• The Hangover hangs on to first place for another week, as America is once again reminded to never underestimate the comedic appeal of three men and a baby.

• Joss Whedon says he was approached to participate in the new Buffy movie... but only after the news broke.

• Further proof that all laws of logic and nature yield for Angelina Jolie: The actress might very well return for the Wanted sequel, even though her character died in the first movie.

• Guillermo del Toro confirms he's cast long-time collaborator Doug Jones as Frankenstein. With four movies already under their belts, this is one of the most stable relationships in Hollywood.

• Wolverine's Taylor Kitsch has been cast as John Carter of Mars, based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. Fellow Wolverine cast member, Lynn Collins (aka Silverfox) will star as Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium. Should we expect Hugh Jackman as Tars Tarkas?

• Frost/Nixon screenwriter Peter Morgan has joined the writing team for the next Bond movie, while The Guardian reports there's a possibility it might be set in Afghanistan, last visited by 007 in The Living Daylights. Note to producers: Resurfacing a location is fine with us, bringing back Timothy Dalton is not.

BIZ

Political chaos thwarts N.Y. tax credit vote

from Hollywood Reporter by By Georg Szalai

With only a week to go to the summer break of the New York State legislature in Albany, a Republican coup in the State Senate has left the entertainment industry here hanging.

Quebec ups film, TV tax credit

from Variety.com - Film News

Film News: Increase puts pressure on other provinces -- The Quebec government has increased its film and TV tax credit from 25% of labor expenses to 25% of the overall budget of films and TV shows shot in the Canadian province, it was announced Friday.

Hollywood: Causes and effects

from Variety.com - Film News

Film News: Obama era reignites stars' fervor for lobbying -- One Monday afternoon in early March, MSNBC cut to a live shot inside the Capitol, where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood before a row of media cameras and introduced "a real hero for the people of New Orleans and a real model for the country."

 

Digital transition heats up hot line

from Hollywood Reporter by Associated Press

Nearly 700,000 calls were received by a federal hot line this week from people confused about the nationwide move on Friday to drop analog TV signals and broadcast only in digital.

TV Guide Channel downgrades shows

from Hollywood Reporter by By Nellie Andreeva

The TV Guide Channel is signaling change in direction under its new ownership with the downgrading of three existing series and the layoffs of 38 staffers.

Broadcast TV advertising drops 11.9%

from Hollywood Reporter by By Katy Bachman

The Television Bureau of Advertising Friday released its broadcast TV crunch of the TNS Media Intelligence ad spending estimates put out earlier this week.

FESTIVALS

Monte Carlo fest mad for 'Mad Men'

from Variety.com - Award Central News

Award Central News: 'Wolves,' 'Flesh' win for miniseries -- Lionsgate's "Mad Men," Gallic family comedy "Desperate Parents" and Blighty docudrama "The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall" were the big winners at the 49th Monte Carlo TV Festival, which wrapped Thursday.

'Wheat' opens Shanghai fest

from Variety.com - Film Festivals

Film Festivals: He Ping's war pic kicks off China event -- A stirring historical war movie opened the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival, an event that is growing in international profile as the Chinese biz continues to thrive.

 

Provincetown to open with 'Whatever Works'

from The Hollywood Reporter - Awards by Staff report

The Provincetown International Film Festival, which takes place in Provincetown, Mass., June 17-21, will open with Woody Allen's "Whatever Works" and close with Jay DiPietro's "Peter and Vandy."

Springsteen's set for 'hard times' wows Bonnaroo

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By JAKE COYLE

MANCHESTER, Tenn. (AP) -- Bruce Springsteen astonished the Bonnaroo crowd with a passionate three-hour performance, offering sweat and rock 'n' roll to inspire, he said, in "hard times."...

Indie crowd gathers in Las Vegas

from Hollywood Reporter by By Steven Zeitchik

CineVegas, the annual gathering of indie film powerbrokers amid the slot machines and black-jack tables, wound down Sunday after providing several breakouts -- and more than a few surreal spectacles.

Newfest Goes "Pop Star" with Youth and Gender-bender Winners

from indieWIRE News

Jan Kruger's "Light Gradient" and Kimberly Reed's "Prodigal Sons" were among the top jury winners Thursday night in New York's Chelsea neighborhood, concluding the 2009 Newfest, New York LGBT Film Festival prior to closing night film, "Pop Star on Ice."

AWARDS

Video: American Film Institute's Tribute To Michael Douglas

from Access Hollywood - Movies

Michael Douglas was honored with the 37th AFI Life Achievement Award. Michael greeted his father, Kirk Douglas, with a kiss and posed with the family. He is the first-ever second generation star to receive the award -- Kirk was honored in 1991.

Laughs, emotion color WIF awards

from Hollywood Reporter by By Borys Kit

From Jennifer Aniston's self-deprecating remarks about her personal life to Universal executive Stephanie Sperber's recounting of her emotional personal story, laughs and heart were in attendance at Women in Film's 2009 Crystal + Lucy Awards.

AMPAS announces student Academy Awards

from Hollywood Reporter by By Gregg Kilday

Thirteen students from nine colleges and universities were honored Saturday night at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 36th annual Student Academy Awards.

Rome fest to honor Kenneth Branagh

from The Hollywood Reporter - Awards by By Eric J. Lyman

The RomaFictionFest said Friday that it will give its lifetime achievement prize to Kenneth Branagh, the four-time Oscar-nominated actor-director.

'Akbar' tops Indian Academy awards

from Variety.com - Award Central News

Award Central News: Pic wins best picture, best director -- "Jodhaa Akbar," a lavish epic about the love of a Muslim Mughal king for a Hindu princess, swept up six awards at the 10th International Indian Film Academy awards

 

MOVIES

Weekend Box Office: June 12-14, 2009

from Box Office Mojo - Current Box Office Results

The Hangover tops the box office with an estimated $33.4 million

There's No Beating This Hangover

from E! Online - Movie News

Denzel Washington and John Travolta did all right for, you know, movie stars. The A-listers' remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 debuted with a solid $25 million at the weekend box...

Box Office: "Food, Inc" Tops Trio Of Strong Openers; "Away" Goes On

from indieWIRE News

Robert Kenner's "Food, Inc.," Duncan Jones' "Moon" and Francis Ford Coppola's "Tetro" helped put a positive spin on the indie box office this weekend, according to estimates providing by Rentrak earlier this afternoon. 

'Terminator' stays on top overseas

from Hollywood Reporter by By Frank Segers

Sony's "Terminator Salvation" remained on top of the international circuit over the weekend with $46.1 million grossed from some 10,500 screens in about 80 territories.

Similarities between 'Up' and 'Danny'?

from Variety.com - Film News

Film News: 'Deckchair' director says he can't take credit for idea -- Keen watchers of Aussie films have been noting the similarities between Pixar's new animated laffer "Up" and the 2003 romantic comedy "Danny Deckchair," released by Fox.

 

Grown-up movies are an endangered species

from MSNBC.com: Movies
Adult dramas in decline: ''State of Play,'' ''The Soloist,'' and other serious-minded films struggle at the box office

Everybody's a Movie Critic: New Web Sites and Online Readers Chime In

from NYT > Movies by By MICHAEL CIEPLY

They have suffered pay cuts, layoffs and Hollywood's urge to write them off every time a poorly reviewed movie makes good at the box office.

Cameron's game-changer?

from Variety.com - Film News

Film News: 'Avatar' looks to alter Hollywood videogame biz -- The track record of film-based videogames has been spotty. While there have been a handful of critical and commercial successes, the majority have been average at best -- and, frequently, embarrassing.

 

'G.I. Joe' producer: Firing rumors aren't true

from MSNBC.com: Movies
Rumors emerged online that director Stephen Sommers was fired from the summer movie and replaced by edited Stuart Baird after the film tested poorly with audiences

Joss Whedon Was Asked To Work On New 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Movie -- After The News Broke

from Splash Page by Josh Wigler
It's a fairly wide consensus in geekdom that nobody wants a new "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" film unless series mastermind Joss Whedon is allowed full creative control (or at least serious consultation privileges). But as it turns out, Whedon himself isn't all that interested.

 

Taylor Kitsch Lands Lead Role Is Disney Film

from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Team
Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins will star in "John Carter of Mars," the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs book series that Andrew Stanton is directing for Disney...

James Bond update: MGM and EON Prods. hire writers for next movie

from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Nicole Sperling

Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) along with Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the screenwriters behind the last two Bond films, Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale, will be charged with crafting the script for the 23rd James Bond film.

Early Buzz: The First Real Reviews for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)
Last week we posted the first fan reviews of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, coming out of the Tokyo premiere. As expected, fanatics who loved the first film also loved the sequel. But what about the real critics?

Michael Moore's New Trailer Hits Theaters

from The Wrap RSS by Michael Speier

Film tackles economic crisis; L.A. stunt gets people involved.

Michael Moore: "Join me in helping our fellow Americans"

from indieWIRE News

Expected to have a festival premiere this fall prior to its October 2nd debut in theaters, Michael Moore's still untitled new film will explore the economic crisis.

'Moon's' no leap for David Bowie's son

from L.A. Times - Movie News

When your father is David Bowie, it seems that outer-space material just comes naturally.

'Mission: Impossible 4' may be in the works

from MSNBC.com: Movies
A Paramount rep confirmed to Access Hollywood on Friday that a fourth film in the franchise was in the planning stages.

TELEVISION

The Prisoner Television Teaser

from /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com)

Earlier this week, AMC dropped a teaser for the channel's upcoming remake of the classic Patrick McGoohan ITV series The Prisoner.

Social Network, TV Network: Did You Tweet?

from NYT > Television by By BRIAN STELTER

On Monday "It's On With Alexa Chung" will replace the recently canceled "TRL" as MTV's live daytime show, one that producers say will incorporate viewer interaction to an extraordinary degree.

Ratings: Fans flock to NBA Finals, 'SYTYCD,' while 'I'm a Celebrity...' struggles

from Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider by Margaret Lyons

Game 4 of the NBA Finals on ABC and Fox's So You Think You Can Dance were again the most-watched shows Thursday night, while NBC's I'm a Celebrity continued to struggle, coming in below a repeat of Bones on Fox...

 

Did Showtime hope nurses would hate Jackie?

from AP Top Entertainment News At 11:05 ... by By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) -- Edie Falco's star character in Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" snorts drugs, steals money, forges an organ donor's card, has sex on the job with a pharmacist and flushes a severed body part down the toilet - and that's just in the first episode....

Jada's new show to feature hubby as 'extra'

from CNN.com - Entertainment

Before Jada Pinkett Smith took the role of producer and star of TNT's "HawthoRNe," she made sure her family was fine with her being away from her mother and wife duties during filming.

The Graying Of Comedy Central

from Forbes.com: Media News by Dorothy Pomerantz

The average age of ''The Daily Show'' viewers is up five years. That could mean advertising trouble for parent Viacom.

MUSIC

John Amos to debut country single

from Entertainment News - UPI.com
NASHVILLE , June 14 (UPI) -- Television actor John Amos is to debut his country single "We Were Hippies" at The ABC Block Party, which is part of 2009 CMA Music Week in Nashville.

Lloyd, Irv Gotti Talk About Parting Ways

from MTV News

Singer had sent out press release announcing his unhappiness with The Inc.

 

Third Eye Blind extends trek, offers up NYC opening gig

from Top Stories from LiveDaily.com

Alt-rockers Third Eye Blind [ tickets ] have extended their in-progress spring and summer run behind their forthcoming release and are offering bands the opportunity to open for 3EB's only New York gig.

Daughtry

from Billboard News - All by Ann Donahue, L.A.

Chris Daughtry is famous--hard not to be, what with the "American Idol" thing and the heartthrob thing and Grammy Award nomination thing and the gazillion records sold thing. But he still tries to be a normal guy.

Cheap Trick To Do 'Sgt. Pepper' In Vegas Run

from Billboard News - All

Las Vegas Hilton officials say the 80s rock group best known for "I Want You to Want Me" will band with an orchestra to perform the one of the Beatles' most popular albums during a special run in Las Vegas.

Eagles, Weezer, Aguilera To Launch 24-Hour Online Radio Shows

from Billboard News - All by Mitchell Peters, L.A.

Clear Channel Radio and Front Line Management are creating artist personal experience (a.p.e.) radio, a stand-alone company that will allow musicians to produce their own online radio shows, Billboard can exclusively reveal.

Nina Persson and A Camp sing about America in the 21st century

from L.A. Times - Music News

The Swede compares colonialism with sexual desire on 'Colonia.'

 

ETC...

Roger Friedman To File Wrongful Termination Suit Against News Corp.

from mediabistro.com: TVNewser

Fired FoxNews.com entertainment columnist Roger Friedman says it wasn't watching a pirated copy of the 20th Century Fox film "Wolverine" - and then writing about it - that got him fired, it was actress Kelly Preston, and other members of the Church of Scientology.

Blagojevich makes stage comedy appearance

from Entertainment News - UPI.com

CHICAGO, June 14 (UPI) -- Impeached and indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich made good on his promise to appear at a Chicago staging of the comedy "Rod Blagojevich Superstar."

Susan Boyle on stage for U.K. 'Talent' tour

from EW.com: TV

By Adam Markovitz
See the reception for her performance of ''I Dreamed a Dream'' on opening night in Birmingham, England

Farrah Fawcett Still 'Stable'

from Entertainment on HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Team
Farrah Fawcett is certainly a true fighter. Over a month ago the former "Charlie's Angel" starlet stopped receiving treatment for anal cancer (which was initially diagnosed in 2006) and we're told her condition remains stable.

 

David Carradine funeral gathers hundreds

from EW.com: Movies

By Mike Bruno
Lucy Liu, Tom Selleck, Jane Seymour among hundreds paying respects; casket carried to cemetary in a white hearse, accompanied by a Hell's Angels escort.

Mini Britney is now Mini Lady Gaga

from Los Angeles Times - Celebrity News

There is no idea not worth recycling in Vegas.