MOVIES: ON THE BIG SCREEN
NO REAL RALLY, IT’S RODRIGUEZ MOVIE SHOT IN AUSTIN
AUSTIN, Texas – A political rally being staged near the Texas Capitol had nothing to do with real Republicans or Democrats. A stretch of Congress Avenue was closed to traffic Thursday as part of filming for the Robert Rodriguez action movie “Machete,” featuring Robert De Niro.
One scene included a red, white and blue decorated stage with a banner saying “Vote for Senator McLaughlin.” De Niro, in a suit, red tie and cowboy hat, appeared to be giving a campaign speech. Rodriguez previously said the movie will also feature Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan and Cheech Marin. It is based on the “fake” trailer in the 2007 movie “Grindhouse.”
Several of Rodriguez’s productions including the “Spy Kids” movies were filmed in Texas. His Troublemaker Studios is located in Austin.
“INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS” – CHRISTOPH WALTZ
LOS ANGELES – It took more than 30 years of making movies in Austria for Christoph Waltz to break into Hollywood — and he’s glad it didn’t happen sooner. There’s Oscar buzz around Waltz for his role as the Jew hunter in “Inglourious Basterds,” his first American movie. He says if he’d been successful when he first started out, it would have blown him apart. He would’ve been “so impressed by what’s going on” that he would have “fallen into every trap” that opened up in front of him.
“PONYO” – NOAH CYRUS
LOS ANGELES – Miley Cyrus’ little sister Noah is like many 9-year-olds: she spends a lot of time on Twitter. Noah says she posts tweets about what she’s doing, where she’s going, and what she does when she returns. Noah speaks for the lead character “Ponyo,” a goldfish who wants to be human.
“WORLD’S GREATEST DAD” – BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT
LOS ANGELES – The timing was perfect for Bobcat Goldthwait. He’d basically stopped acting. That allowed him to concentrate on writing and then, directing the dark comedy, “World’s Greatest Dad” which stars Robin Williams. But, Goldthwait jokes he “retired from acting conveniently at the same time people stopped hiring” him. And, he says he “has turned away from the things that would perpetuate” his still being in the public eye, like reality shows. “World’s Greatest Dad” expands to a few more cities tomorrow and goes wider Labor Day weekend.
TV: ON THE SMALL SCREEN
“SUPERNATURAL” – PARIS HILTON
Paris Hilton is recovering from the workout she got while filming “Supernatural.” She was in Vancouver on Tuesday for filming. While she was there she tweeted: “So much fun working on Supernatural. Jared and Jensen are so nice and such great actors. I had a great time.” But, by last night, she was feeling the effects. That’s when she tweeted she’s “so tired and sore from all the stunts and fighting scenes while shooting.” Hilton’s episode is expected to air Oct. 8.
“BIG BROTHER” – CANCELED IN BRITAIN
LONDON – Britain’s lost interest in “Big Brother.” So, the network there is giving it one more season and then, it’s canceled. “Big Brother” used to be one of England’s biggest watercooler shows.
LINNEY SET FOR OFFBEAT COMEDY PILOT ABOUT CANCER
LOS ANGELES – Laura Linney is taking on an offbeat role in a Showtime comedy pilot – a woman who is diagnosed with cancer. Showtime said Thursday that Linney will star in and executive produce the half-hour show, “The C Word,” with the pilot episode to be shot this fall.
The cable channel says the series will delve into the life of a suburban wife and mother as she confronts her illness and finds the light side in a dark situation. In a statement, the Emmy Award-winning Linney said she’s excited to tackle such “potentially rich, funny and complicated material.”
WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE’ TRANSFORMS INTO MOVIE
LOS ANGELES – The Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place” is offering its fans a bonanza, with a TV movie and a chance to meet the show’s stars at a convention in September. “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,” debuting at 8 p.m. EDT Friday, sends the magical Russo siblings on an eventful Caribbean vacation with their parents.
On Sept. 13, cast members including Selena Gomez and Jake T. Austin will take part in the D23 Expo, a Disney fan convention in Anaheim, Calif. Executive producer Peter Murietta says the “Wizards of Waverly Place” event will include a screening of the show’s third-season premiere and a surprise musical performance.
WEB: ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN
AP SOURCES: DIRECTV, TBS, TNT IN TALKS ON INTERNET
DirecTV Group Inc. is in talks with the TBS and TNT cable networks to offer their shows online. That’s according to two people familiar with the discussions. If a deal is reached, DirecTV subscribers would be able to watch shows from those cable networks on the Internet. DirecTV, the nation’s largest satellite TV operator, previously said it was considering such deals but did not specify the networks. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks still are ongoing.
DirecTV joins a growing list of cable, satellite and phone companies that are offering consumers a “multiscreen” experience: the ability to watch shows on TV, computers and mobile devices like
cell phones.
“LAW AND ORDER” FAN HELPS CATCH ACCUSED CROOK
NEW YORK – A “Law and Order” fan helped cops catch an accused crook using techniques she learned watching the show. Justine Faeth is an office assistant in New York City. Her favorite show is “Law and Order SVU.” Police say a man walked into her office and stole a purse, an iPod and a wallet. Before leaving, he drank water and blew his nose. Faeth saved the cup and tissue. Investigators used DNA samples to track down and arrest the suspect. When Faeth appeared on the “Today” show, Mariska Hargitay called to congratulate her and hinted that Faeth may be allowed to be an extra in an episode.
BLAGOJEVICH AND WIFE TO CO-HOST ON “THE VIEW”
NEW YORK – Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti will co-host “The View” on September 9th. They’re the latest to help take over for Elisabeth Hasselbeck while she’s on maternity leave.
LAW & CELEBRITY
LINDSAY LOHAN – HOUSE BREAK-IN
LOS ANGELES – Police in Los Angeles are looking for three people caught on tape taking stuff out of Lindsay Lohan’s house. Surveillance footage shows one man and two women walking through a gate at Lohan’s home and entering a courtyard. All three of them have scarves over their faces. Lohan’s spokeswoman says the break-in happened just after one in the morning on Sunday while Lindsay and Ali Lohan were away. She says many of Lohan’s “personal belongings were taken without remorse.” Lohan might have a suspect in mind. She posted on Twitter that “things that a certain old friend knew meant a lot” to her were taken.
GOSSIP & EVERYTHING ELSE
CRYPT ABOVE MARILYN MONROE’S – NO SALE
LOS ANGELES – The person who made the winning $4.6 million bid for the crypt above Marilyn Monroe may have come to his or her senses. That person has decided not to buy the crypt. The crypt above Monroe’s currently holds the remains of the husband of a woman named Elsie Poncher. She was going to move her hubby and sell the crypt. Now, her lawyer says that’s on hold until the results of the eBay auction can be cleared up. Marilyn Monroe’s crypt is at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery behind some high rises in a busy section of L.A.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
