it comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral has been named best British movie in an internet poll
June 30, 2008
Hit comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral has been named best British movie in an internet poll.
The 1994 film narrowly vanquished Monty Pythons Life of Brian in the survey of 1,000 adults conducted by Virgin Media.
Sir Anthony Hopkins shared the title of Britains favourite actor with Sir Sean Connery, while Sir Michael Caine took third place.
Dame Judi Dench was named the countrys favourite actress, ahead of Dame Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.
Trainspotting, the latest James Bond film Casino Royale and crime comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels are among the other movies included.
"Seeing so many fantastic films in the list is testament to British film talent," said Virgin Medias James Kydd.
The internet site conducted the poll to mark the closing date of its Virgin Media Shorts competition, which is inviting budding filmmakers to submit short films.
Runners are sprinting past works of art and visitors at the Tate Britain as part of a new exhibition at the venue
June 30, 2008
Runners are sprinting past works of art and visitors at the Tate Britain as part of a new exhibition at the venue.
Martin Creeds installation consists of a sprint through the sites neo-classical sculpture galleries every 30 seconds for the next four months.
The 50 runners will be paid £10 an hour to don their running gear and run through the Tate, avoiding visitors.
Denying his work was pretentious Mr Creed said: "This is something to look at, just like a painting."
The artist, who won the Turner Prize in 2001 with the installation, The Lights Going On And Off, said: "Its literally not pretentious because they are not pretending to run."
Not safe
Each 12-to-15-second run through the 282ft (86m) gallery is followed by an equivalent pause.
Mr Creed said: "The rest between each runner is the frame that lets you see the running.
Sometimes when you go around museums you feel its quite a laborious task
Martin Creed
"The regularity of it is very important. Thats what makes it easy to look at.
"Theres a pattern for you to look at. Youll be sure that they
e coming every 30 seconds so hopefully you can enjoy it."
Work No 850 was partly inspired by a five-minute viewing of the catacombs of the Cappuccini monks in Palermo, Italy, when he arrived at the crypt just before closing time.
He said: "I thought Why do you have to look at paintings for a long time? Why not look for a second?.
"Sometimes when you go around museums you feel its quite a laborious task."
The Wakefield-born artist advertised for participants in running magazines and sports clubs and is still searching for more sprinters.
But energetic visitors will not be encouraged to join in "because its not safe", he said.
ormer ER actress Alex Kingston is to appear in Hope Springs, an eight-part BBC drama about four female ex-convicts hiding out in a small Scottish village
June 30, 2008
Former ER actress Alex Kingston is to appear in Hope Springs, an eight-part BBC drama about four female ex-convicts hiding out in a small Scottish village.
The 45-year-old, recently seen in BBC Ones Doctor Who, will play the leader of a gang whose plans to start a new life in Barbados go awry.
One Foot in the Grave veteran Annette Crosbie plays a local woman who comes into contact with the fugitive quartet.
Kingston said she was attracted by the shows "good, strong female roles".
Christine Bottomley, from award-winning drama The Street, plays one of her fellow ex-cons.
Thrilled
Produced by Shed Productions, makers of Bad Girls, Hope Springs will be shot on location in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Interiors will be filmed at BBC Scotlands recently opened drama studios in Dumbarton.
Kingston was recently seen in a two-part edition of Doctor Who, in which she played a space traveller who claimed to know the Time Lord in the future.
"We
e thrilled to have such major screen talent fronting Hope Springs," said executive producer Brian Park.
The series is scheduled to transmit on BBC One in 2009.
he Screen Actors Guild leader has said that strike action is not imminent as their contract with Hollywood studios comes close to running out
June 30, 2008
The Screen Actors Guild leader has said that strike action is not imminent as their contract with Hollywood studios comes close to running out.
Alan Rosenberg the union has taken "no steps" to initiate industrial action and called speculation "a distraction".
TV and movie studio bosses took out adverts in the industry press calling any strike "harmful and unnecessary".
Several projects have already been put on hold in case actors walk off set if a dispute over new contracts escalates.
Hollywood concern
The two sides remain locked in talks to thrash out a new agreement before the existing contract becomes null and void at midnight Tuesday.
Members of SAG rally outside the organisations headquarters
A spokesman for the Alliance of Motion Pictures and TV Producers (AMPTP) blamed the shutdown of the industry on the actors union for taking talks beyond the deadline.
Mr Rosenberg said SAG was "coming to the bargaining table every day in good faith to negotiate a fair contract for actors".
The union represents some 120,000 film and TV actors.
They are also contesting a deal reached with studio bosses by another acting guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).
There is concern in Hollywood that there will be a repeat of the Screen Writers Guild strike which damaged film and TV production from November to February.
Glastonbury organisers have played down comments by Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft that festival founder Michael Eavis opposed the bands headline slot
June 30, 2008
Glastonbury organisers have played down comments by Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft that festival founder Michael Eavis opposed the bands headline slot.
Eaviss daughter Emily rebuffed the claim, saying "thats not true at all".
"Weve liked The Verve for ages and we were really pleased to have them on," she told the BBC News website, adding that the group "really pulled it off."
Roads around Worthy Farm remain congested as thousands make their way home from the three-day event.
Motorists are being asked to remain patient in queues, which are gradually clearing.
Im not sure where the Keane thing came from because Keane were never an option this year
Emily Eavis
The Verve closed the festival on Sunday night with the anthemic Bittersweet Symphony and new single Love Is Noise.
Addressing the crowd in front of the Pyramid stage, Ashcroft said: "I want to thank Emily Eavis for inviting us to play Glastonbury.
"I hope her dad realises why she booked us now. I think he was a bit worried we wouldn be as good as Keane or something."
But Emily Eavis, who co-organises the event, refused to respond to the jibe, saying it was "not a big deal".
"Im not sure where the Keane thing came from because Keane were never an option this year."
Good vibe
Crime increased at this years festival currently, with 544 incidents including drugs reported, compared to 298 at this stage in 2007.
The main reported crime is thefts from tents, which now totals 263 incidents, compared to 49 last year.
The Verves performance has been praised by festival organisers
There have been 152 arrests, compared to 183 in 2007. The majority of these were for drug offences.
Despite this, a police spokeswoman said Glastonbury "remains one of the safest festivals of its kind".
Rapper Jay-Z and singer Amy Winehouse were the main draws at this years event, which sold off despite concerns over sluggish ticket sales.
Winehouse, 24, was seen apparently lashing out at the audience during her Pyramid Stage performance on Saturday.
Emily Eavis said things had gone "amazingly well" and that there was "a really good vibe".
"I think it was the best Glastonbury crowd weve ever had," she continued. "They were so determined to make it great."
The Verve have closed this years Glastonbury Festival, but took a swipe at organiser Michael Eavis, who they suggested opposed their headline slot
June 30, 2008
The Verve have closed this years Glastonbury Festival, but took a swipe at organiser Michael Eavis, who they suggested opposed their headline slot.
Singer Richard Ashcroft said Mr Eavis daughter Emily booked them and her father was "worried we weren going to be as good as Keane or something".
Veteran Canadian singer Leonard Cohen and crooner Neil Diamond also played on the Pyramid Stage on the final day.
Lily Allen joined Mark Ronson on stage, as the sun shone for much of the day.
This years festival will go down as a success after fine weather made up for earlier rain, while controversy over the line-up also dried up.
Hip-hop headliner
The Verve closed their set with three of their biggest hits, The Drugs Don Work, Lucky Man and Bittersweet Symphony.
"I want to thank Emily Eavis for inviting us to play Glastonbury," Ashcroft told the crowd. "And I hope her dad realises why she booked us now."
Mr Eavis founded the festival on his Somerset dairy farm 38 years ago.
Ive brought my wellies but they
e not going to be needed
Neil Diamond
Fans review Glastonbury 2008Glastonburys first band return
This years line-up came in for criticism because of the choice of Jay-Z to play on Saturday night, the first hip-hop headliner in the events history.
"A shout out to Jay-Z for putting in a big performance last night," Ashcroft said.
"But tonight its rock
roll."
The reformed rock band provided a more conventional headline slot, with their hits providing some anthemic moments.
Oldies afternoon
Leonard Cohen preceded them on the main stage, performing favourites like Suzanne, So Long Marianne and Who By Fire.
The crowd sing-along to Hallelujah, and the prolonged ovation that followed, will go down as a memorable moment in Glastonbury history.
"Its a great honour to play for these angels born of the mud," he said to a huge cheer.
Wearing a grey suit, shirt and hat, Cohen and his deep voice cast a spell over large parts of the audience.
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Veteran Neil Diamond entertained Glastonburys Sunday crowds
Despite the melancholy songs, he regularly took off his hat and gave a big smile to the crowd in response to their reaction to his songs.
Neil Diamond was among the other stars of Sunday, singing a number of hits in what is traditionally the oldies afternoon slot.
He played classics like Sweet Caroline, Cherry Cherry and Forever in Blue Jeans.
The 67-year-old said he was "real happy" to be at the festival, adding: "Ive brought my wellies but they
e not going to be needed."
The sun was out for much of Sunday, meaning mud created by rain on Thursday and Friday had almost all dried out by the end of the festival.
Chilled atmosphere
To the relief of fans, it was the first Glastonbury since 2004 that had not been a mudbath.
The fine weather also contributed to a warm and laid-back atmosphere, with people able to sit and relax without the fear of getting caked in mud.
"I was here last year so thats the worst its going to get," said 32-year-old Nick Haigh from Birmingham.
"It changes the atmosphere if its wet, you walk around more and see more stuff.
"This year we sat around a bit more and it was a bit more chilled."
Away from the main stage, Groove Armada, King Solomon Burke, Spiritualized and Joan Baez were also on the bill.
On Saturday, Jay-Z was widely praised for his performance and won over many festival goers who were not convinced he was suitable for the top slot.
But the headlines were stolen by Amy Winehouse, who appeared to punch a fan during her set.
Have your say: What were your Glastonbury highlights?
The trailer for the next Bond adventure Quantum of Solace has been shown for the first time on the internet
June 30, 2008
The trailer for the next Bond adventure Quantum of Solace has been shown for the first time on the internet.
The teaser for the film, which stars Daniel Craig as 007, runs one minute and 50 seconds and features a dramatic cocktail of action and stunts.
The trailer had been due to premiere at 1700 BST on the MSN and AOL websites.
But the launch was moved forward after the footage appeared on video sharing website YouTube and the US movie fan site Ain It Cool.
Cinema-goers will be able to see the taster from Wednesday, when it will be shown before Will Smiths film Hancock.
Quantum of Solace is due out in the UK on 31 October and is released in the US and elsewhere the following month.
Crosshead
The trailer begins with Mr White, a villainous character from the previous Bond film Casino Royale, being interrogated by Bond.
This early sequence appears to initiate a globe-trotting adventure as Craigs character embarks on an revenge mission against the wishes of his superiors.
Elaborate action sequences involving cars, boats and planes are intercut with more intimate scenes involving Bonds various love interests.
There is also a brief shot of Craigs now famous bare torso, as well as snippets of dialogue from Dame Judi Dench as 007s boss M.
Monday also sees the launch of a new Quantum of Solace website, which will offer fans news, images and downloads related to the film.
nimated movie WALL-E, about a loveable trash compacting robot with a heart of gold, has gone straight to number one in the North American box office chart
June 30, 2008
Animated movie WALL-E, about a loveable trash compacting robot with a heart of gold, has gone straight to number one in the North American box office chart.
The Pixar film, by Finding Nemo writer Andrew Stanton, took $62.5m (£31.3m) in its opening weekend.
Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy as members of a fraternity of assassins, opened in second place taking $51.1m (£25.6m).
Last weekends number one, spy comedy Get Smart, slipped to number three.
NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE
1. WALL-E - $62.5m (£31.3m)
2. Wanted - $51.1m (£25.6m)
3. Get Smart- $20m (£10m)
4. Kung Fu Panda - $11.7m (£5.9m)
5. The Incredible Hulk - $9.2m (£4.6m)
Figures are for Friday to Monday. Source: Media By Numbers
Jack Black animation Kung Fu Panda and Edward Nortons The Incredible Hulk both fell two places - to four and five respectively.
Mike Myers comedy The Love Guru claimed the sixth spot with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at seven.
The Harrison Ford films US takings are now just a few thousand short of $300m (£150m).
Mystery horror The Happening fell three places to number eight in the chart, while Sarah Jessica Parker and friends followed at nine with the big screen version of Sex and the City.
Rounding out the top 10 was the Adam Sandler comedy You Don Mess with the Zohan.
WALL-E is Pixars ninth consecutive number one hit film.
It is tied with 2001s Monsters, Inc as the animation studios third-best opener.
Pixars best opening weeekend was $70.5m (£35m), set in 2004 by superhero tale The Incredibles.
man who was allegedly elbowed in the head by Amy Winehouse at Glastonbury Festival has handed mobile phone footage of the incident to the BBC
June 30, 2008
A man who was allegedly elbowed in the head by Amy Winehouse at Glastonbury Festival has handed mobile phone footage of the incident to the BBC.
James Gostelow, 25, from London, said the singer caught him on the forehead after someone in the crowd behind him threw a hat at her.
Winehouse, 24, was seen apparently lashing out at the audience during her Pyramid Stage performance on Saturday.
But police said they had received no complaints of assault.
Mistaken identity
Broadcast footage on the night appeared to show Winehouse elbow one fan after being hit on the head by a hat, then throw a series of punches into the crowd.
Not everyone can say they have been hit by Amy Winehouse
James Gostelow
Mr Gostelow said the incident was a case of mistaken identity.
"I saw a hat being thrown from behind me and it hit Amys beehive. She looked down, saw me looking up, and her elbow went for me.
"She caught my forehead, then someone may have shouted something from the back, which is when she went in again."
Winehouse, who performed in front of an estimated 75,000 people, jumped off the stage and into the security pit for the last two songs of her set.
Speaking after the incident, Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis defended the star, saying she had appeared to lash out after being touched by a fan.
Winehouse performed tracks such as Cupid and Rehab
Mr Gostelow, who did not see anyone touch the singer, said he was "shocked" rather than sore.
He added that while he was "disappointed", he had no intention of making a complaint to police.
"At the end of the day it is all part of being at the front and being pushed by thousands of people. It is all part of the Glastonbury experience," he said.
"Im just pleased I got to see her. She did a great act.
"Not everyone can say they have been hit by Amy Winehouse. I just want to shake the person who threw the hat."
Waxwork
The stars spokesperson had no comment on Mr Gostelows recollection of the incident.
However, on Saturday her representatives said: "The lashing out was when someone tried to grab her hair and she reacted."
The singer has returned to a London clinic after appearing at the music festival.
Winehouse is also set to be immortalised in wax at Londons Madame Tussauds later this summer.
The 24-year-old will appear in a new music area at the museum alongside artists including Justin Timberlake and Jimi Hendrix.
Madame Tussauds manager Edward Fuller called the singer "a real icon in modern music, widely requested by our guests".
Coldplays song Viva La Vida has been knocked off the number one spot in the singles chart by US R&B star Ne-Yo
June 29, 2008
Coldplays song Viva La Vida has been knocked off the number one spot in the singles chart by US R&B star Ne-Yo.
The singer, last weeks number two with Closer, claims his first best-selling UK single for two years.
Coldplay retained the top spot in the album chart with Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends for a third week.
The bands fourth album shifted more than 300,000 copies in its first three days of release to become one of the fastest-selling records in history.
Glastonbury performers Duffy and Neil Diamond stayed at number two and three with their albums, while Darren Styles also held steady at four.
Ne-Yos 2006 song So Sick topped the UK chart
Icelandic band Sigur Ros entered the chart at number five, while the Jonas Brothers self-titled album was the other new entry at nine.
Elsewhere in the singles chart, Jordin Sparks climbed from 10 to number three with No Air, while Busta Rhymes and rock band Linkin Park moved into the top 10.
Ironik and Glasvegas entered the chart for the first time at 11 and 16 respectively.
Mint Royales former number one Singin In The Rain continued its rapid slide down the chart to number 17.
Music Festivals
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