Celebrity Buzz: 'Lucy' rules box office; Bart meets Stewie
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Today's pop-culture roundup includes Scarlett Johansson's hit, Homer and Peter, Comic-Con, a bold stance by the NYT, our mystery music video and much more.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: “Lucy” rules, per The Hollywood Reporter, “Scarlett Johansson's Lucy opened to a winning $44 million at the North American box office, an impressive start for an action film featuring a female heroine. The movie, directed by Luc Besson, easily showed more muscle than Dwayne Johnson's epic Hercules, which debuted at No. 2 to roughly $29 million for director Brett Ratner.
“The pair of new offerings weren't able to cure the ailing box office. North American revenue was once again down, this time by nearly 12 percent from the same weekend a year ago (the summer continues to be down by more than 20 percent).” http://bit.ly/1lMOEYA
SAY WHAT?: Of allegations, per the New York Post, “Employees in the city Medical Examiner’s Office have sneaked peeks at graphic photos and autopsy reports in recent celebrity deaths, including those of Mick Jagger girlfriend L’Wren Scott and actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, whistleblowers say.
“ME workers not involved in the high-profile cases, or not authorized to see the files, have breached the computer system’s security, insiders told The Post. “Too many people have access to the files — crime scene photos, autopsy reports — and share it with coworkers,” an ME source said.” http://bit.ly/1o67aLs
BOOZIN’ WITH KEITH URBAN: Make that a little too much boozin,’ per Reuters, “Forty-six music fans were treated for mostly alcohol-related medical problems at Australian country singer Keith Urban's concert outside Boston on Saturday night, local officials said. Fire and emergency medical personnel dealt with dozens of ill fans during the show at an outdoor arena in Mansfield, Massachusetts, about 25 miles (40 km) south of Boston, the town's police and fire departments said in a joint statement on Sunday.” http://reut.rs/1pm3FV4
SARAH PALIN: Political platform at a price, per The Wrap, “Can't get enough Sarah Palin? That's a thing of the past. The right-wing firebrand on Sunday launched her own online video channel at SarahPalinChannel.com, part of a new, subscription-based platform called TAPP founded by two prominent former TV executives.
"The paid-subscription channel will include videos and “commentary on important issues facing the nation” by the former vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor, according to the news release. Palin will serve as executive editor and, of course, chief talent.” http://bit.ly/Ux6aZD
HOMER, MEET PETER: Two toons collide, per Variety, “ “Family Guy’s” Comic-Con panel kicked off with a preview of the show’s much-anticipated Sept. 28 crossover with “The Simpsons,” in which the Griffin family visits Springfield.
“Among the highlights from the sneak peek: Homer and Peter eat donuts and realize they have a lot in common; Bart and Stewie prank call Moe’s Tavern (and it escalates quickly); Peter attempts to get Homer to set up a cutaway gag; Bob from “Bob’s Burgers” makes an appearance; Stewie and Bart go skateboarding; Homer and Peter discover some unnerving similarities between Duff and Pawtucket Patriot Ale; and the duo get into a predictably destructive fight across Springfield’s most notable locations.” http://bit.ly/1pm7aeg
‘HUNGER GAMES’: Of a tease, per Deadline, “Lionsgate has released the minute-long teaser trailer for its Hunger Games and Catching Fire sequel Mockingjay – Part 1, which it tantalized Comic-Con fans with this weekend in San Diego. In the third installment of the dystopian action franchise, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) plot the next move for their rebellion and its iconic new poster girl, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).” http://bit.ly/1uzf1uy
STEPPING OUT: For groceries, per X17, “Shia LaBeouf and his girlfriend Mia Goth went shopping at Gelson's in Los Angeles on Sunday, and from the Capri Sun packs to the chips and candy, it looks like these two love all things sugary and salty! Despite the fact that the duo have been together since late 2012, it's not often that we spot them out and about. The actors met on the set of Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac, and there were reports that they had un-simulated sex during filming. That could explain how they connected so well! But ick.” http://bit.ly/1nR9IRO
NYT EDITORIAL BOARD ON POT: Just the facts, per The Huffington Post, “The most authoritative newspaper in the United States has put its weight behind the federal legalization of marijuana, a momentous endorsement in the prolonged fight to end to the criminalization of marijuana that has been in place since 1937.
“Debuting what is to be a six-part series, The New York Times editorial board called for an end to the "prohibition" of marijuana, saying the current ban "[inflicts] great harm on society just to prohibit a substance far less dangerous than alcohol." The interactive series is to run from July 26 to August 5, beginning with Saturday's editorial, "High Time: An Editorial Series on Marijuana Legalization." ’’ http://huff.to/WYM5wV
SANDRA BULLOCK TURNS 50: Yee ha!, per People, “Sandra Bullock is Hollywood royalty but when it came to celebrating her 50th birthday, the Oscar winner headed to Wyoming. Though the seemingly ageless actress didn't hit the milestone until Saturday, Bullock started the festivities early with an evening out at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole on Thursday.” http://bit.ly/1nNviZ3
WEDDING STUFF: Just the facts, per Us Weekly, “Sounds like Piper Perabo's wedding was a covert affair to remember! The actress, 37, married longtime love Stephen Kay on Saturday, July 26, her rep confirms to Us Weekly.” http://usm.ag/1nQNxuU
AND FINALLY: Today’s mystery music video. http://bit.ly/1nNMde1
--Skip Wood swood@wjla.com
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