Reuters Entertainment News Summary
Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Down syndrome teens in Rhode Island crowdfund zombie movie dream
Like many U.S. teens, Sam Suchman and Mattie Zufelt are fans of horror movies, which inspired them to begin work on a 30-minute action thriller they are due to finish shooting in the coming days. The 19-year-old friends and creators of "Sam & Mattie's Teen Zombie Movie" decided not to let another trait they share - Down syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with intellectual disabilities - stand in the way of their ambitions. They raised $68,000 online to fund the project.
Life after death speeds up for Patrick Dempsey
Life after death has only got faster for Patrick Dempsey. The heart-throb of U.S. network series 'Grey's Anatomy' --until 'Dr McDreamy' was killed off in a car accident last season -- celebrated a podium finish in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in June and has immersed himself even more in the world of sportscar racing.
Jewish musician faces down controversy with reggae set in Spain
An American Jewish musician who was controversially barred from a reggae festival in Spain before being invited back to play performed to catcalls from some pro-Palestinian protesters on Sunday, though the concert passed off peacefully after a tense build-up. Matisyahu, who fuses reggae, hip-hop and rock with Jewish influences in his songs, was uninvited from the Rototom Sunsplash festival last week when he failed to reply to a demand to clarify his position on Palestinian statehood.
Sarajevo film festival calls on Russia to release Ukrainian filmmaker
Organizers of the Sarajevo film festival, the Balkans' largest industry gathering, called on Russia on Saturday to release an Ukrainian film director who has been tried under terrorism charges and could be jailed for 23 years. Oleg Sentzov was arrested last year while protesting against Russia's annexation of Crimea and charged with terrorism, organization of a terrorist group and arms trafficking.
Actress Megan Fox files for divorce from Brian Austin Green
"Transformers" star Megan Fox on Friday filed for divorce from actor Brian Austin Green after five years of marriage, a Los Angeles court spokeswoman said. The filing in Los Angeles Superior Court cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. The filing came after media reports this week that the couple had separated.
Hollywood studios must face animators' anti-poaching lawsuit
Several major Hollywood studios failed to persuade a federal judge to dismiss a antitrust lawsuit accusing them of illegally conspiring not to poach each others' animators, to help drive down wages. In a Thursday night decision, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, rejected the dismissal request by Walt Disney Co and its Lucasfilm and Pixar units, Sony Corp, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc and 21st Century Fox Inc's Blue Sky Studios.
Apple defends Dr Dre after he apologizes to 'women I've hurt'
Apple Inc. came to the defense of rapper and Beats co-founder Dr Dre on Friday following his apology "to the women I've hurt" as reports of his past altercations with women resurfaced around the release of N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton." Apple, which acquired Dr Dre's headphone and music streaming company Beats Electronics last year for $3 billion and made Dre an executive, said the company believed in the rapper's sincerity.
Novelist Ishiguro's notes and works head to Texas library
The sweeping archives of award-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro will be heading to a University of Texas research library, including a discarded opening chapter for his best-known book, "The Remains of the Day," the university said. The novelist, who was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1954 and has lived in Britain since he was a child, has kept extensive notes of his novels and multiple drafts of his works that include "Never Let Me Go" and "The Buried Giant."
LA police search Kiss rocker's home, family not target
Los Angeles police recently searched the home of Kiss rock singer Gene Simmons but said neither Simmons or his family were the targets of their inquiry. The search on Thursday was conducted by members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman said, but gave no further details.
