Entertainment.

[yudansha]

It's back to the boardroom for The Apprentice; NBC reveals latest contestants

NEW YORK (AP) - On your mark. Get set. You're fired!

Donald Trump attends a press conference in the Trump Tower Building. (AP/Jennifer Graylock, File)​

NBC has revealed the contestants on the second season of The Apprentice. The lineup, without last names, was released in a statement Friday and on the first-season DVD bonus materials.

"If we had A-type people in season one, we have triple A-type people in season two," said executive producer Mark Burnett on the DVD.

In the second Apprentice outing, which will have its 90-minute premiere Sept. 9, there are 18 contestants, two more than last season. Four of the tycoon-trainees are from New York; three are from San Francisco. Four graduated from Harvard. The oldest contestant is 37; the youngest is 23.

The lineup includes an Ivana -not "the" Ivana, Trump's former wife; Pamela, who bears a resemblance to Carolyn Kepcher, one of Trump's advisers on the show; a Stacie and a Stacy; and two Jennifers.

They are divided into two teams, with contestants vying "for the dream job of a lifetime with The Trump Organization and a hefty six-figure salary." One contestant is "fired" each week by Trump in a tense boardroom showdown.

The female contestants are: Pamela, 32, an investment firm partner who says the competitors will "eat each other"; Jennifer C., 31, a real-estate agent who's also an equestrian; Stacie, 35, a model who owns a Subway franchise in Harlem; Jennifer M., 29, a lawyer; Sandy, 28, and Elizabeth, 31, business owners who describe themselves as innovative; Maria, 31, a short-haired marketing executive who's critical of the women on the first season; Stacy, 26, a lawyer; and Ivana, 28, a venture capitalist who says working with Trump would be the highlight of her career.

The male contestants are: Raj, 28, a bow-tie wearing real estate developer who doesn't really watch television; Bradford, 32, a shaved-headed and slightly goofy lawyer; Chris, 30, a stockbroker who thinks sex sells; Andy, 23, a recent Harvard grad who describes himself as a "swarthy gentleman"; John, 24, a marketing director who says good-looking people are smarter; Wes, 27, a wealth manager who believes season two's women won't use femininity to their advantage; Kevin, 29, a law student who says Trump is "the best"; Rob, 32, a Texas branding salesman; and Kelly, 37, a software executive who describes himself as a leader.

During taping of the show this summer, the 18 contestants lived in a specially designed suite in Trump Tower with amenities such as a three-hole putting green, a basketball hoop, a $100,000 kitchen and a couch from Trump's own apartment.

Casting for the third season of The Apprentice finished in Seattle on Aug. 7.

DERRIK J. LANG; © The Canadian Press, 2004; nbc.com/nbc/The-Apprentice-2/

 

[yudansha]

Bruce Willis fined for violating U.S. wetlands protection laws

HAILEY, Idaho (AP) - Bruce Willis will pay a $21,000 US fine for violating federal wetlands protection laws by clearing an island in a pond at his central Idaho home.

Willis will pay a $21,000 fine for violating federal wetlands protection laws by clearing a half-acre island in a pond at his central Idaho home. (AP/Jennifer Graylock)​

Willis was cited last October for clearing the quarter-hectare island, installing a sprinkler system and adding topsoil to level depressions so sod could be laid. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials claimed he also dumped fill material in a stream to provide access to the island.

The wetlands had been part of a spring-fed tributary of the Big Wood River.

"He wanted to be able to use it and that's why he did what he did," said lawyer Ned Williamson, who represented the 49-year-old actor. "He was cleaning up this island. He simply did not know it was in wetland jurisdiction."

Williamson said Willis stopped the work when federal officials notified him and began restoration of the island to its former state before the settlement announced this week was negotiated.

Under the settlement, the island will be replanted and its wetlands character restored by Oct. 31. The site will then be monitored for the next decade.

The EPA says wetlands throughout Idaho, especially in the Sun Valley resort area, are disappearing because of burgeoning development and increased recreational use.

"Less than one per cent of our state is wetlands," said Jim Werntz, the EPA's Idaho director. "And that one per cent provides over 50 per cent of Idaho's wildlife habitat."

It was the second time Willis, star of films including the Die Hard series and The Sixth Sense, has run afoul of environmental regulations at the residence he has owned since 1987.

In 1998, the Idaho Department of Water Resources cited him for violating conditions of a stream alteration permit and required him to remove rock jetties and flow control structures installed in the Big Wood River.

The department dropped all charges in that case after Willis co-operated with federal officials, Williamson said.

 

[Littledragon]

Kilborn says goodbye to 'Late Late Show'.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Craig Kilborn bid farewell to viewers of CBS' "Late Late Show" on Friday, concluding five seasons as its host despite the program's expanding audience.

Since announcing two weeks ago that he was leaving, the 42-year-old Kilborn has had difficulty explaining why he is walking away from a show that has seen its audience grow by more than a third during his tenure.

He has said it was simply time to do something else and returned to that theme Friday.

"It's one of the happiest days of my life, and I'll tell you why," he said.

"I got to do a dream job ... My job is done here. It's time for me to move on. I dreamed of early retirement and that's probably what I got."

Kilborn had drawn solid ratings for CBS since he took the time slot over from Tom Snyder.

Since 1999, the audience for the hour that follows the "Late Show with David Letterman" had grown 34 percent to this season's average of 1.7 million viewers.

Some of Kilborn's favorite guests returned to say goodbye, including actors Vince Vaughn, Marlee Matlin, Martin Mull, Adam West and comedian Will Ferrell. Wayne Newton sent his regards via satellite from Las Vegas.

"I'm going to miss you," Kilborn said. "Maybe I'll see you down the road."

Kilborn was the original host of Comedy Central's "Daily Show" and had a role in the 2003 film "Old School."

 

[Littledragon]

Hip-hop awards.

Hip-hop awards
NEW YORK (AP) -- Rap pioneers Run-DMC, DJ Kool Herc and KRS-One, along with Tupac Shakur and Public Enemy, will be among the first hip-hop artists honored by VH1 at its inaugural Hip Hop Honors this fall.

The awards show will pay tribute to groundbreaking hip-hop artists. Rounding out the list of honorees: DJ Hollywood, the dance troupe the Rock Steady Crew, the Sugar Hill Gang and graffiti artists.

VH1 President Christina Norman told The Associated Press that choosing the first group of nominees was difficult.

"Clearly there's a ton of people who have earned and deserved this recognition," she said Thursday.

Although Run-DMC and the Sugar Hill gang were among the early rap pioneers, the late Shakur was among one of its more contemporary figures.

Norman said the show's organizers wanted to make sure not just one era or type of hip-hop artist was honored.

"We want to make this show as broad as possible," she said. "People who are in their 30s, maybe they just came into hip-hop through Tupac."

Among those expected to perform: the Beastie Boys, Nas and Public Enemy. The show is scheduled for taping in New York October 3, and to air on VH1 October 12.

 

[Littledragon]

Mike Wallace won't face charges.

NEW YORK - The city's Taxi and Limousine Commission said it would not pursue a disorderly conduct charge against 86-year-old CBS newsman Mike Wallace, who was arrested earlier this month during a confrontation with inspectors outside a Manhattan restaurant.

advertisement

The "60 Minutes" correspondent was handcuffed and taken to a police precinct on Aug. 10 after he and his driver clashed with inspectors while Wallace picked up a takeout order at a restaurant. He was issued a summons and released.

Wallace said he left the restaurant to find two inspectors interviewing his driver, who they said was double-parked. He said he asked the inspectors what was going on and they told him to get back in the car. They arrested him after he pressed them further, he said.

Allan Fromberg, a spokesman for the TLC, said an investigation had determined that the inspector who had handcuffed Wallace had not yet received his special patrolman status, which authorizes inspectors to use handcuffs and write summonses.

Both inspectors were placed on desk duty, would be issued warnings and would be required to undergo retraining in conflict resolution, Fromberg said.

Wallace said the agency's commissioner, Matthew Daus, had personally called him to tell him the results of the investigation.

"I'm grateful for Commissioner Daus, for a thorough investigation and the decision at which they arrived," Wallace said.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

[Littledragon]

Tarantino to join Muppets journey to OZ..

LOS ANGELES - Blood-and-guts director Quentin Tarantino may be going soft.

advertisement

The “Kill Bill” and “Pulp Fiction” director will make a cameo appearance in a new ABC-TV movie featuring the Muppets and based on the classic tale “The Wizard of Oz,” ABC announced Thursday.

The film, with the working title “The Muppets’ Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” is set to begin production in Vancouver, British Columbia, next month and air in the coming TV season on “The Wonderful World of Disney.”

Tarantino’s role as himself is likely to be overshadowed by pop star Ashanti, starring as Dorothy, and Miss Piggy. The muppet will play three wicked witches and Glinda, Good Witch of the South.

Among other muppets, Kermit the Frog is the Scarecrow, the Great Gonzo is the Tin Man and Fozzie Bear is the Lion. Besides Ashanti as Dorothy, the film features actress-singer Queen Latifah playing Auntie Em.

Described by the network as a “madcap adventure,” the project is based on L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Judy Garland played Dorothy in the famed 1939 film version, while Diana Ross starred in 1978’s “The Wiz.”

© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

[yudansha]

Hong Kong, Hilfiger, and the Toronto Film Festival...

Hong Kong craftsman revives ancient Chinese music by replicating instruments

HONG KONG (AP) - Listening to Yuen Shi-chun's music is like riding in a time machine that transports one back through the centuries to an ancient Chinese world, where poets share wine and compose verses in a bamboo grove.

China had long since forgotten about lute-like instruments from the Tang Dynasty, circa 618-907 AD, but Yuen is bringing the old music back to life by making replicas of the instruments and playing them.

Sitting in a workshop full of intricately inlaid pieces, Yuen said his motivation goes deeper than any nostalgic interest in China's musical history.

"I want to trace the roots and evolution of these musical instruments so I can improve the sound of the modern versions that we're using," said the 55-year-old Yuen.

It hasn't been easy, and Yuen admits he doesn't always succeed.

"Remaking these instruments is a formidable task," Yuen says. "I've got an entire apartment that I use just for storing more than 100 broken instruments from all my failed experiments. Probably I'll have to burn them all one day."

Yuen works full-time as a principal musician in the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. It has four sections - bowed strings, plucked strings, wind and percussion - and incorporates traditional and modernized Chinese instruments and some western ones.

For three decades, Yuen has worked on making new models of the ancient Tang-style "ruanxian" (pronounced RON-sien) and several types of "pipa" (pronounced PEE-pah) - all lute-like plucked string instruments. He's also tried his hand at making improvements on modern folk instruments.

The ruanxian, or simply "ruan" nowadays, is a short-necked, silk-stringed lute named after a famous Chinese musician who played it. The pipa was imported into China from ancient Persia. They produce a supple, wavering tone that is a mainstay of classical Chinese music.

Inside Yuen's home workshop, a dozen instruments stand out as a stunning display of his intricate artwork. Many are ornately decorated with marquetry, a pattern of carved inlays filled with mother-of-pearl, shells and gold threads. One of the pipas has a front carving that shows a musician mounted on a camel, with a floral pattern at the back.

Yuen was born in Hong Kong but his father, an engineer, moved the family to their native Guangdong province when he was four.

During Yuen's childhood, his father taught him Chinese painting and model-making and he later learned woodcarving and other handicrafts - all the skills he now uses to make his instruments.

Despite those early lessons, Yuen was trained as a civil engineer and had not originally planned a career in music.

He got into music almost by accident. He moved back to Hong Kong from the mainland in 1973 and found that his academic credentials were not recognized here during British colonial days.

Yuen eked out a living by selling oil paintings in Hong Kong's famous Stanley tourist market and performed in nightclubs before eventually joining the Chinese orchestra.

Yuen plays the "liuqin" (pronounced leo-CHIN) - a willow-shaped plucking instrument - in the orchestra. But he found himself dissatisfied with its sound quality as well as that of the ruan, so he began researching ways of reforming them.

The quest took him to Japan, where a storehouse of ancient treasures, the Shosoin in Nara, contains the world's only surviving ruanxians and pipas from the Tang period.

Japanese officials bought the instruments in China about 1,200 years ago to bring back to the emperor. The instruments have been preserved and restored throughout the years, but can no longer be played.

After examining the old instruments, Yuen then studied ancient Chinese books on making them. He learned about their structures and the different types of woods and strings. He experimented for more than a decade - chalking up many of his failures - before he successfully revived his first Tang-style ruanxian.

"This is very solitary work but it's important and meaningful for history's sake," Yuen said, as he slowly puffed away on a water pipe that he also made. "And since I have the ability to do it, I want to give this back to my people and country."

Yuen said he has spent more than a million Hong Kong dollars ($130,000 US) on the research.

But his efforts have paid off in many ways. Yuen's creations won awards from China's State Council and Ministry of Culture, and they're being used by Chinese orchestras in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Admitting to a bit of nostalgia, Yuen laments that western and Canto-pop music have been diminishing people's interest in traditional Chinese music.

"The younger generation grew up on TV, electric pianos and guitars and pop songs that have very fake sounds," Yuen said. "They've lost the ability to appreciate real music."

HELEN LUK; © The Canadian Press, 2004
________

Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger to star in The Cut reality show

NEW YORK (AP) - It's soooo fashionable to have a reality show nowadays. Following the likes of Donald Trump, Tyra Banks and Sylvester Stallone, Tommy Hilfiger is the next celebrity strutting onto the reality TV runway.

The red-white-and-blue fashion designer will star in The Cut, an Apprentice meets America's Next Top Model style reality show, CBS announced Friday.

The Cut will chase 16 wannabe designers as they live together in a SoHo loft and compete in fashion world challenges that will test their business, design, talent and style skills. The winner will conceive a collection under the celeb-loving Hilfiger label. (David Bowie, Iman and Christina Milian now sport Tommy in ads while Beyonce will bask in his perfume campaign next month.)

"What will make The Cut special is the involvement of Tommy Hilfiger," said CBS entertainment president Nancy Tellem. "He's a cutting-edge designer who, for the first time, will bring his all-American style to network television and provide a fantastic environment for the participants to realize their artistic dreams and visions."

Casting producers have already begun accepting applications and three-minute videos for potential fashion mavens who think they're cut from a different cloth. The application, available on CBS's website, asks style-savvy questions such as "What brands do you hate?" and "What's the signature piece in your closet?" The application states contestants should be available for seven weeks between January and March 2005.

Last year, Hilfiger made cameo appearances on MTV's Rich Girls, which starred his daughter, Ally Hilfiger, and her best friend, Jamie Gleicher.
________

Actor Russell Crowe explains tussle with bodyguard on Toronto film set

TORONTO (CP) - A tussle between actor Russell Crowe and a bodyguard/friend on a Toronto movie set unfolded Sunday in letters to the editor published by an Australian newspaper.

"Russell Crowe did not bite my ear. That never happened, simple as that," bodyguard Mark (Spud) Carroll said in his letter to the Melbourne Herald Sun.

"He did take a nip at my chest - I was trying to smother him at the time, so I can understand the move."

In his letter, Crowe called the incident "a push around after work on a Friday night about a month ago."

"It was a misunderstanding we easily cleared up the next day," said the Australian star, who was in Toronto filming the boxing movie Cinderella Man.

Crowe said the incident occurred when Carroll told him people might misinterpret the fact the actor was chatting with a female extra during a Friday night cast-and-crew drinks session.

"I thought he was accusing me specifically of something and I took offence to it, . . ." Crowe wrote. "Spud was passing on other people's 'perceptions' and I shot the messenger."

The two then apparently got physical.

"And while we didn't seriously hurt each other, we wore badges of dishonour for a few days," Crowe said. "Luckily for me, the sequences we were shooting required me to wear heavy post-boxing make-up, so you couldn't tell.

"As I said, we cleared the air between us the next day, called each other a few ripe names, had a hug and got on with the job."

Said Carroll: "As for calling it a fight, believe me, we have done much more damage to each other playing touch footy."

Crowe said the woman was a friend of his and his wife, Dani.

"It doesn't surprise me that I'm overly sensitive to gossip and speculation and heartily sick of other people's 'perceptions,' " he said.

"People say and write more crap than I could ever care about and I just don't bother commenting on 99 per cent of it because that is all I would end up doing.

"I love my family more than anything and react swiftly to any threat against them or people making unfounded and ridiculous accusations that question my loyalty."

Crowe, who also used the letter to shoot down rumours he was buying an island in Ontario, said the incident was unfortunate.

"I was a fool to let the situation with Spud get out of hand. Dani knows it, but more importantly, she knows that I know it. She also knows I love her completely and would do anything for her."

The letters were published online by the newspaper.


Hong Kong musician Yuen Shi-chun plays on a "pipa" or a five-stringed lute that he replicated from an ancient version from China's Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) during an interview in his Hong Kong apartment which also serves as his workshop. (AP/Anat Givon):

Tommy Hilfiger. (AP/Jennifer Graylock, File)

 

[Serena]

Thanks for the article, littledragon.

The Wizard of Oz with Muppets??? Noooooooooooo..............It's one of my favorite movies of all time, I should be ashamed to admit, but I'm not . The Wiz was AWFUL, and I can't imagine it with Muppets. Some classics ought to be left alone!!

 

[yudansha]

Some of this is just getting way out of hand!

Computer game allows you to manage campaigns of U.S. presidential contenders

(CP) - Brad Wardell is looking to Ohio come election night this November in the United States.

The 33-year-old computer entrepreneur and game designer from Livonia, Mich., has some expertise in the issue after creating The Political Machine, a PC strategy game that allows you to run a U.S. presidential campaign. His gut feeling is the Republicans face an uphill battle.

"It's going to be very hard for Bush to win," he concludes.

That's because the Democrats tend to have a lot of the big states - which carry lots of electoral votes - wrapped up. So Bush cannot afford to lose any of the others.

"So one of the things we've come to realise is, basically, on election night if Kerry wins Ohio, you can go to bed. It's all over," Wardell says.

The idea for The Political Machine came out of the voting irregularities in Florida in the last president election, says Wardell.

Game designers used the census and the number of registered Democrat and Republican voters in each state, then added in exit polling data on how people voted on different issues. Using those numbers, Wardell's team came up with some 150 issues for the game, ranging from gay marriage and the environment to outsourcing jobs and the war against terror.

It's not an exact science. Wardell admits his team made educated guesses on how some states might react to some scenarios.

The Political Machine covers 41 weeks of the campaign. Each week the candidate criss-crosses the country, although his travels are limited by a finite number of stamina points.

You can create a TV ad, give a speech, raise money, hire political operatives or enhance your campaign HQ. Endorsements help your drive to the White House, but can come at a price.

You can hammer away at your own issues, or hammer away at your opponent.

At the end of the 41 weeks, the voters go to the polls. The gamer sits back and watches as the map of the U.S. goes blue or red state by state and the computer totes up the electoral votes each candidate has won.

The game is fun to play - and at $29.99 is reasonably priced. It's also pretty easy to get going, although there are plenty of levels to delve into once you have figured out the basic format. The graphics have a cartoon-like feel to them, an ever-present reminder that it's a game, not a course at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"First and foremost it's a strategy game," said Wardell. "When I even see the 'edutainment' label put on, I just cringe because we're a game company. We're not trying to educate people, it's more of an accident."

You can manage John Kerry or George W. Bush, create your own candidate or opt for the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. Others can be unlocked during the game.

Play against the computer, on go online to tackle a real foe.

The Political Machine also succeeds because it has a sense of fun. You can hire a spin doctor or head to the gutter with a smear merchant. You can also go on TV to make your case, sparring with Fred Toppel on Night Time or appearing on Barry King Live or 60 Seconds.

While there was plenty of data to help designers, Wardell says keeping the game fair was more difficult than anticipated.

"Especially on the special interest groups, we tried to make sure that we represented them fairly. Because we're not out to make fun of anybody. I mean, in general," he said with a laugh.

"We're just trying to put these things in the game as part of the overall fun."

Wardell is an interesting story in himself. He was 20 when he founded his company Stardock to help pay for college at Western Michigan.

When not working on software accessories, he makes games - "we're more like a hobby out of control," he jokes. Galactic Civilizations, a turn-based strategy game that sold more than 100,000 copies, has been one of the most successful and Wardell's team worked on a remake of the title prior to turning its attentions to The Political Machine.

"It's a big difference going from delivering electric death to alien monsters to turning around and doing a political strategy game," he said.

But 80 per cent of the company's revenues come from so-called desktop enhancements. Stardock's software - Object Desktop, which costs $50 US - allows Windows users to customize their desktop. Wardell estimates he has about eight million to nine million users of his software.

Filmmakers (The Recruit is one example) have even used the software to help make their computers look more high-tech.

As for The Political Machine, Wardell's advice for the novice political campaigner is to remember that Democrats and Republicans are quite different.

"It's not necessarily a good idea to try to take the other guy's issues. You need to focus on the issues that are strong with your political party."

But you can still bring the gloves out.

"Build up political capital, hire those spin doctors and smear merchants and that to wreak havoc on your opponents," he advises.

Published by Ubisoft, The Political Machine is rated T for teen.

NEIL DAVIDSON; © The Canadian Press, 2004; For more information on Stardock, go to www.stardock.com.

 

[Serena]

Hahaha! It's my personal thought that those who enjoy video games definitely aren't THAT interested in politics--enough to waste their playing time on it, anyway. LOL Some people in Michigan have WAYYYY too much time on their hands, eh?

Thanks, yudansha. You're right--this is a bit much.

 

[yudansha]

"those who enjoy video games definitely aren't THAT interested in politics"

I think you are right, Serena! (but just in case, ask your nephews how much into politics they are ... you know, that early Christmas shopping ).

You are definitely welcome.

 

[yudansha]

West Bank, Macbeth, and Ray Charles:

Israeli court rejects ban on contentious movie on West Bank offensive
JERUSALEM (AP) - The Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday turned down a request to ban an Arab-made movie depicting soldiers as massacring Palestinian civilians during a bloody military offensive into a West Bank refugee camp.

The appeal was filed by survivors of some of the 23 Israeli soldiers killed during the 2002 offensive in the Jenin camp. The operation, in which 52 Palestinians were killed, has become a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation for many Palestinians and their backers.

Supreme Court Justice Eliahu Matza was deeply critical of Israeli-Arab director Mohammed Bakri's film Jenin Jenin.

But Matza upheld a lower court's ruling that there were insufficient legal grounds to bar the film from being screened at cinemas or on television.

In his 15-page judgment, Matza said the film's unquestioning acceptance of Palestinian allegations that troops deliberately slaughtered women, children and the elderly and executed bound prisoners was "misleading and subjective."

"Rumours of such crimes spread by the Palestinian leadership were vigorously denied by the army," he wrote.

He said international organizations which investigated the events in Jenin reached the conclusion that although the army infringed upon the human rights of residents of the refugee camp during the operation, "rumours of a massacre or deliberate executions were baseless."

In one scene from the movie, for example, an Israeli tank rumbles toward a row of Palestinians lying on the ground to block its path. The screen fades to black at the last moment, implying that the tank ran them over, though in reality it did not.

The eight-day military thrust into the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002 followed a suicide bombing at an Israeli hotel which killed 29 people at a festive Passover holiday dinner.

Amnesty International and other human rights groups said the Israeli army used Palestinians as human shields and preventing rescue teams from entering the camp to treat wounded Palestinians.

STEVE WEIZMAN; © The Canadian Press, 2004
_________

Macbeth movie to be set amid Australia's cutthroat underworld
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - William Shakespeare's Macbeth is to be turned into a film set amid a violent gangland war in the southern Australian city of Melbourne, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported Tuesday.

Geoffrey Wright, who directed the low-budget 1992 movie Romper Stomper that helped launch the career of Russell Crowe, is planning to direct the modern-day Macbeth, which will star Australian actor Sam Worthington as the nobleman who murders Scotland's king.

The film's producer Martin Fabinyi said the role of Macbeth's over-ambitious wife has yet to be cast.

Fabinyi told the Herald the film would not be strictly based on recent events in Melbourne - where some 30 people have died in recent years in a violent battle between rival underworld gangs - but would draw parallels.

He said he hopes the film will be shot late this year or in early 2005.

"It's going to be controversial," Fabinyi told the paper. "The themes of Macbeth are pretty universal - power and greed and revenge and the need to better oneself."

Worthington told the Herald the film would give the Shakespeare classic a contemporary backdrop.

"They pitched it to me as the most violent movie Australia has ever made," he said.

It will not be the first time Melbourne's underworld has hit the silver screen.

Eric Bana, who starred as the green giant in The Hulk and played Hector in Troy, portrayed renowned Melbourne underworld enforcer Mark (Chopper) Read in the 2000 movie Chopper.
_________

Ray Charles' star-studded 'Genius Loves Company' album released posthumously
NEW YORK (AP) - It was a quiet moment in a recording studio between two old friends - the genius of soul and the king of blues.

Ray Charles and B. B. King were readying to record a bluesy number that married one's piano playing with the other's guitar picking when they took a few minutes to catch up. "He seemed to be reminiscing a bit. I remember he said, 'If we had known we were going to live this long, we would have taken better care of ourselves,' " King said.

"I told him 'You bet.' "

It was the last time they would talk - or perform - together. Charles died a short time later in June of acute liver disease.

Their song, "Sinner's Prayer," a plea to God to forgive their trespasses, captures what neither could have known.

It's one of 12 star-studded pairings on "Genius Loves Company," Charles' final album being released posthumously Tuesday by Concord Records and Hear Music.

"We wanted to make a record that would bring him back into the spotlight," said producer John Burk, who worked with Charles on the duets album.

"The fact that it's his last record is a very sad thing for the music world."

Much like Charles' career, "Genius Loves Company" spans soul, rock 'n' roll, R&B, country, jazz and blues - and includes such guest stars as Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Johnny Mathis as well as King.

"Some of the songs I have been playing for years. Some were all-time favourites of mine that I'd never recorded. Others were songs by artists that I really liked," Charles said before his death.

He chose the artists he worked with based on either previous pairings, such as King, and those whose work he enjoyed but had never met, Burk said.

For example, Charles was "so turned on" to the idea of recording with Bonnie Raitt, Burk said he was sure the two must have known each other.

But Raitt, who says her own music was influenced by the way Charles blended blues and country, met Charles for the first time in the studio the day they recorded "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind," a bittersweet love song that Charles first recorded in the 1980s.

"Rockets went off," she said. "I could have sung 'Row, row, row your boat' with him and been thrilled."

For other artists, it was the chance to work with an old friend.

Willie Nelson and Charles recorded Frank Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year." Gladys Knight and Charles, who recorded together several times, sang "Heaven Help Us All."

The only non-studio production on the album is Van Morrison's "Crazy Love." When Charles flew to New York to celebrate Morrison's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the two performed the song live.

Burk said the most emotional moment came between Charles and Elton John as the two recorded John's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word." It was the last song recorded for the album and the last one Charles ever sang, Burk said.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the recording booth," Burk said. "It's a very sad song, and there was just this emotion in the air."

During the recording of the album, Charles' health was deteriorating rapidly after undergoing hip surgery and being diagnosed with a failing liver.

"He didn't really say anything to anybody about it. He didn't complain," Burk said. "It never really became an obstacle."

In fact, during the recording sessions, Charles maintained his legendary focus. Known for demanding excellence, he held to that standard during the making of "Genius Loves Company."

"His professionalism and his attention and focus were amazing," Raitt said. "I just think he was on it. That's what musicians call it, being on it."

King, who broke down while singing at Charles funeral, said he hopes the album will cross generations and genres.

"You know, he's one of a kind, doing what he did and how he did it," he said. "Ray started before some of these kids were born. I hope they will take the memory of a great guy that has done so much great work."

CHELSEA J. CARTER; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[Serena]

Modern day movie of Macbeth?
Just don't see the general public taking much interest in that one.

I enjoyed the article on Ray Charles and B.B. King! I've heard many older people mutter those same words--If I had known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself. The Genius Loves Company album sounds like one I would enjoy. I'll have to look for that this weekend.

Thanks for these articles, yudansha, and for combining them.

 

[yudansha]

It took me quite some time to read those...

Wow, Serena ... you're fast!
Now that I don't take any English classes, all the interest in those Shakespeare movies is lost on me... but many still like them.

You're welcome, Serena.

 

[Littledragon]

Man charged with stalking Avril Lavigne.

SEATTLE, Washington (Reuters) -- A 30-year-old man from Washington was charged with stalking Canadian singer Avril Lavigne after making repeated attempts to contact her and traveling to her parents' home in Ontario, local authorities said Monday.

James Speedy of Lynnwood, a Seattle suburb, said through a lawyer that while he was a big fan of the 19-year-old rock singer, he did not stalk her.

"I question whether this is a stalking case," said Wayne Fricke, Speedy's lawyer. "I don't think that is the situation you have here."

Speedy was arrested in April just before Lavigne was scheduled to give a free concert at a Seattle-area shopping mall, and told police he had sent e-mails and gifts to Lavigne, her family and managers. He was released on bail at the time and was formally charged late Friday, Lynnwood police said.

Speedy traveled to Napanee, Ontario, last year, where he was arrested and told to leave Canada and not return within a year, according to Canadian news reports.

Lavigne scored a huge hit with her 2002 debut album "Let Go", which sold 14 million copies worldwide. Her current album, "Under My Skin," is currently in the top 10 of the U.S. charts.

 

[yudansha]

Actress Theron Hurt on Germany Film Set

LOS ANGELES - Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron was injured while shooting her new Paramount film, "Aeon Flux," in Germany, but it wasn't immediately clear how badly she was hurt.

Monday's accident was apparently caused while Theron was doing her own stunts, Paramount Pictures spokeswoman Jasmine Madation said Tuesday.

Filming in Berlin has been halted to allow her to recover. It wasn't known if the injury would require script changes or when the movie would resume production.

Theron's publicist said she had no information about the cause or severity of the accident, but said the 29-year-old actress wasn't hospitalized.

"She did sustain an injury on the set. It's a very physically demanding role," said Theron publicist Amanda Silverman.

"Aeon Flux" is set centuries in the future at a time when a plague has wiped out most of the population. Theron plays the title character — a sleek, sexy commando who is part of a rebellion against the remaining government.

The "Aeon Flux" story was once depicted in a series of animated shorts on MTV.

Theron, who won an Academy Award for her role in "Monster," stars in "Head in the Clouds," set for release Sept. 17. She follows up her best-actress Oscar as a French socialite living it up on the eve of World War II.

 

[Serena]

Thanks for the article, yudansha.

THAT is why most stars don't, or aren't allowed to do their own stunts!
Poor Charlize. Wonder if she needs a nurse.

 

[yudansha]

Serena, you go ahead and patch her up good! LOL

"a sleek, sexy commando who is part of a rebellion against the remaining government"

A woman with a gun ... a sleek, sexy commando woman with a gun ... Charlize Theron with a gun ...

 

[yudansha]

A serious Hollywood mission for once...

NASA collaborates with Hollywood on Genesis (enlarge about 200%):

 

[Littledragon]

'Arrested Development' cast speaks for itself.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- There aren't many words the Bluths won't let fly out of their mouths -- especially when it comes to putting down other family members.

The actors who play the out-of-whack Bluths in the Fox sitcom "Arrested Development" were equally outspoken in a recent question-and-answer session following a public reading of the pilot episode at a Westside theater.

"It's nice to see Jason in something you can watch," quipped Will Arnett, topping Jason Bateman's admission that the series was "so not" what he'd done before.

Once the star of such traditional sitcoms as "Silver Spoons" and "The Hogan Family," Bateman plays Michael, the most normal Bluth, who's faced with the emotional and financial messes created by his once wealthy but now cash-strapped family.

Arnett plays Michael's older brother, Gob, a philandering magician who prefers to be called an illusionist.

Though no ratings smash, "Arrested Development" has been critically praised for its innovative style and humor and last month picked up seven Emmy nominations, including for best comedy series, writing and casting.

The first season is in summer reruns (Sundays, 8:30 p.m. EDT), with the new season set to debut November 7.

"We are here tonight for some shameless Emmy pandering," creator Mitchell Hurwitz cracked as he came on stage to join the cast after the reading.

Besides Bateman and Arnett, there was Portia de Rossi, who plays self-absorbed sister Lindsay, and Tony Hale, who plays little brother Buster.

Alongside were the show's older and younger generations: Jessica Walter as manipulative mother Lucille; Jeffrey Tambor as jailbird father George; Michael Cera as Michael's earnest son, George Michael, and Alia Shawkat as Maeby, Lindsay's self-sufficient daughter.

Absent was David Cross, who plays Tobias Funke, Lindsay's husband, a doctor turned actor.

'Becoming better people'
The series is shot in the single-camera method on sets and locations, not in the standard sitcom style with multiple cameras before a studio audience. There's no laugh track.

The family crises are captured as if for a documentary, with voiceover spoken by director Ron Howard, an executive producer of the show along with Imagine Television partner Brian Grazer.

The reality television device is not used as overtly as it is in the British comedy "The Office," but, Hurwitz said, "I still think of it as documentary, so I don't do dream sequences, don't have strict point-of-view shots ... and I won't do a flashback that doesn't make sense."

Everyone in the cast expressed happiness with their gig.

"I didn't think at this point in my career I would be so fortunate" said Walter, whose extensive resume includes the homicidal stalker in Clint Eastwood's 1971 thriller "Play Misty for Me."

Bateman referred to a Hurwitz comment that the writers' job is to make the characters "as despicable as possible. Our job is to make them as likable as possible."

On stage, Hurwitz didn't demur, but later at a party at Grazer's home said he didn't want to settle for sounding "so glib" in typecasting the characters as an unethical, uncaring bunch.

"In a way I think the show is kind of manipulative because I think these are really good people. We start out with this lie that all these people hate each other, and then every time they hug it's a little more effective and affective," Hurwitz said, grinning. "I never really saw this (show) as being dark and cynical."

The title works as a reference to the upheaval caused by Orange County, California, property developer George Sr. being sent to prison for financial impropriety, and also as an overall theme.

"I wanted there to be some point to this experience and that sort of started presenting itself to me as how their money, success and stature had kept them from developing as human beings ... but now they are becoming better people," said Hurwitz.