A couple moves into a haunted house needing salvation from a demonic baby. By Mike Scott, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on December 03, 2012 at 9:00 AM Precious few Louisiana films might have made the cut for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival's recently announced in-competition lineup, but that doesn't mean they're being ignored entirely. The January festival's reliably edgy Midnight Movies lineup was announced late last week, and lo and behold there's a New Orleans-shot film front and center. The horror-comedy "Hell Baby," which shot in town earlier this year -- and which marks the directoral debut of "Reno 911" actor Thomas Lennon
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By: Laura McKnight, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on December 03, 2012 at 5:08 AM Their off-screen personalities shone this afternoon as three stars of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” fielded questions from a room full of fans at Comic Con in New Orleans. The Sunday, Dec. 2, question-and-answer session featured actors Brent Spiner as a fun and gentle soul, Marina Sirtis as a spirited source of sharp retorts, and LeVar Burton as a laid-back, book-loving guy. The three entertained a Comic Con crowd with varied opinions, the occasional bit of song, and memories gleaned from years working on one of television’s most adored and obsessed-over shows. The session started with an unusual introduction – a plea for help in finding a diamond wedding ring lost by Sirtis in a second-floor bathroom of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Sirtis said she removed the ring to wash her hands, grew distracted chatting with a fan and lost the jewelry. The trio then began accepting questions from the audience, who seemed curious about the actors’ favorite “Star Trek” episodes, movies and scenes.
The actors mentioned “Star Trek: First Contact” and “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” but the discussion soon turned to their shared disdain for “Star Trek: Insurrection.” “Boring,” said Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi in the television series and films. “It’s like we go to this Renaissance Fair that they call a planet,” said Spiner, who starred as Lt. Commander Data. By: Doug MacCash, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on November 30, 2012 at 10:20 PM The Wizard World Comic-Con is a three day festival dedicated to science fiction, fantasy and horror has begun at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. One of this year’s big draws is the assembly of six stars from the iconic “Star Trek: The Second Generation” television show – only Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard) was unavailable. For devoted fans the 25th anniversary appearance is like an intergalactic Beatles reunion. The stars may be a bit grayer than in their cosmic exploration days, but it’s an undeniable thrill to see their smiling faces in person, as they chat with enchanted fans at the celebrity autograph booths. As I wandered through the rows of nostalgic collectibles sales kiosks, I asked superheroes, steam punks, anime characters and other costumed attendees (and willing celebrities) an ice-breaking question: Which of the Star Trek: TNG crew would you like to like to be stranded on a desert asteroid with? Admittedly, the grammar is awkward, but the results were a hoot. By the end of my absurd survey, each of the former Enterprise officers: Commander William T. Riker played by Jonathan Frakes, Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge played by LeVar Burton, Lieutenant Worf played by Michael Dorn, Counselor Deanna Troi played by Marina Sirtis, Lt. Commander Data played by Brent Spiner, and Dr. Beverly Crusher played by Gates McFadden had gotten votes for various reasons. Actor Kevin Sorbo, who played the lead in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” said he’d pick Counselor Troi – he didn’t see the need to explain. Michael Madsen, who played Mr. Blonde in the hair-raising movie “Reservoir Dogs” never quite formulated an answer, though he laughed heartily at the ridiculous premise. Professional women wrestlers Nicole Garcia and Brianna Garcia (The Bella Twins) chose Geordi and Data – though I can’t recall which chose which. Drum roll please …
Data, the straight-faced, greenish-skinned automaton played by Brent Spiner, was chosen for mostly practical reasons. He’s smart, he doesn’t eat, sleep or need oxygen, after all. Armed with that knowledge, I stood in Brent Spiner’s autograph line until I was able to make him aware of his stranded-on-an-asteroid popularity. Attempting to explain the outcome of the vote, he said “Well, there’s a little bit of Data in every man and since I’m Data, there’s a little more in me.” I’m not sure I follow the logic Lieutenant Commander, but that sense of humor would certainly come in handy on a desert asteroid. By: www.theadvocate.com staff November 30, 2012 Legendary singer and actress Diana Ross is set to appear Feb. 8, 2013 as the guest artist for the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Irene W. and C. B. Pennington Great Performers in Concert This will mark the 10th anniversary of the Irene W. and C. B. Pennington Foundation’s benefit concerts bringing world-class talent to Louisiana, according to a news release from the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. “The mission of our Pennington Great Performers series has always been to create true world-class events for the people of Baton Rouge,” said music director and conductor Timothy Muffitt, “the kind of events that you would hear in any of the world’s major metropolitan areas – and we produce them right here in our city. An iconic figure like Diana Ross is right in line with that mission and taking us to even greater heights.” The one-night only gala performance is a benefit concert for the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, and a part of the Symphony’s on-going Irene W. & C. B. Pennington Great Performers in Concert series. The concert will be at 8 p.m. at the River Center Theatre for Performing Arts. “I wanted the 10th Anniversary concert to be a celebration and have a world class artist that would bring the house down. I know Diana Ross will be electrifying and our family foundation is so honored to be a part of such a tremendous community event,” said Paula Pennington de la Bretonne, who is honorary chair of the Investar Bank Masterworks IV Concert Home for the Holidays. The announcement of Ross’ appearance was made prior to the Nov. 29 concert. Diana Ross is an Academy Award nominated actress for her role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings The Blues, a Tony and Golden Globe winner, a bestselling author, winner of 8 American Music Awards and a recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors. LASM Reception co-sponsors are Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry and Price LeBlanc Lexus. The Title Sponsor for the event is the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation. Sponsorships are available and more information about involvement can be obtained from the BRSO’s Executive Director, Alan Hopper at (225) 383-0500 ext. 101.
Tickets are available online at the www.brso.org website since phone lines are expected to be busy. Link to buy tickets to the Feb. 8 BRSO performance with Diana Ross Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Baton Rouge Symphony Executive Offices, 7330 Highland Road. |
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