• Overture has purchased Men Who Stare at Goats, a wartime satire starring George Clooney and Ewan McGregor. Can't wait to see that title on a marquee.
• Woody Allen settled his lawsuit with American Apparel for $5 million. The suit stemmed from the clothing company's use of an image of Allen from Annie Hall in a recent advertising campaign. If only they had used a photo from Curse of Jade Scorpion -- Woody probably just gives those away.
• Tom Hiddleston will play the villain Loki in Marvel's Thor. The UK actor starred with Thor director Kenneth Branagh on the BBC miniseries Wallander.
• The first footage of Robert Zemeckis' A Christmas Carol has surfaced. The 3D, motion-captured Jim Carrey is sure to give kids nightmares for years to come.
• Jennifer Connelly and Liam Neeson will star in What's Wrong With Virginia, the feature directorial debut of Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.
• The first trailer for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes has been released. It looks like an uneven jumble of Iron Man, The Prestige and Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Rumor has it Mad Max 4 will now be live-action instead of the animated as originally planned. Too bad. An animated Mel Gibson would've been pretty funny.
BIZ
Entertainment A-List No. 1: Universal Pictures
from Advertising Age - Madison+Vine by cbrodesser@adage.com (Claude Brodesser-Akner)
LOS ANGELES (AdAge.com) -- Since Adam Fogelson took over as head of marketing
and distribution in 2007, Universal Pictures has enjoyed back-to-back
record-breaking years at the domestic box office, with last year being the best
in the studio's history.
Canadian dramas get Hollywood leg-up
from Hollywood Reporter by By Etan Vlessing
Credit Los Angeles agents and distributors with the heavy
lifting behind recent U.S. network deals for Canadian series like CBS'
"Flashpoint" and NBC's "Howie Do It."
FESTIVALS
Star power on full wattage at Cannes
from CNN.com - Entertainment
Like the swarms of snapping paparazzi that constantly
surround them, stars of all shades are irresistibly drawn (or contractually
obliged) to show face at Cannes -- quite simply, when the world's most
prestigious film festival turns the wattage up to full, there's nowhere more
glamorous.
'Basterds' actors on pins and needles
from The Hollywood Reporter - Awards by By Scott Roxborough
Everyone is on tenterhooks ahead of today's premiere of
"Inglourious Basterds," not least the stars of Quentin Tarantino's
Nazi-slaying epic.
Realist film tradition still thrives at Cannes
from Reuters: Entertainment News
CANNES, France (Reuters) - A young man teaches music to a
group of Iranian children, an Aboriginal boy in central Australia sniffs glue,
a bored group of soldiers hang about smoking until a busload of prisoners
arrives to be shot.
A Retooled Sundance? Fest Heads Tease Changes
from indieWIRE News
The times, they are a changin'. The highest profile film
festival in the U.S. is planning on a major change within the next few years to
reflect the "changing times in the arena of film."
Small fests draw auds and sponsors
from Variety.com - Film News
Film News: Low-profile events sharpen focus on the films --
As film fests grow bigger and more ambitious and squabble over a limited number
of available films, it's easy to forget the end user in all of this: the
audiences
AWARDS
MTV Awards show to air 'New Moon' preview
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart
and Taylor Lautner are to present a preview of their film "New Moon"
at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Calif.
Peabodys honor TV, Web, news stars
from Hollywood Reporter by By Georg Szalai
The cream of the crop in electronic media gathered at
Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel mid-day Monday for the annual George Foster
Peabody Awards ceremony.
MOVIES
Martin Luther King Jr. bio set for bigscreen
from Variety.com - Film News
Film News: Spielberg will produce DreamWorks pic --
DreamWorks has acquired the life rights to Martin Luther King Jr. and is
bringing a biopic on the slain civil rights leader to the bigscreen.
Bradley
Cooper, Zach Galifianakis & Ed Helms Talk 'The Hangover'
from Access Hollywood - Movies
Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms talk about their
new Las Vegas bachelor party comedy "The Hangover." Is a sequel already in the
works? And, how do they feel about all the male nudity in the film?
Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' regrets
from L.A. Times - Movie News
Raimi: 'I would have done everything differently.'
Rob Marshall brings Broadway's 'Nine' to screen
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
CANNES, France (AP) -- Director Rob Marshall's new movie
musical "Nine" offers a potent combination of Italian style, costumes
to die for and six Academy Award-winning performers.
Two More Hilarious TV Spots for Judd Apatow's Funny People
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Yesterday we ran the first television spot from Judd Apatow's new movie Funny
People. As it turns out, television spots usually come in threes (much like
everything else in the world). So we've returned with two more.
Ben Stiller Reveals Zoolander 2 Details
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Ben Stiller talked to Screenrush about the long-in-development sequel to Zoolander.
While it doesn't sound like it will be happening anytime soon (Stiller says
he's been "working on a script over the years and HOPEFULLY it will happen") we
at least have some details of what the sequel might involve.
Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes Movie Trailer
from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Warner Bros has released the trailer for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes.
Khan, Shatner could appear in 'Trek' sequel
from MSNBC.com: Movies
In a recent interview with MTV News, director J.J. Abrams said he's open to
bringing back both of these beloved "Trek" players.
George Miller's 'Road Warrior' Will Ride Again? That's What
They're Saying In Australia
from MTV Movies Blog by Adam Rosenberg
This morning brings with it word from - where else? - an Austrailian newspaper
(via AICN) that
director George Miller is preparing to start work on a fourth "Road
Warrior"/"Mad Max" movie.
T.V.
ABC's 'Desperate Housewives' Wins Sunday Night
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by jrash@cmithun.com (John Rash)
MINNEAPOLIS (AdAge.com) -- It's upfront week! And not a moment too soon for
networks -- and, based on season-finale ratings, viewers trying to forget an
unmemorable TV season. The lower scores for finals week continued Sunday night,
in particular for ending episodes of CBS's "Survivor" and ABC's
"Desperate Housewives." There was a bit more life, however, for the
animated-sitcom finales on Fox.
Fox Brings Back 'Remote-Free TV' but Will Limit Use
from Advertising Age - MediaWorks by bsteinberg@adage.com (Brian Steinberg)
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- The fight to keep viewers from zapping past commercials
continues at Fox in the 2009-2010 programming season. After experimenting with
running fewer ads in select programs and charging advertisers more for the
privilege of having less clutter surrounding their messages, Fox will offer the
technique -- known as "Remote-Free TV" -- in more limited fashion
next season, executives said today.
ABC turns to familiar comic faces for new season
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID BAUDER
NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC plans to launch a comedy night on
Wednesdays this fall with familiar sitcom stars Kelsey Grammer, Courteney Cox,
Patricia Heaton and Ed O'Neill in new series with roles suited to the times.
`Law & Order' renewed for record-tying 20th season
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By LYNN ELBER
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- NBC is renewing "Law &
Order" for a record-tying 20th season.
'Betty': ABC defends Friday move
from EW.com: Today's Latest Headlines by Michael Ausiello
Network prez Stephen McPherson: ''I'd love to see it have a
great run the way 'Ghost Whisperer' has
CBS picks up four new dramas, new Jenna Elfman comedy
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Lynette Rice
CBS, as expected, will pick up an NCIS spinoff starring
Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J along with two new dramas from Ridley Scott and
Jerry Bruckheimer, a key source said Monday.
Fox announces fall schedule, acknowledges Whedon fans
from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Lynette Rice
Two new comedies and a new latenight show starring Wanda
Sykes will debut this fall on Fox, followed by the addition of the new
action/thriller dramas Human Target and Past Life in January. Gone are The
Sarah Connor Chronicles but...
Joss Whedon talks 'Dollhouse' renewal
from The Live Feed by hollywoodreporter
Joss Whedon talks about the "Dollhouse" renewal,
how budget cuts may change the show and his plans for season...
'American Idol's' bigger message
from L.A. Times - Music News
Finalists Adam Lambert and Kris Allen help illustrate how
people with cultural differences can make beautiful music together.
The Year's Top-Earning 'Idols'
from Forbes.com: Media News by Evan Hessel and Dirk Smillie
The mega-show opens the door to Hollywood riches for many
alums. Here's who made the most last year.
Lifetime picks up Shepherd comedy
from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva
Lifetime has picked up "Sherri," the comedy pilot
starring Sherri Shepherd, to series with a 12-episode order.
How Eminem's Marketing Team Is Using Twitter to Build Buzz
from Advertising Age - Madison+Vine by cmoran@adage.com (Charlie Moran)
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Musicians from Q-Tip to Jimmy Eat World have discovered
Twitter as a DIY means of engaging their fans, using the conversational medium
to not only let people know they'll be in Tulsa this summer but make them feel
personally involved enough to actually show up. Now one of the best-selling
artists of the past decade is using it in a very different way -- and building
up substantial buzz for what may be the first album of the year to go platinum.
Jonas Brothers thrill teen girls in Peru's capital
from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ...
LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Peru has called out riot police to
control hundreds of young girls swarming the hotel where the Jonas Brothers are
staying. Thousands of other fans have lined up for the group's world tour
premiere.
Tori Amos To Mix New And Old On Summer Tour
from Billboard News - All by Gary Graff, Detroit
Even though she has 17 new songs on her new album,
"Abnormally Attracted to Sin," Tori Amos promises she'll play plenty
of familiar fare during her Sinful Attraction Tour, which begins July 10 in
Seattle.
Akon Protege Dolla Shot Dead At L.A. Mall
from Billboard News - All
Dolla, a rapping protege of hip-hop artist Akon, was fatally
shot in the head Monday near a valet stand outside the Beverly Center,
publicist Sue Vannasing told the Los Angeles Times.
Pearl Jam To Kick Off Conan's 'Tonight Show'
from Billboard News - All
Will Ferrell and Pearl Jam will be part of Conan
O'Brien's first "Tonight Show."
'Grey's' helps singer hit it big
from CNN.com - Entertainment
Mat Kearney has every right to be frustrated.
Mandrell makes Country Hall of Fame
from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NASHVILLE, May 18 (UPI) -- Barbara Mandrell was inducted into the Country Music
Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in
Nashville.
Aerosmith's Joe Perry Hints At Walmart Deal For New Album
from Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily by Daniel Kreps
In a new interview with EW's
Music Mix, Joe Perry opened up about Aerosmith's delayed new album and upcoming tour with ZZ Top -- and also inadvertently let slip
that the band's new album might be a Walmart exclusive, like AC/DC's Black
Ice and the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden.
How much does it cost to be Britney?
from Los Angeles Times - Celebrity News
A little less than $1 million a month.
ABBA guys bring 'Kristina' to NY
from The Hollywood Reporter - Music by Associated Press
Before there was the musical "Mamma
Mia!" there was "Kristina." And now New York will get to hear
it.
