Entertainment

ROME, ITALY—James Gandolfini, best known as Tony Soprano from HBO’s “The Sopranos,” died of a sudden heart attack in Italy on Wednesday, June 19. He was in Rome on vacation with his son at the time. The actor was 51. Many celebrities have commented on the loss. Governor Chris Christie ofNew Jerseywrote on his Twitter account “a huge fan” of...

HOLLYWOOD—With the entire world falling into chaos with a new virus that transforms normal people into zombies, a former United Nations operative frantically searches for a cure. The film jumps right into the action from the start. Unlike many action films which usually start out slow to offer an explanation and premise to the audience, “World War Z” jumps into...

HOLLYWOOD—Leave it to Kanye West to come up with the lyrics on the track "On Sight," to cause controversy. His reference to involuntary shaking, which is among the main symptoms of the neurological condition, drew strong criticism from many, including Steve Ford, chief executive at Parkinson's in the UK, according to published reports. In the U.S, over 1.5 million...

HELLO AMERICA!—The most gratifying realization is when an actor is not facing a camera or a theatre audience, he if talented enough there is time to write. And this is what actor Blake Shields Abramovitz has done.  His play “Double Bind” directed by Aaron Lyons is making a big theatrical splash at the Asylum Theatre onSanta Monica BoulevardinLos Angeles. This...

HOLLYWOOD—Audiences have been eagerly waiting more than 3 months to find out “What’s In Wilden’s Trunk?” It was a startling revelation that viewers didn’t expect in the season four opener “A Is For A-L-I-V-E.”  The contents in Wilden’s trunk were none other than a PIG!  That was such a gimmick to make us hold out that long for a...

HOLLYWOOD—The 2006 reboot of the Superman franchise “Superman Returns” was a terrible movie.  Not only did it not have any action in it, it was a complete misfire on the story front.  When news arrived of another reboot to the franchise, many were skeptical including myself, but with Zack Synder helming as director and Christopher Nolan as producer “Man...

HOLLYWOOD—The heist thriller “Now You See Me” isn’t what many think it to be.  Spectators may come into the movie having little hope, but will be thoroughly surprised upon leaving the multiplex.  The picture stars Jesse Eisenberg as Daniel Atlas, a member of a group of magicians who have pulled off a risky heist that involves robbing a bank...

HELLO AMERICA!—It was fantastic to connect with acclaimed singer and legendary Metropolitan Opera star Marilyn Horne again after so many years. We both attended U.S.C. and during those years featured in the production of “Carmen Jones” under the grueling baton of director-producer Otto Preminger. It was wonderful to find that the lady hasn’t changed much at all. She is...

HOLLYWOOD—The rich and famous have always been drawn to the world of wine. Back in ancient Rome and Greece, well-known philosophers, playwrights, politicians, military officers owned their own vineyards.  Nowadays many celebrities, including sports stars, have their own wineries and vineyards, or at least a line of wines named after them. There are many levels of participation in the celebrity wine...

SAN FRANCISCO—Rapper 2 Chainz, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, was robbed at gun point in downtown San Francisco on Sunday, June 9.  The rapper who was walking alongside several members of his entourage was approached by three individuals, one who possessed a handgun. According to reports, Epps had his cell phone and wallet stolen during the incident. The rapper...