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Potter Book Draws Fans and Rave Reviews (AP)
AP - After all the hype and midnight madness, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is proving as much an event to read as to buy. Critics are calling it the most moving and mature of J.K. Rowling's fantasy series.
Writer Recalls Opening of Disneyland (AP)
AP - ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP — When Walt Disney built Disneyland, he supervised every aspect of planning and construction — right down to the paint color inside the railroad station. But there were a couple of things he couldn't control at the opening 50 years ago: the temperature and the turnout.
Blackout Doesn't Stop Potter Fans in Texas (AP)
AP - About 200 dedicated Harry Potter fans waited in the dark to buy their copies of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" after storms knocked out power at a North Texas bookstore.
Village People 'Cop' in Trouble With Law (AP)
AP - Victor Edward Willis, the original policeman in the 1970s music group the Village People, was arrested by real police who allegedly found a gun and drugs in his convertible.
'Blondie' Marks 75 Years on Comics Pages (AP)
AP - Hard to believe it's been almost 75 years since ditzy flapper Blondie Boopadoop fell for bumbling Dagwood Bumstead in a love match made in the funny papers.
U.K. Fest Nixes Film on Suicide Bombers (AP)
AP - Organizers of the Cambridge Film Festival said Saturday they decided not to screen "Paradise Now," a prize-winning film about two suicide bombers, out of deference to victims of the London bombings.
Village People 'Cop' in Trouble With Law (AP)
AP - Victor Edward Willis, the original policeman in the 1970s music group the Village People, was arrested by real police who allegedly found a gun and drugs in his convertible.
Modern-day Jesus coming to NBC television (Reuters)
Reuters - A modern-day Jesus is coming to
prime-time television.
New Harry Potter Book Getting Rave Reviews (AP)
AP - After all the hype and midnight madness, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is proving as much an event to read as to buy.
Former Elphaba Eden Espinosa Returns to 'Wicked' in San Francisco as Tour Star Block Rests (Playbill)
Playbill - Eden Espinosa, the original Broadway standby for the role of Elphaba in Wicked, will defy gravity as the green-skinned witch again for the national tour's San Francisco stop at the Orpheum Theatre while Stephanie J. Block recovers from an injury.
U.K. Fest Nixes Film on Suicide Bombers (AP)
AP - Organizers of the Cambridge Film Festival said Saturday they decided not to screen "Paradise Now," a prize-winning film about two suicide bombers, out of deference to victims of the London bombings.
Lawyer Says Photo Shoot Video Upset Diaz (AP)
AP - Cameron Diaz's entertainment attorney testified Friday that the actress became upset when she was shown a videotape from a photo shoot in which she posed topless.
Fez of 'That '70s Show' dons superhero garb (Reuters)
Reuters - Actor Wilmer Valderrama, best known
as Fez on Fox television's "That '70s Show," says he needed a
special swagger to become Hollywood's first Latino superhero,
but he insists it's all in the suit.
Swank, Costner to Narrate Sept. 11 Film (AP)
AP - Hilary Swank and Kevin Costner will narrate the upcoming film "On Native Soil: The Documentary of the 9/11 Commission Report."
Freaks, geeks set for Conan at Comic-Con (Reuters)
Reuters - Ready to embrace your
inner geek? Then take thyself to San Diego this weekend. There
you can grab a broadsword, sit on Conan the Cimmerian's throne
and pose for a portrait with four Nemedian slave girls.
Jackie Chan Wants Riskier Film Roles (AP)
AP - Jackie Chan says he prefers making movies in Asia because he can try risky new genres on his home turf, while in Hollywood, he stars in action comedies that are more likely to be box office hits.
Diaz Wasn't Ashamed of Topless Photos (AP)
AP - Cameron Diaz testified she was not ashamed of topless pictures taken early in her career by a photographer who threatened to sell them before the release of one of her films.
Review: 'Happy Endings' Delivers on Title (AP)
AP - "Happy Endings" delivers on its title and then some. The big, offbeat ensemble tale from writer-director Don Roos piles on enough finales to rival the endless conclusion of the last "Lord of the Rings" movie.
Toronto film fest gets Cash advance (Reuters)
Reuters - The Johnny Cash movie "Walk
the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix as the "Man in Black," will
receive its world premiere at the Toronto International Film
Festival in September, organizers said Wednesday.
Rapper LL Cool J targets women with film deal (Reuters)
Reuters - In a bid to attract
black female moviegoers, Lions Gate Films has signed a
multipicture deal with rapper/actor LL Cool J, whose first
project will be an urban version of "Fatal Attraction."
Village People 'Cop' in Trouble With Law (AP)
AP - Victor Edward Willis, the original policeman in the 1970s music group the Village People, was arrested by real police who allegedly found a gun and drugs in his convertible.
Aguilera Injures Arm at L.A. Home (AP)
AP - Singer Christina Aguilera accidentally cut her arm at home and has been forced to wear a cast and sling, her publicist said.
Billboard single reviews (Reuters)
Reuters - Melissa Etheridge takes on Tom Petty
& the Heartbreakers' "Refugee" as the first single from her
forthcoming greatest-hits album, "The Road Less Traveled."
While the Petty original had an uncluttered, solid groove and a
fairly uptempo beat, Etheridge goes the slow-burn, jangle-rock
route. She and producer John Shanks throw in a mess of guitars
and turn the song into a semi-personal anthem for Etheridge.
While the singer's radio fortunes have faded over time, her
stellar Grammy Awards performance earlier this year might make
programers take a second listen.
U.S. music sales get no boost from Live 8 (Reuters)
Reuters - Aside from sales ripples on some
catalog albums, it appears televised and webcast coverage of
Live 8 during the July 2-3 weekend did not have great impact on
U.S. music sales, especially when compared with the fast
reaction that occurred in the United Kingdom.
Kelly's 'Closet' saga opens door to No. 1 album (Reuters)
Reuters - Aside from earning his fifth No.
1 on the Billboard 200, R. Kelly's ninth list leader on Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums earns the singer a piece of chart history.
R&B artist Babyface is back with new CD (Reuters)
Reuters - Grown and sexy. The phrase aptly
describes the audience that recently gathered for the taping of
BET's forthcoming Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds special. It's also
the title of the songwriter/producer's latest album.
Singer Faith Hill reclaims her country roots (Reuters)
Reuters - Who is Fern Holloway? If you're one
of the handful of insiders in her organization, you know that
is the alias under which prereleases of Faith Hill's new CD,
"Fireflies," were sent to members of her management team and
label.
Singer-songwriter Mraz readies second album (Reuters)
Reuters - With his trademark wit intact,
singer-songwriter Jason Mraz battles the sophomore slump
head-on with his ambitious second effort, "Mr. A-Z." The
12-song collection, due July 26, showcases an artist who is
"more comfortable, more confident. Less precious about things,"
he says.
Restaurant chain seeks more music projects (Reuters)
Reuters - A successful partnership with
Alison Krauss + Union Station that resulted in the sale of more
than 125,000 albums in just two months has executives at
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store seeking other artists for
similar deals.
Maroon5 eyes more uptempo material for 2nd album (Reuters)
Reuters - After the phenomenal success of
"Songs About Jane," Maroon5 is hard at work crafting new
material for its sophomore album for Octone/J Records.
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