Sony, Universal ink deals with XDC

Potentially 35,000 screens to digitize in Europe

BRUSSELS -- Sony Pictures and Universal have signed deals with Europe's leading digital cinema service company, XDC, to roll out 8,000 digital cinema installations in 22 European countries.


They join Warner Bros., Paramount, 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios, who are already involved with Belgium-based XDC.


XDC says that there are a potential 35,000 screens to digitize across Europe.


"The next steps are the negotiation of similar agreements with European movie distributors, the sale of this co-financing proposal to cinema exhibitors, and both equity- and debt-raising to fund the digital rollout phase," XDC CEO Serge Plasch said.

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Lucy Liu - Liu Gives Up Boxing After Big Hit

Actress LUCY LIU quit boxing after a near-knockout almost left her with a broken nose.

The Charlie's Angels tough girl stepped into the ring in a bid to keep fit but quickly discovered she doesn't have what it takes to be a champ.

She says, "I went into a boxing ring with this other girl and she punched me square in the nose.

"It was so painful. I didn't break my nose but I did see stars. That was it, the end of it for me... I don't think I'm strong enough to take it."

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'Harry Potter' actor Knox killed

A British teenage actor playing a minor role in the upcoming "Harry Potter" film was stabbed to death during a brawl in London on Saturday, police said.


Rob Knox, 18, was stabbed after he got caught up in a fight outside a bar in southwest London early Saturday, London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement.


Knox plays Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in the upcoming film "Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince," the sixth installment of the popular series set for release in November.
Warner Bros., the studio that is producing the film, said it was shocked by the news.


Knox was one of five young men taken to various hospitals after the brawl, police said. Among them was a 21-year-old who has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.


The fight did not appear to be gang-related, police added, but it puts the number of violent teenage deaths in London at 14 so far this year.

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The Fall

Award-winning music video, commercial and film director Tarsem Singh (The Cell) creates a moving and seamless blending of mundane life in a 1915 Los Angeles hospital with a visually sumptuous fantasy world of exotic bandits, evil tyrants, dream-like palaces and breathtaking landscapes. Shot on location in 28 countries around the world, The Fall stars Golden Globe nominated actor Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies, Infamous, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) and Justine Waddell (Mansfield Park, Chaos) and features a breakthrough performance by first-time Romanian child actress Catinca Untaru.
--© Roadside Attractions

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See Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Rock New York

Less than a week after two of his band mates performed on stage with the Foo Fighters in London, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant stepped out in New York last night (June 11th).



Plant was performing alongside his current collaborator Allison Krauss at Madison Square Garden.



The duo's performance, on of their biggest shows to date, showcased songs from their recent album 'Raising Sand'.



Gigwise was at last nights gig and is proud to present you with a selection of photos from the night.



The tour continues tonight with another show in New York.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

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'Grand Theft Auto IV': How Faithful Is Its New York? -- In Multiplayer

"Grand Theft Auto IV" features impressive renderings of New York City -- just check out what the MTV building looks like!

Ashlee Simpson 'not engaged' yet

Singer Ashlee Simpson is "not engaged", despite being pictured with a diamond ring on her wedding finger.
According to People magazine, the 23-year-old, who is currently dating Fall Out Boy star Pete Wentz, dismissed the rumours during a recent visit to Fuse TV.
Simpson said that she was wearing a promise ring from her boyfriend, explaining by saying: "It just means that he hasn't asked my dad yet."
A representative for the singer said: "She is not engaged."

Interpol man and Helena Christensen snapped sunbathing - Daily Gossip

Welcome to the Daily Gossip: your daily stop-off to find out who in the world of music has been up to what.

Today�s top gossip:

Interpol's Paul Banks sunbathed in Miami with his girlfriend, Helena Christensen (The Sun). The full set of Paul and Helena pictures have appeared on the internet.

From the papers:

Supermodel Agyness Deyn is set to move to New York in an attempt to get over her split from The Paddingtons' Josh Hubbard. She is in good spirits, though, saying, "I am having the best time of my life. I love New York � it's my home" (Daily Mirror).

Kanye West enjoyed a portion of large fries at McDonald's in New Jersey (Daily Mirror).

Duffy has revealed that at one point in her life she was in five different bands � and kept them secret from each other (Daily Record).

Lily Allen posed for photos with fans in Los Angeles (Daily Star).

The Fratellis' frontman Jon Fratelli has been having hypnosis to get over his fear of flying (The Sun).

E-mailed in from NME.COM users:

Editors' Chris Urbanowicz watched We Are Scientists play an acoustic set at the Fopp record store in Nottingham (from Sarah).

Check back tomorrow for the next Daily Gossip. E-mail your spots to news@nme.com.

Spears guest spot a ratings record

Britney Spears' guest appearance on 'How I Met Your Mother' on US TV on Monday night helped the comedy achieve its higher viewership of the season, and means the show will be renewed for a fourth series.
The Hollywood Reporter says that the Spears-starring episode attracted around 10.6m viewers on Monday night; the show usually averages 7.8m.
In the episode Spears played a dermatologist's secretary called Abby.
The New York Daily News said of her performance: "Spears proved she can act every bit as well as she can sing."
The New York Post said: "Brit looked slim, (OK she was behind a desk), trim and gorgeous."

Pillar

   
Artist: Pillar

   Genre(s): 
Rock
   Rock: Punk-Rock
   Metal: Alternative
   

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Discography:


   
 The Reckoning

   Year: 2006   
Tracks: 13


   
 Where Do We Go From Here

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 12


   
 Above

   Year: 2001   
Tracks: 14


   
 Fireproof

   Year:    
Tracks: 12

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Pillar is comprised of Rob Beckley (vocals), Lester Estelle (drums), Noah Henson (guitar), and Kalel (bass). These Christian rockers with an alt-metal edge let been honing their infectious sound since 1998 while attendance Ft. Hays State University in northwestern Kansas. A deal with Flicker was inked in 2000 after the band's self-released debut, Metamorphosis, impressed the label. Within months, Pillar followed things up with In a higher place. Their low gear individual, "Open Your Eyes," was popular on the college charts, earning Higher up nigh 60,000 in gross revenue. Pillar besides earned the Best Rock Band prize at the yearbook Dove Awards in 2001. A year afterwards, Pillar relocated to Tulsa, OK, and released Fireproof. MCA picked up the band and reissued the industrious soph endeavor in 2003. Where Do We Go from Here appeared in mid-2004, and The Reckoning followed deuce eld later.

Campbell Has Surgery To Become A Mum

British supermodel Naomi Campbell has undergone surgery to enable her to have children. The catwalk queen, 38, is desperate to become a mother and recently had an operation to help her fulfill her dream. Although Campbell doesn't specify her condition or give any details about the surgery, she insists she can now become a mother. She says, "Now I can have a child I would like one. I'm even willing to have one without a father. I know that I am ready." And Campbell believes motherhood will be life-changing for her. She adds, "I know that with a baby I would change, I'd calm down. With a child you cannot accept compromises. You have to give your full self."


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Gratitude

   
Artist: Gratitude

   Genre(s): 
Other
   

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Discography:


   
 Gratitude

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 12

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Gratitude included Jonah Matranga of Far and Onelinedrawing and ex-Crumb guitar player Mark Weinberg, rounded out by bassist Bob Lindsey, guitar player Jeremy Tappero, and drummer Dave Jarnstrom. In March 2005 the San Francisco-based lot issued its self-titled Atlantic debut, a merry correct that looked to Weezer and Jimmy Eat World for influence.