• Judd Apatow has inked a three picture deal with Universal Pictures. The only safer investment than Judd Apatow these days is "going out of business" signs.

• Ridley Scott has signed on to direct the Alien prequel, from a script by Jon Spaihts. If someone is going to ruin the beloved franchise, we're glad it'll be Scott.

• Jason Reitman's comedy Up in the Air will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. George Clooney and Vera Farmiga star in the corporate satire based on Walter Kirn's novel.

• Billy Crudup is joining Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love, an adaptation of the best-selling memoir.

• Up-and-coming director Nacho Vigalondo will direct the action comedy Gangland.

• Funny People is looking to be the box office leader this weekend. But don't discount Aliens in the Attic! Wait, yes, you probably should discount that. 

BIZ

Judd Apatow signs three-picture deal with Universal

from Entertainment Weekly's News Briefs by Kevin Byrne
Red-hot comedy director and producer Judd Apatow has inked a deal to write and direct three more films for Universal Pictures, according to the Hollywood Reporter. News of the deal comes a day before his third directorial venture, Funny People, opens in theaters nationwide. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the comedy-drama is still expected to make a strong showing at the box office.

Cablevision advances MSG spinoff plan

from Hollywood Reporter by By Georg Szalai

Cablevision Systems said Thursday that its board has authorized management to move forward with a spinoff of the company's Madison Square Garden business to stockholders by year-end.

Bad economy isn't hurting Time Warner's HBO

from L.A. Times - TV News

The economy is pounding entertainment companies left and right, but Time Warner Inc.'s pay cable channel HBO so far has been immune to the turmoil, its top executives said Thursday.

Hollywood prop auction ends 40-year career

from MSNBC.com: Movies
When Harvey Schwartz left his job as an aerospace engineer and opened an antique shop, he ignited a passion that led to a 40-year career.

FESTIVALS

Line-up of films competing at Venice Film Festival

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By The Associated Press

ROME (AP) -- A list of the films in competition for the Golden Lion at the 66th Venice Film Festival, which will run from Sept. 2-12:...

Moore's doc to compete at Venice film fest

from Entertainment News - UPI.com

VENICE, Italy, July 30 (UPI) -- Michael Moore's latest documentary, "Capitalism," is to screen in the official competition of the 66th Venice International Film Festival, organizers said.

Jason Reitman's Up In The Air to Premiere at 2009 Toronto Film Festival

from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Jason Reitman's new film, a big screen adaptation of Walter Kim's novel Up in the Air, will premiere at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.

Eight More For Toronto; Reitman, Jeunet Premieres Among Them

from indieWIRE News

Bringing its current total to 129, the Toronto International Film Festival announced yet another batch of additions to its 34th annual program. Notable among them are the world premieres of Jason Reitman's "Juno" follow-up "Up In The Air," starring George Clooney; Ashutosh Gowarike's "What's Your Raashee?"; Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Micmacs"; and Dagur Kari's "The Good Heart," starring Brian Cox and Paul Dano in an "L.I.E." reunion.

 

West Hollywood kicks off film fest

from Hollywood Reporter by Staff report

The second annual West Hollywood International Film Festival will run Wednesday through Saturday at various West Hollywood theaters.

Watch the Trailer for the New Coen Brothers Movie, A Serious Man

from Paste Magazine

Here come the Coen Brothers. Their new movie, A Serious Man, follows a middle-class Jewish academic in turmoil, and it's already famous because it presents a vaguely autobiographical portrait of their childhood (it was filmed in the brothers' native Minnesota).

AWARDS

Emmys to pretape eight categories

from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will be short on longform, and HBO isn't happy about it.

Pink 'Can't Wait to Blow the Roof Off' at VMAs

from Entertainment Awards: News & Videos about Entertainment Awards - CNN.com

The singer is ready to rock at MTV's big awards show on Sept. 13

FILM

Daily Box Office: Wednesday, July 29, 2009

from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results

G-Force tops Wednesday's box office with $4.7 million

Meryl Streep emerges as summer box-office sensation

from Reuters: Entertainment News

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - A partial list of this summer's best box-office bets: Optimus Prime, Manny the Woolly Mammoth and Meryl Streep.

 

Matt Damon gets political in documentary

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DERRIK J. LANG

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- How does Matt Damon make reciting the Declaration of Independence exciting?...

Ridley Scott to direct 'Alien' prequel

from Entertainment Weekly's News Briefs by Kevin Byrne
Acclaimed director Ridley Scott is returning to his roots in science fiction. Variety is reporting that Scott (Gladiator, Blade Runner) has signed up to lens the long-awaited prequel to his classic 1979 fright flick Alien, a coup that is being touted by 20th Century Fox as part of its big budget reboot of the groundbreaking horror franchise.

Billy Crudup agrees to 'Eat' with co-star Julia Roberts

from Entertainment Weekly's News Briefs by Kevin Byrne
Actor Billy Crudup is joining the cast of Columbia Pictures' upcoming big screen adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir Eat, Pray, Love. Variety says Crudup -who recently appeared in the films Public Enemies and Watchmen- will join co-stars Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem and Richard Jenkins when the production begins filming next week. Brad Pitt will co-produce.

TELEVISION

David: 'Seinfeld' cast to reunite on 'Curb'

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DERRIK J. LANG

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Larry David says the on-screen reunion of the "Seinfeld" cast will be "tough to beat."...

'Ugly Betty': Extreme makeover?

from EW.com: Today's Latest Headlines by Michael Ausiello

Michael Ausiello reports ABC holds focus groups this week on season 4 Betty's new ''glam'' look

ABC's 'Defying Gravity' launches sex into space

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By LAURI NEFF

NEW YORK (AP) -- Put four men and four women on a six-year space mission and what happens?...

Ausiello: 'SNL Update' Amy Poehler-ized!

from EW.com: TV

By Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello confirms exclusively ''Parks'' star will co-anchor ''Weekend Update Thursday'' premiere

Kara DioGuardi returning to 'Idol': Report

from EW.com: TV

By Mike Bruno
People: Season 8's rookie judge will keep her seat at the judges' table when the show returns

MUSIC

Christina Aguilera becomes DJ, talks music, film

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By MESFIN FEKADU

NEW YORK (AP) -- You'll be hearing more of Christina Aguilera's voice on the radio soon, but it won't be in the form of a song. Instead, the pop singer will work as a DJ....

Mick Jones talks about Foreigner's Wal-Mart deal

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mick Jones has watched classic rock bands like the Eagles, AC/DC and Journey reach new levels of popularity thanks to Wal-Mart; now he wants to get his band, Foreigner, in on the action....

Madonna writes to Israeli fans

from Entertainment News - UPI.com

JERUSALEM, July 31 (UPI) -- With just a month to go until her performances in Israel, Madonna wrote a letter to fans explaining how Kabballah changed her life and gave her a purpose.

Black Eyed Peas set Billboard chart record

from Entertainment Weekly's News Briefs by Kevin Byrne
Billboard magazine is reporting the hip-hop/pop group Black Eyed Peas scored a record this week for the longest successive No. 1 chart run by a duo or group in the history of the music magazine's Hot 100.

ETC...

Jackson kids to live with grandma, visit mother

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By ANTHONY McCARTNEY

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's children will live with their grandmother under an agreement reached with the King of Pop's ex-wife that ensures the youngsters won't have to endure a public fight over who raises them....

Joe Jackson says Omer is Michael's son

from Entertainment News - UPI.com

LOS ANGELES, July 30 (UPI) -- Joe Jackson says Omer Bhatti, a 25-year-old Norwegian aspiring rapper, is his late son Michael's eldest child.