AP - "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History" (Center Street, 473 pages, $26.99), by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter: When Hitler invaded Poland and started World War II, special units went along to seize works of art, says author Robert M. Edsel.
AP - "Barely Bewitched" (Berkley, 312 pages, $14) by Kimberly Frost: Tammy Jo Trask comes from a long line of witches who have drawn power from the earth. Their abilities appear at 17, but late bloomer Tammy Jo, 23, is only now realizing hers. Most of the time, her spells do more harm than good.
AP - "Blame" (Sarah Crichton Books, 291 pages, $25), by Michelle Huneven: Anyone who has been on a bender will read the first chapters of "Blame" with thank-God-it-wasn't-me relief and the anxiety of knowing it could have been.
AP - Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown and Natalie Cole will be among the top artists performing at a Sept. 26 Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna, organizers said Tuesday.
AP - "The Death of Bunny Munro" (Faber and Faber Inc., 278 pages, $24), by Nick Cave. Nick Cave's new book, like its title character, offers a wild ride and comes to a bad end.
AP - "Runaway Dream: Born to Run and Bruce Springsteen's American Vision" (Bloomsbury Press, 256 pages, $23), by Louis P. Masur: Even before its release on Aug. 25, 1974, Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" held the stuff of rock myth.
AP - The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is joining the fight against breast cancer by "going pink" during two performances Oct. 2. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 8 Sep 2009 | 4:31 am
AP - Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown and Natalie Cole will be among the top artists performing at a Sept. 26 Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna, organizers said Tuesday.
AP - San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman said he did not harm reality TV star Tila Tequila at his home early Sunday and added he was concerned for her safety because she appeared to be intoxicated.
AP - George Clooney is appearing at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of his new movie, a comic tale of "psychic warfare" by the U.S. military. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 8 Sep 2009 | 4:20 am
AP - George Clooney is appearing at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of his new movie, a comic tale of "psychic warfare" by the U.S. military. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 8 Sep 2009 | 4:20 am
AP - Previous winners A.S. Byatt and J.M. Coetzee are among the finalists for the prestigious Booker Prize for fiction. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 8 Sep 2009 | 4:16 am
(Reuters) Reuters - As was the case in North America, "The Final Destination" narrowly outgrossed "Inglourious Basterds" in sluggish weekend trading at the foreign box office. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment News | 7 Sep 2009 | 9:28 pm
Marie-France Cohen and her husband, Bertrand, founded and ran the upscale children’s stores Bonpoint in Paris for 33 years; in 2003, they sold a majority stake in the chain and, earlier this year, they opened Merci, a concept shop (meaning you can buy flowers, books, clothes, Annick Goutal fragrances, vintage jewelry, or flea-market chairs — and have an espresso — under one roof) at the north edge of the Marais. Starting September 10, the Gap will open a Merci pop-up store in its space at 680 Fifth Avenue, with a selection of products from the mother store. Marie-France explained the project to Doria Santlofer by e-mail.
Can you explain the concept behind the Merci store in Paris? What are some specific items you sell there?
The idea was this: After selling Bonpoint and having enough money to have a good life … well, what would be exciting and fulfilling, when you are 65, when you have experience, a network, energy, and dreams? Certainly not “checking how the stock is doing daily.” Merci is a happy project, a wonderful team, an amazing space, a refreshing and eclectic choice of products between luxury and simplicity. It’s never pretentious; there’s an always-artistic choice of flowers, books, fashion, scents, home decoration, vintage, design, gourmandises (the café, the restaurant). My husband, Bernard [Cohen], and I are totally unpaid. All the proceeds of Merci go to the charity we created to help, among others, the children from Madagascar, the poorest of the poor.
Can you tell me about the vintage pieces at Merci? What are the highlights and where do they come from originally?
We set the standards pretty high when it comes to vintage because we do not want to be “Goodwill.” We have a young, extremely sharp and talented stylist who knows the next thing that’s going to be in demand. She knows how to catch the spirit of the moment. There are a few donations, but we keep only the top of the top.
Why did you pick the Gap to collaborate with in NYC? What is the idea behind this project?
We [actually] did not pick the Gap. The Gap picked us! We were extremely flattered that the Gap chose us as a brand they admire, while giving us the exceptional opportunity to have exposure on Fifth Avenue. I think the Gap’s idea was to introduce Merci to the U.S., which is very generous.
You asked some artists to customize jeans and other items for the collaboration? How are they selected?
A French painter named Schneider has been working on the jeans. Her website is Laurence-Amelie.com. Another artist will be working on the trenches, but that’s not confirmed yet; it will be finalized in the next day or so. The joy of my life is to move in a circle of talent. I love working with people I admire.
What are some of your favorite items that will be sold at the midtown concept store this September?
Everything that was chosen to go to New York is our favorite. We managed to make 15,000 square feet fit in 500 square feet; therefore, it only the best [of the best].
Is the eighties revival the same in Paris as in NYC right now?
Yes, the revival of the eighties is just the same in Paris as it is in New York.
What is your favorite Parisian flea market?
My favorite flea market is “Paul Bert” at Saint Ouen.
Merci Gap concept store will be open through October 5; 680 Fifth Ave., at 54th St.; 212-977-7023.
Reuters - The differences between noted film directors Werner Herzog and Abel Ferrara over a new version of the latter's "Bad Lieutenant" can be solved by a simple conversation over a bottle of whisky, Herzog says. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Sep 2009 | 7:10 pm
Reuters - A moody, minimalist thriller, "The Accident" is not what one would expect from this collaboration between Hong Kong filmmakers Soi Cheange and Johnnie To. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Sep 2009 | 6:59 pm
Reuters - Japanese filmmaker Shinya Tsukamoto shows what a "Transformers" movie would be like on a shoestring budget with "Tetsuo the Bullet Man," which features a man whose mother was an android and whose half-human half-machine body comes to sprout an arsenal of fearsome weapons. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Sep 2009 | 6:54 pm
Reuters - Following in the wake of Goran Paskaljevic's Serbian trilogy -- "The Powder Keg," "Midwinter Night's Dream" and "The Optimists" -- "Honeymoons" addresses the Balkan youth drain, in a tale about two young couples, one Serbian and one Albanian, who leave their countries to seek greener pastures in Europe. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Sep 2009 | 6:53 pm
Reuters - That exclamation point in "The Informant!" is a tipoff to what director Steven Soderbergh and writer Scott Z. Burns have in mind. Source: Yahoo! News: Entertainment Reviews | 7 Sep 2009 | 6:52 pm
Marley Shelton's a mommy.
The Sin City sexpot delivered daughter West Flynn Sunday in Los Angeles, per People.
West is the first child for 35-year-old Shelton and her...
Welcome to E! Online's Fall TV Preview 2009! All this week we'll be posting reviews of the new fall shows on the major broadcast networks, along with our recommendations about what to...
Front Page: WGAW owes host an apology -- The Writers Guild of America West owes Jay Leno an apology. That was the determination of the WGA West trial committee that cleared the former "Tonight Show" host of charges of violating the guild’s strike rules by writing monologue material for his NBC latenighter during the strike.
Front Page: Universal's market share drops -- The record-breaking summer at the domestic B.O. ended with Warners and Paramount leading in market share for the second year in a row, but below the No. 2 spot on the list of majors, the rankings shifted substantially.
Front Page: Venezuelan President heads to Lido -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez walked down the Venice Film Festival red carpet Monday amid massive security.
Front Page: Mixed martial arts fights set for 'Knockout' -- Director Steven Soderbergh has committed to next direct "Knockout," a spy thriller that will mark the screen starring debut of Gina Carano, the mixed martial arts circuit fighter.
Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt enjoyed what most movie stars don't: A happy Labor Day.
During Hollywood's weakest long weekend of the year, Bullock managed a respectable, $14...
Jobless for nearly a year, Michael Rivers was about to walk out of his house a few weeks ago to catch the bus for another daylong employment hunt when a radio announcement stopped him.
That sexy, sarcastic Soup stud Joel McHale wants you to take another peek at his bound-to-be-a-huge-hit Community, and we are more than happy to oblige.
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A bejeweled white glove Michael Jackson tossed to an Australian fan more than a decade ago sold at auction Sunday for $48,400, almost twice the estimated selling price. Source: FOXNews.com | 7 Sep 2009 | 9:38 am
San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining MTV reality show star Tila Tequila, police said.
A Gosselin "family day" turned frightening Saturday when an ambulance was called to the Wernersville, Pa., home of Jon and Kate Gosselin to take Jon's grandmother to the hospital after she fell.
US director Oliver Stone poses during the photocall of "South of the border" at the Venice film festival. Hugo Chavez has stolen the show at the Venice film festival as he paid a surprise visit for the... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 7 Sep 2009 | 7:40 am
Hugo Chavez, seen here in Turkmenistan on September 7, has stolen the show at the Venice film festival as he paid a surprise visit for the screening of veteran US director Oliver Stone's documentary on... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 7 Sep 2009 | 7:40 am
As every American knows, on Labor Day, citizens are actually forbidden to do work of any kind. So states the original 1912 concept of holiday founder Dr. David Ignatius Labor.
The good...
Richard Thompson has had three boxed sets devoted to his music. He's been the subject of a tribute album. He's constantly ranked among rock 'n' roll's greatest guitarists and finest songwriters by both the music press and fellow musicians. What does a legend have to do to get noticed by the mainstream?
Dolores O'Riordan is singing "Linger" while playing a gleaming white guitar that's almost half her size. As her second solo disc "The Baggage" is released in the U.S., she officially shares the news that the Cranberries are to regroup. Technically, she says, they never split up and have merely been on hiatus.
British pop star Robbie Williams performs during the Live 8 concert for Africa in London in 2005. Williams will perform at Australia's ARIA music awards in November as he launches a comeback after three... Source: RSS feed - channel BNImagesEnter | 7 Sep 2009 | 2:45 am
Marley Shelton's a mommy.
The Sin City sexpot delivered daughter West Flynn Sunday in Los Angeles, per People.
West is the first child for 35-year-old Shelton and her...
Welcome to E! Online's Fall TV Preview 2009! All this week we'll be posting reviews of the new fall shows on the major broadcast networks, along with our recommendations about what to...
Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt enjoyed what most movie stars don't: A happy Labor Day.
During Hollywood's weakest long weekend of the year, Bullock managed a respectable, $14...
That sexy, sarcastic Soup stud Joel McHale wants you to take another peek at his bound-to-be-a-huge-hit Community, and we are more than happy to oblige.
With less than two weeks to go...
As every American knows, on Labor Day, citizens are actually forbidden to do work of any kind. So states the original 1912 concept of holiday founder Dr. David Ignatius Labor.
The good...