LONDON – She gave a final curtsey, a shimmy of her hips, and walked off stage, leaving the winners to perform an encore. But it's unlikely that finishing second on "Britain's Got Talent" Saturday night to a dance troupe called "Diversity" will be the end of Susan Boyle's showbiz dream.
The 48-year-old church volunteer became an Internet phenomenon after she auditioned for the television talent show, her show-stopping voice combining with her frumpy appearance to make her a must-see on YouTube.
For the finals, she returned to the song that made her famous, "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables." She wore a glamorous but modest sparkly floor-length dress, and her once-grey frizzy hair was a soft brown halo.
She appeared more polished and animated than in previous performances, but seemed uncomfortable during banter with the judges after her song. Judge Simon Cowell said Boyle had a rough brush with fame, but that she was "a nice, shy person who wants a break."
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Jay Leno bids farewell to "Tonight Show"
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Jay Leno bid farewell to "The Tonight Show" on Friday, ending his 17-year run as host with a finale that stayed true to the style that made him the top-rated performer on U.S. late-night television.
The main difference was a long ovation that Leno struggled to quiet as he took the stage for an opening monologue that poked fun, as usual, at politicians, celebrities and current events.
He thanked the likes of pop star Michael Jackson and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, whose affair with Bill Clinton led to the former U.S. president's impeachment, for giving him material over the years. He also took a final jab at his network, NBC, which is mired at the bottom of the ratings among the four major U.S. broadcasters.
Leno takes his act to 10 p.m. on NBC this autumn, where he will mount a program expected to be similar to the "Tonight Show" but attract a wider audience than the roughly 5 million viewers, on average, who tune in nightly to the broadcast.
The main difference was a long ovation that Leno struggled to quiet as he took the stage for an opening monologue that poked fun, as usual, at politicians, celebrities and current events.
He thanked the likes of pop star Michael Jackson and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, whose affair with Bill Clinton led to the former U.S. president's impeachment, for giving him material over the years. He also took a final jab at his network, NBC, which is mired at the bottom of the ratings among the four major U.S. broadcasters.
Leno takes his act to 10 p.m. on NBC this autumn, where he will mount a program expected to be similar to the "Tonight Show" but attract a wider audience than the roughly 5 million viewers, on average, who tune in nightly to the broadcast.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Jay Leno's late-night switch a savvy move for NBC
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – If there's something advertisers, analysts and even most critics agree on when discussing the fall's launch of "The Jay Leno Show" five nights a week, it's that NBC has made a savvy business move.
"Economically it makes a lot of sense, because certainly Jay is a lot cheaper to produce than the Monday-through-Friday primetime lineup," says Steve Sternberg, executive vp audience analysis for Interpublic's Magna Global, a division of global ad agency Interpublic, which buys TV advertising time from the major networks. "And if you think about it, they haven't had a major hit in a while at 10 p.m."
The cost of an hour drama typically approaches $3 million, while an episode of Leno is expected to be closer to $400,000 -- a weekly saving of $13 million at a time when NBC Universal and its parent, General Electric, have been working hard to cut costs. (NBC declined comment for this story.)
NBC's daring move also eliminated the threat of Leno defecting to ABC, where he would have been pitted against his "Tonight Show" successor Conan O'Brien.
"Economically it makes a lot of sense, because certainly Jay is a lot cheaper to produce than the Monday-through-Friday primetime lineup," says Steve Sternberg, executive vp audience analysis for Interpublic's Magna Global, a division of global ad agency Interpublic, which buys TV advertising time from the major networks. "And if you think about it, they haven't had a major hit in a while at 10 p.m."
The cost of an hour drama typically approaches $3 million, while an episode of Leno is expected to be closer to $400,000 -- a weekly saving of $13 million at a time when NBC Universal and its parent, General Electric, have been working hard to cut costs. (NBC declined comment for this story.)
NBC's daring move also eliminated the threat of Leno defecting to ABC, where he would have been pitted against his "Tonight Show" successor Conan O'Brien.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Singer Chris Brown says he's "not a monster"
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – R&B singer Chris Brown said he is "not a monster" in a video message posted online this week ahead of a court hearing over a criminal charge that he beat pop singer Rihanna, leaving her bruised and bloodied.
Brown, who is not expected to attend the hearing set for Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, does not mention Rihanna by name in the video posted on the website www.justin.tv and circulated online on Wednesday.
But the 20-year-old singer of hits "Kiss Kiss" and "Run It" appears to address the accusations that he beat his girlfriend Rihanna in February while in a car in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammy awards.
"I just wanna say 'What up?' because I ain't been out there in a minute," Brown said in the video, marking the only time he has seemed publicly to address the incident beyond an initial statement in February.
Brown, who is not expected to attend the hearing set for Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, does not mention Rihanna by name in the video posted on the website www.justin.tv and circulated online on Wednesday.
But the 20-year-old singer of hits "Kiss Kiss" and "Run It" appears to address the accusations that he beat his girlfriend Rihanna in February while in a car in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammy awards.
"I just wanna say 'What up?' because I ain't been out there in a minute," Brown said in the video, marking the only time he has seemed publicly to address the incident beyond an initial statement in February.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Stars react to Calif. court's Prop. 8 decision
LOS ANGELES – George Takei and his longtime love, Brad Altman, are still legally wed. So are Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi. Both couples tied the knot during the five-month window when same-sex marriage was legal in California.
But the state Supreme Court's decision Tuesday to uphold Proposition 8, the gay-marriage ban approved by voters in November, made legal nuptials impossible going forward — and Hollywood isn't happy.
Several of its heavyweights opened their wallets to oppose the measure last year. Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw gave $100,000. So did Brad Pitt. DeGeneres made a public service announcement urging voters to oppose the ballot initiative and purchased $100,000 of television commercial time for her ad.
But on Tuesday, celebrities took to the Web.
Kathy Griffin wrote on Twitter — where the court's ruling was among the top topics Tuesday — that she and her 89-year-old mother planned to protest the decision by marching in West Hollywood, Calif. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton used his site to call the court's decision "wrong wrong wrong!" and urged his readers to protest.
But the state Supreme Court's decision Tuesday to uphold Proposition 8, the gay-marriage ban approved by voters in November, made legal nuptials impossible going forward — and Hollywood isn't happy.
Several of its heavyweights opened their wallets to oppose the measure last year. Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw gave $100,000. So did Brad Pitt. DeGeneres made a public service announcement urging voters to oppose the ballot initiative and purchased $100,000 of television commercial time for her ad.
But on Tuesday, celebrities took to the Web.
Kathy Griffin wrote on Twitter — where the court's ruling was among the top topics Tuesday — that she and her 89-year-old mother planned to protest the decision by marching in West Hollywood, Calif. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton used his site to call the court's decision "wrong wrong wrong!" and urged his readers to protest.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"Imaginarium" a disappointing swan song for Ledger
CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) – The first big question about Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" involves how the filmmaker managed to complete the film when his star Heath Ledger died in the middle of shooting. The answer is with great imagination and skill.
The second big question is whether Gilliam has produced something to rank with his great fantasies "Time Bandits" and "Brazil," and the answer is sadly no.
A carnival show with a mirror to the imagination allows Gilliam to employ his remarkable gift for imagery, but the worlds he creates will not take the breath away of children or grown-ups. The combined star power involved will generate a plentiful box office return, but the film is neither intelligent enough nor silly or grotesque enough to become a lasting favorite.
Filled with phantasmagorical images with the occasional echo of "Monty Python's Flying Circus," the picture involves a classic duel between the forces of imagination, led by Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), and the architect of fear and ignorance, known here as Mr. Nick (Tom Waits).
The second big question is whether Gilliam has produced something to rank with his great fantasies "Time Bandits" and "Brazil," and the answer is sadly no.
A carnival show with a mirror to the imagination allows Gilliam to employ his remarkable gift for imagery, but the worlds he creates will not take the breath away of children or grown-ups. The combined star power involved will generate a plentiful box office return, but the film is neither intelligent enough nor silly or grotesque enough to become a lasting favorite.
Filled with phantasmagorical images with the occasional echo of "Monty Python's Flying Circus," the picture involves a classic duel between the forces of imagination, led by Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), and the architect of fear and ignorance, known here as Mr. Nick (Tom Waits).
Monday, May 25, 2009
Haneke's chilling "White Ribbon" wins in Cannes
CANNES, France (Reuters) – Austrian director Michael Haneke won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival Sunday for "The White Ribbon," a chilling exploration of the roots of Nazi terror.
Haneke's first Palme d'Or (Golden Palm), the top prize at the world's biggest film festival, was one of the favorites among the thousands of critics and journalists in the French Riviera resort for the 12-day movie marathon.
In the black-and-white film, a sinister series of crimes rocks a village in northern Germany on the eve of World War One, and appears linked to a group of children brutalized and scarred by their parents.
Another popular film, "A Prophet," a powerful prison drama by France's Jacques Audiard, received the runner up prize.
Isabelle Huppert, who headed this year's jury and picked up the Cannes best actress award for her role in Haneke's 2001 entry "The Piano Teacher," embraced the 67-year-old at the closing ceremony.
Haneke's first Palme d'Or (Golden Palm), the top prize at the world's biggest film festival, was one of the favorites among the thousands of critics and journalists in the French Riviera resort for the 12-day movie marathon.
In the black-and-white film, a sinister series of crimes rocks a village in northern Germany on the eve of World War One, and appears linked to a group of children brutalized and scarred by their parents.
Another popular film, "A Prophet," a powerful prison drama by France's Jacques Audiard, received the runner up prize.
Isabelle Huppert, who headed this year's jury and picked up the Cannes best actress award for her role in Haneke's 2001 entry "The Piano Teacher," embraced the 67-year-old at the closing ceremony.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Unhappy ending in Cannes, best film hard to call
CANNES, France (Reuters) – The Cannes film festival opened 12 days ago with the crowd-pleasing Disney animation "Up", but a string of critical duds toward the close means its ending has been decidedly downbeat.
The 20 films in the main competition have been variously booed, cheered, jeered and shunned as Cannes' notoriously picky audiences failed to agree on one, or even a handful of entries, worthy of the coveted Palme d'Or.
"It's been very uneven," said Jay Weissberg of trade publication Variety ahead of the closing ceremony on Sunday.
"There was a lot of expectation because of the names called out, but very few people would say the directors here have contributed their best works."
The 20 films in the main competition have been variously booed, cheered, jeered and shunned as Cannes' notoriously picky audiences failed to agree on one, or even a handful of entries, worthy of the coveted Palme d'Or.
"It's been very uneven," said Jay Weissberg of trade publication Variety ahead of the closing ceremony on Sunday.
"There was a lot of expectation because of the names called out, but very few people would say the directors here have contributed their best works."
Saturday, May 23, 2009
"Idol" winner Kris wants respect, Adam eyes stardom
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "American Idol" champion Kris Allen said on Friday he just wants respect in the music industry -- but runner-up Adam Lambert has stars in his eyes.
Allen, 23, an unassuming college student from Arkansas, was this week named the winner of the TV singing contest, defeating the more showy Lambert, who was the presumed front-runner.
"The only thing that I really want to do is just be respected in the music industry," Allen told reporters in a conference call. "And whether that means selling albums or winning Grammys or people just liking your music, that's what I really want to do."
The win gave Allen a guaranteed record contract with 19 Recordings and its affiliated labels. He said he planned to release a CD soon after the U.S. nationwide summer tour of this year's top 10 "Idol" contestants.
Songs from both Allen and Lambert from the "Idol" season are already in the Top 10 of the iTunes music charts.
Allen, 23, an unassuming college student from Arkansas, was this week named the winner of the TV singing contest, defeating the more showy Lambert, who was the presumed front-runner.
"The only thing that I really want to do is just be respected in the music industry," Allen told reporters in a conference call. "And whether that means selling albums or winning Grammys or people just liking your music, that's what I really want to do."
The win gave Allen a guaranteed record contract with 19 Recordings and its affiliated labels. He said he planned to release a CD soon after the U.S. nationwide summer tour of this year's top 10 "Idol" contestants.
Songs from both Allen and Lambert from the "Idol" season are already in the Top 10 of the iTunes music charts.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Actress Lucy Gordon found dead at age 28 in Paris
PARIS – British actress Lucy Gordon, who appeared in "Spider-Man 3," was found dead in her Paris apartment after apparently committing suicide, French police said Thursday. She was 28.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, though it appeared to be a suicide, said an official with the Paris police headquarters. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of police agency policy, gave no details.
Gordon, who would have turned 29 on Friday, appeared in a dozen films, including as reporter Jennifer Dugan in "Spider-Man 3." She portrays British singer and actress Jane Birkin in an upcoming biopic about Serge Gainsbourg.
Gordon's father said the death was a "complete shock."
Speaking from the family's home in Oxford, Richard Gordon told Britain's Press Association that his daughter was "a natural actress all her life, since she was about 2."
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, though it appeared to be a suicide, said an official with the Paris police headquarters. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of police agency policy, gave no details.
Gordon, who would have turned 29 on Friday, appeared in a dozen films, including as reporter Jennifer Dugan in "Spider-Man 3." She portrays British singer and actress Jane Birkin in an upcoming biopic about Serge Gainsbourg.
Gordon's father said the death was a "complete shock."
Speaking from the family's home in Oxford, Richard Gordon told Britain's Press Association that his daughter was "a natural actress all her life, since she was about 2."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
CW takes "Supernatural" leap on Thursdays
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The CW is the latest network to throw its hat in the Thursday ring with a bold scheduling move on the most lucrative night on television.
The network, which will officially unveil its fall schedule Thursday, plans to slot hot new drama "Vampire Diaries" on 8 p.m. Thursdays, paired with "Supernatural."
"Vampire Diaries" will replace departing veteran series "Smallville," whose ninth and final season will air at 8 p.m. on Fridays.
New drama "Melrose Place" will be paired with "90210," repeating the launch pattern for the original "Melrose Place," which followed "Beverly Hills, 90210" on Fox in fall 1992.
Focusing on a group of young male and female models, the new drama "Beautiful Life" is considered a perfect scripted companion for "America's Next Top Model" and will launch after the hit reality series on Wednesdays.
The network, which will officially unveil its fall schedule Thursday, plans to slot hot new drama "Vampire Diaries" on 8 p.m. Thursdays, paired with "Supernatural."
"Vampire Diaries" will replace departing veteran series "Smallville," whose ninth and final season will air at 8 p.m. on Fridays.
New drama "Melrose Place" will be paired with "90210," repeating the launch pattern for the original "Melrose Place," which followed "Beverly Hills, 90210" on Fox in fall 1992.
Focusing on a group of young male and female models, the new drama "Beautiful Life" is considered a perfect scripted companion for "America's Next Top Model" and will launch after the hit reality series on Wednesdays.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Lambert, Allen duel for "American Idol" crown
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "American Idol" finalists Kris Allen and Adam Lambert strutted their stuff in search of votes for the last time on Tuesday in a TV show singing contest host Ryan Seacrest dubbed "the guy next door versus the 'guyliner.'"
Lambert, a flamboyant musical theater performer with a fondness for wearing eyeliner, and Allen, a clean-cut acoustic guitar player, each sang three songs in their final bid to take the 2009 "Idol" crown and win a recording contract.
After 100,000 people auditioned last summer and five months of broadcasts on the Fox network, the winner will be chosen by viewers' telephone votes and announced at the end of a finale on Wednesday night.
Lambert, 27, who was widely considered the front-runner heading into the finale, reprised one of his best-received performances of the season, singing "Mad World," while Allen, 23, sang "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.
Lambert, a flamboyant musical theater performer with a fondness for wearing eyeliner, and Allen, a clean-cut acoustic guitar player, each sang three songs in their final bid to take the 2009 "Idol" crown and win a recording contract.
After 100,000 people auditioned last summer and five months of broadcasts on the Fox network, the winner will be chosen by viewers' telephone votes and announced at the end of a finale on Wednesday night.
Lambert, 27, who was widely considered the front-runner heading into the finale, reprised one of his best-received performances of the season, singing "Mad World," while Allen, 23, sang "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Farrah Fawcett cried, joked about her documentary
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Farrah Fawcett became emotional while watching a television documentary about her losing cancer battle but still had the wit to make an old showbiz joke, according to her closest friends.
"She cried a few times. It was very emotional for her," her friend Alana Stewart, the former wife of rocker Rod Stewart, told NBC's "Today" program in an interview on Monday. "It's been a very, very long journey, you know, and going back through it was probably a bit painful."
Nearly 9 million viewers tuned in to watch the video diary, "Farrah's Story" that aired on Friday, NBC said.
The 90-minute film, much of it narrated by Fawcett, makes clear the actress is nearing the end of her life. It shows the actress' numerous medical treatments over the past two years and recent weeks when she has been bedridden, heavily medicated and barely able to recognize her son.
"She cried a few times. It was very emotional for her," her friend Alana Stewart, the former wife of rocker Rod Stewart, told NBC's "Today" program in an interview on Monday. "It's been a very, very long journey, you know, and going back through it was probably a bit painful."
Nearly 9 million viewers tuned in to watch the video diary, "Farrah's Story" that aired on Friday, NBC said.
The 90-minute film, much of it narrated by Fawcett, makes clear the actress is nearing the end of her life. It shows the actress' numerous medical treatments over the past two years and recent weeks when she has been bedridden, heavily medicated and barely able to recognize her son.
Monday, May 18, 2009
New "Terminator" no fun without Schwarzenegger
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – The latest chapter in the successful cyborg series following 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" -- and the first sans Schwarzenegger -- "Terminator Salvation" doesn't skimp on all that crunching heavy metal.
But while incoming director McG (the "Charlie's Angels" movies) certainly gets a rise out of the machinery in the post-apocalyptic thriller, there's little sign of life where the flatly executed human component is concerned.
The terminally sullen results are unlikely to hurt the picture's opening holiday weekend, given the presence of last summer's box office king, Christian Bale. But its total domestic take will fall a lot closer in line with "Terminator 3's" $150.3 million than those gargantuan "Dark Knight" numbers reaped by Warner Bros. (Columbia is handling the film in most international territories.)
Taking place in 2018, or 14 years after the dreaded Judgment Day has occurred, "Salvation" finds armies of Skynet Terminators patrolling the bombed-out remains of the country, searching for the odd pockets of human survivors who managed to survive the blasts.
But while incoming director McG (the "Charlie's Angels" movies) certainly gets a rise out of the machinery in the post-apocalyptic thriller, there's little sign of life where the flatly executed human component is concerned.
The terminally sullen results are unlikely to hurt the picture's opening holiday weekend, given the presence of last summer's box office king, Christian Bale. But its total domestic take will fall a lot closer in line with "Terminator 3's" $150.3 million than those gargantuan "Dark Knight" numbers reaped by Warner Bros. (Columbia is handling the film in most international territories.)
Taking place in 2018, or 14 years after the dreaded Judgment Day has occurred, "Salvation" finds armies of Skynet Terminators patrolling the bombed-out remains of the country, searching for the odd pockets of human survivors who managed to survive the blasts.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
French prison thriller hailed in Cannes
CANNES, France (Reuters) – French director Jacques Audiard was hailed at the Cannes film festival on Saturday for his grittily realistic prison thriller "A Prophet."
The film shows the gradual rise of a young prisoner and gives an unsparing picture of life in the rundown French jail system, whose bad conditions have prompted a wave of protests by jail staff in recent weeks.
However, Audiard, whose previous films include "De battre mon coeur s'est arrete" (The Beat my Heart Skipped) said his intent had been to make a thriller, not a social documentary or an attack the prison system.
"What interested me was taking a prison as a metaphor for society," he told a press conference after the film's loudly applauded first screening at Cannes.
"But I wasn't interested in denouncing anything, that would have taken me somewhere else. I really wanted to make a genre film with actors that weren't known," he said.
The film shows the gradual rise of a young prisoner and gives an unsparing picture of life in the rundown French jail system, whose bad conditions have prompted a wave of protests by jail staff in recent weeks.
However, Audiard, whose previous films include "De battre mon coeur s'est arrete" (The Beat my Heart Skipped) said his intent had been to make a thriller, not a social documentary or an attack the prison system.
"What interested me was taking a prison as a metaphor for society," he told a press conference after the film's loudly applauded first screening at Cannes.
"But I wasn't interested in denouncing anything, that would have taken me somewhere else. I really wanted to make a genre film with actors that weren't known," he said.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Latin music biz looks for summer sales boost
MIAMI (Billboard) – So far, it's been a long, dry 2009 for Latin music, without a single blockbuster release since Marco Antonio Solis' "No Molestar" (Fonovisa) last October.
Now as summer approaches, a trio of major releases should breathe some life into the relatively listless Latin retail landscape. Even with these titles, retailers aren't shouting victory just yet. With sales in a serious slump, the mood is one of cautious optimism.
Reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel will release "La Revolucion" (Machete/Universal) May 26. Urban bachata act Aventura's new album, "The Last" (Premium/Son), comes out June 9. And on June 23, pop star Paulina Rubio will release "Gran City Pop" (Universal Music Latino).
These are all top acts with strong sales histories. Wisin & Yandel's last studio album, 2007's "Los Extraterrestres," sold 434,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Aventura hasn't released a new studio album since 2005's "God's Project," which sold 316,000 in the United States, while two subsequent live albums have sold more than 600,000 combined, according to SoundScan.
Now as summer approaches, a trio of major releases should breathe some life into the relatively listless Latin retail landscape. Even with these titles, retailers aren't shouting victory just yet. With sales in a serious slump, the mood is one of cautious optimism.
Reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel will release "La Revolucion" (Machete/Universal) May 26. Urban bachata act Aventura's new album, "The Last" (Premium/Son), comes out June 9. And on June 23, pop star Paulina Rubio will release "Gran City Pop" (Universal Music Latino).
These are all top acts with strong sales histories. Wisin & Yandel's last studio album, 2007's "Los Extraterrestres," sold 434,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Aventura hasn't released a new studio album since 2005's "God's Project," which sold 316,000 in the United States, while two subsequent live albums have sold more than 600,000 combined, according to SoundScan.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Martin Scorsese to direct Frank Sinatra movie
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese will direct the big screen movie about the colorful life of entertainment legend Frank Sinatra, who legions of fans called Ol' Blue Eyes, Universal Pictures said on Wednesday.
Casting has yet to be announced for the role of Sinatra, arguably the most popular singer of his era and who also struck box office gold with roles such as his Oscar-winning turn in "From Here to Eternity" in 1953.
The singer was previously portrayed on the small screen by Philip Casnoff in a 1992 television miniseries and by Ray Liotta in HBO's 1998 movie, "The Rat Pack."
But the Scorsese movie, "Sinatra", is thought to be the first to depict the life of the star in a feature film.
The project, on which Sinatra's daughter Tina will serve as executive producer, was announced one day before the anniversary of the death of the iconic singer and film star, who died in 1998 of a heart attack at the age of 82.
Negotiations with Sinatra's estate took several years as the family reportedly debated how best to tell the story.
Casting has yet to be announced for the role of Sinatra, arguably the most popular singer of his era and who also struck box office gold with roles such as his Oscar-winning turn in "From Here to Eternity" in 1953.
The singer was previously portrayed on the small screen by Philip Casnoff in a 1992 television miniseries and by Ray Liotta in HBO's 1998 movie, "The Rat Pack."
But the Scorsese movie, "Sinatra", is thought to be the first to depict the life of the star in a feature film.
The project, on which Sinatra's daughter Tina will serve as executive producer, was announced one day before the anniversary of the death of the iconic singer and film star, who died in 1998 of a heart attack at the age of 82.
Negotiations with Sinatra's estate took several years as the family reportedly debated how best to tell the story.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Animation film "Up" may lift gloom as Cannes opens
CANNES, France (Reuters) – The Cannes film festival marks a first on Wednesday when it opens with "Up," an animation comedy that may help lift some of the recessionary gloom overshadowing cinema's biggest and glitziest gathering.
Directed by Pete Docter and produced by Disney's Pixar studios, "Up" has already been declared a triumph in advance reviews and was described by trade paper "The Hollywood Reporter" as "arguably the funniest Pixar effort ever."
But the tale of a retired balloon salesman and a zealous boy scout will need all the charm it can muster to outweigh a mood of anxiety and caution on the palm-lined Croisette waterfront this year.
As ever the big hotels are full and plastered with advertisements for forthcoming blockbusters, party tents still line the beach and there are plenty of yachts in the bay.
But many of the boats are unchartered, Vanity Fair's exclusive party has been canceled and there has already been talk of potential deals falling through and spending cutbacks.
Directed by Pete Docter and produced by Disney's Pixar studios, "Up" has already been declared a triumph in advance reviews and was described by trade paper "The Hollywood Reporter" as "arguably the funniest Pixar effort ever."
But the tale of a retired balloon salesman and a zealous boy scout will need all the charm it can muster to outweigh a mood of anxiety and caution on the palm-lined Croisette waterfront this year.
As ever the big hotels are full and plastered with advertisements for forthcoming blockbusters, party tents still line the beach and there are plenty of yachts in the bay.
But many of the boats are unchartered, Vanity Fair's exclusive party has been canceled and there has already been talk of potential deals falling through and spending cutbacks.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
CBC faces further cuts of up to $56M in 2010
CBC could be facing a cut of up to five per cent, or $56 million, from its parliamentary appropriation in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
That reduction would come on top of a funding shortfall this year of $171 million as a result of a decline in ad revenue.
The federal government has set a target of reallocating expenses by five per cent under its strategic review of government departments and Crown corporations.
The strategic review program, begun in 2007, requires all departments and Crown corporations to look at their spending once every four years, according to a spokesman for the Treasury Board.
CBC president Hubert Lacroix told CBC employees on Friday that CBC/Radio-Canada has been asked to participate in the spending review for 2010-11.
Lacroix is to chair a steering committee that will look at CBC expenditures and try to determine which are lowest priority in relation to the CBC's mandate.
That reduction would come on top of a funding shortfall this year of $171 million as a result of a decline in ad revenue.
The federal government has set a target of reallocating expenses by five per cent under its strategic review of government departments and Crown corporations.
The strategic review program, begun in 2007, requires all departments and Crown corporations to look at their spending once every four years, according to a spokesman for the Treasury Board.
CBC president Hubert Lacroix told CBC employees on Friday that CBC/Radio-Canada has been asked to participate in the spending review for 2010-11.
Lacroix is to chair a steering committee that will look at CBC expenditures and try to determine which are lowest priority in relation to the CBC's mandate.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Credit crunch dulls glitz of Cannes festival
LONDON (Reuters) – The stars will still turn up and the movie line-up looks good but the tone of the Cannes film festival will be more black and white than technicolor in 2009.
The credit crunch means Hollywood studios are tightening their belts and conspicuous consumption is temporarily out of fashion. Deal-making will go on but is likely to be more circumspect.
"You can feel people are more conservative, more selective," said Helen Lee Kim, president of Mandate International. "They are being more careful and not taking those big jumps as they might have last year."
The annual celebration of cinema in the south of France, famed for its wild beach parties, giant yachts and red carpets, opens on Wednesday with the premiere of "Up," an animated comedy from Disney that underlines the growing importance of 3D.
The credit crunch means Hollywood studios are tightening their belts and conspicuous consumption is temporarily out of fashion. Deal-making will go on but is likely to be more circumspect.
"You can feel people are more conservative, more selective," said Helen Lee Kim, president of Mandate International. "They are being more careful and not taking those big jumps as they might have last year."
The annual celebration of cinema in the south of France, famed for its wild beach parties, giant yachts and red carpets, opens on Wednesday with the premiere of "Up," an animated comedy from Disney that underlines the growing importance of 3D.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Jury clears rapper Snoop Dogg of man's beating
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – A civil jury says Snoop Dogg didn't hit a man who came up on stage during a 2005 concert near Seattle.
The rapper wasn't in court Friday when the jury's verdict cleared him of civil assault and battery claims. The jury did find that Richard Monroe Jr. suffered serious injuries during the concert and awarded him $449,400 in damages to be paid by a record label, another performer and others involved in the concert.
The damages awarded were substantially lower than the $22 million Monroe sought when he sued the rapper in 2006.
Jurors found that Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, doesn't personally owe Monroe anything.
During two weeks of testimony, jurors were repeatedly shown a video of a melee that Monroe said left him unconscious, badly bruised and nearly naked.
The rapper wasn't in court Friday when the jury's verdict cleared him of civil assault and battery claims. The jury did find that Richard Monroe Jr. suffered serious injuries during the concert and awarded him $449,400 in damages to be paid by a record label, another performer and others involved in the concert.
The damages awarded were substantially lower than the $22 million Monroe sought when he sued the rapper in 2006.
Jurors found that Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, doesn't personally owe Monroe anything.
During two weeks of testimony, jurors were repeatedly shown a video of a melee that Monroe said left him unconscious, badly bruised and nearly naked.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Christian Bale forces "Terminator" rewrite
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – British actor Christian Bale forced a rewrite of upcoming action movie "Terminator Salvation," because his star had grown too big for the small role of John Connor he chose, the filmmakers said on Friday.
Director McG, whose real name is Joseph McGinty Nichol, said he had the disconcerting experience of going to England to convince Bale to play central character Marcus Wright in the man vs. machines film, only to have Bale tell the director he wanted to play Connor instead.
McG told reporters that the script was a "moving target" that became a filmmaking challenge, and that he worked day and night with Bale, who starred last year in box office smash "The Dark Knight," talking about how to work Connor into the movie.
Connor is an iconic character in the film franchise that began in 1984 with "The Terminator," but his role was originally small in the series' fourth movie, "Terminator Salvation," which debuts in theaters on May 21.
Director McG, whose real name is Joseph McGinty Nichol, said he had the disconcerting experience of going to England to convince Bale to play central character Marcus Wright in the man vs. machines film, only to have Bale tell the director he wanted to play Connor instead.
McG told reporters that the script was a "moving target" that became a filmmaking challenge, and that he worked day and night with Bale, who starred last year in box office smash "The Dark Knight," talking about how to work Connor into the movie.
Connor is an iconic character in the film franchise that began in 1984 with "The Terminator," but his role was originally small in the series' fourth movie, "Terminator Salvation," which debuts in theaters on May 21.
Friday, May 08, 2009
"Star Trek" looks to enter new box-office galaxy
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "Star Trek" debuts in movie theaters on Thursday backed by huge hype, but whether the film based on a 43-year-old franchise can win young fans and big box office returns has industry watchers scratching their heads.
Paramount Pictures, the movie studio wing of media giant Viacom Inc., has walked a fine line between adding new actors and stories to appeal to teenage boys and maintaining the old characters favored by "Trekkies" who adore the space saga that began with the 1966 TV show of the same name.
As a result, box-office estimates are all over the map, much as the Starship Enterprise zooms all around the universe ferrying Captain James T. Kirk and his crewmates Spock, Scotty and Dr. "Bones" McCoy on far-flung adventures.
"It's clearly going to be a really popular movie, it's just tough to peg exactly how popular," said Brandon Gray, president of tracking firm Box Office Mojo.
Paramount Pictures, the movie studio wing of media giant Viacom Inc., has walked a fine line between adding new actors and stories to appeal to teenage boys and maintaining the old characters favored by "Trekkies" who adore the space saga that began with the 1966 TV show of the same name.
As a result, box-office estimates are all over the map, much as the Starship Enterprise zooms all around the universe ferrying Captain James T. Kirk and his crewmates Spock, Scotty and Dr. "Bones" McCoy on far-flung adventures.
"It's clearly going to be a really popular movie, it's just tough to peg exactly how popular," said Brandon Gray, president of tracking firm Box Office Mojo.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Studio ups download figure for pirated "Wolverine"
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – An unfinished pirated version of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" that hit the Internet March 30, well before the film's No. 1 debut in theaters, has been downloaded some 4 million times, News Corp's. 20th Century Fox said Wednesday.
Whether such online attention hurt "Wolverine" at the box office is debatable, but Fox's assertion of 4 million is about four times greater than previous estimates.
At last year's average ticket price of $7.18, the piracy could conceivably -- though not likely -- have cost Fox $28.7 million.
"Piracy is a serious issue for us. We now estimate that there are above 4 million downloads of that stolen 'Wolverine' movie that was up there," News Corp. COO Peter Chernin told Wall Street analysts on Wednesday.
Chernin and chairman/CEO Rupert Murdoch were speaking on a conference call. A News Corp. spokeswoman later confirmed that the statistic was 4 million and not 1 million, the smaller number having been conventional wisdom for several days.
Whether such online attention hurt "Wolverine" at the box office is debatable, but Fox's assertion of 4 million is about four times greater than previous estimates.
At last year's average ticket price of $7.18, the piracy could conceivably -- though not likely -- have cost Fox $28.7 million.
"Piracy is a serious issue for us. We now estimate that there are above 4 million downloads of that stolen 'Wolverine' movie that was up there," News Corp. COO Peter Chernin told Wall Street analysts on Wednesday.
Chernin and chairman/CEO Rupert Murdoch were speaking on a conference call. A News Corp. spokeswoman later confirmed that the statistic was 4 million and not 1 million, the smaller number having been conventional wisdom for several days.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Farrah Fawcett to air video diary of cancer battle
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actress Farrah Fawcett is going public with her two-and-a-half year battle with anal cancer, telling the story her way through a video diary to be broadcast on U.S. television next week,
The former "Charlie's Angels" star chronicles her private struggles and her treatments in the United States and Germany in "Farrah's Story", which will be shown on NBC on May 15, the network said on Tuesday.
"I've never understood why people are interested in anything that I do. Until now." Fawcett, 62, said in a statement
"As much as I would have liked to have kept my cancer private, I now realize that I have a certain responsibility to those who are fighting their own fights and may be able to benefit from learning about mine."
Shot with her own home video recorder and narrated by Fawcett, the two-hour special includes appearances by Fawcett's long-time partner, Ryan O'Neal, and her "Charlie's Angels" co-stars, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson.
The former "Charlie's Angels" star chronicles her private struggles and her treatments in the United States and Germany in "Farrah's Story", which will be shown on NBC on May 15, the network said on Tuesday.
"I've never understood why people are interested in anything that I do. Until now." Fawcett, 62, said in a statement
"As much as I would have liked to have kept my cancer private, I now realize that I have a certain responsibility to those who are fighting their own fights and may be able to benefit from learning about mine."
Shot with her own home video recorder and narrated by Fawcett, the two-hour special includes appearances by Fawcett's long-time partner, Ryan O'Neal, and her "Charlie's Angels" co-stars, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
NBC rolls out 6 new shows in bid to rescue ratings
NEW YORK (Reuters) – In need of a fresh hit, NBC on Monday rolled out six new prime-time series for the upcoming television season, anchored by the lighthearted family drama "Parenthood," a remake of the popular 1989 hit film.
NBC Universal's flagship TV network, NBC, is counting on the lineup of four new dramas and two comedies to rescue its low-rated prime-time schedule. NBC regularly trails rivals CBS, Fox and ABC in the prime-time audience ratings that help determine where advertisers spend their money.
Angela Bromstad, the president of NBC's prime-time entertainment division, said the current lineup featured some of TV's highest-quality shows, but acknowledged the network needed some fresh, breakout hits.
"It's absolutely critical that we bring in new hits to support those programs," she said.
NBC Universal's flagship TV network, NBC, is counting on the lineup of four new dramas and two comedies to rescue its low-rated prime-time schedule. NBC regularly trails rivals CBS, Fox and ABC in the prime-time audience ratings that help determine where advertisers spend their money.
Angela Bromstad, the president of NBC's prime-time entertainment division, said the current lineup featured some of TV's highest-quality shows, but acknowledged the network needed some fresh, breakout hits.
"It's absolutely critical that we bring in new hits to support those programs," she said.
Monday, May 04, 2009
HBO's Alzheimer's series aims to push for cure
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – It's been almost 15 years since former U.S. President Ronald Reagan told the world he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, hoping his disclosure would promote awareness of the heart-breaking brain disorder that slowly destroys memory.
Now, with an estimated 26 million people worldwide living with disease and a predicted 11 million by 2050 in the United States alone, a unique series by cable TV network HBO aims to change how people think of Alzheimer's so they will put time and money into finding a cure.
The unprecedented multi-platform series runs throughout May and features four documentaries, 15 short films, a book, a community outreach program and a website (www.HBO.com/alzheimers) covering every aspect of Alzheimer's.
"The numbers are growing at a rate that nobody ever fathomed. As babyboomers age, it is coming right at us and we have to do something," said Maria Shriver, wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and executive producer of "The Alzheimer's Project."
Now, with an estimated 26 million people worldwide living with disease and a predicted 11 million by 2050 in the United States alone, a unique series by cable TV network HBO aims to change how people think of Alzheimer's so they will put time and money into finding a cure.
The unprecedented multi-platform series runs throughout May and features four documentaries, 15 short films, a book, a community outreach program and a website (www.HBO.com/alzheimers) covering every aspect of Alzheimer's.
"The numbers are growing at a rate that nobody ever fathomed. As babyboomers age, it is coming right at us and we have to do something," said Maria Shriver, wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and executive producer of "The Alzheimer's Project."
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Father of Malawan girl rejects Madonna adoption
The father of the girl from Malawi that Madonna has been hoping to adopt says he doesn't want the pop star to adopt his four-year-old child.
But James Kambewa told CBS News that he has never met his daughter, Chifundo (Mercy) James. The interview will be broadcast Monday on The Early Show.
The girl's mother died just days after her baby was born on Jan. 22, 2006.
Kambewa is believed to be the biological father and he says he can take care of his child.
Madonna is appealing a court ruling denying her request to adopt the girl. That appeal is expected to be heard Monday in Malawi.
But James Kambewa told CBS News that he has never met his daughter, Chifundo (Mercy) James. The interview will be broadcast Monday on The Early Show.
The girl's mother died just days after her baby was born on Jan. 22, 2006.
Kambewa is believed to be the biological father and he says he can take care of his child.
Madonna is appealing a court ruling denying her request to adopt the girl. That appeal is expected to be heard Monday in Malawi.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Eric Bana's "beast" love rivals his acting passion
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Eric Bana, star of movies such as "Troy" and "Munich," let New Yorkers in on a different slice of his seemingly glitzy life this week at the Tribeca Film Festival -- his passion for cars and motor racing.
The green monster of 2003's "Hulk" who returns to movie screens on May 8 in big-budget "Star Trek," has made his directing debut with a documentary revolving around his love of cars. Although, he says, it truly deals with friendship and having interests in life other than just work and career.
"Love the Beast" tells of his obsession with his beaten-up 1973 Ford GT Falcon Coupe, nicknamed "The Beast." He has owned it since he was 15 years-old and, he says, it "has had a very big impact on my life" because it kept him off the streets and "out of trouble when I was younger."
The Australian actor told Reuters he loves acting and would find life hard if he could not be involved in filmmaking, but as automobile enthusiast, he would be "devastated if someone took the keys to my car away and said you can't have it back."
"Love The Beast" follows the 40-year-old Bana and his closest friends as they transform his cherished Falcon Coupe into a racing machine and enter it in a five-day rally on public roads in southern Australia.
The green monster of 2003's "Hulk" who returns to movie screens on May 8 in big-budget "Star Trek," has made his directing debut with a documentary revolving around his love of cars. Although, he says, it truly deals with friendship and having interests in life other than just work and career.
"Love the Beast" tells of his obsession with his beaten-up 1973 Ford GT Falcon Coupe, nicknamed "The Beast." He has owned it since he was 15 years-old and, he says, it "has had a very big impact on my life" because it kept him off the streets and "out of trouble when I was younger."
The Australian actor told Reuters he loves acting and would find life hard if he could not be involved in filmmaking, but as automobile enthusiast, he would be "devastated if someone took the keys to my car away and said you can't have it back."
"Love The Beast" follows the 40-year-old Bana and his closest friends as they transform his cherished Falcon Coupe into a racing machine and enter it in a five-day rally on public roads in southern Australia.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Could Adam Lambert be first gay "American Idol"?
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Adam Lambert wears eyeliner and diamond stud earrings, sings like a dream and has won a rare standing ovation from tough-minded judge Simon Cowell.
With three weeks to go before the "American Idol" final, Lambert, 27, is favored to win the No. 1 U.S. television talent show and become, possibly, the first gay or bisexual singer to be handed the "Idol" title by millions of Americans.
Lambert, praised by "Idol" judges for taking risks with songs like Cher's "Believe", has never publicly confirmed his sexual preference, nor has he denied speculation about being gay -- a striking contrast to 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken.
When photos showing him kissing other men and dressed in drag circulated on the Internet last month, Lambert said simply: "I have nothing to hide. I am who I am."
Lambert ended in the bottom two for the first time on Wednesday night, but viewers have so far shown little sign of caring about his ambiguous sexual orientation.
With three weeks to go before the "American Idol" final, Lambert, 27, is favored to win the No. 1 U.S. television talent show and become, possibly, the first gay or bisexual singer to be handed the "Idol" title by millions of Americans.
Lambert, praised by "Idol" judges for taking risks with songs like Cher's "Believe", has never publicly confirmed his sexual preference, nor has he denied speculation about being gay -- a striking contrast to 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken.
When photos showing him kissing other men and dressed in drag circulated on the Internet last month, Lambert said simply: "I have nothing to hide. I am who I am."
Lambert ended in the bottom two for the first time on Wednesday night, but viewers have so far shown little sign of caring about his ambiguous sexual orientation.
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