FILM/ RAVES FOR "SUPER 8": The Hollywood Reporter has filed one of the 1st reviews for the upcoming "Super 8," and its a rave. The positive review echos comments made by the film critic for Time Magazine, which released its review yesterday. The film, which opens wide on June 10, is written and directed by J.J. Abrams, produced by Steven Spielberg and stars Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso, Noah Emmerich. In "Super 8" a group of middle schoolers in Lillian, Ohio, set out to make a zombie film to submit to a teen festival. While filming one night, a truck purposely drives onto the railroad tracks, just in time to derail a passing train, that is transporting unknown material from the legendary Area 51. And the horror and war begins. In its review, THR said: "The Bottom Line: An engaging return trip to Steven Spielberg's youthful world of wonder courtesy of J.J. Abrams". They went on to say: "This science fiction adventure centered on film geek kids in smalltown 1979 America is something Spielberg can easily be imagined having made himself around the same time and is, indeed, unthinkable without him. Engaging on its own terms and sharply tuned in to the wavelength of pubescent boys and girls, this Paramount release looks set for a profitable flight as a widely appealing general audience summer attraction". Time Magazine said "Super 8 is as great as you hoped it would be". Be sure to stick around for the end credits, at which time the teens final cut of their film they set out to make, is shown. "Super 8" runs 111 minutes and is rated PG13.
Setting an industry record for speed, Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" sailed past the $700 million mark at the worldwide box office on Friday, its 16th day in release. The picture's international cumulative box office now stands at $536.7 million, while it has grossed $172.2 million in North America. The global total is $708.9 million. "On Stranger Tides" has done especially good business in countries where 3D is thriving, such as Russia and China. The franchise installment is easily the top-grossing movie of the year at the global box office. Universal's "Fast Five" ranks No.2 at $547.2 million.
MUSIC/ ILLNESS FORCES ADELE TO CANCEL REST OF NORTH AMERICAN TOUR: British singer Adele has had to cancel the remaining 9 dates of her sold-out North American tour due to laryngitis. She already had postponed 5 shows under doctor's orders following her recent diagnosis. While resting in Los Angeles, she met with an Otolaryngology specialist who determined it was imperative that she take the next few weeks to recover. "I'm really frustrated. I was hoping with a weeks rest I'd be better to sing again straight away," she said in a statement Friday. "However there is absolutely nothing I can do but take the doctor's advice and rest some more. I'm so sorry. See you soon, love Adele". Plans to reschedule the cancelled tour dates will be provided as soon as possible.
TV/ JAMES ARNESS DIES AT 88: James Arness, the tall man who stood his ground for 20 seasons as the iconic Marshal Matt Dillon on CBS’ "Gunsmoke," has died. He was 88. The 6' 7' actor, who also starred in the 1950s sci-fi classics "Them!" and "The Thing From Another World," passed away of natural causes Friday in his home in Brentwood, California. His death comes 14 months after his brother, "Mission: Impossible" actor Peter Graves, died of a heart attack at age 83. Arness’ official website posted a letter from the actor on Friday that he wrote with the intention that it be posted posthumously. “I had a wonderful life and was blessed with some many loving people and great friends,” he said. “I wanted to take this time to thank all of you for the many years of being a fan of "Gunsmoke," "The Thing," "How the West Was Won" and all the other fun projects I was lucky enough to have been allowed to be a part of. I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years". As the stoic Marshal Dillon, Arness kept the peace in rough and tumble Dodge City, Kansas, on "Gunsmoke," which aired on CBS from September 1955 to March 1975 for a total of 635 episodes. It set a record for the longest-running, live-action primetime series by seasons, since tied by NBC’s "Law & Order". Arness is survived by his family.
(SK COMMENT: I grew up with "Gunsmoke," as the parents watched it faithfully on Monday nights. It was a family tradition that remains vividly in my mind today. On a lighter note, I wondered why Miss Kitty and Marshall Dillon did not get married. I finally figured it out on my own!).
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