02-09-07 EUR: Will 'Norbit' Sink Eddie Murphy's Oscar Chances?

EUR Headlines

WILL ‘NORBIT’ RUIN MURPHY’S OSCAR CHANCES?: ‘L.A. Times’ article explores the question.
*An article in Thursday’s “Los Angeles Times” explores Eddie Murphy’s chances of winning an Academy Award later this month in light of his appearance in the new film “Norbit,” a comedy opening today that depicts the supporting actor front-runner in a “fat suit, garish eye shadow and little else.” Read Full Story

DR. DRE IN ‘LINE’ FOR FILM PRODUCTION DEAL: West Coast maestro to run his Crucial Films under New Line Cinema.
*Music producer Dr. Dre is coming after that Hollywood money with the announcement of a new joint venture between his newly-minted Crucial Films production company and movie studio, New Line Cinema. Read Full Story

ALICIA KEYS PURSUES ANIMATED FILM ROLE: Singer wants to follow up ‘Smokin’ Aces’ with ‘Frog Princess.’
*Alicia Keys, currently in theaters as an assassin in “Smokin’ Aces,” is reportedly jumping through hoops in an attempt to get Disney to hire her as the lead of its upcoming animated musical, “The Frog Princess.” Read Full Story

SEN. OBAMA TRYING TO KICK CIGARETTE HABIT: Presidential hopeful wants to quit smoking before formal campaign launch Saturday.
*Sen. Barack Obama says he’s determined to quit his nasty smoking habit before the official launch of his presidential campaign tomorrow, fearing a nicotine-addicted candidate would not go over well with voters…and also because his wife, Michelle, insisted that he stop. Read Full Story

MORE ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ RAP SHEETS: Akron Watson’s weed bust gets him booted; Ashlyn Carr arrested in sugar attack.
*Two African American contestants on “American Idol” were discovered to have rap sheets, one of which led to the perpetrators' forced removal from the show’s Hollywood round scheduled to air next week. Read Full Story

O.J.’S BOOK MONEY FROZEN BY JUDGE: Simpson barred from spending or moving any of his reported $1 million advance.
*A Los Angeles Judge on Wednesday barred O.J. Simpson from going anywhere near the money he received as an advance on his aborted book "If I Did It," or its companion television interview about the murders of his ex-wife and her friend. Read Full Story

R. KELLY HAD SURGERY FOR BURST APPENDIX: Procedure caused singer to miss court appearance this week.
*R. Kelly went under the knife in Miami last Sunday to address a burst appendix, his lawyer said Thursday. Read Full Story

?UESTLOVE TO PRODUCE NEW AL GREEN ALBUM: Roots drummer hopes to finish recording by September.
*Al Green is currently in the studio recording his upcoming album for Blue Note Records over tracks produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of the rap collective The Roots. Read Full Story

PRODUCER WILLIAM PACKER: King of the 'Yard' readies next feature.
By Kenya M Yarbrough
*Producer Will Packer is riding high on the success of his latest film “Stomp the Yard.” The electrifying dance flick is the biggest success so far for the young filmmaker and his company Rainforest Productions, though the celebration for Packer and the crew has already been subdued by production on the next project called “This Christmas.” Read Full Story

OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
By Kam Williams
Hannibal Rising (R for sexual references, profanity, and grisly violence) Hannibal the Cannibal's (Gaspard Ulliel) formative years are chronicled in this prequel to the Silence of the Lambs franchise. Story explores the origins of Dr. Lecter's savagery, opening in Lithuania during WWII, where as a young boy he was irreversibly scarred by witnessing his parents' murder in the family's medieval castle. Read Full Story

YOUNG BUCK PREPS NEW ALBUM FOR MARCH: Rapper says he’s ‘created a masterpiece’ with ‘Buck the World.’
*Young Buck is excited about the March 20th release of his sophomore album “Buck the World,” which was supposed to come out on Nov. 28 but was pushed back because…well, it just wasn’t feeling right. Read Full Story

EUR VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Take a video journey through Black History.
*In honor of Black History Month, check out videos we've come across that are relevant to Black culture and we think are worth sharing. Today's video: An enlightening and humbling Black History Month presentation by Devon Joseph.... Read Full Story

MARCUS HOUSTON, A ‘VETERAN’ AT AGE 25: Singer’s third solo LP features Yung Joc, Mya and Shawnna.
*Marcus Houston will have new material in the streets on March 20th under his new T.U.G./Universal album, “Veteran.” Read Full Story

BET.COM PREVIEWS NEW LEVERT ALBUM: Plus, Web site offers up “advice and counsel” from Brian McKnight.
*A flurry of activity is jumping off over at BET.com. The Web site is currently streaming the entire length of Gerald Levert’s posthumous album “In My Songs” preceding its release next week, and is also offering fans the chance to receive “individual counsel, critique and advice” from crooner Brian McKnight. Read Full Story

THE THANDIE NEWTON 'NORBIT' INTERVIEW: Thandie is Dandy
By Kam Williams
*Thandiwe Newton was born in London on November 6, 1972 to a mother from Zimbabwe and British father. En route to fame and fortune, the 5'2" cutie pie would remove a "w" and a syllable from her name, which means "beloved." Read Full Story

NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND CALENDAR: LeBron and A.I.’s ‘Tip Off Party’; Nelly and J.D.’s ‘So SoDerrty Experience.’
*Hundreds of superstars from the sports, music and movie industries - including hosts LeBron James and Allen Iverson - will descend on ICE Nightclub in Las Vegas for four consecutive nights of celebrity-filled parties during NBA All-Star Weekend 2007. Read Full Story

FILM/TV BITS: Mary J. on ‘Ghost Whisperer’; LL on CBS; Cuba on ‘five blondes’; Anna Nicole Smith dies; Evan & Michelle; the Dreams at Oscars; Ebony’s Pre-Oscar party.
*Current eight-time Grammy Award nominee Mary J. Blige will guest star in tonight’s episode of “Ghost Whisperer” on CBS. Blige, whose music will be featured in the episode, plays Jackie Boyd, the coach of a high-ranked high school cheerleading team whose members are being disabled, one by one, by seemingly freak accidents in the days preceding their big cheerleading competition. Read Full Story

MUSIC BITS: T.I., EW&F added to Grammys; Paul Wall’s ‘Money’; N.O.R.E. leaves Def Jam; Beyonce still No. 1, shoots ‘Got Milk’ campaign with Solange; Jadakiss indicted.
*Rapper T.I. has been added to the Grammy night lineup for Sunday, and the legendary R&B band Earth Wind & Fire will join Mary J. Blige and Ludacris on stage in what’s being billed as a “special performance” during the 49th annual ceremony. Read Full Story

SPORTS BITS: Tyson’s rehab confirmed; Serena to join Fed Cup; Barkley celebrates with gambling money; Abdul-Jabbar book signing in L.A.
*It was confirmed Wednesday by Mike Tyson’s attorney that the former boxer has checked himself into an inpatient treatment program for "various addictions" while awaiting trial on drug charges. Read Full Story

THE EURweb FREE-4-ALL PAGE/BOARD: Talk about the stories we didn't cover in this issue.
Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn't cover in today's issue. (It's sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE. Read Full Story

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