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05-07-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
ROSIE SAYS REV. WRIGHT 'MADE SENSE': Former talk show host defends pastor's beliefs during 'Today' appearance.
*While sitting in with the ladies of the "Today" show's fourth hour Monday, Rosie O'Donnell said many people have mistaken her "passion for rage" – much in the same way some Americans have misunderstood Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
"This man is following a tradition of black preachers and there is a righteous indignation about people who were only considered three-fourths a person until fairly recently in our history," said the former talk show host of Barack Obama's former pastor. "And that his anger, which annoys some and forces some to look at issues that America is not really ready to face, is the actual issue. That racism does exist in this country and it's still thriving."
"Here's what I think," she continued. "There is a place in the world, an inspirational, liberational kind of preaching that Rev. Wright does that when you read something that's sort of – I was not as offended as the people in the polls that I read. I listen to him, and frankly, it made sense to me.
I totally understood what he was saying."
"That we introduced AIDS into the black community?" asked "Today" co-anchor Kathy Lee Gifford.
O'Donnell responded: "But Kathy, you know what it's like for someone to pull one quote out of context for you. He was comparing it to when the government did give syphilis to black Americans for 40 years. What he was saying is in his history, in his genetic memory, he knows what it's like for the government to infect his own people because he lived through those Tuskegee experiments. And that's what he was talking about.
"You can't sort of pull the quote. He didn't just say, you know, 'the government made AIDS.'" It's the same [as] when I said, you know, you can support the [troops] and not the man who sent them there. You can support every single Marine and Army man and Navy man in this war."
COMMON LANDS ROLE IN NEW 'TERMINATOR' FILM: Rapper to play a member of John Connor's crew.
*Common's Hollywood game continues to expand with his recent casting in "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins," the latest sequel in the lucrative "Terminator" franchise.
The story will follow John Connor (Christian Bale), who is now in his 30s and leads what is left of the human race in a battle against the machines, reports Variety. Common will play a freedom fighter and member of Connor's inner circle.
McG will direct the project for Halcyon Pictures. Warner Bros will distribute the film domestically, while Sony is tapped to handle most foreign territories. The film's U.S. premiere date has been set for May 22, 2009.
Common can next be seen onscreen in "Wanted," starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy. Later this summer, he is set to release his eighth album, "Invincible Summer."
MORE DETAILS DRIP FROM MARIAH WEDDING: Fox411 columnist says couple has a prenup.
*Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman says he has independently confirmed that Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were married last week, and that the couple has a "very nice prenuptial agreement."
"As for the wedding, I know this much," writes Freidman. "Mariah’s cousin, Shawn McDonald, walked her down the aisle. And the Bahamas ceremony will not be the only one.
"When Mariah and Nick return from their honeymoon, expect a big party and maybe even a second ceremony, something not so secret, for all the singer’s New York pals."
'THE WIRE'S' TRISTAN WILDS MOVES TO '90210': Teen actor is the newest member of the CW's anticipated spinoff.
*Tristan Wilds, who starred in two seasons of HBO's critically-acclaimed series "The Wire," will move from the drug-infested streets of Baltimore to glitzy Southern California as the newest cast member of the CW's revamped "Beverly Hills, 90210."
The actor will play Dixon, the adopted son of the Mills family, who consists o drunken grandmother Tabitha Mills (Jessica Walter), Jessica's daughter-in-law Celia (Lori Loughlin) and her granddaughter Annie (Shenae Grimes). The family has moved to Beverly Hills because of Tabitha's alcoholism.
Wilds, 19, is best known for his breakout role as promising student-turned-Baltimore drug dealer Michael Lee in the final two seasons of "The Wire."
PHOTOGRAPHER ASSAULTED FOR SNAPPING CHRIS BROWN: Shutterbug says singer's bodyguards chased him down and took his camera.
*A photographer for the Tampa Bay Times says he was assaulted by security guards attempting to protect pop star Chris Brown outside of a St.
Petersburg, Fla. club.
According to the newspaper, Luis Santana, 25, tried to snap photos of Brown outside of a private party at Vintage Ultra Lounge, where he and his rumored girlfriend Rihanna were celebrating his 19th birthday.
Santana said he talked to security for the club and was told he could take photos outside. But when he began snapping away at Brown in a black SUV limousine, Brown's bodyguards allegedly chased him, threw him to the ground and left the scene in the limousine.
One guard put his knee on Santana's jaw and when he tried to push it away, the guards took his camera, worth about $3,000, according to Santana.
He said he has abrasions and bruises on his chest, back and arms.
"I’ve shot many many celebrities and this was just another notch on my belt," Santana told the Tampa Bay Times. "Then it just turned sour."
Police said there could be four male suspects who are bodyguards, but their names are unknown.
MORE ACTORS JOIN MADEA IN 'JAIL': Viola Davis, Salli Richardson and Judge Mablean added to the cast.
*Three more actors have joined the cast of Lionsgate's "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail," which is scheduled to begin shooting this month in Atlanta.
Viola Davis, Salli Richardson and Judge Mablean have signed on for the picture, which follows the antics of Madea (Perry) as she sits behind bars and comes to the aid of fellow inmate Candy, who is preyed upon by a large woman named Big Sal.
Judge Mablean will reprise her role as the judge she played in two previous Madea movies. Davis will portray a social worker, and Richardson takes on the role of Atlanta's District Attorney, reports Blackfilm.com.
As previously reported, Keisha Knight Pulliam has been cast as Candy, and Derek Luke will play an attorney who shares a past with the jailed woman. David and Tamela Mann round out the cast.
The film has a tentative release date of early 2009.
'T.I. SPEAKS' TONIGHT ON BET: Rapper talks to Toure in first televised interview since plea bargain on weapon charges.
*Rapper T.I. is interviewed by BET personality Toure about his life and future beyond incarceration in the half-hour special "T.I. Speaks,"
premiering tonight at 7:30.
The artist, born Clifford Harris, Jr., was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to federal weapons charges. During the special, he discusses his best friend's murder in 2006 and explains how being a celebrity has its drawbacks and "ignites a certain paranoia."
"Every one knew me and I knew no one ... you can't tell if a person is a fan or not until the (car) window winds down," he says during the program.
Claiming a new understanding for life and its meaning, T.I. delivers a strong message about decision-making to a group of at-risk students and reveals his thoughts about going back to jail and his career's future.
"I must be a man and stand up and accept responsibility," he says. "I exercised extremely poor judgment, and for that, I must be willing to pay whatever price that comes before me."
DENNIS RODMAN CHECKS INTO REHAB: Move comes after arrest on felony domestic battery suspicion.
*In the wake of his arrest Thursday on suspicion of felony domestic battery, Dennis Rodman has checked into a rehab facility in Florida, his manager confirmed.
The former NBA star entered an outpatient rehab center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Monday morning, his rep Darren Prince told TMZ.com.
Cops say Rodman allegedly attacked his girlfriend during a drunken fight at a Century City hotel. He was released on $50,000 bail before jumping on a plane to Miami, where he was spotted with friends over the weekend.
VANESSA WILLIAMS FINALLY EARNS SYRACUSE DEGREE: Actress left drama dept. after two years to pursue fame.
*Twenty-five years after bouncing from Syracuse University with her Miss America crown in tow, Vanessa Williams will finally receive her bachelor of fine arts degree during graduation exercises Saturday.
The 45-year-old star of ABC's "Ugly Betty" will also deliver the convocation address to graduates of Syracuse's College of Visual and Performing Arts, according to the Associated Press.
The actress-singer attended Syracuse's drama department as a musical theater major from 1981-1983. She left after making history in 1983 by becoming the first black Miss America. But she turned in her crown in July
1984 after Penthouse magazine published nude, sexually explicit photographs of her taken several years earlier.
The entertainer went on to sell more than 4 million albums, star on Broadway and appear in dozens of television shows and films. She has won a Tony, received two NAACP Image Awards and nine Grammy nominations.
She earned the remaining credits for her degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen.
MARTHA REEVES'S CHILDHOOD HOME BURGLARIZED: Thieves took $1 million worth of uninsured recording equipment.
*Former Motown great-turned-politician Martha Reeves says thieves broke into her childhood home on Detroit's east side and took off with $1 million worth of uninsured recording equipment.
Among the items stolen Sunday night were speakers, microphones and karaoke machines, according to the Associated Press.
Reeves, 66, said someone kicked in the back door of the house where she was raised, which is now owned by her father. She said "somebody should have called the police while this was happening."
The Detroit City Council member fronted the Motown group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and had hits in the 1960s with "Heat Wave,"
"Dancing in the Street," "Nowhere to Run," "I'm Ready for Love," "Jimmy Mack" and "Honey Chile."
PBS TO PREMIERE MARVIN GAYE DOC TONIGHT: Film from Sam Pollard to air as part of 'American Masters.'
*An "American Masters" special on Marvin Gaye, featuring interviews with Berry Gordy, Mos Def, Michael Eric Dyson and more, is scheduled to premiere tonight on PBS.
According to Richard Prince's Journal-isms column, writer/director Sam Pollard said he wants viewers to take away two things from "Marvin Gaye:
What's Going On," which is produced by New York's WNET: "For that 52 minutes . . to be reacquainted with all that wonderful music that was so fabulous, from Marvin and Tammi to "Pride and Joy" to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough.
Just fall back in love with all that music."
Secondly, "I want people to have a window into how complicated every life is: No matter what you do in life, it's always some kind of struggle.
He was able to use those struggles to create great works."
Gaye was shot to death by his father on April 1, 1984, the day before his 45th birthday.
BOOTSY TO HOST JAMES BROWN TRIBUTE TOUR: Bassist will travel with vets from Godfather's legendary JBs.
*Funkateer bassist Bootsy Collins, who began his career as part of James Brown's band the JBs in 1970 and 71, is honoring his old boss with a star-studded tour dubbed "A Tribute to James Brown."
The trek will include alumni from The JBs, including Phelps "Catfish"
Collins (who is also Bootsy’s brother) on guitar and drummers John "Jabo"
Starks and Clyde Stubblefield, aka the Funky Drummer, reports Billboard.com.
Bart Byrd, the son of late J.B.'s keyboardist Bobby Byrd, is also on board, with Tony Wilson and Brown's daughter Venisha -- who Collins says "not only looks exactly like him but dances the way he does" -- providing vocals.
"It's Bootsy Collins’ tribute to James Brown," Collins says. "It's about James Brown's music, his legacy, what his music meant to me -- not only me but a lot of people, a lot of musicians and fans. So it's pretty much me paying [my] respect."
After his year with the Godfather of Soul, Bootsy went on to play bass for the House Band, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band and the Sweat Band.
ESSENCE MUSIC FEST CDS AND DVDs ON DECK: Mathew Knowles bringing discs exclusively to Wal-Mart before nationwide launch.
*Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment is teaming with Essence Magazine to release a series of Essence Music Festival CDs and DVDs in connection the annual event.
"Essence Music Festival, Volume 1" will be released on CD June 17 featuring studio recordings of music performed last year at the Festival's 2007 return to New Orleans. The tracklist includes songs from Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, Ciara, Robin Thicke, Lyfe Jennings, Solange, Common, Maze ft. Frankie Beverly, The O'Jays and newcomer, Brian Courtney Wilson.
"We are excited about this new partnership with Essence magazine," Knowles said in a statement. "They have always signified excellence and have been an incredible voice for women around the world. Music World has had a long-standing relationship with Essence, our artists have supported and participated in the festivals throughout the years, so it is great that we are collaborating on this exclusive music venture."
"Volume 1" is the first in a series of CDs and DVDs featuring music and live performances from past, present and future Essence Music Festivals, as well as other compilations that will be sold exclusively in store at Wal-Mart nationwide through July 28.
As of July 29, the release will be available at all retailers as well as many digital retailers online.
FOXY BROWN ANNOUNCES ALBUM DETAILS: Rapper's long-delayed project finally drops on Tuesday.
*Just weeks after completing a jail sentence for violating probation, Foxy Brown is set to release her new album, "Brooklyn's Don Diva," on Tuesday (May 13) via Black Rose Entertainment/KOCH Records.
The album features guest appearances by Dwele, AZ, Lil' Mo, Kira, Graph, DeMarco, Lady Saw and more. The track "We Don't Surrender" feat.
Graph was leaked last August as she was beginning her year-long jail sentence. The current single is "Bulletproof Love/One Love" feat. Lil' Mo.
"Foxy is the greatest female MC of all time," said KOCH Records'
General Manager Alan Grunblatt in a statement. "I've wanted to work with her for years. This album is very much something for the fans. She recorded the vocals before she was incarcerated. We were besieged by so many fan requests that we finished the album while she was in Rikers and rushed it out. She is currently recording new songs and a deluxe version of the album will drop in the fall."
The tracklisting for "Brooklyn's Don Diva" is listed below:
1. Brooklyn's Don Diva
2. We Don't Surrender feat. Graph
3. We're On Fire feat. Movado
4. Dreams of F****** A D-Boy feat. Jay Rush
5. When the Lights Go Out feat. Kira
6. Never Heard This Before feat. Dwele
7. Too Real Feat. AZ
8. Star Cry
9. Why
10. She Wanna Rude Bwoy feat. DeMarco
11. The Quan feat. Lady Saw
12. Bulletproof Love/One Love feat. Lil' Mo
13. How We Get Down feat. Graph and Prinz
14. We Set The Pace feat. Morgan Heritage & Spragga Benz
15. The Quan ft. Lady Saw (Hip Hop Mix)
VH1'S 'I LOVE MONEY' SETS A DATE: Premiere information announced for reality series pitting contestants from past 'Flavor' shows and its spinoffs.
*"I Love Money," VH1's newest "Celebreality" series featuring popular contestants from the channel's "Rock of Love," "I Love New York" and "Flavor of Love," premieres on Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m., the network announced.
Hosted by Craig J. Jackson, the 12-episode series will pit 17 all-star contestants against one another for a chance to win a $250,000 grand prize. The group will travel to Mexico where they will participate in various challenges to test their determination to get rich.
VH1 is currently rolling-out specifics from "I Love Money" online on the VH1 Blog (Blog.VH1.com). Each day throughout the week the VH1 Blog will uncover the names of a few of the cast members until all have been revealed.
In addition, the Blog will also roll-out never-before-seen video from the upcoming series, along with photos, biographies and memorable moments.
BLIGE LAUNCHES WOMEN'S SUPPORT NETWORK: Singer teams with music exec Steve Stout for org. aimed at boosting self esteem.
*Mary J Blige and music executive Steve Stoute are scheduled to hold a press conference in New York Friday to announce their new initiative
FFAWN: the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now, Inc.
Founded by Blige, the organization aims to help women reach their full potential through scholarships, grants, and programs that foster strong self-esteem, career development and personal growth.
In addition to Blige, the organization’s board of directors will include Stoute, Kendu Isaacs, Jada Pinkett Smith, Charles Wright, Lisa Price and Samantha Fink.
The press conference will be held at Roosevelt High School in Blige's hometown of Yonkers, New York. FFAWN will initially focus its efforts in Yonkers and surrounding communities in Westchester, before expanding to the Greater New York area and the rest of the country.
MANDELA GEARS UP FOR LONDON BIRTHDAY BASH: Will Smith to host affair featuring guests Winfrey, Whitaker and Bill Clinton.
*Nelson Mandela will celebrate his 90th birthday this year attending a massive three-hour evening concert in London's Hyde Park on Friday, June 27, that will double as a fundraiser for his charity 46664.
The affair will be hosted by Will Smith, while President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Oprah Winfrey, Robert de Niro and Forest Whitaker are among those who will attend some of the events.
"You all know that I am supposed to be retired but my friends and the charitable organizations that bear my name want to use my 90th birthday year to raise funds to continue our work and so of course I want to help them,"
said Mandela, whose actual birthday is July 18. "So, we have a bargain -- I am going to London and they will host a concert in Hyde Park, which will raise awareness of our continuing work and much needed funds."
Artists set to perform include Queen & Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Leona Lewis, the Sugababes, Dame Shirley Bassey, Razorlight, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, and Jamelia, along with international
46664 Ambassadors Italy's Zucchero and Spain's Amaral.
Joining them will be South African and African artists including Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mabuse, multi-South African Music Awards winner Loyiso, Kurt Darren, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Aids orphan choir The Children of Agape -- the subject of the award winning film feature 'We Are Together', the legendary Papa Wemba and Sudanese 'war child' rapper Emmanuel Jal.
Concert proceeds will go to the 46664 campaign, which raises awareness about the impact of AIDS, especially in Africa, and promotes effective HIV prevention measures throughout the world.
Tickets can be purchased by registering at www.46664.com and go on public sale May 9 at 5 a.m. EDT at www.livenation.co.uk. They cost $128) each.
EARTH WIND & FIRE PLOTS SUMMER TOUR: Veteran band still pushing 2005 set, "Illumination."
*Earth, Wind & Fire will kick off another tour leg next month in continued promotion of its 2005 album, "Illumination," which marked the band's 35th year and its 23rd career album.
Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and company launched the outing last month and will hit more than 30 cities when the tour starts up again on June 6 with a two night stand in Las Vegas.
The disc, which scored the highest debut of the band's history, features songs produced by Raphael Saadiq, Black Eyed Peas leader will.I.Am, Organized Noise, Brian McKnight and the team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Guest performers include Saadiq, will.I.Am, McKnight, Big Boi of OutKast, Kenny G, Floetry and Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child.
The tour is currently set to run through a Sept. 28 appearance in Huntsville, AL. Details are below.
June 2008
6, 7 - Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Hilton
10 - Temecula, CA - Pechanga Casino
13, 14 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Casino
15 - Stockton, CA - Bob Hope Theater
17 - Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
19 - Santa Inez, CA - Chumash Casino
20 - San Diego, CA - County Fair
22 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
24 - Livermore, CA - Wente Vineyards
26 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion
27 - Ridgefield, WA - Clark County Amphitheater
28 - Woodinville, WA - Chateau Ste. Michelle
July 2008
6 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
9 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theatre
11 - San Antonio, TX - Majestic Theatre
12 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
14 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
16 - Vienna, VA - Wolftrap
19 - Memphis, TN - Botanical Gardens
20 - Greenville, TN - Niswonger Performing Arts Center
23 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheater
25 - Cincinnati, OH - Paul Brown Stadium
26 - Cleveland, OH - Plain Dealer Pavilion
27 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Amphitheater
29 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater
30 - Binghamton, NY - Anderson Center for the Arts
August 2008
1 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
2 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Resort Hotel & Casino
5 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
6 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest
8. 9 - Orilia, Ontario - Casino Rama
September 2008
28 - Huntsville, AL - Big Spring Jam
ITTY BITTY BITS: Will.i.am's Webby; Denzel nominated; Cole's paycheck; 'Pampered' Oprah; Gardner honored; Morris divorces; Jay-Z's endorsement; 'Gone Country 2.'
*Will.i.am's "Yes We Can" video supporting presidential candidate Barack Obama has earned him a Webby award, which salutes Web sites and online achievements. The Black Eyed Peas frontman won Webby Artist of the Year for the viral sensation that has garnered millions of hits since February on YouTube alone. The video features Obama's voice from a New Hampshire concession speech set to will.i.am's music and melody, with vocalizations of the speech from Scarlet Johansson, John Legend, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Herbie Hancock and others.
*Denzel Washington will be among the celebrities vying for an MTV Movie Award when the ceremony takes place on June 1 at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, Calif. The actor will compete against Javier Bardem, Johnny Depp and others in the best villain category.
*Natalie Cole was reportedly paid $100,000 to sing two songs for the grand opening of the $400 million Americana at Brand shopping mall in Glendale, Calif, according to Janet Charlton. The smoke free facility includes apartments and condos along with fountains and retail stores. The opening event was hosted by Jay Leno.
*Oprah Winfrey joins Sharon Stone, Courteney Cox Arquette, Faith Hill and other famous women who have autographed The Pampered Chef limited-edition Pink Kitchen Gloves and Pink Aprons to raise funds for breast cancer education and early detection as part of the company's "Help Whip Cancer" initiative. Through May 31, supporters can log on to http://www.pamperedchef.com and bid on items signed by more than a dozen famous women.
*Christopher Gardner, the best-selling author of "The Pursuit of Happyness," will be honored at the Covenant House Light the Night Gala on Tuesday, June 3, at 6 p.m., at the Waldorf Astoria. Proceeds will help keep the doors of Covenant House open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for homeless and runaway youth. Funds raised from live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and ad journal will help provide food, clothing and medical attention, as well as innovative job training programs, educational plans and housing opportunities that will transform lives.
*Former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Garrett Morris and his wife, Freda, are divorcing, reports People. The pair exchanged vows in September 1996 and separated in 2002. The actor cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, according to court papers filed Monday in Los Angeles. The couple has no children. Up next for Morris is a role in the comedy "Sonny Dream Weaver" with Simon Rex.
*Jay-Z has made clear who he wants as the next president. During his sold-out Madison Square Garden concert Friday, he shouted "F*** Bush" before showing a picture of Barack Obama on the big screen. He said: "This concert isn't endorsed by Obama, but it's time for a change." Celebs in the audience included Oprah Winfrey, Jodie Foster, Justin Timberlake and Naomi Campbell, according to the New York Daily News.
*Irene Cara and Jermaine Jackson are among the celebs confirmed for season two of CMT's reality series "Gone Country." Currently filming in Nashville, "Gone Country 2" will also include former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, "American Idol" finalist Mikalah Gordon, NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick, actor Lorenzo Lamas and actress Sean Young. Bobby Brown and Sisqo participated in season one, which became CMT's highest-rated series ever. Season 2 will begin airing in August.
SPORTS BITS: MVP Kobe; Don King sued; Richard Jefferson's misdemeanor; Jerry Rice's daughter.
*Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has officially won the NBA's MVP award. He called the award a blessing and an honor and emphasized that he wants another trophy this year. "It's Hollywood, it's a movie script. The perfect ending would be for us to hold a championship trophy at the end of it," Bryant said at a news conference attended by his teammates, club officials, his wife and two daughters. The Lakers try to take a 2-0 lead against Utah in their conference semifinal tonight.
*A lawsuit has been filed against boxing promoter Don King by his former lawyer for unpaid legal fees, reports TMZ.com. James J. Binns of Alperstein & Associates claims he performed legal services on King's behalf, and says King agreed to pay hourly rates plus costs and other out of pocket expenses for $450,000. In the lawsuit, Binns says King accepted and received the benefit of the services, but has refused to pay him.
*TMZ is also reporting that Richard Jefferson of the New Jersey Nets will be charged with one count of misdemeanor assault over an incident that took place in January. A witness says Jefferson got in a "minor verbal disagreement" at the Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis which escalated to the point where Jefferson was on top of a patron, allegedly choking him. The athlete reportedly left the club, and then ran into the witness, who asked Jefferson to stay put until the disagreement was sorted out. The witness says Jefferson responded, "Say another word, I will kick you’re a**."
*The daughter of NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, a junior at Georgetown University, became the first African American crowned Queen of the annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Va. Past queens include Alex Forsyth, the daughter of Olympic skating champion Dorothy Hamill; and Tyne Vance, the granddaughter of former President and Mrs.
Gerald Ford. In addition to being a 4.0 student, Jacqui will be releasing her debut CD, "Luv N Life," later this summer.
EUR DVD REVIEW: Dans Paris
Dysfunctional Family Drama from Paris Due on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*'Twas the night before Christmas, and we find Paul (Romain Duris) all depressed because he's just been dumped by his girlfriend, Anna (Joana Preiss).
So, he shows up unannounced at the home of his father, Mirko (Guy Marchand) and younger brother, Jonathan (Louis Garrel).
Even though he's divorced, Mirko enlists the assistance of his ex-wife (Marie-France Pisier), since they're both still coming to grips with the suicide of their teenage daughter, Claire.
But Paul's predicament doesn't prevent the still bickering couple from pointing out each other's flaws, such as the fact that the "saint-whore of a mother ran off with a Canadian lumberjack."
She also smokes like a chimney, curses like a sailor, and is generally inelegant. Unproductive papa, on the other hand, has retired prematurely and is living on a pension due to a neurological issue he's been neglecting to own up to.
While his parents ponder putting him on tranquilizers, Paul sits there in a stupor, ostensibly considering using the balcony as a launching pad.
Meanwhile, selfish womanizer Jonathan bolts from the apartment to fritter away the day 'catting about town, and he proceeds to sleep with three different women by the time he returns in the evening.
This slice of life adventure transpires over the course of a frustrating 24 hours during which not much is resolved in terms of Paul's mental state.
Still, I sort of like the fact that writer/director Christophe Honore felt no need to end on an upbeat note, and even has the temerity to suggest that perhaps people are born with a sadness gene inside them, much the same as ones for skin, eye or hair color.
A maudlin mood piece offering an off-season opportunity to share Christmas with the cracked.
Very good (3 stars)
Unrated
In French with subtitles.
Running time: 92 minutes
Studi Genius Products
EUR DVD REVIEW: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Crime Saga Courtesy of Legendary Sidney Lumet Comes to DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*Though well into his eighties, Sidney Lumet hasn't lost his edge. Exhibit A is this masterfully-crafted, multi-layered murder mystery by the legendary director which earned the #3 spot on this critic's Top Ten List for 2007.
At the point of departure of the tawdry tale of greed and betrayal, we find Andy Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in the heat of passion with his high-maintenance trophy wife, Gina (Marisa Tomei).
Despite pulling down a decent salary as a corporate executive in New York City, seems that he can't make enough money to support both his heroin habit and keep her happy with her lavish lifestyle.
He comes up with a solution to the problem, namely, to rob a mom-and-pop jewelry store in a suburban mall. And he already has a place picked out, the one owned by his parents up in Westchester.
So, he enlists the assistance of his struggling brother in hatching what's supposed to be the perfect crime. What Andy doesn't know is that Hank (Ethan
Hawke) is a shameless backstabber who has been secretly carrying on a passionate affair with Gina. Although initially hesitant, he agrees to enter the conspiracy because he's several months behind in child support to his vindictive ex-wife (Amy Ryan) and doesn't want to be denied visitation.
Needless to say, some of the best laid plans go awry, and the confederate (Brian O'Byrne) Hank hires to pull off the heist ends up mortally wounding their mother (Rosemary Harris) in an unanticipated exchange of gunfire. He dies at the scene, too, during the commission of the crime, which means it's just a matter of time before circumstantial evidence starts to point at the grieving siblings.
With the cops, the triggerman's widow (Aleska Palladino), a blackmailing mobster (Michael Shannon) and their own disconsolate father (Albert Finney) all closing in, perhaps the best the despicable pair can hope for is summed up in the Irish saying from which the film takes its title: "May you be in heaven, half an hour before the devil knows you're dead."
Vintage Lumet!
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for nudity, violence, drug use, profanity and graphic sexuality.
Running time: 117 minutes
Studi Image Entertainment
DVD Extras: Director and cast commentary, "The Making of" featurette, and a theatrical trailer.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." — John Quincy Adams
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
May 7: Singer Jimmy Ruffin is 69. Singer Thelma Houston is 62. Singer Eagle-Eye Cherry is 37.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
This blog is the home of entertainment writer and author Shelia M. Goss. It's a blog with a flair for the dramatic (www.sheliagoss.com/blog).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
May 7, 1976: William H. Hastie inaugurated as the first black governor of the Virgin Islands. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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