Archive - Sep 18, 2009

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Movie Review: Love Happens

love-happens-movie-review

Our response to the title of this romantic drama? True, but not between us and the movie.

Love Happens (which carried a working title of Brand New Day during production) is a character-driven tearjerker about two people who are the main obstacles to their own romantic relationship.

That’s because each feels that (s)he has met the right person but at the wrong time. No surprise there, when you consider that each has decided that any time is probably the wrong time.

Aaron Eckhart portrays Dr. Burke Ryan, the best-selling author and self-improvement guru whose specialty is helping people grieving to confront their pain and emotionally recover from the loss of a loved one.

Would that he, a widower still reeling from the death of his wife — which motivated him to write his best-selling self-help manual, “A-Okay” — could take his own advice.

He arrives in Seattle to face a sold-out getting-over-grief seminar audience and meets Eloise Chandler, played by Jennifer Aniston, a disillusioned floral designer and flower shop owner who works for the hotel hosting the seminar and who has just ended a problematic romantic relationship with yet another undependable man.

Over a long weekend, they struggle with their new beginning while trying to make sense of what has happened before.

Debuting director Brandon Camp (who wrote the screenplay for Dragonfly and whose father Joe created the dogged Benji franchise), co-wrote the screenplay with Mike Thompson. Their script is drenched in sadness and the film sustains that mood throughout, but there are just too many directions the narrative doesn’t quite go in and not nearly enough suspense of any kind along the way. The combination of abandoned plot strands, misleading indications, arbitrary personality quirks, unsurprising surprises, and overly familiar cliches eventually wears us down.

Aniston and Eckhart are charming and accomplished performers. But their chemistry here is minimal, and although their performances in underdeveloped roles are technically sound, the tug between their characters never presents itself in a way that makes us buy the relationship, even though we may root for it.

The supporting cast — including Martin Sheen as Burke’s angry father-in-law, Dan Fogler as Burke’s aggressive manager and publicist, Judy Greer as Eloise’s opinionated employee, and John Carroll Lynch as a reluctant grieving attendee — is competent enough. But although each has a moment or two to shine, none manages to shed much light on the main relationship, which is, after all, the point here.

LH is not an unpleasant viewing experience, but it’s not a rewarding one either. And what is unpleasant is the outrageous product placement throughout, which sometimes makes this weepie seem downright creepy.

Perhaps the most appropriate target audience are viewers actually dealing with grief who can embrace the film as a form of vicarious therapy and thus don’t have as much invested in its quality as drama.

Stuff happens in the not-quite-happening rom-dram, Love Happens, just not enough of the right stuff.

By: Bill Wine – Celebrity News Service Movie Critic – Via AHN

110 minutes – In theaters September 19, 2009 – Rating: PG-13, Drama

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Coldplay’s List Through Fans Toilet Breaks

coldplay

Coldplay consider fans’ toilet breaks when choosing their set list.

The ‘Fix You’ hitmakers constantly watch their audiences during concerts and if they see people getting restless during certain songs, they axe the track from subsequent shows.

Frontman Chris Martin explained, “In some songs all you can see is a clear doorway and you can hear the crowd singing so you think, ‘Wonderful, this song is great.’

“And then it’s when the light all starts getting blocked and everyone’s going to the bathroom. Then you’re like, ‘OK, that song’s out.’ ”

The quartet is now regarded as one of the world’s biggest bands, but they almost split up months after they first signed their record deal.

Drummer Will Champion was thrown out of the band after he was blamed for a producer’s accusations that they weren’t “good enough” to succeed.

However, Chris admitted on upcoming UK TV documentary ‘The South Bank Show’ that Champion was rehired days later because “we felt really miserable without him.”

Coldplay started the UK leg of their world tour last weekend and the singer admits the foursome – who is also comprised of guitarist Jonny Buckland and bassist Guy Berryman – were initially apprehensive about the reaction of their home fans.

Chris said recently, “It feels like we have been away for a long time. The four of us were feeling really nervous about coming back home.”

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Patrick Swayze Remains Cremated

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Patrick Swayze has been cremated. The ‘Dirty Dancing’ star’s ashes are currently being held at his lawyer’s office, his death certificate states.

It is understood that the remains will stay at the office until Patrick’s wife Lisa Niemi arranges for them to be moved.

Website RadarOnline reports, “Patrick Swayze has been cremated and his wife Lisa is moving ahead with plans to scatter his remains on his New Mexico ranch.”

It is unknown whether there are plans to hold a family memorial service for Patrick, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Monday, September 14 at age 57.

However, a public event is being planned in the town of Lake Lure, North Carolina, where much of 1987 movie ‘Dirty Dancing’ was filmed.

The memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 19, 7pm at Firefly Cove, which is used at Camp Chimney in the movie.

The ceremony is free to attend, but organizers want visitors to donate money to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

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Megan Fox Scared of Supernatural Sexual Power

megan_fox

Megan Fox is scared of her “supernatural” sexual power.

The ‘Jennifer’s Body’ actress – who is widely regarded as the world’s most beautiful woman – was overwhelmed by how influential her looks and body could be and was unsure how to use her attractive assets to her advantage.

She told People magazine, “I think initially it’s sort of overwhelming because little girls are very much exposed to sexuality through the media and the entertainment industry and advertisements. So when you realize that you have the same power that you’ve watched women who’ve come before you have, it is frightening and you don’t know what to do with it.”

“I don’t think you ever get comfortable with it. It’s a strange, an almost supernatural thing.”

However, the 23-year-old beauty – who has an on/off romance with actor Brian Austin Green – has not always been popular with men.

She explained, “I was not ‘the sl*t’ in high school. I was not an outcast but I didn’t have a ton of friends. I got picked on, and I ate lunch in the bathroom because I was afraid of being picked on in the cafeteria. I was a loner, and I think that’s OK.

“I think it’s perfectly acceptable not to run with cliques.”

Megan recently admitted she finds it “awful” how women fight for male attention.

She said, “Girls are awful. But I think girls are awful because of the way society is set up and that we’re forced to constantly be in competition for male attention. I think we’re raised the wrong way with the wrong standards and our fathers raise us wrong. And so we search the rest of our lives for boys to pay attention to validate us.”

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Jennifer Aniston’s “Love Happens” May Face Cancellation

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston’s new movie ‘Love Happens’ may be cancelled over plagiarism claims.

The romantic comedy – which also stars Aaron Eckhart – faces being pulled from release because screenwriters Greg Crowder and Tony Freitas have filed a lawsuit against NBC Universal.

The pair claim they showed a script titled ‘The Truth’ to Scott Bernstein in 2006, when he worked at Universal Pictures as the Vice President of Production.

In the federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday September 15, Crowder claims he met with Bernstein several times over the script but a deal wasn’t finalized despite the company’s interest.

The writer says he offered to rewrite the storyline if Universal would pay, but their offer was refused.

Crowder says he first became aware of the similarities in the plotline when another film company – who he submitted the script to earlier this year – told him they were “concerned” he had stolen the idea from Jennifer’s latest movie.

Crowder and Freitas have asked for the release of the movie to be stopped from its planned opening today September 18, or $100,000,000 in profits.

‘Love Happens’ depicts the story of a widower’s struggle to cope with new love after the loss of his spouse.

Despite the legal action, Aniston and Eckhart were all smiles as they hugged and posed for photographs on the red carpet for the film’s Los Angeles premiere at the Mann Village Theatre on September 15.

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Gisele Bundchen Expecting a Baby Boy

Gisele Bundchen

Gisele Bundchen is reportedly expecting a boy. The 29-year-old supermodel is due to give birth to her first child with husband Tom Brady, 32, in December and the couple is planning to call the infant Gabriel.

A source told National Enquirer magazine, “One of Gisele’s five sisters is named Gabriela, and she always thought it is a beautiful name.

“Gisele was brought up a Roman Catholic, and Gabriel is an archangel, a messenger from God, in the New Testament.

“She’s also friends with Brazilian singer-songwriter Gabriel Guerra. They met in Rio de Janeiro last year, and he wrote the song ‘Tribute to Gisele’ for her. She liked it so much she put it on her website.”

The couple is reportedly delighted by the news, and Gisele “can’t stop” talking about the new addition to her family.

The source added, “Tom and Gisele didn’t care if they had a boy or a girl, just as long as everything is OK with the child.

“But now that Gisele knows it’s a boy, she’s so excited, she can’t stop telling people.”

Tom – who has a two-year-old son, John, with actress Bridget Moynahan – recently spoke of his excitement of becoming a father, insisting it will be easier than his American football training.

He joked, “It couldn’t be harder than this training camp, so I’ll be prepared.”

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Sean Connery is set to return to the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise

Sean-Connery
The 79-year-old actor turned down the chance to reprise his role as the father of the daredevil archaeologist in last movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’, and the script hinted his character Professor Henry Jones had passed away.

However, creators on the next movie, the fifth in the hugely successful franchise, are planning to bring Henry back.

A source said: “Steven Spielberg has been working on a script with George Lucas and there is an element of the story that could see Sean returning. Anything is possible in these movies and if Sean wants to return he will become central to the new story.”

Earlier this week, Harrison Ford – who plays the title character – revealed he is ready to reprise the role.

He said: “The story for the new ‘Indiana Jones’ is in the process of taking form. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work.

“If the script is good, I’ll be very happy to put the costume on again.”

Harrison first played the iconic character in 1981 blockbuster ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’.

Sean starred in the third film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’.

The ‘Indiana Jones’ series is one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time.

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Michael Jackson’s mother will receive over $1 million a year to help raise his children

Katherine Jackson is receiving $26,804 for herself and a further $60,000 each month to  raise her three grandchildren, Prince Michael I, 11, Paris, nine, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as Blanket.
The ruling was approved by a Los Angeles judge in August, but has been kept a secret until now.
Katherine was awarded permanent guardianship of her son’s kids after reaching an agreement with Debbie Rowe – Michael’s second wife and mother of Prince Michael I and Paris. The identity of Blanket’s mother remains unknown.
All three children have lived with Katherine, 79, since Michael’s death from acute Propofol intoxication in June.
At the time Katherine’s lawyer L. Londell McMillan said: “There is no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared in the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson.”
Court documents show that of the allowance received by Katherine, $315,000 a year pays for employees caring for them and another $160,000 is set aside for entertainment and other expenses.
Michael’s brother Tito this week said the children are “doing very well” in the wake of Michael’s untimely passing.
He said: “The family love is there and we are all there to support each other during this hard time. That’s what’s important. The kids are doing very well. My mother Katherine is doing a good job with them.
“They are happy with their cousins, playing and swimming. They are slowly getting back to normal. But they still miss their dad.”
Lawyers for Katherine Jackson reportedly wanted details of the payments kept private but Judge Mitchell Beckloff said in court he did not think the total amount could remain sealed.
Katherine withdrew her petition for control of Michael’s estate in August, leaving it in the hands of Michael’s long-time attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain until another hearing in October.

katherine-jackson

Katherine Jackson is receiving $26,804 for herself and a further $60,000 each month to  raise her three grandchildren, Prince Michael I, 11, Paris, nine, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as Blanket.

The ruling was approved by a Los Angeles judge in August, but has been kept a secret until now.

Katherine was awarded permanent guardianship of her son’s kids after reaching an agreement with Debbie Rowe – Michael’s second wife and mother of Prince Michael I and Paris. The identity of Blanket’s mother remains unknown.

All three children have lived with Katherine, 79, since Michael’s death from acute Propofol intoxication in June.

At the time Katherine’s lawyer L. Londell McMillan said: “There is no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared in the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson.”

Court documents show that of the allowance received by Katherine, $315,000 a year pays for employees caring for them and another $160,000 is set aside for entertainment and other expenses.

Michael’s brother Tito this week said the children are “doing very well” in the wake of Michael’s untimely passing.

He said: “The family love is there and we are all there to support each other during this hard time. That’s what’s important. The kids are doing very well. My mother Katherine is doing a good job with them.

“They are happy with their cousins, playing and swimming. They are slowly getting back to normal. But they still miss their dad.”

Lawyers for Katherine Jackson reportedly wanted details of the payments kept private but Judge Mitchell Beckloff said in court he did not think the total amount could remain sealed.

Katherine withdrew her petition for control of Michael’s estate in August, leaving it in the hands of Michael’s long-time attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain until another hearing in October.

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Amy Winehouse Impromptu Performance at London Jazz Club Turns Ugly

amy-winehouse-melee-jazz-club

Amy Winehouse turned up on stage at the Jazz After Dark club in central London last night and sang a handful of songs to the delight of patrons, but upon leaving the venue, got into a heated scuffle with people outside.

Winehouse showed up at the club, hand in hand with a new mystery-man and apparently gave a great performance. But as she was leaving the club, an argument broke out. Winehouse was photographed yelling at someone outside and had to be restrained by her security staff and forced into her car while baring her teeth furiously.

Another quiet night out for Amy Winehouse in London, UK

Amy Winehouse has been having a rough time trying to make a comeback on the music scene. Before returning to the U.K. after an extended vacation in St. Lucia, Amy had a go at performing but was so intoxicated she was slurring her words, messing up on the song lyrics and was eventually booed off stage by concert-goers.

Another quiet night out for Amy Winehouse in London, UK

Source: DailyMail.

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Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley Calling it Quits

avril-lavigne-deryck-whibley-split

Avril Lavigne and hubby Deryck Whibley have officially split up. According to Avril’s MySpace blog post late Thursday:

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Moving forward on a positive note

Deryck and I have been together for 6 and a half years. We have been friends since I was 17, started dating when I was 19, and married when I was 21. I am grateful for our time together, and I am grateful and blessed for our remaining friendship. I admire Deryck and have a great amount of respect for him. He is the most amazing person I know and I love him with all my heart. Deryck and I are separating and moving forward on a positive note.

Thank you to all my family, friends and fans for all your support.

Avril

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