PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

Hospitalised jazz veteran AL JARREAU is making slow progress in his battl e with illness - his condition has been downgraded from critical to stabl e following his collapse on Thursday (22Jul10).
The Grammy Award winner, 70, was airlifted to a hospital in France afte r suffering breathing difficulties and fainting moments before he was due to perform at a music festival in Barcelonnette.
He was treated in the intensive care unit at a medical centre in Gap, s outh east France, but he had regained consciousness by Friday afternoon ( 23Jul10) and has been taken off the critical list.
Hospital spokesperson Pierre-Yvan Simonoviez says, "His condition stabi lised by late morning but remains worrying… He is conscious, awake but tired."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JOE JONAS is confident there will be no drama when he hits the road with his ex-girlfriend DEMI LOVATO this summer (10) because their friendship i s stronger following their break-up in May (10).
The Jonas Brothers star ended their brief romance three months before t hey were due to tour the U.S. together, but he insists the former couple has remained pals and spending time together just as friends has "definit ely been cool".
He tells U.S. DJ Ryan Seacrest, "I think that our friendship is so stro ng that it surpasses a lot of things and I think touring will be a lot of fun.
"(It’s) definitely been cool. (We’ve been) trying to get together and h ang out before we go on tour together." And Jonas, 20, dismisses rumours he’s back on the dating scene after be ing linked to Twilight beauty Ashley Greene, stating, "I’m just a single dude about to go on tour." The Jonas Brothers will kick off their tour with Lovato in August (10).

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

ENTOURAGE star KEVIN CONNOLLY has invested his hard-earned cash in a New York restaurant he’s never been to.
The actor and his TV co-star Kevin Dillon were reported to have lent th eir backing to the new owners of Siro’s in Saratoga Springs, a popular ea tery next door to a racetrack in eastern New York.
But Connolly confesses he blindly handed over his cash after being tipp ed off about the deal by his business adviser, mortgage banker Keith Kant rowitz.
He says, "I’ve never been, which is ridiculous, I know. It’s a legendar y place. Siro’s is the spot. My business manager told me to do it!" (MT/W

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Fantasy director GUILLERMO DEL TORO has been tapped to turn Disney’s chil ling theme park ride Haunted Mansion into a new 3D movie.
The Pan’s Labyrinth filmmaker will co-write the screenplay and direct a nd produce the live-action The Haunted Mansion.
It will be Disney’s second attempt to take film audiences on a tour of the horror property - Eddie Murphy starred in a supernatural comedy also called The Haunted Mansion in 2003.
But Del Toro’s project will have no connection to the Murphy movie and he has warned fans to expect a scary ride.
He tells trade paper Daily Variety, "We will make the Haunted Mansion t he most haunted place on Earth. We are not making it a comedy. We will ma ke it scary and fun at the same time.
"For me, the Mansion needs to be the haunted house movie for this gener ation." Del Toro made the announcement on Thursday (22Jul10) during an appearan ce at the 2010 Comic-Con in San Diego, California.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

ENTOURAGE star KEVIN CONNOLLY has put himself forward as a potential cand idate to direct a planned movie version of the hit TV series.
The comedy/drama, executive produced by Mark Wahlberg, will come to an end after its eighth season airs next year (11), and plans are already un derway for a big screen spin-off featuring the original cast, including C onnolly.
The actor has already directed an episode of the show, and he’s eager t o step behind the camera once more for the Entourage film.
He says, "I’m throwing my hat into the ring. I want to be considered. I want to direct the movie." The actor admits the huge popularity of the Sex and the City films, dev eloped from the hit TV series of the same name, was critical in Entourage ’s transition from the small screen and he wants to be responsible for em ulating the success.
Connolly adds, "I tell you, I never thought I’d be so happy to see Sex and the City as a movie. When that movie came out and it did well, it ope ned the door for us, but I definitely want to make a movie. I’m starting this rumour that I’m the frontrunner to direct!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

SCARLETT JOHANSSON is preparing to reunite with her IRON MAN 2 co-star RO BERT DOWNEY, JR. after replacing ANGELINA JOLIE in new sci-fi movie GRAVI TY, according to a report.
The Wanted beauty was originally offered the role as director Alfonso C uaron’s leading lady in the upcoming 3D film, but she declined and now Jo hansson has "verbally agreed" to star.
The New York Daily News claims Downey, Jr. is slated to appear alongsid e the Lost In Translation actress in what Cuaron is allegedly touting as "the most ambitious film, technology-wise, since Avatar".
Sci-fi epic Avatar, directed by James Cameron, was lauded for its stunn ing 3D effects and won Oscars for Art Direction, Cinematography and Visua l Effects at the Academy Awards earlier this year (10).
It also became the world’s highest grossing film of all time after earn ing more than $2 billion at the global box office, beating the previous r ecord of $1.8 billion set by Cameron’s last smash hit, Titanic. (MT/NYDN/

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JUSTIN BIEBER is taking tips from former child singer USHER to make sure his breaking voice doesn’t ruin his career.
The 16 year old is struggling with his high-pitched songs as puberty ta kes its toll on his vocal cords and he has enlisted the help of a top sin ging coach to keep his performances note-perfect.
Bieber admits he is also counting on his music mentor Usher, who began singing professionally at the age of 11, to guide him through the trying time.
He tells Vibe.com, "Everyone’s voice changes. Puberty is a natural thin g. I have the best vocal coach in the world and we’re working on my voice and doing what I need to do. It’s not like as soon as you hit puberty yo u stop singing. Usher is the best mentor in the world and he survived pub erty. He tells me what to do, what not to do."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MANIC STREET PREACHERS star NICKY WIRE is taking his obsession with DOCTO R WHO to the next level - he is writing a script for the cult British sci -fi show.
The rocker admits he has been spending his spare time working on his ow n episode of the programme just for fun, revealing his time-travelling st oryline will be centred on iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who died in 19 53.
In a blog post on the band’s official website, Wire writes, "I’ve been trying to write a script for Doctor Who called Do Not Go Gently. The idea is centred around Dylan Thomas’ last days in New York. Of course it’s go ing to have a massive f**king monster in it too."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Veteran singer SIR TOM JONES welcomed the arrival of PARIS HILTON when th e socialite moved into his Los Angeles neighbourhood, even though other r esidents feared the young star would cause trouble.
The Welsh crooner has been living in California for the past few years and many of the residents of his community were upset when notorious part y girl Hilton bought a property in the area.
But Jones admits he was happy to see the hotel heiress move in.
He tells Britain’s Absolute Radio, "I thought it would be nice to have her - she’s young, she’s pretty and she’s a little controversial." (LR/WN

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

DEF LEPPARD drummer RICK ALLEN is to open a centre for children with spec ial needs in his native England on Saturday (24Jul10).
The kind-hearted rocker is patron of kids’ charity Amy’s House and has been helping the organisation raise funds for new premises in Sheffield, England.
The volunteer-run centre offers support for families, and the new build ing - complete with secure outdoor play area - will be launched by the st ar on Saturday, along with the city’s Lord Mayor, who will release balloo ns to mark the occasion.
Allen tells the Sheffield Telegraph, "As someone whose life has been to uched by a family member with special needs, you understand just how impo rtant a facility of this nature is in the provision of invaluable support not only to the child but also those close to them." (LR/WNWCBBM&WNWC/ZN

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JOHN MAYER showed his softer side at a gig in New York on Wednesday (21Ju l10) - the rocker hired an ice-cream truck to personally hand out popsicl es to fans before the show.
The musician scheduled a performance at Long Island’s Jones Beach and c ame up with a novel way to keep concert-goers cool in the blistering summ er heat, teaming up with famed ice-cream brand Ben & Jerry’s to give out free samples.
Mayer handed fans their ice cream and posed for pictures before taking to the stage, and his manager Michael McDonald reveals the ice-cream truc k will be making regular appearances throughout the star’s ongoing Battle Studies concert tour.
He tells Rolling Stone, "We had an idea of catering to the tailgating c rowd, and the epitome of the sound of summer is ice-cream truck bells. It ‘ll pop up a few more times. It gives a random lucky few fans the ability to have that intimate moment (with Mayer) before they’re in a crowd of 1 5,000."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MICK JAGGER is teaming up with legendary director MARTIN SCORSESE to make an epic rock n’ roll TV show which will span 40 years of the music indus try.
The Rolling Stones frontman, who previously collaborated with Scorsese on the band’s 2008 documentary film Shine A Light, is working with the mo viemaker on a new project called History of Music, a TV series which will follow two friends over two decades.
The programme, which is based on an original idea by Jagger, will be a period piece and will show the music business evolving from the early day s of R&B to contemporary hip-hop.
Scorsese will reportedly direct the show, with Jagger onboard as an exe cutive producer, according to Deadline.com.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

PRINCE thrilled fans in France on Thursday night (22Jul10) when he took t o the stage for a surprise show - and performed until daylight broke.
The Purple Rain hitmaker played a set at the tiny, 500-capacity New Mor ning Club in Paris in the early hours of Friday (23Jul10), after news of the gig leaked on Twitter.com just hours earlier.
He kept the audience waiting until 2.30am before appearing onstage - bu t then sent them into a frenzy with a set of lesser-known tracks as well as classic hits including Kiss, Raspberry Beret, and Cream. The rocker wa s even joined by soul singer Erykah Badu, who sang with him on three trac ks.
And after telling the crowd he would perform "til the sun comes up", Pr ince kept his word - he played six encores and closed the show at 6.15am.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Embattled rapper FOXY BROWN has pleaded not guilty to allegations she vio lated a protection order filed against her by a neighbour following her a rrest in New York earlier this week (begs19Jul10).
The Candy star, real name Inga Marchand, was arrested in Brooklyn on We dnesday (21Jul10) following a reported confrontation with Arlene Raymond, who claimed Brown cursed at her and bared her bottom in a heated dispute ..
Brown was charged with public lewdness, harassment and criminal contemp t but she pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme C ourt on Thursday (22Jul10).
The rapper’s manager, Bernadette Brennan, maintains it was Raymond who started screaming at Brown and she insists her client walked away from th e incident, adding that she "would never lift her dress, not in a million years".
She tells the New York Post, "(Brown) was minding her own business. She has never been more focused." And Brennan claims Raymond flew into a rage because she was "jealous" o f Brown over a planned concert at the B.B. King Blues Club on Sunday (25J ul10) in Times Square.
She adds, "This is what we think this is about, people kind of jealous and hating." Brown has vowed to press ahead with Sunday’s show after paying $10,000 (=C2=A36,700) to secure her freedom.
She faces up to seven years in jail if found guilty of the charges. (MT

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Jazz singer AL JARREAU collapsed shortly before he took the stage at a mu sic festival in France and was helicoptered to hospital, according to a n ew report.
The Grammy-winning musician is currently in a "critical condition" in a n intensive care unit at a medical facility in Gap, south east France aft er being admitted on Thursday night (23Jul10) suffering from breathing di fficulties.
Further details about his health scare have emerged, with a new report revealing he was preparing to perform at a show in Barcelonnette when he experienced an unduly fast heartbeat and collapsed.
The singer was treated by paramedics for respiratory problems before be ing airlifted to hospital.
Maurice Marchetti, deputy head of the Gap hospital, tells Reuters, "He was rushed to hospital… his condition is critical. He’s in intensive ca re. He is still conscious but slightly drowsy because of the medication a nd the breathing apparatus."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Former mobster HENRY HILL is delighted GOODFELLAS has become so notorious - because MARTIN SCORSESE’s film version of his life helps steer would-b e gangsters away from the world of crime.
The Oscar-nominated movie, starring Ray Liotta as Hill, sparked controv ersy on its release 20 years ago (1990) for its graphic scenes of violenc e and its brutal portrayal of life in the Mafia.
But Hill, whose biography Wiseguy was the basis for the movie, is glad it has such a reputation - because it shows the downside to a life of gan g crime.
He tells AMNY.com, "I think most (youngsters) didn’t want any part of t hat lifestyle. People have told me… they wanted to be gangsters, but wh en they saw that movie that had a change of heart." Hill also admits he now regrets his years in the mob, adding: "It was a lot of fun and exciting, but it wasn’t worth the price I had to pay with my conscience and dealing with the demons."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES is adamant it’s a "myth" there are less "juicy" movi e roles for actresses over 40 - because she has succeeded in finding "int eresting" parts since reaching the milestone age.
Many Hollywood stars including Juliet Stevenson, Kristin Scott Thomas a nd Andie MacDowell have all complained that the movie industry is obsesse d with youth and there is a lack of challenging roles available for middl e-aged women.
But Zeta-Jones, who turned 40 years old last September (09), is adamant there are plenty of "good" film parts out there, but older actresses mus t be prepared to work for them.
She tells Britain’s Daily Mirror, "It’s a natural progression… I’m go ing to play more mums than sex symbols. A lot of people talk about how it is hard to find good roles for older women, but I, frankly, haven’t foun d that. I’ve actually seen an influx of interesting and compelling roles that makes me confident the over-40 myth in Hollywood is just that.
"I’m out to prove 40 year olds can do it just as well as 20-somethings ever did. I’m not going out to pasture. I’m going after the juicy roles a nd I intend to prove older women have just as much strength in Hollywood as young women and men… You have to take it into your own hands and loo k for the roles."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Film director OREN MOVERMAN has laid out his plans for a biopic of KURT C OBAIN - insisting the movie will reflect the late rocker’s "raw and chaot ic" life.
The as-yet-untitled story of the Nirvana star will be loosely based on the acclaimed 2002 biography Heavier Than Heaven by Charles R. Cross.
But Moverman is adamant he will not focus purely on Cobain’s drug addic tion and death - he wants to show cinema-goers all aspects of the rocker’ s world.
Moverman tells British newspaper The Guardian, "People know the shortcu t version - he took a lot of heroin, wrote Smells Like Teen Spirit, becam e the biggest rock star in the world and killed himself. Those known thin gs about him are to me the least interesting.
"It’ll be raw and chaotic, which is what Cobain’s life was like." (ZN/W

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)