La Quiete & other: July 2008

"Indiana Jones" unearths more gold at box office

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The massively hyped "Indiana Jones" movie whipped up an impressive $56 million in its first two days of release across North America, its distributor said on Saturday, but will struggle to break industry records during the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," the first film in the adventure series to hit the big screen in 19 years, earned an estimated $31 million on Friday, according to Paramount Pictures.

A day earlier, it opened amid mixed reviews to $25 million -- the fourth highest-grossing Thursday debut on record. The industry, suffering a tepid year so far, is seizing on such benchmarks as early signs of a recovery. The second-day tally ranked more modestly at No. 15 for Friday sales, according to Box Office Mojo, which analyzes movie sales data.

"Indiana Jones," reuniting actor Harrison Ford as the eponymous archeologist, director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas, also opened in 61 foreign countries on the heels of its glitzy world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last Sunday. Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc, did not have early foreign returns.

In North America, industry observers expect "Indiana Jones" to earn more than $150 million in its first five days.

Comparisons with the record-holder for the Memorial Day weekend, last year's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," are a little difficult. The third film in the swashbuckler franchise also opened on a Thursday -- but in the evening, whereas "Indiana Jones" screened for a full day. Ticket prices have also risen since then.

Still, "Pirates" also managed to earn $56 million for the two-day period, on its way to $153 million for the five days through Monday. The five-day record is held by "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," which opened to $173 million in 2005, a week before the Memorial Day holiday in 2005.

"Indiana Jones" siphoned off some of the audience from last week's leader, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," which opened to a disappointing $55 million last weekend.

Ted Nugent and The Amboy Dukes

Artist: Ted Nugent and The Amboy Dukes

   Genre(s):
Rock

Discography:

Survival of the Fittest: live

Year: 1971
Tracks: 6

Marriage on the Rocks

Year: 1970
Tracks: 7

The Subways, All Or Nothing

Four years on from their victory in Glastonbury's unsigned band competition, and now all firmly out of their teens, Welwyn Garden City's rockiest exports are back. This time they were on the main stage at Eavis' annual knees-up and sporting a second album in the form of All Or Nothing.

The record kicks off with the chart-ineligible single Girls And Boys, an American style thrash-out that frontman Billy Lunn and female sidekick Charlotte Cooper both accessorise with highly affected (and dare it be said, accented) vocals. One wonders whether the decision to make the release download only was through the fear of public disinterest – during their two years out of the spotlight, the band have been shunted aside by the likes of whippersnappers The View. Tellingly, the first single proper, Alright, failed even to make the top 40.

It seems that in their absence (partially forced upon them by Lunn's vocal nodules) this former buzz band have missed the boat. This is an album two years too late, with a distinct American emo flavour running through its core. Title track All Or Nothing sounds very much like Fall Out Boy’s Dance Dance, and the album’s vocals have Lunn sounding eerily similar to Panic At The Disco’s Brendan Urie. Ironic then, that the Las Vegas outfit ditched emo for a more British sound on their own sophomore longplayer.

There are moments of inspiration, particularly in some well-executed harmonies between former lovers Lunn and Cooper, which nod to their well-documented Britpop fandom and particularly Nu Clear Sounds-era Ash. But there is no evident sign of the contribution of super-producer Butch Vig, whose involvement in the project initially promised so much.

Final track Lost Boy does prove an unexpected and last-minute gem, with piano, strings, bass and drum somehow managing to sound beautifully tender, in what is a Sixpence None The Richer, Kiss Me-style ballad. But it's too little too late for a band who had the world at their feet, went away and returned to find the goalposts had moved.

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Richie Set For TV Role

New mum Nicole Richie will relive her days as a Hollywood 'bad girl' after landing a small role in U.S. TV comedy Chuck. The 26-year-old will play "a snarky and spiteful girl" in an upcoming episode. Chuck executive producer Josh Schwartz states, "Nicole auditioned for the part and was very funny. This role is a great opportunity for her to show off her comedic skills and be diabolically evil and kick some butt. It's going to be really fun." Richie's past TV credits include guest spots on U.S. TV series 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter and American Dreams. She also starred in reality TV hit The Simple Life, alongside fellow socialite and childhood friend Paris Hilton.

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Christie Brinkley - Brinkley Wins Bid To Make Divorce Public

Former model CHRISTIE BRINKLEY will fight her divorce from estranged husband PETER COOK in public after a New York judge granted her request to keep proceedings open.

Brinkley, 54, reportedly filed the motion at New York Supreme Court on Thursday (19Jun08), despite protests from architect Cook and their children's guardian Theresa Mari.

But Suffolk County Judge Mark Cohen approved Brinkley's request during a hearing on Friday (20Jun08), ruling that "open courtrooms, in general and in divorce actions, may provide a basis for societal education".

He added, "The required high burden of compelling reasons to close the courtroom has not been met."

However, Cook is disappointed with the decision.

His lawyer Norman Sheresky admits Cook is upset that Brinkley "has invited their children to attend the divorce trial".

But Brinkley has fired back at the criticism. Her attorney Robert Cohen says, "The reality is he put himself way in front of his children and his wife when he made the awful decision to destroy the marriage. The trial will get at the truth, which is very important to Christie."

The star adds, "I still remain hopeful that these matters can be resolved privately."

Brinkley filed for divorce from Cook in 2006, over his alleged affair with a then-18-year-old assistant.

According to Access Hollywood, among Brinkley's divorce allegations are claims that Cook trawled the internet for women and porn.

The former couple - who have kids Jack, 12, and Sailor, nine together - will head to trial in New York on 2 July (08).