Archive
Scorsese says all his future movies will be 3-D
Martin Scorsese says he has become so enamored with 3-D filmmaking that he expects to use the technology in all his future projects.
Scorsese told a crowd of theater owners at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday that he wishes his landmark films “Raging Bull” and “Taxi Driver” had been three-dimensional.
Scorsese spoke at a filmmaking panel alongside director Ang Lee, who won an Oscar in 2006 for “Brokeback Mountain.”
Scorsese and Lee are among a growing group of prominent directors who claim 3-D technology is the future of filmmaking.
Scorsese says 3-D films transport fans into another world, allowing them to feel a stronger connection to the story and actors on screen.
Scorsese’s first 3-D movie, “Hugo,” won several technical Oscars at this year’s Academy Awards.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
US unemployment aid requests near 3-month high
The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits remained stuck near a three-month high last week, a sign that hiring has likely slowed since winter.
The Labor Department says weekly applications dipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 388,000. That’s little changed from the previous week’s figure, which was the highest since Jan. 7.
The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose to 381,750, also the highest in three months.
Applications jumped sharply three weeks ago, a sign that employers had stepped up layoffs and added fewer jobs. Economists said the increase might have been inflated by temporary layoffs during the spring holidays, when many school employees are laid off.
But applications haven’t dropped back since then. The increase follows a report earlier this month that showed hiring slowed in March.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Official: Secret Service probing another trip
A Secret Service official says the agency is investigating news reports of other trips in which agents allegedly engaged the services of prostitutes while traveling abroad in advance of the president.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing investigations, said the agency is trying to determine whether the reports are accurate.
Seattle station KIRO-TV on Wednesday reported allegations that during a trip last year to El Salvador agents engaged in activities similar to conduct in a prostitution scandal that emerged after a presidential trip to Colombia.
The report came hours after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told lawmakers that what happened in Colombia was an isolated incident and that it would surprise her if there were a broader problem.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Jordan’s Bobcats could become NBA’s worst ever
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest NBA player ever, is poised to become the owner of the worst team in league history.
His Charlotte Bobcats have one more shot to avoid the title.
They are teetering on the verge of the worst winning percentage (.106) ever and could clinch the dubious distinction with a loss Thursday night at home to the New York Knicks in the lockout-shortened regular-season finale for both teams.
Charlotte’s record-setting futility would eclipse the mark set by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers. They finished with a .110 winning percentage and a 9-73 record in a full regular season.
Jordan won six NBA championships, but Charlotte (7-58) has become a laughingstock.
Guard D.J. Augustin says “many people are laughing at us … but we take it very seriously.”
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Rose, Lin top NBA’s jersey sales
Move over, Kobe and LeBron: Only Derrick Rose could top Linsanity when it came to jersey sales over the past year.
The league’s reigning MVP has the top-selling jersey at the NBA Store and nbastore.com since April 2011, the NBA says Thursday. Knicks guard Jeremy Lin was No. 2, despite his merchandise not even being available until his stunning breakthrough in February.
Bryant was third and James fourth, unusually low spots for two of the NBA’s biggest superstars. Bryant had been No. 1 six times and James twice since 2001.
Carmelo Anthony rounded out the top five, helping the Knicks finish second in team merchandise sales. The Bulls were No. 1 for the first time since April 2001.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Wayne Brady freestyles with Sway
Wayne Brady was a guest of Sway on Shade 45 this morning and his freestyle was better than Rick Ross’ in those BET cyphers. Honestly its not that bad, plus he says, “I’m Wayne Brady bitch”.
Andy Pettitte to pitch for Trenton Thunder
New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte will return to New Jersey this week to make the next start of his comeback.
Pettitte is scheduled to be on the mound Wednesday night when the Trenton Thunder, New York’s Double-A team, hosts the Erie SeaWolves. It will be the second minor league game Pettitte appears in this season, as he tries to return to the majors following a one-year retirement.
Pettitte last pitched for the Thunder on an injury rehab assignment in September 2010.
Wednesday’s game, due to start at 7:05 p.m., is expected to draw a large crowd.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Obama takes on college costs, eyes young voters
President Barack Obama is on a blitz to keep the cost of college loans from soaring for millions of students. He is wooing young voters and taking his message to three states strategically important to his re-election bid.
Before Obama got his road trip under way, his Republican opponent Mitt Romney found a way to steal some thunder from the president’s campaign argument: He agreed with it.
The competitors are now on record for freezing the current interest rates on a popular federal loan for poorer and middle-class students.
The president speaks Tuesday at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Colorado at Boulder, and then the University of Iowa on Wednesday.
All three universities are in states considered competitive in the election.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Man leads police on wild chase ending in dog bite
A robbery suspect led police on a chase through Los Angeles suburbs that included his apparent girlfriend climbing into his still-moving van and ended with a dog bite.
West Covina police tell City News Service the man jumped into a white van outside a just-robbed credit union Monday, and police gave chase.
It led to Whittier, where the van slowed while the woman jumped on, then climbed in through a rear window.
The van soon stopped and she surrendered, but he refused.
Police sent in a dog and he scampered out as it bit his legs, cash spilling from the van.
Police say they recovered a gun tossed from the vehicle.
The man was hospitalized for the dog bite and the woman was arrested. Police have not released their names.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
10 Things to Know for Tuesday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. James Murdoch defends his record at News of the World in Britain’s media ethics inquiry
His father, Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp., will appear before the inquiry Wednesday.
2. Obama on the stump with a student-loan saving pitch
His speech in North Carolina at 1:15 p.m. is expected to woo young voters and speak to middle-class America while trying to head off another drag on the economy.
3. Secret Service prostitution scandal puts some congressmen in a tough position
Some may hold off on pressing for juicy stories behind what happened because they risk reviving — or having revealed — some of their own exploits.
4. Romney likely to sweep primaries in Conn., N.Y., Del., R.I. and Pa.
With polls opening at 6 and 7 a.m., the former Massachusetts governor is set to fortify his position as the Republican presidential nominee by the time they close at 8 or 9 p.m.
5. More news expected on home sales
Standard & Poor’s issues its index of home-price changes at 9 a.m., followed by a government report at 10 a.m. on the number of people who bought new homes in March.
6. Fed likely to repeat its plan to keep short-term interest rates at record lows
But it may also signal that it won’t likely launch any new program to lower longer-term rates unless the economy weakens.
7. Looking at what’s next if the Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare
Employers and insurance companies are likely to borrow some ideas from the program and push harder to cut medical costs.
8. Police chief in Martin case remains under scrutiny
George Zimmerman may remain in seclusion now that he is free on bail but Chief Bill Lee stays in the public eye.
9. High-tech tycoons hope to mine nearby asteroids
Several outside scientists call the plan daring, difficult — and highly expensive.
10. First witness set to take the stand in Roger Clemens’ trial
A jury with little awareness of the seven-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher begins to hear testimony when the hearing resumes at 9 a.m.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
