Month of March, 2008 | Playback - Music & Movies That Matter

Mos Def Joins Cadillac Records Cast

Mon Mar 31, 4:41 PM GMT

According to a Reuters report, actor and rapper, Mos Def, has signed on to portray iconic rock ’n’ roller Chuck Berry in the upcoming Sony BMG release, Cadillac Records, which follows the lives of famed Chess Records’ artists in the Chicago R&B scene of the 1950s.
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Matsushita Focuses on Plasma Display Panel Business

Fri Mar 28, 7:33 PM GMT

Tech On, a Web site covering technology news originating primarily in Asia, announces that Matsushita, parent company of Panasonic, will be focusing on plasma display panel technology and will open a fifth panel production plant by May 2009 that will also serve as a research institute.
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Steely Dan Member Releases New Solo Album

Fri Mar 28, 3:47 PM GMT

According to Reuters news service, Walter Becker of Steely Dan will be releasing Circus Money, his first solo album since 1994’s 11 Tracks of Whack.
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SpiralFrog Becomes Country’s Third Largest Download Site

Thu Mar 27, 9:55 PM GMT

A company press release announces that, spiralfrog.com, launched in Sept. 2007, has become the third largest legal music download site with 850,000 registered users and two million unique visitors.

SpiralFrog is an ad-supported site that allows registered users to download any of its one million songs and four thousand music videos.
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W Cast Revealed

Thu Mar 27, 3:19 PM GMT

Variety reports that James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn have signed on to portray George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush in Oliver Stone’s upcoming film, W, a drama concerning the formative years of current president George W. Bush.

Cromwell and Burstyn join Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), who portrays the eponymous protagonist, and Elizabeth Banks (The 40 Year Old Virgin), who plays the first lady Laura Bush.
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Cast Call: Crazy on the Outside

Wed Mar 26, 5:05 PM GMT

Hollywoodreporter.com reports that Sigourney Weaver, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and J.K. Simmons will be joining Tim Allen in his directorial debut, Crazy on the Outside.

In the film, Allen portrays a newly released convict who tries to convince his parole officer, played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, to date him. His road to rehabilitation is further hindered by his “loving but manipulative older sister,” played by Sigourney Weaver and her sarcastic husband, played by J.K. Simmons. Ray Liotta, Julie Bowen, and Kelsey Grammer also star in the film.
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SXSW Revisited: Pitchfork and the Windish Agency Host Emo’s Event

Wed Mar 26, 5:03 PM GMT

A component of the South by Southwest Music Festival, which took place March 12-16, is a variety of so-called “parties” that feature a slew of performers. On the last Friday of Austin’s music extravaganza, Pitchfork Media, the online independent music site, and the PR group, the Windish Agency, which represents many independent artists, hosted a party at the popular 6th Street venue, Emo’s.
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Justice Department Approves Sirius and XM Satellite Radio Merger

Wed Mar 26, 4:42 PM GMT

The United States Justice Department issued a statement following its investigation of the proposed $5 billion merger between Sirius and XM radio, concluding that the merger would not stifle competition and is therefore approved to proceed. For the 17 million satellite radio subscribers the news appears to be a good thing.
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High-Def Releases for the Week of Mar. 24

Tue Mar 25, 8:15 PM GMT

Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [Blu-ray]
Bonnie and Clyde [Blu-ray]
Steep [Blu-ray]
Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [HD DVD]
Bob Hope Collection: My Favorite Brunette / Son of Paleface [HD DVD]    … More…

Boston Tour

Tue Mar 25, 3:13 PM GMT

Iconic 1970s rock band, Boston, will be embarking on a brief tour in support of their upcoming greatest hits package, according to pollstar.com.
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Eastwood To Direct and Act In Gran Torino

Tue Mar 25, 3:06 PM GMT

Variety reports that Clint Eastwood will direct and star in the upcoming Warner Bros. film, Gran Torino. The film will be the first in which Eastwood has appeared on screen since 2004’s Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby. Rob Lorenz and Billy Gerber will be producing the film which is scheduled for a December release date.

But Gran Torino is not the only Eastwood project slated to come out this year. Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie, a film Eastwood directed for Universal and Imagine, will be released on Nov. 7.
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Paul Giamatti Joins Cast of Duplicity

Tue Mar 25, 2:48 PM GMT

Variety reports that Paul Giamatti will portray one half of a pair of dueling industrialists opposite Tom Wikinson in the forthcoming Universal release, Duplicity, written and directed by Tony Gilroy.

Wilkinson and Giamatti will be joined by another duplicitous couple—Julia Roberts and Clive Owen who play rival spies entangled in a “clandestine love affair,” according to Variety.
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Outside Lands Lineup Announced

Tue Mar 25, 2:45 PM GMT

The inaugural Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival boasts a hefty lineup announced on the festival Web site. The festival takes place at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park Aug. 22-24. Visit www.sfoutsidelands.com for more information. Below is an abbreviated list of performers:

Radiohead
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Jack Johnson
Beck
Wilco
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Broken Social Scene
Devendra Banhart
Regina Spektor
Cold War Kids
M. Ward
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings… More…

The Kingdom Director to Head New Dune Adaptation

Tue Mar 18, 6:32 PM GMT

Variety reports that Peter Berg, director of The Kingdom and Friday Night Lights will be directing a new adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science-fiction classic, Dune, for Paramount Pictures.

Berg, who is also a successful actor, appearing in films such as Collateral, Smokin’ Aces, and Lions for Lambs, will be joined by producer Kevin Misher (The Rundown, The Scorpion King), who spent the last year obtaining rights from the Herbert estate.
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Director and Screenwriter Anthony Minghella Passes Away

Tue Mar 18, 6:12 PM GMT

AP photo: Anthony Minghella The Associated Press reports that Oscar-winning director, Anthony Minghella, passed away Tuesday as the result of a brain hemorrhage at Charing Cross Hospital in London. He was 54.
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High-Def Releases for the Week of Mar. 17

Mon Mar 17, 8:20 PM GMT

I Am Legend [Blu-ray]
Enchanted [Blu-ray]
Atonement [HD DVD]
Justice League - The New Frontier [HD DVD]
Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same [HD DVD]
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Concert Review: Anathallo and The Forms at SXSW

Fri Mar 14, 5:10 PM GMT

The SXSW Music Festival began Wed., March 12, in Austin, TX, with droves of concert-goers and members of the press descending upon the city for four days. With literally thousands of artists present, both established and unknown, nearly every club and vacant space in Austin is teaming with live music. Live Music Capital of the World, indeed.
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Beale Street Music Festival Lineup Announced

Thu Mar 13, 9:46 PM GMT

The festival’s Web site announces that, the Beale Street Music Festival, which takes place from May 2-4 on the historic street overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis, will once again host a variety of artists spanning genres and generations.
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Final Harry Potter Book Will Require Two Films

Thu Mar 13, 9:40 PM GMT

The LA Times reports that the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter series will be divided into two films when it is portrayed on the big screen.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part I will arrive in theaters in November 2010 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part II will arrive in May 2011.
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Leonard Cohen to Head for Europe—First Tour in 15 Years

Thu Mar 13, 7:32 PM GMT

Reuters reports that recently inducted Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen will spend the summer touring throughout Europe— his first tour in 15 years.
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The Incredibles Director to Direct Live-Action Film

Thu Mar 13, 7:01 PM GMT

According to hollywoodreporter.com, Warner Bros. and Disney/Pixar are set to co-produce 1906, the live-action feature debut of Brad Bird, best known for his animation work namely as the director of The Incredibles and Ratatouille.
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Telluride Bluegrass Festival Lineup Announced

Mon Mar 10, 8:09 PM GMT

The lineup for the 35th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival has been announced on the Festival’s Web site, http://www.bluegrass.com/telluride. From June 19-22, a host of bluegrass legends and not-so bluegrass legends will take the stage in beautiful Telluride. Listed below is an abbreviated list of performers.

Del McCoury Band
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Arlo Guthrie… More…

Pioneer Announces Restructuring Plans for its Display Business

Mon Mar 10, 7:11 PM GMT

Following a meeting of its board of directors, Tokyo-based Pioneer Corporation issued a March 7 press release describing plans for restructuring its display business. The plans have two key elements of interest to home theater enthusiasts worldwide.
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PLUG Award Winners

Mon Mar 10, 7:03 PM GMT

The 2008 Plug Independent Music Awards took place March 6 in New York hosted by Patton Oswalt with performances by DiVinci, Jose Gonzalez, The Forms, Dizzee Rascal, St. Vincent, and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. The winners are listed below.

Album Of the Year
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (Merge)

New Artist Of the Year
Justice

Female Artist Of the Year
Annie Clark (St. Vincent)

Male Artist Of the Year
Andrew Bird

Indie Rock Album Of the Year… More…

Dave Matthews Band Announces New Tour Dates

Thu Mar 6, 8:50 PM GMT

According to pollstar.com, Dave Matthews Band will yet again embark on a massive 22-stop summer tour starting with two dates (May 30 and 31) at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA, and ending with three dates (Sept. 5–7) at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA.
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