Winehouse Tribute To Highlight VMA Awards

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Amy Winehouse never appeared on the MTV Video Music Awards during her short but celebrated career. Still, Sundays show will take a break from its planned circus atmosphere to pay tribute to the British singer, who died a month ago after years of substance abuse. Tony Bennett will lead the tribute to Winehouse; her last known recording was with the 85-year-old crooner on his upcoming Duets II album. There is also word swirling that Winehouses parents might show, but MTV officials could not confirm their appearance. The tribute to Winehouse will likely be the rare moment of reverence in a show that is calculated to be as irreverent as possible. This year, the current queen of sexy daffiness, Katy Perry, is poised to be the belle of MTVs annual ball: Shes up for a leading 10 moonman trophies, including video of the year for her inspirational Firework. Another female singer is also a top nominee: Adele, the years best-selling artist so far with her album 21, is nominated for seven awards for Rolling in the Deep; Kanye West also has seven nominations. West always good for a colorful MTV moment (ask Taylor Swift) is not expected to perform at the awards, which are being held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, broadcast live on MTV from 9-11 p.m. But there are plenty of other headline-generating performers, including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Pitbull and Chris Brown, whose star continues to brighten two years after it was tarnished by his attack on Rihanna. And then there was the headline-generating Irene, the hurricane-tuned-tropical storm that was pummeling her way up the Eastern seaboard on Sunday. MTV President Stephen Friedman said some VMA performers from the East Coast arrived in LA early to avoid the storm and resulting airport disruptions. But he was hopeful viewer disruption would be minimal. Our hope is our audience is cuddled up with their family and friends and dont want to be outside and want to watch the best night in music, he said. Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

William Petersen Welcomes Twins

William Petersen and Gina Cirone Former CSI star William Petersen and his wife, Gina Cirone, have welcomed a twin daughter and son via surrogate, People reports.The babies were born July 5 in Los Angeles and were premature, but are improving. Their names have not been revealed.When can you next catch William Petersen on TV, online or on demand? Add him to your Watchlist and you'll know for sure"The babies are doing great and are improving every day and we can't wait for them to come home," the couple said.Petersen, 58, also has a daughter, Maite, 36, from his first marriage.

Kate Winslet Saves Richard Branson's Mother From the Burning Building, Becomes Our New Celebrity Hero (VIDEO)

Hot from the heels of Ryan Gosling's inspiring actions in New You are able to City, Kate Winslet is joining the heroic-movie-star club after thinking fast and saving lives. While travelling (sorry, holiday-ing) at Richard Branson's private getaway of Necker Island, an enormous fire exploded in the home that Winslet and 20 others were remaining in consequently of 90-miles per hour winds from Tropical Storm Irene. As reported Branson on his blog, "My boy Mike and nephew Jack rushed towards the house and assisted get everybody out and thank you to Kate Winslet for assisting to carry my 90 years old mother from the primary house to safety -- she wondered whenever a Director would shout CUT!" You heard right, Oscar-champion Kate Winslet saved a 90-year-old woman's existence by transporting her from a burning building. Unbelievable. Although the house is a lost cause, everybody remaining about the island is risk-free. Click to see Branson's footage from the blaze for action. Apart from her part-time gig like a volunteer firemen, you can observe Winslet on 12 ,. 16 in Roman Polanksi's 'Carnage.' What superstar would you need to help you save from the burning house? [via Virgin.com] Photo thanks to Virgin.com and C Flanigan/FilmMagic.

Marvel cuts marketing positions

With Marvel Studios' future slate of super hero game titles now unspooling through Disney, the comicbook company has removed several key marketing roles. Included in this, Dana Precious, executive Vice president of worldwide marketing, Jeffrey Stewart, Vice president of worldwide marketing and Jodi Burns, manager of worldwide marketing, will quickly ankle their posts. The jobs have been key for Marvel previously, considering the fact that the organization needed executives to assist shepherd campaigns because of its photos which were being written by Vital. But this summer's "Thor" and "Captain America: The Very First Avenger" were the final to become launched through Paramount's distribution deal. Disney's marketing department will handle Marvel's projects continue, beginning with next summer's "The Avengers." They are effective carefully with Marvel chief Kevin Feige. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Ben Stiller To Get Britannia Award

Ben Stiller will get the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award For Excellence In Comedy in the British Academy of Film and tv Arts/La, the business stated today. The ceremony is November. 30 in the Beverly Hilton. BAFTA has introduced fellow Britannia honorees Helena Bonham Carter, John Lasseter and David Yates the Stanley Kubrick Award For Excellence In Film is because of be revealed soon.

Did Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Possess a "Magical" Wedding?

Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian The evening before walking lower the aisle for that second time, Kim Kardashian tweeted to her buddies that her wedding on Saturday toNBA star Kris Humphries could be "magical." "It's surprising it's finally here! Many thanks to everybody who chose to make this day happen!!!!!" the Maintaining using the Kardashians star authored on her behalf blog on her behalf big day, asking fans to sign their virtual wedding guestbook. Kim Kardashian is engaged The 30-year-old reality star and also the 26-years old Nj Net's basketball player were get married Saturday evening in Santa Barbara, Calif, E! Online reviews. Attending the wedding was the whole Kardashian clan and numerous celebrity buddies, including Avoi Longoria, Lindsay Lohan, Ryan Seacrest, Julianne Hough, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lala along with a couple of of Humphries' teammates. In May, Kardashian, who formerly vowed to invest the entire year single, came the place to find find her boyfriend of six several weeks lower on a single knee in her own bed room. "Are you going to marry me?" was typed in rose flower petals. Humphries then gave her a 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz band. "I i never thought it might happen in your own home, and that i i never thought now," stated the 30-year-old reality star, whose more youthful sister Khloe is married to Lamar Odom from the La Opposing team (of Khloe & Lamar fame). Is Maintaining using the Kardashians in your Watchlist? Add it as well as your other faves now and not miss a chapter This is actually the first marriage for Humphries, and also the second for that middle Kardashian sister, who had been married to music producer Damon Thomas from 2000 to 2004. Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event is going to be broadcast in 2 parts on Sunday, March. 9 at 8/7c and the very next day at 9/8c. E! News will even air special footage in the wedding on Sunday at 6/5c. Return for additional particulars because the story evolves.

Happy 51st Birthday, Sean Penn! What's His Best Movie Line?

It seems like Sean Penn schedules his birthday the day after Madonna’s almost every single year, which shows his true character. But let this not be a day of judgment! The 51-year-old thesp is the pride of Gen X’s acting pool, and with good reason: The two-time Oscar winner is a commanding presence, a distinct powerhouse, and a whiz with punchy dialogue. What’s his best line in a movie? I don’t care whether you’re a Sweet and Lowdown zealot, a weird I Am Sam defender, a Milk maniac, a Mystic River lover (don’t even show your face), or a Shanghai Surprise superfan like me: The best Sean Penn line of dialogue is: “That was my skull! I’m so wasted!” Glad we agree. Happy birthday, Mr. Penn.

Boyfriend Charged With Insider Buying and selling In front of Disney-Marvel Deal

The Investments and Exchange Commission filed a complaint today against a California guy who allegedly used private details about Disney's planned purchase of Marvel Entertainment -- acquired from his girfriend, a Disney worker -- to purchase up Marvel investment prior to the August 2009 purchase and collect $192,000 following the deal is made public and Marvel shares jumped. The complaint stated that Toby G. Scammell got the insider information from his girlfriend's Rim and used some money for his obtain the account of his older brother, who had been within the Military and used to Iraq at that time. The choices elevated a warning sign in the SEC as Scammell, then 24,had never exchanged Marvel investments before purchasing the $5,400 in options. Following the purchase was introduced, Marvel's stock rose 25%, giving Scammell a 3,000% profit when he offered off.

First image of Henry Cavill as Superman

The first image of Henry Cavill as Superman has appeared online.The shot, from Zack Snyder's 2013 rework Man Of Steel, features Cavill/Supes bursting into a bank vault in the same way that mere mortals might saunter through a partition made from, umm, tissue paper and feathers.We're liking the costume's air of freshly minted shiny-ness. Not too sure about the heavily lacquered hair, though.The new issue of Total Film magazine - on sale today - features an exclusive interview with Cavill. Read a preview here.

Natasha Lyonne Joins Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening in Imogen

The Natasha Lyonne Comeback Tour comes forward! Per Variety, Lyonne continues to be put into the cast of Imogen, the Kristen Wiig passion project that Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini are pointing later this summer time. Lyonne will have a “Jersey Shoreline girl who creates the Boardwalk,” which sounds wonderful. Imogen follows a playwright (Wiig) who knockoffs a suicide make an effort to regain her boyfriend, and it is then instructed to move by to Nj to reside together with her flamboyant mother (Annette Bening). [Variety]

HFPA's showbiz gifts

'The Red-colored Shoes'HFPA supports many industry causes and orgs. Here is a sampling of 5 that take advantage of its generosity:American Film Institute"All of the HFPA funds contributed towards the American Film Institute visit offset the price of filmmaker's tuition and expenses for their studies at the conservatory," states AFI senior Vice president Tom West. "We are asking individuals to take 2 yrs from their lives to utilize master filmmakers making movies. They'll emerge from our program having a minimum of four projects, three shorts along with a thesis film."Students need to raise money to create their movies so just of economic help constitutes a large difference.The Film FoundationRestoring "The Red-colored Footwear," helmers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's 1948 classic required 3 years, cost you a whopping $625,000 and enlisted an military of 35 specialists."It had been among most complicated corrections we have ever done. However it seemed to be our finest accomplishments," states Jennifer Ahn, the Film Foundation's controlling director. "It had been an electronic restoration and required years to accomplish since the original camera negative had deteriorated badly.InchIn the last fifteen years, HFPA has given $3.3 million towards the Film Foundation, aiding within the restoration well over 75 game titles. The 2010 $350,000 donation will be employed to restore Italo helmer-scribe Elio Petri's "Analysis of the Citizen Above Suspicion" (1970), Powell and Pressburger's "The Tales of Hoffman" (!951) and Laslo Benedek's film version of Arthur Miller's "Dying of the Salesperson" (1951).Film IndependentLos Angeles-based Film Independent encourages minority filmmakers through its free nine-month training and mentorships with your industry gamers as Spike Jonze, Alexander Payne and Rodrigo Garcia."Every year thirty to forty African-People in america, Asians, Indigenous Peoples and Latinos subscribe to the free programs for authors producers and company directors," states the org's director of diversity, Michael Lopez.Recent grads include filmmaker Javier Fuentes-Leon whose 2009 "Undertow" opened at Sundance then continued to become Peru's submission within the foreign-language film category in the Oscars.FilmAidRefugees in African camps love Looney Characters, "The Wizard of Oz" and Charlie Chaplin."We initially began just driving a truck in to the camps and projecting films onto its side," states FilmAid Intl.'s executive director, Liz Manne. The org offers filmmaking training programs in 2 refugee camps in Kenya, one highlighting Somalia, and something highlighting South Sudan."The present number has ended 410,000 refugees during these camps," describes Manne. "We run screening programs where we show some Hollywood fare and flicks of inspiration that provide hope, diversion and healing to those who are psychologically traumatized."Movies offer us a universal experience. Even when you are a 5-year-old Somali refugee searching at Tweety Bird under stars, your experience will probably be just like a youngster inside a mall theater within the Valley." Inner-City FilmmakersScoring jobs for disadvantaged youngsters with heavyweights James Cameron and Francis Ford Coppola are just a few the numerous success tales of Inner-City Filmmakers."Jon Turteltaub hired our youngsters for nearly every film he's made within the last 5 years,Inch states Inner-City founder Fred Heinrich. "What's noticably isn't that only did he provide the kids an opportunity at basic level jobs but they have risen up with the ranks, have grown to be union people and therefore are constantly employed."Produced in 1993, the org offers free year-round hands-on training and job positioning for urban youngsters with no financial wherewithal. Up to now this program boasts 493 alumni.SHOWBIZ PHILANTHROPY LEADER REPORT 2011:Cause & effect HFPA's showbiz gifts Empathy artists Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Time Warner Reports Higher Second-Quarter Profit

NEW YORK - Time Warner early on Wednesday reported higher second-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street estimates amid continued growth at its TV networks unit. Before the market open, the entertainment conglomerate, led by chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes, posted a quarterly profit of $637 million, compared with $560 million in the year-ago period. TW's revenue rose 10 percent to $7.0 billion, the highest growth rate since the third quarter of 2007. Advertising revenue increased 8 percent, including an 11 percent gain at the Turner cable networks. Based on its results, the conglomerate said it now expects at least low teen growth in its adjusted earnings per share for the full year 2011, compared to its previous target of a low teen gain. Networks unit revenue rose 9 percent in the second quarter, and adjusted operating profit rose 5 percent. Positive factors here in the latest quarter were revenue from the NCAA men's basketball tournament, growth at Turner's international entertainment networks and higher sales of HBO's original programming, including True Blood and Game of Thrones. But the division also cited higher programming costs due to higher expenses for originals and the cost of the NCAA tournament. Film unit revenue jumped 13 percent, but adjusted operating profit declined 6 percent. As expected, the theatrical success of The Hangover Part II and the home entertainment release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 boosted film unit results as did stronger video game revenue. Explaining the lower profitability, the company cited "increased pre-release print and advertising expenses, higher theatrical film valuation adjustments and increased overhead costs related in part to recent acquisitions, as well as higher restructuring and severance costs." The film valuation adjustments were a reference to Green Lantern, which was released in June, but underperformed expectations in theaters. As a result, TW had to accelerate the expense recognition time frame assumption to better match the film's revenue performance, which analysts now believe will contribute less in terms of longer-term financials. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Time Warner Jeff Bewkes

Lionsgate Accumulates U.S. Privileges to Katherine Heigl Comedy 'The Large Wedding'

Lionsgate has snapped up U.S. distribution privileges towards the Large Wedding, an ensemble comedy starringRobert P Niro, Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, Amanda Seyfried, Robin Williams, Ben Barnes and Topher Sophistication. The studio has scheduled a theatrical opening for October 19, 2012, a weekend it needs to itself by now.our editor recommendsLionsgate U.K. Takes Local Privileges to P Niro Comedy 'The Large Wedding,' New 'Texas Chainsaw' three dimensional Pic Nu Image / Millennium Films is creating the film, that was written and directed through the Bucket List film writer Justin Zackham.P Niro and Keaton play a lengthy-divorced couple instructed to pretend that they're still happily married at their son's wedding. The film is presently shooting in Greenwich, Connecticut. Zackham, Clay Pecorin, Richard Salvatore and Harry Ufland are creating.Nu Image's Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort and Trevor Short are executive producers. "The Large Wedding is really a charming, rollicking movie that offers to be an immediate intergenerational family comedy classic," stated Lionsgate Movie Group leader Joe Drake. Lionsgate executives Jason Constantine, Eda Kowan and Wendy Jaffe discussed the offer for that studio, also is disbursing the film within the U.K. Lionsgate most lately launched The Demon's Double, Season from the Witch and also the Lincoln subsequently Lawyer. The studio's next large opener is Conan the Barbarian August 19. Related Subjects Katherine Heigl Robert P Niro Susan Sarandon Diane Keaton Lionsgate