Hobbit tops US box office with $73.7m

Undaunted hobbits trumped princess power at the multiplex.

According to studio estimates on Sunday, Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was No. 1 at the US box office with $US73.7 million ($A82.62 million), beating last weekend's No.1 film, Disney's animated fable Frozen.

Melting down to the No. 2 position, Frozen earned $US22.2 million in its third weekend, bringing its impressive overall domestic ticket total to nearly $US164.4 million.

Despite its first place position, Hobbit fell short of topping its prequel's debut. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened this same weekend last year, gained $US84.6 million.

'Hobbit rules this date and Warner Bros has linked this brand to this time of year very effectively,' said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak.

The holiday-themed Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas came in third place with $US16.2 million.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, earned $US13.2 million for the fourth place slot. To date Catching Fire has grossed $US739.9 million, surpassing the worldwide box office total for The Hunger Games, which brought in $US691 million.

Disney's super hero sequel, Thor: The Dark World, continues to thrive as it remained in the top five with $US2.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $US198.1 million.

In its second weekend, drama Out of the Furnace, starring Christian Bale and Casey Affleck, dropped to the sixth place position with $US2.3 million after opening in the third place slot.

Comedy Delivery Man, with Vince Vaughn as the lead, dropped in at No.7 in its fourth weekend at the box office with $US1.9 million, bringing its domestic total to $US28 million.

Philomena, starring Judi Dench, who received a best actress Golden Globe Awards nomination for her performance as a nun in search of her son, landed in the No.8 spot with $US1.8 million.

In its sixth weekend at the box office, Fox's Nazi Germany-set The Book Thief, starring Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nelisse, held ninth position with $US1.7 million.

Coming in at No.10 was the Jason Statham and James Franco-starring Open Road crime thriller Homefront, which gained $US1.6 million in its third weekend. Its total domestic gross is now $US18.4 million.

Opening in limited release in just six locations, David Russell's con artist tale, American Hustle, scored $US690,000 over the weekend. This aces the success of his Oscar-winning film Silver Linings Playbook, which saw $US27,687 during its opening weekend in December last year.

American Hustle, featuring stellar performances by Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, has been nominated for seven Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild nominations.

source: skynews.com.au

Walker crash not part of street race

The neighbourhood where 'Fast Furious' star Paul Walker died in a fiery crash is known to attract street racers, but law enforcement officials do not believe the Porsche in which Paul Walker and a friend were riding had been racing another car.

Accident investigators 'have received eyewitness statements that the car involved was travelling alone at a high rate of speed,' the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement on Monday.

'No eyewitness has contacted the (department) to say there was a second vehicle.'

Walker and his friend and fellow fast-car enthusiast Roger Rodas died on Saturday when Rodas' 2005 Porsche Carrera GT smashed into a light pole and tree, then exploded in flames. The posted limit was 45mph (72km/h).

The two had taken what was expected to be a brief drive away from a charity fundraiser and toy drive at Rodas' custom car shop in Valencia, northwest of Los Angeles. Walker's publicist said the action star was the passenger.

The crash happened on a street that forms a near two-kilometre loop amid industrial office parks. It is rimmed by hills and relatively isolated from traffic, especially on weekends when the businesses are closed.

'It's well-known out here that that's a hot spot for street racers,' California Highway Patrol Sgt Rick Miler said.

Skid marks are a testament to past antics on the loop. The sheriff's department, which polices the neighbourhood, said Saturday's wreck was not the first speed-related crash there, but would not reveal specifics.

Meanwhile, investigators are consulting video from security cameras, talking to witnesses and analysing physical evidence such as on-board computer data from the Porsche.

A steady stream of fans has flocked to the crash site to leave flowers, candles and memorabilia from the action films.

source: skynews.com.au

Global Rock Summit 2014 debuts in Los Angeles

The Global Rock Summit is an international rock music conference aimed at bringing together all aspects of the rock music industry in one annual gathering. The aim of the GRS is to help further stimulate a buoyant but often overlooked sector of the music industry.

The GRS will run from April 4-5, 2014 and will take place in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where the first Oscars ceremony was held in 1928, among many other iconic music and entertainment events.

The GRS will feature a cross-section of expert panelists spanning all aspects of the global rock industry. The event will discuss the future of the industry and look at solutions to further bolster and expand business opportunities. The conference will also discuss key topics with some of the most respected minds and figures within the rock sector, plus a number of keynotes with some of the industry’s most renowned and innovative figures. The evenings will feature key artist showcases from some of the best new rock acts from across the globe.

The GRS also will be inclusive of all areas of rock music, from classic rock and metal to screamo, AOR, alternative rock, black metal, progressive rock, doom, stoner, blues, punk, emo and hardcore.

GRS organiser Seven Webster states: “If it’s heavy and it rocks and you want to network, trade and expand your business opportunities, then the Global Rock Summit will be the perfect community for you to connect with the world of rock.”

SPEAKERS ALREADY CONFIRMED:

Andy Gould – Founder, Spectacle Group (worldwide manager Rob Zombie)
Billy Anderson – CEO, TeamRock
Chris Ingham – MD of Publishing/Content, TeamRock (publisher of Metal Hammer/Classic Rock magazines)
Jim Morewood – Owner, EGO Booking Agency
Jordan Berliant – Partner, The Collective (worldwide manager Linkin Park and Slash)
Michael Chugg – Founder, Chugg Entertainment
Mike Walsh – Deputy Program Director and Head Of Music Xfm (UK)
Ron Burman – President, North America, Mascot Label Group
Steve Strange – Partner/Agent, X-Ray Touring

Conference registration, showcase tickets and more information are now available at www.globalrocksummit.com.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Ozzy Osbourne apologizes to family for drink and drugs binge

Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne apologized on Tuesday for bingeing on drink and drugs over the last year and a half but said he was not getting a divorce from his wife Sharon.

The British singer’s comments on his Facebook page were a response to media speculation about the state of his marriage, with reports that he and Sharon had split up after more than 30 years and were living separately.

“Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing,” Osbourne, 64, said on his Facebook page. “I’m just trying to be a better person.”

He said he had been drinking and taking drugs for the last year and a half and had been in a “very dark place”, but has now been sober for 44 days.

Osbourne, who made his name as lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has frequently spoken over the years about his battle with drugs and alcohol and has spent time in rehabilitation clinics.

“I would like to apologize to Sharon, my family, my friends and my band mates for my insane behavior during this period … and my fans,” wrote Osbourne.

The Osbournes have become one of Hollywood’s most famous couples since starring in a reality television show, “The Osbournes”, alongside two of their children, Jack and Kelly, which gave an insight into their family life in Beverly Hills.

Son Jack also dismissed the rumors of a family bust-up.

“Last time I check (sic) a lot of British news papers weren’t amazing sources of accurate information. Moving on…” he wrote on Twitter.

Sharon Osbourne, 60, was a regular panelist on U.S. reality TV talent show “America’s Got Talent” and played out a battle with colon cancer in public.

source: interaksyon.com

Alt rocker, tattoo artist Sarah Gaugler replaces Empress Schuck in ‘The Diplomat Hotel’

Director Christopher Ad Castillo has announced that Sarah Gaugler, lead singer of the alternative electronic duo Turbo Goth, will replace Empress Shuck in the cast of his

This is the feature film debut for Gaugler, who previously appeared as herself in the Philippines segment of the 2010 experimental documentary, “The Erotic Man” for acclaimed Danish filmmaker Jørgen Leth.

According to Castilo, she will play the role of Anna, “the punk rocker make-up artist who brings her own secrets inside the Diplomat Hotel”.

Schuck, who was originally cast in the role is currently in the cast of the ABS-CBN teleserye, “Apoy Sa Dagat” and will soon appear in another soap, “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala”, with Judy Ann Santos, Sam Milby and KC Concepcion.

“I was really looking forward to working with Empress Schuck but we could not work around the scheduling conflicts,” said the director who is eager to start filming after arriving in the country last March 24. As time is of the essence, the non-availability of Shuck turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“However, from the beginning, I have always wanted an alternative rock singer to play Anna to get that true authenticity and attitude and not just an actress that we dressed up,” he admitted. “When I had a couple of hours to make a decision on the replacement, my editor Gorio Vicuna showed me the latest Turbo Goth music video that he directed.”

“There I saw Anna embodied in Sarah who really is the punk rock Audrey Hepburn. She has very soulful eyes that are always a great tool in acting. And when I spoke with her, I was sold. Somehow, this film finds a way to stay true to my vision.”

A renaissance girl of sorts who is also a visual artist, graphic illustrator, tattoo artist and part-time commercial model, Gaugler had no prior singing experience when she and Paolo Peralta formed Turbo Goth in 2008.

Now, without any acting experience, she will pit talents with tried and tested mainstream and indie acting veterans Joel Torre, Art Acuña, Mon Confiado, Sue Prado and lead star Gretchen Barretto in the upcoming horror thriller.

“Obviously, this is her biggest role. Wait till you see what she looks like in the film,” Castillo beamed.

“The Diplomat Hotel” is an official entry in the New Breed section of the 9th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, slated for July at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

source: interaksyon.com

Kidney stones force rocker Vince Neil from stage

(CNN) -- "Severe pain" from kidney stones forced Motley Crue singer Vince Neil to cut short a show in Sydney on Sunday night and check into a hospital, his manager and a bandmate said.

"He was doubled over on his dressing room floor five minutes 'til show time and was told by the promoter to not even play, but Vince said he couldn't do that to the fans," guitarist Nikki Sixx told fans on his Facebook page. "I've seen Vinnie go onstage with broken bones, his voice completely blown out and torn ligaments but he never ever cancels. Just like an athlete you sometimes have to play through the pain, but last night it became to excruciating."

After four songs, Neil gave up and walked off stage and was taken to a hospital, Sixx said.

Neil, 52, underwent surgery for the kidney stones, band manager Allen Kovac said Sunday. "Vince is in the recovery room," he said. "All went well and we will know more soon."

"He has been having problems for the last few days with kidney stones," Kovac said.

The next show on the group's Australian tour, in Brisbane on Tuesday, is still scheduled, he said.

"The doctors said everything went well in the operating room," Sixx said. "I am going to the hospital to see him before I head to Brisbane."

"Vince is a warrior who has played shows through a wide ranging list of injuries. If there is a way to safely perform, he always does," Kovac said. "In nearly 20 years of managing Motley Crue, I can't recall a show the band has canceled."

source: CNN

Marlon Stockinger Unlikely To Enter Showbiz Soon

It looks like TV, movies and modeling contracts for Filipino-Swiss racing sensation Marlon Stockinger will have to wait.

The handsome young man is bent on accomplishing a lifelong dream – to become the first ever Filipino to be a full-fledged Formula 1 (F1) driver.

Asked about plans of entering showbiz, Stockinger said, “Right now I’m devoting all my time and energy to racing. I know that I’ve been given one-of-a-kind opportunities to pursue my dream, and I’m dead-set on making the most of them.”

Stockinger was back in the country for 10 days recently and has created quite a clamor for his presence after being named a Junior Driver for the Lotus F1 team of Eric Boullier.

Already a sports hero in his own right, Stockinger is another excellent Filipino athlete shining through the international sports arena. “It’s a great honor to be part of the Lotus F1 Team, and an even greater honor to bear the Filipino flag as I train and compete,” said he.

The racing sensation is now in Europe to continue testing in France and Spain later this month.

By April onwards, he begins competing in a series of 18 races all over Europe. Two races will be held in a different country each weekend starting in Italy on April 6 and 7, followed by Spain on April 27 and 28, Monaco in time for the F1 Grand Prix on May 25 and 26, in Belgium on June 1 and 2, Russia on June 22 and 23, Austria on July 20 and 21, Hungary on September 14 and 15, France on September 28 and 29, and finally capping off with Races 17 and 18 in Spain on October 19 and 20.

In between, Stockinger will return to Manila for the big Lotus F1 roadshow from May 4-5.

source: mb.com.ph

US film, music industries roll out anti-piracy program

WASHINGTON — A new “copyright alert” system has begun rolling out this week in the United States in an effort to curb online piracy.

The system, informally known as “six strikes,” is a voluntary effort of the music and film industries, with the largest Internet service providers participating.

The program will use warnings and could result in slowed or suspended Internet connections, but users will not lose Web access entirely. Still, some civil liberties groups and Internet activists call it too invasive and warn it could unfairly penalize some users.

It is being coordinated by the Center for Copyright Information, created by the music and cinema industries and the five largest broadband Internet firms.

“We hope this cooperative, multi-stakeholder approach will serve as a model for addressing important issues facing all who participate in the digital entertainment ecosystem,” said Jill Lesser, executive director of the center.

Lesser said the program is “meant to educate rather than punish, and direct (consumers) to legal alternatives.”

She added that people who believe they get warnings in error will have “an easy to use process” to appeal, and get an independent review.

Despite the “six strikes” moniker, backers of the system say it is not intended to cut off Internet access for copyright infringers, who will get up to six warnings.

The steps announced by the big Internet firms include pop-ups, which force users to acknowledge warnings, and mechanisms to slow a user’s access to near-dialup speeds.

Some critics say that redirecting users is equivalent to a “browser hijack” while others say innocent users may be snared by the system.

“It’s an elaborate surveillance system,” said Corynne McSherry at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group.

“There will be innocent people caught up in this system, it’s inevitable.”

McSherry said another problem is a “lack of transparency” in the system, which is private and cannot be challenged in the same way as a law.

“We have an elaborate private enforcement system for copyright, because they weren’t happy with what they could get from Congress,” she said.

Internet subscribers “face consequences based on nothing more than an accusation,” McSherry said.

Other activists were even more blunt in their criticism.

“Soon your ISP will be spying on you and messing with your internet at Hollywood’s request,” said a tweet from the online activist group Fight for the Future.

The group said that under new system, “they can slow down or shut off your internet connection without any due process, claiming copyright infringement.”

But the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington think tank, called the program “a model for addressing digital property rights without unduly inhibiting Internet use and innovation.”

Participating in the program are the five largest broadband Internet providers — Comcast, Time Warner Cable, AT&T, Cablevision and Verizon — covering some 85 percent of US residential customers.

The firms this week began releasing details of their enforcement.

Comcast said on its website its “progressive alerts will start out as informational and then evolve into ‘mitigation alerts’” which require customers to call the company, but that the program will not involve “termination.”

Verizon said it will implement “temporary Internet speed reductions of two or three days for customers who receive at least five alerts.”

Cablevision said it “may temporarily suspend your Internet access for a set period of time” for repeat violators.

AT&T said customers would “be required to take an extra step to review materials on an online portal that will educate them on the distribution of copyrighted content online” but also stressed its privacy protections.

AT&T vice president Ben Olson added that even though its measures are voluntary, “many customers will respond positively when first notified and will not need additional reminders.”

source: interaksyon.com

Halestorm Edge Out Anthrax, Lamb of God, Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden and Megadeth for Hard Rock/Metal Grammy

Halestorm — featuring Lzzy Hale, one of Revolver’s Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock and Metal — beat out heavyweights Anthrax, Lamb of God, Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden and Megadeth last night to win the Grammy award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for “Love Bites (So Do I).”

The song, the opening track from The Strange Case Of…, the band’s 2012 album, was up against “I’m Alive” by Anthrax, “Blood Brothers” by Iron Maiden, “Ghost Walking” by Lamb Of God, “No Reflection” by Marilyn Manson and “Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)” by Megadeth.

The Black Keys — those two blues- and garage-loving Ohioans best known for recording raw, stripped-down, “mid-fi” albums — picked up four Grammy awards last night. The duo, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, earned Best Rock Album for El Camino (released in December 2011), plus Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for “Lonely Boy.” Auerbach scored a bonus Grammy as Non-Classical Producer for the Black Keys’ El Camino, plus his work on Dr. John’s Locked Down album and two discs by Hacienda.

Album of the Year went to Mumford & Sons for Babel. Record of the Year went to Gotye (featuring Kimbra) for “Somebody That I Used To Know,” while Song of the Year went to Fun. for “We Are Young.”

It was a disappointing night for Jack White, who was nominated for Album of the Year, Rock Album of the Year (both for Blunderbuss) and Best Rock Song (“Freedom at 21″) but lost in every category. His Third Man Records label mates, Alabama Shakes, also lost in three categories, including Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance.

Performance-wise, White performed with both his all-female and all-male bands. Black Keys tore through “Lonely Boy” with Dr. John; a tribute to the late Levon Helm of the Band featured Zac Brown, Elton John, Mavis Staples and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, who performed “The Weight.” Bruno Mars kicked off a Bob Marley tribute with his own song, “Locked Out of Heaven,” before introducing Sting, who led the band into “Walking on the Moon.” Rihanna, Ziggy Marley and Damian Marley finally joined them for Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved.”

For the show’s finale, Tom Morello, LL Cool J and Chuck D performed “Whaddup.”

Other guitar-centric or noteworthy Grammy wins:

• Best Blues Album: Locked Down, Dr. John (produced by Dan Auerbach)
• Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
• Best Reggae Album: Rebirth, Jimmy Cliff (featuring a cover of the Clash’s “Guns of Brixton”)
• Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical: Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys)

For a complete list of winners and losers, visit the official Grammy awards website at grammy.com.

source: revolvermag.com

Stars rock New York to fight poverty

NEW YORK - The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young rocked New York's Central Park on Saturday with a free concert highlighting efforts to combat extreme poverty around the world.

An estimated 60,000 people flocked to the Manhattan park's Great Lawn for the event organized by the Global Poverty Project. Unlike past benefit concerts, the main aim was to raise attention, not money.

Tickets were free, but to qualify, online concertgoers had to accumulate points by watching videos on globalcitizen.org about various elements of extreme poverty, ranging from malaria to mothers dying in childbirth.




Points also added up when those applying passed on information via social networks like Twitter.

The Global Poverty Project says it has more than met its goal of securing pledges worth more than $500 million this year from aid agencies and other donors, some of which were announced between sets at the concert.

But the concert itself was about bringing the anti-poverty message to ordinary people.

With the United Nations wrapping up its annual General Assembly, this was the perfect moment to push for mass participation in the cause, Global Poverty Project CEO Hugh Evans said.

"Politicians, you know what they do?" Evans licked his finger and stuck it in the air. "They look to see where the wind is blowing. Civil society decides where that wind is blowing," he told journalists near the stage, with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

"We want to build a movement. It can't be just one concert."

In addition to the concert headliners, there was a rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" by John Legend and performances from K'naan and Band of Horses.

Rockers used the stage to promote the poverty awareness message, helped by short videos on huge screens showing the work of anti-poverty campaigners.

"We believe these problems are solvable. All it takes is the will of the leaders, the will of the people, and that's why we're here," Legend said.

Karen Sullivan, a 43-year-old teacher attending the concert, said she agreed there was a need to get people talking about extreme poverty around the world, and accused the media of failing to spread the word.

"I think people want to know, but don't have the avenues," she said. "People say Americans don't care and I get very angry about that. I think Americans do care. They just don't know what to care about."

Perhaps many in the huge crowd, though, were at least as excited by the one-off opportunity to see their rock gods as by the idea of helping the world's poor.

"Mostly we just wanted to see the Foo Fighters. We got lucky," said fireman Stan Kowalski, 30.

Organizers say they want supporters of the Global Poverty Project to Tweet President Barack Obama and his Republican opponent Mitt Romney with requests for a detailed discussion on foreign policy during the upcoming presidential debates.

source: interaksyon.com

Lindsay Lohan I Can't Believe Rosie O'Donnell Betrayed Me

Lindsay Lohan is in utter shock after Rosie O'Donnell bashed her on live television yesterday -- telling friends, she's always had a great relationship with Rosie ... or so she thought.

Sources close to LiLo tell TMZ, there was never any bad blood between the two actresses -- in fact, Lindsay and Rosie were always on great terms ... Lindsay would even say hello to Rosie whenever she saw her at various events. Rosie was always nice to her.

According to sources, Lindsay always had a special fondness for Rosie -- because one of Lindsay's first ever talk show appearances was on Rosie's old show back in 1998 ... when a 12-year-old Lindsay was promoting "The Parent Trap."

But even though she's surprised ... Lindsay isn't upset -- because Rosie's not the only person who doubts Lindsay's comeback ... starting with her upcoming Liz Taylor role.

As far as Lindsay's concerned -- Rosie's just another hater she's gotta prove wrong.

article source: http://www.tmz.com/2012/04/25/lindsay-lohan-rosie-odonnell/#.T5e2G9n64zA