04-27-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE

BEYONCE SETS PERSONAL RECORDS WITH 'OBSESSED': Film is best last-week-of-April opener ever; also, biggest film featuring her as above-the-title star.

       *Sony/Screen Gems sent out a Twitter "tweet" on Sunday that said the $28.5 million opening weekend for their Beyonce film "Obsessed" is the second biggest opening in the studio's history.
      
       The thriller stars Knowles and Idris Elba as a couple whose ideal marriage is threatened when a psychotic temp played by Ali Larter begins stalking the husband.

       "Obsessed" also holds the title of the biggest opening ever for a last-week-of-April release, beating previous record holder "Mean Girls" ($24.4M). It also gives Beyonce the best opening of her career as an above-the-title star, topping 2003’s "The Fighting Temptations" ($11.7M) and "Cadillac Records" ($3.4M) from late 2008.
      
       As previously reported, Terrence Howard's "Fighting" came in third at the weekend box office with $11.4 million, and Jamie Foxx's "The Soloist" earned fourth place with $9.7 million. 

J-HUD ROCKS HOMETOWN CROWD: Singer dedicates 'You Pulled Me Through' to relatives; brings cousins on stage.

 *Jennifer Hudson performed for her hometown crowd in Chicago for the first time since her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered in the city in October.

 The gig, part of her U.S. tour with Robin Thicke, stopped at McCormick Place on Saturday. During the show, the Oscar and Grammy winner dedicated her song "You Pulled Me Through" to relatives in the audience and brought four cousins on stage to sing with her, according to the Associated Press.

       The bodies of her mother and brother were found Oct. 24 at their home on Chicago's South Side. The body of nephew Julian King was found days later on the city's West Side.
      
       The estranged husband of Hudson's sister, William Balfour, is charged in the murders.

PRINCE ON 'TAVIS SMILEY' TONIGHT AND TUESDAY: Artist opens up about being teased as a kid and more. Watch preview clip.

 *Prince taped a sit-down interview with Tavis Smiley for the journalist's PBS talk show that will run over the course of two shows, beginning tonight.
 
 Among the many topics discussed is how he dealt with other kids teasing him as a child.

 "Of course I went into self and I taught myself music," said the artist. "My father left the piano in the house when he left, and I wasn't allowed to play it when he was there because I wasn't as good as him. So when he left, I was determined to get as good as him."

 Prince is currently promoting his new album "Lotus Flow3r," a 3-disc bundle that includes "Elixir," the debut CD from his latest protégé Bria Valente. Prince is joined by Valente on Tuesday night's "Tavis Smiley."

       Watch the two-minute preview of tonight's interview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb7uHwLdgIk 

RIHANNA SEEKS RETURN OF SEIZED JEWELS: Lawyer files motion to get back $1.4 million in bling taken as evidence.

 *Rihanna was rocking $1.4 million worth of borrowed jewelry the night of her altercation with Chris Brown, which instantly became police evidence in an ensuing investigation.

       Nearly three months later, the lenders are starting to sweat the singer for their pieces. Her attorney, Donald Etra, filed a motion Tuesday asking that Los Angeles police and prosecutors return the pair of earrings and three rings that they seized.  All were made of "yellow metal" and all but one includes "white stones," according to the filing.

       Etra argues that photographs of the items will satisfy the needs of attorneys and asks the court "to order the return of the property to (Rihanna) without further delay." The motion states that Brown's attorney and a Los Angeles Police Department detective overseeing the case do not object to the return of the items.

       The filing indicates the jewelry was loaned to the singer by four companies, which want the items back for new events overseas.
      
       The jewelry was part of the ensemble that Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was wearing when Brown allegedly beat her while driving home from a pre-Grammy party.

       Brown was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with felony assault and making criminal threats. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his case is due back in court on Wednesday, when a judge will consider the jewelry motion as well, reports the Associated Press. Brown is not required to attend that hearing.

 Meanwhile, Rihanna is said to be hard at work on her next album, writing songs about "different situations in her life, just things that inspire her," according to one of her producers Brian Kennedy Seals.

       "She's ready, ready to make hits," Seals told People.com Wednesday at the ASCAP Pop Awards in Hollywood, adding that they've already worked on three songs, including an up-tempo number and a ballad.
      
       As for the lyrics, "We're not there yet," says One Republic's Ryan Tedder, who is also working with Rihanna, 21, as a writer and producer.
"She's someone … who has something to say, so I will let her lead whatever she wants to say."
      
       As for how Rihanna is doing these days, Tedder says, "She's phenomenal. She's confident and strong and doing what she does."
 
SNOOP'S CIVIL BEATING TRIAL BEGINS:  Opening statements took place Friday in lawsuit filed by man claiming rapper beat him on stage.

       *Opening statements began Friday in the civil trial against Snoop Dogg, who is accused of severely beating up a man during a 2005 concert in Seattle.
      
       Richard Monroe, Jr. sued the rapper claiming he suffered serious injuries at the hands of Snoop and his entourage after jumping onstage during their show. Monroe seeks $22 million in damages and punitive penalties against the artist, whose real name is Calvin Broadus.
      
       According to the Associated Press, Monroe's suit states he thought he had permission to join Snoop onstage during a performance of "Gin and Juice," but was beaten and robbed by the performer and members of his entourage.
      
       The star of E! reality show "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood" attended one day of jury selection earlier this week, and was present in court as a tape of the incident was shown to jurors during opening statements by Monroe's attorneys.

UNIVERSAL CASHES IN ON RICK ROSS, 50 'BEEF': Both rappers experience giant sales boosts since feud began.

 *Beef sells. Just ask Universal Music Group, the label home of two feuding rappers who have spent the past five months recording dis records, videos and cartoons against each other all the way to the bank.

  Ever since the drama between Rick Ross and 50 Cent began escalating in January, the sales of Ross’ two previous albums have increased by 62%, while sales of 50 Cent’s three catalog titles grew by 74%, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

       And the more that bloggers wrote about the battle, according to the online chatter tracker Nielsen BuzzMetrics, the more the two artists reaped the benefits. Ross' new album “Deeper Than Rap” looks as though it will debut atop the Billboard 200 this week with sales of about 150,000 copies.

       But some critics question if the beef was a publicity stunt by Ross to draw attention to “Deeper Than Rap."
      
       “People made plenty of assumptions [about the beef] but my name was mentioned before I ever did anything,” Ross told Billboard. “And where I grew up, if I have a homeboy that gets shot at every time he goes down a certain street and if I’m riding in the car with him one particular day and we go down this same street and they happen to shoot at the both of us, I’m involved now. When someone mentions my name because they’re attacking someone that I’m close with, it’s my problem now.”
      
       That’s how the feud got started, according to Ross. First, he released “Mafia Music” online, which referenced the public rift between 50 and his son’s mother about child support and the house she lived in with their child, which mysteriously burned down after a court ruling in 50’s favor. 50 struck back with “Try Me” by way of his blog site, thisis50.com, in which he rhymed, “Officer Ricky! Radio for backup/See his ass anywhere, you know I’m gonna act up.”

       The beef is also enhanced by the revelation that Ross – who professed to be a cocaine dealer in the past – was discovered to have worked as (gasp) a corrections officer. 50 Cent pounced on the news, even using Ross'
ex-girlfriends and baby mamas to ridicule the rapper.

        In the latest jab, Ross's upcoming video for the promo single "Cold Blood," the Miami MC appears in a black suit, black leather gloves and black shades as he sits in the back pew of a funeral parlor and watched a makeshift ceremony marking the death of Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent.
      
       “For Ross, the beef actually elevated him to a national platform, but his music is incredible enough to back it up,” says Chris Atlas, senior VP of marketing for IDJ, Ross’ label. “If it was just purely beef and we had wack music, there’s nothing to sell. But the beef got him even more national attention, and when those who hadn’t checked for him went out and heard his previous music, Ross was able to back it up. And now, controversy aside, the music is speaking for him. There is a lot of anticipation for this album.”
      
       The first single, “Magnificent,” is No. 7 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and features John Legend. Production on the album comes from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, the Runnerz, the Inkredibles and Tricky Stewart, as well as guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T-Pain, Nas and the-Dream, among others.
      
DENZEL IN TALKS FOR 'UNSTOPPABLE': Actor would reteam with Tony Scott for a fifth time.

 *Denzel Washington is reportedly in negotiations to star in "Unstoppable," a Tony Scott-directed thriller for 20th Century Fox.

 If he signs on, the movie would mark his fifth directed by Scott, following "Crimson Tide," "Man on Fire," "Déjà vu" and the just-completed train-based thriller, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," due from Columbia Pictures on June 12.

       In "Unstoppable," another train-based thriller, Washington would play an experienced engineer who jumps in a locomotive with a young conductor to chase down a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals.
      
       Mark Bomback wrote the script, which is loosely inspired by a true event.

       Washington has been filming "The Book of Eli" for Alcon Entertainment and Silver Pictures, with Allen and Albert Hughes directing the post-apocalyptic thriller that Warner Bros. releases in early 2010.

WILL SMITH, SAMUEL L IN ABC 'MONEY' SPECIAL: Actors to discuss credit cards, mortgages and more in 'Unbroke.'

 *Will Smith and Samuel L. Jackson will join “Good Morning America” financial contributor Mellody Hobson and others to discuss money tips amidst the world's current economic crisis in a new ABC special.

 “Unbroke: Everything You Need to Know About Money,” to premiere May 29,  will feature the actors joining fellow celebs Seth Green, the Jonas Brothers and the E*Trade babies to talk about credit cards, mortgages, the stock market indexes, investing, 401(k) plans and more.

 As previously reported, Smith's TV work in 2009 also includes "Unfinished Business," a new crime drama for the Sci-Fi Channel produced by the actor's production company Overbrook Entertainment.

       The show follows an ex-cop who starts seeing flashes of memories from the recently deceased. The visions compel him to help wronged souls resolve their unfinished business.'
      
       Jackson's recent TV resume includes voicing the lead character of Spike TV's "Afro Samurai."

CENTRIC TO AIR NEW MO'NIQUE, MONICA SHOWS: BET and VH1 Soul team for new network to take on TV One.

       *As previously reported, TV One will take on new competition this fall from an upstart cable channel targeting the same demographic - African Americans between the ages of 25-54.

       Viacom's BET J and VH1 Soul are combining resources to form Centric, a network designed to attract older African Americans who are perhaps impatient with the younger-skewing mix of programming on Viacom's venerable BET channel.

       Centric is set to launch in October with 45 million subscribers, putting Viacom in direct competition with the Comcast/Radio One-owned TV One, which also targets 25-to-54 African-American viewers and reaches 47 million subscribers.

       "What we're creating is a brand-new network targeted to adult, upscale, sophisticated and aspirational African-American and multicultural audiences," said BETN president and COO Scott Mills at the company's recent Upfront presentation in New York. "We think we have a unique way of serving that demo that no one else can in the space."

       As for the type of individuals Centric hopes to attract, Mills told the New York Times “a perfect example would be” Barack and Michelle Obama.
      
       Centric will kick off with several original entertainment and reality shows, such as "Model City," an unscripted program about African-American models in New York City and "Keeping Up With The Joneses," which follows a Houston-based family of entrepreneurs.
      
       As previously reported, BET booked R&B singer Monica and comedienne/actress Mo'Nique for their own programs this fall. Both, however, are now slotted to air on Centric. "Monica: Still Standing" is a reality show following the artist as she records a comeback album, while Mo'Nique, a Baltimore native, will have her own nightly talk/variety show.
      
       The budding channel will also bring back the "Soul Train Music Awards," and offer a number of demo-targeted content - including movies and music programming from MTV, VH1, BET and other MTV Networks outlets. News and public affairs programming are said to be coming in the near future.
      
       BET (Black Entertainment Television), headquartered in Washington DC and seen in 89 million homes, launched its BET J channel (formerly BET on Jazz) in the late 90s as a vehicle for mostly reality series and music programs.
      
      Both BET J and VH1 Soul will continue to operate as channels separate from Centric. According to Billboard, Centric will start with BET J's distribution and annex channel slots allocated to VH1 Soul or possibly some other small MTV Network service, rather than merge.

JOHN LEGEND TO GO GREEN ON NEXT TOUR: Singer plans eco-friendly jaunt in support of 'Evolver.'

 *John Legend will keep things as green as possible while touring over 50 cities this summer in support of his latest album, "Evolver."

 The R&B crooner is teaming up with non-profit environmental organization REVERB to ensure that the trek is eco-conscious, reports Billboard. Their efforts will include coordination with venues and local caterers to facilitate the use of green products and practices, along with neutralizing CO2 emissions from venue energy use, hotels, flights and touring vehicles.

       The tour's "carbon footprint" was calculated by REVERB and neutralized by financially supporting the construction of new renewable energy projects such as wind farms. Eco-friendly merchandise will be available for fans and a John Legend on-line ride-sharing service will encourage and assist carpooling to shows.

 The tour begins June 27 in Muskegon, Mi., and wraps up in Berkeley, Calif., on Labor Day. India.arie is scheduled to open select shows.
      
       Backed by 11-piece band, Legend will make stops at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta, Mann Music Center in Philadelphia and Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.
      
       Last month, Legend topped Billboard's Green 10 list for his increased efforts on behalf of various environmental causes.  In January, he performed at the Green Inaugural Ball, a celebration of the Obama administration's pledge to build a sustainable energy economy that was executive-produced by Live Earth founder Kevin Wall.
      
       His two-year-old Show Me Campaign is dedicated to improving life for the residents of poverty-stricken Mbola, Tanzania, with clean water and higher-yielding agriculture. Last year Legend teamed with professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University's Earth Institute for a speaking tour to promote sustainable development in Mbola and other impoverished areas.
      
       Legend's tour dates are listed below:
      
June 2009
27 - Muskegon, MI - Heritage Landing

July 2009
3 - New Orleans, LA - Louisiana Superdome
5 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
11 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center
14 - Portsmouth, VA - Ntelos Wireless Pavilion
17 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
18 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre
20 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
24 - Elizabeth, IN - Horseshoe Southern Indiana
25 - Windsor, Ontario - Caesars Windsor The Colosseum
31 - Cincinnati, OH - Paul Brown Stadium

August 2009
3 - West Homestead, PA - Riverplex Amphitheatre at Sandcastle
5 - Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center for the Performing Arts
7 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
28 - Woodinville, WA - Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
29 - Goldendale, WA - Maryhill Winery Amphitheater

September 2009
1 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre

ANGER GROWS OVER TIANA'S NON-BLACK SUITOR:  Disney's first black princess paired with olive-toned prince voiced by Brazilian actor.

 *Apparently black-on-black love doesn't exist in Walt Disney's world. At least, that's what critics of the studio's first animated film starring a black princess are claiming after finding out that the prince in the story is not also black.

 The studio has already had to make several changes to its film "The Princess and the Frog" after complaints of racial insensitivity.  Princess Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, was originally named Maddy until folks complained that it was too similar to the popular female slave name, "Mammy."

       A second wave of controversy arose after it was revealed that Tiana would find love with a prince described as "olive-toned" and voiced by Bruno Campos, a Brazilian actor.
       
       “What? No black prince? What’s up with this?” blogged James Collier on Acting White, an anti-racism Web site, in a posting typical of the general disbelief among the film’s most vocal black critics. “Perhaps Disney doesn’t want the future mothers of dwindling white America being imprinted so early in their lives with the notion of a black suitor.”

 Another blogger, Angela Helm, attracted nearly 3,000 comments on the Black Voices Web site when she complained that “even though there is a real-life black man in the highest office in the land with a black wife, Disney obviously doesn’t think a black man is worthy of the title of prince.”

       According to leaked details of the film's storyline reported by London's Times Online, the princess is transformed into a frog after kissing one and has to venture into the mystical bayous of Louisiana to find a cure from a voodoo queen.
      
OPRAH'S NEW 'AHA MOMENT' – A LAWSUIT: Talk show host takes on Mutual of Omaha for using tag in a commercial. Plus, Oprah denies wearing weave.

 *The exclamation "aha" has been in existence for many years, but was anyone saying "Aha moment" before Oprah Winfrey? And did the talk show host ever bother to trademark the phrase? Mutual of Omaha is about to find out.

 The insurance company was sent a cease and desist letter by Winfrey's legal team, demanding they stop their new advertising campaign, which carries the slogan, "Official Sponsor of the Aha Moment."

       In the letter, sent April 21, Winfrey's camp claims they have the rights to the two words and do not want Mutual of Omaha to mislead her fans into thinking she backs their services.
      
       But according to TMZ.com, Mutual of Omaha fired back with a lawsuit, claiming that even if Oprah had trademark rights to the phrase, she "abandoned" those rights by failing to "police their alleged mark" when other businesses used it in the past.
      
       In the suit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Nebraska, Mutual asks the judge to rule that they have the right to use the phrase in their campaign.
      
       A rep for O tells TMZ, "Harpo has not filed a lawsuit or counterclaim against Mutual of Omaha. We hope to reach an amicable resolution on this issue."

 In other Oprah news, the billionaire answered a tweet during her "Friday's Live" show last week that inquired if her current shoulder-length hair is a weave. The TV titan said it was not and proved it by showing a picture of her natural hair length when she arrives to work - before it is straightened and coiffed by her longtime stylist Andre.

 View the video clip here: http://tinyurl.com/c33uha.  

FOX SEARCHLIGHT NABS MUSICAL 'BLACK NATIVITY': Kasi Lemmons to adapt and direct film version of gospel play.

       *The popular Langston Hughes musical "Black Nativity" will be adapted for the big screen with filmmaker Kasi Lemmons writing and directing.
Searchlight is fast-tracking the holiday classic for a possible Christmas release, reports Variety.
      
       "Black Nativity," which was first performed in 1961, is a retelling of the Bible's nativity story with an all-black cast and features traditional Christmas carols sung in gospel style.
      
       Writer-director Lemmons, who burst onto the scene with 1997's critically acclaimed Southern drama "Eve's Bayou," has been selective with her follow-up projects. She most recently helmed the Don Cheadle starrer "Talk to Me."
      
       Celine Rattray, Galt Niederhoffer and Daniela Taplin Lundberg are producing through their Plum Pictures shingle. Joy Goodwin is exec producing.

JANELLE MONAE IN ANOTHER 'UNIVERSE': Singer to play herself in Sci Fi Channel series.

 *R&B singer Janelle Monae has booked a guest starring gig as herself in the Sci Fi Channel drama-adventure series "SGU: Stargate Universe," set to premiere in October with a special two-hour episode.

 The Bad Boy/Atlantic Records artist and her band appear in an episode performing "Many Moons" and "Sincerely," two songs featured from her latest album titled "Metropolis."

       "SGU," an edgier and younger-skewing series in the popular "Stargate" franchise, follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth.
      
       Faced with meeting the most basic needs of food, water and air, the group must unlock the secrets of the ship's Stargate to survive. The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them.

COMMON, TARAJI P. HENSON CAST IN 'DATE NIGHT': Pair joins ensemble cast about a routine date night gone awry.

 *Rapper Common and Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson join the ensemble cast of "Date Night," a comedy about a married couple who find themselves in harm's way after their routine date night goes horribly wrong.

 Tina Fey and Steve Carell play the ill-fated daters. The 20th Century Fox film, due in 2010, also includes Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Leighton Meester and Kristen Wiig.

       Wahlberg plays a successful and crazily buff securities expert who flirts with Fey's character. Franco portrays a not-too-bright con man and petty criminal. Meester is onboard as the couple's babysitter. Henson plays the one good cop who believes the couple is in danger, and Common portrays a villain. Wiig, who worked with Fey on "Saturday Night Live," rounds out the cast as the actress' best friend.
      
       Director Shawn Levy ("Night at the Museum 2") said he aimed high in casting "Date Night" with the goal of populating all the supporting roles "with formidable actors."
      
       "And people just kept saying yes," added Levy. "I think people just really wanted to work with Tina and Steve."
      
VING RHAMES SNAPS UP "PIRANHA': Actor to join Richard Dreyfuss in horror-thriller remake.

       *Ving Rhames returns to the big screen in Dimension Films' upcoming "Piranha 3D," a remake of the 1978 film that followed the accidental release of a genetically-altered species of piranha into lakes, rivers and even swimming pools.

       According to ShockTillYouDrop.com, the update will have an earthquake causing Arizona's Lake Havasu floor to open, setting free scores of prehistoric piranhas.

       Rhames joins Richard Dreyfuss, Elisabeth Shue and Adam Scott in the film. Director Alexandre Aja starts shooting next month in Arizona for release next March.

ITTY BITTY BITS: 'Ruined' extended; Perry's stalker's resume; Salley is 'Out of Here'.

 *Lynn Nottage’s Ruined, which was recently awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, has been extended again at Manhattan Theatre Club, reports Playbill News. The show, which opened to strong reviews on Feb. 10, will now play through May 17. Set in a small mining town in Democratic Republic of Congo, it follows Mama Nadi, a shrewd businesswoman whose bar/brothel plies rebel and government soldiers with music, beer and good times, as the land outside is torn apart by civil war. Is she a war profiteer, exploiting the women she shelters? How far will she go to survive?

       *TMZ.com found out that Tyler Perry's alleged stalker once held down a government job, which means she had to take – and pass – an extensive background check. Dawne Wilson, currently locked up in Atlanta on an aggravated stalking charge, recently worked for the General Services Administration -- an agency which helps manage and support the basic functioning of other federal agencies. TMZ spoke with one of Wilson's former co-workers, who said, "The whole thing was a shock ... it seemed out of character ... she never seemed unbalanced."

       *Former NBA star John Salley was announced Friday as a cast member of NBC's upcoming "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!," a reality series based on a popular British program that puts famous folks in the middle of a jungle and dares them to survive without the comforts of their celebrity status. Cast members so far include Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV's "The Hills"), former supermodel Janice Dickinson ("The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency"), 2007 "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar, actor Stephen Baldwin and professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson. Previously cast former Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich had to pull out of the show after his request to travel to Costa Rica was turned down by a judge.

HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED OVER SWINE FLU: White House makes move Sunday in wake of growing concern.
 
 *The U.S. declared a public health emergency Sunday to deal with the emerging new swine flu, much like the government does to prepare for approaching hurricanes, reports the Associated Press.

 Officials reported 20 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York. Unlike in Mexico where the same strain appears to be killing dozens of people, cases in the United State have been mild — and U.S. health authorities can't yet explain why.

 "As we continue to look for cases, we are going to see a broader spectrum of disease," predicted Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We're going to see more severe disease in this country."

 At a White House news conference, Besser and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano sought to assure Americans that health officials are taking all appropriate steps to minimize the impact of the outbreak.

 Top among those is declaring the public health emergency. As part of that, Napolitano said roughly 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu will be moved from a federal stockpile to places where states can quickly get their share if they decide they need it. Priority will be given to the five states with known cases so far: California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas.

 Napolitano called the emergency declaration standard operating procedure — one was declared recently for the inauguration and for flooding. She urged people to think of it as a "declaration of emergency preparedness."

 "Really that's what we're doing right now. We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size of seriousness of this outbreak is going to be."

EUR FILM REVIEW: Obsessed
Temp Stalks Happily-Married Boss in Harrowing Psychological Thriller
Film Review by Kam Williams

      *Derek Charles (Idris Elba) is on top of the world, having recently been promoted to Executive Vice President at Gage Bendix, a leading, Los Angeles investment house. 

      Furthermore, the coveted asset manager, who couldn't be more in love with his beautiful wife, Sharon (Beyonce'), and adorable young son, Kyle (Nathan and Nicolas Myers), has just purchased a sprawling, suburban McMansion for his picture-perfect family. 

      However, Derek has no idea that their American Dream is about to morph into a never-ending nightmare the fateful morning he crosses paths with Lisa Sheridan (Ali Larter), an attractive stranger who flirts with him on the elevator on his way to work.

      They exit together on his floor where, to his surprise, he soon discovers that she has already been assigned by her temp agency to fill-in for his secretary, Patrick (Matthew Humphreys), who's out with the flu.

     Derek knows that this arrangement won't sit well with Sharon, since he's promised her he'd never hire another female assistant because their love had blossomed out of an office romance. Yet, against his better judgment, he not only lets Lisa stay for the rest of the day but even allows her to remain with the firm indefinitely after Patrick returns from sick leave.

      Meanwhile, Lisa's inappropriate behavior gradually escalates from crying on Derek's shoulder over martinis to cornering him for a kiss under the mistletoe at the company Christmas Party to following him into the men's room to trying to seduce him in the parking garage and more. Inexplicably, Derek proves to be either too polite, too flattered or too dense (or maybe a combination of all of the above) to fire Lisa on the spot. Instead, he recklessly risks both his career and his marriage by failing to mention to his wife or his boss (Bruce McGill) that he's being stalked by a delusional employee who craves his body.

      Superficially, the plotline of Obsessed reads like a thinly-veiled remake of Fatal Attraction, as it features so many similarities to that classic thriller that the original's scriptwriter, James Dearden, deserves to share a credit for the screenplay. Whether it's the suicidal sexpot, the kidnapping of Derek's son, his fed-up wife's being forced to take the law into her own hands, or the femme fatale having nine lives in the climactic finale, the story often looks like a line-by-line rip-off.

      Nonetheless, that being said, the three principal cast members throw themselves into their respective roles with such gusto that they manage to generate a palpable tension which makes this B-version feel genuinely fresh and exciting. Idris Elba rises to the challenge of playing his clueless character convincingly, while Beyonce' is just as good as the doubting spouse with serious trust issues. But it is Ali Larter as home wrecking Lisa who steals the movie by serving up a scary screen monster so despicable you'll be cheering with relief by the time she finally gets her comeuppance.

      A cautionary reminder that Hell still hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially when she's a crazy, two-faced psycho. 

Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for sexuality, violence, suggestive dialogue and mature themes.
Running time: 105 minutes
Studi Screen Gems

EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE

       "If we do not learn to live together as friends, we will die apart as fools." — Martin Luther King
  
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS  

       April 27: Singer Cuba Gooding of the Main Ingredient is 65. Singer Ann Peebles is 62. Singer Herbie Murrell of The Stylistics is 60. Singer Mica Paris is 40.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
 
       In this tutorial created by Kyle Lambert, you will learn all the steps to create a digital painting of President Obama, it also comes with a video. Go here: www.iedava.notlong.com.  
      
       Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.      

BLACK HISTORY
  
  Apr. 27, 1964: Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge to become the East African Nation of Tanzania. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)