Actress Banned for Alleged Affair

Film producers in southern India have banned actress Nikhita Thukral from Kannada films for three years over an alleged affair with another actor.

The Kannada Film Producers’ Association imposed the ban on Ms Thukral saying she had spoiled the “domestic harmony of a fellow actor”. BBC.

How ridiculous – Nikhita Thukral suffers for nothing more than an allegation she slept with a married man something Nikhita Thukral’s denied – what does it say about Indian men when only the woman is punished? And what does it say about India that an affair can get you banned from acting for three years?

Lemsip’s Free Online Films

Lemsip the cold remedy company is offering films to watch online for free from LOVEFiLM – you’ll have to go you Lemsip’s Facebook page and click the “like” button – I know it’s a bribe – the offer lasts until 31st December – so once go back to Lemsip’s Facebook page and click the “unlike” link on the bottom left – I suspect Lemsip’s expecting many of us to forget or not bother. Once you’ve selected a film you’ll the need a LOVEFiLM account – if you haven’t got one then you’ll sadly need to register for that too – LOVEFiLM aren’t doing it for nothing.

Hat Tip: Money Saving Expert.

Spotify

I’ve seen the music streaming website Spotify described as one of the best music sites around, the trouble is to use the site you need an invite and I’ve not been lucky enough to receive an invite. Now however, the wait is over, the free music streaming company has opened registrations for anyone in Britain – so now we can find out what the fuss is all about.

Zavvi to Close 15 More Stores

Entertainment retailer Zavvi has announced the immediate closure of 15 more of its UK stores.

It’s thought that 295 people will lose their jobs as a result of the new closures.

The announcement is the latest in a series of moves to downscale Zavvi since it went into administration on December 24.

Zavvi has recently closed 55 stores, with 826 job losses. However, the remaining 48 Zavvi stores are set to remain open. Source: NME.

These closures includes the Birmingham store, which pretty much leaves Birmingham to HMV – which is more of a games shop these days – in a few short months CD shops have practically disappeared from our High Streets. Something seems wrong, I don’t just want to download my music – I just old fashioned?

The Archive of Misheard Lyrics

The Archive of Misheard Lyrics from KissTheGuy is great fun, here’s some gems there’s REM’s “Losing my Religion” with “Let’s pee in the corner, Let’s pee in the spotlight” which is actually “That’s me in the corner, That’s me in the spotlight”. My knowledge of the Canadian national anthem is zero, however “Oh Canada, we stand on cars and freeze…” whilst obviously wrong, appeals, however the lyric is actually “Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee…”

The archive allows viewers to rate each lyric and for those who register you can submit your own misheard lyric.

Hat Tip: Harpymarx.

Zavvi Goes Into Administration

The financial crisis claimed another high street victim today when entertainment chain Zavvi fell into administration, putting 2,500 jobs at risk.

Ernst & Young formally took charge of Zavvi this morning, just two weeks after being parachuted into the former Virgin Megastore chain to attempt a rescue.

It said it would keep the music chain running while it tries to find a buyer.

Zavvi had been badly hit by the collapse of Woolworths, whose distribution arm, EUK, supplied it with DVDs and CDs. Woolworths’s demise left Zavvi short of stock as it entered the crucial Christmas trading period. In addition, it owed EUK £106m.

Like many other high street chains, Zavvi began offering large discounts at the start of this week in an attempt to get shoppers spending. Source: The Guardian.

The High Street is almost bereft of CD shops these day’s, of the mainstream, only HMV’s left and that’s really a games store these days.

Fourth Bourne Film

Round here we enjoyed the three Bourne films, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum – now according to the BBC Universal is to make a fourth.

Fictional CIA assassin Jason Bourne will appear in a fourth film, according to trade newspaper Variety.

It says actor Matt Damon will reprise the lead role in the fourth instalment of the Bourne franchise, with Paul Greengrass directing once again.

It will be the first Bourne film not to be based on the novels of late US author Robert Ludlum, Variety said.

George Nolfi, who co-wrote last year’s Bourne Ultimatum screenplay, will pen the story, it added.

Robert Ludlum wrote a trilogy of Bourne novels before his death in 2001.

Since his death, there have been a further three Bourne novels – all written by thriller and fantasy author Eric Van Lustbader. Source: The BBC.

I’m not sure a fourth movie is a good idea and didn’t he die at the end of the last film? I can’t quite remember.

Rufus Opera

Rufus Wainwright’s debut opera Prima Donna is to premiere next July in Manchester.

The story of a fading Parisian opera singer and sung in French, Wainwright’s opera is being produced in partnership with Opera North – and will be performed five times from July 10.

Manchester International Director Alex Poots comments on Wainwright’s commission, “Rufus Wainwright has an exceptional gift for melody and clearly has a deep affinity with opera. We’re delighted to be working with him as he moves into this new form”.

Prima Donna tickets are available from October 10 at www.mif.co.uk. Source: Uncut.