Denver Post: Entertainment

Denver's Day of Rock puttin' on the hits on 16th Street Mall

Sun, 27 May 2012 11:58:21 MDT

From the fluttering notes of street performer Jentry McCombs' flute to the tight collaborations of the Jeff Brinkman Band, the 16th Street Mall turned into a musical smorgasbord Saturday.

Colorado's strong summer concert calendar forces fans to make tough choices

Sat, 26 May 2012 15:11:54 MDT

This Colorado summer boasts one of the strongest concert calendars in recent memory. And while nobody should complain, it does present some issues — including your credit-card statement come September.

TV director-producer Robert Finkel dies at 94

Lelber/ — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:32:19 MDT

LOS ANGELES—Emmy Award-winning TV director and producer Robert Finkel has died. He was 94. Publicist Dale Olson said Friday that Finkel died April 30 of age-related complications at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.

'Idol' moves toward lower payouts for runners-up

ANTHONY McCARTNEY AP Entertainment Writer — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:04:05 MDT

LOS ANGELES—Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Musician Doc Watson responsive at NC hospital

The Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:11:10 MDT

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Grammy-winning folk musician Doc Watson has regained some strength after undergoing colon surgery at a North Carolina hospital.

Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend freed from Pa. prison

The Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:09:38 MDT

LORETTO, Pa.—An Italian ex-boyfriend of actress Anne Hathaway has been released from a Pennsylvania federal prison following a real-estate scam.

Writer Joel Warner and scholar Peter McGraw attempt to unravel "The Humor Code"

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:39:25 MDT

Joel Warner and Peter McGraw are on dangerous ground. The Denver writer and the University of Colorado at Boulder professor have teamed for a book called "The Humor Code," which takes a scientific approach to understanding the nature of humor.

Memorial Day kicks off season of Colorado festivals

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:05:37 MDT

In the summertime, Coloradans are drawn to festivals like a divining rod to water. Or, since most every gathering involves live music, let's say like a tuning fork to some good, good vibrations.

Breeze of Arab Spring felt on Cannes red carpet

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:55:54 MDT

CANNES, France—The ripples of the Arab Spring are being felt in summery Cannes, where films from Egypt and Syria, as well as a passionate documentary about the overthrow of Libya's Moammar Gadhafi, are being screened alongside the latest features from the world's heavyweight directors.

Gregg Allman engaged to 24-year-old girlfriend

By CHRIS TALBOTT AP Entertainment Writer — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:19:06 MDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Gregg Allman is getting married for the seventh time. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member has told several interviewers this week that he's engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend, Shannon Williams, and Allman's publicist and manager confirmed the news Friday morning.

Movie review: "We Have a Pope," but he's gone underground

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:48:22 MDT

What a terrible thing it would be to be the pope! What unthinkable responsibilities to fall on your shoulders at an advanced age! No privacy. No seclusion. No sin.

3 young actors seize the day, go 'On the Road'

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:09:33 MDT

CANNES, France—Kristen Stewart understands the lure of the open road. So do her "On The Road" co-stars, Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley.

This is pop? A look at wacky Eurovision contenders

PETER LEONARD Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:26:05 MDT

BAKU, Azerbaijan—A memorable melody. Distinctive stage presence. Some horse-trading of votes. Those are secrets to success in the annual Eurovision Song Contest, a televised pan-European extravaganza viewed by some 125 million people worldwide that is now entering its 57th year.

Jackson shows off new curves in the French Rivera

By NICOLE EVATT Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:49:09 MDT

CAP D'ANTIBES, France—Janet Jackson may have joined the ranks of diet plan celebrity spokeswomen Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey, but she insists there's absolutely no competition among the slimmed-down singers.

Born this way? Lady Gaga meets Thai 'lady boys'

By JOCELYN GECKER Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:48:21 MDT

BANGKOK—Lady Gaga has met Thailand's premier "lady boys" at a Bangkok drag show featuring busty dancers who were not born that way.

Nearly 22M viewers for 'Idol' finale a new low

The Associated Press — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:41:21 MDT

NEW YORK—Nearly 22 million TV viewers seems like a lot—but for an "American Idol" season-ender, it's a new low.

Barn Party sets the stage for 25th Schomp BMW Polo Classic in Littleton

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:05:50 MDT

When thoughts turn to polo, cities like Palm Beach, Bridgehampton and Santa Barbara spring to mind.

Tattered Cover Press in Denver o≠ers Books on Demand service

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:03:17 MDT

The Tattered Cover in LoDo boasts an Espresso machine, but don't expect it to crank out caffeine shots.

Producing more, Brad Pitt is "Killing Them Softly"

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:03:07 MDT

CANNES, France — Brad Pitt is making the movie star thing look darn easy.Since he last collaborated with Andrew Dominik, he's starred in the Coen brothers' "Burn After Reading," David

Shirley Manson celebrates the return of Garbage

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:03:05 MDT

LOS ANGELES — Shirley Manson still remembers the words of wisdom Bono gave her about keeping a band intact for the long haul.

Ahmad Jamal and Vijay Iyer's new CDs fine displays of invention, intuition

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:02:14 MDT

As I've mentioned before, just because anyone can record and market a CD doesn't mean that they should.

Denver researcher works to study, preserve coffee beans' gene pool

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:02:06 MDT

Coffee didn't alter the direction of Sarada Krishnan's life. It merely flowed through it.

Meet Joyce Meskis, city's literary lioness

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:02:03 MDT

On a recent morning at the Tattered Cover in LoDo, a sleek machine encased in plexiglass and sporting a keypad and monitor hummed to life and methodically began printing books — one

From tiny sticks, buildings of his dreams

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:02:01 MDT

The first thing Paul Marti wants you to understand about his odd and wondrous matchstick creations — his delicate cathedrals, soaring castles, luxe mansions — is that they are art,

Denver researcher works to study, preserve coffee beans' gene pool

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:01:59 MDT

Coffee didn't alter the direction of Sarada Krishnan's life. It merely flowed through it.

Sir Paul Streams Again On Spotify

The Street — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:44:42 MDT

With a brief, official statement, Sir Paul McCartney returned to Spotify:   “Today we are proud to announce the first official Paul McCartney album release on Spotify.

Ostrow: KUSA wins tightening May sweeps by one rating point

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:52:06 MDT

The TV ratings battle in Denver is a skirmish over tenths of a ratings point and mere thousands of eyeballs. In the heated 10 p.m. news battle, the distance between the first-place station and the third- or fourth- has never been smaller.

Movie review: A "Small, Beautifully Moving" and flimsy film

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:47:45 MDT

The best thing about "Small, Beautifully Moving Parts" is its admission that a positive pregnancy test is not always cause for giddy celebration; the worst thing is that, even at a lean 73

Movie review: A disquieting brilliance tints the movie "Color Wheel"

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:23:38 MDT

When I saw "The Color Wheel" last year at the BAMcinemaFest, I hated every minute and was glued to my seat, unable to take my eyes off the screen.

Movie review: "Tonight" a pleasing remix of rom-com formula

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:21:53 MDT

Pop music has a way of dressing up familiar themes and emotions in new beats and sonic textures, and "Tonight You're Mine," David Mackenzie's new film, does something similar.