Live 8 Set For DVD Release, Russia Joins Live 8, More Artists To Perform & Hollywood's Stars Grace The Stage At Philadelphia, USA!

Live 8 Set For DVD Release, Russia Joins Live 8, More Artists To Perform & Hollywood’s Stars Grace The Stage At Philadelphia, USA!

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 27, 2005

Bob Geldof has already signed a deal to release Live 8 on DVD this November 2005. Live 8 will be presented by EMI. Geldof is already ecstatic and overwhelmed with exuberant anticipation to the historic event’s release on DVD, proudly exclaiming, “I hope this will be the biggest selling DVD of all time! It deserves to be! More importantly perhaps, it should be, for it will help us achieve our goal of changing the lives of the extreme poor for the better and making our generation the one that helped end the disgrace of poverty.”

The Live 8 DVD release this November, will come on the heels of the first and one year Anniversary of Live Aid’s DVD release this past November 2004. The DVD of Live Aid received International unanimous critical and commercial acclaim, after a 19 year wait for its release. Live Aid took place on July 13, 1985. Live 8 takes place this Saturday July 2, 2005. Thanks to Geldof, the wait this time for the DVD release of Live 8, will be a matter of waiting mere months!

Also, more stellar music artists have come on board at the Philadelphia, USA concert. Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, Def Leppard, Josh Groban, and Toby Keith will perform. Also as was the case at Live Aid, when Hollywood’s elite, luminaries Jack Nicholson and Bette Midler introduced the acts in Philly, this time around, actors Jimmy Smits, Natalie Portman, Chris Tucker, Salma Hayek, and Jennifer Connolly will be doing the honors in Philly.

And, at last, Geldof has pulled off what we all knew would be his vision and dream fulfilled and come true, Russia, the 8th and final country of the G8 nations, will be participating in Live 8 and hosting it’s leg of the concert, simultaneously with the other Live 8 concerts on Saturday, July 2, 2005. Red Square in Moscow, Russia will stage the concert. Here’s the lineup as of 6/27/2005.

Moscow:
Pet Shop Boys
Bravo
B-2
Moral Code X
Spleen
Valery Sutkin

As previously discussed AOL will be streaming live, and for free, the entire Live 8 event, webcasting from all of the participating cities. The entire event will be archived on AOL for 6 weeks, so an International audience of people can watch again and again this wonderful, momentous, history changing benefit and poverty awareness raising event, glimpse memorable and favorite moments and acts, or catch acts and performances that they missed.

Again…hats off to Sir Bob Geldof, all of the Live 8 organizers, promoters, music artists, performers, and everyone involved in helping to plan and stage this from the hugest of hearts event, who are selflessly giving of themselves, to the cause, to hopefully realize a world without poverty, without hunger. Here’s wishing you all the utmost respect, regard, esteem, and all heartfelt best wishes! Only 5 days to go. Happy Live 8 Day!

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 27, 2005

Tokyo, Japan Joins Live 8, Global Text Messaging Campaign, More Updates!

Tokyo, Japan Joins Live 8, Global Text Messaging Campaign, More Updates!

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 24, 2005

Tokyo, Japan has officially joined Live 8 as the 7th G8 nation to participate in the international series of Live 8 concerts. Makuhari Messe in Tokyo will host Japan’s concert.

The Tokyo concert is part of all of the Live 8 concerts and event to be held Saturday July 2, 2005, to raise global public awareness into pressuring the leaders of the G8 nations who will be attending the G8 Summit July 6 through July 8, 2005 to enact concrete plans to forgive third world debt, particularly in Africa, as well as put into place fair trade initiatives for said nations that could effectively eradicate poverty and encourage foreign aid with world hunger, proper healthcare particularly in the battle of stemming the spread of and finding a cure for AIDS, and enacting further economic development programs in underdeveloped nations.

With Japan now participating in Live 8, only one G8 nation, Russia, is the one country, not yet confirmed for participating in Live 8, but which will hopefully, come through and realize Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof’s vision of all 8 of the G8 nations, proving their good will and intentions by all hosting Live 8 benefit, public awareness concerts to raise the world’s consciousness and attention to third world poverty.

Here is the lineup for Tokyo as of 6/24/2005 with additions to come.

Tokyo:
Bjork
Good Charlotte
Def Tech
Dreams Come True
McFly
Rize

Geldof and the Live 8 organizers are requesting that concertgoers and viewers around the world make their voices heard stronger than ever, by holding a mass text messaging campaign on Saturday July 2, 2005 during Live 8. Geldof is asking the global audience to help him achieve a goal of 20 million text messages supporting Live 8’s message of raising both the public and world leader’s awareness about world poverty. The names of those sending the messages will be seen on a video screen of each concert in each city.

Mobilium Group President/CEO Ralph Simon says, “We don’t think that the world leaders can ignore either (the estimated viewing audience of) 2 billion people being exposed to our message nor, more importantly, a possible 20 million constituents actively text messaging their demand to end world hunger to their respective governments.’’

One week to go and counting as the clock starts officially ticking to the countdown to….Live 8 Day!

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 24, 2005

Motley Crue & Canada On Board For Live 8 Plus Updates Galore!

Motley Crue & Canada On Board For Live 8 Plus Updates Galore!

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 23, 2005 Updated 6/29/2005

Bob Geldof has officially confirmed that Canada, has now come on board becoming the 6th country of the G8 nations, to participate and hold one of the Live 8 concerts also to be simultaneously held on Saturday July 2, 2005. Barrie, Canada will host the Canadian leg of the Live 8 concert which will be held at Park Place. Canadian natives, comedians Dan Akroyd and Tom Greene are hosts for the event.

Topping a bill of the Crème De La Crème of Canadian music artists is American hard rocking superstars, the reunited one and only Motley Crue.

Here’s the lineup as of 6/29/2005, with additional artists and updates to come.

Barrie:
Motley Crue’
Neil Young
Jet
Deep Purple
Bryan Adams
Blue Rodeo
Bruce Cockburn
Barenaked Ladies
Our Lady Peace
The Tragically Hip
African Guitar Summit
The Bachman Cummings Band
Doba Caracol featuring Kna’an
Gordon Lightfoot
Great Big Sea
Jann Arden
Les Trois Accords
Sam Roberts
Simple Plan
Tegan & Sara
Tom Cochrane

In other Live 8 news, The Cure will be headlining at the Palais de Versailles, Paris, France Live 8 concert, and additionally, Muse, Sheryl Crow, Shakira, and Tina Arena have joined the roster of that concert.

PINK FLOYD!!!!
And once again…to reconfirm, a reunited Pink Floyd will be performing at London’s Hyde Park Live 8 concert, seeing the first performance of all 4 original members, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright in some twenty years. The relationship between Waters and Gilmour has been contentious at best over the years, with Waters even suing Gilmour at one point for touring under the Pink Floyd banner.

But leave it to Sir Bob Geldof himself, (who portrayed the character of Pink in the film adaptation of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”), to serve as the ultimate peacemaker and bring back together, this legendary band, for what is perhaps the most highly anticipated act and performance of Live 8.

Gilmour, often recognized himself as quite the altruist to charitable causes, has stated that “Like most people, I want to do everything I can to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world. It’s crazy that America gives such a paltry percentage of its GNP to the starving nations. Any squabbles Roger and the band have had in the past are so petty in this context, and if reforming for this concert will help focus attention, then it’s got to be worthwhile.”

While more and more artists are continually joining the lineup at each of the Live 8 concerts, 3 stars that have voluminous rumours swirling of their performing at Live 8, are The Rolling Stones, The Who, and also, a potential satellite link performance by Queen who are touring Internationally with Paul Rodgers doing the fronting honors, with the link being from their July 2nd concert performance in Lisbon, Portugal.

While confirmation is still pending on The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Queen+Paul Rodgers, fan websites are in a feeding frenzy as was also the case prior to the official confirmation of the reunion and performance of Pink Floyd at Live 8.

In addition, activist, artist, and musician Peter Gabriel will be hosting The Eden Project, Africa Calling with Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour in Cornwall, England. Here’s the lineup for this companion concert to Live 8, also held Saturday July 2, 2005 whose aim is to highlight and feature musicians from Africa, assisting the cause of Live 8.

Eden Project/Africa Calling:
Angelique Kidjo
Maryam Mursal
Salif Keita
Thomas Mapfumo
Tinariwen
Daara J
Shikisha
Ayub Ogada
Modou Diouf & O Fogum

For all daily confirmed updates, including participating artists, venues, cities, log onto this blog daily and check the Official Live 8 website.

http://www.live8live.com/


By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 23, 2005

Hayden Christensen, Hollywood's Hottest New Star & Movie Mogul!

“Hayden Christensen, Hollywood’s Hottest New Star & Movie Mogul!”
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 10, 2005-All Rights Reserved

With “Star Wars Episode III, Revenge Of The Sith” taking over the film galaxy worldwide, breaking box office records and devouring all other summer 2005 films in its wake, it is a wonderful thing to see George Lucas’ 6th and final episode in the “Star Wars” saga, and the 3rd in the infamous prequels, boast substance over style. The great storytelling of the original trilogy is back, along with esteemed actors Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Lee…and the lustrous performance of the intense Hayden Christensen.

Reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) from “Star Wars Episode II, Attack Of The Clones”, Christensen has proven his mettle as an actor of depth, range and power, imbuing Anakin’s fall from grace and turn to the dark side with the conviction, darkness, and enigmatic complexity of a man torn between what his insightful mind knows is the right thing to do, and what his passionate heart tells him that he MUST do.

In exploring and conveying, ever so subtly the inner tortured soul of Anakin’s conflicted, tormented psyche, Christensen nails the part in a way that is assuredly satisfying both critics and fans alike of the beloved “Star Wars” franchise…while continuing to uphold its mythology by effectively tying up the final loose ends to what is behind, what motivates, and what becomes of the fractured man (Anakin), behind the black mask (Vader).

But Christensen is no newbie to thespian challenges and has been acting for much of his mere 24 years, taking on films, TV, and the stage. A native of Vancouver, Canada, raised in Toronto, Canada, Christensen discovered his calling by sheer serendipity. His older sister had already caught the acting bug and had been cast in a Pringles commercial. Little brother Hayden, only seven years old at the time, came along with her when she was interviewing talent agents…and guess who wound up being coincidentally scouted?

Hayden took this as the cue for “the force” so to speak, that was in the stars for him. More Hollywood than galactic, but stars all the same were laying in wait for Hayden, who took his good fortune seriously and without any doubt to the path that had been paved his way. He then confidently set about to hone his level of skill and ability, as well as to peruse quality roles that he wanted to challenge and likewise, to challenge him and his craft.. Beginning with a run of work in Canadian Television, Hayden made Los Angeles, USA his second home and scored a role in the 1994 film, “In The Mouth Of Madness”. A small part, but a start of things to come.

From there came 1995’s “Harrison Bergeron”, the TV dramatization of romance novelist’s “Danielle Steel’s No Greater Love” in 1996, and 2000’s made for TV film, “Trapped In A Purple Haze.” But 1999, brought Christensen a role in acclaimed Director Sofia Coppola’s (daughter of Francis Ford Coppola), equally lauded “The Virgin Suicides.” People were taking notice of the young Canadian, especially after the theatrical film was screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

2000 was Hayden’s year, bringing him the breakthrough role of a teenager grappling with the aftermath of being molested by his stepmother in the Fox Family Channel TV series “Higher Ground”. Christensen not only wowed audiences…a certain film Director and Jedi master had taken notice of the young actor as well. George Lucas was holding open auditions for the lead role of young Anakin Skywalker for both “Star Wars” Episode II, and Episode III. Christensen was invited to the casting call, and despite being in the running with such high profile young stars as Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Phillippe, Christensen proved himself to be a uniquely talented actor as well as a star poised and steady on the horizon. Hayden was undaunted at auditioning among some 400 candidates for the role. Lucas was captivated by his fresh talent and creative gifts and offered Hayden the part, some might say of a lifetime.

While waiting for production to begin on “Attack Of The Clones”, rather than resting on his laurels, Christensen earned more of them, with his next enigmatic role, which some might view as the dramatic, reality precursor to the science fiction, fantasy of “Star Wars” and its protagonist/antagonist, Anakin Skywalker. Hayden gave a bravura starring performance in the 2001 family drama film, “Life As A House” garnering critical acclaim among heavyweights Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, and Kristin Scott Thomas. As the wounded, troubled Sam, the son of Kline’s terminally ill George, and a member of a family going through more than its share of issues and tragedy, Hayden nearly walked away with the film in a modern day James Dean meets Goth teen turn. The Golden Globes, often considered the next step to the Academy Awards, honored Hayden with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

2002 saw Hayden’s turn in “Star Wars Episode II, Attack Of The Clones”. Posing as both a blessing and a curse, the film offered him a golden opportunity to star in a major blockbuster film, part of a legendary film series, and co-star aside the esteemed ensemble of Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson, Ian McDiarmid, Natalie Portman, Jimmy Smits, and Christopher Lee. But fans of the original trilogy and critics alike took issue with Lucas’ weak script and tepid dialogue and directing. Unfortunately, much of the fallout fell directly and without warrant, on Christensen, who bore the brunt and took much of a critical beating for realizing Anakin’s first burst on screen as a whining, petulant brat of a teenager that seemed more at home on “Beverly Hills 90210” or “One Tree Hill” than in a legendary film anthology. But Lucas himself, candidly took responsibility for the criticism heaped on Christensen. Lucas also confessed that Hayden had been frustrated in what was Lucas’s own insistence that the actor intentionally play down the darker potential Christensen wanted and knew that he could bring to Anakin, and thus Lucas instead had Hayden portray Skywalker as a typical annoying teen.

To his credit, Hayden’s own talent shined through what Lucas had given him to work with, via the actor’s genuine charm, warmth, and exuberance of Anakin as a Jedi Knight in training and as a handsome, winsome hero beautifully underplaying the delicate balance to and joys of falling in love, winning the heart of Portman’s Padme Amidala (along with scores of enthralled audiences).

Christensen then awed the movers and shakers of movieland, when at merely 21 years old, just as he had taken what material he had with “Clones”, and fashioned it into something substantial and lasting, the young actor became an industry and business savvy provocateur by launching his own Los Angeles based film and television production company along with his brother Tove, Forest Park Pictures. Using the leverage and buzz of his role in “Star Wars”, Christensen secured a 2 year, first look production deal with Warner Brothers’ owned New Line Cinema to much heralding by New Line Cinema production President Toby Emmerich.

In 2003, with Tove sitting in the producer’s seat, Hayden optioned the rights to, and starred in the lead role of “Shattered Glass”, the film portrayal of real life disgraced journalist Stephen Glass who initially won praise at The New Republic Newspaper as a bright and brash writer, only to be exposed as a con artist, fabricating most of his stories. Hayden won over any critical naysayers with his brilliant performance, capturing the cunning, beguiling essence of an over zealous, overconfident, smug snake who tarnished the credibility and integrity of journalism.

But Hayden also started new industry buzz with his stellar business and artistic judgment, collaring and producing an intelligent, smartly written, character driven film. "Shattered Glass" had people talking about and referencing Hayden and his brother Tove, as two creative conscious and business savvy hotshot film producers and independent filmmakers, poised to become two movie mogul brothers, who will be rolling out crafted cinematic works of artistic excellence.

Which brings us up to June 2005, with “Star Wars Episode III, Revenge Of The Sith”. Since opening May 19, the film has broken nearly every box office record, with premieres in London, New York, L.A. and oh yes, at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. Christensen, as well as Lucas, and the film’s cast were in attendance at each and every premiere.

And wouldn’t you know, at this year’s 2005 Cannes Film Festival, who was regularly seen schmoozing like a seasoned, veteran pro at Cannes…with many film industry big wigs? Hayden Christensen, that’s who, as he hob knobbed and rubbed shoulders with many compatriot international indie filmmakers along the Riviera. Hayden was working the industry crowd with smarts, finesse, charisma, elegance, sophistication, and class, like the movie industry insider he is, as well as a soon to be, film industry big wig himself.

Just around May 18, Hayden and Tove signed a new multi-picture distribution deal with major player, Bauer Martinez Distribution, and Hayden has been playing mum about a TV series Forest Park Pictures currently has in development. And with all this mover & shaker goings on, Hayden still is turning out to be the hardest working actor/businessman/movie mogul in La La Land, when he stars in Director Barry Levinson’s upcoming new film “Sixty Six”, part of Levinson’s Baltimore anthology.

Amazingly, George Lucas himself, started out in the 1970’s with colleagues Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola as the new breed of filmmakers and moguls who realized their vision of filmmaking.

Now, in 2005, Hayden Christensen, actor, star, auteur, producer, movie and TV production company chief…perhaps Director someday too, is the young gun that is both Hollywood’s brightest star and its newest hope and champion for the successful future of independent film and television production.

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 10, 2005-All Rights Reserved

Paris, France Changes Venue To Palais de Versailles For Live 8 Concert

Paris, France Changes Venue To Palais de Versailles For Live 8 Concert

By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright June 6, 2005

Due to concerns and conflicts mostly to do with security, regarding holding the Paris, France leg and concert for Live 8 at the Eiffel Tower, the Paris concert will not be held at the Eiffel Tower, but will instead take place at the Palais de Versailles. Ticket information will be announced shortly.

Live 8 Official Website, Ticket Information, News Updates!

Live 8 Official Website, Ticket Information, News Updates!
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 3, 2005

Live 8, the phenomenon, now has its own Official website.

http://www.live8live.com/

This comprehensive website offers insight, history, and background as to the purpose of what Live 8 is all about and for, and the ideals, mission, and goals it hopes to achieve in raising the global public's awareness and inspiring them to actively participate in voicing their opinions and actively demonstrating...to put pressure on the leaders of the G8 nations who will be in discussions at the upcoming G8 Summit, to cancel third world debt and poverty, particularly of that in Africa.

Included as well is thorough information on anything and everything...Live 8; participating cities/countries & venues hosting the simultaneous concerts on Saturday July 2, 2005, artists performing and at which venue, television/radio/internet broadcasts & networks hosting the broadcasts, up to the minute news updates, press, and more!

On Monday June 6, 2005 Tickets will be available for the London, England Hyde Park concert. A lottery & contest will be held via texting on cell phones.

Per the official Live 8 website:

"Tickets for the LIVE 8 London concert in Hyde Park will be allocated via a text competition."

"For the chance to win a pair of tickets to the London event you will need to enter the text competition - you can enter as many times as you like."

"Details of the text number and competition will be announced on the 6th June - via all UK radio stations & BBC Television. No entries will be accepted before 00:01 on the 6th June."

"Each entry costs £1.50* plus your operator's standard text charge."

"The competition will close at midnight on the 12th June and winners will be chosen at random by computer and notified by text message after the 13th June with details of how they can collect their tickets - either online or from collection points around the UK."

"Due to the tight deadlines we are working to, you will need to be able to collect your tickets within ten days of notification of winning, otherwise you will forfeit them."

Tickets for the other venues in the other cities also hosting the concerts, as yet, are not required. Details on how to attend will be forthcoming.

Also...some updates:

Philadelphia, USA has added singer Sarah McLachlan to the lineup.

Ottawa, Canada is tentatively added as yet another G8 nation and city hosting a concert, with a lineup that boasts:

Bryan Adams
Barenaked Ladies
Our Lady Peace
Jann Arden

Japan and Russia are the only G8 nations not yet participating in Live 8. Knowing the graciously ever persuasive and tenacious Geldof...it's almost certain that they will follow through as well.

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright June 3, 2005