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10-24-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
HALLE BERRY BUYS HOME IN CANADA: Actress to move family north of the border near boyfriend's hometown.
*Hello Magazine is reporting that Halle Berry just closed on a $1.6 million lake-side property in Quebec, Canada near the hometown of her model boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry.
The couple and their 7-month-old daughter, Nahla Ariela, will reportedly reside in the town of Saint-Hippolyte in the Laurentians region, 40 miles north of Montreal. The house sits on 62 acres of land and overlooks a private lake, the magazine reported.
The area that surrounds the property has been described as one of the most beautiful in the Laurentians, with more than 62 lakes, as well as mountains and cross-country ski trails.
There's also the added bonus of Aubry's parents being nearby, as they still live in the Montreal suburb of Laval, where the 32-year-old model grew up.
BEYONCE CHANNELS 'SASHA' FOR CD TITLE: Singer finally announces name of Nov. 18 release.
*Beyonce has revealed that the name of her new full-length double album, due Nov. 18, is "I Am…Sasha Fierce."
"The new record is a double album and has two covers, like a magazine would have two covers," Beyonce said of the Music World Music/Columbia Records release. "One of the covers is named 'I Am...' and the second cover is named 'Sasha Fierce.' That is my alter ego and now she has a last name."
In past interviews, Beyonce has mentioned "Sasha" as the part of her personality that comes forth when she is performing on stage.
"I have someone else that takes over when it's time for me to work and when I'm on stage, this alter ego that I've created that kind of protects me and who I really am," the singer said in a statement released Wednesday. "That's why half the record, I Am..., is about who I am underneath all the makeup, underneath the lights, and underneath all the exciting star drama. And Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I'm working and when I'm on the stage.
"The double album allows me to take more risks and really step out of myself, or shall I say, step more into myself, and reveal a side of me that people only know me see."
Songs on the "I Am..." side include "If I Were A Boy," "Halo," "Disappear," "Broken Hearted Girl," "Ave Maria," and "Satellites." The "Sasha Fierce" half includes "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," "Radio," "Diva," "Sweet Dreams," and "Video Phone."
LEBRON, JAY-Z RALLY FOR OBAMA IN CLEVELAND: Celebs to stress early voting for Democratic presidential nominee.
*Rapper Jay-Z will join NBA superstar LeBron James in Cleveland Wednesday to co-host a rally in support of early voting for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
The event, to be held at Quicken Loans Arena, will also include a free concert by the hip-hop mogul, reports the Associated Press.
James, of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, attended a rally earlier this month in the city to encourage people to vote for Obama. He's also contributed $20,000 to a committee supporting the presidential nominee.
Jay-Z, meanwhile, recorded a YouTube clip earlier this month to proclaim his support for Obama, and urge voters in Michigan to do the same on Nov. 4. View here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuJvvcbyQVo
OPRAH SUED BY HER ALLEGED EXTORTIONIST: Louisiana man, cleared of charges, claims TV host made false statements to FBI.
*The Louisiana man who was accused of trying to extort Oprah Winfrey in 2006 is now suing the talk show titan and her attorney for allegedly making false statements to the FBI that led to his arrest.
Keifer Bonvillain, who had the extortion charges dismissed, seeks damages of $180 million from Winfrey, her attorney and the FBI in the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, reports Reuters.
Bonvillain, of Houma, La., was arrested in December 2006 after he allegedly recorded his phone conversations with an employee of Winfrey's Harpo Productions and told a company associate he wanted to write a book based on the recordings. The FBI said he claimed to have offers from publishers and tabloids ranging from $500,000 to $3 million.
The FBI arrested Bonvillain when another company associate agreed to pay him $1.5 million, wired him $3,000 and arranged to meet him. Bonvillain claims in the lawsuit that he did everything he could to avoid doing anything illegal.
"There was substantial damage done to my name and reputation on a world level," he wrote. "The extent of my damages is vast."
Federal officials dismissed the charges last year after Bonvillain agreed to perform 50 hours of community service, undergo drug testing and pay $3,000 in restitution.
Chip Babcock, a lawyer for Harpo Productions, denied the allegations in Bonvillain's suit.
"And we know that this whole episode started when the plaintiff wiretapped a Harpo employee in California," he said. "We advised (Bonvillain) that we believe that wiretapping was illegal, and this case will give us an opportunity to determine whether we were right about that."
WILL.I.AM ON POSSIBLE MCCAIN PRESIDENCY: Artist says he won't leave the country; but stresses importance of remaining 'passionate.'
*Avid Barack Obama supporter will.i.am says he won't leave the country in outrage if Republican candidate John McCain ends up in the White House.
"Whether Obama's president or McCain's president, it's still important for people to be just as passionate and just as involved in moving and shaping their communities," he told E! Online at the SHIN restaurant grand opening. "I'm going to do that regardless of who is president. You don't just bail the f*** out."
He added, "This political cycle isn't like Christmas. On Nov. 4, it isn't like I got my presents, and now I'm not gonna pay attention anymore."
So will the Black Eyed Peas frontman create more of his celeb-filled pro-Obama music videos, such as "Yes, We Can" and "We Are the Ones?"
"Not anytime soon. If I start making songs just like a factory, then they're not the truth," said the rapper. "You have to be inspired to do that kind of stuff, and when an inspiration calls, I'll answer it and do it again."
T.I. BANKS SIXTH WEEK ATOP HOT 100: J-Hud's 'Spotlight' repeats at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Montell Jordan returns.
*T.I. has the top two singles on Billboard's Hot 100 this week, with "Whatever You Like" spending a sixth non-consecutive week at No. 1, and "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna, moving up one to No. 2.
"Whatever You Like" sold 205,000 digital copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and "Live Your Life" is the greatest gainer at radio.
Pink's "So What" jumps 4-3, while Britney Spears' "Womanizer" falls to No. 4 after a record-setting 96-1 jump the week before. Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold," Rihanna's "Disturbia" and Kevin Rudolf's "Let It Rock" featuring Lil Wayne all hold at positions 5-7.
Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" is up 9-8, while teen star Taylor Swift earns her third consecutive Hot 100 top 10 single as "Fearless" opens at No. 9. The track sold 162,000 digital copies in its opening frame. Swift's second album, also titled "Fearless," is due Nov. 11.
T-Pain's "Can't Believe It" featuring Lil Wayne" drops 8-10, rounding out the top tier. Akon's "Right Now (Na Na Na) is the chart's top digital gainer after selling 75,000 copies, good enough for a 26-19 jump.
Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight" begins a second week at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, where Montell Jordan's "Me and U" is the top debut at No. 75. It's his first appearance on this chart since 2003.
PRINCE REFLECTS ON '21 NIGHT' UK RUN: Music legend said 'everyone tried to talk me out of it.'
*Prince recently sat down with The Associated Press to discuss his new coffee-table book "21 Nights," as well as the Internet's influence on pirated music and turning the big 5-0 in June of this year.
"How old are we really?" the music superstar asked. "It's about ascension. It's not the other way. There's nothing down about it. Everything is better."
As an example, he brings up his groundbreaking 21-night stand at London's O2 Arena last year. "I couldn't have sold out 21 nights in London in the peak of my career; it would have been an impossibility," he says. "I look forward to these years where everything is just open sky. I wish this for every artist: freedom."
The 21 London concerts inspired his new coffee table book "21 Nights," from publisher Simon & Schuster. The glossy not only steals glimpses of his onstage performances, but also behind-the-scenes moments of the star and his band during the unprecedented concert stint.
"No one had ever sold out 21 nights in a row," said photographer Randee St. Nicholas. "So I thought, 'We should do a book surrounding this point in his life, because this is a great point in his life.'"
"This was a landmark event," adds Prince. "No one believed that it would do what it did. ... Everyone tried to talk me out of it."
There's a reason why the CD that comes with the book contains only Prince's classic hits and songs from one of his signature jam sessions – and not any new material.
"Today, it's not realistic to expect to put out new music and profit from it. There's no point in trying to put new music out there and keep it from being (exploited)," he says, adding that he now has disdain for the way the Internet has, in his view, subverted artists' rights.
"The powers that be are abusing the copyright infringement," he says. "You can't sample Steven Spielberg; you don't see his stuff up there, just old tapes of the Ohio Players, who can't afford to defend themselves."
BET INKS DEAL WITH WEINSTEIN COMPANY: Network nabs TV rights to 'Soul Men,' 'Hurricane Season'; will promote premieres on '106 & Park.'
*BET Networks and The Weinstein Company (TWC) have agreed on a partnership that includes the first network-window premiere rights to a multi-picture package of theatrical films.
As part of the agreement, BET Networks has acquired the first position network-window rights to "The Longshots," and soon-to-be-released films "Soul Men" and "Hurricane Season," as well as a portion of the network window rights to "The Great Debaters" starring Denzel Washington.
The upcoming release of "Soul Men" stars Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac as a formerly popular singing duo who go on a road trip to perform together one last time at the Apollo Theater. "Hurricane Season" is based on a true story about a high school basketball coach played by Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in post-Katrina New Orleans, who pulls together a team and a community.
"We're excited to start this new relationship with BET," said Solomon. "These are great films that should be seen by the widest possible audience and have found a perfect home with BET."
"BET Networks is thrilled to enter into this partnership with The Weinstein Company and their strong slate of films," said Hill. "Movies perform exceptionally well on our network, and with the addition of compelling and entertaining Weinstein films, we are confident that we will be giving our audience more of what they want."
The partnership also calls for BET Networks to actively promote the releases of "Soul Men" and "Hurricane Season." BET's "106 & Park" will broadcast from the red carpet premiere of "Soul Men" at the Apollo Theater on Tuesday (Oct. 28), and will re-name the show "106 & Soul Men" for the night.
For "Hurricane Season," BET will air a primetime special from John Ehret High School in Marrero, LA featuring a town hall discussion with students, real players, actors from the film and the filmmakers.
RODNEY KING TALKS 'CELEBRITY REHAB': World's most famous police brutality victim discusses alcohol and drug addictions.
*The Associated Press caught up with Rodney King to talk about his televised battle against alcohol and drug demons as part of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab," which premiered its second season last night.
"Every day I wake up with a beer is a good day," says King, whose 1991 beating by Los Angeles police led to deadly rioting the next year when the officers on trial were acquitted.
King is among eight famous people set to face their addictions on the reality show's new season. Actors Jeff Conaway, Gary Busey, Amber Smith and Tawny Kitaen are hooked on opiate painkillers; King and former "American Idol" finalist Nikki McKibbin deal with drug and alcohol dependencies; and rockers Sean Stewart and Steven Adler struggle to stay away from street drugs, prescription pills and alcohol.
King calls his participation on the show and newfound sobriety "a blessing." He sat down with the AP to discuss his experience with on-camera rehabilitation.
AP: How do TV cameras affect treatment?
King: It felt like I was, in one way, helping a generation before me and a generation coming up after me, to let them see a good, fairly decent human being struggle with this disease. After a while, I didn't even really notice the cameras. I threw that out of my mind and just focused on me and what I was there for. What I was there for was to help myself, and at the same time I knew that by me being upfront with this thing that other people would see and they might think, 'It's not so embarrassing, let me go get myself some help.'
AP: How does it affect the dynamic to be a public figure who isn't a performer?
King: I'm a simple guy. They were so nice and so welcoming, I just felt like part of the fellowship being among them. They were really encouraging. I was very happy and very lucky to be around so many successful people who are struggling with whatever they're going through. To see them front their problems right there on camera, it made it a lot easier on me.
AP: How was your "Celebrity Rehab" experience?
King: It was a real positive experience, just getting myself to be alert again and dealing with life on life's terms. It was a good experience to face some demons... It just felt good to have people still out there rooting for me and giving me the strength and the encouragement to go get some help.
GNARLS BARKLEY HAS LOTS OF 'SOUL': Duo includes multiple versions of 'Who's Gonna Save My Soul' on new digital EP.
*Gnarls Barkley will drop a new digital EP on Nov. 11 that features four different versions of their song "Who's Gonna Save My Soul," a single from their most recent album "The Odd Couple."
According to Billboard, "Soul" appears in its original version, as a demo, an instrumental and as the audio from MTV's "52 Bands."
"The song was written about James Brown -- from an admirer's perspective ... someone who had truly personified everything that we are," says lead singer Cee-Lo.
Gnarls Barkley played a 2006 show in London the same night Brown was playing, and had been offered the chance to attend by Brown's manager. But the timing didn't work out, and Brown died a few months later.
"It disappointed me so bad," Cee-Lo says. "It was almost like he was about to pass a torch to me. It's my assumption but that's also my aspiration. When I say, 'I lay my own soul down,' it's like, I will have to be my own hero. I will have to save my own soul. Therefore, it is very painful, but there's also a silver lining."
Having toured since April in support of its second album, "The Odd Couple," Gnarls Barkley will stay put for the time being while plotting its next move.
"We really want people to hear this song, and hopefully this EP will carry it on," says group member Danger Mouse.
The digital EP also includes a live performance of "Neighbors" from the 40-Watt Club in Athens, Ga., and the non-album track "Mystery Man."
JADA PINKETT SMITH ON MOTHERHOOD: Actress offers six tips in lifestyle magazine Cookie.
*Actress Jada Pinkett Smith shares her six golden rules for parenting in the upcoming issue of lifestyle magazine Cookie.
First and foremost, "dinner together is sacred," says the wife of Hollywood superstar Will Smith.
Next is to give children their personal space to grow. It "can teach them to be responsible for their own decisions and mistakes," says the mother of two and step-mother of one. "Is it their room, or are they borrowing the space while they're living in your house? If it's theirs, then they should be able to do whatever they want with it. If it's their clothes, they have the right to do whatever they want with those clothes. We have to give them some freedom to be who they are."
Smith also stresses the importance of her kids getting enough H2O in their daily diet. "I tell them, 'You have three bottles of water a day, then drink what you want,'" she says. "I'm always like, 'Listen, we've got to keep our bodies strong - we got too much stuff to do!'"
The actress also urges other parents to teach their children about all religions: "We go to church as a family on Sunday, but we study world religion during the week as well. We read excerpts from the Bible, from Hindu texts, Kabbalah, Judaism."
Will and Jada have two children together; Jaden, 10, and seven-year-old Willow, as well as Will's son Willard, 15, from a previous marriage.
RON HOWARD GOES 'OPIE' FOR OBAMA: Director joins Andy Griffith, Henry Winkler in 'FunnyorDie.com' clip.
*In a video posted Thursday on Funnyordie.com, actor-turned-director Ron Howard begrudgingly dresses up as his famous TV characters Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham in an attempt to rally support for Barack Obama.
While speaking into the camera, Howard shaves his beard, slaps on a red wig and dons the kind of outfit he would have only worn as Opie in the `60s.
"I've never done this before and I hope never to do it again, but I guess you could say I'm feeling pretty desperate these days," explains Howard. "So as a demonstration of my sincerity, this is for you America."
Then, in black-and-white, Howard grabs his fishing pole and hits the woods to join Andy Griffith, his dad on "The Andy Griffth Show," who tells his TV son that he'll be able to vote someday, so long as he eludes the butterfly ballot.
Another wardrobe change prepares him for arrival into "Happy Days," the sitcom that ran from 1974-1984 in which Howard played Richie. Standing in front of a vintage car and clad in a leather jacket is Henry Winkler, who steps back into his cool demeanor as The Fonz. Still having some trouble with his pronunciation, he tells Howard this election is everyone's chance to right a wr-wr-wrong.
Stepping back out of character, Howard says he, Griffith and Winkler returned to their television roots to urge support for Obama and "really think through this important election."
View the clip here: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65ed650d
PARAMOUNT YANKS 'SOLOIST' FROM AFI FEST: Jamie Foxx/Robert Downey Jr. film pulled after release date changed.
*Paramount's decision to move the release date of its Jamie Foxx film "The Soloist" from Nov. 21 to March 13 not only takes it out of Oscar contention, as previously reported, but has also led to its removal from the opening night slot at this year's AFI FEST.
The Oct. 30 event would've doubled as the film's world premiere, but Paramount, DreamWorks and Participant Media announced Wednesday that the movie would be pulled, reports Variety.
"Due to the change in ‘The Soloist’ release date, we unfortunately had to withdraw from the AFI FEST Film Festival," the companies said in a joint statement. "It was an honor to be invited as the Opening Night film and we are very grateful to the festival for their support and understanding."
"The Soloist" stars Foxx as a homeless musician who dreams of someday playing the Walt Disney Music Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The film is based on a series of columns from Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Lopez, portrayed in the film by Robert Downey Jr. View a behind-the-scenes look at the film here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etotHMVxq6g
LIL WAYNE WELCOMES LIL SON: Baby born in Cincinnati; identity of babymama not released.
*Lil Wayne became a father for the second time on Wednesday with the birth of his son Dwayne Carter III, reports MTV.
The baby was born at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati to a woman whose identity has yet to be revealed.
Wayne, 26, also has 8-year-old daughter, Reginae Carter, from a previous marriage.
The artist first announced he had a son on the way during Saturday's taping of the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta. While accepting one of his awards, he told the audience: "I got a son about to be born any day now, so shout-out to him. Pray for me."
WU-TANG CLAN PLOTS MAJOR U.S. TOUR: Rap group to begin road work after Thanksgiving and continue into 2009.
*Rap outfit Wu-Tang Clan is preparing to launch a massive U.S. tour that will extend into January 2009, reports Live Daily.
So far, the trek is scheduled to launch Nov. 29 in Portland, OR, and travel through 30 cities from coast-to-coast. Major markets include Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas Denver, Chicago, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York and Atlanta.
The groundbreaking rap group continues to support last year's "8 Diagrams," which entered The Billboard 200 at No. 25 and reached No. 4 on the rap album chart. The set marked Wu-Tang Clan's first new studio effort since 2001's "Iron Flag," and first since the 2004 death of founding member Ol' Dirty Bastard.
Confirmed shows are listed below and more are on the way, according to Wu-Tang Clan's agent.
November 2008
29 - Portland, OR - Roseland Ballroom
30 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
December 2008
1 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
3 - San Francisco, CA - The Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center
4 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
5 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
6 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
7 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee
8 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
10 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
14 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
15 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
17 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
18 - Rochester, NY - Main Street Armory
19 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
20 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
21 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
23 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
January 2009
1 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
2 - Providence, RI - Lupo's
4 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
7 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
8 - Richmond, VA - Toad's Place
9 - Greensboro, NC - N Club
10 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
11 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
12 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
13 - Columbia, SC - LEVEL
14 - Atlanta, GA - venue to be announced
URBAN BEAUTY COLLECTIVE CELEBRATES FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY: National network of urban beauty shops and salons toast new cities and new social networking site
*Los Angeles, CA (October 14, 2008) – Urban Beauty Collective (UBC), the nation’s largest independent retail promotional network, celebrates its 5th year anniversary with the addition of four new cities to its roster of 10,000+ African-American hair care locations. In addition, the network has expanded its reach by launching a dedicated social network for urban stylists and barbers at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.
Urban Beauty Collective has opened its highly sought after invitation-only membership to black beauty salons and barbershops in Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina, as well as Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama. These new locations enhance a robust membership in the top 15 urban markets, including thousands of black hair care businesses in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, Miami, San Francisco/Oakland, Memphis, Charlotte and New Orleans.
On October 1, Urban Beauty Collective beta launched www.urbanbeautycollective.com as a dedicated social network for our urban hair professionals and black hair lovers. In only two weeks, more than 200 real-life customer photos have been uploaded by barbers and stylists nationwide.
Since 2003, Urban Beauty Collective has been the catalyst for an exclusive monthly promotional program called UBC-TV, which provides customized in-salon entertainment to patrons from the comfort of their trusted stylist's chair. UBC-TV is a branded-DVD delivered to salon doorsteps each month, showcasing the latest in movies, music, television and lifestyle brands. The UBC-TV Fifth Anniversary Edition DVD, with all new full-color packaging, showcases content from Universal Home Video, ABC Family, Los Angeles County and Interscope Records.
Since launching in July 2003, UBC clients include: Paramount, Sony, Universal, Dreamworks, The Weinstein Co., Fox, Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, Warner Bros. Records, Capitol Records, Jive Records, Hollywood Records, Universal Music Group, Paramount Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video, ABC, BET, MTV and The CW, among others.
Founded in 1999, DVA Media + Marketing is one of the leading independent urban communications and content firms serving the entertainment and lifestyle industries. The company’s portfolio consists of Urban Beauty Collective, the nation’s largest urban retail promotional network; DVAPR, a full-service entertainment public relations firm; Urban Thought Collective, a digital community exploring everything from politics to pop culture to personal stories from an African-American perspective. DVA is headquartered in Studio City, California. The company’s website is www.dvahq.com.
PRESS CONTACT: Ellene Miles, DVA Media + Marketing, 818.980.0770, ellene@dvahq.com
PBS TO AIR 'TSOP' SPECIAL: Concert salutes Sound of Philadelphia creators Gamble & Huff.
*A two-part PBS special, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia," celebrates the legacy of the musical production/songwriting duo Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and the entire family of Philadelphia International Records artists.
(Check local listing for airings across-the-country during the PBS December Pledge Week.)
"Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" was filmed during an historic live concert showcasing some of the greatest music and musicians in the Philadelphia International Records catalog, including The O'Jays, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Bunny Sigler, Three Degrees, The Soul Survivors, Jean Carne, G.C. Cameron, and The Sound Of Philadelphia Orchestra.
The concert was shot in front of a live audience on Saturday, June 7,2008 at the landmark Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, documented in High Definition with an 11-camera set-up and state-of-the-art audio reproduction.
Performances on part one of the "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" concert specials include "TSOP" (TSOP Orchestra with The Three Degrees), "The Love I Lost" (Harold Melvin's Blue Notes), "Expressway to Your Heart" (Soul Survivors), "I'm Stone In Love With You" (Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics), "I Love Music" (The O'Jays), "Rubberband Man" (G.C. Cameron), "Me & Mrs. Jones" (Bunny Sigler), "Used To Be My Girl" (The O'Jays), "Wake Up Everybody" (Harold Melvin's Blue Notes), "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" (Bunny Sigler, Jean Carne, The Three Degrees), "Never Gonna Give You Up" (Jerry Butler), "La La Means I Love You" (The Delfonics) and "People Get Ready / Love Train" (The O'Jays ).
ITTY BITTY BITS: Naomi denies pregnancy; Freeman No. 2 fake prez; Diddy's L'Uomo Vogue cover; Solange gets 'Ghost.'
*Naomi Campbell's lawyers are targeting the New York Post after it reported rumors that she may be pregnant. The 38-year-old, who's dating Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin, recently told the Daily Mail: "I'd love to have a baby. It's every woman's dream and I feel that's a huge part of my life that I'm yet to experience." However, her lawyers tell Page Six that rumors of an actual pregnancy are "absolutely false and fabricated."
*Morgan Freeman ranks No. 2 in Moviefone.com's new list of the top 10 movie presidents who Americans would vote into office. Freeman won for his role in the 1998 film "Deep Impact." Harrison Ford topped the list for 1997's "Air Force One." The rest of the list is as follows: 3. Michael Douglas - "The American President (1995); 4. Bill Pullman - "Independence Day" (1996); 5. Kevin Kline - "Dave" (1993); 6. Dennis Quaid - "American Dreamz" (2006); 7. Bruce Greenwood - "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (2003); 8. James Cromwell - "The Sum of All Fears (2002); 9. Jack Nicholson
- "Mars Attacks" (1996); 10. Jeff Bridges - "The Contender" (2000)
*Sean "Diddy" Combs appears on the October cover for L'Uomo Vogue's Music Issue. Inside, the mogul talks about the presidential election, the importance of voting, his many successful businesses and the evolution of inspiration in creating music. Famed photographer, Mark Seliger, shot Diddy in a variety of styles from such designers as Tom Ford, Roberto Cavalli, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren Black Label and Diddy's own Sean John, among others.
*Solange will be featured on CBS's "The Ghost Whisperer" starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, tonight (Oct. 24) at 8 p.m. The episode, shot on The Queen Mary, showcases Solange performing "6 O'Clock Blues," a collaboration with Motown legend, Lamont Dozier.
EVENT CALENDAR: Mary J. against Prop 8; Charlayne Woodard is 'Stunning'; Reuben and Esposito 'Evolve'; Black Girls Rock! Awards.
*Mary J. Blige was among the high-powered performers at a Beverly Hills fund-raiser to defeat California's Proposition 8 measure to ban gay marriage. The dinner at Ron Burkle's estate raised $3.9 million and also included Barbra Streisand, James Brolin, Melissa Etheridge, Rob Reiner, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and former Gov. Jerry Brown.
*Tony Award nominee Charlayne Woodard will star in David Adjmi’s Stunning, the second offering in the inaugural season of LCT3, Lincoln Center Theater’s new initiative devoted to producing work of emerging playwrights, directors and designers. Set in the insular Syrian-Jewish community in Midwood, Brooklyn, Stunning tells the story of Lily, a teenager who’s just been hitched to a much-older man, whose sheltered life is disrupted when Blanche, an African-American housekeeper, enters her life. The play will be presented June 1-27, 2009, at The Duke on 42nd Street. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
*Gloria Reuben, Giancarlo Esposito and MTV reality star Shwayze are among the celebrities teaming up with the makers of Trojan brand condoms to talk openly about sexual health in a new online campaign titled Evolve One, Evolve All. Celebrities, musicians, filmmakers, artists and consumers are invited to lend their unique voice to the campaign by creating digital content that describes the state of sexual health in the United States. Visitors to the Web site can share their own voice and opinion by uploading a video or sharing a comment.
*Black Girls Rock! Inc. founder and celebrity DJ Beverly Bond will partner with VH1 Soul to honor exceptional women of color at the 2008 3rd Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards. Regina King will host the Nov. 2 ceremony in New York at the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Broadway & 60th St.). Performers include Marsha Ambrosius, Bilal and poet/actress Sarah Jones. Susan L. Taylor will deliver the evening’s keynote address. Award recipients include Iman, Bethann Hardison, Estelle, Erykah Badu and Pam Grier, among others. Kerry Washington, Sylvia Rhone, Veronica Webb and Melinda Williams are among the presenters.
POOR SLEEP LINKED TO BAD MEMORY IN BLACK SENIORS: Study shows forgetfulness tied to difficulty falling asleep.
*Reuters Health reports of a new study that suggests older African Americans who have difficulty falling asleep seem to be more likely to have memory problems.
The study, of 174 African Americans ages 65 to 90, found that those who said they often had a hard time falling asleep tended to have poorer scores on standard tests of memory.
Research shows that up to 40 percent of older adults have sleep disturbances, particularly trouble falling asleep. Poor sleep has also been linked to problems with memory and other cognitive functions. However, no studies until now have looked at this relationship specifically in older black adults -- who, some research suggests, tend to be especially vulnerable to sleep problems.
In the current study, reported in the journal Research on Aging, investigators found that participants who'd been having trouble falling asleep over the past year generally had lower scores on tests of short-term and working memory. Working memory refers to the ability to tackle multiple tasks at once.
The link between sleep and memory problems held when the researchers accounted for several other factors, including depression and overall physical health.
The findings raise a number of questions, according to lead researcher Alyssa A. Gamaldo, a Ph.D. candidate at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. For one, Gamaldo said in a statement, "it is not clear if lack of sleep is the issue. Is it the quantity of sleep, the quality of sleep, or something else altogether?"
More research is needed to confirm that a lack of sleep, or a lack of quality sleep, drain memory in older adults, according to Gamaldo's team. If the current findings are confirmed, they add, then spotting and treating sleep problems in older adults could help them preserve their brain power.
"If we can better understand how sleep quantity, as well as quality, influences general cognitive functioning," Gamaldo said, "perhaps we could better maintain memory throughout life -- including later in life."
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun For movies opening October 24, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Changeling (R for profanity, violence and disturbing content) Clint Eastwood directs this psychological thriller, set in L.A., inspired by events arising in 1928 during a real life case involving a single-mom (Angelina Jolie) whose hopes for the safe return of her kidnapped nine year-old (Gattlin Griffith) were seemingly answered but then dashed when she realized that the boy brought to her was not her son. Cast includes John Malkovich, Amy Ryan and Morgan Eastwood (Clint’s daughter).
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (G) Disney, kiddie-oriented song and dance extravaganza revolves around a couple of high school sweethearts (Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens) and their friends as they face the prospect of graduating and going their separate ways. With Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman.
Passengers (PG-13 for mature themes, sensuality and scary images) Horror flick starring Anne Hathaway as a grief counselor to survivors of a plane crash who falls in love with one (Patrick Wilson) of her patients just before the others start disappearing mysteriously, one by one. Ensemble cast includes Andre Braugher, David Morse, Clea DuVall and Dianne Wiest.
Pride and Glory (R for pervasive profanity, graphic violence and brief drug use) New York City crime saga about a detective (Edward Norton) investigating the murders of four police officers in a routine drug bust gone bad who opens a Pandora’s Box when the trail leads to a couple of cops close to him: his brother (Noah Emmerich) and brother-in-law (Colin Farrell). With Jon Voight, Rick Gonzalez and Wayne Duvall (Robert’s cousin).
Saw V (R for nudity, profanity, torture, and graphic violence) Latest installment of the high attrition-rate, slasher franchise finds a forensics expert (Costas Mandylor) hunting for humans during a deadly rampage aimed at protecting the secret that he has been tapped to carry on the grisly legacy of the infamous Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). With Meagan Good, Julie Benz and Betsey Russell.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Ben X (Unrated) Revenge drama about an autistic teenager (Ben Timmermans) being mercilessly bullied at school who hatches a plan to get even with the help of a girl (Laura Verlinden) he meets online while playing his favorite computer game. (In Dutch with subtitles)
God and Gays: Bridging the Gap (Unrated) Faith-based documentary chronicles the challenges faced by Born Again homosexuals trying to find acceptance as Christians in spite of their religion’s general condemnation of their sexual preference as sinful.
I’ve Loved You So Long (PG-13 for smoking and mature themes) “Debt to society” drama about the readjustment to real life of a recently-paroled ex-con (Krisitin Scott Thomas) with the help of her younger sister (Elsa Zylberstein) after spending 15 years in prison for the murder of her 6 year-old son. (In French and English with subtitles)
Let the Right One in (R for profanity, nudity, disturbing images and graphic violence) Horror flick about 12 year-old boy (Kare Hedebrant) who exacts revenge on his bullies with the help of his beautiful next-door neighbor (Lina Leandersson), a girl his age who just happens to be a bloodthirsty vampire. (In Swedish with subtitles)
Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom (R for sexuality and profanity) Screen adaptation of the gay-themed TV series revolving around the sexploits of four African-American men (Darryl Stephens, Christian Vincent, Douglas Spearman and Rodney Chester) shifts its setting from L.A. to Martha’s Vineyard for a weekend-long celebration during which plenty of kinky hijinks and relationship drama unfold. Cast includes Phoebe Snow, Gary Gray and Gregory Kieth.
Roadside Romeo (Unrated) Disney collaborates with Bollywood to produce this animated adventure about the plight of a pampered family pet dog (Saif Ali Khan) abandoned on the mean streets of Mumbai where he is forced to defend himself from four goons until he falls in love at first sight with the hound (Kareena Kapoor) of his dreams. (In Hindi with
subtitles)
Saving Marriage (PG-13 for brief profanity) Same-sex relationships are the subject of this civil rights documentary about the landmark legal decision making gay marriage legal in Massachusetts.
Stranded (Unrated) “Tastes like chicken” documentary recounts the harrowing ordeal of the 16 survivors of a 1972 plane crash who were forced to resort to cannibalism for sustenance until their wish to be home for Christmas came true when they were rescued on December 23rd after being stuck high in the Andes Mountains for 72 days.
Synecdoche, New York (R for profanity, sexuality and nudity) Philip Seymour Hoffman stars in this dramedy about an unhappily-married theater director’s struggle to balance women and work while recreating a replica of New York City in a warehouse as a set for his latest play. Ensemble includes Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Hope Davis, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Michelle Williams (former fiancée of the late Heath Ledger).
The Universe of Keith Haring (Unrated) “Notice me!” documentary revisits the life and times of the attention-grabbing, gay graffiti artist who died of AIDS in 1990 at the tender age of 31.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Holding anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." — The Buddha
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Oct. 24: Singer Monica is 28. Singer-actress Adrienne Bailon of 3LW ("The Cheetah Girls") is 25.
Oct. 25: Actor Michael Boatman ("Spin City") is 44. Singer Speech (Arrested Development) is 40. Actor Mehcad Brooks ("Desperate Housewives") is 28. Singer Ciara is 23.
Oct. 26: Musician Bootsy Collins is 57.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Aspiring African American actors, models, dancers and singers will want to bookmark Young Black Starz.org (www.YoungBlackStarz.org).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Oct. 24, 1935: The first black-authored play to become a long-run Broadway hit, Langston Hughes' "Mulatto," opens.
Oct. 25, 1940: Benjamin O Davis becomes the first black general in U.S. Army.
Oct. 26, 1872: Inventor T. Marshall patented the fire extinguisher.
(Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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