Hollywood Highlights

Thursday, June 20, 2013

James Gandolfini dies in Italy leaves behind unfinished business

The extraordinary actor who made the mobster Tony Soprano both tough and sexy, James Gandolfini, is being remembered today. Gandolfini died yesterday. He was only 51. A heart attack is suspected, but the official word will come after an autopsy. Gandolfini was reportedly on a father-son-vacation in Italy when tragedy struck. His eight grader son, Michael, reportedly found his father […]
Thursday, June 20, 2013

Disney expansion project clears major hurdle

Another major studio expansion project is working its way through the political process. Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch revamp was approved by the Los Angeles Regional Planning Commission yesterday. Last April, NBCUniversal got the go ahead from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for its  $1.6 billion 25-year Evolution Plan, which the studio says will generate 30,000 jobs. Disney’s Golden […]
Wednesday, June 19, 2013

“Iron Man 3” reaches another milestone

  The new superhero films are making a ton of money and the prime summer movie season is just starting. In its debut, “The Man of Steel,” grabbed the number one spot and millions at the box office over the weekend. “The Man of Steel” had the best June opening and the second best debut this year behind “Iron Man […]
Monday, June 17, 2013

Two more sequels for “The Amazing Spider-Man”

Sony Pictures made a big announcement  today about one of its biggest franchises, Spider-Man. Last year, “The Amazing Spider-Man” earned more than $750 million worldwide. A sequel is in  production in New York right now and is due out next May. A news release from Sony Pictures revealed the dates for two more sequels in June 2016 and May 2018. […]
Monday, June 10, 2013

Tony Awards 2013:”Kinky Boots” and high TV ratings

  The Internet is buzzing about  the 67th Annual Tony Awards kicking butt in the ratings last night. The celebration of Broadway’s best drew 7.24 million viewers, up 20 percent over last year. “Kinky Boots,” the musical filled with drag queens and big dreams, danced away with the largest haul — six Tonys — including best score for 1980’s rocker, […]
Thursday, June 6, 2013

Archie and the gang headed to the big screen

  The forever teenyboppers, Archie, Veronica, and Betty are apparently headed to the big screen. Warner Bros. has worked out a movie deal with Archie Comics, according to an exclusive report on Deadline.com. Comic books are fertile territory for films and the superhero flicks have made millions at the box office. It will be interesting to see what kind of […]
Thursday, May 23, 2013

Did “Star Trek Into Darkness” stumble at the box office?

“Star Trek Into Darkness” opened in the number one spot last weekend and has made a ton of money at the box office. The sci-fi flick will rack up millions more during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Yet, the sequel to “Star Trek” (2009) has disappointed. It’s opening weekend take of $70 million fell far short of “Iron Man […]
Wednesday, May 22, 2013

World’s most powerful women: Oprah, Beyonce, and Hillary are on the list

  Forbes is out with a list of the females who wheel the most power in 2013. Some high-profile women made the list like First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Knowles, and Hillary Clinton. Also making the grade, Diane Sawyer, Meg Whitman, Angelina Jolie, Dian von Furstenberg, and Arianna Huffington. However, the woman who rated the number one spot, […]
Friday, May 17, 2013

Donate to a good cause and get your script read by a Hollywood insider

A great campaign with heart and a rare chance for talented screenwriters — some of them right here in the Media City. I’m talking about a twofer Hollywood style. Here’s how it works. Make a contribution to the American Heart Association and get your script read by Daniel Vang — a manager at one of Tinseltown’s top production and management […]