Issue 21  |  August 2010

Luther recommissionned for BBC One

Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One confirmed that Luther has been recommissioned.
Luther makes a welcome return in two two-hour specials with Idris Elba  reprising his role of Luther, the near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can’t always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.

Idris Elba says: “I’m really excited to be coming home to play Luther again. He’s got so many more stories to tell… assuming he manages to live long enough. I’ve cleared my diary and will be back later in the year.”

The specials will air in 2011.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

Paula Patton Cast in Next Mission Impossible

It has just been confirmed that Paula Patton (Precious, Just Wright) will play alongside Tom Cruise in the next installment of the Mission Impossible franchise.

[Full story on Slash Film]

Review of Hip-Hop Documentary My Mic Sounds Nice on Huffington Post

Hip-hop documentary My Mic Sounds Nice aired on Monday 30 August on BET USA. The film features conversations with hip hop icons such as Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte, Missy Elliot and Eve among others, who let us know how it feels like to be a woman in the male-dominated rap world.

[Read the full article on Huffington Post]

Idris Elba on new movie Takers and working with Martin Lawrence

In this interview, Idris Elba chats about his role in thriller Takers (out in the US), his willingness to do more comedy roles, working with Martin Lawrence and producing webisodes.

[Read the full story at South Florida Times]

Laurence Fishburne Disowns Daugher Montana

Montana Fishburne, daughter of Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, CSI) and aspiring porn star, has reportedly told gossip website TMZ that “she is unwelcome in his life and wants nothing to do with her…at least for now.”

[Full story on The Hollywood Reporter]

Erykah Badu Fined for Naked Video

Erykah Badu has paid a $500 fine stemming from her video Window Seat where she strips down to nothing in the streets of Dallas. She has also been sentended to 6 months of probation.

[Full story on Pitchfork ]

Jazz Singer Abbey Lincoln Dies at 80

She acted opposite Sidney Poitier, spoke out for civil rights, and had a singing voice so full of emotion and passion it reminded some of Billie Holiday. Jazz singer Abbey Lincoln died on Saturday at her Manhattan home at age 80. Lincoln influenced a generation of younger vocalists, including singer Cassandra Wilson.

[Read the full story at Entertainment Weekly]

Estelle ft John Legend: Fall In Love

This morning Estelle debuted the video for her new single, Fall In Love, ft her bff John Legend!

Trailer: Denzel Washington’s Unstoppable

New action flick directed by Tony Scott (Man on Fire) with Denzel Washington, Chris Pine (Star Trek) And Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds). Washington and Pine play two locomotive operators who team up to stop a runaway train filled with explosives.

Precious Director Working On Two New Projects

Lee Daniels, the man behind the Oscar-winning drama Precious is currently working on two new high profile projects: The Butler and Selma.

[Read the full story on The Film Stage]

Singer Alicia Keys weds Swizz Beatz

Keys, who is pregnant with her first child, and Beatz exchanged vows in a small ceremony in a private home on the Mediterranean Sea, US Weekly magazine reported on Sunday..

Read the full story on Reuters

Filming for series 7 of Hustle has begun

Filming has begun on the seventh series of Hustle, one of the BBC’s most successful and popular dramas.

The gang are back with Adrian Lester as master con man Mickey “Bricks” Stone, with his “partners in crime”; veteran roper, Albert Stroller (Robert Vaughn) and fixer extraordinaire, Ash “Three Socks” Morgan (Robert Glenister). Also returning are brother and sister duo, Emma and Sean Kennedy (played by Kelly Adams and Matt Di Angelo).

The new series of Hustle will film in Birmingham and London this summer for transmission on BBC One in 2011.

Lauryn Hill’s Repercussions Hits The Net

A never before released track by Lauryn Hill has hit the net. Bloggers are wondering whether it is a new track signalling a comeback from the reclusive singer or simply a leftover. wWhether it’s a new tune or a classic, the track has “vintage” stamped all over it.

Halle Berry is Vogue’s September Cover Girl

Fashion mag Vogue have chosen Halle Berry to grace the cover of their September issue, the most important piece of print publication in the fashion world! Inside the covers, the actress will be discussing her new movie, Shoe Addicts Anonymous, a comedy about four Chicago women who bond over their love of shoes.

Read the full story on Women’s Wear Daily

Dizzee Rascal Leads Mercury Prize 2010 nominations

Dizzee Rascal and the xx are favourites to win this year’s Mercury Prize. Corinne Bailey Rae is also among the favourites.

Dizzee Rascal – Tongue N’ Cheek
The xx – xx
Paul Weller – Wake Up the Nation
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea
Mumford and Sons – Sigh No More
Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Foals – Total Life Forever
Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions
Villagers – Becoming a Jackal
Kit Downes Trio – Golden
I Am Kloot – Sky at Night

Last year’s Mercury prize was won by Speech Debelle. The ceremony takes place in London on 7 September.

[Source: Guardian]