For Ultrareality, ‘Housewives’ Turns to Jersey Girls

By Alessandra Stanley - May 11, 2009

All the other housewives, those passels of pampered, primping, social-climbing, Botox-injecting spendthrifts in Orange County, Atlanta and New York, are not the real thing.

All those McMansions, swimming pools, boutiques, charity auctions and spa splurges have been merely rehearsals, introductory rounds leading to the apotheosis of the Bravo “Real Housewives” franchise, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

The New Jersey housewives are more real and more riveting than their predecessors because, well, they are from New Jersey, and also because they so closely mirror the make-believe characters in “The Sopranos.”

The best reality shows look like fiction.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com

2 week gap between each new release

Bollywood Hungama / May 12, 2009

Last week, the producers and distributors had adopted the tough stand of releasing new films at single screens and independent multiplexes. It was decided to work out the release dates in a cordial atmosphere, so that they don't eat into each other's business. 

The latest is, the films will be release from May 29 onwards [starting with Vashu Bhagnani's ‘Kal Kissne Dekha’], but to give enough breathing space to the new releases, it has been decided to give a 2-week gap between each new release. Which means, the next big film, after ‘Kal Kissne Dekha’, will arrive on 12th June and the subsequent one on 26th June.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

‘Terminator’s’ McG takes blame for blow-up

Director says staffers will identify person who leaked audio of tirade

Access Hollywood / May 11, 2009

LOS ANGELES - “Terminator Salvation” director McG said the now-infamous July 2008 blow-up on the film’s set, between star Christian Bale and director of photography Shane Hurlbut, was entirely his fault. 

“It broke my heart, because I take all the responsibility for protecting my actors on the set day in and day out," the director told Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell. "And it’s my responsibility to make sure that they can be free to express themselves in any way they like and it’s a real violation of the family of the set community.” “You can take anything out of context and you also don’t want artists censoring their performance, so you gotta be really careful with that,” McG continued. “You have faith that those outtakes never get out, to the Web sites or on the streets, in any capacity that would be unflattering or not in the service of the picture.”

The director told O'Dell that tensions were running high on the set that day intentionally. “We were making effectively a war scene, and I wanted the blood up of all my actors … what would be more offensive — if people just sort of sleep their way through a performance?” he said. “Everybody was very wound up and everybody was fired up and I wanted (Bale) that way … I riled him up! I deserve all the blame, in fact, throw me right under the bus.” And despite the severity of Bale’s tongue-lashing, McG said the actor and cinematographer are close and quickly made up after the incident. “I’m happy to report that Christian and Shane Hurlbert are actually friends and later that day we just kept on truckin’, so (the tirade) was indeed taken out of context,” he said. He added, “Christian is a very good guy, he’s got no entourage, drives around in a pickup truck, no assistant, he’s just focused on being an actor, and he’s really really a good guy.” 

McG also told O'Dell that the release of the audio is currently being investigated. “That’s the proprietary material of Warner Bros. and Sony and the owners of the franchise … it was wildly illegal for that to be leaked in that capacity,” he said, explaining that staffers are in the process identifying the person responsible for the leak. 

“I feel like I owe it to my actor because it happened on my watch," the director said. "And I take it very very seriously in that respect.” “Terminator Salvation,” directed by McG and starring Bale, Sam Worthington and Bryce Dallas Howard, opens May 21 in theaters.

Copyright 2009 by NBC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Slumdog inspires more British films with Bollywood stars

Agencies / May 11, 2009

The runaway success of Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, which swept the Oscars this year, has inspired several British film makers to go in for movies with Bollywood stars to attract the global audience. 

Many studios are now looking to replicate its success. One of the new films in production include 'Indian Summer', which is being filmed on location in the subcontinent. It tells the story of the last days of colonial rule and is directed by Joe Wright, who had a period-drama hit with Ian McEwan's 'Atonment'. "India is a fascinating, extraordinary place," Wright told ‘Variety’ magazine. "What's happening there is going to affect us more and more, whether in film industry terms or politically with what's happening in Pakistan." 

NRI filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, who directed the box office hit 'Bend It Like Beckham' in 2002, is currently making 'It's Wonderful Afterlife', a film set in London. It stars versatile Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi and is a comedy about a British Asian mother's attempts to marry off her daughter, which leads to a bout of serial killing. 'Blame it on the Bhangra' is another comedy about a British Asian girl trying to break into the macho world of bhangra dancing. It is being developed by Origin Pictures, which is run by former head of BBC films David Thompson. He is co-producing it with the ‘BBC’. 

"I think that a film like Slumdog... showed that people are more open to experiencing different cultures in cinema," Thompson told ‘The Independent’. "There's a whole different energy about India. It's upbeat rather than miserable, colourful and light, that is what people are looking for rather than British grey skies. What we're trying to do in 'Blame it...' is make a film that crosses over for the two cultures. "It's a dance comedy, done in a way to appeal to both audiences. The bhangra dancing will be a special kind, a synthesis of western dancing and Indian bhangra dancing, designed to work for both audiences," Thompson said. 

Not only British, even Bollywood has also woken up to the potential of the East-West mix. 'Kites', a high-budget Bollywood film shot in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and India will be screened at Cannes. It stars Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan and the Mexican model and actress Barbara Mori. It is described as an "action packed, international romantic thriller" and the dialogue is in English, Hindi and Spanish. 

'Rafta, Rafta' is another comedy set in an Indian community in the north of England, in which two newlyweds find it hard to consummate their marriage. Slumdog Millionaire, made for around 10 million pounds has so far grossed over 227 million pounds at the international box office. It also picked up eight Oscars, adding critical acclaim to its commercial success.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

American Idol Finalists Return Home

The three play live for audiences at home…

MTV / 11 May, 2009

The finalists in American Idol 2009 have returned to their home towns to meet fans and sing live.

Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Danny Gokey will compete to win the talent show as it reaches its climax on May 20. And to drum up support they’ve each hit different parts of the US with cameras in tow.
 
Danny Gokey was in Milwaukee on Friday where he performed at the gospel church where he is musical director. Between singing gospel he talked about the funeral of his wife last year which also took place at the church.
 
He said: "I couldn't even cry. ... I was so shocked… Me and my family, we didn't know how to say goodbye... It was the most tragic event I ever had to face in my life."
 
On the same day Adam Lambert was at his old high school in San Diego to sing two songs to adoring fans. He ran through his versions of Michael Jackson’s Black Or White and Tears For Fears’ hit Mad World.
 
Kris Allen played three free gigs near his hometown of Conway, Ark.- singing The Beatles classic Come Together and Aint No Sunshine.
 
At the biggest gig Allen played to 3,000 people at the Little Rock outdoor amphitheatre.

Source: http://www.mtv.co.uk

Michael Jackson’s London shows may not go on

By Herald wire services / May 12, 2009

Michael Jackson’s much-ballyhooed London shows may not go on, if lawyers for his family’s tour-in-the-making get their way. AllGood Entertainment - the company that is putting together a series of concerts with Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and their brothers - has fired off a cease-and-desist letter to the people organizing Jacko’s London concerts in July. Apparently, back in November, Whacko Jacko’s manager Frank Dileo signed a deal that promised Jackson would do the family tour. As part of the deal, the King of Pop was to refrain from any other concert deals for 18 months. Jackson’s attorneys claim that Michael never signed the family-tour agreement and his manager did so without his knowledge.

Source: http://news.bostonherald.com

Timberlake mocks relationship with Spears on TV show

Agencies / May 11, 2009

Pop star Justin Timberlake shocked his audience by giving a raunchy performance and mocking his former relationship with singer Britney Spears while hosting a TV show. 

The pop superstar made his third appearance on the Saturday Night Live (SNL) comedy show, and refused to hold back during a string of hilarious skits, ‘Contactmusic’ reported. 

In one he dressed as his immigrant ancestor and predicted the future for his great-great grandson (Timberlake) and sang, "He'll date a popular female singer (Spears). Publically they'll claim to be virgins, but privately - he hit it." Timberlake also teamed with SNL regular Andy Samberg to perform an unexpected song 'Motherlover' for the occasion of Mother's Day which did not quite go well with his fans.

Source: http://www.news.google.com

Oriental paintings at Zainul Gallery

Rahad Abir / May 11, 2009

A group painting exhibition, organised by the ‘Oriental Painting Study Group’ is being held at Zainul Gallery of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. The exhibition, inaugurated by Professor Abdus Sattar, the head of Oriental Art department on May 8, will remain open from 11:00am to 8:00pm till May 15.

Twenty one members of the group have participated for the first time in the exhibition and are displaying 27 of their artworks. Among the participants, Malay Bala, a teacher of the Oriental Art department, is displaying the painting ‘Shakuntala-13’. The largest wash painting in the exhibition is based on the greatest Sanskrit poet Kalidas’ protagonist Shakuntala. The painting shows Shakuntala deeply involved with her companions in the forest.

Including eleven wash paintings there are also some artworks in watercolour, oil on canvas, miniature painting, calligraphy, charcoal, poster colour, pencil drawings and mixed media in the exhibition. Most of the paintings have women, plants, portraits, still life and moments of life as their themes.

Purnima Mondal presents an artwork titled ‘Indian Miniature’ and Asrafa Siddiqua has worked on calligraphy. Sinthia Arefin’s ‘Conversation’ on pencil drawing, Sumon Baidya’s ‘Tea Stall’ on watercolour and Khairunnesa Tushi’s ‘The story of shoe’ on mixed media draw the attention of the viewers.

Source: http://www.newagebd.com

Klum and Seal renew wedding vows

Agencies / May 11, 2009

Supermodel Heidi Klum and her singer husband Seal renewed their wedding vows in a retro themed ceremony at a beach house in Malibu. 

The celebrity couple who are celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary, have an annual ritual of renewing their wedding vows in Mexico where they had first wed, but they had to stick closer home this time because of the swine flu scare. However, Klum and Seal made most of the moment and threw a retro themed party which was attended by the couple's friends and family, reported People magazine online. 

Klum, who is pregnant with their third child, wore a white wedding dress and had her hair arranged in cornrows while Seal wore a mullet wig and a leather jacket with the American flag embossed on it. The preacher who presided the ceremony dressed like Elvis Presley. There were about 75 guests attending the ceremony, including the likes of Debra Messing and Matthew Perry, all of whom wore denim shorts with leopard print leather jackets. 

Family and friends cheered and toasted Heidi and Seal with Mexican beer and were treated to Mexican food while listening to 60's rock music. They then partied on the patio decorated with inflatable pink flamingos and leopard print balloons.

Source: http://www.news.google.com

Kate Winslet, DiCaprio donate $30K to last Titanic survivor

ANI / May 11, 2009

Actors Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio have together made a donation of 30,000 dollars to the last remaining survivor of the doomed ship Titanic. 

According to ‘Access Hollywood’, the two, along with ‘Titanic’ director James Cameron, handed over the cash to ensure that 98-year-old Millvina Dean can pay her nursing home fees. Dean was the ship’s youngest passenger at nine months old when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank en-route to New York in 1912. She is the ship’s only living survivor. 

Photographer Don Mullan made an appeal to help raise money for Dean in the Sunday edition of the Irish Independent newspaper, and also reached out to Winslet, DiCaprio and Cameron in a bid to raise awareness. Mullan has already set up an exhibition to raise funds. 

“I figured that if the edition sold out, it would secure Millvina for a full year. My plan, however, was to double the impact and thereby secure her for two years,” ‘Contactmusic’ quoted him as telling the publication. “I decided, therefore, at the opening of the exhibition, to publicly challenge James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, 20th Century Fox and Celine to match me dollar for dollar,” he added. 

According to reports, Mullan is still waiting to be contacted by Celine Dion, who won an Oscar for the movie's theme song My Heart Will Go On.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com