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07-07-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
'HANCOCK'S' JULY 4TH DOMINATION CONTINUES: Moviegoers around globe give 'Hancock' $185 million.
*"Hancock's" flawed superhero flew in the face of movie critics over the weekend and topped the box office with $185 million in sales worldwide, according to its studio, Columbia Pictures.
The comedy-drama, which stars Will Smith as an alcoholic crime-fighter who attempts to repair his image, pulled $107.3 million from North American audiences in the six days since the film opened on Tuesday evening. The movie earned an additional $78 million in 50 territories.
According to Columbia, the film opened at No. 1 in 47 of those 50 markets, including Britain, Germany, Australia, Brazil and South Korea.
The 90-minute movie, which cost $150 to make, had a premise that intrigued critics, but also a dramatic sub-plot involving Charlize Theron that didn't' go over so well with reviewers. Theron plays the wife of a public relations exec (Jason Bateman) who helps Hancock to restore his reputation.
Smith, meanwhile, has ruled the July 4 weekend box office five times, beginning with 1996's "Independence Day," the biggest movie of his career. Adjusted for ticket-price inflation, the "Hancock" opening ranks at No. 3 among those offerings, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo.
LOVEFEST NOW BETWEEN JAY-Z AND NOEL GALLAGHER: Oasis frontman praises rapper's Glastonbury set; Jigga leaves door open for collabo.
*Rapper Jay-Z says he'd be willing to work on a project with Oasis lead singer Noel Gallagher, the alternative rocker who criticized Glastonbury Music Festival organizers for booking Jay-Z as its headliner.
As previously reported, the rapper took the stage with a guitar around his neck singing the Gallagher-written "Wonderwall," a monster hit for Oasis in 1995. The performance was Jay-Z's way of brushing off Gallagher's comments to the BBC last year. "I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong," he told the network.
In an interview with People.com Friday, Gallagher said his comments were misconstrued by the media, and that he, in fact, is a Jay-Z fan.
"I thought it was great. I love Jay-Z," he said of the rapper's Glastonbury performance. "The thing is, I was actually giving my opinion about ticket sales at Glastonbury. And it really wasn't about hip-hop or anything like that."
As for Jay-Z's "Wonderwall" cover, Gallagher said: "I only caught the second half of his set. But everyone says it was great."
The rap star, meanwhile, told MTV Base that Gallagher has been trying to contact him ever since the Glastonbury gig.
"I haven't spoken to him," said Jay, whose real name is Shawn Carter. "I heard he was reaching out, but I haven't spoken to him."
Jay even said he's open to working with Oasis someday. "Anyone," he answered, when asked about who he'd be willing to work with. "Oasis as well - it doesn't matter to me, I don't bear any grudge, it's all good. I just believe in good music and bad music, I've always said that. You look at any interview from the beginning of time, I've always stated that I don't believe in the lines and classifications that people put music in so they can easily define it."
EMINEM SUED FOR BATHROOM BEATDOWN: Rapper accused of sucker-punching man while standing at urinal.
*A man is suing Eminem for more than $25,000 claiming the rapper sucker-punched him at a bathroom urinal two years ago at a Detroit strip club.
According to reports, Miad Jarbou filed a lawsuit Thursday in Oakland Circuit Court accusing Em of assault and battery on July 13, 2006. Jarbou claims to have been in the restroom when the rap star walked in with a large man he took to be a bodyguard.
According to Jarbou, a friend he was with said: "Hey Eminem, what's up man?" and the bodyguard standing near the door told him to "Shut the f*** up, man! Don't say another word." Jarbou then responded: "Hey, man, my friend ain't starting trouble. It's just cool to see Eminem."
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, allegedly stepped back from a urinal and "without warning or provocation ... drove his fist in a violent punching manner" into Jarbou's face, knocking him to the ground. Eminem and his bodyguard then left the men's room, according to the complaint.
Jarbou says he's "undergone physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, ongoing serious injuries requiring medical treatment" and "embarrassment, humiliation, medical expenses, wage loss and other economic and non-economic" damages.
KANYE WEST HEADED TO ANGER MANAGEMENT?: Sun-Times columnist heard rapper's camp made decision for his own good.
*Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker says the team behind Kanye West has suggested he take anger management classes to become more attractive to potential advertisers.
"A West insider tells me the entertainer's own management team dreamed up the idea, for two reasons: to help his personal psychological well-being and relationship with friends - and to aid him in snaring lucrative endorsement deals," Zwecker wrote in Thursday's edition.
He said two major corporations (a cosmetics/fragrance firm and an automotive manufacturer) have shown interest in the rapper/producer as a spokesman, but they're worried about "how easy he'll be to work with."
The source tells Zwecker: "Not only has Kanye estranged himself from some pretty important people in the music business, but his temper has driven away a number of longtime friends."
SPIKE LEE TO FILM BROADWAY'S 'PASSING STRANGE': Cameras will roll on three performances later this month for cable TV.
*Broadway's newest sensation, Passing Strange, will reportedly become a Spike Lee joint in the coming months.
EW.com is reporting that the famed filmmaker will shoot three performances of the Tony-nominated musical over a weekend later this month. Two will be filmed with an audience present at the Belasco Theatre, and one without.
Financing for the film will be handled by the musical's producers, according to the Web site. The final version will likely be aired on cable television.
Passing Strange features a Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by Stew and music by Stew and his longtime musical partner Heidi Rodewald of The Negro Problem. The musical - which opened on Broadway Feb. 28 - incorporates elements of Stew's life to tell the story of a young black bohemian who leaves behind his middle-class, church-ruled upbringing in Los Angeles to travel abroad in search of his artistic and personal identity.
GOSPEL'S TIMOTHY WRIGHT HURT IN CAR CRASH: Pastor's wife killed in accident, grandson injured in central Pennsylvania.
*Gospel artist Timothy Wright was critically injured Friday night in a three-vehicle car crash that killed his wife and left his 14-year-old grandson with serious injuries.
According to the Associated Press, 44-year-old John Pick of Lewisburg was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 80 in Greene Township, PA when he smashed into Wright's vehicle, killing his 58-year-old wife, Betty Wright. Pick was also killed in the collision.
Timothy Wright, 61, and his grandson were taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, according to hospital spokesman, Thomas Schaeffer. A passenger in the third vehicle is in fair condition.
Timothy Wright and his family were returning from a Church of God in Christ conference in Detroit when the accident happened, said Leroy Johnson, a trustee at Grace Tabernacle. The couple has five sons, and the family asked that no other information be released, Johnson said Saturday.
Wright, the pastor at Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in New York City, has a gospel discography that includes his latest album, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
MAYWEATHER SAYS HBO ANNOUNCERS ARE BIASED: 'They praise white fighters, Hispanic fighters. But black fighters, they never praise.'
*Freshly-retired boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he feels racial bias coming from boxing announcers on HBO, the cable channel that has broadcast many of his fights and featured him in their "24/7" documentary series that followed his training.
"They talk about Kelly Pavlik, a white fighter, like he's the second coming. Or they go crazy over Manny Pacquiao. But I'm a black fighter," Mayweather told The Grand Rapids Press in an interview Friday. "Is it racial? Absolutely. They praise white fighters, they praise Hispanic fighters, whatever. But black fighters, they never praise."
The 31-year-old from Grand Rapids says other than the bias from announcers, the network "is great."
"I've noticed it for a long time but I couldn't say anything because I had to do business with them. I'll still do business with them, but I'm done holding my tongue," said Mayweather.
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said in a statement that the network was disappointed to hear of the boxer's remarks and denied his claims.
"Floyd is a tremendous athlete who gave his all to the sport. We have nothing but admiration for what he accomplished in the ring," Greenburg said. "His remarks regarding HBO broadcasters and executives are unfortunate and we could not disagree more."
VENUS BEATS SERENA FOR 5TH WIMBLEDON TITLE: Plus, sisters team for doubles win 3 1/2 hours later.
*The Williams sisters put Wimbledon in a headlock over the weekend, with Venus winning the women's singles title over her sister Serena 7-5, 6-4, and both siblings teaming about 3 1/2 hours later to win the doubles championship.
"We've both worked really hard this year, and I think the results showed here, both in the singles and the doubles," Venus said after winning the Wimbledon singles title for the fifth time.
This is Venus' fifth title at Wimbledon's All England Club, while Serena was looking for her third after wins in 2002 and 2003.
"I can't believe it is five because when you are in the final against Serena Williams five seems so far away," Venus said during her post-match interview. "It's unbelievable especially with some of the injuries I have gone through. I love this place."
Later Saturday, the Williams sisters claimed their third Wimbledon doubles title and seventh Grand Slam doubles title, beating Lisa Raymond of the United States and Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-2, 6-2.
Including the prize money awarded to the singles champion and runner-up, along with what they earned for the doubles championship, the Williams family netted more than $2.5 million Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
BOBBY BROWN REFLECTS ON NEW EDITION EXIT: Singer says boot was 'best thing for me.'
*Bobby Brown tells Jet magazine that getting voted out of New Edition in December 1985 - by fellow members Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ralph Tresvant - was actually a blessing in disguise.
"It was only them kicking me out the group that made me like, 'Yo, if I don't succeed, I ain't going to be [nothing] back home.' But these brothers did the best thing for me that could ever possibly be done. Teach me a lesson," Brown tells Jet magazine in this week's issue.
Brown's New Edition members, under pressure from record label MCA and their management, voted to toss the singer from the group for behavioral problems.
The singer went on to launch a mega-successful solo career in 1986 with the multi-platinum album "Don't Be Cruel" and its hit singles "My Prerogative," "Roni," "Rock Wit'cha," "Every Little Step" and the title track.
CHARLES BARKLEY SALTY OVER D.A.'S ACTIONS: TNT talker says Vegas handled his gambling snafu all wrong.
*Charles Barkley does not appreciate the way that his unpaid gambling debt was broadcast to the media last month by the powers that be in Las Vegas.
The Clark County district attorney's bad check unit threatened to open a criminal investigation into the NBA analyst after Wynn Las Vegas filed a lawsuit against him for the return of $400,000 in gambling markers the casino alleges it extended him last year.
"It pissed me off. I'm going to get the DA here one of these days," Barkley told radio station KWWN-AM. "Every dog gets their day, and they will get theirs at some point."
Barkley says he feels it's perfectly within his right to gamble, but he stopped to take the "pressure" off his employer, TNT.
ROSA PARKS ITEMS TO BE AUCTIONED: Lot includes hat she wore Dec. 1, 1955 on Montgomery bus.
*Thousands of personal items belonging to the late Rosa Parks will be auctioned in New York City to settle a 2006 lawsuit filed by Parks' relatives over her estate, reports the Detroit News.
Included in the collection is the hat Parks wore on Dec. 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man and sparked the 381-day Montgomery bus boycott. Also headed for auction is the Medal of Freedom given to her by President Bill Clinton, a postcard sent to her from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and hundreds of hand-written notes documenting her life as a young girl growing up in the racially segregated South.
"This is an important collection," the Detroit News quotes of Arlan Ettinger, the owner of Guernsey's Auction, which is handling the sale after being selected by Wayne County Probate Court to settle the lawsuit. "It's inconceivable to me that we will ever do something this important again."
Guernsey's received 90 boxes of items, ranging from Parks' papers to personal objects such as the pink dress she wore when Clinton presented her with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Parks, who died in 2006 at age 92, left most of her estate to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development. She and her husband, Raymond, who died in 1977, did not have children. Proceeds from the auction, expected to reach $10 million, will go to the Detroit organization, as well as family members.
Ettinger said there are several offers for the purchase of the entire archive - including interest from the University of Michigan. Also, officials at the Rosa Parks Museum and Library at Troy State University in Montgomery, Ala., and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute are both considering purchase of the entire lot.
NEW AKON SINGLE TO FEATURE MIJAC: Songwriter Claude Kelly had no idea King of Pop would end up on track.
*Budding singer/songwriter Claude Kelly wrote Akon's recently-leaked track "Hold My Hand," which to Kelly's surprise, included added vocals from the legendary Michael Jackson.
"I wrote the song and gave it to Akon with the intention of it going to maybe Whitney Houston, but Akon said he wanted to cut it himself. I thought, 'It doesn't get any bigger than this'," the 27-year-old New York native tells Billboard.com. "A few months after, Akon plays the song for me and all of a sudden I hear Michael Jackson's voice. I was literally shaking by the time the song was over."
The track, which has since been pulled off the Internet, is in the running to be the first single from Akon's new album, due later this year. According to Kelly's manager Michael "Make" Mentore from Star Power Media/Make Moves Management, the song will appear on Jackson's upcoming album as well.
Since penning the collaborative track, Kelly has been tapped to work not only with Akon and Whitney Houston but also with Jennifer Hudson, Frankie J, Brandy, New Kids On The Block, Toni Braxton, recent Def Jam signee Unique and Leona Lewis, including the latter's second single, "Forgive Me," which will be released in the coming weeks, reports Billboard.com. He also wrote the entire debut solo album for Corbin Bleu from "High School Musical" fame.
ESSENCE AT MALINDA WILLIAMS' BRIDAL SHOWER: Family and friends gather to celebrate forthcoming marriage to D-Nice.
*Actress Malinda Williams had a bridal shower brunch recently that is described in full detail at Essence.com.
The star of Showtime's "Soul Food" will marry her boyfriend of three years, Derrick Jones (former rapper D-Nice), on Aug. 23. The shower was described as "just a simple, intimate backyard get-together on a beautiful summer day."
Eighteen guests were on hand, including Malinda's mother Beverly Williams, and four of her five bridesmaids-Terri J. Vaughn, Vanessa Williams, and Malinda's sisters Leslie Dunn and Lisa Sorenson (who hosted the affair at her home in Studio City, CA). The 5th bridesmaid, Nicole Ari Parker, was unable to attend.
Vanessa Williams, who played the bride's big sister on Soul Food, told Essence: "I'm honored to be here as part of this [group] of gorgeous women who are surrounding Malinda with all of the love and light that she reflects."
TV One chef G. Garvin was at the celebration to prepare a five-course meal. Other guests included Tasha Smith, Salli Richardson, Dawnn Lewis and A.J. Johnson.
Read the entire account of Malinda Williams' bridal shower here:
http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1819392,00.html
RANDY MOSS INVESTS IN NASCAR TEAM: New England receiver funds 50 percent of Morgan-Dollar Motorsports.
*New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss is the latest athlete to enter the NASCAR business by investing in a team.
According to the Associated Press, the All-Pro athlete announced Thursday he has purchased 50 percent of Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, a fledgling Truck Series team racing this season without sponsorship.
Running a successful truck program requires at least $6 million. If Moss can't find funding, he'll have to pay the balance out of his own pocket. Moss, who wouldn't disclose the purchase price of his latest venture, said he has the money to cover the cost and the will to make the team successful.
"Yeah, I am prepared. I'll leave it at that," he said at Daytona International Speedway, where he attended his first NASCAR race over the weekend. "I have been in the league 11 years, so I think I'm good. I am not really saying that I am 100 percent certain that it's going to work, but at the same time, you've got to think positive. I think if you go out there and think in the negative light, bad things will happen."
Moss renamed the team Randy Moss Motorsports, and changed the truck number from 46 to his jersey number, 81. The team will make its debut July 19 at Kentucky Speedway with Willie Allen behind the wheel, reports the AP.
Other athletes who have tried and failed to run NASCAR teams are Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Tim Brown, Julius Erving, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jim Kelly, Mark Rypien and Roger Staubach.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Nick/Mariah marriage; Richie's 'Chuck' gig; Ebony's 'Coolest Men'; Talley denied credit; Christies renew vows again.
*Nick Cannon told People.com that his marriage to Mariah Carey is "the best thing that ever happened to me." The former "Wild 'N Out" star was in Las Vegas Friday to spin records at Christian Audigier The Nightclub. According to People, Mr. Carey arrived just before midnight, sporting his wedding band, and played a two hour set that included hip-hop, techno and rock. At one point, he put on Shawty Lo's "Dey Know." Bobbing his head to the song, Cannon raised his hand high in the air and shouted the lyrics "Big ups, to all my haters."
*Nicole Richie has gotten the thumbs up from cast members on NBC's "Chuck." The new mom, 26, filmed a guest appearance on the series that will air in mid-October. "It was fantastic," a source told People about Richie's appearance. "She was friendly. Everybody loved her." Nicole plays Heather Chandler, an old high school nemesis who made fun of Sarah, played by Yvonne Strahovski. "She has a great fight scene," the source said. Between takes and training for their fight scene, they were "giving each other high-fives."
*Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama covers Essence magazine's new "25 Coolest Brothers of All Time" issue, gracing a list that includes actors Don Cheadle, Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Musicians Quincy Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Jay-Z, Prince and Snoop Dogg also made the cut, as well as veteran actors Sidney Poitier and Richard Roundtree. Late icons Sammy Davis Jr., Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Tupac Shakur and Malcolm X are also included.
*The New York Post is reporting that Missy Elliott's birthday party at New York club Marquee turned violent after choreographer Laurie Ann "Boom Kat" Gibson and her makeup-artist pal, Deborah Padilla, "got shoved out of the way by a waitress trying to get to rapper Busta Rhymes." A witness told the Page Six column: "The waitress got into it with the makeup artist, then fists flew. There were people crying, bottles flying and Missy trying to get out of there. It was pandemonium." A waitress claimed in a police report she was "hit above the eye." Padilla was arrested and charged with assault.
*Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley reportedly had credit card issues in Macy's recently while trying to buy XXL Calvin Klein thongs. According to Page Six, the fashion diva tried to open as store credit card account and was rejected. "He was denied and had trouble paying for it and had to come back . . . it was a big fiasco," a source told the column. Vogue spokesman Patrick O'Connell confirmed Talley was in Macy's, but insisted he was buying Polo boxers - not thongs. He declined to discuss the credit card drama.
*NBA star Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, will renew their vows for the 13th time in a private ceremony scheduled for tomorrow (July 8) in Seattle, Washington. The reality show couple will donate $100,000 to charity and plan to invite 100 gay and lesbian couples to join them next July for their 14th wedding to marry in one joint ceremony. "We will be honored to do it," said Jackie Christie. The couple continues to participate in non-profit organizations such as the BLACK HIV/AIDS Institute helping to raise awareness on the wide spread epidemic surrounding the disease.
NAACP TARGETS MORTGAGE DISCRIMINATION: Civil rights group spearheaded nationwide 'Day of Action' to demand changes.
*NAACP chapters across the country took part in a national "Day of Action" against discriminatory mortgage lending Saturday by demanding that several top lenders make amends for discriminating against African American borrowers.
According to the NAACP and its lawsuit against 17 major lenders - including Citi, HSBC, WaMu, GMAC and JP Morgan - African American borrowers were given loans with higher interest rates and other poor terms solely because of their race.
The Day of Action was marked by nationwide events in more than 20 locations, including New York, Chicago, Baltimore, St. Louis, Detroit, Las Vegas, suburban Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Memphis, Seattle and southern California.
NAACP leaders, other officials and community members held events at lending institutions and in affected neighborhoods to highlight the pervasive and systemic discrimination against African Americans within the mortgage industry and to demand an end to it.
"Every one of us deserves equal access to the 'American dream' of homeownership," said NAACP Interim General Counsel Angela Ciccolo. "Making amends is just the beginning. We want to make sure African Americans are never victimized by the lending industry again. This discrimination was nationwide and cut across income-levels. People with six-figure incomes, significant down-payments and who had owned several homes before were not immune from being discriminated against because of their race."
EUR FILM REVIEW: Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Abigail Breslin Stars in Screen Adaptation of Depression-Era Whodunit
Film Review by Kam Williams
*Kit Kittredge, directed by Patricia Rozema, is the fourth of the American Girl series of illustrated children's novels (along with Samantha, Felicity and Molly) to be adapted into a movie.
However, it's the first to enjoy a theatrical as opposed to a television release.
This kiddie-oriented whodunit is based on a best seller by Valerie Tripp and Walter Rane aimed at 2nd to 4th graders and stars "Little Miss Sunshine" Abigail Breslin in the title role as a spunky, 10 year-old aspiring journalist.
The story unfolds in Cincinnati in May of 1934 where we find the Kittredge family better off than most in the midst of the financial collapse which has already engulfed much of the country. We learn that Kit's father (Chris O'Donnell) has managed to keep his struggling car dealership afloat thus far, although there's plenty of evidence that others haven't been so lucky.
Initially oblivious of the financial crisis, precocious Kit visits the offices of the local daily newspaper, hoping to have her article on the Chicago World's Fair published. After not being taken seriously as a reporter by the tabloid's curmudgeonly editor (Wallace Shawn), she turns her attention to more age-appropriate matters, like swearing in her friend, Florence Stone (Erin Hilgartner), as the newest member of her all-girl, secret Tree House Club.
But reality begins to set in when the bank forecloses on the Stones and they end up homeless and waiting on line to eat at a soup kitchen. Next, Kittredge Motors fails, and Kit's father has to move to Chicago to look for employment. Meanwhile, to keep a roof over their heads, Mrs. Kittredge (Julia Ormond) decides to take in a few boarders, and a more colorful collection of characters you couldn't hope to find.
There's Lucinda Bond (Joan Cusack), a loony mobile librarian who can't drive straight; May Dooley (Jane Krakowski), a down-and-out dance teacher in need of a shoulder to lean on; and Jefferson Jasper Renee Berk (Stanley Tucci), a masterful magician with tons of tricks up his sleeve. So, this motley crew put on a lighthearted sideshow as the Kittredges adust to living with a houseful of tenants.
The plot thickens when the city falls victim to a string of similar robberies, and Kit becomes consumed with cracking the case, ala Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. She witnesses one pickpocket in progress and observes that the perpetrator has a telltale tattoo on his arm. Therefore, after the clueless cops finger an innocent hobo, it's makes her that much more determined that justice prevails.
Overall, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is a wholesome, family-friendly adventure reminiscent of the best of Disney from the Mouse House's heyday during the Fifties and Sixties. Given the engaging tale, the period costumes, the clean dialogue, the timely universal themes with heartwarming messages and the satisfying send-off, you have to wonder why nobody seems to make movies like this anymore.
That being said, if anybody can explain to me exactly what adorable Willow Smith (Will and Jada's daughter) was doing cross-dressing as a male street urchin in what amounted to a throwaway role, that would be very much appreciated.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated G
Running time: 97 minutes
Studi Picturehouse
To see a trailer of the film, visit: http://youtube.com/watch?v=WeJNNG-wSbk
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap in the dark to our success." — Henry David Thoreau
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
July 7: Blues pianist Pinetop Perkins is 95. Actress Roz Ryan
("Amen") is 57. Bassist Ricky Kinchen of Mint Condition is 42. Cree Summer ("A Different World") is 39.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Need your Eric Benet fix? Well then www.TrueEBfans.com is the official fan club of Eric Benet and the BEST place to get Eric Benet news.
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
July 7, 1906: Baseball legend Satchel Paige was born in Mobile, Alabama. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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