NEWS ARCHIVE [page 5]
 
BITS OF "STAR TREK" EXPOSED BY SPOCK AND SCOTTY [Aceshowbiz, 8/27/08]
Most of "Star Trek" plot details have been well-kept so far, but with the movie in its post-production phase, hints about the story are being dropped little by little by its cast members, two in particular are Zachary Quinto and Simon Pegg. In different occasion, they talked about what they know of the upcoming film. First is Quinto who revealed further information on his famous character, Spock. In a recent interview with CreationTV, the "Heroes" villain can be heard saying, "This story happens sort of irrespective of where the Spock we've come to know ends up." Highlighting the "irrespective" word he stressed on, some publication speculated that perhaps his Spock won't be the same as Leonard Nimoy's. On Pegg's story, it is reported that the depicter of the younger version of Montgomery "Scotty" Scott has eliminated the question that the movie may be a reboot. Talking to Starlog Magazine, he explained, "I often see Star Trek being referred to as a remake, and it really isn't. It's another Star Trek film; it's another movie in the series. It's the continuing mission." With a long list of cast that include also Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Winona Ryder, the eleventh feature film version of the sci-fi series is directed by J.J. Abrams. Expected to hit theaters on December 25, 2008, it chronicles the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members during their time at Starfleet Academy.
 
YOUTUBE SCREENS "NO END" DOCUMENTARY [Reuter/Hollywood Reporter, 8/27/08]
Filmmaker Charles Ferguson is bringing his documentary "No End in Sight" to YouTube. An Oscar nominee for best feature-length documentary and winner of a special jury prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, "No End" casts a critical eye on U.S. decisions made during the early months of the war in Iraq, with government and military insiders relating their experiences. Between September 1 and November 4, 2008, the film will screen in its entirety on YouTube, becoming the first widely released feature film to play in full on the site. "No End" was originally released by Magnolia Pictures in 2007.
 
GEMINI AWARDS TAKE DRAMATIC TURN [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/27/08]
Dramas took pride of place Tuesday (Aug. 26) as the 2008 Geminis, Canada's TV awards, unveiled nominations in Toronto. " Murdoch Mysteries," based on Maureen Jennings' detective novels, led all comers with 14 nominations, including best drama and guest actor nominations for Vincent Walsh, Gavin Crawford, Stephen McHattie and Dmitry Chepovetsky. Close behind was "Durham County," with 13 mentions, including best drama and best actor nods for Hugh Dillon ("Flashpoint") and Justin Louis. Rounding out the drama competition is "The Tudors," with 12 nominations; "The Border," with nine; and the West Coast crime drama "Intelligence," with five nominations, including best actor for Ian Tracey. Other multiple nominees include two miniseries: "The Englishman's Boy," with 12 nominations, and "Would Be Kings," with eight. The big splash for drama marks a departure from years past when the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. dominated the competition with its news and factual shows. This year the public broadcaster earned nine nods for its flagship newscast, "CBC News: The National," and 11 for perennial Gemini contender "The Fifth Estate," an investigative news show. The spotlight on homegrown dramas also comes as they penetrate U.S. network schedules, with the Toronto-set cop drama "Flashpoint" on CBS' Thursday night schedule and NBC set to begin airing "The Listener," which centers on a paramedic with telepathic powers, in the fall. Another surprise Tuesday was the failure of the CBC's "Little Mosque on the Prairie" to make the comedy category for the second consecutive year. The comedy lineup will see "Corner Gas" once again vie for top honors with "This Hour Has 22 Minutes," "Odd Job Jack" and "Rent-A-Goalie." The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television will hand out pre-broadcast Geminis over three nights from October 20 through October 22, 2008. The highest-profile awards will be presented during a live November 28 broadcast in Toronto.
 
GERMAN "OFFICE" PLANS EXPANSION TO BIG SCREEN [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/27/08]
"Stromberg," the German adaptation of the BBC hit TV series "The Office," is being adapted as a feature film. Christoph Maria Herbst will star as the incompetent boss of a small-time insurance office, the role that made him famous in Germany. German comedy outfit Brainpool is producing the project, which is planned as the finale to the sitcom's fourth season. Writer and series co-creator Ralf Husmann will pen the script. In its third season on Pro7, "Stromberg" already has run longer than its BBC predecessor, as has the U.S. version on NBC. The German show has spawned a spinoff, "Beruhmt" (Famous), which follows the misadventures of office brown-noser Ernie. That series, which Husmann also is writing, will debut on Pro7 in 2009.
 
VIRGIN COMICS SHUTTERING NYC OFFICE [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/27/08]
Virgin Comics, a partnership between Virgin Books and India-based comics publisher Gotham Entertainment that had Hollywood dreams, announced Tuesday (Aug. 26) that it is closing its New York offices and will reorganize its operations. Citing "the current macro-economic downturn," the company, under CEO Sharad Devarajan and president Suresh Seetharaman, said it hopes to restructure the business and consolidate its operations at a Los Angeles base. Eight people have been laid off. The company launched in 2006 with Virgin Group chief Richard Branson, author Deepak Chopra and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur among its founders. It began by publishing comics inspired by Indian and Hindu mythology and then moved into a line known as Director's Cut, which attempted to lure filmmakers into the comics world in hopes of subsequently turning their books into film projects. Guy Ritchie, John Woo, Nicolas Cage, Ed Burns and musician Dave Stewart were among the contributors to the line, with Ritchie's "The Game Keeper" finding a home at Warner Bros. The comics were slickly produced, but Virgin remained a marginal comic-book player whose titles generated low sales. The future of the film projects is unclear, but the company said it would not remain idle. "We remain excited about the business and partnerships we have built through Virgin Comics and are working towards a restructuring that properly takes the business forward," Devarajan said in a statement.
 
"FIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING" FILM  ANGERED FORMER DOUBLE-AGENT AUTHOR [CBC, 8/27/08]
Martin McGartland, a man who risked his life to infiltrate and spy on the Irish Republican Army 20 years ago is protesting a new film inspired by his story and set to debut at next month's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). McGartland says the new Canadian-British co-production Fifty Dead Men Walking, inspired by his bestselling 1997 memoir of the same name (co-written by Nicholas Davies), is a "distortion" of the facts. Written, directed and co-produced by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Kari Skogland, the drama stars Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess and Rose McGowan, who are all expected in Toronto to promote the film's world premiere. Citing a problem with a print to be screened, the movie's distributor cancelled a pre-festival press viewing of Fifty Dead Men Walking on Friday, according to industry newspaper Hollywood Reporter. The same day, McGartland issued a statement threatening legal action, saying producers had ignored his complaints so far. "The film is an entirely false and distorted account of what took place," McGartland said in the statement. McGartland was an informer in Belfast working for British authorities in the 1980s. He infiltrated the IRA in 1989 and his tips helped foil a host of murders and bombings. However, his cover was blown in 1991 and he was kidnapped and interrogated. He managed to escape and continues to live under an assumed identity to this day. The film portrays the story of an informant named Marty who infiltrates the IRA, but eventually gets caught. Earlier this year, when Fifty Dead Men Walking was being marketed at the Cannes International Film Festival, McGartland told the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper he was initially delighted when he heard the film was underway. However, after reading the script, he said he felt it had "distorted" his life story and called for changes to be made. Among his complaints is that that the film's main character is portrayed as a IRA member who decides to switch sides for payment. He also objects to certain scenes, including one where, while working undercover, the character witnesses the torture and killing of a suspected informant. McGartland told the U.K.'s Press Association that he had only joined the IRA to spy on it and that he had never witnessed such a killing. "I was never in such a position, never, ever," he said. "I cannot understand why they had to change things to that extent." Fifty Dead Men Walking will have a high-profile gala screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, 2008.
 
DREAMWORKS DEAL MARKS BIG CHANGES FOR BOLLYWOOD [Reuters, 8/27/08]
Indian media company Reliance ADA Group's expected deal to finance a new incarnation of the DreamWorks film studio signals broader changes for Bollywood moviemakers looking to reach Western audiences, experts said. The United States and India are the world's largest film producers, and U.S.-based studios have stepped up investment in India. By contrast, Bollywood -- an informal name for the Indian industry whose movies in large part feature singing and dancing -- has its eye on the United States as a marketplace, investment opportunity and model for growth, experts said. "We're really looking forward to our movies being accepted by the Western audiences," said Ken Naz, president of North American operations for Eros International, a distributor of Bollywood films. Reliance is currently in talks with director Steven Spielberg and his DreamWorks co-founder David Geffen to invest about $500 million in the movie studio behind hits such as "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" if, as is widely expected, they leave their parent company, Paramount Pictures, which is owned by Viacom Inc. But Reliance is not looking for creative control, which Hollywood jealously guards, said Farokh Balsara, an Indian-based analyst with the firm Ernst & Young. "It gives them some sort of stake in the whole Hollywood ecosystem," Balsara said. "And with that they get to know how Hollywood functions and what they do and don't do." An attorney representing Reliance declined to comment. With operations in telecommunications, financial services and energy, Reliance only recently ventured into film. It also is buying about 200 U.S. theaters and has signed film production deals with companies owned by A-listHollywood stars including George Clooney and Tom Hanks.
 
MIRVISH BUYS TWO TORONTO THEATRES [CBC, 8/27/08]
Mirvish Productions has bought two Toronto theatres, a week after a court refused an injunction that would have blocked the sale. Mirvish now owns the 2,300-seat Canon Theatre and the 700-seat Panasonic Theatre, both located on Yonge St. in downtown Toronto, the theatre production company announced in a release Tuesday (Aug. 26). Last Tuesday, a court denied an application by rival theatre impresario Aubrey Dan to block the sale. "The Canon, which we have programmed and operated since 2001, is a historical building, meticulously restored, and a top venue for the presentation of large-scale works, both visiting productions and local ones," David Mirvish said in the release. Spamalot opens at the Canon in September, followed by A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Medea and The Colour Purple. "The more intimate Panasonic, where the audience is no farther away than 80 feet from the stage, is a welcome addition as it allows us to consider productions that would have been lost in our much larger buildings," Mirvish added. He promised smaller musicals, comedies and works from around the world that might not otherwise capture a large audience. No terms of the deal with Key Brand Entertainment, which bought the theatres from Live Nation, were released. Mirvish now owns four downtown theatres — the Canon, the Panasonic, the Royal Alexander and the Princess of Wales.
 
MORTIER HOPES TO RUN BOTH NYC OPERA AND BAYREUTH [AP, 8/27/08]
Gerard Mortier says his application to run the Bayreuth Festival in Germany will not change his plans to run the New York City Opera starting with the 2009-10 season. Mortier, former head of the Salzburg Festival and current boss of the Paris Opera, agreed in February 2007 to become the City Opera's general manager and artistic director. He said he rejected "propositions from different opera houses in Spain and Germany." "I told them that I was committed to New York City Opera and signed my contract," he said Tuesday. Mortier said he submitted a joint application to run the Wagner festival at Bayreuth with Nike Wagner, one of the composer's great granddaughters, because "part of the Wagner family insisted." A joint bid by two other great granddaughters, Katharina Wagner and Eva Wagner-Pasquier, is regarded as the favorite heading into Monday's meeting of the festival board. The composers grandsons, Wolfgang and Wieland, became heads of the festival in 1951 and following Wieland's death, Wolfgang became sole director in 1967. He announced in April that he would quit after this year's festival ends this week. "Wolfgang Wagner wants his daughter Katharina as successor," Mortier said. "Nobody knows at the moment what will happen. Anyway, with their six-week season (plus rehearsals period), the Bayreuth festival should not affect my work for NYCO. On the contrary, it could reinforce the international stature of City Opera." Mortier said that if his Bayreuth bid succeeds, it "could also give a signal to the (City Opera) board members to give full financial support to the new vision" for the company.
 
CLOONEY, PITT ARRIVE IN VENICE FOR FILM FESTIVAL [AP, 8/27/08]
George Clooney and Brad Pitt, whose schedule now includes the care of newborn twins, were expected to make two appearances at the Venice Film Festival this week. The Hollywood stars were slated to appear Tuesday (Aug. 26) night at a fundraising event for their charity, Not On Our Watch. Then they were to return to the red carpet Wednesday when the Coen brothers film "Burn After Reading" opens the 65th edition of the festival, which runs through Sept. 6, 2008. Pitt's partner, Angelina Jolie, gave birth last month to twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt. The couple have four older children: Maddox, 7; Pax, 4; Zahara, 3; and Shiloh, 2. Not On Our Watch has raised more than $7 million to help victims both of the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and the cyclone in Myanmar, also known as Burma, according to executive director Alex Wagner. The charity, which was launched last year by the stars and some of their "Ocean's Thirteen" colleagues, uses their star appeal to bring attention to human rights abuses, but it isn't so easy to get even two of the founders together because of filming and family demands, Wagner said. Clooney will discuss the issues and where the charity puts its money at the fundraising dinner on Venice's Giudecca island, which will be attended by some 200 industry insiders and Italian VIPs, Wagner said. Among the group's donations was a $500,000 grant in March to keep helicopters and airplanes flying aid into Darfur — topping off a $1 million donation a year earlier for the same program.
 
J.J. ADAMS CONFIRMED, NO WILLIAM SHATNER IN "STAR TREK" [Aceshowbiz, 8/26/08]
Providing a certain answer to fans' still-burning question about the possibility of William Shatner making an appearance in the upcoming "Star Trek", director J.J. Abrams puts any speculations to rest. While discussing about his forthcoming television series "Fringe" in New York, the filmmaker insisted that the original Captain Kirk will not show up in the movie. On the matter, Abrams rejected Shatner's chance on appearing in the film simply saying as quoted by IGN, " No, the only cast member from the original films is Nimoy." By stating Nimoy, he meant Leonard Nimoy, the original depicter of the USS Enterprise's science officer Mr. Spock. Previously, Shatner has also denied his involvement in the eleventh film saying, "I have no connection with the film whatsoever. It's the strangest thing. Even my dear friend Leonard [Nimoy] won't tell me what it's about." Following the story of the young Captain Kirk and his USS Enterprise crew during their years at Starfleet Academy, "Star Trek" teams up Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban and many others. The movie scripted by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman is due to be released on May 8, 2009.
 
RESTRICTED TRAILER OF "SURFER DUDE" COMES OUT [Aceshowbiz, 8/26/08]
The wave-catching surfer movie "Surfer Dude" has caught its red band trailer. The new trailer is restricted to those who are underage since it contains some nudity and also shows lots of smoking. Aside from that, the compilation of clips is basically similar to the previous trailer released in July. Resolving around longboarding soul-surfer Steve Addington, the Anchor Bay Entertainment's comedy starring Matthew McConaughey follows Addington as he returns to his Malibu hometown only to find that the waves have gone flat. In need of money, he is forced to expand into the world of Virtual Reality Video Games and Reality TV. But, what he really needs is real waves. A comedy movie from S.R. Bindler, "Surfer Dude" also features the likes of Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Alexie Gilmore and Sarah Wright. It is expected to make its way to limited theaters on September 5, 2008.
 
"TRAITOR" DEPENDABLE AS SOLID, FAST-MOVING THRILLER [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/26/08]
"Traitor" is the cinematic equivalent of an airport novel that can be purchased before a long flight, read en route and discarded upon landing. The film, which opens Wednesday (August 27) via Overture Films, is a genuinely gripping tale about international terrorism that hopscotches across three continents. It moves from a filthy, sweaty prison to the air-conditioned headquarters of the FBI as an agent tracks a shadowy Muslim American through a string of conspiracies and fatal bombings. Writer-director Jeffrey Nachmanoff, working from an idea by Steve Martin -- yes, that Steve Martin -- drives "Traitor" through heightened tensions and enough story twists to qualify as a "page-turner." Producer-star Don Cheadle dominates the film as the renegade U.S. military operative, but he does so without stealing any thunder from a number of fine actors in meaty roles. Bollywood actor Aly Khan plays a terrorist disguised as a sophisticated international businessman. Jeff Daniels is a CIA contractor who knows more than he lets on. Mozhan Marno is the agent back at headquarters on top of every move in the international terrorist community. Indian-British actress Archie Panjabi plays an old girlfriend in Chicago whom Samir mistakenly tries to contact. With a sprawling production that spans many international locations, "Traitor" is efficient and convincing. It's a fast ride, but its central character, the enigmatic Samir Horn, is always cool and calm.
 
TOM CRUISE "VALKYRIE" FACING LAWSUIT FROM EXTRAS [Aceshowbiz, 8/26/08]
Though "Valkyrie" has just delivered great news with the pushing forward of its release date, it has been hit with another set back. Recent reports claimed that the controversial movie from Tom Cruise's United Artists is being threatened to be sued by a band of extras over the injuries they sustained during filming. Seeking an $11 million compensation from both Cruise and his production company, the eleven actors argued that they have suffered bruises and head wounds when they were thrown from the side of the period truck used during the filming of a scene on Sunday evening, August 19, 2007. Berlin lawyer Ariane Bluttner has allegedly warned that the group will bring the case to a Californian court if their demand was not fulfilled. Focusing the movie on the July 20 plot of German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler, "Valkyrie" follows Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg as he aids to plan an elaborate scheme to bring down Nazi and put an end to the war by killing the evil leader. Directed by Bryan Singer from a script by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, it stars Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten, etc. The drama thriller will be outed on December 26, 2008.
 
ANOTHER WAGNER DESCENDANT SEEKS TO CONTROL BAYREUTH FESTIVAL [CBC, 8/26/08]
Another of composer Richard Wagner's descendants has stepped into the fray in the race to take over at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany. Wolfgang Wagner, 89, grandson of the German composer, plans to step down when this year's festival ends this week. Wolfgang Wagner's two daughters, Katharina, 30, and Eva, 63, have made a joint application for his post, which involves running the annual festival devoted to the works of the German composer. Now Nike Wagner, great granddaughter of Richard Wagner and cousin to the two sisters, has made an application in co-operation with Belgian director Gerard Mortier. Mortier, who helped orchestrate the resurgence of the Salzburg Festival in neighbouring Austria, is to become general manager and artistic director of the New York City Opera in the fall of 2009. Nike's father, Wieland, was co-director with Wolfgang Wagner until his death in 1967. [Though Wolfgang Wagner long refused to relinquish control of the festival, in recent years he seemed to be grooming 30-year-old Katharina, from his second marriage, for the post. Associated Press)] The Bayreuth Festival board had attempted to get Wolfgang Wagner to step down last year but he argued his lifetime contract gave him control over the opera house where the festival is held. He eventually announced in April he would retire when the festival ends Aug. 28, 2008. In recent years Wagner seemed to be grooming 30-year-old Katharina, his daughter through his second marriage, for the post. However, the festival's board backed 63-year-old Eva Wagner-Pasquier, his estranged daughter from his first marriage, for the job because of her experience as an arts and cultural administrator. A decision is expected within weeks.
 
 
JIM CARREY SHARES KISS WITH EWAN McGREGOR IN "PHILLIP MORRIS" [Aceshowbiz, 8/26/08]
The forthcoming drama comedy movie "I Love You Phillip Morris" has exposed its first still and from the look of it, Jim Carrey is going to be seen sharing more than an attraction to Ewan McGregor. The brand new image displays the two actors leaning towards each other as they are about to lock lips. In the movie, Carrey plays Steven Russell, a married father and a conman who is sent to prison in Texas. Based on the real life events of con artist and impostor Steven Jay Russell, the Europacorp comedy is directed and penned by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Described by McGregor as "a gay prison romance story", it also features Leslie Mann and Rodrigo Santoro. It is expected to be released sometime in February 2009.
 
"SPIDER-MAN" COMPOSER DANNY ELFMAN SCORING "THE WOLFMAN" [Aceshowbiz, 8/25/08]
Universal Pictures' "The Wolfman" is most likely to have found its music composer. Sharing their latest discovery on the horror thriller remake project, AICN noted that the Joe Johnston-directed movie has picked up celebrated songwriter Danny Elfman to produce scores for "Wolfman". Elfman is the musical genius behind the music of "Spider-Man" series, "Chicago", "Men in Black II", Ang Lee's "Hulk", "Wanted (2008)", "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and many others. He has also scored Tim Burton's movies, such as 1989 "Batman" for which he earned an Academy Award, "Edward Scissorhands", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", etc. From the "Road to Perdition" writer David Self and the acclaimed "Se7en" scribe Andrew Kevin Walker comes a reboot of 1941 horror thriller classic about an American man who goes to his ancestral homeland to find the murderer of his brother but instead gets bitten by a werewolf and becomes one. Starring Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Blunt, it will hit the big screen on April 3, 2009.
 
"THUNDER" REINS AGAIN WITH $16.1 MILLION WEEKEND [AP, 8/25/08]
The action comedy "Tropic Thunder" weathered a rush of new movies to remain No. 1 for a second-straight weekend with $16.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Paramount-DreamWorks release — starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black as actors caught up in real battle while shooting a war movie — raised its 12-day total to $65.7 million. "Tropic Thunder" came in just ahead of Sony's campus comedy "The House Bunny," which debuted in second place with $15.1 million. "The House Bunny" stars Anna Faris as an ostracized Playboy bunny who becomes den mother to a sorority of campus misfits. Universal's "Death Race" — an update of 1975's "Death Race 2000," with Jason Statham starring as a driver in a kill-or-be-killed auto race of the future — opened at No. 3 with $12.3 million. The summer's biggest hit, "The Dark Knight," continued its climb up the box-office charts, placing fourth with $10.3 million. The Warner Bros. Batman sequel has taken in $489.2 million on its way to becoming the second film ever to top $500 million, after "Titanic" ($600.8 million).
 
SUPERB OPENING CREDITS OF GUY RITCHIE'S "ROCKnROLLA" UNEARTHED [Aceshowbiz, 8/25/08]
Following the release of its trailers, the latest Guy Ritchie's gangster flick "RocknRolla" has given fans another treat with a cool opening credits. Courtesy of its graphic designer Danny Yount himself, the title sequence is basically presented in animation exposing Yount's creative and stylish credits sequence. The full opening credits can be enjoyed via DannyYount.com. Meanwhile, Yount is the Emmy Award recipient for the category of Outstanding Main Title Design for television series "Six Feet Under". He is also known for his works on the closing credits of "Iron Man" and the title credits of "The Invasion", "The Reaping" and "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang". Teaming a list of talented actors, including Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Idris Elba, Jeremy Piven and many others, "RocknRolla" tells the story of a million dollars crooked land deal made by a Russian mobster which gathers various kinds of criminals from a dangerous crime lord to a corrupt politician to pursue their shares. The R-rated movie will be outed on October 31, 2008.
 
CHILLING TRAILER FOR BRITTANY MURPHY'S "ACROSS THE HALL" [Aceshowbiz, 8/25/08]
The independent thriller project produced by Insomnia Media Group, "Across the Hall", has unveiled a sneak peek into the movie starring "Just Married" actress Brittany Murphy, "Cloverfield" actor Mike Vogel and television actor Danny Pino through a brand new trailer. The trailer presents compilation of clips aimed to help movie lovers to grasp what the movie is all about. The trailer is set to have the tone of a horror movie in the sense that it displays only glimpses of scenes accompanied with the appearing words across the screen explaining what should be expected. From the looks of the trailer, the movie will be taking place in a hotel named Riverview and in room 508. Though the footage let out doesn't exactly give out a clear explanation about the story line, it still helps to get the background plot. Simply described to be telling the story of a standoff between a young man, his fiancee and his best friend , "Across the Hall" is high-tension and sexy thriller directed by first time director Alex Merkin. The script is provided by Jesse Mittelstadt and Julien Schwab. The movie which has fallen into its post-production mode had been filmed on February 6 for 2009 release.
 
WARNER 'SUES OVER PUTTER MOVIE' [BBC News, 8/25/08]
Harry Potter maker Warner Bros is suing an Indian film company over the title of upcoming film Hari Puttar - A Comedy Of Terrors, according to reports. Warner Bros feels the name is too similar to that of its world famous young wizard, according to trade paper The Hollywood Reporter. A spokesman confirmed the lawsuit against Mumbai-based Mirchi Movies. The case is reportedly due to be heard in Bombay High Court later. The film is due to open in India on 12 September, 2008. "We have recently commenced proceedings against parties involved in the production and distribution of a movie entitled Hari Puttar," Warner Bros spokeswoman Deborah Lincoln told The Hollywood Reporter." Warner Bros values and protects intellectual property rights. "However, it is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of any ongoing litigation." Hari is a popular Indian name while Puttar means son in Punjabi. Hari Puttar, directed by Rajesh Bajaj and Lucky Kohli, stars Zain Khan as Hari alongside veteran Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff. It tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who moves to England with his parents and becomes embroiled in a battle over a secret microchip. Munish Purii, of Mirchi Movies, told The Hollywood Reporter: "We registered the Hari Puttar title in 2005 and it's unfortunate that Warner has chosen to file a case so close to our film's release. "In my opinion, I don't think our title has any similarity or links with Harry Potter." Two weeks ago, it was reported that the release date for the next Potter film - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - had been pushed back by eight months to July 2009. Warner Bros said the decision had been taken in order to guarantee the studio a major summer blockbuster in 2009.
 
KRISTEN BELL ABOARD "ASTRO BOY" [Aceshowbiz, 8/25/08]
"Astro Boy" seems to have found its leading female voice in "Heroes" beauty Kristen Bell. The 28-year-old allegedly has been appointed to give voice to the female friend to the famous Japanese superhero robot created by manga guru Osamu Tezuka. Detailed information about the character Bell will be voicing has yet to be shared. Nevertheless, the actress whose recent film credit include "Forgetting Sarah Marshall " has been listed among the previously announced voice cast of Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Bill Nighy, Nathan Lane and Eugene Levy. To be directed by David Bowers using a script from Timothy Harris, "Astro Boy" follows a young robot invented to replace the late son of a brilliant scientist. Despite having incredible powers, he is unable to console the scientist's mourning heart and thus he embarks in a journey to find the place where he truly belongs. The animation film is expected to be released in 2009.
 
CHER LINING UP FOR "BATMAN 3"s CATWOMAN [Aceshowbiz, 8/25/08]
Angelina Jolie may get a competition for the Catwoman role in "Batman 3" as Cher is reported to be in negotiations for the part. Though the "Wanted (2008)" star has been linked to the feline villain for quite sometime now, latest report from British's Telegraph indicates that director Christopher Nolan prefers to give the part to the pop singer/actress instead. According to the publication, the 62-year-old Cher has become Nolan's prime choice for the character whose alter ego is known as Selina Kyle. "Cher is Nolan's first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years," claimed a studio executive. "The new Catwoman will be the absolute opposite of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry's purring creations." Though Cher started off her stardom through music business, she is also praised for her acting performances earning her an Academy Award for 1987 "Moonstruck". Her latest feature film credits include 1999 "Tea With Mussolini" in which she played Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan and 2003 "Stuck on You" where she appears as herself. "Batman 3", the sequel to the record-breaking "The Dark Knight", is said to be temporarily entitled "The Caped Crusade". The filming is scheduled to begin in Vancouver early 2009 and may get Johnny Depp as The Riddler.
 
STAR-STUDDED TRAILER OF "NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU" ARRIVES [Aceshowbiz, 8/25/08]
The ensemble anthology film, "New York, I Love You", has just revealed the first look into the movie that features 12 short films through its first trailer. Focusing on the Big Apple as the city where each of the short love stories take place, the video gives a sneak peek by presenting the star-studded cast ensemble from Hollywood's Shia LaBeouf to Taiwanese Shu Qi. Said to be the unofficial follow-up to 2007 romance drama "Paris, je t'aime", "New York" highlights on love stories in five boroughs of New York which are conjoined together to form one whole movie. Directed by 12 different helmers from the acclaimed Mira Nair and Shekhar Kapur to newcomers Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, it features the likes of Portman, Rachel Bilson, Kevin Bacon, Maggie Q, Robin Wright Penn, Orlando Bloom, Ethan Hawke, Blake Lively, Andy Garcia, Julie Christie, Christina Ricci, Hayden Christensen and many more as the stars of the unique flick. This Palm Pictures' flick has yet to have its official release date, but it is expected to be outed in midst February 2009. Still, before it is making its debut in the theaters across the country, "New York" has been slated to make its world premiere at the 33rd Annual Toronto International Film Festival which will be held from September 4 to 13, 2008.
 
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER POSSIBLY LENDING VOICE TO "TERMINATOR SALVATION" [Aceshowbiz, 8/23/08]
It was previously confirmed that the original "Terminator" star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, won't be appearing in the forthcoming "Terminator Salvation", but it doesn't mean that he is completely cut off from the movie. Recently, it has been inferred that the actor-turned-California Governor will lend his voice to the film. Sparking speculation that Schwarzenegger will do a voiceover, the action fantasy movie's producer Moritz Borman told Wired, "Schwarzenegger is governing California. He will not be, as a person, in the film." When asked further on the hidden meaning of his remark, he said, "I'm not going to answer the question about what we're trying, or what we want, or what we're toying with. It's really up to what fits in the film or not. Maybe his voice, or maybe not. It's really not settled." Whether or not Schwarzenegger's voice will be featured in the film, "Terminator Salvation" is scheduled to hit the big screen on May 22, 2009. The movie will wrap its filming, which has been taken in New Mexico, on August 22, 2008. The McG-directed movie stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Bryce Dallas Howard and Helena Bonham Carter.
 
"SUPERMAN" INDEED GOING TO  BE RE-BOOTED [Aceshowbiz, 8/23/08]
After sparking a major question of where they are going to bring the next "Superman" movie, Warner Bros. Pictures have finally confirmed to start the project right from the scratch once again meaning that they are going to reboot the franchise. The confirmation of the remake has been offered by Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov to Wall Street Journal. In Wall Street's recent article, Robinov stated that the decision to reintroduce the 'man of steel' has to be taken after the considerable failure of "Superman Returns". "Superman [Returns] didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," Robinov said. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned. Had Superman worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009. But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."  To what extend the studio will present this popular hero, Robinov indicated that they have been so inspired by the success of "The Dark Knight" that they are incline to show his darker side. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the character allows it," he claimed. Additionally, this "Superman" reboot project has been speculated by many to be similar to how Louis Leterrier's "The Incredible Hulk" was a remake of Ang Lee's "Hulk". Since the studio have indirectly announced to go with the remake option, there is a big chance that Bryan Singer's "Superman: The Man of Steel" will be ditched. However, it is still unclear whether the studio will still hire Singer to man the reboot or not.
 
"HSM 3" CASTMATES PRANKED ZAC EFFRON ON FILM'S SET, THE VIDEO [Aceshowbiz, 8/23/08]
Getting used to prank from his co-stars, Zac Efron gets the sweet flavor of revenge as his "High School Musical" co-stars prank him on the film's set. Among those who prank him are girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens and close friend Ashley Tisdale. Allegedly, the cast and crew of the highly anticipated "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" were enjoying a break from shooting. It was during that time that some of them surprised Efron with water-guns, forcing him to run over the film's set to avoid the intense 'attack'. Getting all wet, Efron then took his clothes off, showing off his toned body. Getting back to his trailer, presumably to change his clothes, Efron found himself even more surprised when he found out his trailer was filled with toilet papers. Many rolls of toilet paper were hung all over his trailer. The moment Efron got pranked by his "HSM" castmates and crew during the film's shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah was caught on tape. The video, which also showed crew and cast arranging their strategy to get Efron pranked is available online.
 
"FAST AND FURIOUS" TRAILER LEAKED OUT [Aceshowbiz, 8/23/08]
Though Universal Pictures have yet to officially release the trailer of the forthcoming "Fast and Furious" movie on the virtual world, it has been leaked out. The bootleg trailer of the "The Fast and the Furious" franchise is taken from the one previewed in front of "Death Race" theatrical screening. Giving a sneak peak to the latest street car racing film, the video doesn't provide any sound from the footage, but it displays many of the hardcore actions the fans and moviegoers are going to see, including the explosions and the fierce fights. It is dominated with a scene where Dom Toretto and his crew are trying to hijack a gasoline land train in Dominican Republic, but in a blink of an eye it all goes in the wrong way. Reuniting the original cast ensemble that include Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, "Fast and Furious" will reignite the feud between fugitive ex-con Toretto and agent Brian O'Conner. Heading back to the street, they are now forced to team up once again to bring down a shared enemy. Helmed by Justin Lin from the script by Chris Morgan, the film has been slated to be released on June 5, 2009.
 
"TRANSPORTER 3" WELCOMES TEASER TRAILER [Aceshowbiz, 8/23/08]
After surprising fans with the release of its action-packed international teaser trailer back in June, "Transporter 3" has finally delivered the domestic version of its teaser. Generally containing the same footages as the international one, this brand new video showcases the extended shot of the car sequences as well as more of the intense fighting sequences. Directed by Olivier Megaton, the third installment of Luc Benson's action movie still follows Frank Martin, the former SAS trooper turned professional transporter specializing in delivering packages without questions, in his mission. Though the plot has yet to be unraveled, the teaser lets out that this time he will be troubled with the potentially exploding wrist bracelet locked in his arm. To be delivered into theaters on November 26, 2008, it features the likes of Jason Statham, Francois Berleand, Robert Knepper, Justin Rodgers Hall and Katia Tchenko.
 
TROUBLE LOOMING AROUND "DRAGONBALL" [Aceshowbiz, 8/23/08]
Though the live action adaptation of the popular Japanese manga, "Dragonball", has fallen into the post-production phase for quite sometime, it might be in serious trouble with words saying that it is in danger of being canceled. A report from FilmJunk suggested that the 20th Century Fox's toppers are considering to shelve the film because they are not impressed with the shot footages. Despite hinting on the possibility of Fox shutting down the James Wong-directed project, the site noted that the words on the cancellation can be real or only the studio's effort in putting pressure on Wong to make the movie better. No comment is yet being offered by Fox considering this negative story. Taking its name from the seven magical and powerful orbs scattered across the Earth, "Dragonball" tells the story of Goku, a humanoid alien who stays on Earth to defend the human from the invading alien rogues trying to get possession of the orbs. Starring Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Emmy Rossum, Eriko Tamura, Chow Yun-Fat, Jamie Chung, and many others, it is produced by Stephen Chow and is expected to hit theaters on April 10, 2009.
 
AX FALLS ON "FIFTY DEAD MEN" SCREENING [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/23/08]
Canadian distributor TVA Films on Friday canceled a press screening for Kari Skogland's British spy drama "Fifty Dead Men Walking," which stars Ben Kingsley and Rose McGowan and is slated to have its world premiere September 10, 2008 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The distributor cited "a print problem." But the cancellation came on the same day that the biopic's main subject, former IRA infiltrator Martin McGartland, threatened legal action against the Canadian-British co-production to stop the festival bow on grounds that the feature infringes his moral rights. Skogland adapted McGartland's 1998 book of the same name for his feature, which portrays an IRA mole named Marty who provided information to Britain's Special Branch before his cover was blown in 1991. "The film is an entirely false and a distorted account of what took place," McGartland said in a statement issued Friday (Aug. 22), adding that he was "reserving all my legal rights and remedies in this matter." The film's producers, Brightlight Pictures of Vancouver and Future Films in London, and Toronto festival organizers could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.
 
"PARIS 36" OPENS MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL [CBC, 8/22/08]
The Montreal World Film Festival opens Thursday (Aug. 21) with French director Christophe Barratier's Paris 36 making its world premiere in official competition. Barratier, who has not made a feature since Oscar-nominated Les Choristes in 2004, wrote and directed the film, which is set in a working class area of Paris in 1936 after the election of the Popular Front government. "Paris 36" is one of 234 films programmed during the 11-day festival. Serge Losique's Montreal World Film Festival prides itself on bringing films from around the world to make their international premieres. Almost half the films are having world premieres. The festival has ensured some Hollywood glitz with a tribute to actor Tony Curtis, known for comedies such as Some Like It Hot, and a special award for lifetime achievement to be presented to Alan Ladd Jr., former president of 20th Century Fox and MGM/UA and producer of Braveheart. Brian de Palma is scheduled to give a master class to filmmakers. Twenty films, including two from Quebec filmmakers, are entered in the World Competition, where the major prizes of the festival are awarded. Quebec's entries are Stéphane Géhami's En Plein Coeur and Benoît Pilon's Ce Qu'il Faut Pour Vivre. Also in competition are: The Tour by Goran Markovic; Who's Next by Spain's Manuel Gutiérrez Aragon; Whispering Embers, by Arab director Ali Nassar; Okuribito by Japan's Yojiro Takita.  The documentary program has a strong lineup of Canadian films, including four from the National Film Board. Among the filmmakers is Jean-Daniel Lafond, husband of Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, showing Folle de Dieu and starring actress Marie Tifo. Other NFB contributions include two animated films — Drux Flux by Theodore Ushev and The Necktie/Le nœud cravate by emerging filmmaker Jean-François Lévesque. The documentaries include: J'me voyais déjà by Bachir Bensaddek, The Sweetest Embrace: Return to Afghanistan by Najeeb Mirza Griefwalker by Tim Wilson. The Montreal World Film Festival opens Thursday and runs until Sept. 1, 2008.
 
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL DELVES INTO DOCUMENTARY [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/22/08]
The late, groundbreaking Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni will be honored at the upcoming Venice Film Festival with a documentary about his life, one of three non-fiction additions to the lineup. The official program for Venice was announced last week, but news about sidebar and industry screenings continues to trickle in as the festival's opening approaches. Director Carlo di Carlo's "Antonioni on Antonioni" is based on interviews with Antonioni. One of the authors of Italy's neo-realism movement and a Venice regular, Antonioni died last year at 94. "Venezia Crepa" (Venice Dying) is a film about the overcrowding of Venice, its deteriorating architecture and its slow sink into the sea. It will screen in the festival's industry section. "Venezia '68," from Antonello Sarno and Steve della Casa, is a documentary about the widespread student riots of 40 years ago and the impact they had on the festival that year. The Venice festival, in its 65th year, starts Wednesday and concludes September 6, 2008.
 
JON FAVREAU STARTS WORKING ON "IRON MAN 2" [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
"Iron Man" director Jon Favreau has brought a great news about the development of the superhero's sequel. The successful filmmaker has revealed that the work on "Iron Man 2" has been kicked off with he and his team starting to develop the follow-up movie of the hit blockbuster movie. Acknowledging that no official announcement has been made over the matter, he gave out the confirmation to L.A. Times. "We're working on it now," the helmer of family fantasy "Zathura" and Will Ferrell's Christmas-themed comedy "Elf" gushed, "which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010." While "Iron Man" has been released on May 2, 2008 and has since collected an impressive $570.6 million worldwide, the second movie is eyeing an April 30, 2010 release date. In place of "Iron Man" original screenplay writers, it hires "Tropic Thunder" co-writer Justin Theroux. The Paramount Pictures' flick is said to be expecting its original actors Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow to reprise their roles.
 
CLOSER LOOK AT JASON VOORHEES IN "FRIDAY THE 13th" [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
A brand new and better-looking image of "Friday the 13th"'s notorious villain, Jason Voorhees, has been unearthed. This one, courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting, displays the hockey-masked slasher up close showing the baddie holding a bat high above his head ready to smash anything in front of him.  Previously, three photos from the upcoming classic horror remake unearthing for the first time Derek Mears as Voorhees have been leaked. But, as soon as the photos were outed, they were pulled out. One of the earliest images outed pictures of Voorhees standing at the edge of a lake where a girl is taking a dip. A reboot of the Sean S. Cunningham's 1980 horror movie of the same name, "Friday the 13th" relives the horror faced by a group of councilors, played by Jared Padalecki and Amanda Righetti among others, who become target of the masked slasher when they are looking to reopen a camp for special need kids. Its script comes from Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, while the movie itself is set to release the scare in theaters on Friday, February 13, 2009.
 
"LA MISMA LUNA" SWEEPS IMAGEN AWARDS [AP,  8/22/08]
"La Misma Luna" swept the honors at the 23nd annual Imagen Awards. The film about a Mexican mother and her son won awards for best film, actor, actress, supporting actor and director during a star-studded ceremony Thursday (Aug. 21) at the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel. Established in 1985, the Imagen Awards honor contributions by and about Hispanics in the entertainment industry in 18 categories. Television awards went to "Ugly Betty" for best prime-time program; "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" for best reality show; "Mind of Mencia" star Carlos Mencia for best actor; "Snowglobe" star Christina Milian for best actress; "Heroes" co-star Dania Ramirez for best supporting actress and "Ugly Betty" co-star Tony Plana for best supporting actor. Plana, the 54-year-old Cuban-American actor who appeared in "Three Amigos!" and "An Officer and a Gentleman" before his turn as Betty Suarez's father in "Ugly Betty," was also presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Norman Lear Writer's Award was given to "La Misma Luna" executive producer and screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos.
 
VAN DAMME MOCKUMENTARY "JCVD" SET FOR FALL RELEASE [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter,  8/22/08]
Canadian producer Peace Arch Entertainment has picked up North American rights to the Jean-Claude Van Damme-starring parody "JCVD" ahead of its North American bow at the Toronto International Film Festival. In the Mabrouk El Mechri-directed mockumentary from Gaumont, Van Damme plays himself in the midst of a hostage situation in his native Belgium. Toronto Peace Arch intends a fall release for the movie, which was acquired as part of a joint venture recently struck between the Canadian company and Britain's ContentFilm. "JCVD" screens in the Toronto festival on September 4, 2008.
 
NEW FILM BY "SPIRITED AWAY" DIRECTOR WOWS JAPAN [Reuters,  8/22/08]
Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki of Oscar-winning animated film "Spirited Away" has captured the hearts of Japanese movie goers again, this time with a tale of a mermaid which will soon be seen around the world. "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," about the friendship between a five-year-old boy and a mermaid girl who wishes to live in his world, has become one of the most popular Japanese movies in its home market in its first month of release. Box office sales have surpassed 10 billion yen ($91 million), and the film's theme tune features as a ringtone on thousands of Japanese mobile phones. The film is also set to be shown at the Venice Film Festival, which starts next week, and then it will be distributed in the United States, said a spokesman for Japanese distributor, Toho Co Ltd, although details have not been set. Miyazaki has released a string of hit animation films that have helped revive the Japanese movie industry, directing three of the top five selling movies in Japan in the past seven years, industry figures from the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan show. As well as 2001's "Spirited Away," about a little girl who wanders into a spirit world and which won an Academy Award for best animated film in 2003, Miyazaki has wooed Japanese filmgoers with 2004's "Howl's Moving Castle," about a boy wizard who fights for justice in a magical world. Ponyo's story line is similar to Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," which was also the basis of 1989's popular Disney animated film by the same name. While Miyazaki did not have a movie that year, his son, Goro Miyazaki, carried on the family tradition with animated cartoon, "Tales of Earthsea," based on a U.S. tale of two battling wizards. The film was the top grossing movie in Japan in 2006.
 
BEHIND-THE-SCENE VIDEOS OF OLIVER STONE'S "W" [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
Following the revealing of "W" teaser trailer in July, two new behind-the-scene clips of the upcoming drama biopic about the 43rd U.S. President from noted filmmaker Oliver Stone have been unearthed. The two videos come courtesy of Access Hollywood via Trailer Addict. The first clip displays the B-Roll footages in which George Bush's depicter Josh Brolin can be seen filming the scene where President Bush is delivering a speech. Meanwhile, the second one exposes the scene where Bush practices a parachute landing into the water. It also includes an interview with Stone and Brolin. Promising to deliver the struggles and triumphs in the life and presidency of the 43rd and current President of the United States George W. Bush, "W" will also tell how Bush found both his wife and his faith as well as chronicle the days leading to his decision to invade Iraq. The Lionsgate Film's movie set for October 17, 2008 release is also supported by a list of talented actors, including Elizabeth Banks, Ioan Gruffudd, Thandie Newton.
 
EXTENDED TRAILER OF "NIGHTS IN RODANTHE" ARRIVES [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
The romantic drama movie based on Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel of the same name, "Nights in Rodanthe", has just gotten its extended trailer. Nearly four minutes long, the brand new video brings in fresh unseen footages and works as the extended version of the first trailer. "Rodanthe" tells the story of troubled souls, Adrienne Willis and Dr. Paul Flanner, who bump to each other when a major storm hits the tiny coastal town of Rodanthe. Starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, the Warner Bros. Pictures' flick is Gere and Lane's third film together following the 1984 "The Cotton Club" and the 2002 "Unfaithful". Directed by George C. Wolfe from the script written by Ann Peacock and John Romano, it will come out in the big screen nationwide on September 26, 2008.
 
"TERMINATOR SALVATION" TITLE HOLDS PLOT SECRET [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
While many are still trying to gather more bits about the storyline of the latest "Terminator" installment, "Terminator Salvation", from any where they can, one particular place possibly missed out is from the title itself. Talking about the forthcoming action movie, director McG hinted that the title of the movie means more than a mere designation. To MTV News, the 40-year-old filmmaker suggested that the "Salvation" in "Terminator Salvation" withholds a broad message of the second chance human gets after the apocalypse. "Even though we may sin, ultimately we deserve a second chance," explained McG. It is then explained that the using of the title to decipher the plot is similar to "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" when the "Judgment Day" became the shorthand of the apocalypse. Teasing further, the director known for his works in television series, including "The O.C.", "Supernatural" and "Chuck" shared that the title refers to the actions of a specific character. "Sometimes life is worth living when you make sacrifices so others may benefit," he said. It is still unclear though which character he means. The fourth installment of the "Terminator" franchise, "Terminator Salvation" is set in post-apocalyptic 2018 when human survivors join John Connor in his resistance army to battle the Skynet's killing robots. Then, a stranger whose past could not be justified, Marcus Wright, comes along and shakes Connor's belief to the core. Continuing the struggles against the robots, they soon find out a terrible secret behind the elimination of mankind.To be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie stars Christian Bale and Sam Worthington as Connor and Wright. They will be supported by Moon Bloodgood, Common, Bryce Dallas Howard, Helena Bonham Carter, Anton Yelchin and many others. The action fantasy flick is slated for May 22, 2009.
 
FIRST LOOK AT ZAC EFRON IN "ME AND ORSON WELLES" PHOTOS [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
A series of photos from Richard Linklater's upcoming romantic drama "Me and Orson Welles" has been unveiled and available online. The four brand new images focus on giving movie lovers a first look into the two leading characters portrayed by Zac Efron and Christian McKay as well as the set photo with Linklater explaining something to McKay. Based on Robert Kaplow's novel of the same name, "Me and Orson Welles" tells the story of Samuels, a teenager who gets the chance to make his big break when he is hired to star in Orson Welles' production of Julius Caesar. The film which is yet to have its release date will be screened at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival held from September 4 to 13, 2008.
 
"MY LIFE IN RUINS" TO CHALLENGE "STAR TREK" [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
Romantic comedy "My Life in Ruins" has received its U.S. release date. Scheduled to be screened in theaters nationwide on May 8, 2009, the Nia Vardalos' movie about a tour guide who finds love in the place she least expected will be let out at the same day "Star Trek" makes its first appearance in the big screen. Up to date, the eleventh installment of the sci-fi popular series is the only competition "Ruins" will be facing. Set in the exotic island of Greece, the film that teams up once again Vardalos with her "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" producers, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, will be getting an earlier release in Greece on August 28, 2008. Directed by Donald Petrie, the film sees Vardalos portraying Georgia. She is supported by Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis Georgoulis and many others in this comical film written by Mike Reiss.
 
"SLIPKNOW" CANCEL PERFORMANCE AT READING AND LEEDS FESTIVAL [Aceshowbiz, 8/22/08]
As posted on their MySpace page, heavy metal band Slipknot have announced to withdraw their performance at Reading and Leeds Festival because their drummer Joey Jordison's ankle is injured. They say that the cancellation is to prevent further permanent and more serious damage as it has been advised by Joey's doctor. The band were supposed to perform at Leeds, West Yorkshire on Friday, August 22 with other rock bands, such as Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Plain White T's, and many more. They have also been scheduled to take stage three at Reading, Berkshire on Sunday, August 24, 2008. With tickets for both shows have reportedly been sold out, the band apologize for their pulling-off. "Canceling shows is never an easy decision and we apologize to all our fans, friends, and family for not being there to throw down with you," said the band to express their regret. Furthermore, Joey's injury has also made them to cancel their supposedly upcoming appearance at Austria's 2 Days A Week Festival on August 28 and at Germany's Area 4 Festival, which will be held on the following day. Other cancellation are reportedly their exclusive performances for MTV Europe and Virgin TV. In fact, those performances are among their promotional rounds in support of their upcoming album "All Hope Is Gone", which will come out on August 26. In July, another band's member Sid Wilson had also broken both of his heels when jumping off the stage during the opening show of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. However, there is no statement on whether Joey's injury is also the result of the energetic stage performance that they usually perform. To replace their canceled performance, the band promise to give other performances in Europe this November. "We will be back in Europe this November and can't wait to see you all then," they wrote. They will then continue to sing in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia in October.
 
"FILMPORT" NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST TV AND FILM STUDIO IS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS [CBC, 8/21/08]
The largest and most modern sound stage for shooting TV and film in North America opened Wednesday (Aug. 20) in Toronto as part of the inauguration of the city's huge Filmport project. The 4,270-square-metre building is one of seven sound stages in Filmport, a site that Toronto hopes will be a magnet for the film, video and digital media industries. The TV and movie studio, on Toronto's neglected port lands, is the first phase of what the city hopes will be a creative hub that draws filmmakers from all around the world. Filmport, a public-private partnership backed by investment from Sam Reisman and Paul Bronfman and to be managed by Toronto Film Studios, has been five years in the making. It arose out of a Toronto Economic Development Corp. (TEDCO) study five years ago that determined the city was missing out on large film shoots because it lacked dedicated production facilities. The seven sound studios that were unveiled Wednesday, made of 25-centimetre thick concrete with a foam core and padded with a sound-absorbing material called Insul-Quilt, allow filmmakers to shoot without being interrupted by outside noise or any sound reverberations. The studios are wired to power high-wattage film lights and other equipment, and the 12-metre ceilings allow room for lights high above the sets. Filmport also has a large, secure internet line that filmmakers can use to transmit special effects, digital footage and other electronic information anywhere in the world. The largest of Filmport's studios has an outside structure like the flying buttresses of a cathedral, so no pillars are necessary on the inside.  "Five years from today, this will be the epicentre of the creative community in Toronto, and Filmport will put us in our rightful place on the world stage," Mayor David Miller said in a speech at the official opening. The long-term plan is for a huge community devoted to film and TV production, including offices for lawyers, agents and other services, restaurants, theatres and other public areas. David Cronenberg, the Canadian director of A History of Violence and Eastern Promises, told media and dignitaries gathered at the opening that Filmport is just what the film industry wants.
 
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION, INTEL TIE UP ON 3-D MOVIES [Reuters, 8/21/08]
Starting in 2009, all of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc's films will be in next-generation 3-D. "This is the next innovation for the movie industry," Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of DreamWorks Animation, said in an interview. "It impacts how we make our movies, how movie theaters present our films and how audiences experience our films." Katzenberg's DreamWorks Animation and No.1 chipmaker Intel Corp announced a 3-D movie image brand called InTru 3D at Intel's Developer Forum in San Francisco on Wednesday. The first movie from DreamWorks Animation to use the brand and logo will be "Monsters vs. Aliens," coming out next March. Financial terms were not disclosed. Renee Brown, head of Intel's software and solutions business, told Reuters that Intel's contribution to the 3-D partnership technology came through acquisitions of start-up companies, with more innovations from its stand-alone graphics chip due in 2009, code-named Larrabee. "The two of us will be working together to generate new computer animation from the ground up," Brown said.
 
UN-BACKED FILM TO PREMIERE AT ROME FILM FEST [AP, 8/21/08]
A U.N.-backed movie on poverty made of eight segments by directors including Jane Campion and Wim Wenders will make its world premiere at the Rome Film Festival later this year, organizers said Wednesday. Titled "8," the movie aims to raise awareness of world poverty. Gael Garcia Bernal, Gus Van Sant, Mira Nair, Jan Kounen, Abderrahmane Sissako and Gaspar Noe are also among the movie's directors. The festival's third edition, running Oct. 22-31, 2008, will present Saul Dibb's historical pageant "The Duchess," starring Ralph Fiennes and Keira Knightley as the spirited and unconventional Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, an 18th century ancestor of Princess Diana. A French-Cambodian film, "The Sea Wall," a screen adaptation of a Marguerite Duras novel starring Isabelle Huppert, will also screen at the festival. Al Pacino is expected to be at the event to receive an acting award and take part in public meetings and conferences, organizers said. The complete lineup of the festival has not yet been announced.
 
"GREY'S ANATOMY," "ER" DRAW OBJECTIONS IN ITALY [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/20/08]
Television programs with medical and hospital themes get so many details wrong, according to a leading Italian medical group, that Italy's main broadcasters should refrain from airing them. Annalisa Silvestro, president of the National Federation of Medical Colleges, said that offending programs include imported fare such as "ER," "House," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scrubs," along with a host of Italian-made productions, several of which are scheduled to premiere with state broadcaster RAI or Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset when new schedules start in September. The Order of Medical Professionals of Rome echoed that view. "These programs are teaching viewers inaccurate views on medicine," Silvestro said. "They are spreading misinformation." There has been no word on whether RAI and Mediaset plan to adjust their programming in response to the protests.
 
"MAMMA MIA! THE SING-ALONG EDITION" HIT THEATRE FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND [Reuters, 8/20/08]
Moviegoers who can't resist singing along to "Dancing Queen" are in luck. Universal aims to pump up Labor Day weekend grosses for its hit movie musical "Mamma Mia!" by presenting "Mamma Mia! The Sing-Along Edition" in select theaters nationwide. Powered by ABBA tunes, the musical starring Meryl Streep has grossed more than $320 million worldwide. Domestically, it has grossed nearly $117 million and is close to surpassing "Hairspray" (whose box-office take was nearly $119 million) to become one of the top-grossing musicals of all time, ranking below "Grease," "Chicago" and "The Sound of Music." For the sing-along engagements, the movie's prints will include subtitled lyrics to all the songs so that audiences can sing along. "Sing-along" showings of movie musicals have become popular on the festival circuit, and last summer New Line also employed the strategy several weeks into its run of "Hairspray."
 
TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL PROMISES LIGHTER TOUCH [Reuters, 8/20/08]
The Toronto International Film Festival is promising a lighter touch this year, both thematically and in the number of movies presented, with domestic dramas and comedies prominent among the 312 features and shorts unveiled on Tuesday (Aug. 19). The latest Toronto fest is somewhat smaller than   last year's event, when 352 films were shown, many of them related to war and politics. Organizers also promise a healthy dose of Hollywood star power at the 33rd edition of the festival, with Brad Pitt, Ben Kingsley, Keira Knightly, Jennifer Aniston, and even basketball star LeBron James among the more than 500 celebrities and special guests expected to attend. George Clooney was originally expected to attend, but the festival said he would not be coming. The 10-day festival, which begins on September 4, 2008, is seen by many as the kick-off to Oscar season, and ranks with Cannes, Sundance, Venice and Berlin in influence. Despite showing fewer films in total, the festival will feature 116 world premieres among the 249 full-length features, up from 101 world premieres last year. All told, films from 64 countries will be screened, with more than 340,000 admissions expected. Cameron Bailey, who took over as TIFF co-director this year from Noah Cowan, said organizers had deliberately trimmed the number of offerings to make the festival more manageable, and he also acknowledged a shift to more inward-looking films this year. "(It's) movies that are about more the domestic sphere, more about relationships between characters, family relationships, and less about the whole political sweep of what's going on in the world," he told Reuters. Among the 20 gala pictures that will highlight the festival are Richard Eyre's "The Other Man," which stars Liam Neeson and Antonio Banderas. As well, Joel and Ethan Coen, who won the best picture Oscar this year for the TIFF-screened "No Country for Old Men," will present "Burn After Reading," starring Hollywood heavyweights Pitt, Clooney and John Malkovich. The festival will open with Canadian Paul Gross's "Passchendaele." Among documentary entries will be "Religulous," a tongue-in-cheek look at organized religion by humorist Bill Maher and "Seinfeld" producer Larry Charles, and "At the Edge of the World." While the festival acts for some as a preview of late-season movie releases, the main business for many will be securing distribution rights for their movies.
 
MEMPHIS AIRPORT NOT READY TO BE RENAMED FOR HAYES [AP, 8/20/08]
Officials of Memphis International Airport say they probably won't change the airport's name to honor the late singer Isaac Hayes. During a memorial service for Hayes on Monday, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen publicly suggested changing the name of the airport. Airport board chairman Arnold Perl told The Commercial Appeal newspaper that Memphis is one of the most respected and recognized brands in the world. Perl said Hayes was a great ambassador for Memphis, but the current airport name best serves the city's needs. Hayes died Aug. 10, 2008 of an apparent stroke at age 65. Cohen said Tuesday (Aug. 19) he was drafting a letter to the Airport Authority formally making the suggestion to change the airport name.
 
GARY GLITTER DECLARED "PERSONA NON GRATA" IN THAILAND [AFP, 8/20/08]
Thailand declared former glam rocker Gary Glitter "persona non grata" Wednesday and moved to deport him to his native Britain, one day after he finished jail time in Vietnam for child sex offences. The order was set to end Glitter's state of limbo since he arrived late Tuesday (Aug. 19) at Bangkok airport from Vietnam, where he had spent almost three years behind bars for committing obscene acts with two girls aged 11 and 12. The 64-year-old singer had been due to board a connecting flight to London but instead stayed in the airport complaining of chest pains. A doctor pronounced him fit to fly, saying he was suffering only a minor inflammation in his chest, a medical official at the airport told AFP. Glitter -- real name Paul Francis Gadd -- then refused to board the next flight to London, but Thailand's immigration chief said later Wednesday he had been declared persona non grata and would be expelled to Britain.
 
TV A NEW REALITY FOR VIRTUAL WORLD OF "MOORE" [Reuters, 8/20/08]
The Many Worlds of Jonas Moore," an online graphic novel, could be headed for television screens. MGM Domestic Television Distribution has optioned the Factory Publishing property with an eye toward developing it as a series. "Jonas" -- written, produced and directed by Howard Webster -- is set in a time where the British Empire has never ended and America is just one of thousands of virtual worlds hosted on a vast global game network. When Jonas Moore (Colin Salmon), a character created by the network's founder, becomes self-aware, he is tagged by the network as a virus and goes on the run. He begins spreading his knowledge of the games to the other characters, which precipitates a revolution and fight for freedom against the murderously addicted real-world gamers. MGM is understood to be considering all potential distribution avenues for the series, including broadcast, cable, syndication and international.
 
ANNA FARIS NAKED IN "HOUSE BUNNY" [Aceshowbiz, 8/20/08]
Portraying a Playboy bunny in her latest and forthcoming comedy movie apparently forces comedienne Anna Faris to show her bare skins more than what she wishes. According to a report, in a recent interview about "The House Bunny", the 31-year-old confessed that there is a scene that requires her to expose her naked behind. Though admitting that she actually had a body-double for the shot, several complicating factors with that body-double compel her to step up to the plate. "It was my first nude scene and it wasn't supposed to be me," explained Faris. "I had a body double and we had some complicating factors with her. It was sort of a last minute thing, where I said, 'I'll just go ahead and do this.'" "House Bunny" will be hitting the theaters this coming Friday, August 22, 2008. The Fred Wolf's movie follows a former Playboy bunny who is dumped out from the mansion for being too old. Looking for a new place to stay, she ends up living with a group of socially clueless college girls forcing her to teach them everything that she knows. In it, Faris will be seen sharing the screen with Kat Dennings, Emma Stone, Katharine McPhee, Rumer Willis and many others.
 
"WOLVERINE" IN BETWEEN POWER STRUGGLE [Aceshowbiz, 8/20/08]
Words are "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has been put in between the power struggle of director Gavin Hood and the 20th Century Fox's co-chairman and CEO Tom Rothman. Allegedly, the two have different things in mind over the tone of the "X-Men" spin-off sparking further speculation that the tug-of-war for creativity is going on. The alleged conflict is said to be resolving around whether the movie should go dark, somber and gritty like what Hood is imagining or it should take Rothman's idea of a brighter and lighter mood to gather more audience. On this creative differences, a source told Hollywood Elsewhere that Hood had built up a somber set, but when he was away from the set, Rothman ordered it repainted from top to bottom to make it less murky. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is set seventeen years before "X-Men" takes place. It will follow Logan as it tells his violent past and his relationship with Victor Creed and the Weapon X program. The film set for May 1, 2009 release with Hugh Jackman as titular and Liev Schreiber as Creed.
 
"POLTERGEIST" REMAKE GRABS TWO SCRIBES [Reuters, 8/20/08]
The "Boogeyman" scribes are rolling out more children's nightmares for MGM's planned remake of "Poltergeist," the 1982 horror film that made "They're here" the creepiest announcement ever voiced by a 6-year-old kneeling in front of a static-filled television. The original "Poltergeist," directed by Tobe Hooper from a script co-written by Steven Spielberg, skirted an R rating despite its children-in-constant-peril, toy clown-strangling, face-peeling, skeleton-swimming medley of horrors. The MGM/UA release grossed $122 million worldwide and earned Oscar nominations for its visual effects, sound effects and score. The story of a suburban home built over an Indian burial ground and thus inhabited by a nasty spirit earned further cult status when two of the child actors in the movie died after the film's release. Two nerve-jangling sequels were produced. Horror thrillers are in Snowden and White's blood. The writers co-wrote the 2005 release "Boogeyman" and have had a hand in the attempted but never-hatching remake of "The Birds." They've also co-written "Knowing," directed by Alex Proyas and starring Nicolas Cage and scheduled for release in March, 2009.
 
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND SAXOPHONIST LeROI MOORE DIES [E! Online, 8/20/08]
The Dave Matthews Band brass has been silenced. Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, one of the founding members of the Virginia-based jam band, died Tuesday (Aug. 19) afternoon at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, E! News has confirmed. He was 46. Exact cause of death is unknown, but it was due to complications from critical injuries that Moore sustained in a June 30 ATV crash on his farm near Charlottesville, Va. Moore, who suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs at the time, had not performed with DMB since his accident, but had returned to L.A.—where the band is performing tonight at Staples Center—to begin an "intensive physical rehabilitation program," according to a statement released by DMB, which also said that Moore's fellow band mates are "deeply saddened" by the loss. The band's website is currently set up in homage to its late saxophonist, with its home page reading, "In memory of LeRoi Moore...1961-2008." Although he seemed to be out of the woods, Moore was rehospitalized July 18 in connection with his injuries. Moore, a jazz-influenced musician who played bass, baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, as well as flute, clarinet and penny whistle, was credited with arranging many of the tunes Matthews wrote—songs that nearly always provided chances for the backup players to shine. "I have plenty of space to improvise, to try new ideas," Moore once said. "It's almost better than a jazz gig." The band formed in the early 1990s in Charlottesville and broke out of the local music scene with the album "Under the Table and Dreaming." The band won a Grammy Award in 1997 for its hit song "So Much to Say" off its second album "Crash."
 
GLITTER FIT TO TRAVEL, STILL AT BANGKOK AIRPORT: THAI CLINIC [AFP, 8/20/08]
Former British glam rocker Gary Glitter fell ill during the night, missing his flight to London, but is still in Bangkok airport after he left Vietnam on his release from prison, a medical official told AFP Wednesday (Aug. 20). "The doctor prescribed a pain killer and issued a certificate saying he is fit to travel," the official at the clinic told AFP. He was diagnosed with costochondritis, an inflammation of the ribs that causes chest pain the official said. A doctor met Glitter in the airport, and he was apparently still in the international transit lounge, she added. Glitter, 64, left Vietnam late Tuesday. He had been arrested there in late 2005 and convicted the following year of committing obscene acts with two girls then aged 11 and 12 in the southern resort town of Vung Tau. The terms of Glitter's 2006 sentence called for his deportation upon his release.
 
HEATH LEDGER'S "DR. PARNASSUS" CO-STARS DONATE FILM EARNINGS TO HIS DAUGHER [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
Sympathy keeps flooding in for late actor Heath Ledger's family members, most specifically his young daughter Matilda Rose Ledger, even months after his tragic death in January. Actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell are those who show some support for the girl, giving her all the earnings they received from "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" because Heath had not updated his will at the time of his death to include her. Depp, Law, and Farrell, all of whom play versions of Heath's character "Tim" in the Terry Gilliam's fantasy-drama, willingly donated their payments from the movie to little Matilda over concern of her future. Serving as the film's director, Gilliam confirms the donation, telling The Sun the three actors "didn't take money - it goes to Heath's daughter." He went on claiming, "That's extraordinary! And wonderful ... and when you're part of that, you think, 'Ah, this is maybe why I went into the movies in the beginning. I thought it would be full of wonderful people.' And we've got a movie full of wonderful people who did extraordinary things to help." Heath sent shock to public worldwide when he was found dead on January 22 in his Manhattan apartment from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. He was 28 years old. Not only his death has raised major media headlines, but also concern among many celebrity friends. Matilda is Heath's daughter with ex-fiancee Michelle Williams. She was born on October 28, 2005. She's currently living with her actress mother.
 
CLOONEY, PITT, COENS JOIN TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (TIFF) LINEUP [AP, 8/19/08]
Movies featuring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Kate Beckinsale, Edward Norton and Colin Farrell and a documentary about Paris Hilton have joined the lineup for the Toronto International Film Festival. North America's largest cinema showcase announced Tuesday that the schedule will include Joel and Ethan Coen's CIA comedy "Burn After Reading," with Pitt, Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich. Among other additions were Gavin O'Connor's cop drama "Pride and Glory," starring Norton and Farrell; Rod Lurie's Washington journalism tale "Nothing But the Truth," with Beckinsale, David Schwimmer and Angela Bassett; and Adria Petty's nonfiction Hilton chronicle "Paris, Not France." Also, Neil Burger's Iraq War homecoming saga "The Lucky Ones," with Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams and Michael Pena; Toa Fraser's British historical tale "Dean Spanley," starring Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill and Jeremy Northam; and Jodie Markell's "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," based on a Tennessee Williams screenplay and featuring Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Ellen Burstyn and Ann-Margret. The festival also will feature "New York, I Love You," a collection of 12 short films about New York City directed by such talents as Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Brett Ratner and Mira Nair. Previously announced movies among Toronto's slate of 249 feature films include Spike Lee's World War II tale "Miracle at St. Anna," featuring Derek Luke; Saul Dibb's historical pageant "The Duchess," starring Keira Knightley; David Koepp's supernatural romance "Ghost Town," with Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni and Greg Kinnear; Gina Prince-Bythewood's Southern drama "The Secret Life of Bees," with Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo; the Western "Appaloosa," in which director Ed Harris stars with Viggo Mortensen and Renee Zellweger; and Kevin Smith's comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. Opening the festival Sept. 4 will be the World War I drama "Passchendaele," directed by and starring Canadian actor-filmmaker Paul Gross. The festival closes Sept. 13 with Charles Martin Smith's "Stone of Destiny," a Scottish drama with Robert Carlyle, Brenda Fricker and Billy Boyd.
 
EMI RESPONDS TO LILY ALLEN'S ALBUM DELAY ATTACK [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
Lily Allen is facing a limbo in the release of her second album, mainly because her label is not very supportive of it. On contrary to rumors that said the delay was caused by her fear of battling with Katy Perry, the actual reason lays in EMI that have gone through many changes resulting in the stalling. Writing on her MySpace blog, Lily explained the album is actually ready for the market but the people who used to work with her have mostly either been fired or left the company. In response to this, an EMI spokesperson has released a statement, saying "We are really excited by what we've heard and we are all now discussing a release date for the album." EMI has been in the state of flux since Terra Firma, owned by Guy Hands, officially takes over the company control in August 2007. Its artists Radiohead, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney have left the label while Robbie Williams is rumored to release his new album under a different label. Despite the uncertainty, Lily still keeps her fingers crossed for a quick release of her album, the follow up to the highly-successful debut "Alright, Still" (2006).
 
BABYSHAMBLES APOLOGIZED FOR PETE DOHERTY'S ABSENCE [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
English rock band Babyshambles were forced to cancel their show at FM4 Frequency Festival after their lead vocalist Pete Doherty didn't show up in Salzburg, Austria where the annual music festival was held. According to Adam Ficek, Pete didn't come to the festival on the day of their performance because he missed the flight to Austria. "We are in Salzburg, with no Peter," said Adam. Speaking of the cancellation, Adam says that though Pete didn't come and they couldn't perform, he and other band members, Mik Whitnall and Drew McConnell, still attended the festival in order to apologize to their fans. "We will head to the festival and apologize on stage," Adam added at that time. "Drew, Mik and myself can only apologise to those who came to see us today." Babyshambles were actually scheduled to perform on Race Stage of the FM4 rock festival on August 16. They were supposed to share stage with other rock bands, such as The Killers, R.E.M., and The Subway. Commenting on Pete's absence, The Subway's frontman Billy Lunn said that he wouldn't take any risk of losing his chance to perform with his band. "I would never get so wasted that I miss flights, disappoint fans and lose my chance to play. I live and breathe music, I love getting onstage and doing what we do. It's a privilege," said he in a press release.
 
BRAD PITT CREATING ECOFRIENDLY BODY WASH FOR GREEN CAUSES [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
Involving himself deeply into the issue of green causes, Brad Pitt has teamed up with cosmetics firm Kiehl's to develop an ecofriendly body wash, called Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser. All profits from the product's sales will be used to benefit JPF Eco Systems, a foundation created by Pitt and Kiehl's to "support global environmental initiatives that minimize impact on the environment through thoughtful design." Unlike any other celebrity endorsements, Pitt won't appear in the ads promoting the body wash. He will on the other way around lend a helping hand serving as brand executive for the new body cleanser. He would receive no payment for the part though. Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser reportedly doesn't contain parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate or dyes. It instead boasts such natural ingredients, as aloe vera, coconut-derived cleansers and glycerin. The product is put in a food-grade, post-consumer recycled bottle. The body wash will be put on sale online and at Kiehl's counters in department stores and boutiques starting from this coming October. The cleanser will cost at US$16.95 and is expected to raise around US$1 million. The first beneficiary from its sales will be Pitt's Make It Right organization which he started last year to help provide fund for the rebuilding projects in New Orleans. Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser, according to reports, is the first commercial product from a cosmetics company which gets certification as environmentally friendly by Cradle to Cradle standards.
 
P. DIDDY SEEKING SOLO ARTISTS FROM ALL GENERS FOR "STARMAKER" [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
On top of his successful reality show "Making the Band" on MTV, P. Diddy will launch another star-search type of show via the same music channel. The rapper is on to select several talented artists with charisma to be picked as the winners of "Starmaker". The twist is, the selected ones will be made solo artists under Bad Boy Records. Two people, a boy and a girl, of minimum 18 years old, will be chosen as the winners and get a signed contract with the label. Despite Diddy's status as the king of Hip-Hop, he will not limit the genre of musicians taking part in "Starmaker". From soul to country to pop, contestants simply must deliver their best at the audition dates. Those interested can get behind the line on August 23 in San Francisco, C.A., August 26 in S. Louis, M.O., August 29 in New York, September 6 in Hollywood and September 9, 2008 in Atlanta. All doors will be opened at 9:00 A.M. local time. Contestants are required to prepare three songs that best represent their vocal range and may bring musical instruments when required. Application forms and more about the audition can be found at MySpace.com/StarMakerCasting.
 
"DIARY OF THE DEAD SEQUEL" SET PRODUCTION DATE [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
The "Diary" is indeed going to continue its bloody saga. Following the report that filmmaker George A. Romero has been working on a sequel script to "Diary of the Dead", it has been announced that "Diary of the Dead Sequel" is going to fall into production mode in Toronto, Canada on September 15, 2008. This follow-up movie will pick up where the first film left off. Trapped in the mansion and having to battle the stream of zombies, the surviving characters barely manage to escape alive. Now, in their effort to find a safe haven, they board an abandoned ferry and drift to a deserted island. Yet, instead of finding a place away from the blood-thirst dead, they soon discover that the island has been colonized by the zombies. To be once again directed by "Dawn of the Dead" helmer, the sequel has yet to reveal the cast ensemble. The movie itself will be delivered in the same first-person style as the first movie which has been released in limited theaters on February 15, 2008. It will be Romero's sixth horror movie.
 
TWO MORE CHARACTER VIDEOS FROM "BURN AFTER READING" [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
After giving fans the chance to meet clueless gym employee Chad and womanizer federal marshal Harry through character videos, Focus Features let out two other hilarious spots. The brand new videos for "Burn After Reading" introduce two other characters, a disgraced CIA agent Osbourne Cox and a desperate-for-love gym employee Linda Litzke. The first video to be posted below is entitled "Meet Osbourne". It highlights on the warning given to those who plan on messing with Osbourne stating, "Fired. Robbed. Blackmailed. Don't Play with Cox." The second character video "Meet Linda" describes Linda as a single and available woman who is looking for love in the wrong place. Starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton, "Burn" is a dark comedy movie from Academy Award-winning filmmakers the Coen brothers. It has been set to open the 2008 Venice Film Festival on August 27, 2008 and it will hit the theaters nationwide on September 12, 2008.
 
RETIRED LAWYER CONVICTED OF POSSESSING STOLEN ARTWORKS [CBC, 8/19/08]
Retired lawyer Robert Mardirosian is planning to appeal after a Boston jury convicted him of possessing six Impressionist paintings he knew to be stolen 30 years ago. On Monday, a federal jury delivered a guilty verdict against the 74-year-old, who must return to court for sentencing on Nov. 18. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. "I expected it," Mardirosian told a reporter outside the courtroom. However, he added, "I think we've got a good appeal." Prosecutors laid out their case that seven paintings, including the still life work Bouilloire et Fruits by Paul Cézanne, had been stolen from a home in Massachusetts' Berkshires region by one of Mardirosian's former clients, David Colvin, in 1978. Colvin was killed in 1979, but he left the stolen paintings behind in an office owned by Mardirosian, who said he discovered the works in 1980 and stored them in Europe until 1999. Then, through an intermediary company he created, he proposed returning the valuable Cézanne (eventually sold for about $29.3 million US) to the original owner in exchange for title to the six other paintings, several of which he later tried to sell. The owner agreed, but at Mardirosian's trial, the prosecution said the offer to return the Cézanne in exchange for the rights to the other paintings was a form of extortion. Defence attorneys argued that Mardirosian's intention had simply been to collect a finder's fee for recovering and restoring the Cézanne.
 
JARED LETO OF 30 SECONDS TO MARS CALLING VIRGIN'S LAWSUIT AS 'INSANE' [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
30 Seconds to Mars' frontman Jared Leto has just shared his thought about $30-million lawsuit that Virgin/EMI Records have filed against his band. He wrote in the group's official website that the lawsuit doesn't make any sense at all because the contract that he and his band mates have allegedly breached, is actually out of date. Furthermore, Jared wrote that in California where they live and signed the deal, the law limits contract length for maximum seven years, and based on that, he said that their 1999 agreement is null and void because it supposed to have ended in 2006. However, Virgin are said to have ignored the law and instead of renewing it, they tried to make it outside the California law. "We had been signed to our record contract for 9 years. Basically, under California law, where we live and signed our deal, one cannot be bound to a contract for more than 7 years. This is widely known by all the record companies and has been for years. He also said that with their latest record entitled "A Beautiful Lie" that has been sold over 2 million copies worldwide since August 2005, the label should have been able to earn profits. Other things in the lawsuit that made Jared and his band mates mad at, is the fact that their next record is asked to be used to pay off the supposed debt. EMI's spokesperson responded to Jared's statement by saying, "We have been forced to take procedural, legal steps in order to protect EMI's investment and rights during contract renegotiations initiated by the band and management. We hope to resolve these matters amicably and put them behind us so we can continue working in partnership with the band to take them to even greater levels of success." Despite the court battle that they will go into, the band are now reportedly working on a new album in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, there is no further confirmation about the album details.
 
'SPIDER-MAN' VILLIAN JAMES FRANCO THE NEXT JACK RYAN? [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
Following report on director Sam Raimi being attached to the "Jack Ryan" reboot movie, an interesting tidbit on the casting has developed. It is now rumored that James Franco, the actor who played Peter Parker's best friend-turned enemy, Harry Osborn in "Spider-Man" series, has been considered by Raimi to take the lead role in the Tom Clancy's adaptation, "Untitled Jack Ryan Project". By that, it means that Franco has been eyed to fill the shoes of CIA analyst Jack Ryan, who has been depicted previously by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. Offering a contrast to the possible casting of the 30-year-old though, CHUD mentioned that Paramount Pictures and Raimi have clashed over the idea, especially since Paramount weren't so eager to hire Franco due to his box office modest records. Despite Paramount's reluctance, if this "Pineapple Express" star is indeed being cast, it would be his fourth time working with Raimi. Franco has teamed up with the notable filmmaker in all three installments of the "Spider-Man" live-action movies starring Tobey Maguire. He is known for his works in "Flyboys", "Freaks and Geeks" and the TNT Cable Movie "James Dean".
 
'FLASH OF GENIUS' AND 'THE EXPRESS' EXPERIENCING DATE CHANGES [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
Two of Universal Pictures' based-on-true-story feature films have undergone schedule changes for their theatrical release. While one of them, the Greg Kinnear-starrer drama "Flash of Genius", has been pushed forward, the other, football biopic "The Express", has been moved a week back from its original slate. Originally set for October 17, 2008 debut, "Genius" will take the October 3 date and thus is going to be screened alongside Michael Cera's romcom "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" and Robert B. Weide-directed comedy "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People". Meanwhile, "Express" has been bumped to October 10, 2008, along with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe- starring spy thriller "Body of Lies", from its initial October 3, 2008 date. Chronicling Robert Kearns' long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, "Genius", directed by Marc Abraham from the script by Phillip Railsback, it stars Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda and Bill Smitrovich. In the mean time, the Gary Fleder-directed "Express" movie features Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid as the two lead characters, Davis and his legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder.
 
SIRIUS XM SIGNS SPORTS TALK HOST "MAD DOG" RUSSO [Reuters, 8/19/08]
Sirius XM Radio has signed veteran radio personality Chris "Mad Dog" Russo to headline a sports talk channel, the first new premier talent brought on board since the company completed its acquisition of rival XM Satellite Radio. Russo, who quit last week as long-time co-host of the popular "Mike and the Mad Dog" show on CBS Radio's WFAN in New York, signed a five-year deal, Sirius said on Tuesday. It did not disclose financial details. From September 15, 2008, Russo will host a daily five-hour show on "Mad Dog Radio," a sports talk radio program that anchors the channel's other offerings of interviews, news and remote broadcasts from sporting events. The channel will be the first original programming to air on both Sirius and XM's radio systems, following on the company's promise to offer "Best Of" content to its combined 18.5 million subscribers. Other satellite radio personalities like Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart are only available on either Sirius or XM's networks, but not both.Known for his rapid-fire and humorous style, Russo, along with co-host Mike Francesa, is credited with helping to popularize the sports talk radio format in the United States. The move echoes Sirius and XM's strategy of hiring popular radio talents, such as Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony, in an effort to woo consumers to subscribe to satellite radio, which costs about $13 a month, beyond the cost of the radio. The channel is sure to compete with regional sports talk channels, as well as affiliates of Walt Disney Co's ESPN Radio network, which also has a national focus.
 
LEGAL TROUBLE BREWING, "WATCHMEN" IN TROUBLE [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
"Watchmen" is facing a serious trouble. In the latest report concerning the Zack Snyder-directed movie, it has been reported that Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio producing the film, are more likely to deal with a legal suit thrown by the 20th Century Fox and the movie itself is threatened from being unreleased theatrically. According to Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily, the motion put out by Warner Bros. to dismiss the 20th Century Fox's legal claim over the rights to develop, produce and distribute "Watchmen" has been denied by a federal judge. The turning down of the lawsuit dismissal has been done by U.S. District Court Judge Gary Allen Feess, on Friday, August 15, 2008. "In essence, the Judge appears to conclude that Fox retained distribution rights in Watchmen through the 1991 Largo quitclaim, and he concludes that, under the 1994 turnaround, producer Larry Gordon acquired an option to acquire Fox's remaining interest in Watchmen that was never exercised, thereby leaving Fox with its rights under the 1994 agreement," a source close to 20th Century Fox exposed. "While the Judge's opinion is preliminary and his views could change in the course of the litigation, his current take on the facts is consistent with our position." 20th Century Fox filed a lawsuit against the production house back in February 2008. The studio claimed that they still have the screening rights on "Watchmen" and thus, Warner Bros. violate their rights by developing and planning to release the Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' comic book adaptation to the big screen. Hence, they are looking to prevent Warner Bros. from presenting the feature film to audience from the script by David Hayter and Alex Tse. "Watchmen" stars Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Matt Frewer, Carla Gugino and many others. It follows a group of costumed superheroes in an alternate 1985 America when they are seeking to protect humanity while dealing with the conspiracy to discredit all past and present superheroes. The movie is slated to be released on March 6, 2009.
 
"HIP-HOP WOULDN'T BE WHAT IT IS WITHOUT ISAAC HAYES", - Doug E. Fresh [AP, 8/19/08]
The weight of soul singer Isaac Hayes' legacy in Memphis could be measured in a single remark at his memorial service Monday (Aug. 18). "What would you say if you were flying into Memphis and they said you are about to land at Isaac Hayes International Airport," U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen asked, drawing a huge burst of applause during a four-hour service of music, speakers and video clips. Cohen, who represented Hayes' area of Memphis, said the city should celebrate Hayes, an architect of the Memphis sound, as it celebrates Elvis Presley. "He is a world person who the world will miss," Cohen said. The deep-voiced soul singer died Aug. 10 after he was found unconscious at his Memphis residence. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes' family doctor, David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke. About 3,000 fans and friends attended the service. They remembered Hayes for his music and his movies and for his humanitarian work that included building a school in Ghana. "He was a lovely man, always involved with causes," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said before the service. "Literacy, civil rights. He was always there, and that's why we're all here for him." Jackson was among the speakers that included Al Sharpton and actresses and fellow scientologists Anne Archer and Kelly Preston. Richard Roundtree, who starred in the 1971 movie "Shaft," whose theme song was penned and performed by Hayes, was there, as was David Porter, Hayes' co-writer from his Stax Records days. Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes attended a private service Sunday (Aug. 17). The Monday service began with a drum march through the sanctuary and a video clip of Hayes and Jackson on stage together at a concert in the Watts area of Los Angeles in 1972. Jackson pulled off Hayes' cap to reveal his signature shaved head, then Hayes slipped off his robe to show his red spandex pants and chain vest. "Thank God for Isaac living 65 years and making a difference in our lives," Jackson said. Sharpton said Hayes never forgot his Southern roots. He recalled a time when "Hollywood didn't send its stars to us, we sent our stars to them." "Isaac came from our culture. He emanated our culture. That's why he never lost his authenticity, never lost his conviction," Sharpton said. "There is a difference between authentic and fabricated." As for his music, Hayes hooked up with Stax in the early '60s and with Porter crafted songs that became cultural touchstones, including Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm Comin'." Their sound was a gritty Southern counterpart to Motown hits coming from Detroit. Later, his "Theme From Shaft" won both Academy and Grammy awards, and he was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He appeared in a number of films, including "Escape from New York" and provided the voice for Chef in the TV comedy series "South Park." "There would be no Isaac Hayes without Stax and no Stax without Isaac Hayes," Jackson remarked. Sharpton contrasted today's rap music with Hayes' smooth soul, saying Hayes lifted up women while rap denigrates and "beats them down." But Doug E. Fresh, a rapper and record producer, said outside the church that Hayes' music directly influenced rap and hip-hop. "Hip-hop wouldn't be what it is without Isaac Hayes," Fresh said.
 
VIETNAM RELEASES GARY GLITTER FROM PRISON [AP, 8/19/08]
Vietnamese authorities freed British glam rocker Gary Glitter on Tuesday (Aug. 19)  after nearly three years in prison on child molestation charges, then moved immediately to deport him. Guards removed Glitter, 64, from the Thu Duc prison in Binh Thuan province and were transporting him Tuesday morning to the Ho Chi Minh City airport, some three hours away, said prison director Tran Huu Thong. Glitter has said he does not want to return to the UK. In a recent interview with Vietnamese newspaper Cong An Nhan Dan (People's Police), Glitter said he was thinking about resuming his singing career and that he might move to Hong Kong or Singapore. Glitter, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, was convicted in March 2006 of molesting two girls, ages 10 and 11, from the southern coastal city of Vung Tau. He served two years and nine months of a three-year sentence, which was reduced for good behavior. In his 1970s heyday, Glitter performed in jumpsuits, silver platform shoes and bouffant wigs. He sold 18 million records and recorded a string of British top-10 hits. His most successful song, the crowd-pleasing anthem "Rock and Roll (Part 2)" cracked the top 10 in the United States, where it continues to bring sports fans to their feet with its rousing one-word chorus: "Hey!" In November 2005, police launched a weeklong manhunt for Glitter after allegations arose that he had been molesting girls at his villa. He was arrested at the Ho Chi Minh City airport, where he was trying to board a flight to Bangkok. Glitter said he was innocent of the charges. The court verdict said that Glitter had molested the girls repeatedly at his villa and in nearby hotels.
 
PHENOMENON FEATURETTE OF "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3" OUTED [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
The Wildcats' fans are treated with another look into the highly anticipated drama musical "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" through the release of a brand new featurette. Entitled "The Phenomenon", the video gives out a behind-the-scene footage of the forthcoming movie as well as the comment from the cast and crew about this successful Disney's franchise and how it inspires the young generation. Following once again the drama in the lives of America's favorite high school students, the third installment of the "HSM" series still focuses its story on the romance between Troy and Gabriella. Being seniors at East High, their relationship are put to the test when they are faced with their lifelong college dreams and the prospect of separation. Staging the claimed-to-be the most elaborate musical numbers in "HSM" history, "Senior Year" is the first of the "HSM" franchise to be screened in the theaters. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the mouse house's film starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel and Monique Coleman has been shot in Salt Lake City, Utah and is expected to come out on October 24, 2008.
 
MALAYSIA CALLING BOYCOTT FOR AVRIL LAVIGNE'S 'SEXY' CONCERT [Aceshowbiz, 8/19/08]
Some people in Malaysia apparently are still determined to select appropriate western artists to perform in their country. Avril Lavigne who is scheduled to perform in the capital city on August 29, has been the object of protest from Islamic movement who call themselves Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party. "It is considered too sexy for us. ... It's not good for viewers in Malaysia," said Kamarulzaman Mohamed, an official officer from the party. "We don't want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models." Mohamed added that such act won't be appropriate in the wake of Malaysia's independence day on August 31, 2008. Pan-Malaysian has sent a protest letter to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Kuala Lumpur mayor last week, urging them to call off the concert while permission for it is not yet given by the government. According to the associated press, the ministry will have a meeting on Tuesday, August 19 to consider the appeal. Meanwhile, reaction from the organizers of the concert was simply denying that Avril's act contain any "negative elements". Last year, Gwen Stefani had to take a diplomatic step responding to a group of conservative Muslim students in Malaysia that protested against her "obscene" attire. She decided not to wear revealing costumes for her concert. While Gwen was still considerate, Beyonce Knowles wasn't. Instead of agreeing on the strict dress rule, the R 'n' B star moved her concert from the country to Indonesia.
 
'CSI' GETS ITS MAN: LAURENCE FISHBURNE [AP, 8/18/08]
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" has solved the mystery of who will replace departing CBS series star William Petersen: It's Laurence Fishburne. Fishburne, an Emmy and Tony winner, will be introduced in the ninth episode of the upcoming 10th season, the network told The Associated Press on Monday (Aug. 18). He'll play a forensics scientist with a secret. "I am elated and delighted to be joining the cast of `CSI,'" Fishburne said in a statement, adding that he looked forward to a "wonderful collaboration" with those involved in the series. Fishburne plays a college lecturer and former pathologist who is focused on why people commit acts of violence. Fishburne, 47, received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Ike Turner in 1993's "What's Love Got to Do With It" and a Tony in 1992 for "Two Trains Running." He was a Tony nominee this year for the one-man show, "Thurgood," about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. His film credits include the "Matrix" sci-fi films, in which he played Morpheus; "Apocalypse Now"; "The Color Purple"; "Mystic River"; "21"; "Akeelah and the Bee"; and "Biker Boyz." He also is a writer and director. "CBS asked us, `Who's at the top of your dream list?'" "CSI" executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar said in a joint statement. "Without hesitation, we said Laurence Fishburne. He is a powerful and intense actor, with an incredible range." Fishburne earned an Emmy for the 1993 premiere episode of Fox's "Tribeca" and another for the movie "Miss Evers' Boys," which marked rare TV projects for the actor. Early in his career, he appeared in shows including "Miami Vice" and "Hill Street Blues." The long-running "CSI" remains key for CBS: It finished last season as the network's top-rated series, ranking No. 9 among all shows with an average weekly audience of 17 million. Spinoffs "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: New York" ranked 16th and 28th, respectively. "CSI," which begins its new season Oct. 9, 2008, is ready to deal with Petersen's loss, said Shankar. "What makes shows go off the rails is they forget who they are. We're a crime-mystery-forensics drama" and that won't change, Shankar said in July.
 
SINGER LENNOX RECOVERING AFTER BACK SURGERY [Reuters, 8/18/08]
Former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox is recovering from spinal surgery after being forced by a back injury to return home early from an AIDS conference in Mexico, the star's Web site said on Monday (Aug. 18). She was flown back to Britain last week and had to be wheeled off the plane in a wheelchair. "A first I must say! Felt a bit like Elizabeth Taylor," Lennox wrote in her blog. "Some of my plans and schemes have had to be put on hold because there is not much I can do if I can't walk properly." Surgeons operated at a London hospital at the weekend to release a trapped nerve in her back that was affecting her left leg. "The surgery went as planned, and Annie is now recuperating at home. Annie would like to send her thanks and appreciation to all that have sent their well wishes in the past few days," said a message on her Web site. However, it said the injury would force a postponement until early next year of her new retrospective album that was due to have been released in the middle of next month to allow Lennox, 53, to take part in the promotion of the record. The injury has also forced Lennox, an AIDS activist, to cancel her appearance on Wednesday at the Edinburgh Festival of Politics where she was due to talk about her AIDS awareness campaign, SING.
 
"GOOSEBUMPS" THE MOVIE GETS WRITERS [Aceshowbiz, 8/18/08]
The big screen adaptation of the R.L. Stine's horror fiction, "Goosebumps", has moved ahead with its movie project. The live-action movie of the children's horror series is said to be in talks with screenwriter duo Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander to develop the script. If the two are indeed signed, they will be penning the script for producers Deborah Forte of Scholastic Entertainment and Neal Moritz of Original Film. The pair are famed for their works on "Ed Wood", "Man on the Moon", "The People vs. Larry Flynt" as well as John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson-starrer "1408". Acquired by Columbia Pictures in May, this feature film will be the first movie adaptation of the series. Previously, the novels have been developed into straight-to-video versions. One of the producers of the project has opened up earlier that he is looking forward to cast newcomers for the leads who will be supported by a list of notable actors, similar to "Harry Potter" franchise.
 
ALLEN BLAMES EMI FOR ALBUM DELAY [BBC News, 8/18/08]
Lily Allen has blamed changes at her record company, EMI, for the delay in releasing her second album. Writing on her blog, the singer said her album had "been finished for a while now" and admitted she did not "really know what's going on with it". Nearly 2,000 jobs were lost after EMI was bought by private equity firm Terra Firma for £3.2bn last year. Allen said she hoped the new album would be out soon. Her debut, Alright, Still, was released in July 2006.  "The record industry is a very political place at the moment," Allen wrote on her website. "Lots of people have been fired or have taken redundancy recently as the company [EMI] was taken over. "Many of these people were people assigned to my projects and now I don't quite know what's going on. "I'm sure everyone will find their feet soon enough and I'll be able to put the album out soon." Alright, Still has sold more than 1.8 million copies in the UK and spawned hit singles including Smile and LDN. A spokesperson for EMI was not immediately available at the time of writing.
 
DANIEL RADCLIFFE TO BARE ALL IN "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS" [Aceshowbiz, 8/18/08]
Having to disrobe for his London's West End performance in 2007, young English actor Daniel Radcliffe is going to bare all once again. This time, the 19-year-old is stepping up the challenge by stripping down in the next installment of a "Harry Potter" film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Though confessing that he originally thought he would be wearing at least a trouser for the revealing scene, the boy wizard's depicter noted that appearing without any fabric covering his skin isn't worrying him at all. "At first I thought I'd have pants (underwear) on for the scene. Apparently not," said Radcliffe adding that his "Equus" play has prepared him for this naked scene. "But I've sort of done that before on stage. It's all old hat now, really." "Deathly Hallows" is an adaptation of the final book from J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. To do justice for this last book, the feature film will be made into two parts, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" outed on November 19, 2010 and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" on May 1, 2011. The filming is said to be scheduled to start sometime in 2009. Meanwhile, the upcoming "Harry Potter" movie, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" has been delayed to July 17, 2009 from its original release schedule on November 21, 2008. Directed by David Yates, it stars Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman and many others.
 
JOURNALIST LEROY SIEVERS DIES AT 53 [Reuters, 8/18/08]
Former "Nightline" executive producer Leroy Sievers, who connected with a wide audience through his National Public Radio commentary and blog on his struggle with cancer, died Saturday (Aug. 16) at his home in Maryland. He was 53. Sievers was an accomplished journalist whose 24-year network career included a four-year stint as executive producer of ABC News' "Nightline" and bureau chief for CBS News. He won 12 national Emmys, two Peabodys and other awards. He was with former "Nightline" host Ted Koppel when he was embedded during the Iraq war in 2003. He also produced "The Fallen," the controversial "Nightline" tribute to the war dead. But it was his two bouts with cancer that were his struggle and triumph. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001. Four years later, cancer returned in the form of a brain tumor and in Sievers' lungs and, in 2006, in his spine. He went behind the microphone to detail his chemotherapy treatment for National Public Radio audiences in 2006, and began the "My Cancer" blog that became one of NPR's best-known features. Thousands read and contributed to the blog, which chronicled his life with cancer. Many said that it touched their lives or their loved ones' lives. Sievers also did commentaries for NPR's "Morning Edition" about living with cancer, as well as a podcast. "Cancer was not in Leroy's plans. But he turned his battle with cancer into the most dramatic, the most moving and the most important story of his life," Koppel wrote in a statement released by NPR. Koppel said that Sievers inspired courage through what he wrote and who he was: "Larger than life while he walked among us, and destined to be even larger in our memories." Sievers was profiled by his friend Koppel in a Discovery documentary about cancer in 2007. He had several surgeries but after the cancer spread to his liver and elsewhere two months ago, he decided to stop treatment. Not long ago, Sievers described the blog as a "rest stop." "But if I've learned anything over the last two years, it's that life with cancer is tough," he wrote. "I've learned something far more important, too. No matter what happens, we're all in this together. None of us will walk this road alone." He is survived by his wife, Laurie Singer.
 
"CRYPTOZOO" LEAPING FROM PAGE TO SCREEN [Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 8/18/08]
"Cryptozoo Crew," a graphic novel by Jerry Carr and Allan Gross, will be adapted for the big screen. Alcon Entertainment has picked up the rights to the book. "Cryptozoo" follows a member of a secret organization charged with protecting the identity of strange and rare animals classified as Cryptids. He teams with a beautiful doctor in a quest to protect a one-of-a-kind species from falling into the wrong hands. Joe Gazzam, who worked on the "21 Jump Street" feature and wrote the initial draft for the upcoming Nicolas Cage-starring drama "Scared Straight," will write the screen adaptation.
 
"DARK KNIGHT" BACK ATOP INTERNATIONAL BOX OFFICE [Reuters, 8/18/08]
Batman triumphed on the international circuit during the weekend as "The Dark Knight" reclaimed the No. 1 slot with an estimated $42.4 million from 7,700 screens in 60 markets, pushing its foreign gross to $328.6 million. Thanks in large part to robust first-place openings in France, Spain and Russia, Warner Bros.' "Dark Knight" returned to the top spot for the first time since late July. So far, the Caped Crusader's global box-office receipts stand at $800.1 million. Placing No. 2 was Universal's "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," which had been the top international draw for the previous two weekends. The third "Mummy" adventure drew an estimated $32.6 million from 6,853 screens in 56 territories, hiking its overseas gross total to $196.6 million. The No. 3 title, "Mamma Mia!," cheerfully broke through the $200 million international gross mark (its overseas total is $204.6 million) thanks to a $16.8 million weekend from 2,750 sites in 24 markets. The feature version of the stage musical is the first Universal title this year to exceed $200 million overseas, and is 2008's ninth-biggest box-office hit internationally. In the United Kingdom, the largest foreign market for Hollywood studio films, "Mamma Mia!" remains gangbusters. Universal says it is in the No. 1 spot in its sixth weekend, grossing an estimated $4.1 million from 536 screens for a market total to date of $89.2 million, making the musical the biggest title to play the U.K. in 2008. Pixar/Disney"s "WALL-E" wound up fourth for the weekend with an estimated $13.8 million from 3,824 locations in 29 markets, pushing its overseas total to $146.2 million. The animated title had six No. 1 openings. No. 5 was the Adam Sandler comedy from Sony, "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," which opened overseas on June 8 and had little box-office traction until this weekend. Thanks to solid openings in the U.K. (where it ranked No. 3), Germany, Austria, Brazil and Turkey, its weekend tally jumped to $11.2 million from 1,475 screens in 24 territories for an international gross to date of $40.8 million. The weekend's No. 1 domestic title,  DreamWorks/Paramount's "Tropic Thunder," the comedy-satire from actor-director Ben Stiller, opened overseas in two markets, laughing all the way to $2.5 million from a combined 437 screens in Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
 
UPCOMING AND HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FEATURE FILMS [Source: Aceshowbiz, 8/17/08, San Diego Comic Con]
At the 2008 San Diego Comic Con held in July, a number of trailers, posters, teasers, interviews and video footages were released and previewed at the 4-day event. Most of these are available on-line; here we provided a condensed review of the films. Watchman: Hypening the expectation of Zack Snyder-directed "Watchmen", DC Comics presented eight new posters of the Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' comic book adaptation. The posters expose both Silk Spectre, Laurie Juspeczyk and Sally Jupiter, Rorschach, Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, Nite Owl and Ozymandias. Warner Bros. Pictures screened a five-minute video footage from the forthcoming "Watchmen". Director Zack Snyder and several member of the cast ensemble, such as Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Haley and Carla Gugino were on the panel. . . .The Wolfman: Universal Pictures presented the exclusive first-look footage of "The Wolfman". With its special effects artist Rick Baker and stars, Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt on the panel, an extended trailer of the Joe Johnston-directed remake was introduced. . . .The Spirit: Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment introduced the Will Eisner's adapted comic book trailer.  Cast members Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie King along with writer/director Frank Miller, producer Deborah Del Prete were on the discussion panel. . . .Red Sonja: Director Douglas Aarniokoski, writer David White, producer Robert Rodriguez and actress Rose McGowan were in attendance. Two new teaser posters for Robert Rodriguez's "Red Sonja" are available. The movie starring Rose McGowan follows a victim of a tragedy in becoming one of the most feared female warriors of all time as she embarks on a quest for vengeance on those who destroyed her family. . . .Star Wars: The Clone Wars: A film clip of the "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" was previewed and showcases the so-claimed battle of Christophisis. . . .Saw V: An exclusive teaser trailer of "Saw V" was previewed. . . .Pusher: War Zone: Red band footage and trailer of "Pusher: War Zone" was previewed. . . .X-Men Origins: Wolverine: Australian actor Hugh Jackman gave insight into his upcoming movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine". He talked about what to expect from the "X-Men" spin-off film. It was also revealed on the footage the characters from several different X-Men story-lines, like Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth, Dominic Monaghan as Beak, Taylor Kitsch as Gambit, and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. . . .RoboCop: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) confirmed that they have signed Darren Aronofsky to direct and David Self to write a new installment of the  RoboCop franchise. . . .Tron 2 (new title Tr2n): Jeff Bridges is back listed on the starring, Tron 2 (with new title Tr2n) which will be released in 2010. . . .Ninja Assassin: Rain, Naomie Harris and Director James McTeguie talked about Ninja Assassin. . . G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra: Bringing in bits of detailed information about "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra", writer Stuart Beattie unveiled that some of the key characters have had romantic relationship with each other either in the past or present time. "Rise of Cobra" is set for August 7, 2009 theatrical release. . . .I Am Legend 2: Director Francis Lawrence  discussed the future plan for the action horror's second film. Talking exclusively to Shock Till You Drop, the filmmaker revealed that the new project "I Am Legend 2" will be a prequel and Will Smith is most likely to come back for the main role. "In the prequel, it's slightly different because it's earlier.". . .Up: The latest animation film from Pixar, is directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, it is set to be outed on May 9, 2009. . .The Last Airbender: Providing their insight on "The Last Airbender", the adaptation movie of "Avatar" television series, creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko discussed their plans on making the adaptation into trilogy as well as their different point of view with Paramount Pictures on the adaptation movie. "It's going really well. We love the script, and working with [M. Night Shyamalan] .... We already did the series, we did it our way and we want the live-action thing to take on a life of its own. We're excited to see it reinterpreted.". . .Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins: Director McG and "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins" cast gave out an early look into the under-production film. Teaser trailer will be attached to "Quantum of Solace" which will be released in theaters on November 7, 2008. . . .Underworld: Rise of the Lycans: With its first trailer being debuted there. Although no footage of the trailer has been available as yet, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans trailer description has been outed. The trailer allegedly shows the numerous battle scenes of the vampires versus werewolves plus Michael Sheen's character Lucian encouraging the Lycans to step up against their vampire overlords. . . .Scream 4: While promoting his latest movie "25/8", director Wes Craven took time to gush out on the possibility of "Scream 4". Under certain condition, the popular scream fest film may win the director's participation and the production by Weinstein company with the original screenwriter Kevin Williamson also brought back. . . .Friday the 13th: A remake of Sean S. Cunningham's 1980 horror movie of the same name, "Friday the 13th" chronicles the brutal murder of a group of young councilors by the masked serial slasher Voorhees. Directed by Marcus Nispel and set to come out on February 13, 2009, it stars Derek Mears as the new Voorhees and Jared Padalecki and Amanda Righetti as the lead characters. It is also supported by Danielle Panabaker, Aaron Yoo and Willa Ford.
 
THOUSANDS PAY RESPECT TO COMEDY KING BERNIE MAC [AP, 8/17/08]
As Cedric the Entertainer scanned the crowd of more than 6,000 gathered on Chicago's South Side to remember Bernie Mac on Saturday (Aug. 16), he cracked that the comedy king was "still the hottest ticket in town." Fans, friends and fellow celebrities descended on the House of Hope megachurch to bid their farewells to a man who never forgot his humble Chicago roots. Hundreds of mourners had never even met Mac — or had met him only long enough to shake his hand, get an autograph or thank him for representing his neighborhood. Mayor Richard Daley recalled that Mac was in his office recently, asking how he could help fight violent crime in the city. "He wanted to help get children away from a life of crime and violence," Daley said during the service. "That's why he's the king of comedy. He never lost his soul in Chicago." Mac died Aug. 9, 2008 at age 50 of what his publicist said were complications from pneumonia. He had been at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital since the middle of July. Samuel L. Jackson, who co-stars with Mac in the upcoming movie "Soul Men," spoke at the church, saying he knew Mac "was having some health issues, but he always said to me every morning that he was always good." Isaac Hayes, who died Sunday, also stars in the movie, and Hayes' music was played during the service. Jackson observed that Mac didn't mind the loss of privacy that comes with fame. "He never turned that kid down for an autograph," Jackson said. "He always had time to shake a hand. He was always that kid from Chicago who wanted to make everybody happy and everybody laugh." The service included the reading of condolence letters from children; from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, an Illinois senator; and from Mac's beloved White Sox baseball team. Mac's comedy routines were played on large video screens with off-color words bleeped out. Outside, traffic was tied up for blocks, vendors sold memorial T-shirts for $10, and Chicago waiter Timothy Strickland manned a makeshift shrine featuring photos, including Mac's 1971 eighth-grade basketball team picture. A sign read: "Thank you, Bernie, for showing that good people do come from Englewood." Mac grew up on the South Side in the Woodlawn and Englewood neighborhoods. His co-stars from the documentary "The Original Kings of Comedy" — Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer — took the stage together at the church. Hughley recalled that he and the others eagerly awaited Mac's stage attire each night. He said: "Bernie would wear colors that crayons hadn't even thought of yet." He said he met Mac in Detroit, but that Mac always wanted to talk about Chicago. "All he talked about was his family and this city," Hughley said. "He loved this city."
 
TRUMPETER FOR PIONEERING JAMAICAN SKA BAND DIES [AP, 8/17/08]
KINGSTON, Jamaica - Johnny Moore, a trumpeter and founding member of the pioneering Jamaican ska and reggae band The Skatalites, died of cancer on Saturday. He was 70. Moore died at a friend's house after being released from the hospital following cancer treatment last week, music promoter Herbie Miller said. Moore helped form the band in 1964 along with saxophonists Tommy McCook and Roland Alphonso and trombonist Don Drummond. "He was the most creative of the trumpeters from the ska period," Miller said. "He was always willing to try different things." During the first 14 months the band was together, it transformed jazz, movie themes and other genres of music with ska style. It broke up in the 1960s, but regrouped in New York two decades later. Two of their albums, "Hip Bop Ska" and "Greetings from Skamania," were nominated for Grammy awards in the 1990s. Their music continued to influence bands such as 311, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and No Doubt. Moore lived in New York City for 14 years but returned to Jamaica in the early 1980s. He last toured abroad about eight years ago with reggae artist Bunny Wailer. In recent years, he made rare appearances at Kingston clubs. He is survived by four children.
 
COURT REJECTS HALT IN PHIL SPECTOR'S RETRIAL [E! Online, 8/17/08]
Three days is all the extra time Phil Spector is going to get. On Friday, a California appeals court rejected his lawyers' request to halt the music producer's retrial for the 2003 murder of B-movie actress Lana Clarkson. They wanted to appeal the case on double jeopardy grounds and make sure prosecutors would not ask the jury to convict Spector, 68, on lesser charges of manslaughter. The panel scheduled the retrial for Oct. 2, 2008, three days after its original start date. Spector's first courthouse showdown was declared a mistrial when the jury was deadlocked 10-2 in favor of a second-degree murder conviction.
 
MADONNA CHALKS UP A HALF-CENTURY [CBC, 8/17/08]
The Queen of Pop, Madonna, who turned 50 on Saturday (Aug. 16), may arguably be a poster girl for an aging population. Born a half century ago in Bay City, Mich., Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone has shocked and scandalized during her long and provocative career, but she's now proving that youth doesn't have a corner on style, talent, vigour and marketing savvy. Dale Lieberman, a 55-year-old New Jersey mother of two grown daughters, thinks Madonna is a great example of what 50 can be like these days. "Here's a woman who's successful, takes care of herself, looks amazing — and she took the steps to get there. It doesn't happen unless you take charge. She's a great role model for many, many women," Lieberman told the Associated Press. Madonna hasn't publicly discussed how she feels about becoming a woman of a certain age. But in recent years, she has continued to reinvent herself. She directed her first feature film, Filth and Wisdom, last year. It premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2008 and received mixed reviews. She recently parted company with record label Warner Brothers to sign a contract with Live Nation that until recently specialized in music tours. And, in the coming months, she won't have time to worry about passing the 50-year milestone. Next Saturday, her latest world tour, Sticky & Sweet, kicks off in Cardiff, Wales, and is scheduled to run until Nov. 30, 2008 with more than 40 performances. Madonna has sold an estimated 200 million albums, and the Guinness World Records lists her as the world's most successful female recording artist to date. The U.K.'s Sunday Times estimates Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie's wealth at around $600 million US.
 
DUBLINERS SINGER RONNIE DREW DIES [CBC, 8/17/08]
Legendary Irish folk singer and musician Ronnie Drew died on Saturday (Aug. 16) in Dublin at the age of 73. The founder of the Dubliners, who recorded with artists such as The Pogues and Christy Moore over a career that spanned five decades, passed away at St. Vincent's Private Hospital after a lengthy illness, the hospital announced in a news release on behalf of Drew's family. Drew, who grew up in Dun Laoghaire outside Dublin, was known for his unique, gravelly singing voice. As a young man, he spent time in Spain where he learned flamenco guitar, and he accompanied his songs on a Spanish guitar. In 1962, he formed The Dubliners, first known as The Ronnie Drew Group, and left to pursue a solo career in 1995. The group originally included fellow Irish music legends Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna. "Whether as part of the Dubliners or during his solo career, Ronnie will be remembered at home and around the world," Brian Cowan, Ireland's taoiseach or prime minister, told The Irish Times. "He bore his illness with bravery and will be sadly missed," Cowan added. Drew underwent six months of treatment for throat cancer two years ago. Earlier this year, members of U2 joined fellow Irish musicians Sinead O'Connor, Shane McCowan, Moore and others to record a tribute song, The Ballad of Ronnie Drew. Profits from the release of the single went to the Irish Cancer Society. "Ronnie is like the King of Ireland and we are his subjects," U2 frontman Bono said when the record was released. "This is a big fight for him. But, like for any fighter, it's easier if there's a crowd cheering." Drew is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
 
BILL MURRAY TAKES TO THE SKIES [BBC News, 8/17/08]
Comedian and actor Bill Murray has completed a parachute jump with the US Army Golden Knights team in Chicago. The 57-year-old actor, whose film credits include Lost in Translation, wore a gold jumpsuit for the occasion. Friends asked him to participate in the show to support the Illinois United Service Organizations. "I figure if I'm ever gonna do this, this is the day to do this," Murray told the Associated Press before the 13,500ft (4,100m) jump above Chicago.  Murray, whose jump kicked off the 50th Chicago Air and Water Show, landed safely on a lakefront beach. He pretended for a moment to stagger as if dizzy, then smiled and waved to the crowd and shook hands with some of the Golden Knights. The Air and Water Show continues until 17 August, 2008. Murray's acting career has spanned decades, including Ghostbusters, Caddyshack and Groundhog Day.
 
JERRY WEXLER, FAMED RECORD PRODUCER, DIES AT 91 [AP, 8/16/08]
Legendary record producer Jerry Wexler, who helped shape R&B music with influential recordings of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles,  and other greats, and later made key recordings with the likes of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Dusty Springfield and many other great, has died at 91, said his son, Paul. Paul Wexler said his father died at a hospice in Sarasota, Fla., about 3:45 a.m. Friday (Aug. 15) of congenital heart disease; the death was first confirmed to The Associated Press by David Ritz, co-author of Wexler's 1993 memoir, "Rhythm and the Blues." Both his son and daughter Lisa were present at the time of his death. Paul Wexler told the AP his father's death was "a tremendous loss." "The number of artists that he was involved with and helped significantly or just made great records with, the list is almost unbelievable," Paul Wexler added. "And many of them are gone now." Wexler was born in 1917 in Manhattan's Washington Heights section, north of Harlem. He didn't take to school, preferring to hang out at places like Artie's Pool Room on 181st Street. He earned his reputation as a music industry giant while a partner at Atlantic Records with another legendary music figure, the late Ahmet Ertegun. Atlantic provided an outlet for the groundbreaking work of African-American performers in the 1950s and 1960s. The son of Polish immigrants and a music buff since his teens, Wexler landed a job writing for Billboard magazine in the late 1940s after serving in World War II and studying journalism in college. There he coined the term "rhythm and blues" for the magazine's black music charts. He loved black music, R&B music and rhythm and blues was his foundation. He had a feeling for it, he had the knack to keep it going in his heart and recognize the talent that he felt was real," Burke told the AP after learning of his death.  Later, it was a home to rock icons like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. He later helped Dylan win his first Grammy by producing his 1979 "Slow Train Coming" album. Wexler helped boost the careers of both the "King of Soul," Charles, and the "Queen of Soul," Franklin. Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, were among the other R&B greats who benefited from Wexler's deft recording touch. He also produced Dusty Springfield's classic "Dusty in Memphis," considered a masterpiece of "blue-eyed" soul. Burke said Wexler was the ultimate music man. Paul Wexler said a private service will take place in the coming weeks in Sarasota, and his tombstone will read: "He changed the world." "I don't think I'm overreaching," he said.
 
CRTC APPROVES NEW PORN CHANNEL FOR CANADIANS [Reuters, 8/16/08]
Canadians who may have become tired of being passed over as porn stars will have a new, home-grown outlet to showcase their erotic talents. Federal regulators have granted Alberta-based Real Productions approval to launch a new digital pornography channel, which promises to serve up at least 50 percent domestic content. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved the Category 2 pay-television service on Wednesday, allowing Northern Peaks to become "Canada's first adult video channel offering significant Canadian adult content." "I think as Canadians there is a bit of a tiredness in seeing all American stuff," Shaun Donnelly, president of Real Productions, said during an interview on Friday (Aug. 15). The CRTC only required 15 percent Canadian content, but Northern Peaks agreed to provide "not less than 50 percent of the broadcast day and not less than 50 percent of the evening broadcast period to Canadian programming," according to the license. Real Productions boasts the largest collection of Canadian adult-themed content in the country with more than 200 film titles and 75 television episodes in its library. Donnelly, who has also produced television programs for Playboy TV in the U.S. and Granada Television in Britain, said all five major Canadian cable and satellite carriers have expressed interest in hosting the channel and are reviewing the proposal. Northern Peaks will be restricted to certain types of programming including long-form documentaries, dramatic series, feature films, game shows, mini-series, sitcoms and made-for-TV movies. The CRTC received no interventions in connection with the application, which was initially launched in October 2007.
 
2008 ALMA AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED, THE TV CATEGORIES [Aceshowbiz, 8/16/08]
The 2008 ALMA Awards nominations were unveiled on Wisteria Lane at the Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City, Calif. earlier this year. The actual awards event is slated to be aired live on ABC on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 8 P.M. ET. The nominees were announced by actress Eva Longoria and actor Cristian de la Fuente.  Some of the nominees in TV categories are: Special Achievement - Outstanding Performance of a Latino: Ugly Betty (ABC); Outstanding Actor In A Drama Television Series: Enrique Murciano - Without A Trace (CBS), Edward James Olmos - Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi Channel), Danny Pino - Cold Case (CBS), James Roday - Psych (USA), Adam Rodriguez - CSI: Miami (CBS); Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Television Series: Ricardo Chavira - Desperate Housewives (ABC), Jorge Garcia - Lost (ABC), Benito Martinez - The Shield (FX Network), Amaury Nolasco - Prison Break (FOX), Miguel Sandoval - Medium (NBC); Outstanding Actress In A Drama Television Series: Valerie Cruz - The Dresden Files (Sci Fi Channel), Cote de Pablo - NCIS (CBS), Lana Parrilla - Swingtown (CBS), Sara Ramirez - Grey's Anatomy (ABC), Roselyn Sanchez - Without A Trace (CBS); Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Television Series: Alana De La Garza - Law & Order (NBC), Marisol Nichols - 24 (FOX), Paula Garces - The Shield (FX Network), Julie Gonzalo - Eli Stone (ABC), Dania Ramirez - Heroes (NBC), Lauren Velez - Dexter (Showtime). The complete list of nominees is available at ALMA Awards' official site.
 
GLITTER TO BE DEPORTED FROM VIETNAM NEXT WEEK [AFP, 8/16/08]
Onetime British pop star Gary Glitter will be deported to Britain next week upon his release from a Vietnamese prison after serving a three-year term for child molestation, his lawyer said Thursday (Aug. 14). "I paid for the ticket for him," Glitter's lawyer Le Thanh Kinh told AFP. "He's a British citizen, (Vietnam) wants him to go back to the UK." Glitter, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, was arrested in Vietnam in November 2005 and convicted of committing obscene acts with two girls aged 11 and 12 in the southern resort town of Vung Tau. The 64-year-old former glam rocker was sentenced to three years in jail but was given a three-month reduction. He is set to be released on Tuesday (Aug. 19). Kinh did not specify the time at which Glitter would be released, nor did he say which flight he would be taking. There are no direct flights between Vietnam and Britain. The British embassy in Hanoi refused to comment. Glitter, once famed for his flamboyant bouffant wigs and silver jumpsuits, was jailed in 1999 by a British court for possession of child pornography. He served half of a four-month term and then left Britain to live in several other countries, including Cambodia, before moving to Vietnam. Glitter's hits in the 1970s included "I'm The Leader Of The Gang (I Am!)" and "Do You Wanna Touch Me?
 
WINNIPEG'S "INWARD EYE" TO OPEN FOR "THE WHO" [CBC, 8/15/08]
Winnipeg trio Inward Eye have scored a return engagement with The Who. Comprised of the Erickson brothers — drummer Anders, 21, guitarist Kyle, 23, and singer/bassist Dave, 24 — Inward Eye are to open for the British rock legends on an eight-city North American tour that starts this October, 2008. For an indie band that has yet to release its debut disc, it's a heady feeling to share the bill with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey. It's kind of too good to be true. I was like a little giddy kid at Christmas when I heard that we got to do this tour." Inward Eye first opened for the Who last year at shows in Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton. "We're used to doing little pub shows, running in, trying to get sound ready, but this was really easy. We got treated super-nice," he said. It was also a chance to hang out backstage with Townshend's younger brother Simon, who was on rhythm guitar, and Ringo Starr's drummer son Zak Starkey. The brothers were signed by J Records in the United States and SonyBMG in Canada three years ago, but have found out that getting signed is not the same as getting an album cut. Though they've been writing new material and creating demos, they say the record industry staff they deal with has changed so often it's not been possible to create an album. The Who tour kicks off Oct. 21, 2008 in Detroit and is followed by a string of shows in the northeast U.S. The only Canadian date scheduled is in Hamilton on Oct. 22, 2008.
 
"THE FIFTH ESTATE" GETS INTERNATIONAL EMMY NOMINATION [CBC, 8/15/08]
CBC TV's The Fifth Estate earned a nomination in the current affairs category as the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced its International Emmy nominees on Wednesday (Aug. 13). For the first time, Al Jazeera English, the English-language television services of the Qatar news agency Al Jazeera, has been nominated for an International Emmy. It earned nominations in the news and current affairs category. CBC current affairs program The Fifth Estate was nominated for its episode titled "Cruel Camera," which investigated the treatment of animals in the making of film and TV shows. The investigation was an update of an exposé The Fifth Estate first undertook in 1982. That report discovered animals were often mistreated and sometimes died in the making of wildlife documentaries and films. Al Jazeera English of Qatar was also nominated for the current affairs documentary "Red Mosque" on the program Witness. Al Jazeera English, which began operating in November 2006 after hiring English-language journalists from around the world, also earned a nomination in the news category for its coverage of the popular uprising and military crackdown in Burma, also known as Myanmar, on its Kuala Lumpur News Hour show. Al Jazeera English broadcasts from Doha, Kuala Lumper, Washington and London. Independent jurors from around the world selected the nominees. Winners of the International Emmy Awards will be announced Sept. 22, 2008 in New York.
 
GEMINI AWARDS GALA TORONTO BOUND [CBC, 8/15/08]
After two years on the road, the Geminis, Canada's annual awards for English-language television excellence, are returning to Toronto. The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced Thursday (Aug. 14) that the awards gala will be held on Nov. 28, 2008 in Toronto. In 2006, the Geminis were broadcast from Vancouver, the first time the gala was held in a city other than Toronto. In 2007, the host city was Regina. The move to new host cities was designed to "galvanize the industry" in the same way that moving the Junos helped liven that music awards ceremony, organizers said. The Toronto gala is being billed as a "return to their roots" for the Gemini Awards in a news release from the academy. Nominations for the awards will be announced on Aug. 26, 2008. Only a handful of the Geminis are handed out at the gala. The Gemini awards for news, sports and documentary programs, for lifestyle, children’s and youth programs, and for drama, variety and comedy programs are handed out at separate ceremonies scheduled for Oct. 20, 21 and 24, 2008 respectively, also in Toronto. The event will be broadcast, in a condensed format distilled from the earlier ceremony, on the E! Network and Showcase on Nov. 28, 2008.
 
EASTWOOD'S "CHANGELING" FEATURED AT NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL [CBC, 8/15/08]
Changeling, Clint Eastwood's drama about a mother's desperate search for her missing child, is to be featured as a centrepiece of the New York Film Festival this September, 2008. The film, starring Angelina Jolie as a single mother in 1928 Los Angeles who believes another child has been substituted for her own, is making its North American debut. The festival will wrap up with Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke as a former pro wrestler struggling to rebuild his life outside the ring. The New York Film Festival, which traditionally has a very small slate of less than 30 movies, announced its full lineup Tuesday (Aug. 12). The opening night film, already announced, is Laurent Cantet's The Class, about a high school teacher who works with teens from a tough Paris neighbourhood. The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. This year's lineup for the festival leans heavily to French films, with four productions from France and eight co-productions. The New York Film Festival also has Cannes Grand Prize winner Gomorrah, by Matteo Garrone, Camera d'Or winner Hunger and Un Certain Regard prizewinner Tulpan. The New York Film Festival is scheduled for Sept. 26 to Oct. 12, 2008.
 
JONAS BROTHERS LEADING CHART BATTLE [Aceshowbiz, 8/15/08]
Jonas Brothers' third studio album "A Little Bit Longer" temporarily leads Neilsen SoundScan's Building chart. This has generated some speculation that they will soon score their first number one on Billboard Hot 200 chart with the new LP. According to some sources, their latest album has scanned over 201,000 copies since its release on August 12, 2008. Their label Universal Entertainment are even projecting that the band's set can end up this week with a number between 675,000 and 725,000 copies sold.
 
LICENSE TO ECONOMIZE: FORT KA GETS BOND DEBUT [Reuters, 8/15/08]
James Bond has outrun evildoers in an invisible BMW, a high-performance Mustang and an Aston Martin with an ejector seat. But now, at a time of record gas prices, is the super-spy ready for a minicar? Ford Motor Co said on Thursday (Aug. 14) its redesigned Ka city car would debut in the upcoming Bond film "Quantum of Solace," scheduled for release in North America on November 7, 2008. The movie is the 22nd in the long-running franchise based on the books by author Ian Fleming about a secret agent who saves the world from villains, often after a high-speed chase in a gadget-heavy supercar. Ford struck a three-movie contract with Bond producers, starting with "Die Another Day" in 2002. Financial terms were not disclosed. In his 2006 debut as 007, British actor Daniel Craig appeared behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo sedan and was flipped at high-speed in an Aston Martin, a legendary Bond ride and a luxury brand then owned by Ford. Pictures from the "Quantum Solace" set show actress Olga Kurylenk, the latest Bond girl, behind the wheel of a golden Ford Ka. Ford declined to say whether Bond would take a ride in its minicar, which will go on sale in Europe and other markets outside the United States. Action sequences involving sports cars in the latest Bond movie have caused several mishaps. In April, a stuntman was hospitalized with serious injuries suffered in an accident behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo sports car in northern Italy. Days before, British media reported that another car to be used in the production, an Aston Martin DBS, skidded off the road into a lake, but the driver escaped with minor injuries. Aston Martin is 50 percent owned by Kuwait's Investment Dar, part of a group that bought the brand from Ford last year for $956 million. Sony Pictures Entertainment, a unit of Sony Corp, is the distributor of the film.
 
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS LIST OF SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND CLOSING FILM [Aceshowbiz, 8/14/08]
The 33rd Annual Toronto International Film Festival is right around the corner. With the opening day getting closer, on Wednesday, August 13, the festival organizers released an additional 20 Special Presentations to the programming lineup as well as the chosen movie to close the event, Charles Martin Smith's "Stone of Destiny". The film is based on the real-life theft of an ancient Scottish artifact from London's Westminster Abbey. Among the list of movies announced, 12 of them will be making their world premieres on this international festival held from September 4 to 13, 2008. They include Rian Johnson's drama starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Weisz, "The Brothers Bloom", Kevin Smith's comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno", Richard Linklater's romantic drama which stars Zac Efron and Claire Danes, "Me and Orson Welles", Jennifer Aniston's "Management", and Colin Firth's "Genova" and "Easy Virtue". Apart from those world premiere movies, Steven Soderbergh's two part biopic about Che Guevara, "The Argentine" and "Guerrilla" also make the list along with Charlie Kaufman-directed dramedy featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton and Michelle Williams, "Synecdoche, New York". The complete list can be read at TIFF08.ca.
 
SEQUEL, SEQUEL AND MORE MOVIE SEQUEL [Klassic Magazine, 8/14/08]
DreamWorks Animation have planned on developing yet another "Madagascar" film. On Wednesday, August 13, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg revealed the studio's plan on a sequel to "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa". Unearthing the intention during a preview of "Escape 2 Africa", the studio executive expressed his hope on seeing the zoo animals group back to New York. "Escape 2 Africa is the second chapter in one story," he explained. "There is at least one more chapter. We ultimately want to see the characters make it back to New York." .  .  . The Dark Knight: One of the lingering questions arising among fans after "The Dark Knight" blasted on the big screen is whether Harvey "Two Face" Dent died or is set to return in the sequel. Providing the most possible answer to that, Dennis O'Neil, the author of the movie novelization, laid it down that the character with half-disfigured face has been indeed buried.  'Dark Knight' Sequel not in the works . . . "Two Face" is dead, no "Batman 3". .  .Happy Feet: Nearly two years after 'Happy Feet' scored a huge commercial and critical success, it is said that the animation film about dancing penguins has gotten its sequel on the works. Rumour has it the feet stomping penguins are lining up to return to the big screen. The Academy Award-winning animated feature "Happy Feet" about a poor in singing but genius at tap dancing young penguin, has been noted to be getting its sequel, "Happy Feet 2", done by Dr. D Studios. Despite many indicating that the sequel is indeed in the making, no further details has been shared about the follow-up film. . . .In a developing story on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" halted production due to Shia LaBeouf's hand injury, it has been reported that the young star of the action fantasy sequel is going back to the set sooner than what has been scheduled. On the story, Entertainment Tonight hinted that the 22-year-old will return to work on Thursday, August 14, 2008. If the report is indeed true, his coming back will put the 1st unit filming crew back on their toes to continue the principal photography. This primary unit was said to be put on hiatus earlier after LaBeouf sustained injury in late July following a car crash incident and rumored to be taking a one month break.
 
ELVIS AND PRISCILLA BARBIES: A MUST HAVE FOR FANS [AP, 8/12/08]
The marriage didn't last all that long, but for the Elvis Presley faithful, the wedding day is special still. And now, Elvis fans have the official, Graceland-approved Elvis and Priscilla wedding dolls to remind them of that magical time. "This is just another way he's making history, and we want to be part of it," said Angel Durham, who waited all night outside a Graceland souvenir shop to be the first to hand over $65 for a boxed set of the dolls, the newest additions to Mattel's Barbie series. Durham, 38, of Whitney, Texas, was at the front of about 150 Elvis fans lined up to witness the official unveiling of the dolls, staged as part of Graceland's annual weeklong fan pilgrimage to mark the anniversary of Presley's death on Aug. 16, 1977. Brenda Moore of Bentonville, Ark., invested less time in getting her dolls but paid out a lot more money for a one-and-only set of dolls signed by Priscilla Presley. Moore, 59, offered the high bid of $6,800 when the autographed box set was auctioned to the fans as a fundraiser for Presley Place, an apartment building in Memphis for homeless families. "I was so nervous, I don't know if I saw it really well, but I think it's a good likeness," Moore said. "They showed them yesterday and I looked at them online. I was planning to buy them, but never dreamed we would do this." Moore, a claims manager at Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters, said she and husband Mitchell believe the money is for a good cause. "Presley Place, where the money will go, we contribute to them every year," she said. "Also, I want that on display in my living room in a curio cabinet." The dolls, with faces painted to look like Presley and his bride, were designed from photos of the wedding. The groom sports a black paisley tuxedo while the bride wears a white beaded gown and rhinestone tiara. The couple married in Las Vegas on May 1, 1967, but had split up by early 1972. They formally separated in July 1972 and were divorced in October 1973. Durham said she got in place Monday night to await her shot at one of the 190 boxed sets Graceland was offering with special unveiling-day stamps. The 40,000 other sets sent to retailers later this year won't have those stamps. Fans gathered for the unveiling were treated to slices of wedding cake and orange juice served in champagne glasses. Mattel also issued an Elvis and Barbie doll set in the late 1990s.
 
ISAAC HAYES LIKELY DIED OF STROKE: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT [AP, 8/12/08]
Isaac Hayes apparently died of a stroke, officials with the sheriff's department said Tuesday (Aug. 12). The deep-voiced soul singer died Sunday after he was found unconscious at his Memphis residence. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes' family physician, Dr. David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke, sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular said Tuesday. Deputies were among the emergency crews that responded after a 911 call, and sheriff's department detectives were looking into the death. Kraus told investigators that he had been treating Hayes, 65, for high blood pressure, Shular said. Family members found Hayes lying on the floor of his home beside a treadmill that was still switched on. Meanwhile, a memorial service will be Monday at Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. His family issued a statement Tuesday, saying: "While he was an iconic figure to many, to us he was husband, father and friend. We will ever miss his love, wisdom, humor and the familiar comfort of his voice." The baldheaded crooner, who laid the groundwork for disco and whose "Theme From Shaft" won both Academy and Grammy awards, was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He also acted in movies and provided the voice of Chef, the school cook, on the animated TV show "South Park." He had recently finished work on the upcoming movie "Soul Men," in which he played himself. The movie starsSamuel Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday. Hayes was hospitalized in 2006 for treatment of exhaustion, family friends said at the time.
 
MARY-LOUISE PARKER STARS IN B'WAY'S "HEDDA GABER" [AP, 8/12/08]
Showtime's drug-dealing mom on "Weeds" will now take on another independent woman, Henrik Ibsen's iconoclastic heroine "Hedda Gabler." Mary-Louise Parker will star in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival opening Jan. 25, 2009, artistic director Todd Haimes said Monday (Aug. 11). Preview performances begin Jan. 6, 2009 at the American Airlines Theatre. The production, in a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, will be directed by Ian Rickson, former artistic director of London's Royal Court Theatre. Additional casting will be announced. The play was last seen on Broadway in 2001 with Kate Burton in the title role. Last season, she was seen off-Broadway in the Playwrights Horizons production of "Dead Man's Cell Phone" by Sarah Ruhl. Parker, a best-actress Tony winner for her role in "Proof," is nominated this year for a best-actress Emmy Award for her role of Nancy Botwin, a widowed suburban mother who starts selling marijuana to support her family in the Showtime offbeat comedy series. The actress won an Emmy for "Angels in America." She's won two Golden Globe Awards, one for "Angels in America," the other for "Weeds," and had a recurring role on NBC's "The West Wing." Her screen credits include "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Boys on the Side" and "The Client."
 
WARNER MUSIC BUYS SPANISH ARTIST-MANAGEMENT FIRM [Reuters, 8/12/08]
Warner Music has bought a majority stake in a Spanish company specializing in artist management as it seeks to expand alternative sources of revenue to compensate for falling CD sales. Warner declined on Tuesday to say what it had paid for the stake in Get In, which manages Spanish acts including Grammy award-winning band La Oreja de Van Gogh and has staged concerts for international artists such as Lenny Kravitz and Metallica. Warner Music narrowed its losses last quarter as it improved sales in Europe and diversified more into high-margin revenue streams such as artist management and touring. Warner, whose top artists include Madonna, Brian Eno and Bjork, has formed partnerships and acquired companies around Europe over the past year to expand the range of services it can offer its artists.
 
"SOUL MEN" DIRECTOR REMEMBERS MAC AND HAYES [E! Online, 8/12/08]
When one of his final flicks, Soul Men, is released, Bernie Mac will not only be remembered for his comedic acting chops, but also his great singing voice. Yes, his singing voice. "He definitely can carry a tune," the movie's director Malcolm D.  Lee told me this morning. "He does a great falsetto in the movie, and a baritone and alto as well. He has a range. He plays a range of emotions in the film as well as octaves." In the November flick, Mac and Samuel L. Jackson star as soul singers who agree to reunite and perform at a tribute for their recently deceased band leader after being estranged for a couple of decades. Mac and Jackson will be included on the movie's soundtrack. "We prerecorded five songs with Sam and Bernie," Lee says. "One of them is original, and the rest of them are covers." (Lee declined to reveal which covers, because he'd like to keep it a surprise.) Lee last spoke to Mac on the final day of shooting in April. "When I went to shake his hand and tell him how much I loved him and what a great job he did, he hugged me back and looked me in the eye and said, 'Make a great film, man,' " Lee remembered. "I promised him that I would." Lee also has special memories of Isaac Hayes. The music legend plays himself in Soul Men. "He was written into the script as himself," Lee said. "When I came on, they asked, 'Do you want him in the movie?' and I was like, 'Of course.' Not to include him in the movie would have been sacrilege. I had to have Isaac in the film."
 
FORMER BLINK-182 BASSIST SUES OVER BAD INVESTMENT [E! Online, 8/12/08]
Former Blink-182 singer-bassist Mark Hoppus has filed suit against a father-and-son business team, claiming the duo diverted roughly $1.5 million in investments, the bulk of which came from the rocker and his friends, and used it to bulk up their personal bank accounts. According to the suit, filed Monday (Aug. 11) in San Diego Superior Court, Hoppus claims he, as well as fellow former bandmates Tom Delonge and Travis Barker, gave Ed and Jeff Mitchell the seven-figure sum in order to go in on a business venture that would see automated checkout machines installed at McDonald's restaurants. Unfortunately, if he wanted to have it his way, he's barking up the wrong franchise. As it is, Hoppus claims that he and his wife, Skye, invested $600,000 in Missicom LLC, the father-son business front, back in October 2003 and that the Mitchells went on to raise roughly $3.4 million from not only the Blink boys but golfer Phil Mickelson, among other famous faces (and suddenly not so full bank accounts). The suit goes on to claim that the duo diverted the Hoppus' and other investments for personal gain. The rock couple is seeking in excess of $2 million in damages. For his part, Hoppus first launched legal action concerning the botched dealings back in 2006, when he sued his former business manager Louis Tommasino, who the Plus-44 rocker claims defrauded him by failing to mention that, in addition to his gig as Hoppus' main money man, he also happened to be a principal member of Missicom. His new amended complaint, however, alleges gross negligence and breach of fiduciary duty against both the Mitchells and Missicom. A trial is scheduled to kick off in San Diego on Sept. 8, 2008.
 
COPY OF BEATLES CONTRACT FOR SALE IN LONDON [AP, 8/12/08]
Brian Epstein's copy of his management contract with The Beatles, a pact that proved to be worth millions, is being offered for sale in London next month. The four-page document, signed Oct. 1, 1962, by John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Richard Starkey — Ringo Starr's real name — carries an estimated price of $480,000. The Fame Bureau auction house said Tuesday it had scheduled the sale for Sept. 4, 2008 at the Idea Generation Gallery. The contract, also signed by Harold Hargreaves Harrison and James McCartney on behalf of their underage sons, gave Epstein a 25 percent cut of the band's earnings, provided they made more than $400 each per week. "The word is that he made more money than the Beatles did during his period of time," said Ted Owen, managing director of The Fame Bureau. He said the contract was offered for sale by a northern England businessman and Beatles collector who has asked to remain anonymous. The contract marked the moment when all the pieces were in place for a global outbreak of Beatlemania. Epstein first heard of The Beatles when a customer went to his record store in Liverpool asking for "My Bonnie," in which the group backed singer Tony Sheridan. After arranging to hear the group perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, Epstein was impressed. "They were fresh, honest and had, what I thought, a sort of presence and star quality, whatever that is," Epstein later recalled. Epstein died from a drug overdose in 1967, at age 32. Also up for auction: a Bechstein grand piano that can be heard on The Beatles' "White Album" and "Hey Jude." Owen estimated the piano will sell for $570,000 or more.
 
"HALF-BLOOD PRINCE" TO GIVE MORE ON 'REGULUS BLACK' [Aceshowbiz, 8/12/08]
An article from a French magazine has suggested that fans will be treated with more of Regulus Black's story in 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'. Apart from following another adventure of the boy wizard, Harry Potter, the sixth installment of J.K. Rowling's adaptation novel series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", will introduce a new character to the movie franchise, Regulus Black. What is certain about this particular character is the fact that he is portrayed by Tom Moorcroft in "Half-Blood Prince". He is also expected to be seen in one of Professor Slughorn's photographs which is hung in his office. Whether he will be appearing in the next installments, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" is yet unknown. Concerning the "Half-Blood Prince" itself, the David Yates-directed movie will see stars like Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith among others coming back to reprise their roles. This sixth film centers its story on Potter's discovery of an old Potion book with the marking of 'Half-Blood Prince' in it while dealing with the impending danger as his archnemesis is growing stronger and stronger each day.
 
PRODUCER SUES VANESSA HUDGENS FOR $5 MILLION [AP, 8/12/08]
A music producer has sued Vanessa Hudgens for $5 million, claiming the actress and her father have repeatedly violated a contract and failed to pay him his share of her earnings. Hudgens, one of the stars of Disney's successful "High School Musical" series, entered into an agreement with producer Johnny Vieira when she was still a minor, the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, states. Vieira claims Hudgens and her father, Greg, sued to get out of the agreement, but have also failed to abide by settlement terms. An e-mail message seeking comment from Hudgens' publicist wasn't immediately returned Tuesday morning. Vieira is described in the lawsuit as a songwriter and music producer who was "engaged in the business of discovering and developing artists in the music industry" when he entered into an agreement with Hudgens in 2005. That agreement, Vieira states, called for him to equally share in advances, royalties and merchandising from Hudgens' career. That was before she landed a starring role in "High School Musical," which is scheduled to release its third installment later this year. She has also released a pair of solo albums. Vieira claims an audit turned up at least two instances where he is owed money, and that Hudgens, 19, has refused to pay him. He is also suing Greg Hudgens for defamation, claiming he sent an e-mail to others that accused Vieira of being a "predator." Hudgens was sued last year by a lawyer who claimed she owed him $150,000. Court records show the lawsuit was settled in January, about a month after a judge ruled that case could go to trial.
 
UNLIKELY MIX OF INDIE ARTISTS COMPETES FOR CRAVEFEST VIDEO AWARDS [CBC, 8/12/08]
Rock band The Saint Alvia Cartel is competing against a Danish classical alternative group, a German folk act and a U.S. country rock band for best song at this year's CraveFest International Music Video Awards. The unlikely mix of contestants emerged after the public voted for their favourites among the hundreds of videos submitted online for CraveFest, a Toronto-based music video festival. The Saint Alvia Cartel, a group of music veterans out of Burlington who are about to release their second album, have been nominated for best song and best rock-punk video for Blonde Kryptonite. In the best song category, they are competing against Denmark's Czeslaw Spiewa with Maszynka do Swierkania, Germany's Werle & Stankowski with the low-key After All and U.S. country rockers Sleepercar with A Broken Promise. In the rock-punk category, the other nominees are Czeslaw Spiewa, Sleepercar and New Jersey rockers Jet Lag Gemini for Run This City. Nominees for the music video awards hail from Turkey, Australia, Japan and France and include both signed and unsigned artists. Other Canadian groups to earn nominations include K-OS, nominated for best signed hip-hop act for Sunday Morning; Montreal-based electronica group Hexes & Ohs for best unsigned electronic act for H-H-Highschool; and Vancouver punk rockers You Say Party! We Say Die! for best production for Monster. The awards will be presented Aug. 17, 2008 in Toronto in a gala with live performances by Semi Precious Weapons, Ill Scarlett and Hexes & Ohs. Judges for the awards were drawn from the Canadian music industry. Nominees for best unsigned hip-hop group include Canadians Webster Death and Mr. Flowas. They are competing against iLLMADi, out of Britain, and Mr. iRok of the U.S.
 
BMI TO AWARD ICON STATUS TO ROXY MUSIC'S BRYAN FERRY [CBC, 8/12/08]
Bryan Ferry, lead singer of Roxy Music and an influential producer and songwriter, will be named a BMI Icon at a London ceremony later this year. Broadcast Music Inc., the U.S. performing rights organization, announced Monday (Aug. 11) it would honour Ferry at its annual London awards ceremony on Oct. 7, 2008. BMI's annual London ceremony recognizes British, European and Jamaican songwriters who have the most played songs on U.S. radio and TV. The Icon honour, awarded previously to Steve Winwood, Van Morrison and Peter Gabriel, goes to artists who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers," BMI said. Ferry was the songwriter behind Roxy Music hits such as Love is the Drug, Slave to Love, Kiss & Tell, Angel Eyes and More Than This. Ferry sang with rock groups the Banshees and Gas Board before co-founding Roxy Music in 1971. He came to prominence as the distinctive voice of the British art rock band. The singer began recording solo efforts in 1973, while still with Roxy Music and continued a solo career after Roxy Music broke up in the 1980s. Ferry's latest album, released in 2007, was Dylanesque, a collection of Bob Dylan covers. BMI announced last week that The Jacksons would be named Icons at the Urban Awards in Los Angeles in September, 2008.
 
ALLAN BROTHERS SUE UNIVERSAL OVER ROYALTIES [AP, 8/12/08]
Members of the Allman Brothers Band sued UMG Recordings for more than $10 million on Monday (Aug. 11) over royalties from compact discs sales and digital downloads services such as Apple's iTunes. The lawsuit seeks payments from the sale of some of the rock group's songs recorded for its first label, Capricorn Records, from 1969 to 1980 when the band enjoyed such hits as "Jessica," "Ramblin' Man" and "Midnight Rider." Band members Greg Allman, Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson, Butch Trucks and Dickey Betts were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. A spokesperson for UMG Recordings, part of Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group, was not immediately available for comment. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, said UMG "refuses to pay Plaintiffs at the correct royalty rate for its digital exploitation of the Capricorn Masters," including from compact discs, digital downloads and ringtones. The agreement dated back to a 1985 agreement between the band and Polygram, which Universal bought, that said the band would be paid half of profits from the sale of records by third parties such as Apple's iTunes or any other commercial usage not specified in the agreement, the lawsuit said. It said UMG had paid only a small fraction of what the band deserved, refused to renegotiate royalties for digital downloads and ringtones and had "wanton disregard" for obligations of the agreement. "UMG incurs practically no expenses or risks in connection with the Masters, particularly with respect to licensing other companies such as Apple to create and distribute digital downloads ... yet UMG reaps millions of dollars every year from such exploitation," the lawsuit said.
 
2008 CMA AWARDS NOMINEES TO BE ANNOUNCED [Aceshowbiz,  8/12/08]
The 42nd Country Music Association Awards nominees will be read out at an event held on September 10, 2008 in New York and Nashville. Taking the honor to announce the final contenders are Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and James Otto. The first two will take over the NY leg while the remaining two are responsible for the announcement in Nashville. "We're excited to be a part of the live CMA nominee announcements on 'Good Morning America,'" said Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, who is also the member of CMA Board of Directors. "We had our first CMA win in 2002 and know how thrilling it is to hear your name called out as a nominee, so we're glad to be the one's to share that good news." The announcement won't be a regular press conference for ABC's "Good Morning America" will broadcast the moment live from NYC's Times Square during the 08:30 A.M./ET half-hour of the morning news program. It will also be announced by Antebellum and Otto at Nashville's Sommet Center and aired by CMT's "CMT Insider" on the same day. CMT's Katie Cook and Lance Smith will then provide an analysis of this year's runners. "These special broadcasts will allow fans across the nation to experience the same excitement our artists and industry feel as the names are announced for the first time by our hosts," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "It also demonstrates the enthusiasm of our network partner ABC, and the continued and valued support of 'Good Morning America' and CMT." The actual event itself will be held at Sommet Center, Nashville on November 12 at 8:00 P.M. ET and broadcast by ABC live.
 
CHINA OLYMPIC CEREMONY STAR MIMED [BBC News, 8/12/08]
A pretty girl who won national fame after singing at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games was only miming. Wearing a red dress and pigtails, Lin Miaoke charmed a worldwide audience with a rendition of “Ode to the Motherland”. But the singer was Yang Peiyi, who was not allowed to appear because she is not as "flawless" as nine-year-old Lin. The show's musical director said Lin was used because it was in the best interests of the country. The revelation follows news that a fireworks display used during the opening ceremony was apparently faked. Speaking on Beijing Radio station, musical director Chen Qigang said the organisers needed a girl with both a good image and a good voice. They faced a dilemma because although Lin was prettier, seven-year-old Yang had the better voice, Mr Chen said. "After several tests, we decided to put Lin Miaoke on the live picture, while using Yang Peiyi's voice," he told the radio station. "The reason for this is that we must put our country's interest first," he added.
Lil Wayne: At the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival in Baltimore, Lil Wayne shares his gratitude and some laughs by lip-syncing to Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" before leaving the stage. --- Right back at you babe!.
 
WIFE DEVASTATED OVER BERNIE MAC'S DEATH, SUSTAINING IN HER FAITH IN GOD [Aceshowbiz, 8/11/08]
Friends and colleagues have offered their condolences for Bernie Mac's family following his death due to complications from pneumonia Saturday morning, August 9. As word spreads, tributes keep pouring in, his sister-in-law Mary Ann Grossett has a personal and touching interview with People, revealing his wife's reaction to his death. To the magazine she revealed Saturday that her younger sister Rhonda McCullough was by Mac's side when he died. Their daughter Je'Niece was also there. Grossett went on revealing, that Rhonda was devastated. "However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her," so she said. Having been together with Mac for 30 years, Rhonda started dating him when he had yet become a famous celebrity. "When they started dating, he said, 'Girl, you better come on board this train, because I'm going to be rich.' And her response was, 'Okay,' and they were married. That's how he charmed her, with his sense of humor," Grossett stated recalling the couple's early years. She added, "When they got married they were kids. He was 20 and she was 19. They both grew up together, and they both matured in this marriage." Concerning their longtime union as husband and wife, which Grossett claimed as "unprecedented in today's time, particularly for celebrities," it brings joy to Rhonda. "They loved each other and respected each other on a daily basis. She was by his side to the very end," she said, adding that "What she will treasure the most is the fact that she was his wife for 30 years - and not only was she his wife, but she was his best friend. She's going to miss him dearly." With a public memorial planned for next Saturday Aug. 16 at The House of Hope church in Chicago, Mac's family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.
 
ARREST OVER LEBANESE SINGER DEATH [BBC News, 8/11/08]
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of Lebanese pop star Suzanne Tamim, police in the Gulf emirate of Dubai have said. The 30-year-old singer was found dead in her flat last month. Media reports suggested she had been stabbed repeatedly and decapitated. The suspect, a 39-year-old man, was arrested a few days ago in another Arab country, with help from Interpol. Dubai's acting chief of police, Mattar al-Mazeina, would not identify him. Speaking to reporters, Mr Mazeina said the man had posed as an estate agent to gain access to the singer's flat. He added that the suspect had left the United Arab Emirates 90 minutes after the murder, and said police had tracked him down with the help of evidence collected at the scene. Tamim rose to fame after appearing on a TV talent show in Lebanon in 1996, but her career was marred by stories about a troubled private life. She was reported to have fled Lebanon to Egypt some years ago after a number of bitter legal battles with her estranged second husband, music producer Adel Maatouk. She gave up her career and disappeared from public view in Cairo in 2007 and was thought to be living in Dubai's exclusive Jumeira district.
 
EASY-LISTENING WEST BANK STATION GOES OFF AIR [AP, 8/11/08]
A West Bank radio station that sought to bring Israelis and Palestinians together to the tune of pop music has gone of the air because of a lack of funding. RAM-FM had been broadcasting English-language talk shows and artists like Michael Bolton and Air Supply from a studio in the town of Ramallah since last year. An official from the station confirmed Monday (Aug. 11) it went off the air last week. In a statement, the station said it was unable "to generate sufficient advertising revenues to sustain its ongoing operation." Owned by South African Jewish businessman Issy Kirsh, RAM-FM was modeled after a South African station that provided a venue for reconciliation after apartheid. It attracted fans in both Israel and the Palestinian territories.
 
IT'S ANOTHER SAD DAY IN HOLLYWOOD - ISAAC HAYES DEAD AT 65 [E! Online, 8/11/08]
Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer and songwriter Isaac Hayes passed away early Sunday morning in Memphis, Tenn., at the age of 65. The cause of death was not immediately known. Police were called to the Hayes' home when relatives found him unresponsive on the floor near a treadmill. The legendary musician was taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08 a.m. Hayes made history when he won the 1972 Oscar for Best Original Song for the theme song to Shaft, becoming the first African-American to win an Academy Award in a non-acting category. He also won two Grammy Awards that year for his musical work on the film. A third Grammy followed in 1973 for the album "Black Moses" and he was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Hayes' career experienced a resurgence in the late 1990s when he provided the voice of Chef on the hit Comedy Central series South Park. He played the smooth-talking, ladies-lovin' chef from 1997 to 2006, until he clashed with the show's creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, over the show's treatment of Scientology. Hayes, who was a Scientologist, was quoted as saying, "There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins." He appeared in episodes of The A-Team and Miami Vice, though his acting wasn't limited to the small screen. Hayes also had roles in films such as Shaft (1971), Escape from New York (1981), I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) and Johnny Mnemonic (1995). In a tragic twist of fate, Hayes most recently filmed a small role playing himself in the upcoming movie Soul Man, starring Bernie Mac, who died yesterday at the age of 50 from pneumonia. Hayes is survived by his wife, 12 children and 16 grandchildren.
 

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