“China May Appeal WTO Ruling on Its Film, Book Curbs (Update2) - Bloomberg” plus 4 more

China May Appeal WTO Ruling on Its Film, Book Curbs (Update2) - Bloomberg
Tattle: Legos - Hollywood's latest movie idea - Philiy.com
'Alien Trespass' actress did homework for her movie role - Philiy.com
New teen music movie a ‘slam' dunk - Mydesert.com
What's happening Friday: Event celebrating Motown; outdoor movie ... - Grand Rapids Press

China May Appeal WTO Ruling on Its Film, Book Curbs (Update2) - Bloomberg

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 01:56 AM PDT

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Aug. 13 (Bloomberg) -- China may appeal a World Trade Organization ruling that its limits on the sale of books, films and music from the U.S. are unfair. "China will evaluate the WTO ruling, while not ruling out the possibility of appealing against ...

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Tattle: Legos - Hollywood's latest movie idea - Philiy.com

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 02:39 AM PDT

TATTLE HAS often mocked Hollywood's obsession with remakes and sequels and its eagerness to turn any property, toy or character into a movie whether there's a movie in it or not. But even we are surprised by Warner Bros. latest foray into theatrical-rights purchases:

Lego.

The Hollywood Reporter says the studio and producer Dan Lin have acquired theatrical rights for a motion picture about the timeless toy, and have set writers Dan and Kevin Hageman to pen the script.

About Lego.

Writing that script should be a snap.

The live action-CG hybrid is expected to examine themes of creativity and teamwork in the manner of "Toy Story."

Best news of all: Warners isn't making a Lego movie just for kids - the studio is hoping the film can also appeal to adults.

Tattle can't wait to pitch "Hungry, Hungry Hippos."

It's "Yogi Bear" . . . but with hippos.

Memo to Hollywood studios: Please send checks to Tattle c/o of the Philadelphia Daily News.

We are the world

If Afghanistan can have its own version of "American Idol," no one should be surprised that Bosnia has a film festival.

In fact, the 15th Sarajevo Film Festival kicked off last night, bringing celebs Gillian Anderson and Mickey Rourke to an event born in a sandbag-protected basement during the Bosnian war.

The Balkan region's most important film event now draws more than 100,000 people each year, and this year's fest includes 232 films from 53 countries to be screened over nine days.

Rourke's comeback film, "The Wrestler," will be screened closing night, Aug. 20.

The festival started in 1994 in Sarajevo, as its founders tried to offer citizens some sense of normal life. Residents braved mortar shells raining on the city to gather in a basement and watch Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," sometimes unsure whether the sounds of shooting came from the soundtrack or battles outside.

Tattbits

* The global tribute to

Michael Jackson on the grounds of the Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna will be held Sept. 26, and Jermaine Jackson will take time off from his "Larry King Live" appearance schedule to announce the concert lineup soon, organizers World Awards Media GmbH said yesterday.

Renate Brauner, Vienna's deputy mayor, said the city is thrilled to host "this high-carat, internationally sensational event."

Austrian media have reported that Madonna, U2, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston might be among the performers.

* New York judge Denny Chin says

a jury can decide whether Rita Cosby's best-selling book about Anna Nicole Smith's death defamed her lawyer and companion.

Chin found plenty of reasons yesterday to let a jury hear the facts behind a $60 million libel lawsuit brought by lawyer Howard K. Stern against Cosby about her book "Blonde Ambition."

Chin wrote that Cosby had made allegations in her book that may be too explosive to be true. He says the jury may conclude that Cosby ignored the improbable nature of some of her statements in her zeal to write a blockbuster.

He also dropped publisher Hachette Book Group USA Inc. as a defendant.

* New Yorker contributor Ian Fra-

zier

("Lamentations of the Father"), essayist Sloane Crosley ("I Was Told There'd Be Cake"), Don Lee ("Wrack and Ruin") and Laurie Notaro ("The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death") made the cut as finalists for this year's Thurber Prize for American Humor. It's like they think those "Hungry, Hungry Hippos" jokes just write themselves.

Staff writer Stephanie Farr and Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

Send e-mail to gensleh@phillynews.com.

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'Alien Trespass' actress did homework for her movie role - Philiy.com

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 02:39 AM PDT

When actress Jenni Baird was cast in "Alien Trespass," the campy science-fiction film released on DVD Tuesday, she was given homework.

Director R.W. Goodwin told her to go home and watch the original versions of "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "War of the Worlds" and "It Came from Outer Space." He wanted Baird to get familiar with the movies that were the inspiration for his salute to the 1950s creature features.

Goodwin's film looks like it was shot in the '50s, when movie monsters were often made of scraps of material and had exposed zippers. The task of the beautiful woman - fellow scientist, secretary, spouse - was to scream bloody murder.

Baird's character is different. She plays a waitress who won't back down to any little green men in flying saucers.

"I was told that my character does not exist in the original form," said Baird during a break from meeting with WonderCon conventioneers earlier this year.

"I figured if we stuck to our guns and made an authentic '50s movie, it could be charming and scary and fun," Goodwin said.

GARY THOMPSON is on vacation. His column, A Gary Thompson Production, returns next week.

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New teen music movie a ‘slam' dunk - Mydesert.com

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 12:59 AM PDT

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Movies about teenagers and music normally feature two motivations: The characters are either singing and dancing for love or fame. What sets the new movie "Bandslam" apart from other teen films is its pure, unmitigated love of music. Indeed ...

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What's happening Friday: Event celebrating Motown; outdoor movie ... - Grand Rapids Press

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 02:18 AM PDT

by Kalamazoo Gazette

Celebration in Kalamazoo
The Ecumenical Senior Center, 702 N. Burdick St., is hosting Motown 50th Anniversary Celebration. Some of Motown's top 100 hits are being played, and bratwurst, hot dogs and hamburger are on sale. Proceeds go toward the fundraising goal of the center's Matching Funds Campaign. (269) 381-9750. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

Blood drives in Kalamazoo and Portage
The Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive at Borgess Health & Fitness Center, 3025 Gull Road. Another blood drive is being held at the Portage Fire Department, 7830 Shaver Road. Appointments are not needed for either drive. (269) 353-6180, ext. 0. Noon to 5:45 p.m. Friday; 1 to 6:45 p.m. Friday.

Film in Portage
"Twilight" is being screened at the Celery Flats Ampitheatre, 7335 Garden Lane, Portage. The film, rated PG-13, is based on a best-selling novel about a human girl and a vampire who fall in love. The rain site is the Hayloft Theatre. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. There is no charge. (269) 329-4522 or www.portagemi.gov/living/recreation_culture.asp. 8:30 p.m. Friday.