A stunt gone wrong has claimed the life of a stuntman working on the Chinese epic Red Cliff, the most expensive film ever produced in Asia. According to Chinese news reports, a small boat that had been set on fire was to have rammed a larger boat. The scene, shot by a second-unit crew, went amiss when the fire spread quickly to the larger boat and raged out of control. In addition to the dead stuntman, six other persons were injured in the blaze. There was no indication how serious their injuries were. The $80-million film, directed by John Woo, has been plagued by difficulties from the outset, including the walk-out by two stars and a storm that wrecked an outdoor set. Woo was in Hong Kong at the time of the tragedy, having placed a second-unit director in charge of the filming.
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Thursday 19 June 2008
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Madonna heading to Michael Moore fest
Her docu 'I Am Because We Are' will screen
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Madonna's new film on the impoverished nation of Malawi has wowed another maker of documentaries: Michael Moore.
Moore said Thursday that Madonna, like himself a Michigan native, will appear for a screening of "I Am Because We Are" during the Traverse City Film Festival on Aug. 2.
"She's sort of entered my realm," Moore said. "When I saw it, I thought, 'Wow, it's like she's been making these films for years.' "
Madonna produced and narrated the documentary after traveling to Malawi, where she met the toddler David Banda. She and husband Guy Ritchie are adopting the child.
"I Am Because We Are" illustrates the poverty that children of the southern African country face, how the AIDS crisis is claiming lives and the conditions that cause disease and other misery there. But the film urges people to volunteer and tries to offer hope.
"She takes the viewer through a very personal journey and tries to connect us, living here in the U.S., giving us a window into the way it is for other people in the world," Moore said. "You're extremely moved when you watch it. You understand very clearly why she's devoted so much of her life to the people of Malawi."
Moore said he was "outraged" by the criticism Madonna received for her efforts to adopt David. Some children's rights groups said it would be better to provide more resources so children could remain in their native countries. Others accused her of using her celebrity status to circumvent Malawian adoption laws, which she denied.
"As one who has seen what the yellow press can and does do, all of that was just one more reminder to me of just how dishonest so much of the media is in this country," Moore said.
"I am very excited to come to Michigan to show my film," Madonna said in an e-mail Friday. "The film is a labor of love, and I am happy that I can bring it home to my roots with the help of Michael.
"I am also honored that the film will be screening at this particular festival arranged by Michael as he is a genius and I am a huge fan."
Moore, who won the Academy Award in 2002 for "Bowling for Columbine," said he saw an early version of Madonna's film in London while shooting scenes for his latest documentary, "Sicko."
After watching the finished product about a month ago, he asked Madonna for permission to screen it during the festival in Traverse City, his adopted hometown about 250 miles northwest of Detroit. Moore established the festival in 2005 with local author Doug Stanton and photographer John Robert Williams.
"She said she'd be thrilled to come here and be part of the film festival," Moore said. "We were pleasantly surprised."
Madonna, born in Bay City and raised to the south near Detroit, recently released a new album, "Hard Candy," and is preparing for a worldwide tour that begins in August. She'll take a one-day break from rehearsals to visit Traverse City.
The film will be shown in a downtown theater that seats 540. After the film is shown, Madonna will take questions from the audience, Moore said.
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Wednesday 4 June 2008
The Relentless Division
Artist: The Relentless Division
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
The Clientele Theory
Year: 2004
Tracks: 12
Sunday 1 June 2008
Salsa star Manuelle makes his move with own label
MIAMI (Billboard) - Victor Manuelle, one of salsa music's brightest contemporary stars, is the first to admit that his way is not for everyone.
That way is on his own label, after 14 years with Sony BMG.
"Not every artist is an impresario, and I don't presume to be one," says Manuelle. "But you have to know when to make your move. My career is at its peak. There was no reason to wait."
Manuelle's new studio album, "Soy" -- which mixes his trademark romantic salsa with hardcore dance fare and some pop -- will be released June 10 on his own label, Kiyavi.
The album's entire production, recording, pressing, design, marketing and promotion -- including video -- has been financed by Manuelle himself. Only distribution falls under Sony BMG (with whom he maintains an excellent relationship).
For someone of Manuelle's standing to shoulder sole financial responsibility for his recordings is rare in the music industry in general and the Latin genre in particular. But as a major artist with name recognition, Manuelle is in a unique artistic and economic position.
"Many people misunderstand," he says over lunch in Miami Beach. "I live off my performances. The album is an additional element. The fact that I have control over my career and my development goes beyond breaking even and allows me to further expand my concert circuit."
More than a decade on the tropical circuit has made Manuelle many friends he can lean on. Many costs, he says, are lowered simply by exchanging favors. And since the buck begins and ends with him, things happen quickly.
That way is on his own label, after 14 years with Sony BMG.
"Not every artist is an impresario, and I don't presume to be one," says Manuelle. "But you have to know when to make your move. My career is at its peak. There was no reason to wait."
Manuelle's new studio album, "Soy" -- which mixes his trademark romantic salsa with hardcore dance fare and some pop -- will be released June 10 on his own label, Kiyavi.
The album's entire production, recording, pressing, design, marketing and promotion -- including video -- has been financed by Manuelle himself. Only distribution falls under Sony BMG (with whom he maintains an excellent relationship).
For someone of Manuelle's standing to shoulder sole financial responsibility for his recordings is rare in the music industry in general and the Latin genre in particular. But as a major artist with name recognition, Manuelle is in a unique artistic and economic position.
"Many people misunderstand," he says over lunch in Miami Beach. "I live off my performances. The album is an additional element. The fact that I have control over my career and my development goes beyond breaking even and allows me to further expand my concert circuit."
More than a decade on the tropical circuit has made Manuelle many friends he can lean on. Many costs, he says, are lowered simply by exchanging favors. And since the buck begins and ends with him, things happen quickly.
Folkstorm
Artist: Folkstorm
Genre(s):
Alternative
Industrial
Discography:
The Culturecide Campaigns
Year: 2001
Tracks: 7
Noisient 1-2 Vinyl
Year: 2001
Tracks: 2
Victory Or Death
Year: 2000
Tracks: 10
Hurtmusic. Live At Nar Mattaru
Year: 2000
Tracks: 9
Information Blitzkrieg
Year: 1999
Tracks: 10
For The Love Of Hate
Year:
Tracks: 10
Avril Lavigne dismisses pregnancy claims
Starving Artists Crew
Artist: Starving Artists Crew
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
Sac Lunch Up Pops The Mega Mix
Year: 2004
Tracks: 11
Dordan
Indiana Jones - The Things The Say
"None of this is to my taste. I have never been so obsessed with my looks to care all that much. I don't even bother colouring my hair, I am what I am." INDIANA JONES star HARRISON FORD isn't fazed by his advancing years.
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Coldplay - Coldplay Fell Out Before Working On New Album
British rockers COLDPLAY refused to speak to one another before they began work on their new album - because they'd fallen out with each other.
Frontman Chris Martin ...
Frontman Chris Martin ...
Joe Bonamassa
Artist: Joe Bonamassa
Genre(s):
Rock
Blues
Discography:
Sloe Gin
Year: 2007
Tracks: 11
A New Day Yesterday
Year:
Tracks: 12
Guitar genius Joe Bonamassa, a young musician with the puerility dreaming of playing music similar to legends care Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix, was 22 when he inked a share with Epic. His drive to create music a career was an instantaneous whirlwind.
Hailing from Utica, NY, Bonamassa could play the vapours in front he could drive a automobile. He first base heard Stevie Ray Vaughan at historic period four and was outright taken by Vaughan's thirsty powered playing. By historic period eight, he opened for B.B. King, and at historic period 12, he was playing on a regular basis around upstate New York. It was presently thenceforth that Bonamassa aquiline up with the band Bloodline, which featured other musicians' sons: Waylon Krieger (Robby Krieger's word), Erin Davis (Miles Davis' drummer kidskin), and Berry Oakley Jr. (the word of the Allman Brothers' bassist). Bloodline released a self-titled album, but Bonamassa treasured to move on. In summer 2000, he guested for Roger McGuinn on Jethro Tull's summer tour of duty, later releasing his debut solo album A New Day Yesterday. Produced by longtime fan Tom Dowd, the album marked a move towards a more than organic and rock-sounding direction. He put together a powerfulness trio with drummer Kenny Kramme and bassist Eric Czar and strike the road to support the record album. Upon returning from the road, he hooked up with Dowd to disc the muscular and wholesale studio disk So, It's Like That and released a document of the tour of duty A New Day Yesterday Live. The following year Bonamassa put out Blues Deluxe, featuring nina from Carolina cover versions of vapors classics aboard trinity originals. The mesomorphic You & Me appeared in 2006, followed by the more acoustic-tinged Sloe Gin in 2007.
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