• New Line Cinema confirms that the Sex and the City sequel is definitely happening.
• Brad Pitt and Steven Soderbergh are teaming up for the sports drama Moneyball.
• A Los Angeles judge denied a request by SAG president Alan Rosenberg to block talks between the unions and Hollywood studios.
• Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman are teaming up for a romantic comedy titled The Baster. You guessed it -- it's about artificial insemination.
• Etta James slammed Beyoncé Knowles's performance of her song "At Last." Knowles recently portrayed James in the biopic Cadillac Records.
• The Sundance hit Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire is caught in a legal tussle between Lionsgate and the Weinstein Company. Lionsgate purchased the film at Sundance, but Weinstein claims it has the right to distribute it. Is this a reprise of the Watchmen battle?
• While Heath Ledger and Slumdog Millionaire look like Oscar shoo-ins, experts say other races are still too close to call.
• The first poster for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been released.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
BIZ
N.Y. tax-credit program that lured film and TV shoots runs out
of funds
from L.A. Times - TV News
Studios weigh options after the state reveals that $515
million allocated through 2013 is already exhausted.
WMG reports $23 million net profit
from Variety.com
Music News: 'Twilight' soundtrack, Nickelback performed --
Warner Music Group reported some encouraging results Thursday despite ongoing
unrest in the music biz.
More turning to Web to watch TV, movies
When Corey Wynsma's wife got laid off a few months ago from her graphic design job, the couple did an inventory of their household budget.
Ticketmaster-Live Nation talks raise concerns
A possible merger between the two of the largest companies in the concert business has raised protests from singer Bruce Springsteen and prompted a congressman to call for a federal anti-trust investigation.
Judge again denies SAG injunction request
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant Thursday denied in full the Screen Actors Guild's request for a temporary restraining order.
News Corp. loses $6.4 bil after charge
from Hollywood Reporter by By Georg Szalai
News Corp. missed quarterly earnings expectations with its
first quarterly loss in three years amid what chief Rupert Murdoch said is the
worst economic downturn in company history.
The TV Watch: For Hard Times, Softer Sells
from NYT > Television by By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Television advertisements are adjusting to the recession more speedily than the programming they bracket.
from Peter Bart
I worry about the folks who assemble movie marquees these days. Film titles keep getting longer and longer, even as the plexes shrink space allocated for titles.
FESTIVALS
'International' comes out shooting in Berlin
from Hollywood Reporter by By Scott Roxborough
It was Joke Joke, Bang Bang on Thursday night as the Berlin
International Film Festival kicked off with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer's
"The International."
SXSW's Janet Pierson: "The Choices Were Really, Really Hard"
Indie Wire - 17 hours ago
Daryl Wein had a doc at SXSW last year, so this is great to see him
working in the narrative form. I knew Kris Swanberg's name would jump out.
IRON MAIDEN: 'Flight 666' Documentary To Premiere At SXSW Film
...
Blabbermouth.net, NY - 15 hours ago
The North American premiere of "Iron Maiden: Flight 666' will be part of
the prestigious SXSW film festival which runs March 13-22 in Austin,
Texas.
AWARDS
Zellweger parades around as Hasty Pudding honoree
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
Bafta win could give Winslet Oscar boost
Actress Kate Winslet will be facing off against herself at the upcoming British Academy Film Awards, an important prelude to the Oscars.
M.I.A., Smokey, Diamond join Grammys
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- M.I.A., Neil Diamond and Smokey
Robinson have agreed to perform at the upcoming 51st annual Grammy Awards show
in
Academy tries to reverse ratings slide
Music News: Coldplay and Lil Wayne set to add star-power --
It's a tricky tightrope that the
Richard Jenkins: This year's real underdog
from Entertainment Weekly's Oscar Watch by Dave Karger
Of all the major-category Oscar nominees I missed in my predictions this year, the one the most of you called was Richard Jenkins.
Delicately Campaigning for a Star Now Departed
from NYT > Movies by By DAVID CARR
Heath Ledger is generating a respectful sort of Oscar hype.
FILM
Daily Box Office: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results
Taken tops Wednesday's box office with $2.0 million
Box Office Tracking: America Appears "Into" He's Just
Not That Into You
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com
(slashfilm.com)
After a spectacular $1 billion dollar-grossing January for the movie industry,
Hollywood trots out four new titles for the first weekend of February.
Review: 'Not Into You' not worth it
The only thing more fun than old John Hughes movies is talking about them.
from NYT > Movies by By MANOHLA DARGIS
Imagine an action flick in which the hero spends the entire movie chasing the villain without the satisfaction of smashing his enemy to smithereens.
Movie
Review | 'The Pink Panther 2': For Inspector Clouseau, That Diamond Is Forever
from NYT > Movies by By STEPHEN HOLDEN
Hoary slapstick routines, invariably rushed, are all there is in "The Pink Panther 2."
Movie
Review | 'Fanboys': A Comedy Far, Far Away
from NYT > Movies by By NEIL GENZLINGER
There are enough good jokes in "Fanboys," a road comedy about geeks on a "Star Wars"-related quest, to satisfy hard-core fans of that George Lucas franchise.
Review: 'Coraline' is glorious and deep
There is a lot of excitement around the potential of "stereoscopic" movies ("3-D" to you and me). Much of it has been drummed up by director James Cameron's forthcoming blockbuster "Avatar" and Dreamworks boss Jeffery Katzenberg, who is releasing more than a dozen 3-D pictures this year.
Time was people looked to the cool kids for guidance, but
nowadays, everyone wants to be like the geeks.
Review: 'Crips and Bloods: Made in America'
Unsparing documentary plots the roots and realities of life
in
Sex and the City Sequel: SJP & Co. Make It Official!
UPDATE:
Doors Documentary Snags Johnny Depp
from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily by Nikki Finke
I already wrote about how the world premiere screening of Wolf Films' (i.e. Law & Order Dick Wolf's) When You're Strange, that documentary about The Doors, met with such a great response at the Sundance Film Festival. Now Wolf has scored another coup: getting Johnny Depp to narrate.
Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman in 'Baster'
from Hollywood Reporter by By Gregg Kilday
Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman are teaming for the
romantic comedy "The Baster," which Mandate Pictures will shoot in
the spring in
Belle set as 'Mary, Mother of Christ'
from Variety.com
Film News: Al Pacino in talks to play Herod in Aloe film --
Aloe Entertainment has put together its New Testament ensemble for "Mary,
Mother of Christ."
Ewan McGregor Becomes Antiques Dealer, Does 'The Electric
Slide'
from MTV Movies Blog by Brian Jacks
It's nice to see Ewan McGregor back on the big screen, in the trades, and away from his motorcycle. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he's tapping into that daredevil side for his next film, "The Electric Slide" which will see him robbing the rich to Ö well, feed himself.
'Beezus and Ramona': Disney star Selena Gomez tapped for
adaptation of Beverly Cleary's classic
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Nicole Sperling
Watch out Miley! Selena Gomez is making a serious play for your spot as "It" girl. On the heels of releasing her debut album later this year, Gomez will star opposite relative newcomer Joey King in Beezus and Ramona.
Brad Pitt and Steven Soderbergh to team up on 'Moneyball'
movie?
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Nicole Sperling
Steven Soderbergh is is very early talks to direct Brad Pitt
in Columbia Pictures' Moneyball, based on the book by Michael Lewis about
'90210' star in talks for 'New Moon' role
from MSNBC.com: Movies
AnnaLynne McCord may play Heidi, a 'fisher' who lures humans to vampires.
Movie Trailer: Fred Durst's The Education of Charlie Banks
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Fred Durst's directorial debut The Education of Charlie
Banks premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival to mostly positive
reviews. But now
Land of the Lost Movie Trailer
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Universal has released a full length trailer for Land of
the Lost on Subwayfreshbuzz.com.
It's basically an extended version of the teaser that played during the Super Bowl.
'Arlen Faber' swings to Magnolia
from Hollywood Reporter by By Steven Zeitchik
Magnolia has picked up "Arlen Faber," a romantic
dramedy starring Jeff Daniels that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
New 'Astro Boy' Images Hit The 'Net; Film Back On Track?
from Splash Page by Casey Seijas
After Imagi Entertainment gave "Astro Boy" fans a brief scare a few weeks back when reports surfaced that the animation studio was facing severe financial difficulties ó leading to online speculation that their in-the-works animated adaptation may be doomed ó it looks like things are back on track.
'Batman' Movie Franchise Has 'Harry Potter' Sequel Potential,
Says Warner Bros. CEO
from Splash Page by Casey Seijas
While comic fans wait to hear the official word from
"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan on whether he intends to
return to the "Batman" franchise, it appears as though Warner Bros.
TV
Ratings: Fox wins Wednesday, 'Life' is lookin' up
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Annie Barrett
Fox handily swept Wednesday night in total viewers, with an especially cringe-y episode 2 of American Idol's Hollywood Week and the third installment of Lie to Me.
Morning Show Ratings: Week of Jan. 26
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
NBC's Today show was the top-rated network morning
show last week in both Total Viewers and the A25-54 demo, but for the fourth
week in a row,
Nightline Edges Letterman Again
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
Meet the Competition: Sunday Morning Ratings Tighten
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
NBC had its lowest rated Meet the Press since David
Gregory took over as moderator last Sunday, as
Curry lands octuplet mom interview
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Nadya Suleman, the California woman who gave birth to octuplets last week, has selected NBC News anchor Ann Curry to tell her story.
Zucker on Olbermann's O'Reilly Feud: "He Knows That I Wish
It Weren't So Personal"
from mediabistro.com: TVNewser
Newsweek's Johnnie L. Roberts talks to NBCU
Springer leaving as `America's Got Talent' host
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "
CBS to devote entire morning show to hero pilot
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID BAUDER
Lake named 'Charm School' headmistress
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. actress and television personality Ricki Lake has signed on as the new headmistress for the third season of "Charm School," VH1 said Thursday.
'Burn Notice' star getting big raise
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Jeffrey Donovan, the star of USA Network's breakout hit
"Burn Notice" has renegotiated his pact with the series' producer,
Fox TV Studios.
Loretta Devine goes 'Legally Mad' at NBC
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Loretta Devine has reunited with David E. Kelley on
"Legally Mad," his new dramedy at NBC.
Back to basics for the Big Four
from Hollywood Reporter by By James Hibberd
The next crop of fall TV pilots are sticking to the
traditional mold of procedurals like CBS' "The Mentalist," meaning
more crime and legal dramas.
'Big D' lands on CBS' comedy pilot slate
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Thursday was a "Big D" for CBS, which picked up a
multicamera comedy pilot from Jackie Filgo and Jeff Filgo.
CW orders 'Vampire,' 'Politics' pilots
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
The CW on Thursday gave the green light to pilots "Vampire Diaries" and "Body Politic."
from Hollywood Reporter by By James Hibberd
TBS has ordered an 70 additional episodes of Tyler Perry's
sitcom "Meet the Browns."
Krysten Ritter joins 'Gossip Girl' spinoff
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Meet Lily's older sister. In the first major casting on the
CW's "Gossip Girl" spinoff, Krysten Ritter has been tapped to play
Carol Rhodes.
'Jockeys' latest athletes to hit reality scene
"Jockeys," a 12-episode series taking viewers behind the scenes of the backstabbing, big-money, dangerous world of horse racing, debuts Friday on Animal Planet.
MUSIC
'My Life' tops the U.S. record chart
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Kelly Clarkson's "My Life
Would Suck Without You" is No. 1 on the
The B-52's line up spring dates
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) The B-52's have mapped a slate of spring tour dates as they continue to support "Funplex," which ended a 16-year gap with no new material from the group.
Jonas Brothers Promise Surprises on Grammy Night
from Entertainment Awards: News & Videos about Entertainment Awards - CNN.com
Plus, the best new artist nominees reveal their pick for record of the year
Franz Ferdinand offers fans spring look at 'Tonight'
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand return to
the
REO Speedwagon gears up for spring outing
from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com
(LiveDaily.com) Classic rockers REO Speedwagon will return
to the road this spring for a handful of
Beneath Cash4Gold's shiny veneer, a dull reality
from L.A. Times - TV News
Its offers to buy jewelry, touted in a Super Bowl
commercial, don't always translate into big bucks for customers. They have
lodged hundreds of complaints that the company shortchanged them.
Val Kilmer ponders run for NM governor in 2010 (AP)
from Yahoo! News: Entertainment News
AP - Holy hornet's nest, Batman! The
Aronofsky defends Bale after outburst
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
'Idol's' Bikini Girl weighing Playboy offer
Katrina Darrell didn't make a lot of friends when she auditioned for "American Idol" in a bikini, but Playboy sure took notice.
Will Ferrell relives 8 years of George W. Bush
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
King, Malkovich among Madoff investor list names
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By JAKE COYLE
Benjamin Button's house for sale in New Orleans
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
Barrymore doesn't like high-tech dating
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (UPI) --
