet rights trial
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Top Mexican broadcaster Televisa and its U.S. licensee Univision on Friday rested their cases in a lawsuit to determine if Televisa can transmit its TV shows to U.S. markets on the Internet.
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, who is hearing the case without a jury, ordered the parties to return to his Los Angeles courtroom for closing arguments on July 8, at which time he may issue a tentative ruling.
Gutierrez gave no sign of how he would rule in the case, but told Televisa attorney Herbert Wachtell earlier this week that "the common sense thing that has been bothering me is that (former Univision Chairman and Chief Executive Jerry) Perenchio would allow Televisa to become a competitor ... that there was this giant loophole" in the program licensing agreement.
The lawsuit centers on how to interpret a clause in a 1992 program license agreement (PLA) that originally dealt with the spillover of Televisa's broadcast signal across the U.S.-Mexico border into Univision's licensed territory.
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, who is hearing the case without a jury, ordered the parties to return to his Los Angeles courtroom for closing arguments on July 8, at which time he may issue a tentative ruling.
Gutierrez gave no sign of how he would rule in the case, but told Televisa attorney Herbert Wachtell earlier this week that "the common sense thing that has been bothering me is that (former Univision Chairman and Chief Executive Jerry) Perenchio would allow Televisa to become a competitor ... that there was this giant loophole" in the program licensing agreement.
The lawsuit centers on how to interpret a clause in a 1992 program license agreement (PLA) that originally dealt with the spillover of Televisa's broadcast signal across the U.S.-Mexico border into Univision's licensed territory.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Mexico's Televisa eyes mobile phone market
LOS ANGELES/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Broadcaster Televisa said on Thursday it wants to offer mobile phone services in Mexico, elbowing into the market dominated by billionaire Carlos Slim.
A top Televisa official told Reuters that the Mexico City-based company, the biggest producer of Spanish-language content in the world, is interested in bidding for a fiber optic network and wireless spectrum.
Mexico's government says it will launch tenders for the use of mobile telephone frequencies before the end of 2009 in a bid to boost competition.
The Mexican mobile phone market is led by America Movil, controlled by Slim, with nearly 60 million subscribers. Spain's Telefonica stands in a distant second place.
The Televisa source said mobile phone services would be offered through its cable companies.
Televisa owns Cablevision, Cablemas and Cablevision Monterrey, which recently teamed with Guadalajara-based Megacable to offer a low-priced video, fixed phone and Internet package, known as triple play.
A top Televisa official told Reuters that the Mexico City-based company, the biggest producer of Spanish-language content in the world, is interested in bidding for a fiber optic network and wireless spectrum.
Mexico's government says it will launch tenders for the use of mobile telephone frequencies before the end of 2009 in a bid to boost competition.
The Mexican mobile phone market is led by America Movil, controlled by Slim, with nearly 60 million subscribers. Spain's Telefonica stands in a distant second place.
The Televisa source said mobile phone services would be offered through its cable companies.
Televisa owns Cablevision, Cablemas and Cablevision Monterrey, which recently teamed with Guadalajara-based Megacable to offer a low-priced video, fixed phone and Internet package, known as triple play.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
FCC expects few problems during digital switchover
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – Just days before the transition to digital television, 2.8 million households, or 2.5 percent of the TV market, are unprepared.
According to Nielsen, the latest tally is half of the 5.8 million that were unprepared in February, when the government postponed the transition by four months.
At a news conference Wednesday in Los Angeles, acting Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Copps reiterated the importance of the transition and said the agency was expecting relatively minor problems when the switchover begins Friday.
"This is the biggest transition in television, an even bigger transition than black-and-white to color," Copps said. "Our whole society is going digital, and broadcast needs to be a part of that transition."
Copps said the freed-up bandwidth will help establish a public safety network, as well as provide more room for wireless and broadband applications.
According to Nielsen, the latest tally is half of the 5.8 million that were unprepared in February, when the government postponed the transition by four months.
At a news conference Wednesday in Los Angeles, acting Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Copps reiterated the importance of the transition and said the agency was expecting relatively minor problems when the switchover begins Friday.
"This is the biggest transition in television, an even bigger transition than black-and-white to color," Copps said. "Our whole society is going digital, and broadcast needs to be a part of that transition."
Copps said the freed-up bandwidth will help establish a public safety network, as well as provide more room for wireless and broadband applications.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
New York Times does not plan to close Boston Globe
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The New York Times Co said on Tuesday that it does not plan to close The Boston Globe, a day after its largest union rejected a $10 million package of concessions aimed at cutting costs at the 137-year-old newspaper.
But tensions are only deepening between the Globe and the Boston Newspaper Guild. The Times has said it will cut more than a fifth of union members' pay to get the savings that it needs. The union on Tuesday responded by petitioning the U.S. government to block that move.
The Times said it will cut the pay of members of the Boston Newspaper Guild by 23 percent after they narrowly rejected the concessions. The concessions that they rejected included an 8.4 percent pay cut, elimination of some benefits, and furloughs.
The union responded by filing a complaint about the pay cut with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Tuesday.
But tensions are only deepening between the Globe and the Boston Newspaper Guild. The Times has said it will cut more than a fifth of union members' pay to get the savings that it needs. The union on Tuesday responded by petitioning the U.S. government to block that move.
The Times said it will cut the pay of members of the Boston Newspaper Guild by 23 percent after they narrowly rejected the concessions. The concessions that they rejected included an 8.4 percent pay cut, elimination of some benefits, and furloughs.
The union responded by filing a complaint about the pay cut with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Rock festivals fighting financial washout
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – The Prodigy or Fatboy Slim are not enough to persuade Dorina Keresztes to fork out for a rock festival ticket this summer. She says she will find other ways to party.
"Lounging in a park drinking wine with friends is, you know, free," said the 22-year old student from Budapest.
Glastonbury in Britain may be a sell-out, but in the north and east of Europe from Denmark's Roskilde to Romania's B'esfest and Hungary's Sziget, the uncertainties of recession are making 2009 as a rock festival 'summer of love' a hard sell.
As some sponsors pull out, the discounts on offer look geared to publicity. Bring 45 people to Sziget -- usually Europe's third-largest event after Roskilde and Glastonbury -- and all can go half price, organizers say.
Other festivals are postponing planned price hikes, particularly in eastern Europe where the crisis has fallen on countries with already much slimmer economic cushions than in the West. Many have had to scale back.
"Lounging in a park drinking wine with friends is, you know, free," said the 22-year old student from Budapest.
Glastonbury in Britain may be a sell-out, but in the north and east of Europe from Denmark's Roskilde to Romania's B'esfest and Hungary's Sziget, the uncertainties of recession are making 2009 as a rock festival 'summer of love' a hard sell.
As some sponsors pull out, the discounts on offer look geared to publicity. Bring 45 people to Sziget -- usually Europe's third-largest event after Roskilde and Glastonbury -- and all can go half price, organizers say.
Other festivals are postponing planned price hikes, particularly in eastern Europe where the crisis has fallen on countries with already much slimmer economic cushions than in the West. Many have had to scale back.
Monday, June 8, 2009
"Terminator" tops overseas box office
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – "Terminator Salvation" broadened its international presence over the weekend and claimed the No. 1 spot at the overseas box office, while the previous week's champ, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," slipped to second place.
With the comic fantasy "Land of the Lost" opening overseas next weekend, the international circuit lacked a high-profile debut this round.
"Terminator Salvation" grossed $67.5 million from 8,325 screens in 70 markets. The fourth title in the sci-fi action series had been in foreign release for a fortnight, playing mostly limited dates in the Middle East and Asia. The Christian Bale/Sam Worthington vehicle broke wide over the weekend, finishing in first place in all but four of the territories it played.
The leading market was the U.K., where "Salvation" grossed $11.6 million from 900 locations. Russia produced $8 million from 786 sites, the 10th biggest weekend opener ever for a Hollywood title in the market.
"Terminator Salvation's" early foreign gross is $97.2 million. With $4.4 million from paid previews in Japan factored in, the cume is $101.6 million.
With the comic fantasy "Land of the Lost" opening overseas next weekend, the international circuit lacked a high-profile debut this round.
"Terminator Salvation" grossed $67.5 million from 8,325 screens in 70 markets. The fourth title in the sci-fi action series had been in foreign release for a fortnight, playing mostly limited dates in the Middle East and Asia. The Christian Bale/Sam Worthington vehicle broke wide over the weekend, finishing in first place in all but four of the territories it played.
The leading market was the U.K., where "Salvation" grossed $11.6 million from 900 locations. Russia produced $8 million from 786 sites, the 10th biggest weekend opener ever for a Hollywood title in the market.
"Terminator Salvation's" early foreign gross is $97.2 million. With $4.4 million from paid previews in Japan factored in, the cume is $101.6 million.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Broadcasting pioneer Mildred MacDonald dies
Mildred MacDonald, an Ottawa role model for women in the field of broadcasting, has died.
MacDonald worked for 50 years as a broadcaster in both radio and television and spent most of her career with CBC.
She died on Thursday evening at an Ottawa hospice after a battle with cancer. She was 81.
MacDonald was born in Moose Jaw, Sask., and worked in private radio there before she moved to Ottawa in the early 1950s.
At that time, the public broadcaster didn't hire women as on-air staff, but MacDonald soon found her way on air as a freelancer.
She covered the Queen Mother's 1954 visit to Canada, alongside then broadcaster René Lévesque, and the Saskatchewan doctor's strike in 1960 over a provincial bill that led to the creation of medicare.
MacDonald was a longtime contributor to CBC Ottawa's In Town and Out radio program, which airs on Saturday mornings.
MacDonald worked for 50 years as a broadcaster in both radio and television and spent most of her career with CBC.
She died on Thursday evening at an Ottawa hospice after a battle with cancer. She was 81.
MacDonald was born in Moose Jaw, Sask., and worked in private radio there before she moved to Ottawa in the early 1950s.
At that time, the public broadcaster didn't hire women as on-air staff, but MacDonald soon found her way on air as a freelancer.
She covered the Queen Mother's 1954 visit to Canada, alongside then broadcaster René Lévesque, and the Saskatchewan doctor's strike in 1960 over a provincial bill that led to the creation of medicare.
MacDonald was a longtime contributor to CBC Ottawa's In Town and Out radio program, which airs on Saturday mornings.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thai coroner seeks cause of "Kung Fu" actor's death
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai coroners completed an autopsy on Friday on the body of actor David Carradine, a day after the star of the U.S. television show "Kung Fu" was found naked and hanging dead in his luxury Bangkok hotel room.
Coroners at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn hospital said they had not yet determined the cause of the 72-year-old's death and were waiting for the results of a toxicology screen.
"We are now running tests and then we will decide the cause of death," the hospital's chief coroner, Nantana Sirisap, told Reuters.
"This certainly was not a natural cause of death," she said.
A maid found Carradine hanging naked by a rope in the closet of his hotel suite at the plush Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel on Thursday, police said.
Coroners at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn hospital said they had not yet determined the cause of the 72-year-old's death and were waiting for the results of a toxicology screen.
"We are now running tests and then we will decide the cause of death," the hospital's chief coroner, Nantana Sirisap, told Reuters.
"This certainly was not a natural cause of death," she said.
A maid found Carradine hanging naked by a rope in the closet of his hotel suite at the plush Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel on Thursday, police said.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Quebecois filmmaker gets call from Brad Pitt's production company
A young Quebecois filmmaker who was the toast of the Cannes Directors' Fortnight side event in France has apparently grabbed the attention of Brad Pitt.
Xavier Dolan, who just turned 20, nabbed three trophies at the Directors' Fortnight gala on May 22 for his first film, J'ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother).
Dolan captured the Art Cinema prize, the Regards Jeunes award and the SACD prize for best French-language film.
Dolan says he recently got a call from Pitt's production company but has been busy preparing for the Montreal premiere of his film on June 5. It opens in seven theatres across Quebec that day and will expand to another seven next week.
"With everything, with all of this, I don't have time, so I will call them back next week," said the Montreal-based writer, director and actor.
Dolan's coming-of-age drama tells the story of a teenager – played by Dolan – discovering his homosexuality while grappling with a love-hate relationship with his mother.
Xavier Dolan, who just turned 20, nabbed three trophies at the Directors' Fortnight gala on May 22 for his first film, J'ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother).
Dolan captured the Art Cinema prize, the Regards Jeunes award and the SACD prize for best French-language film.
Dolan says he recently got a call from Pitt's production company but has been busy preparing for the Montreal premiere of his film on June 5. It opens in seven theatres across Quebec that day and will expand to another seven next week.
"With everything, with all of this, I don't have time, so I will call them back next week," said the Montreal-based writer, director and actor.
Dolan's coming-of-age drama tells the story of a teenager – played by Dolan – discovering his homosexuality while grappling with a love-hate relationship with his mother.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Baron Cohen MTV landing was staged, writer says
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor Sacha Baron Cohen's outrageous bare buttock landing in Eminem's face at the MTV Movie Awards was a rehearsed stunt, according to one of the show's writers.
And another report on Tuesday suggested the Detroit rapper wasn't the first choice target of the British provocateur to promote his upcoming movie "Bruno."
The victim was to have been celebrity heiress Paris Hilton but she declined, Life & Style magazine said on its website.
The Eminem incident quickly became the most talked about highlight of a live two-hour television show that pushed the boundaries of taste and language.
Baron Cohen, clad in white feather wings and a jockstrap, swept from the air on a harness and landed face down in the lap of Eminem, who was wearing a microphone and sitting in the audience. On TV, the rapper was then shown leaving the building, in what MTV said was "a heated rage."
And another report on Tuesday suggested the Detroit rapper wasn't the first choice target of the British provocateur to promote his upcoming movie "Bruno."
The victim was to have been celebrity heiress Paris Hilton but she declined, Life & Style magazine said on its website.
The Eminem incident quickly became the most talked about highlight of a live two-hour television show that pushed the boundaries of taste and language.
Baron Cohen, clad in white feather wings and a jockstrap, swept from the air on a harness and landed face down in the lap of Eminem, who was wearing a microphone and sitting in the audience. On TV, the rapper was then shown leaving the building, in what MTV said was "a heated rage."
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Miley Cyrus signs on for more "Hannah"
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – "Hannah Montana" will shine on. Disney Channel has closed a deal for a fourth season of the blockbuster series starring Miley Cyrus.
The cable channel also has ordered a second season of its breakout new comedy series "Sonny With a Chance," starring Demi Lovato, and has tapped Jeffrey Hornaday, choreographer of such movies as "Flashdance" and "A Chorus Line," to direct and choreograph the fourth "High School Musical" movie.
There had been questions about whether Cyrus would return to the series that made her a global star, with the teen actress-singer recently expressing her intention to continue her small-screen duties as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana for one more year.
As part of the deal, Cyrus will get a long hiatus to work on the feature "The Last Song," with production on the fourth season of "Hannah Montana" slated to begin next year. (Filming of the show's third season wraps this week.)
The cable channel also has ordered a second season of its breakout new comedy series "Sonny With a Chance," starring Demi Lovato, and has tapped Jeffrey Hornaday, choreographer of such movies as "Flashdance" and "A Chorus Line," to direct and choreograph the fourth "High School Musical" movie.
There had been questions about whether Cyrus would return to the series that made her a global star, with the teen actress-singer recently expressing her intention to continue her small-screen duties as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana for one more year.
As part of the deal, Cyrus will get a long hiatus to work on the feature "The Last Song," with production on the fourth season of "Hannah Montana" slated to begin next year. (Filming of the show's third season wraps this week.)
Monday, June 1, 2009
"Twilight" sweeps MTV Awards
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Vampire movie "Twilight" took the honors at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday, but it was an unscripted stunt involving "Borat" actor Sacha Baron Cohen and singer Eminem that stole the live show.
"Twilight" swept up five awards, including best movie, best kiss and best fight at the irreverent fan-driven event where viewers had a sneak preview of the movie's forthcoming sequel "New Moon."
Australia's Heath Ledger won the award for best villain, adding to the slew of trophies awarded to the "Dark Knight" actor after his death in January 2008.
But it was the outrageous Cohen, promoting his upcoming movie "Bruno" in which the British actor plays a gay Austrian fashionista, who brought the house down.
Sweeping high above the studio on a harness, Cohen hit an obstacle, spun down toward the audience and landed face down in the lap of Eminem, exposing his naked bottom to both the white rapper and to millions of viewers watching the awards show live on television.
"Twilight" swept up five awards, including best movie, best kiss and best fight at the irreverent fan-driven event where viewers had a sneak preview of the movie's forthcoming sequel "New Moon."
Australia's Heath Ledger won the award for best villain, adding to the slew of trophies awarded to the "Dark Knight" actor after his death in January 2008.
But it was the outrageous Cohen, promoting his upcoming movie "Bruno" in which the British actor plays a gay Austrian fashionista, who brought the house down.
Sweeping high above the studio on a harness, Cohen hit an obstacle, spun down toward the audience and landed face down in the lap of Eminem, exposing his naked bottom to both the white rapper and to millions of viewers watching the awards show live on television.
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