Playback - Music and Movies that matter

Warner Bros. Continues with 85th Anniversary Releases

Thu May 29, 10:01 PM GMT

ImageAccording to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros.’s Home Entertainment division continues to release titles from the studio’s back catalog in celebration of its 85th Anniversary.
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Universal Classics and Jazz Adds Artist Management

Thu May 29, 9:59 PM GMT

According to The New York Times, Universal Classics and Jazz, whose comprised labels hold a 29.7 percent market share in classical recordings—making it the dominant force in the industry—is adding an artist management and production division.
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Oujia Board Movie

Thu May 29, 9:39 PM GMT

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Bay (Transformers) and his Platinum Dunes production company will make a film about the legendary Hasbro Ouija Board.

According to the report, specific plot details are being held tightly under wraps. However, it is known that the Ouija board will play an integral role in the film but that the game will not come to life, so to speak, as the fictional board game did in the film Jumanji.
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Cue Theme Song: Beverly Hills Cop Returns

Thu May 29, 8:30 PM GMT

AFP Photo: Eddie MurphyVariety reports that Eddie Murphy will most likely reprise his role as Axel Foley in the fourth iteration of the legendary Beverly Hills Cop franchise.
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Founder of Harman International Retires

Thu May 29, 6:34 PM GMT

According to a Twice report, Dr. Sidney Harman, the founder of Harman International and half of the namesake of audio manufacturer Harman Kardon, will retire as chairman on July 1 and as a member of the board on Dec. 3.

According to harmankardon.com, Harman, now 89, began his audio career in 1953 when he and Bernard Kardon created the company’s first product, an FM-tuner, and then in 1954, the world’s first high-fidelity receiver, the Festival D1000.
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Some New, Some Old for Built To Spill

Wed May 28, 9:35 PM GMT

ImageAccording to billboard.com, indie rock band Built To Spill is in the midst of recording its upcoming album and is preparing to embark on a fall tour of Europe and North America to perform the entirety of its classic 1997 album, Perfect From Now On.
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Cast of 44 Inch Chest Fills Out

Wed May 28, 9:33 PM GMT

Variety reports that Tom Wilkinson, Joanne Whalley (The Man Who Knew Too Little), and Melvil Poupaud (Speed Racer) have joined the cast of the British gangster drama 44 Inch Chest, which recently began shooting in London.

According to Variety, the film is about a British gangster, played by Ray Winstone (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), who seeks revenge on his wife and young lover.
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The Highlander Returns

Wed May 28, 7:17 PM GMT

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Summit Entertainment has acquired the rights to the cult sci-fi franchise Highlander and has enlisted Iron Man co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway to write the script.
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High-Def Releases for the Week of May 27

Tue May 27, 4:42 PM GMT

ImageRambo [Blu-ray]
Rambo 1-3 Boxset [Blu-ray]
Twister [HD DVD]
P.S. I Love You [HD DVD]
Dragon Tiger Gate [Blu-ray]
Strauss: Die Fledermaus [Blu-ray]
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Yale Awards Paul McCartney Honorary Degree

Tue May 27, 4:05 PM GMT

AP Photo: Paul McCartneyThe Associated Press reports that Yale University has awarded Paul McCartney an honorary doctoral degree in music—so is that Dr. Sir Paul now?
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Sydney Pollack Dies at 73

Tue May 27, 4:02 PM GMT

AP Photo: Sydney PollackAccording to The New York Times, director, producer, and occasional actor Sydney Pollack died May 26 at his home in Los Angeles. Publicist Leslee Dart said the cause was cancer. He was 73.
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High-Def Releases for the Week of May 20

Tue May 20, 7:16 PM GMT

ImageNational Treasure / National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets [Blu-ray]
Short Circuit [Blu-ray]
V for Vendetta [Blu-ray]
WWE - Wrestlemania 24 [Blu-ray]
The Air I Breathe [Blu-ray]
Company [Blu-ray]
Anger Management [Blu-ray]
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Netflix to Sell Device to Watch Online Movies on TV

Tue May 20, 7:03 PM GMT

ImageA press release announces that online DVD rental service Netflix has collaborated with digital streaming technology company Roku to offer a $100 device that will allow Netflix members to further enjoy Netflix’s growing online catalog by transmitting movies from the computer to the television.
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Napster Introduces Mega-Download Store to Rival iTunes

Tue May 20, 7:00 PM GMT

ImageReuters reports that in a direct challenge to the digital music empire that is Apple’s iTunes—which last month claimed that it had sold 4 billion songs since its inception in 2003—Napster has opened a digital download store with more than 6 million songs from all major labels and thousands of independent labels.
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Brian Wilson Smiles Again

Tue May 20, 4:31 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Brian WilsonPitchforkmedia.com reports that former Beach Boys leader, Brian Wilson is releasing That Lucky Old Sun, the follow-up to 2004’s SMiLE.
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Janet Jackson to Tour with New Album

Tue May 20, 3:09 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Janet JacksonThe Associated Press reports that Janet Jackson will embark on her first world tour in seven years in support of her most recent album Discipline.
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Peter Gabriel and Bowers & Wilkins Start Download Site

Mon May 19, 8:56 PM GMT

ImageThe British news Web site telegraph.co.uk reports that Peter Gabriel has teamed with British audio company Bowers & Wilkins to create Music Club, a new music download site featuring new artists and CD-quality downloads.
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Bonnaroo Festival to be Televised Nationally

Mon May 19, 7:50 PM GMT

AP Photo: 2007 Bonnaroo Music & Arts FestivalThe Associated Press reports that the music-oriented television channel Fuse will televise the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
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The Greatest for Brosnan and Sarandon

Mon May 19, 7:10 PM GMT

According to a Variety report, Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon will star in the upcoming drama, The Greatest.

The film is the directorial debut of Shana Feste, who wrote the screenplay. The story revolves around a young girl who disrupts the mourning process of a family who recently lost its teenage son.

Brosnan’s Irish DreamTime will co-produce with Silverwood Films. Shooting will begin this summer on the East Coast.
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Walk the Plank with Blackbeard

Mon May 19, 7:05 PM GMT

Variety reports that DreamWorks is behind a new film regarding the life and times of the notorious pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard.

David Franzoni, who wrote the scripts for Amistad and Gladiator, will write the screenplay. Barry Josephson (Enchanted) will co-produce Blackbeard with former Philadelphia 76ers co-owner and pirate aficionado Pat Croce.

There is no word on principal actors or a production-start date.
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The Alchemist to Hit the Big Screen

Mon May 19, 4:16 PM GMT

ImageVariety reports that Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, which has sold more than 40 million copies since first being published in 1988, will be made into a major motion picture (the Weinstein Co. has purchased the rights to the film for a reported $3 million).
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New Kids Back on the Block

Mon May 19, 3:49 PM GMT

AP Photo: New Kids On the BlockIn the vein of recent novelty comebacks (e.g.… More…

Chesney Ropes in Top Honors at ACM Awards

Mon May 19, 3:36 PM GMT

AP Photo: Kenny ChesneyAccording to Reuters, for the fourth consecutive year, Kenny Chesney won Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
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Donna Summer Springs Ahead

Fri May 16, 9:04 PM GMT

AP Photo: Donna SummerReuters reports that “The Queen of Disco,” Donna Summer, will release Crayons, her first album in 17 years.
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Neil Diamond Scores First No. 1 with New Album

Fri May 16, 9:01 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Neil DiamondAccording to the artist’s Web site, easy-rock mainstay Neil Diamond has sold 125 million albums, earned 36 top 40 hits, and won numerous awards including a Grammy, but until now, a No. 1 album has eluded him.… More…

Lou Reed to Host Satellite Radio Show

Fri May 16, 4:52 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Lou ReedReuters reports that legendary rocker Lou Reed will host his own weekly radio show on Sirius satellite radio channel 70 premiering May 17 at 7 p.m. EST.

Reed will co-host the show with Hal Willner, the musical director for the theatrical concert version of Reed’s 1973 album Berlin.
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Surfs Up with McConaughey and Harrelson

Wed May 14, 4:17 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Matthew McConaugheyVariety reports that Matthew McConaughey will star in the comedy Surfer Dude, another film that will no doubt give him an excuse to take his shirt off.
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Long Time Gone to Star Ricci and Huston

Wed May 14, 4:01 PM GMT

Variety reports that Christina Ricci, Anjelica Huston, and Josh Lucas will star in the family drama Long Time Gone.

According to Variety, the film “revolves around a family in crisis that’s transformed by an enigmatic young woman who insinuates herself into their lives.”
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Tommy Lee Jones Does Hemingway

Wed May 14, 3:58 PM GMT

According to Variety, Tommy Lee Jones will star in and direct Islands in the Stream, based on the Ernest Hemingway novel published in 1970—nine years after the author’s death.
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Nicholas Cage is a Bad Lieutenant

Wed May 14, 3:20 PM GMT

Variety reports that Nicolas Cage will star as the eponymous character of Bad Lieutenant, a remake of the1992 film of the same name starring Harvey Keitel.

The film, which will be directed by Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man), follows a crooked New York police officer who is heavily involved in drugs, gambling, sex, and theft. The original film received an NC-17 rating.

Edward R. Pressman is producing the film, which will begin shooting this summer.
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Michael Moore Makes Another 9/11

Wed May 14, 3:19 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Michael MooreAccording to Variety, Michael Moore is making a sequel to his scathing documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which critiqued George W. Bush’s war on terrorism.
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High-Def Releases for the Week of May 13

Tue May 13, 4:18 PM GMT

ImageThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [Blu-ray]
Shinobi - Heart Under Blade (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Blu-ray]
Untraceable [Blu-ray]
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid [Blu-ray]
Mrs. Doubtfire [Blu-ray]… More…

Solomon Burke Lights a Fire

Tue May 13, 3:59 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Solomon BurkeBillboard.com reports that legendary soul singer Solomon Burke will release his new album Like a Fire featuring collaborations with Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, Jesse Harris, and Keb’ Mo.
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Weinsteins to Produce Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock

Tue May 13, 3:57 PM GMT

According to Variety, The Weinstein Co. will turn Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock into a musical feature film.

As in the series, which ran for five seasons on HBO starting in 1983, the puppet characters will leave their home on Fraggle Rock and encounter humans whom they believe are aliens.

Cory Edwards, who directed the animated film Hoodwinked! for The Weinstein Co., will write the screenplay and direct the picture, which Ahmet Zappa and Brian Inerfeld are executive producing.
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Tour North America

Tue May 13, 3:54 PM GMT

ImageConcert-listing Web site pollstar.com announces that Australian band Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will tour North America—for the first time since 2001—in support of Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!. Below are the scheduled dates.

09/16/08          San Diego, CA          4th & B Concert Theater   … More…

Spielberg’s Civil War

Mon May 12, 5:15 PM GMT

Variety reports that Steven Spielberg will begin to focus his attention on a new DreamWorks feature about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.

Liam Neeson reportedly agreed to play Lincoln over three years ago and has been waiting for the still-pending production start date. Playwright Tony Kushner wrote the script, which is largely derived from biographical work by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Kushner last wrote the screenplay for Spielberg’s Munich.
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Opera Wireless Earbuds

Mon May 12, 5:01 PM GMT

A press release from the companies announced that wireless media company Kleer and headphone and audio accessory company DigiFi have collaborated to produce and release the Opera wireless over-the-ear style earbuds and iPod adapter.
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HP Brings YouTube Into the Living Room

Mon May 12, 4:58 PM GMT

A press release from HP announces that it has collaborated with YouTube in order to make the site’s ubiquitous video content available through the HP MediaSmart-connected entertainment products.

HP’s MediaSmart products enable users to enjoy digital media, such as photos and Internet radio, from multiple networked home PCs directly on their HDTV. With the addition of this feature, users can watch full-screen videos on their HDTVs by simply logging on to their YouTube account with an easy-to-use remote control.
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My Morning Jacket Tour

Mon May 12, 4:57 PM GMT

ImageReuters reports that Louisville alt-rockers My Morning Jacket will be headlining a tour starting June 20 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The band will tour in support of its upcoming album Evil Urges, which will be released June 10 by ATO records—the band’s first for the label.

June 20: New York (Radio City Music Hall)… More…

Videogame Bioshock Coming to the Big screen

Mon May 12, 4:52 PM GMT

ImageAccording to a Variety report, director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) will direct the cinematic adaptation of hit videogame Bioshock for Universal Studios.

The videogame takes place in an underwater city based on the free market principles of author Ayn Rand where things have gone terribly wrong.
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Coldplay Announces North American Tour

Mon May 12, 4:48 PM GMT

ImagePitchforkmedia.com reports that Coldplay will embark on a North American tour in support of Viva la Vida Or Death and All His Friends which will be released June 17.

Below is a list of the dates.

06-23 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
06-29 Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
07-02 Washington, DC - Verizon Center… More…

Samuel L. Jackson Does Unthinkable

Mon May 12, 4:12 PM GMT

Variety reports that Samuel L. Jackson will star in the upcoming thriller Unthinkable directed by Gregor Jordan (The Informers).

The story revolves around an imminent threat to the United States caused by a terrorist who has hidden nuclear devices in three different locations. A black-ops interrogator and an FBI agent must figure out how far they are willing to go in order to neutralize the attack.
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Country Legend Eddy Arnold Dies at 89

Thu May 8, 8:20 PM GMT

AP Photo: Eddy ArnoldThe Associated Press reports that country music legend Eddy Arnold died at a care facility near Nashville just days shy of his 90th birthday.
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Carly Simon Releases New Album Of Original Material

Thu May 8, 7:45 PM GMT

AP Photo: Carly SimonThe Associated Press reports that iconic singer-songwriter Carly Simon has released her first album of new material in eight years.
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Hurt, Ejiofor to Star in Endgame

Thu May 8, 6:57 PM GMT

Variety reports that William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor (American Gangster), and Jonny Lee Miller (The Flying Scotsman) will star in the political thriller Endgame.

The film is about the end of South African apartheid, detailing the talks between Afrikaner members of South Africa’s white rule government and African National Congress exiles that helped lead to Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990.
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Andrew Bird Adds More Tour Dates

Thu May 8, 3:53 PM GMT

ImagePitchforkmedia.com reports that singer-songwriter Andrew Bird has added a few tour dates before the release of his next album, which he is currently recording in Nashville with Mark Nevers, who has produced albums for artists such as Calexico, Silver Jews, and Will Oldham.
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All-Star Trio Tour

Thu May 8, 3:51 PM GMT

Pollstar.com reports that Max Creek guitarist Scott Murawski, Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and bassist Oteil Burbridge, best known for his solid playing in The Allman Brothers Band and in Oteil and the Peacemakers, have formed a trio that will tour later this month.

The band formed after Phish bassist Mike Gordon introduced Kreutzmann and Murawski in Costa Rica. Once adding Burbridge, they decided to tour and to record an album scheduled for release sometime this fall.

Check below for the currently scheduled tour dates.
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500 Days with Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt

Thu May 8, 3:49 PM GMT

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Stop-Loss) and Zooey Deschanel (Elf) will star in 500 Days of Summer, an upcoming “anti-romantic comedy” from Fox Searchlight.

According to the Hollywood Reporter article, the film is “an examination of a relationship between a woman (Deschanel) who doesn't believe in love and the man (Gordon-Levitt) who falls hopelessly in love with her.”
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The Turtles, Jack Bruce, and the Animals are So Happy Together

Wed May 7, 7:27 PM GMT

AP Photo: Jack BruceBillboard.com reports that Jack Bruce, the bassist of influential British rock band Cream, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and the Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, will headline the traveling Hippiefest music festival.
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Sonny Rollins Headlines Newport Jazz Festival

Wed May 7, 7:25 PM GMT

AP Photo: Sonny RollinsAccording to an Associated Press report, legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins is headlining this year’s Newport Jazz Festival, which takes place Aug. 8–10 at Fort Adams State Park and at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, RI.… More…

Neil Young Plans to Release Archives on Blu-ray

Wed May 7, 7:23 PM GMT

AP Photo: Neil YoungThe Associated Press reports that Neil Young plans to finally release his entire music archive on Blu-ray.
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Funk Tribute: It’s Bootsy, Baby!

Wed May 7, 7:09 PM GMT

Reuters Photo: Bootsy CollinsBillboard.com reports that legendary bassist and purveyor of funk, Bootsy Collins, whose outlandish costumes and in-the-pocket grooves launched him to fame during his tenures with Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band in the 1970s, will be paying tribute to Mr. Dynamite himself, James Brown, by embarking on a star-studded fall tour.
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Ellen Page to Play Jane Eyre

Tue May 6, 10:00 PM GMT

According to a Variety report, Ellen Page, star of this year’s breakout indie film Juno, will be portraying one of the most beloved figures in English literature, that of the titular character of Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 novel, Jane Eyre.

BBC Films is responsible for the film, which is scheduled to begin production this fall. Moira Buffini has completed the screenplay, but at this point, there is no one contracted to direct the film or star as the taciturn yet winsome Mr. Rochester.  
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Brief My Bloody Valentine Tour

Tue May 6, 7:26 PM GMT

ImagePitchforkmedia.com reports that in addition to playing the previously announced ATP New York festival, reunited shoe gazers My Bloody Valentine will embark on a brief tour, visiting only New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Below are the scheduled dates..

09-22 New York, NY—Roseland
09-23 New York, NY—Roseland
09-25 Toronto, Ontario—Ricoh… More…

Amazon Subsidiary Makes Out-of-Print Albums Available

Tue May 6, 6:53 PM GMT

ImageAccording to an InformationWeek report, print-on-demand service CreateSpace, a subsidiary of Amazon, is producing previously out-of-print albums for sale on Amazon’s Web site.
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Ron Perlman to Star in Upcoming Indie Film

Tue May 6, 4:42 PM GMT

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ron Perlman (Hellboy) will portray a drifter in the dark comic drama The Job based on a play by Shem Bitterman, who is also directing the film.

The film, which recently began shooting in Detroit, will also star Patrick Flueger (The World’s Fastest Indian), Taryn Manning (Hustle & Flow), and Joe Pantoliano (Bad Boys II).

The story revolves around a hapless man (Flueger) who finds himself in over his head at a new job after a run in with some shady characters. … More…

High-Def Releases for the Week of May 6

Tue May 6, 3:54 PM GMT

ImageTwister [Blu-ray]
P.S. I Love You [Blu-ray]
Saawariya [Blu-ray]
The Devil's Own [Blu-ray]
Motley Crue: Carnival of Sins [Blu-ray]
First Sunday [Blu-ray]
Shall We Dance? [Blu-ray]     
Helvetica [Blu-ray]
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Rapper to Co-star in Newest Terminator

Tue May 6, 3:45 PM GMT

Variety reports that Chicago rapper Common will be joining Christian Bale and Sam Worthington in the fourth installment of the Terminator series—Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.

In this latest iteration—which will be released in May of 2009, some 25 years after the release of the original—John Connor (Bale), now in his 30s, and an inner circle of freedom fighters, one of whom will be played by Common, must lead what is left of the human race in a battle to defeat the machines.
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Peacock Cast Fills Out

Tue May 6, 3:28 PM GMT

According to Variety, Bill Pullman, Susan Sarandon, and Josh Lucas have joined the cast of Mandate Picture’s psychological thriller Peacock starring Ellen Page and Cillian Murphy.

The film centers around a small town bank clerk whose life is shaken up after a train crash in his backyard reveals that a young woman has been living there without his knowledge.
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Another Free Nine Inch Nails Download

Mon May 5, 9:15 PM GMT

ImageAccording to the band’s Web site, Nine Inch Nails is offering its newest album The Slip as a free download via www.nin.com.
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Grand Theft Auto IV Stimulates Music Industry

Mon May 5, 7:31 PM GMT

Reuters reports that the upcoming video game Grand Theft Auto IV has added a music purchase option that allows users to discover and buy music featured on the game’s soundtrack.
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Marvel Film Schedule

Mon May 5, 7:29 PM GMT

Variety reports that Marvel Studios has announced its film release schedule through 2011.

For 2010, Marvel is planning to release a sequel to Iron Man on April 30 and a new franchise with Thor on June 4—both are to be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

In 2011 Marvel will produce The First Avenger: Captain America followed by The Avengers, which will unite Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, and Captain America.
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Tom Waits to Tour

Mon May 5, 4:43 PM GMT

Legendary musician Tom Waits announced in a satirical press conference video (available at www.tomwaits.com) that he would be embarking on the Glitter and Doom tour beginning in June in Phoenix. At the moment, Waits has not supplied any further information regarding the tour or if he will be playing solo or with a band. Below are the scheduled U.S. dates.  

06/17/08          Phoenix, AZ          Orpheum Theatre   
06/18/08         Phoenix, AZ        Orpheum Theatre  … More…

Riccardo Muti to Conduct CSO

Mon May 5, 4:06 PM GMT

AP Photo: Riccardo MutiThe New York Times reports that beginning in the 2010-2011 season, Italian maestro Riccardo Muti will take the helm as director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a post left vacant since Daniel Barenboim’s departure in 2006.
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The Planar-Ribbon Advantage: BG Radia Z-92 and Z-62 Shipping Now

Mon May 5, 2:46 PM GMT

BG Z-92A press release from planar-ribbon loudspeaker manufacturer BG Radia announces that it is now shipping the newest additions to its value-oriented Z-Series speaker line, the three-way, floorstanding Z-92 ($1250 each) and the LCR Z-62 ($1000 each).
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The Cure to Release Four New Singles

Fri May 2, 9:23 PM GMT

Fans of The Cure have another reason to sing that they “don’t care if Monday’s blue, Tuesday’s gray, Wednesday too” because pitchforkmedia.com reports that the British band will release a new single on the thirteenth of every month preceding the release of its thirteenth studio album on Sept. 13.
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Gandolfini In the Loop

Fri May 2, 8:47 PM GMT

Variety reports that James Gandolfini, Steve Coogan (Hot Fuzz), Gina McKee (Atonement), and Tom Hollander (Pride & Prejudice) will be starring in the upcoming film In the Loop.
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Classical Kitsch

Fri May 2, 7:36 PM GMT

ImageThe reverence owed to some of history’s most beloved composers is at last being paid—the creators of The Great Composer Bobbleheads have immortalized Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart by molding their likenesses in poly-resin and endowing them with disproportionately large and wobbly noggins.
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Gramophone to Expand Web Site and Provide Download Service

Fri May 2, 5:01 PM GMT

ImageAccording to The New York Times, London-based classical music magazine, Gramophone, which published its first issue in 1923, is expanding its Web site and will eventually feature a download store particularly tailored to the needs of the classical music aficionado.
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Kidman to Play Dusty Springfield

Fri May 2, 4:59 PM GMT

New York Magazine reports that Nicole Kidman will portray iconic and troubled chanteuse Dusty Springfield in an upcoming Fox 2000 film.

Michael Cunningham is in the process of writing the script. Cunningham wrote the 1999 Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Hours in addition to the script for its 2002 film adaptation (which also stars Nicole Kidman). Cunningham says, “She [Springfield] was a great artist who no one knew what to do with.”
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Paramount Re-enters Blu-ray Business

Fri May 2, 4:57 PM GMT

ImageAccording to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Home Entertainment will once again release its titles in the Blu-ray format.

The first films to be released in Blu-ray format will be Face/Off, Next, and Bee Movie on May 20 and Cloverfield and There Will Be Blood on June 3.
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iTunes to Offer Downloads Concurrent with DVD Release

Fri May 2, 4:36 PM GMT

ImageReuters reports that Apple has signed with most of the major Hollywood studios enabling its iTunes service to sell digital downloads of new titles on the same day that they are released on DVD.
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Federal Court Decides on Internet Music Royalties

Fri May 2, 4:27 PM GMT

The Associated Press reports that the proceedings of a federal case brought to court by The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) against AOL, Yahoo! Inc., and RealNetworks, Inc. has established a formula for determining Internet royalties owed to artists whose work is streamed online.

The ASCAP represents more than 320,000 artists and publishers. John LoFrumento, ASCAP’s chief executive says, “This historic decision, for the first time, provides a clear framework for how the online use of musical works should be appropriately valued.”… More…

Catch the Fever

Fri May 2, 4:21 PM GMT

ImageAccording to pollstar.com, Cambodian-American band Dengue Fever will be touring in support of its most recent album, Venus on Earth.
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