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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Lady Gaga grows horns and claims she's channelling Alexander McQueen


Bony femme ... Lady Gaga's hyperactive skeleton on the cover of Born This Way

She may be renowned for her fanciful soundbites, but Lady Gaga has now gone full-fledged silly, claiming she has magical bony protrusions which "come out when I'm inspired". Oh yes, and she is channelling the ghost of Alexander McQueen.

Lady Gaga has shown off her skin-bumps in a few places so far, including on the cover of latest single Born This Way and in a new photo-shoot for Harper's Bazaar. "Gaga emerged from make-up at our shoot with pointy shoulders and sharp protrusions on her forehead and cheekbones," explained Bazaar editor Laura Brown. It's a look more Klingon than Björk, but when writer Derek Blasberg asked Gaga about the get-up, she insisted that they are all natural.

"First of all, they're not prosthetics," she said. "They're my bones ... They've always been inside of me, but I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am." The singer said the ridges rise up when inspiration strikes – and that she's not alone. "We all have these bones! They're the light from inside of us."

Interrogated more firmly, Gaga did admit the facial horns are part of a "performance-art piece", with "body modification" being "part of the overarching analysis of Born This Way". But she denied the use of any plastic surgery, and made no mention of subdermal implants. "I am an artist, and I have the ability and the free will to choose the way the world will envision me," she said.

Gaga also claims that the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen is the composer of her latest single, released on 11 February. "Right after he died, I wrote Born This Way." She was particularly struck when the release date for the song turned out to be the anniversary of McQueen's death. "When I heard that, I knew: I didn't even write the fucking song! He did!"

"I think he planned the whole thing," she continued. "He's up in heaven with fashion strings in his hands, marionetting away."

• Born This Way, Lady Gaga's second album, is out on 23 May.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/apr/14/lady-gaga-horns-alexander-mcqueen

James Bond distribution deal agreed with Sony Pictures


The next Bond movie will be distributed by Sony Pictures, the studio that put out the last two 007 films.

Sony will co-finance and distribute the 23rd Bond film - directed by Sam Mendes and due for release on 9 November 2012 - after striking a deal with MGM.

In January it was confirmed Daniel Craig - star of 2006's Casino Royale and 2008's Quantum of Solace - would return in the as yet untitled new film.

The franchise had been on hold because of MGM's financial troubles.

The studio, which will retain distribution rights in some overseas territories, has since emerged from bankruptcy under new ownership.

Casino Royale made $594m (£364m) at the international box office, while Quantum of Solace took $586m (£359m).

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13077851

Jamie Campbell-Bower and Bonnie Wright: Engaged!

The Twilight Sage and the Harry Potter franchise have done more than entertain millions around the world.

They have helped Jamie Campbell Bower and find true love!

Jamie Campbell-Bower and Bonnie Wright

E! News was the first to confirm that Campbell-Bower, who portray a Volturi member and also stars on Camelot, and Wright - best known as Ginny Weasely on the big screen - are engaged.

"I'm very happy," said the actor of the development. "It's a wonderful, wonderful time."

The couple started dating in 2009 and we couldn't be happier for them.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Foreign Box Office Preview: 'Rio' Opens Overseas Ahead of U.S.


Opening a full week before it debuts in the U.S., the animated film -- voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway -- could clear $45 million in its international debut.

Signaling the might of the international box office, Fox’s 3D toon Rio is opening in most of the world this weekend, a full week before it debuts in the U.S. And if projections are right, it could easily be the top grossing title of any film anywhere.


Rio — voiced by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway — goes out in 46 markets, including major territories Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the U.K., Germany, Spain, India and China. Conservative estimates show the animated family film clearing at least $45 million, if not more. [Read The Hollywood Reporter's review here.]

Historically, Hollywood studios have always unspooled their films at the domestic box office first. But that’s changed with the rapid growth of the international market. Now, event films and animated pics often make far more overseas.

Rio was tailor-made for international audiences. The movie, directed by Brazilian filmmaker Carlos Saldanha, is about a domesticated Macaw named Blu who is afraid of flying. His life takes an adventurous turn when he travels from the U.S. to Rio to mate with the last female of his kind.

Rio is based on an original story by Saldanha and was nurtured by Fox Animation Studios president Vanessa Morrison.

The voice cast also includes Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, will.i.am and Wanda Sykes. Rio is the sixth film from Fox partner Blue Sky Studios.

Box Office Preview: Russell Brand to Dominate Weekend With 'Arthur,' 'Hop'

In opening first overseas, Fox wanted to capitalize on kids getting out of school in Europe and other regions for spring break. In the U.S., only about 20% of kids are now out of school.

Rio could make life difficult for Universal’s CGI/live-action hybrid Hop, which opened last weekend in the U.S. and in a number of territories, including the U.K., Germany and Italy.

Hop overperformed in the U.S. but saw a softer bow internationally. Part of the problem could have been good weather in Europe, which kept families outside. Some box office observers suggest the pic’s uniquely American take on the Easter bunny could make it difficult to sell overseas.

Rio goes up against Hop in several major European markets as well as in Australia, where both films opens this weekend.

Rio bows in the U.S. on April 15.

Read More

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-rio-opens-176224