Entertainment

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Update on SAG negotiations & location filming in Burbank

     Those long-running Screen Actors Guild negotiations appear to be stalled in a nowhere zone. The most recent press release posted on SAG’s website is dated August 15 and it claims “informal discussions” are happening. Ah, but wait, over on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ website a posted statement denies there are ANY talks underway.  Not a good […]
Monday, August 18, 2008

“Tropic Thunder” rolls by “The Dark Knight”

After four weeks of riding high as the number one film in the country, “The Dark Knight” got bumped down a notch over the weekend. The new adult comedy “Tropic Thunder” debuted in first place with an estimated $26 million. It opened on Wednesday, so those additional screenings lifted the comedy’s total to about $37 million. The Batman sequel rang up around $16.8 million […]
Friday, August 15, 2008

More sad news in the music industry

The producer of Bob Dylan’s Grammy-winning album “Slow Train Coming” as well as great R&B hits like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman,” died today – Jerry Wexler was 91. Wexler was considered a giant in the music industry because of his far-reaching influence. He helped shape the music of the 50s, 60s, 70s, […]
Friday, August 15, 2008

Soul Notes

  I got e-mails this week from Dee Dee Brown about some upcoming soulful events in the Southland.  The 4th Annual Summer Soul Jam will be kicking up a groove with a talented line-up on Saturday, August 16, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Par Three Golf Course in Compton. Scheduled to perform are Grammy-winning singer Jody Watley, Anthony Hamilton, […]
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Hilary Swank to produce romantic comedy

Google Image The book sold more than three million copies in the U.S. and worldwide, now two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has bought movie rights to “French Women Don’t Get Fat.”   In the snappy diet book, former champagne executive Mireille Guiliano shares her philosophy on how French women manage to drink wine and eat calorie-rich foods and still stay slim. […]
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Singer Isaac Hayes pronounced dead at a hospital today

The entertainment industry took another painful hit today.  Legendary singer, songwriter, and arranger Isaac Hayes reportedly was found in his home unconscious by a relative today. Attempts to revive Hayes by paramedics and later at a Memphis hospital failed.  Hayes got his big break as a studio musician at the famous Stax Records in Memphis, where he wrote songs for […]
Saturday, August 9, 2008

Two Bernies have left the Hollywood room

Comic/Actor Bernie Mac dies at the age of 50 There’s a little less laughter in Hollywood today. Actor/comedian Bernie Mac died in a Chicago hospital this morning, after what his publicist says were complications brought on by pneumonia. Cool Mac was an original. He could set up and deliver a joke with impeccable timing or crack-up an audience with just a look. […]
Friday, August 8, 2008

The Police call it quits in New York City

Madison Square Garden Another great band has taken final bows and left the stage. The Police wrapped its reunion tour and last concert with a New York City fundraiser at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, August 7, 2008.  Bassist/vocalist Sting, drummer Stewart Copeland, and guitarist Andy Summers got back together for the reunion tour after taking a break from performing in1986. The […]
Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Screenplay deals

Another superhero project is on the fast track to the Big Screen. Recently, Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson sold a pitch called, “The Transplants” to Walt Disney Pictures for mid-six against high-six figures. The action-adventure comedy focuses on four superheroes. I know, the logline is lacking in details, but this very brief description of the story is all that is […]