Sympatico stories.

Justin Timberlake in Clint Eastwood baseball drama

Filed under: Entertainment, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 2:40 pm on February 1, 2012

February 1, 2012

Justin Timberlake will continue his successful reinvention as a Hollywood star with a role in the upcoming Clint Eastwood drama Trouble with the Curve.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Timberlake joins Amy Adams in the baseball story which will be directed by Eastwood’s longtime producing partner Robert Lorenz.

In the story of an aging baseball scout (Eastwood) who embarks on a road trip with his lawyer daughter (Adams), Timberlake will play a Yankees scout who tries to woo not only players, but perhaps Adams as well.

Before he gets to work on Curve, however, Timberlake is set to star in the Coen Brothers upcoming folk music drama Inside Llewyn Davis. In the past year the former pop star has become a bonafide movie star, appearing in the sci-fi thriller In Time, the raunchy comedy Bad Teacher and the romantic comedy Friends With Benefits.

Not bad for a former boy-band member who just turned 31-years-of-age earlier this week.

Shooting on Trouble with the Curve is set to start in Atlanta this March.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Operatic groundbreaker Camilla Williams dies

Filed under: Music, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 2:29 pm on

February 1, 2012

Opera star Camilla Williams has died aged 92.

The Associated Press reports that Williams — the first African American to receive a contract with a major American opera company, and a professor emeritus at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music — died at her home in Bloomington, Indiana on Sunday, January 29.

A spokesperson for the music school said the cause was complications from cancer.

Williams’ illustrious career began when she made her debut as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly with the New York City Opera in 1946. A review of her performance in the New York Times said she sang with “a vividness and subtlety unmatched by any other artist who has assayed the part here in many a year.” The part eventually became her signature role.

She went on to break down racial barriers worldwide, becoming the first black artist to ever sing a major role with the Vienna State Opera in 1954 and was the first black professor at Beijing’s Central Conservatory in 1983.

In 1963, she had the honour of performing just before Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the civil rights march in Washington, D.C.

Williams retired from performing in 1971 and shifted her efforts exclusively to teaching. In 1977 she became the first African American professor of voice at the Jacobs School of Music, and continued working in education until her late 70s.

Williams is predeceased by her husband Charles T. Beavers also originally from Danville and who was one of the main attorneys for Malcolm X.

(Image: United States Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons)

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Cult frontman Ian Astbury says rock has “lost its teeth”

Filed under: Music, Rock, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 2:06 pm on

February 1, 2012

As veterans of the music industry often do, The Cult’s frontman Ian Astbury is bemoaning the current state of music.

In a recent interview with Billboard about the Brit band’s new album Choice of Weapon, Astbury says that online critics have made some musicians afraid to take artistic risks.

“I’m watching so many artists just terrified to make a statement of any kind. They’re afraid they’re going to get ripped apart in the blogosphere or torn apart by some critic who’s basically just out of diapers. So many (artists) seem to be scared to come out and say what they feel. A lot of rock ‘n’ roll music has lost its teeth.”

Still, Astbury is confident that his band’s new output, their ninth record since forming in 1983, steers clear of such pitfalls.

He says the album is “coherent. It’s cohesive. It’s very confident, and the statements are very bold. Some may feel there’s a certain arrogance to it, but I think there’s a healthy confidence to this record. We knew it wasn’t going to be superficial. The gloves were coming off. We were going to show it as raw and as intimate as we could.”

In addition to his work with The Cult, Astbury has toured with The Doors of the 21st Century. In 2002, he teamed up with original Doors members Robby Kreiger and Ray Manzarek and last year, went on a 10-country world tour.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Katy Perry: The Motion Picture?

Filed under: Music, Pop, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 1:47 pm on

February 1, 2012

Katy Perry may be headed to the big screen – in 3D!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Perry is in talks with Paramount to shoot a 3D documentary about the “Teenage Dream” singer, in the hopes of capturing the same sort of success as Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never.

The Bieb’s flick, released last February, grossed $73 million, giving it the record for biggest grossing concert film in North America – though Michael Jackson’s This Is It holds the global record, having grossed $261 million.

THR notes that the recent trend back towards big screen concert docs was kicked off back in 2008 by the success of Miley Cyrus’ Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour and the subsequent hit Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.

The disappointing reaction to Glee the 3D Concert Movie, however, proved that the genre isn’t bulletproof.

Perry’s colourful style and popularity with teenage girls are both seen as positives when it comes to positioning the star as the next big screen concert queen.

Though she recently split from hubby Russell Brand, Perry hasn’t retreated to the sidelines.

MTV reports that the often blue-haired chanteuse will perform at this year’s Grammy Awards, where her song “Firework” is up for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Rap, reggae pioneer King Stitt dead at 72

Filed under: Music, Sympatico, Urban — D.I.S.H. @ 1:37 pm on

February 1, 2012

King Stitt, a pioneering force in the creation and development of rap reggae, has died at age 72.

Billboard reports that Stitt passed away on Tuesday in his home in Kingston, Jamaica following battles with both prostate cancer and diabetes.

Born Winston Sparks, Stitt is credited as being one of the originators of “toasting” the Jamaican form of deejaying that led directly to the advent of rapping in New York City in the 1970s.

The Jamaica Observer notes that Stitt was known as “King of the Deejays” in the 1960s, having been influenced by Count Machuki “the original Jamaican deejay.”

Born disfigured, Stitt branded himself “The Ugly One” and became famous for such songs as “Paradise Plum” and “Fire Corner.”

“Without being disrespectful, Stitt made a mark vocally and visually,” says friend and Jamaican musicologist Bunny Goodison. “Because of his image everyone knew him.”

“He had a very deep and abiding love for music, not just Jamaican music because he knew his jazz and he grew up in the American rhythm and blues era,” Goodison says. “He had no trade and knew no other life.”

(Image: Jamaican Gold)

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Adam Sandler goes to Candy Land?

Filed under: Entertainment, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 12:45 pm on

February 1, 2012

Will Adam Sandler be making a trip to Candy Land?

That’s the (sugar) buzz as The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Sandler and his Happy Madison production company are in talks to bring the live-action adaptation of the popular kid’s game from Universal to Sony, so that the Sand-man can star in it.

Word is Sandler wants Enchanted director Kevin Lima to helm the picture based on a script that Sandler co-wrote with pal Robert Smigel.

Four years ago game-maker Hasbro signed a deal with Universal to produce at least four movies based on their games. Now the deal is ending with only one picture, the upcoming Peter Berg sci-fi adventure flick Battleship coming out of it.

Sandler sees potential in Candy Land, however, with Columbia Pictures (a division of Sony) president Doug Belgrad telling THR the movie will charm fans of the original game.

“Candy Land is more than just a game,” Belgrad says. “It is a brand that children, parents and grandparents know and love. The world of Candy Land offers an extraordinary canvas upon which to create a fantastical, live-action family adventure film with a larger than life part for Adam. We are thrilled to partner with Hasbro and Happy Madison on this project.”

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Martin Scorsese gets award nom for Hugo dog

Filed under: Entertainment, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 11:43 am on

February 1, 2012

Hugo is gearing up to be a big award-winner this season, and if director Martin Scorsese has his way everyone involved in the film will be recognized for its success – even Blackie the dog.

Scorsese was apparently upset that the doberman, who plays a major role in his beloved new family picture, wasn’t nominated for Best Dog In A Theatrical Film at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards.

This prompted the Oscar-winner to pen an open letter to the Los Angeles Times, complaining of the oversight and urging organizers at Dog News Daily to reconsider their nominations.

In his letter, Scorsese argues that Blackie may have been overlooked because she plays a villain in the film.

“We all have fond memories of Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, the big stars, the heroes, but what about the antiheroes?” Scorsese writes. “We have learned to accept the human antihero, but when it comes to dogs, I guess we still have a long way to go.

“I’m proud of Blackie, who laid it on the line and dared to risk the sympathy of her audience.”

Golden Collar organizers released a statement saying that if Blackie could obtain 500 nominations via Facebook they would reconsider and soon were flooded with noms.

Alan Siskind, CEO of Dog News Daily, has now indicated on their website that Blackie will be recognized for her work. “Due to the outpouring of love and support from around the world from fans of Mr. Scorsese… Blackie’s name has been added to the Best Dog in a Theatrical Film category as the sixth and final nominee in that category.”

Blackie joins Uggie – receiver of two nods, one for The Artist and one for Water for Elephants – Arthur from Beginners, Denver from 50/50 and Hummer from Young Adult.

The first annual Golden Collar Awards will take place February 13 in Los Angeles.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Taylor Swift is not Eponine in Les Mis

Filed under: Entertainment, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 10:02 am on

February 1, 2012

Taylor Swift is out and British ingenue Samantha Barks is in as Eponine in the upcoming big screen adaptation of the Broadway smash Les Miserables.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barks has plenty of experience in the role, having played Eponine in London’s stage production of Les Mis in 2010 and again at the 2011 Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert.

Rumours had circulated for months that country music superstar Swift was the front-runner for the part, having already beaten out such stars as Glee’s Lea Michele, Evan Rachel Wood and Scarlett Johansson.

Those rumours turned out to be premature, however, as Les Mis producer Cameron Mackintosh revealed the surprise hire at the curtain call of Barks’s current show, a Manchester production of Oliver!

21-year-old Barks, who first became famous on the British TV talent search I’d Do Anything, joins a cast that includes Russell Crowe as Inspector Javier, Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean and Anne Hathaway as Fantine.

The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper is shooting the picture that’s set to land on screens everywhere December 7, 2012.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Paul McCartney to write video game music

Filed under: Music, Rock, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 8:57 am on

February 1, 2012

Paul McCartney is no stranger to music composition beyond his rock and roll roots and now he’s adding video game scoring to his growing list of endeavors.

The former Beatle, who has written film scores and classical pieces, tells German newspaper Die Zeit he’s excited about the opportunity to branch out in this direction – though he hasn’t revealed the name of the game in question.

Apparently it didn’t take much convincing by the game makers, whoever they are, to get Sir Paul on board. He’s fully aware that video games sell faster than albums.

“It’s a fascinating market. A new computer game sells so much better than a new CD these days. Young people will hear my music for the first time in a game.”

While McCartney hasn’t written specifically for this format before, this isn’t the first time his songs have made it into the gaming world. In 2010, some of The Beatles’ catalogue was put out in The Beatles: Rock Band, an installment in the mock-performance Rock Band franchise.

Fans hoping to get their hands on new music by Macca in a more traditional format don’t have long to wait. His cheekily-titled new album Kisses on the Bottom comes out February 6.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Judge cracks down on illegal Batmobile peddler

Filed under: Entertainment, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 8:52 am on

February 1, 2012

Not just anyone can make a Batmobile.

That’s the ruling of a California judge who says the design of Batman’s car is copyrightable.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, DC Comics – which is owned by Warner Bros. – sued Gotham Garage owner Mark Towles, alleging he was illegally making and marketing imitation Batmobiles.

Towles had argued that you can’t copyright a design like the Batmobile, as the Copyright Act  doesn’t apply to “useful articles.”

U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew disagreed, explaining that Towles “ignores the exception to the ‘useful article’ rule, which grants copyright protection to nonfunctional, artistic elements of an automobile design that can be physically or conceptually separated from the automobile.”

That means Judge Lew figured what makes the Batmobile truly unique are its cool aesthetic design elements, not anything the car can actually do.

THR reports that the original Batmobile, appearing back in 1940 in Detective Comics #35, was a red 1936 Cord 810 sedan without any bat-related designs.

It wasn’t until later that the car took on its familiar shape, black shell and various bat-related insignias.

Super Hero Hype revealed last summer that in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Dark Knight Rises, the Caped Crusader will be cruising town in a new Batmobile that’s essentially a sleeker version of the Bat-Tumbler the hero revealed in The Dark Knight.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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