Hollywood Highlights

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Horror trumps romance at the holiday Box Office

On this Valentine’s Day weekend most of the moviegoers were not looking for hearts, flowers, and romance. Surprisingly, the biggest crowds opted for a good fright by packing the theaters to see the new version of  “Friday the 13th.” This horror re-make of the bloody adventures of the machete wielding killer, Jason Voorhees, pulled in an estimated $42 million over the weekend to become […]
Friday, February 13, 2009

Jennifer Hudson wins big at the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards

Academy Award winning actress/singer Jennifer Hudson has to find a place to display some more trophies today. Last night, Hudson won the outstanding new artist, best album for “Jennifer Hudson,” and shared the win with Fantasia for outstanding duo, group collaboration for “I’m His Only Woman” at the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards. Also, Hudson stars in the 2008 drama, “The Secret Life of […]
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SAG and AMPTP talks back on again

      The Screen Actors Guild and the representatives from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are heading back to the bargaining table, according to a joint statement that appeared on the SAG website yesterday. The brief statement is below.  “Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have agreed to meet on February 17 and 18, […]
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Grammy surprises, Chris Brown and that domestic violence investigation

 Two days after the 51st Grammy Awards ceremony the talk is not about who won, but about two stars  who skipped out on the affair Sunday night at Staples Center. In a surprise to a lot of folks ( me included), Robert Plant, the veteran rocker from “Led Zeppelin,” and bluegrass singer Alison Krauss won five Grammys including the top prize of album […]
Sunday, February 8, 2009

A new romantic comedy tops the Box Office

  Jennifer Aniston stars in “He’s Just Not That Into You”                                                                                                                                     Moviegoers were really into romance this weekend, which pushed new film, “He’s Just Not That Into You” to the top of the Box Office. The relationship flick follows the romantic antics of several couples. “He’s Just Not That Into You” barreled right over the competition to earn an estimated […]
Sunday, February 8, 2009

“Slumdog Millionaire” wins another big award

                                                                             “Slumdog Millionaire,” the rags-to-riches story produced on a mini-budget, has scored another huge victory among the top Hollywood awards. Last night, Simon Beaufoy won the best adapted screenplay honor for “Slumdog Millionaire” at the 2009 Writers Guild Awards. The film is based on the novel, “Q&A” by Vikas Swarup. The 2009 Writers Guild Awards were handed out simultaneously at ceremonies in Los Angeles and […]
Friday, February 6, 2009

“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” still a hot ticket in stormy weather

   A cold winter storm pounded Burbank yesterday afternoon as I drove by the NBC Studios at Alameda and Olive Avenues. Along the side the building, huddling under the overhang, a long line of folks waiting to get into “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” A miserable day to be standing outside, but I can understand the dedication. Leno’s days on […]
Wednesday, February 4, 2009

SAG legal battle set for a second round in court tomorrow

Battling parties in the Screen Actors Guild are scheduled to go before a Los Angeles Superior Court judge again tomorrow. Yesterday, the judge ruled a lawsuit filed by SAG President Alan Rosenberg and three others was defective. Rosenberg , SAG First V.P. Anne-Marie Johnson, National Board member Diane Ladd, and National Board member Kent McCord were scheduled to re-file their suit tomorrow. The Rosenberg group wants to reinstate […]
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

SAG and AMPTP contract talks abruptly canceled

        Instead of meeting with the big studio representatives, the Screen Actors Guild will be dealing with its own legal drama today. Last night, SAG canceled negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers set for today and tomorrow. The reason, SAG’s bitter in-fighting has now moved to the courts. Media sites such as Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood […]