DAMASCUS, Syria
U.S. military helicopters attacked an area along Syria's border with Iraq yesterday, killing eight people, the Syrian government said. A statement said four helicopters attacked a civilian building under construction near the town of Abu Kamal, just inside the Syrian border. The U.S. military did not respond to a request for comment. The area is near the Iraqi border city of Qaim, which had been a major crossing point for fighters, weapons and money for the Iraq insurgency.
Monday, October 27, 2008
FBI to help find Jennifer Hudson's nephew
By Kyle Peterson
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Chicago police asked the FBI on Saturday to help find the missing 7-year-old nephew of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson after her mother and brother were found shot to death a day earlier.
Julian King has been missing since Friday when Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were found dead in Donerson's south side Chicago home.
"Let my baby go," Hudson's sister Julia told reporters. She appeared at a news conference along with the boy's father, Greg King.
Chicago police spokesman Daniel O'Brien said the FBI had been asked to help in the search in case the boy had been taken across state lines, in violation of federal kidnap laws.
O'Brien declined to confirm various media reports that police had taken William Balfour into custody as a suspect in the double homicide investigation. Balfour, 27, had a relationship with Hudson's sister Julia but is not the father of the missing boy. Balfour's mother said earlier her son and Julia were estranged and that he had nothing to do with the slayings.
The Illinois Department of Corrections website lists Balfour as having been convicted of attempted murder, car theft and vehicular hijacking. He was released from prison in 2006.
O'Brien said more than one person had been questioned but that no one had been charged with a crime. He did not release any names. On Friday, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said of the murders, "It appears to be domestic related."
Hudson gained fame in 2005 as a contestant on the No. 1-rated U.S. television show "American Idol." She was one of 12 finalists in the third season but was voted off the talent show.
Her booming voice and popularity kept her touring in live shows and she eventually earned the role of Effie White in the 2006 film version of the stage musical "Dreamgirls."
The role of soulful singer White, who is kicked out of an all-girl 1960s singing group, earned Hudson the Oscar for best supporting actress and made her an instant star in Hollywood.
Hudson has since appeared in the movie version of "Sex and the City" and is currently in "The Secret Life of Bees." Media reports said Hudson was in Florida when she was told of the shootings and was headed back to Chicago.
(Additional reporting by Michael Conlon; Editing by Peter Cooney)
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Chicago police asked the FBI on Saturday to help find the missing 7-year-old nephew of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson after her mother and brother were found shot to death a day earlier.
Julian King has been missing since Friday when Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were found dead in Donerson's south side Chicago home.
"Let my baby go," Hudson's sister Julia told reporters. She appeared at a news conference along with the boy's father, Greg King.
Chicago police spokesman Daniel O'Brien said the FBI had been asked to help in the search in case the boy had been taken across state lines, in violation of federal kidnap laws.
O'Brien declined to confirm various media reports that police had taken William Balfour into custody as a suspect in the double homicide investigation. Balfour, 27, had a relationship with Hudson's sister Julia but is not the father of the missing boy. Balfour's mother said earlier her son and Julia were estranged and that he had nothing to do with the slayings.
The Illinois Department of Corrections website lists Balfour as having been convicted of attempted murder, car theft and vehicular hijacking. He was released from prison in 2006.
O'Brien said more than one person had been questioned but that no one had been charged with a crime. He did not release any names. On Friday, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said of the murders, "It appears to be domestic related."
Hudson gained fame in 2005 as a contestant on the No. 1-rated U.S. television show "American Idol." She was one of 12 finalists in the third season but was voted off the talent show.
Her booming voice and popularity kept her touring in live shows and she eventually earned the role of Effie White in the 2006 film version of the stage musical "Dreamgirls."
The role of soulful singer White, who is kicked out of an all-girl 1960s singing group, earned Hudson the Oscar for best supporting actress and made her an instant star in Hollywood.
Hudson has since appeared in the movie version of "Sex and the City" and is currently in "The Secret Life of Bees." Media reports said Hudson was in Florida when she was told of the shootings and was headed back to Chicago.
(Additional reporting by Michael Conlon; Editing by Peter Cooney)
"High School Musical," "Saw" lead U.S. box office
By Dean Goodman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In one of the more unusual duels at the North American box office, a perky Disney romantic musical trumped the fifth installment in the grisly "Saw" horror series, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year," the first big-screen adaptation of Walt Disney Co's popular TV movie franchise, sold $42 million worth of tickets during its first three days. The opening sets a new record for a musical, surpassing the $27.8 million bow of the ABBA-themed romance "Mamma Mia!" in July.
"Saw V" followed with $30.5 million, in line with the previous three installments. Moviegoers can expect additional sequels of both films.
The one-two punch of the disparate duo propelled overall weekend sales to their highest level in 10 weeks. The top 12 films grossed $120 million, according to tracking firm Media By Numbers, up about 40 percent from both last weekend and the year-ago weekend.
But the news was not all good. The new cop drama "Pride and Glory," starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, opened at No. 5 with just $6.3 million. It marks the second consecutive dud for Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. following "Body of Lies," starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, two weeks ago.
Disney, on the other hand, is enjoying a strong fall, first with "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" three weeks ago, and now with "High School Musical 3." The movie also opened in 19 international markets, and was No. 1 in each of them, led by Britain with $13 million.
SONG AND DANCE
"Music travels," said Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group. "Sometimes American comedy is difficult to travel, but this is a relatively simple story and a good quality, fun movie."
The song-and-dance franchise has generated two smash TV movies and two chart-topping albums, and it made teen idols out of its stars, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. The three films were directed by "Dirty Dancing" choreographer Kenny Ortega.
Exit polling in North America indicated three-quarters of the audience was female, and just over half were under 18, Disney said. About two-thirds were families.
The plot of the new film brings the cast back to their fictional New Mexico high school, where Troy (Efron) must decide between pursuing a basketball scholarship or his song-and-dance dreams. The usual teen-angst issues ensue.
"Saw V" is the latest installment in the spectacularly profitable torture franchise that kicked off in 2004. Every October since then, a new "Saw" movie has opened at No. 1 in the $30 million range. Total sales peaked at $87 million for "Saw II," and the film's distributor, Lionsgate, hopes the new one will finish up in the $60 million range.
The studio, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, said "Saw" will soon become the biggest horror franchise, with total domestic sales about $1 million short of the $318 million haul of the 11 "Friday the 13th" films.
Last weekend's champ, the Mark Wahlberg thriller "Max Payne," slipped to No. 3 with $7.6 million, taking its 10-day haul to $29.7 million. The film was released by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp.
(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In one of the more unusual duels at the North American box office, a perky Disney romantic musical trumped the fifth installment in the grisly "Saw" horror series, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year," the first big-screen adaptation of Walt Disney Co's popular TV movie franchise, sold $42 million worth of tickets during its first three days. The opening sets a new record for a musical, surpassing the $27.8 million bow of the ABBA-themed romance "Mamma Mia!" in July.
"Saw V" followed with $30.5 million, in line with the previous three installments. Moviegoers can expect additional sequels of both films.
The one-two punch of the disparate duo propelled overall weekend sales to their highest level in 10 weeks. The top 12 films grossed $120 million, according to tracking firm Media By Numbers, up about 40 percent from both last weekend and the year-ago weekend.
But the news was not all good. The new cop drama "Pride and Glory," starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, opened at No. 5 with just $6.3 million. It marks the second consecutive dud for Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. following "Body of Lies," starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, two weeks ago.
Disney, on the other hand, is enjoying a strong fall, first with "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" three weeks ago, and now with "High School Musical 3." The movie also opened in 19 international markets, and was No. 1 in each of them, led by Britain with $13 million.
SONG AND DANCE
"Music travels," said Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group. "Sometimes American comedy is difficult to travel, but this is a relatively simple story and a good quality, fun movie."
The song-and-dance franchise has generated two smash TV movies and two chart-topping albums, and it made teen idols out of its stars, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. The three films were directed by "Dirty Dancing" choreographer Kenny Ortega.
Exit polling in North America indicated three-quarters of the audience was female, and just over half were under 18, Disney said. About two-thirds were families.
The plot of the new film brings the cast back to their fictional New Mexico high school, where Troy (Efron) must decide between pursuing a basketball scholarship or his song-and-dance dreams. The usual teen-angst issues ensue.
"Saw V" is the latest installment in the spectacularly profitable torture franchise that kicked off in 2004. Every October since then, a new "Saw" movie has opened at No. 1 in the $30 million range. Total sales peaked at $87 million for "Saw II," and the film's distributor, Lionsgate, hopes the new one will finish up in the $60 million range.
The studio, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, said "Saw" will soon become the biggest horror franchise, with total domestic sales about $1 million short of the $318 million haul of the 11 "Friday the 13th" films.
Last weekend's champ, the Mark Wahlberg thriller "Max Payne," slipped to No. 3 with $7.6 million, taking its 10-day haul to $29.7 million. The film was released by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp.
(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Search Continues for Jennifer Hudson's Nephew
By RUPA SHENOY Associated Press WriterCHICAGO October 27, 2008 (AP)
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A group led by community activist Andrew Holmes right, pray at a makeshift memorial outside the home...
A group led by community activist Andrew Holmes right, pray at a makeshift memorial outside the home belonging to the family of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were found dead. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) (AP)
Investigators and community members pressed their search for Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew on Monday, hoping a $100,000 reward offered by the Oscar-winning actress for the 7-year-old's safe return might turn up clues to his whereabouts.
Julian King hasn't been seen since Friday, when Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death in their home. Police on Sunday ramped up search efforts for Julian around the Englewood neighborhood, where Hudson grew up, and transferred custody of a "person of interest" in the killings to state authorities.
On Sunday evening, in a statement from publicist Lisa Kasteler, the singer appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking any information be given to Chicago police.
"Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian," the statement said.
Hudson, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago with her family during the weekend, her sister said. Hudson's publicist did not disclose her whereabouts, but the Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed she identified the bodies of her mother and brother.
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An Amber Alert remained in effect Sunday for Julian, the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson. The bodies of his 57-year-old grandmother, Darnell Donerson, and 29-year-old uncle, Jason Hudson, were found in the home they shared on the city's South Side on Friday. The deaths were ruled homicides.
"Detectives are working 24 hours on this case," said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond. "There's a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child."
The Amber Alert listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a "double homicide investigation."
Police said they did not have a motive for the killings but called the case "domestic related." Bond said Balfour, who had been in police custody since Friday, was transferred Sunday to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."
David Burrell, a friend of the Hudson family wipes tears after praying at a makeshift memorial...
David Burrell, a friend of the Hudson family wipes tears after praying at a makeshift memorial outside the home belonging to the family of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were found dead. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) (AP)
Balfour has not been charged in the slayings.
Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.
Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held.
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It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney Sunday, but his mother, Michele Balfour, has denied he was involved the killings or in Julian's disappearance.
———
Associated Press writers Caryn Rousseau and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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A group led by community activist Andrew Holmes right, pray at a makeshift memorial outside the home...
A group led by community activist Andrew Holmes right, pray at a makeshift memorial outside the home belonging to the family of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were found dead. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) (AP)
Investigators and community members pressed their search for Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew on Monday, hoping a $100,000 reward offered by the Oscar-winning actress for the 7-year-old's safe return might turn up clues to his whereabouts.
Julian King hasn't been seen since Friday, when Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death in their home. Police on Sunday ramped up search efforts for Julian around the Englewood neighborhood, where Hudson grew up, and transferred custody of a "person of interest" in the killings to state authorities.
On Sunday evening, in a statement from publicist Lisa Kasteler, the singer appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking any information be given to Chicago police.
"Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian," the statement said.
Hudson, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago with her family during the weekend, her sister said. Hudson's publicist did not disclose her whereabouts, but the Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed she identified the bodies of her mother and brother.
adsonar_placementId=1280599;adsonar_pid=44749;adsonar_ps=-1;adsonar_zw=165;adsonar_zh=220;adsonar_jv='ads.adsonar.com';
An Amber Alert remained in effect Sunday for Julian, the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson. The bodies of his 57-year-old grandmother, Darnell Donerson, and 29-year-old uncle, Jason Hudson, were found in the home they shared on the city's South Side on Friday. The deaths were ruled homicides.
"Detectives are working 24 hours on this case," said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond. "There's a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child."
The Amber Alert listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a "double homicide investigation."
Police said they did not have a motive for the killings but called the case "domestic related." Bond said Balfour, who had been in police custody since Friday, was transferred Sunday to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."
David Burrell, a friend of the Hudson family wipes tears after praying at a makeshift memorial...
David Burrell, a friend of the Hudson family wipes tears after praying at a makeshift memorial outside the home belonging to the family of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were found dead. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) (AP)
Balfour has not been charged in the slayings.
Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.
Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held.
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It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney Sunday, but his mother, Michele Balfour, has denied he was involved the killings or in Julian's disappearance.
———
Associated Press writers Caryn Rousseau and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
AC/DC Lands a Double Axel on 'Black Ice'
"Black Ice" is AC/DC's first album in eight years, which would be reason enough to love it. An even better reason: "Black Ice" is the best record the band has made in decades, and not only because all the other ones were pretty terrible.
AC/DC hasn't made a great album since "For Those About to Rock We Salute You," which came out during the early days of the Reagan administration. Few artists have relied so heavily on the indulgence of audiences, and on a reputation for fan-friendliness, as this one. Given the stinginess of its output and limited availability, those breaks aren't entirely deserved. (The band's songs aren't available on iTunes, and "Black Ice" will be sold only at Wal-Mart outlets and on the AC/DC Web site.)
Because "Black Ice" sounds merely like a better version of the same album AC/DC has made throughout its history, its near-greatness is hard to explain. Producer Brendan O'Brien, whose recent work with Bruce Springsteen has done the Boss no favors, worked wonders here, mostly by getting the band to regard "Black Ice" as an Actual Important Thing, not just a yowl-and-riffage delivery system that's a handy excuse for a tour.
Frontman Brian Johnson and guitarist Angus Young carry "Black Ice" on their backs: Johnson, now 61 (!), sings more and hollers less; Young, who seems more engaged than usual throughout, occasionally plays slide guitar. These might not seem like noteworthy developments, but for a band as resistant to innovation as this one, baby steps matter.
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Elsewhere "Black Ice" is the usual assortment of mountainous riffs and full-tilt boogies, done with uncharacteristic attentiveness. Its lyrics aren't worth mentioning, except to note that there are some, and they're the usual mix of cheerful incomprehensibility and innuendo-laden buffoonery. There are nods to consumer dissatisfaction ("Smash 'N' Grab") and the End of Days ("Stormy May Day"), while "Money Made" appears to have something to do with strippers.
But mostly, "Black Ice" contains songs about rocking. Specifically, about how much AC/DC rocks, how much it's rocked in the past and how, if given the opportunity, it plans to rock some more in the future. Even the song about a wartime something or other ("War Machine") seems to be about a really rocking war machine.
The band's now de rigueur sex songs (forget "You Shook Me All Night Long"; AC/DC long ago stopped writing about women unless it had to) sound increasingly like Mad Libs: haphazard assemblages of a noun, a verb, the word "she" and a euphemism for "penis." Just one listen to "Rock 'N' Roll Dream," a semi-ballad so ridiculously great and primally stupid it might have been assembled by cavemen, and you'll never hear the phrase "hard rain" in the same way again.
These, um, love songs are increasingly self-parodic, detailing amorous encounters so improbably hazardous ("She wanna shake you/No way to save you/She's got me shot/I'm fallin' ") you'll be tempted to wonder if anyone in the band has actually ever met a woman. They contribute to the dragginess of the disc's last half, as does "Decibel," the most generic AC/DC song of all time. "Black Ice" has 15 songs, which is about five too many: After its pulverizingly pleasurable first half, it's all filler and very little killer.
AC/DC hasn't made a great album since "For Those About to Rock We Salute You," which came out during the early days of the Reagan administration. Few artists have relied so heavily on the indulgence of audiences, and on a reputation for fan-friendliness, as this one. Given the stinginess of its output and limited availability, those breaks aren't entirely deserved. (The band's songs aren't available on iTunes, and "Black Ice" will be sold only at Wal-Mart outlets and on the AC/DC Web site.)
Because "Black Ice" sounds merely like a better version of the same album AC/DC has made throughout its history, its near-greatness is hard to explain. Producer Brendan O'Brien, whose recent work with Bruce Springsteen has done the Boss no favors, worked wonders here, mostly by getting the band to regard "Black Ice" as an Actual Important Thing, not just a yowl-and-riffage delivery system that's a handy excuse for a tour.
Frontman Brian Johnson and guitarist Angus Young carry "Black Ice" on their backs: Johnson, now 61 (!), sings more and hollers less; Young, who seems more engaged than usual throughout, occasionally plays slide guitar. These might not seem like noteworthy developments, but for a band as resistant to innovation as this one, baby steps matter.
if ( show_doubleclick_ad && ( adTemplate & INLINE_ARTICLE_AD ) == INLINE_ARTICLE_AD && inlineAdGraf )
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Elsewhere "Black Ice" is the usual assortment of mountainous riffs and full-tilt boogies, done with uncharacteristic attentiveness. Its lyrics aren't worth mentioning, except to note that there are some, and they're the usual mix of cheerful incomprehensibility and innuendo-laden buffoonery. There are nods to consumer dissatisfaction ("Smash 'N' Grab") and the End of Days ("Stormy May Day"), while "Money Made" appears to have something to do with strippers.
But mostly, "Black Ice" contains songs about rocking. Specifically, about how much AC/DC rocks, how much it's rocked in the past and how, if given the opportunity, it plans to rock some more in the future. Even the song about a wartime something or other ("War Machine") seems to be about a really rocking war machine.
The band's now de rigueur sex songs (forget "You Shook Me All Night Long"; AC/DC long ago stopped writing about women unless it had to) sound increasingly like Mad Libs: haphazard assemblages of a noun, a verb, the word "she" and a euphemism for "penis." Just one listen to "Rock 'N' Roll Dream," a semi-ballad so ridiculously great and primally stupid it might have been assembled by cavemen, and you'll never hear the phrase "hard rain" in the same way again.
These, um, love songs are increasingly self-parodic, detailing amorous encounters so improbably hazardous ("She wanna shake you/No way to save you/She's got me shot/I'm fallin' ") you'll be tempted to wonder if anyone in the band has actually ever met a woman. They contribute to the dragginess of the disc's last half, as does "Decibel," the most generic AC/DC song of all time. "Black Ice" has 15 songs, which is about five too many: After its pulverizingly pleasurable first half, it's all filler and very little killer.
Mr. Blackwell, fashion's First Critic, was about more than just zingers
Friends (and foes) will remember impish fashion critic Mr. Blackwell for his poetic evisceration of Hollywood's worst-dressed stars. But the creator of the annual "10 Worst-Dressed Women" list, who died Sunday in Los Angeles at age 86, had a talent beyond devilish rhyming - he also had impeccable timing.
MR. BLACKWELL'S TOP 10 ZINGERS
Blackwell stepped into the spotlight in 1960, at a moment when discussion of the clothes worn by celebrities was generally limited to praise. Joan Rivers had not yet set foot on the red carpet. There was no E! television. There was no Internet for the Fug Girls to explore.
So when Blackwell suggested that certain members of the elite didn't look so great, he set off waves of scorn and delight, laying the foundation for the fashion police of the future.
RELATED: MR. BLACKWELL DIES AT 86
"How sad that he died," Rivers said Monday, "because Bjork and Jennifer Lopez will no longer know which of their gowns they should donate to Goodwill.
"It also goes without saying," she adds, "that he will be the best-dressed body of the season."
Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Blackwell hoped showbiz would whisk him away from his hardscrabble roots. His efforts as an actor took him to Broadway and to Los Angeles, where he swapped his name for his more famous moniker - on a recommendation from producer Howard Hughes - and soon ditched acting to become a talent agent. After designing outfits for one of his clients, he closed his agency and founded a fashion company with business and life partner Robert Spencer.
RELATED: LIST OF ZINGERS
While his clothing line never achieved mass popularity, it provided a platform from which he could deliver his first fashion critiques. In 1960, he put together his first list, for the Sunday magazine American Weekly, naming his picks for the nine worst-dressed celebrities.
"I merely said out loud what others were whispering," he said of his list, which grew to include 10 celebs a year. "It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."
The list became an annual tradition, and, in its heyday, Blackwell would announce his picks to journalists over a lavish breakfast at his home. In the following decades, he frequently skewered Madonna, Britney Spears and Cher - who took offense to his criticism and shot back: "What has Mr. Blackwell ever designed? I think he did one dress, and it was horrible."
Even as the fashion and entertainment worlds eventually stopped awaiting the list with the same excitement, the number of style pundits multiplied, finding homes on TV, in print and on the Internet.
MR. BLACKWELL'S TOP 10 ZINGERS
Blackwell stepped into the spotlight in 1960, at a moment when discussion of the clothes worn by celebrities was generally limited to praise. Joan Rivers had not yet set foot on the red carpet. There was no E! television. There was no Internet for the Fug Girls to explore.
So when Blackwell suggested that certain members of the elite didn't look so great, he set off waves of scorn and delight, laying the foundation for the fashion police of the future.
RELATED: MR. BLACKWELL DIES AT 86
"How sad that he died," Rivers said Monday, "because Bjork and Jennifer Lopez will no longer know which of their gowns they should donate to Goodwill.
"It also goes without saying," she adds, "that he will be the best-dressed body of the season."
Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Blackwell hoped showbiz would whisk him away from his hardscrabble roots. His efforts as an actor took him to Broadway and to Los Angeles, where he swapped his name for his more famous moniker - on a recommendation from producer Howard Hughes - and soon ditched acting to become a talent agent. After designing outfits for one of his clients, he closed his agency and founded a fashion company with business and life partner Robert Spencer.
RELATED: LIST OF ZINGERS
While his clothing line never achieved mass popularity, it provided a platform from which he could deliver his first fashion critiques. In 1960, he put together his first list, for the Sunday magazine American Weekly, naming his picks for the nine worst-dressed celebrities.
"I merely said out loud what others were whispering," he said of his list, which grew to include 10 celebs a year. "It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."
The list became an annual tradition, and, in its heyday, Blackwell would announce his picks to journalists over a lavish breakfast at his home. In the following decades, he frequently skewered Madonna, Britney Spears and Cher - who took offense to his criticism and shot back: "What has Mr. Blackwell ever designed? I think he did one dress, and it was horrible."
Even as the fashion and entertainment worlds eventually stopped awaiting the list with the same excitement, the number of style pundits multiplied, finding homes on TV, in print and on the Internet.
Mr. Blackwell, fashion's First Critic, was about more than just zingers
Friends (and foes) will remember impish fashion critic Mr. Blackwell for his poetic evisceration of Hollywood's worst-dressed stars. But the creator of the annual "10 Worst-Dressed Women" list, who died Sunday in Los Angeles at age 86, had a talent beyond devilish rhyming - he also had impeccable timing.
MR. BLACKWELL'S TOP 10 ZINGERS
Blackwell stepped into the spotlight in 1960, at a moment when discussion of the clothes worn by celebrities was generally limited to praise. Joan Rivers had not yet set foot on the red carpet. There was no E! television. There was no Internet for the Fug Girls to explore.
So when Blackwell suggested that certain members of the elite didn't look so great, he set off waves of scorn and delight, laying the foundation for the fashion police of the future.
RELATED: MR. BLACKWELL DIES AT 86
"How sad that he died," Rivers said Monday, "because Bjork and Jennifer Lopez will no longer know which of their gowns they should donate to Goodwill.
"It also goes without saying," she adds, "that he will be the best-dressed body of the season."
Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Blackwell hoped showbiz would whisk him away from his hardscrabble roots. His efforts as an actor took him to Broadway and to Los Angeles, where he swapped his name for his more famous moniker - on a recommendation from producer Howard Hughes - and soon ditched acting to become a talent agent. After designing outfits for one of his clients, he closed his agency and founded a fashion company with business and life partner Robert Spencer.
RELATED: LIST OF ZINGERS
While his clothing line never achieved mass popularity, it provided a platform from which he could deliver his first fashion critiques. In 1960, he put together his first list, for the Sunday magazine American Weekly, naming his picks for the nine worst-dressed celebrities.
"I merely said out loud what others were whispering," he said of his list, which grew to include 10 celebs a year. "It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."
The list became an annual tradition, and, in its heyday, Blackwell would announce his picks to journalists over a lavish breakfast at his home. In the following decades, he frequently skewered Madonna, Britney Spears and Cher - who took offense to his criticism and shot back: "What has Mr. Blackwell ever designed? I think he did one dress, and it was horrible."
Even as the fashion and entertainment worlds eventually stopped awaiting the list with the same excitement, the number of style pundits multiplied, finding homes on TV, in print and on the Internet.
MR. BLACKWELL'S TOP 10 ZINGERS
Blackwell stepped into the spotlight in 1960, at a moment when discussion of the clothes worn by celebrities was generally limited to praise. Joan Rivers had not yet set foot on the red carpet. There was no E! television. There was no Internet for the Fug Girls to explore.
So when Blackwell suggested that certain members of the elite didn't look so great, he set off waves of scorn and delight, laying the foundation for the fashion police of the future.
RELATED: MR. BLACKWELL DIES AT 86
"How sad that he died," Rivers said Monday, "because Bjork and Jennifer Lopez will no longer know which of their gowns they should donate to Goodwill.
"It also goes without saying," she adds, "that he will be the best-dressed body of the season."
Born Richard Sylvan Selzer in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Blackwell hoped showbiz would whisk him away from his hardscrabble roots. His efforts as an actor took him to Broadway and to Los Angeles, where he swapped his name for his more famous moniker - on a recommendation from producer Howard Hughes - and soon ditched acting to become a talent agent. After designing outfits for one of his clients, he closed his agency and founded a fashion company with business and life partner Robert Spencer.
RELATED: LIST OF ZINGERS
While his clothing line never achieved mass popularity, it provided a platform from which he could deliver his first fashion critiques. In 1960, he put together his first list, for the Sunday magazine American Weekly, naming his picks for the nine worst-dressed celebrities.
"I merely said out loud what others were whispering," he said of his list, which grew to include 10 celebs a year. "It's not my intention to hurt the feelings of these people. It's to put down the clothing they're wearing."
The list became an annual tradition, and, in its heyday, Blackwell would announce his picks to journalists over a lavish breakfast at his home. In the following decades, he frequently skewered Madonna, Britney Spears and Cher - who took offense to his criticism and shot back: "What has Mr. Blackwell ever designed? I think he did one dress, and it was horrible."
Even as the fashion and entertainment worlds eventually stopped awaiting the list with the same excitement, the number of style pundits multiplied, finding homes on TV, in print and on the Internet.
'Dancing With the Stars': Swingtown
I wonder if, a few years ago, Warren Sapp could have imagined that a sexy Australian dancer babe would one day chirp at him to ''Do the hustle!'' — you know, instead of a gnarly coaching staff barking gruffly at him in unison to, like, literally hustle. I bet he'd have retired a lot sooner. Last night, Dancing With the Stars introduced four new dances — the hustle, the West Coast Swing, the salsa, and the jitterbug — to the ballroom. DANCMSTR Len Goodman had warned us last week that the judges would be emphasizing performance over technique. That was nice for them, but with only a half-baked explanation of the new dances from DANCMSTR, involving the footwork-unspecific terms ''oooooooooooh'' and ''zowie wowie,'' we viewers didn't really know what we were looking at, or for, with these performances. (Then again, honestly…do we ever?)
Speaking of things that are baked, George Hamilton popped up in the audience, as ''sun''-kissed as ever. I hope he shared his Baked Ritz crackers with bench-bound Misty and fellow season 2 alum Stacy Keibler. In my mind, Stacy's consistently strong performances and irresistibly long inseam still beat out those of this season's judges' favorite, Brooke Burke — but as Brooke is now the high scorer for the fifth week running, things could change. Let's get to that ''leader board,'' shall we?
Brooke Burke and Derek: 29 out of possible 30 Uh oh! The Hough siblings had to dance the jitterbug against each other, and neither blond bomb knew how to do it! This is so whack: Lacey got to consult with her champion parent for the West Coast Swing, while Derek had to print out ''How to Dance the Jitterbug'' from the Internet. That's, like, something I would do. And Derek and I aren't exactly on the same ''dance level.'' (It's okay. I bet I'm better at using the Internet. Here's one of my genius tips: Try watching a video of the dance instead.) Their jitterbug turned out fine — it was ''vigorous,'' and ''upbeat,'' ''glamorous,'' ''perfect,'' ''amazing,'' and plenty of other adjectives that the judges typically substitute for complete sentences when they're running out of time. So let's talk hair. Brooke's clip-on bangs were about as shocking as Brooke gets, but Derek's increasingly floppy 'do (which boasted the Zac Efron half-pony during rehearsal, along with a bevy of other methods of keeping that mop out of his face) was in rare form last night, featuring delicate curlicues shellacked into a mold that Tom correctly labeled ''a sanctuary for birds.'' And, apparently, Cloris Leachman's saliva.
Cody Linley and Julianne: 28/30 Who needs the fake Internet (seriously, Derek's printout was such a Word document written by a producer) when you can just spy on your brother for the answers? Julianne and Cody's jitterbug rivaled Brooke and Derek's in energy, but in terms of charisma, this one blew Brooke out of the...brook. As the judges pointed out, the slapstick nature of the dance worked for Cody, with his endless limbs and endearing (in this case) awkwardness. I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed the crotch-in-the-face move first not-perfected by Marie Osmond and Jonathan in their season 5 ''doll dance'' freestyle. Julianne and Cody played up the crotch theme throughout, to the point where my esteemed colleague Tim Stack, who was supposed to be across the hall writing his Gossip Girl recap, commented, ''This whole routine, I feel, is about her vagina.'' (There you have it: A sentence I would never type into my own recap, but totally just did.) Side note, and also an antidote to Tim: What did you think of Julianne's choice of footwear? I personally loved that Brooke and Julianne didn't have to wear heels for once, but then I received a detailed rundown of the show from my mother, arguing that Julianne was ''adorable, but I wish her skirt was a tad shorter and that she'd worn Mary Janes with a little heel instead of flat like that.'' Whatever, Dee.
Speaking of things that are baked, George Hamilton popped up in the audience, as ''sun''-kissed as ever. I hope he shared his Baked Ritz crackers with bench-bound Misty and fellow season 2 alum Stacy Keibler. In my mind, Stacy's consistently strong performances and irresistibly long inseam still beat out those of this season's judges' favorite, Brooke Burke — but as Brooke is now the high scorer for the fifth week running, things could change. Let's get to that ''leader board,'' shall we?
Brooke Burke and Derek: 29 out of possible 30 Uh oh! The Hough siblings had to dance the jitterbug against each other, and neither blond bomb knew how to do it! This is so whack: Lacey got to consult with her champion parent for the West Coast Swing, while Derek had to print out ''How to Dance the Jitterbug'' from the Internet. That's, like, something I would do. And Derek and I aren't exactly on the same ''dance level.'' (It's okay. I bet I'm better at using the Internet. Here's one of my genius tips: Try watching a video of the dance instead.) Their jitterbug turned out fine — it was ''vigorous,'' and ''upbeat,'' ''glamorous,'' ''perfect,'' ''amazing,'' and plenty of other adjectives that the judges typically substitute for complete sentences when they're running out of time. So let's talk hair. Brooke's clip-on bangs were about as shocking as Brooke gets, but Derek's increasingly floppy 'do (which boasted the Zac Efron half-pony during rehearsal, along with a bevy of other methods of keeping that mop out of his face) was in rare form last night, featuring delicate curlicues shellacked into a mold that Tom correctly labeled ''a sanctuary for birds.'' And, apparently, Cloris Leachman's saliva.
Cody Linley and Julianne: 28/30 Who needs the fake Internet (seriously, Derek's printout was such a Word document written by a producer) when you can just spy on your brother for the answers? Julianne and Cody's jitterbug rivaled Brooke and Derek's in energy, but in terms of charisma, this one blew Brooke out of the...brook. As the judges pointed out, the slapstick nature of the dance worked for Cody, with his endless limbs and endearing (in this case) awkwardness. I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed the crotch-in-the-face move first not-perfected by Marie Osmond and Jonathan in their season 5 ''doll dance'' freestyle. Julianne and Cody played up the crotch theme throughout, to the point where my esteemed colleague Tim Stack, who was supposed to be across the hall writing his Gossip Girl recap, commented, ''This whole routine, I feel, is about her vagina.'' (There you have it: A sentence I would never type into my own recap, but totally just did.) Side note, and also an antidote to Tim: What did you think of Julianne's choice of footwear? I personally loved that Brooke and Julianne didn't have to wear heels for once, but then I received a detailed rundown of the show from my mother, arguing that Julianne was ''adorable, but I wish her skirt was a tad shorter and that she'd worn Mary Janes with a little heel instead of flat like that.'' Whatever, Dee.
“Chihuahua” Scoots Over, “Max Payne” Rules Box Office
“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” lost the No. 1 spot it maintained at the North American box office these past two weeks as Twentieth Century Fox released its video-game-inspired action film “Max Payne.”
Walt Disney Pictures family film “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” enjoyed a friendly two consecutive weekends at the top of the North American box office as audiences appeared to be in the mood for some light peaceful laughs in the first half of October, but this has now changed.
“Max Payne,” based on the popular video game of the same name, starring Mark Wahlberg in the title role and Mila Kunis as a literal femme fatale, earned $18 million in ticket sales during its first three days of availability in theaters. “Chihuahua” was no longer a priority as the action film rose to the top spot and the pooch comedy slipped to No. 2 with $11.2 million. Second place is not bad for “Chihuahua” though as its total has now raised to $69.1 million.
“Max Payne” tells the story of an FBI agent who seeks vengeance on the people who brutally murdered his wife and infant child. He becomes allies with a stone cold assassin named Mona Sax (Kunis) and their story evolves so that the film earns its PG-13 rating for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language.
The videogame adaptation did not impress film critics, receiving 17% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Third and fourth place both went to debuts. Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Secret Life of Bees” earned $11.1 million for Fox Searchlight, settling at No. 3. The film, based on the director’s novel of the same name, stars Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson.
Lionsgate’s “W.,” the George W. Bush biopic directed by Oliver Stone, opened at No. 4 with $10.6 million. The film stars Josh Brolin in the title role, Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush, Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice, James Cromwell as George H. W. Bush, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney and Scott Glenn, Ellen Burstyn, Ioan Gruffudd, and Jeffrey Wright in other roles.
According to studio polls, 55 percent of moviegoers who turned up to see “W.” called themselves liberals, another 31 percent considered themselves moderates and a modest 14 percent said they were conservatives.
Dreamworks/Paramount’ action thriller “Eagle Eye” earned another $7.3 million in its fourth week, settling for fifth place. The film, directed by D. J. Caruso, stars Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan.
Walt Disney Pictures family film “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” enjoyed a friendly two consecutive weekends at the top of the North American box office as audiences appeared to be in the mood for some light peaceful laughs in the first half of October, but this has now changed.
“Max Payne,” based on the popular video game of the same name, starring Mark Wahlberg in the title role and Mila Kunis as a literal femme fatale, earned $18 million in ticket sales during its first three days of availability in theaters. “Chihuahua” was no longer a priority as the action film rose to the top spot and the pooch comedy slipped to No. 2 with $11.2 million. Second place is not bad for “Chihuahua” though as its total has now raised to $69.1 million.
“Max Payne” tells the story of an FBI agent who seeks vengeance on the people who brutally murdered his wife and infant child. He becomes allies with a stone cold assassin named Mona Sax (Kunis) and their story evolves so that the film earns its PG-13 rating for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language.
The videogame adaptation did not impress film critics, receiving 17% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Third and fourth place both went to debuts. Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Secret Life of Bees” earned $11.1 million for Fox Searchlight, settling at No. 3. The film, based on the director’s novel of the same name, stars Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson.
Lionsgate’s “W.,” the George W. Bush biopic directed by Oliver Stone, opened at No. 4 with $10.6 million. The film stars Josh Brolin in the title role, Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush, Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice, James Cromwell as George H. W. Bush, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney and Scott Glenn, Ellen Burstyn, Ioan Gruffudd, and Jeffrey Wright in other roles.
According to studio polls, 55 percent of moviegoers who turned up to see “W.” called themselves liberals, another 31 percent considered themselves moderates and a modest 14 percent said they were conservatives.
Dreamworks/Paramount’ action thriller “Eagle Eye” earned another $7.3 million in its fourth week, settling for fifth place. The film, directed by D. J. Caruso, stars Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan.
Four Tops' Fakir salutes Levi Stubbs
By Gary Graff
DETROIT (Billboard) - Four Tops leader Abdul "Duke" Fakir called the late Levi Stubbs "one of the best singers in the world, period, of all time" and "a great man" in the first comments from the group's camp since Stubbs died last Friday.
Fakir -- who started the Four Tops with Stubbs after the two met as high school students at a party on Detroit's north side in 1954 -- told Billboard.com on Monday that the loss is "a big hurt" and was compounded by the Tops being out of town, performing in Jackpot, Nev., during the weekend.
"It was a fun engagement, but I didn't really want to be there," acknowledged Fakir, the sole surviving original member of the legendary Motown group. "I was hurting the whole time. I really wanted to just come back home, but we do not disappoint the fans. That was one of the hard weekends for me, though."
Stubbs, who had been in poor health for some years due to cancer and strokes, died during his sleep at his Detroit home.
"I saw him about a week ago and he looked healthier. His face was fatter and he was smiling and he was in good spirits. I really thought he'd pull through longer than he did," Fakir said.
Stubbs, who was the godfather to Fakir's oldest child, will always be remembered for the voice that powered the Four Tops' hits.
"He had such power," Fakir said. "He had a baritone voice and a tenor range. He could do anything with his voice. He could take you anywhere with it. He could take you to a love scene. He could take you dancing. He could take a great old standard and make you feel like you're right there in that song. Just an amazing voice, an amazing interpreter, an amazing man."
Even more importantly, Fakir noted, Stubbs "was dedicated to us. He had many chances and many offers to be lured away into his own solo world, but he never wanted that. He said, 'Man, all I really want to do is sing and take care of my family, and that's what I'm doing, so all is well. Everything else that doesn't include you guys, it doesn't mean a thing to me.' That kind of character and commitment is really hard to find these days."
Fakir said that he and the current Tops -- Roquel Payton (son of original Top Laurence Payton, who died in 1997), former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir -- intend to continue performing to honor the Tops' legacy.
"As long as people accept us delivering those songs as close to the original Four Tops as we can, we'll do it," he said. "There'll never be another Levi. We don't expect to replace a voice like that, or a personality like that. But we can keep singing his songs, 'cause the world should always hear them."
Reuters/Billboard
DETROIT (Billboard) - Four Tops leader Abdul "Duke" Fakir called the late Levi Stubbs "one of the best singers in the world, period, of all time" and "a great man" in the first comments from the group's camp since Stubbs died last Friday.
Fakir -- who started the Four Tops with Stubbs after the two met as high school students at a party on Detroit's north side in 1954 -- told Billboard.com on Monday that the loss is "a big hurt" and was compounded by the Tops being out of town, performing in Jackpot, Nev., during the weekend.
"It was a fun engagement, but I didn't really want to be there," acknowledged Fakir, the sole surviving original member of the legendary Motown group. "I was hurting the whole time. I really wanted to just come back home, but we do not disappoint the fans. That was one of the hard weekends for me, though."
Stubbs, who had been in poor health for some years due to cancer and strokes, died during his sleep at his Detroit home.
"I saw him about a week ago and he looked healthier. His face was fatter and he was smiling and he was in good spirits. I really thought he'd pull through longer than he did," Fakir said.
Stubbs, who was the godfather to Fakir's oldest child, will always be remembered for the voice that powered the Four Tops' hits.
"He had such power," Fakir said. "He had a baritone voice and a tenor range. He could do anything with his voice. He could take you anywhere with it. He could take you to a love scene. He could take you dancing. He could take a great old standard and make you feel like you're right there in that song. Just an amazing voice, an amazing interpreter, an amazing man."
Even more importantly, Fakir noted, Stubbs "was dedicated to us. He had many chances and many offers to be lured away into his own solo world, but he never wanted that. He said, 'Man, all I really want to do is sing and take care of my family, and that's what I'm doing, so all is well. Everything else that doesn't include you guys, it doesn't mean a thing to me.' That kind of character and commitment is really hard to find these days."
Fakir said that he and the current Tops -- Roquel Payton (son of original Top Laurence Payton, who died in 1997), former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir -- intend to continue performing to honor the Tops' legacy.
"As long as people accept us delivering those songs as close to the original Four Tops as we can, we'll do it," he said. "There'll never be another Levi. We don't expect to replace a voice like that, or a personality like that. But we can keep singing his songs, 'cause the world should always hear them."
Reuters/Billboard
Indie producer seeks to buy Rogue Pictures
By Borys Kit
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Independent movie financier Relativity Media is in negotiations with Universal Pictures to acquire the assets of Rogue Pictures, the studio's genre label, for as much as $150 million.
The proposed deal would see Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity purchase more than 25 library titles, four upcoming films and more than 30 projects in development at Rogue, which was launched in 2004 as a division of Universal's Focus Features.
The deal, if completed, would allow Relativity to distribute the films it produces, as well as the Rogue titles it is acquiring, through Universal's distribution system.
As it moves beyond the hedge fund business to raise its own profile as a producer, Relativity has begun to produce movies separate from its slate investments at such studios as Universal and Sony. It has ramped up its own development activities, acquiring projects like "The Low Dweller," with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott attached. But until now, it has lacked a consistent way to distribute its own product.
Universal would continue to market and distribute the Rogue films that Relativity is acquiring, and Relativity would also be able to turn to Universal to handle other titles. Universal would get a distribution fee. Although a 12.5% fee had been discussed, Relativity could end up paying less than 10%, according to one source.
Since Rogue's activities will be continuing under new ownership, it is not immediately clear how the acquisition will affect the unit's current executives and employees.
The discussions have been taking place for several months and are reaching a critical phase in the wake of Universal's recently completed distribution pact with DreamWorks. Universal releases about 18-20 titles domestically each year, plus another six films from Focus and another four from Rogue. While it will now have to accommodate DreamWorks titles, the studio said last week that it will be able to handle the films from all its labels.
At the same time, it is seeking ways to cut costs after NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker last week ordered a companywide reduction of 3% in next year's budget.
Neither Relativity or Universal would comment Monday.
The purchase would cover Rogue films now in postproduction, which include "Fighting," starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard; Platinum Dunes' "Unborn," from writer-director David Goyer; Wes Craven's "25/8" and a remake of "Last House on the Left."
Relativity also would pick up the first-look deals Rogue has with Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes and horror veteran Wes Craven, while Universal would get first right of refusal, for a set period of time, for any sequels based on any of the movies released.
The Rogue library that Relativity would be acquiring includes 13 films, including this summer's hit "The Strangers."
Rogue's development slate numbers 32 projects, ranging from the adaptations of the video game "Castlevania" and the comic book "Hack/Slash" to the 1980s teen movie remake "Three O'Clock High" and "Strangers 2."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Independent movie financier Relativity Media is in negotiations with Universal Pictures to acquire the assets of Rogue Pictures, the studio's genre label, for as much as $150 million.
The proposed deal would see Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity purchase more than 25 library titles, four upcoming films and more than 30 projects in development at Rogue, which was launched in 2004 as a division of Universal's Focus Features.
The deal, if completed, would allow Relativity to distribute the films it produces, as well as the Rogue titles it is acquiring, through Universal's distribution system.
As it moves beyond the hedge fund business to raise its own profile as a producer, Relativity has begun to produce movies separate from its slate investments at such studios as Universal and Sony. It has ramped up its own development activities, acquiring projects like "The Low Dweller," with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott attached. But until now, it has lacked a consistent way to distribute its own product.
Universal would continue to market and distribute the Rogue films that Relativity is acquiring, and Relativity would also be able to turn to Universal to handle other titles. Universal would get a distribution fee. Although a 12.5% fee had been discussed, Relativity could end up paying less than 10%, according to one source.
Since Rogue's activities will be continuing under new ownership, it is not immediately clear how the acquisition will affect the unit's current executives and employees.
The discussions have been taking place for several months and are reaching a critical phase in the wake of Universal's recently completed distribution pact with DreamWorks. Universal releases about 18-20 titles domestically each year, plus another six films from Focus and another four from Rogue. While it will now have to accommodate DreamWorks titles, the studio said last week that it will be able to handle the films from all its labels.
At the same time, it is seeking ways to cut costs after NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker last week ordered a companywide reduction of 3% in next year's budget.
Neither Relativity or Universal would comment Monday.
The purchase would cover Rogue films now in postproduction, which include "Fighting," starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard; Platinum Dunes' "Unborn," from writer-director David Goyer; Wes Craven's "25/8" and a remake of "Last House on the Left."
Relativity also would pick up the first-look deals Rogue has with Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes and horror veteran Wes Craven, while Universal would get first right of refusal, for a set period of time, for any sequels based on any of the movies released.
The Rogue library that Relativity would be acquiring includes 13 films, including this summer's hit "The Strangers."
Rogue's development slate numbers 32 projects, ranging from the adaptations of the video game "Castlevania" and the comic book "Hack/Slash" to the 1980s teen movie remake "Three O'Clock High" and "Strangers 2."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Katie Holmes jazzes up 'Eli Stone'
If you're tuning in to "Eli Stone" (9 p.m. Tuesday, WLS-Ch. 7) just to see Katie Holmes, you won't have to wait long.She appears a few seconds into Tuesday's episode, doing a sultry jazz number (or at least lip-syncing to one). And she acquits herself nicely in the episode as a klutzy lawyer in whom Eli develops an interest.
Sure, the presence of Mrs. Tom Cruise is a bit of stunt-casting, something you'd expect during November sweeps. But "Eli Stone," which debuted last fall, is one of those middle-of-the-pack shows that is looking to increase its profile—and, of course, its ratings. Hence "Eli Stone" co-creator Greg Berlanti looked up Holmes, with whom he worked on "Dawson's Creek."
Will the gambit work? Who knows? In this episode, and in the season premiere that preceded it, this likable show demonstrated its strengths and weaknesses. And just to be clear, "Eli Stone's" main problem—persistent blandness around the edges—is no real impediment to enjoying this well-constructed dramedy.
Eli (Jonny Lee Miller) is a San Francisco attorney who discovered that he has a brain aneurysm. Not only could the brain defect end his life, it gives him psychic visions—and when that happens, there's often singing and dancing involved.
Though it's basically a legal drama, "Eli Stone" goes to a lot of trouble to not be just another legal drama. Actually, it is most accurate to describe "Eli Stone" as an emotional/legal/spiritual hybrid. When people on this show go to court, it's usually to work out some personal issue. Be warned: There is hugging.
Still, the courtroom setting gives "Eli Stone" the surprise entrances and exits, the grumpy judges and the legal terminology that make the whole enterprise seem pretty safe and familiar. At least the show's sly and frequent humor—one of its biggest pluses—make all the "I object, your honor!" stuff go down more easily.
And perhaps the familiarity of the legal setting is meant to offset the wackiness of the song-and-dance routines, but there seem to be fewer of those this season. As it stands now, this drama occupies the middle ground between the surreal "Boston Legal" and the matter-of-fact, almost impersonal "Law & Order." And as Eli, Miller carries the entire enterprise with admirable heart and panache.
Eli's abilities as a psychic are now widely known to his friends and co-workers, and that's not the only change this season. After an accident, Jordan Wethersby (Victor Garber) wants to pursue much more pro bono work, which is an about-face from his more practical attitude last season. Garber is one of the best things about this show; he’s got a delightful way with a putdown, and it should be interesting to watch this somewhat imperious character discover his softer side.
What’s not so great about this show is Eli’s ex-fiance, Taylor (Natasha Henstridge), who’s with a new guy, another associate at the firm. Miller has far more chemistry with Holmes in one episode than he had with Henstridge all last season. Taylor adds very little to the show.
My other beef is that the show’s take on spirituality is frequently pretty substance-free. Given that it’s about a man who allegedly speaks for God, the show can be irritatingly vague about what God actually wants (aside from Eli getting a lot of wins in court).
One of “Eli Stone’s” biggest pluses, however, is that it generally gives great guest star. Last week, Sigourney Weaver did a nicely understated job as Eli’s therapist. And this week, Ken Howard is excellent as the grieving father of a soldier who died in Iraq.
Like most ABC shows, "Eli Stone" could stand to prune its cast and deepen its writing. But that's focusing on the glass half empty. So let's just be glad that this good-hearted show made it through the previous TV season and "Big Shots" didn't.
Rating: Three stars
Sure, the presence of Mrs. Tom Cruise is a bit of stunt-casting, something you'd expect during November sweeps. But "Eli Stone," which debuted last fall, is one of those middle-of-the-pack shows that is looking to increase its profile—and, of course, its ratings. Hence "Eli Stone" co-creator Greg Berlanti looked up Holmes, with whom he worked on "Dawson's Creek."
Will the gambit work? Who knows? In this episode, and in the season premiere that preceded it, this likable show demonstrated its strengths and weaknesses. And just to be clear, "Eli Stone's" main problem—persistent blandness around the edges—is no real impediment to enjoying this well-constructed dramedy.
Eli (Jonny Lee Miller) is a San Francisco attorney who discovered that he has a brain aneurysm. Not only could the brain defect end his life, it gives him psychic visions—and when that happens, there's often singing and dancing involved.
Though it's basically a legal drama, "Eli Stone" goes to a lot of trouble to not be just another legal drama. Actually, it is most accurate to describe "Eli Stone" as an emotional/legal/spiritual hybrid. When people on this show go to court, it's usually to work out some personal issue. Be warned: There is hugging.
Still, the courtroom setting gives "Eli Stone" the surprise entrances and exits, the grumpy judges and the legal terminology that make the whole enterprise seem pretty safe and familiar. At least the show's sly and frequent humor—one of its biggest pluses—make all the "I object, your honor!" stuff go down more easily.
And perhaps the familiarity of the legal setting is meant to offset the wackiness of the song-and-dance routines, but there seem to be fewer of those this season. As it stands now, this drama occupies the middle ground between the surreal "Boston Legal" and the matter-of-fact, almost impersonal "Law & Order." And as Eli, Miller carries the entire enterprise with admirable heart and panache.
Eli's abilities as a psychic are now widely known to his friends and co-workers, and that's not the only change this season. After an accident, Jordan Wethersby (Victor Garber) wants to pursue much more pro bono work, which is an about-face from his more practical attitude last season. Garber is one of the best things about this show; he’s got a delightful way with a putdown, and it should be interesting to watch this somewhat imperious character discover his softer side.
What’s not so great about this show is Eli’s ex-fiance, Taylor (Natasha Henstridge), who’s with a new guy, another associate at the firm. Miller has far more chemistry with Holmes in one episode than he had with Henstridge all last season. Taylor adds very little to the show.
My other beef is that the show’s take on spirituality is frequently pretty substance-free. Given that it’s about a man who allegedly speaks for God, the show can be irritatingly vague about what God actually wants (aside from Eli getting a lot of wins in court).
One of “Eli Stone’s” biggest pluses, however, is that it generally gives great guest star. Last week, Sigourney Weaver did a nicely understated job as Eli’s therapist. And this week, Ken Howard is excellent as the grieving father of a soldier who died in Iraq.
Like most ABC shows, "Eli Stone" could stand to prune its cast and deepen its writing. But that's focusing on the glass half empty. So let's just be glad that this good-hearted show made it through the previous TV season and "Big Shots" didn't.
Rating: Three stars
Palin, and Fey, drop in on 'Saturday Night Live'
By Chris Michaud
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin put in a widely anticipated appearance on "Saturday Night Live," sharing the stage with a host of top stars including Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and of course Tina Fey, the former SNL star whose impression of Palin has garnered almost as much attention as the Alaska governor herself.
The TV show opened with a mock press conference in which Palin's spokesman requested that the press "don't write anything down."
Fey then appeared as Palin and tossed off a few remarks skewering the vice presidential candidate, such as "I am looking forward to a portion of your questions," a reference to her occasional practice of answering questions by addressing her own chosen topics.
Asked if her recent remarks about patriotic states meant there were any unpatriotic ones, Fey-as-Palin rattled off a list of Democratic-leaning states such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California. Listing swing states such as Ohio, she remarked that they could be either "pro or anti-American ... it's up to them."
The scene then switched backstage to the real Palin and the show's producer Lorne Michaels who were accosted by outspoken, left-leaning actor Baldwin, who said "Hey Tina" before proceeding to trash Palin.
The skit played off Fey's remarkable resemblance to Palin and seeming ability to channel her voice and manner, with Baldwin appearing to think he was talking to Fey while insulting Palin repeatedly. Informed by Michaels he was speaking to Palin herself, he quipped, "You are way hotter in person."
Baldwin, who co-stars on hit comedy TV show "30 Rock" with Fey, then left to whisper to Fey, at the press conference, that the real Palin was on hand. "What? The real one? Bye!" she said, fleeing. Palin then took her place.
"I'm not gonna take any of your questions," Palin said, "but I do wanna take this opportunity to say "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!" -- the show's trademark opening line. Continued...
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin put in a widely anticipated appearance on "Saturday Night Live," sharing the stage with a host of top stars including Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and of course Tina Fey, the former SNL star whose impression of Palin has garnered almost as much attention as the Alaska governor herself.
The TV show opened with a mock press conference in which Palin's spokesman requested that the press "don't write anything down."
Fey then appeared as Palin and tossed off a few remarks skewering the vice presidential candidate, such as "I am looking forward to a portion of your questions," a reference to her occasional practice of answering questions by addressing her own chosen topics.
Asked if her recent remarks about patriotic states meant there were any unpatriotic ones, Fey-as-Palin rattled off a list of Democratic-leaning states such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California. Listing swing states such as Ohio, she remarked that they could be either "pro or anti-American ... it's up to them."
The scene then switched backstage to the real Palin and the show's producer Lorne Michaels who were accosted by outspoken, left-leaning actor Baldwin, who said "Hey Tina" before proceeding to trash Palin.
The skit played off Fey's remarkable resemblance to Palin and seeming ability to channel her voice and manner, with Baldwin appearing to think he was talking to Fey while insulting Palin repeatedly. Informed by Michaels he was speaking to Palin herself, he quipped, "You are way hotter in person."
Baldwin, who co-stars on hit comedy TV show "30 Rock" with Fey, then left to whisper to Fey, at the press conference, that the real Palin was on hand. "What? The real one? Bye!" she said, fleeing. Palin then took her place.
"I'm not gonna take any of your questions," Palin said, "but I do wanna take this opportunity to say "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!" -- the show's trademark opening line. Continued...
Britney Spears’ Teary Night
Britney Spears’ Teary Night
Still hot on the trail of a major comeback, Britney Spears was spotted looking teary as she left a Hollywood, California dance studio last night (October 20).
The “Womanizer” songstress looked a bit distressed as she made her way outside, sporting a black jacket, multicolored tank top, black workout pants, and white sneakers, hiding her crying eyes behind black sunglasses.
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As for her current court case for driving without a valid California license, it seems the jury is deadlocked after a second day of deliberation.
The jury foreman indicated to press that after three votes, they had failed to come to a unanimous conclusion. He reportedly told the judge, “I think with each return to the assembly room, people become more entrenched in their position.”
Celebrity Gossip
Below are pictures of Britney Spears shedding tears as she left the dance studio last night (October 20).
Still hot on the trail of a major comeback, Britney Spears was spotted looking teary as she left a Hollywood, California dance studio last night (October 20).
The “Womanizer” songstress looked a bit distressed as she made her way outside, sporting a black jacket, multicolored tank top, black workout pants, and white sneakers, hiding her crying eyes behind black sunglasses.
");
//]]>-->
');
// -->
var spa_key = "840d03b02eb80dee993a4779c6f644b5";
var cfas= (document.location != top.location && document.height ");
As for her current court case for driving without a valid California license, it seems the jury is deadlocked after a second day of deliberation.
The jury foreman indicated to press that after three votes, they had failed to come to a unanimous conclusion. He reportedly told the judge, “I think with each return to the assembly room, people become more entrenched in their position.”
Celebrity Gossip
Below are pictures of Britney Spears shedding tears as she left the dance studio last night (October 20).
Anchorwoman Beaten, Stabbed in Home
'Daybreak' Anchorwoman in Stable but Critical Condition
By ANDREA CANNING and LEE FERRANOct. 21, 2008
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Little Rock, Ark., anchorwoman Anne Pressly's condition was upgraded to stable today after she was severely beaten and stabbed in her home.
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'Daybreak' Anchorwoman in Stable but Critical Condition
By ANDREA CANNING and LEE FERRANOct. 21, 2008
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By ANDREA CANNING and LEE FERRANOct. 21, 2008
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Little Rock, Ark., anchorwoman Anne Pressly's condition was upgraded to stable today after she was severely beaten and stabbed in her home.
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'Daybreak' Anchorwoman in Stable but Critical Condition
By ANDREA CANNING and LEE FERRANOct. 21, 2008
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Little Rock, Ark., anchorwoman Anne Pressly's condition was upgraded to stable today after she was severely beaten and stabbed in her home.
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Barack Obama to visit ill grandmother Madelyn Dunham
Race suspended as he travels to Hawaii
By Christi Parsons and John McCormick Chicago Tribune correspondents
October 21, 2008
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, in 1979 gets a hug during his high school graduation in Hawaii from his maternal grandparents, Stanley Armour Dunham and Madelyn Payne, both natives of Kansas. (Photo courtesy Obama campaign)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Barack Obama will suspend his presidential campaign for part of two days this week to return to his native Hawaii to be at the side of his gravely ill grandmother, a campaign aide said Monday.Madelyn Dunham, 85, was released from a hospital late last week and returned to her home in Honolulu with a health condition the aide described as "very serious."Obama's decision to cancel campaign events "underscores the seriousness of the situation," senior aide Robert Gibbs told reporters during an evening flight after a campaign event in Orlando.As the Illinois Democrat recounted in his memoirs, Dunham, his maternal grandmother, acted in many ways as a surrogate parent.
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Grandmother Dunham
Obama to hold Election Night rally in Chicago
Socialists: Obama not
Barack Obama photos: The early years Photos
Barack Obama Watch
• Obama profile • Obama blog • Campaign tracker• Interviews • Your Obama IQ • Photo galleries
Following the Senator's run Video
Election 2008 The Swamp The latest on national politics from the Tribune's D.C. blog. Clout Street Local and state politics Politics Coverage of local and national races. Compare candidates• VoteGopher: Find a match John McCain • Profile• Photo gallery • Quiz Barack Obama • His youth • Photo galleries • Quiz Photos• The latest • Primaries • Your photos Video• Campaign trail ContributionsWho's giving money to whom? Calendar• Candidate tracker • Upcoming elections The numbers • Delegate counts-->• Electoral College map • Swing states
By Christi Parsons and John McCormick Chicago Tribune correspondents
October 21, 2008
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, in 1979 gets a hug during his high school graduation in Hawaii from his maternal grandparents, Stanley Armour Dunham and Madelyn Payne, both natives of Kansas. (Photo courtesy Obama campaign)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Barack Obama will suspend his presidential campaign for part of two days this week to return to his native Hawaii to be at the side of his gravely ill grandmother, a campaign aide said Monday.Madelyn Dunham, 85, was released from a hospital late last week and returned to her home in Honolulu with a health condition the aide described as "very serious."Obama's decision to cancel campaign events "underscores the seriousness of the situation," senior aide Robert Gibbs told reporters during an evening flight after a campaign event in Orlando.As the Illinois Democrat recounted in his memoirs, Dunham, his maternal grandmother, acted in many ways as a surrogate parent.
Video
Related links
Grandmother Dunham
Obama to hold Election Night rally in Chicago
Socialists: Obama not
Barack Obama photos: The early years Photos
Barack Obama Watch
• Obama profile • Obama blog • Campaign tracker• Interviews • Your Obama IQ • Photo galleries
Following the Senator's run Video
Election 2008 The Swamp The latest on national politics from the Tribune's D.C. blog. Clout Street Local and state politics Politics Coverage of local and national races. Compare candidates• VoteGopher: Find a match John McCain • Profile• Photo gallery • Quiz Barack Obama • His youth • Photo galleries • Quiz Photos• The latest • Primaries • Your photos Video• Campaign trail ContributionsWho's giving money to whom? Calendar• Candidate tracker • Upcoming elections The numbers • Delegate counts-->• Electoral College map • Swing states
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