Simon Cowell is at home battling bronchitis, UK X-Factor judge Louis Walshis filling in for Kansas City, Missouri check…
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
While Simon Cowell is at home battling bronchitis, UK X-Factor…
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Box Office Report: 'Prometheus,' 'Madagascar 3' Prompt Moviegoing Spike
After a sluggish few weeks, moviegoing soared on Friday as Ridley Scott’ssci-fi epic Prometheus and family tentpole Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted entered the domestic marketplace.
Prometheus, from 20th Century Fox, edged out Madagascar 3 to win the Friday race with $21.4 million. The pic is now expected to earn a better-than-expected $52 million to $54 million for the weekend.
That won’t, but, be enough to keep up with DreamWorks Animation and Dominant’ s Madagascar 3, which grossed $20.5 million on Friday for a $61 million weekend. The movie is another win for the successful franchise, and is benefiting from the pent-up demand for family product.
Early estimates indicate that weekend revenues will be up a massive 180 percent over the same frame last year when Super 8 opened.
Madagascar 3 — returningBen Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith andDavid Schwimmer in the lead voice roles — earned a glowing A CinemaScore and is generally the theater on par with the before two franchise installments.
Headlining Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron,Prometheus earned a B CinemaScore and appealed solidly to men (box office observers will be watching to see if the CinemaScore impacts word of mouth).
Fox and Scott are hoping that Prometheus launches a franchise, similar to Scott’s blockbuster Alien series. Prometheus cost $130 million to produce after tax incentives and, unlike most summer tentpoles, is rated R.
Prometheus’ Friday yucky included $3.6 million in Thursday midnight runs, including a stellar $1 million from 294 Imax locations.
Prometheus and Madagascar 3 also are doing healthy business overseas.Prometheus started rolling out internationally last weekend, and has grossed north of $70 million through Friday.
Elsewhere at the domestic box office, Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman (also starring Theron) placed No. 3 on Friday, falling 63 percent from its opening Friday to an estimated $7.5 million for a projected $24 million weekend and putting its domestic cume at unevenly $100 million.
Sony’s Men in Black 3 came in No. 4, grossing $4.2 million for a domestic total of $126.2 million. Through Friday, the threequel has grossed north of $442 million worldwide.
The Avengers continues to land high up on the box office chart, placing No. 5 on Friday with an estimated $3.3 million. The Disney and Marvel Studios film has earned north of $564 million domestically.
Fox Searchlight specialty pic The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel grew its domestic cume to $28.7 million on Friday, and came in No. 6 with $935,000.
Alec Baldwin Talks About His Gay Kiss with Russell Brand at 'Rock of Ages' Premiere
Warner Bros and New Line brought back the 1980s to Hollywood, throwing a rare Friday night premiere for Rock of Ages that saw Me Decade icons Poison and Def Leppard hit a stage at the after-party.
Tom Cruise steals the movie and stole a lot of the attention on the Boulevard, but one scene that may get tongues wagging, especially in the current climate everywhere gays rights are being fought over by lawmakers, involves Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand (it’s in the stage musical, so it’s not a spoiler), whose characters reveal their like to each other via the REO Speedwagon song “Cant Fight This Feeling,” capped with a passionate kiss.
At the after-party, in between the rock acts, Baldwin played down the significance of the kiss sequence, describing it as done for comedy and surprise.
“Its not like Brokeback Mountain, its not two leading men who you are used to getting it down with some gorgeous young girl, he said. Its a small more chaste because Im older (than Brand).
But he admitted there is a subtext in the scenes that werent there when he filmed them because of current socio-political events.
“We live in an age, and Im being imprecise here, everywhere half the country gets it, and the other half doesnt, he said. I live everywhere men and women who want to get married, who gives a shit? No one gives it a thought. Its like seeing women in power. Or like seeing African American CEOs. Were in a fully realized age of equality in all equipment and its not surprising or new. But there is that other half for whom that is surprising and new.
He added that he has spent a lot of time in Europe, which seems more relaxed about gay issues. America is still a place everywhere people are fighting these culture wars.”
For director Adam Shankman, the movie is ultimately about couples finding like, with Baldwin and Brand just one of the couples.
“The truth is, when we were making it, that wasnt what was in our heads, Shankman said. But its being legitimized by what is happening now. It makes it more relevant and underlines it.
Brave: Film Review
The season’s latest figure destined to boost the demand for kids’ archery education, Courageous may disappoint many ardent Pixar loyalists even as simultaneously delighting ancient-time Disney fans.
The 13th animated figure from the world’s most consistently successful film company is its initially set in that version of the past forever favored by Disney, that of princesses, kings, queens, witches, evil spells and prankish lesser characters. For all its pictorial and vocal beauty, the film’s emotional line and dramatic contrivances are both more familiar and less inventive than what’s usually delivered by the studio. Younger kids won’t mind but many viewers accustomed to relying upon Pixar for something special will feel a sense of letdown due to the lack of adventurousness. A muscular box office ride is virtually a given.
PHOTOS: 28 of Summer’s Most Anticipated Movies: ‘Avengers,’ ‘Dark Knight,’ ‘Prometheus’
Part of the problem is that Courageous by no means becomes the film that seems to be promised at the outset. After a gorgeous and eventful prologue in which flaming-maned Scottish princess Merida receives an archery bow for her birthday, glimpses blue will-o’-the-wisps floating through the forest and sees her father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly), lose a leg to a ferocious bear, the action jumps ahead to her adolescence and her obligation to get married.
Under the austere tutelage of loving but demanding mother Elinor (Emma Thomson), Merida (Kelly Macdonald) has learned the necessities but is a wild lass at heart, desperate for her days off when she can ride off on horseback and perfect her archery. As for wedding ceremony, nothing could be less appealing: I don’t want my life to be over, she rails to her mother. I want my freedom.
One look at the top suitors offered up by the three other leading clans and you can see what she means; they’re the three stooges of Scotland, whose beefy kinsmen would quicker brawl than shake your hand. Once Merida shows them all up in an archery contest and her mad mother tosses her daughter’s prize bow in the fireplace, the headstrong girl takes off on her enormous steed, Angus.
VIDEO: Full ‘Courageous’ Trailer: Pixar Shows Off Scotland and an Epic, Animated Hairdo
It stands to reason that this initially half-hour sets up expectations of a tale in some way involving a renegade princess, distress among the clans and/or a mysterious adventure involving the wisps and some Stonehenge-like arrangements that come into play. The left-turn full by the script co-authored byMark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman and Irene Mecchi, from a tale by Chapman, who co-directed with Andrews, might be embraced by those reassured by the familiar. But it’s a go that channels the film into startlingly well-worn territory, that of a conventionally incapable and whiskered ancient witch (Julie Walters) keen to cast a spell to grant Merida’s wish to change her mother so as to alter her own fate.
The spell, lo and behold, turns Elinor into an enormous bear, one that retains Elinor’s brain and heart but cannot speak. Thus ensues a lot of not-so-hot slapstick as bear Elinor knocks about in quarters too small for her and tries to communicate even as Merida feels remorse and endeavors to reverse the spell.
What results is a film that starts off huge and promising but diminishes into a rather wee thing as it chugs along, with climactic drama that is both too conveniently wrapped up and hinges on magical elements that are somewhat confusing to boot. Not only is the tale laden with standard-issue fairy tale and familiar girl empowerment tropes, but the full project lacks the imaginative leaps, unexpected jokes and sense of fun and wonder that habitually set Pixar productions apart from the pack. Its thoughts seem Earthbound.
On a sensory level, but, Courageous is nearly entirely a delight. The wild beauty of Scotland, of the verdant forests and the craggy peaks, is lovingly rendered with a gorgeous palette of painterly colors and in very agreeable 3D. Even better, the voicings here are among the most exceptional and pleasurable of any animated film you might care to name. Working in pronounced Scottish accents that, to be sure, don’t approach the often undecipherable ones heard in Ken Loach films, Scottish actors Macdonald and Connolly are a joy to listen to, as is Thompson, even if too many of the conversations are argumentative in a repetitive vein. Patrick Doyle‘s active and resourceful score is another major plus in a film that has played it safe instead of taking probability and going for something new.
Venue: Sydney Film Festival (opening night)
Opens: June 22 (Disney)
Manufacture: Pixar Animation Studios
Voice cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Sally Kinghom, Eilidh Fraser, Peigi Barker, Steven Cree, Steve Purcell, Callum O’Neill, Patrick Doyle, John Ratzenberger
Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Co-director: Steve Purcell
Screenwriters: Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi, tale by Brenda Chapman
Producer: Katherine Sarafian
Executive producers: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
Directors of photography: Robert Anderson (camera), Danielle Feinberg (lighting)
Manufacture designer: Steve Pilcher
Editor: Nicholas C. Smith
Composition: Patrick Doyle
PG rating, 93 minutes
Opens: June 22 (Disney)
Manufacture: Pixar Animation Studios
Voice cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Sally Kinghom, Eilidh Fraser, Peigi Barker, Steven Cree, Steve Purcell, Callum O’Neill, Patrick Doyle, John Ratzenberger
Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Co-director: Steve Purcell
Screenwriters: Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi, tale by Brenda Chapman
Producer: Katherine Sarafian
Executive producers: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
Directors of photography: Robert Anderson (camera), Danielle Feinberg (lighting)
Manufacture designer: Steve Pilcher
Editor: Nicholas C. Smith
Composition: Patrick Doyle
PG rating, 93 minutes
What an evening it was for songstress Katy Perry! The singer–who…
What an evening it was for songstress Katy Perry!
The singer–who is currently enjoying her tim…
Madonna: 'You Don't Have To Show Nipples To Be Interesting'
Madonna has been caught contradicting herself in a January interview, suggesting she's not a fan of pop stars who flash their breasts onstage.
Appearing to take aim at Janet Jackson, who infamously exposed a nipple during her half-time performance at the 2004 Super Bowl, the Material Girl told one TV reporter she was against the idea of flashing flesh to get attention - something she did in Turkey on Thursday night during a gig in Istanbul.
In an interview clip from the W.E. press tour, obtained by ShowbizRaw.com, Madonna said, "You don't have to show nipples to be interesting. It doesn't necessarily mean you're cutting edge if you do, right?"
The defiant pop superstar peeled down her bra for a striptease sequence during her performance of Human Nature to reveal a bare right breast and then turned her back on the audience to reveal a temporary tattoo that read 'NO FEAR'.
Carrie Underwood Comes Out In Support Of Same-Sex Marriage
Country singer Carrie Underwood has voiced her support of the legalization of gay marriage in the U.S.
The former American Idol champion, who is a devout Christian, insists her own marriage to hockey player Mike Fisher has made her believe all American citizens should be allowed to marry who they want.
She tells The Independent newspaper, "As a married person myself, I don't know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love, and want to marry. I can't imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love."
Underwood reveals her non-denominational church accepts both gay and straight worshippers, insisting it's not a Christian's place to judge.
She adds, "Our church is gay friendly. Above all, God wanted us to love others. It's not about setting rules, or (saying) 'everyone has to be like me'. No. We're all different. That's what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It's not up to me to judge anybody."
President Barack Obama endorsed same-sex marriage across America last month, receiving praise from stars like Mia Farrow, former supermodel Tyra Banks and lesbians Ellen DeGeneres and Chely Wright.
Commercial Audition Freaks Cranky Out
Cranky had a commercial audition this week. And without fail, commercial auditions are completely fucking retarded. Seriously.
And of course when I got up in the morning there was a mystery bump on my face. Mystery bumps always seem to pop out the day of an on camera audition. Why why why?
Had an appointment at Three of Us Studios. Get there and it is a morass of women of the same age range on a serpentine line just to sign in. Really? Everyone is Asian except for me and one other gal – so I know we are the token Caucasians. Just so the NAACP doesn’t come down on them. National Association of Caucasian Persons. Because the Caucasian middle age white ladies really do need help in the commercial world. Actually this one needs mental help to make it through the audition.
At sign in I am given a board with my name and a number. Then I am brought into the room with eight other women and lined up against the wall to wait my turn. The stone face clients are sitting behind a table. Nobody is saying nothing. You can hear a pin drop in the room. Really? If I am going to make an ass of myself auditioning for your commercial, at least act like you are engaged. The room is dim. The nervousness of each woman as they take their turn in front of the camera is palpable. They are rushing because they are behind. So nurturing for artists, you think?
A woman whose job description I think is “herder” keeps coming in and shoving us down the wall to make room for more victims.
Finally it is Cranky’s turn. Cranky hates reverent silence and must be irreverent at all costs to feel like a semblance of herself. The camera guy asks me to hold the board under my face while he takes my picture. I lock eyes with him and say, “You know this all feels very Nick Nolte.” At least I made him laugh and broke the horrible horrible silence. “I know,” he says, “just don’t let it show on your face.” Then I turn for the profile shot. Then a close up of my hands. OH NO! Not the hands! My nails and cuticles look like they’ve been through a blender. I had a friend who went out for a lot of commercials, and every time she had a call to go on, got a facial and a manicure the day before. Now I know why, but I’m not sure if working in commercials ended up profitable for her.
But the hands were not the worst of it. Next was the video camera. “State your name, your agency and give us your best dance moves.” Your best dance moves in a silent room with the stone face people. YOUR BEST DANCE MOVES! This, as they say in “Tropic Thunder” is FULL RETARD. But it pays pays pays. So Cranky hears the song Money, Money, Money in her head and dances to it. In retrospect, my dance moves were a bit too pole dancey for the mom in a cell phone commercial. Yeah I guess they were. But I closed my eyes and went for it. The specter of dollar bills dancing in my head.
As I was leaving, I pass a room that was auditioning kids for a commercial. The kids are all hanging out by the door to the audition room, and there is actually a girl of about eight wearing a black sequined beret. How sad. Actor kids are such freakazoids. Take your kid home and let them play after school and get dirty. The precious actor thing looks kinda unnatural on a kid, you know? It is bad enough on adults. Of which I admit I am one.
And now it is Saturday and now it is over and I think I will spring for eight bucks and get a manicure. Because us freakazoid actors always have to be ready as they say.
Cranky As Divorcee
Cranky is in transition. And women in transition have to be careful. I’ve seen it before. A woman used to having a man around will settle for the nearest thing at hand just to fill the newly emptied space in her life. I had a friend who lost her husband at age 40 and dated wildly inappropriate men for a while. Seriously, she would have brought home the Hunchback of Notre Dam. The Hunchback could have been sitting in her living room drooling and she would look at him and think, “I can make this work. From some angles he looks OK. He’s not so bad in this light.”
So I know I must be careful not to fall into cliché newly divorced will date weirdoes category.
Last night when I was walking my little black dog down the street I reached the corner and saw a busboy who was getting off duty from the local pub. “Hello” he said. “Hi” I said back and continued on. Two blocks later he pulled up beside me on his bicycle. “You bootiful lady,” he says, “you have boyfriend?”
And for a moment time freezes and I wonder what would happen if I took Jose home? I flash forward in my mind to mornings a month from now. I am leaving for work in the morning. “Did you make the beds Jose? What are you making for dinner tonight? Don’t forget to do the dishes.” (His specialty) Sort of Brooklyn version of a pool boy. And we would never fight because he can’t understand a fucking word I say. I could make this work. Maybe I could.
But I remember my friend who brought home young boys from the Jersey Shore and looked ridiculous.
I come back to reality and hear his words in my head, “You have boyfriend?” “No,” I answer, “We broke up. I’m in mourning, I can’t talk.”
He looks at me with a confused look and drives his bicycle away. I know it was a ridiculous thing to say, but sometimes Cranky just says things to entertain herself.
Photos Of Deena Nicole Cortese Getting Out Of Jail!
On Sunday, "Jersey Shore" star Deena Nicole Cortese was bailed out of jail by her parents after being arrested for disorderly conduct in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Now we have the pictures!
Police arrested the unruly reality star after an officer saw her acting "a little intoxicated." She was spotted standing in the middle of a street and slapping cars that were driving by. We're sure the drivers were very unhappy about that.
If anything, the incident will make some good TV when MTV airs the episode
Spotted: Jennifer Aniston In Paris With Justin Theroux
Jennifer looked casual in baggy jeans, a navy blue blazer and white sneakers. Justin was biker chic in a leather jacket, black jeans and motorcycle boots. The couple have been dating since last year, when they met on the set of "Wanderlust."
Jennifer stars in the upcoming film "Miss You Already" with Toni Collette about two women whose friendship is tested when one starts a family and the other gets ill.
Maria Menounos Sexually Abused By Two Doctors
During a candid interview with Howard Stern for his Sirius satellite radio show on Monday, "Extra" host Maria Menounos revealed that she has a strong fear of doctors - and not for the usual reasons such as needles or getting back test results - but because she's had more than one of them touch her in a sexual way.
The Dancing With The Stars finalist told Stern that one time during a visit to a physician the doc asked her to change into a hospital gown, and then started to fondle her private parts when he returned to the exam room-- while she was there for a throat ailment.
Maria, who was joined by boyfriend of 14 years Kevin Undargaro, tells Stern, "I was really young, so I was so uncomfortable. Kevin was in the waiting room and I literally started screaming...
"I was just so uncomfortable I didn't know what to do."
And the incident wasn't the only time it's happened to her in the past - she also shared a story of a former gynecologist who once touched and compliment her belly-button piercing, something she found a little awkward.
She says she now takes her boyfriend into the exam room with her during all of her doctor's visits.
On a lighter not, aside from the stories of sexual abuse & harassment, Maria and Kevin were grilled by the America's Got Talent judge on his favorite subject: sex.
Stern, naturally, asked for details about the couple's sex life and got Kevin to share one of the couple's intimate secrets - that Maria likes to be choked whenever she has an orgasm.
Stern also inquired as to whether or not anything happened between Maria and her Dancing With The Stars partner Derek Hough, but she said that although the two remain friends, nothing happened.
And if anything did, Kevin doesn't want to know about it.
"You know what, Howard? I just put my mind on other things," he said. "It’s A: I trust Maria, and B: what can I do?"
'Mad Men's' Fifth Season Finale Drew Biggest Audience Ever
For AMC, "Mad Men" has been a resounding success. And now the show has added another feather to its cap.
On the fifth season finale on Sunday night, 2.7 million viewers tuned in to see how Don, Peter, Joan, Roger et al dealt with the suicide of their colleague Lane Pryce, according to The Telegraph.
This season an average of 2.6 million people tuned in to each episode, an increase of 15 percent over the fourth season. It's rare for a show that's been around so long to draw additional viewers. Some credit the long stretch between seasons and the availability of previous seasons on DVD and Netflix for the increase.
The fifth season covered cheating spouses, LSD trips, fist fights, and other office politics.
The show's creator Matthew Weiner said in a statement about the ratings, "We make 'Mad Men' for the fans. My goal is to tell a compelling story and entertain people and it thrills me that people keep watching."
Photo Credits: AMC
Cancer Survivor Kathryn Joosten Says Smokers On 'Mad Men' Set Bad Example
Two-time cancer survivor Kathryn Joosten is calling for "Mad Men" bosses to air a warning about the hazards of smoking before characters light up on the hit drama.
The "Desperate Housewives" star stamped out her 45-year smoking habit in 2001 after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was told she had the deadly disease again last year and underwent surgery before being declared cancer-free in January.
The 70 year old admits she's worried that the characters in "Mad Men," about the advertising industry in 1960s New York, set a bad example for viewers by frequently puffing away on cigarettes.
And the actress is urging producers to address the issue with an official caution.
She tells EOnline.com, "I think they should at least have a disclaimer at the front of the show saying smoking is relevant to the time and place with the subject matter we're dealing with and it is not recommended because it causes cancer. They should at least do that."
Joosten also wants TV executives to pay for annual chest X-rays "for any member of the cast and crew who wants one."
'Desperate Housewives' Actress Kathryn Joosten Dies At 72
Desperate Housewives star Kathryn Joosten died on Saturday at her home in Westlake Village, California, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 72.
Joosten's agent, Nadine Jolson, confirmed the news with E! Online on Saturday; saying, "Kathryn passed away this morning after a valiant fight against her cancer. Her family was with her. Funeral arrangements are pending. This is a terrible loss, and she fought as hard as she could."
The actress began her career as a nurse in her home town of Chicago, Ill. before turning to acting at the age of 42.
Best known for her role as meddling neighbor Karen McCluskey on Desperate Housewives; who - ironically - lost her battle with lung cancer on the series finale just weeks ago; Joosten won a pair of Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her recurring role on the show.
She also became known for her role as the President's secretary Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing; and she also starred in numerous TV series, including My Name Is Earl, Monk, Grey's Anatomy, Las Vegas, The Closer, Scrubs and Ally McBeal. Her recent feature film credits include the role of Mrs. Dixon in Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories, and as the mobility scooter-riding Aunt Jackie Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
Joosten also served as the national spokesperson for drug company Pfizer's Lung Cancer Profiles campaign. She beat the disease twice in the past before finally losing her third battle over the weekend.
The star is survived by two sons, Jonathan and Timothy, who released the following statement: "The family of Kathryn Joosten, two-time Emmy winner, long-time Governor of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, lung cancer advocate, and so much more, regrets to announce that Kathryn succumbed to her 11-year battle with lung cancer today, June 2, 2012, surrounded by love and humor til the end. Thanks to everyone for their love and support. We are laughing through our tears. We love you, Kathy, thanks for everything."
Desperate Housewives co-star Felicity Huffman paid tribute to her co-star via Twitter on Saturday night, writing, "Rest in peace, she was an amazing woman and a wonderful actress."
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