Reuters Entertainment News Summary
Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty, rape trial delayed to January
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty on Monday to a new indictment as his upcoming criminal trial was pushed back to January, in a case where prosecutors have accused him of rape and predatory sexual assault. Weinstein, 67, entered his plea in a New York state court in Manhattan, where his trial was delayed by four months, to Jan. 6, 2020. He had faced a Sept. 9 trial date.
Leonardo DiCaprio urges government action on Amazon fires 'tragedy'
A crisis over burning forest in the Amazon is "incredibly tragic", actor Leonardo DiCaprio said on Monday, urging governments to do more, amid growing international outrage over the damage to the world's largest tropical rain forest. A record number of fires is ravaging the rain forest, sparking concern because of the Amazon's importance to the global environment. The rain forest is said to produce a fifth of the world's oxygen.
Swedish prosecutor will not push for tougher A$AP Rocky sentence
A Swedish prosecutor said on Tuesday he would not push for a tougher punishment for U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky who got a suspended sentence for his role in a brawl in Stockholm. A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, and two of his entourage, were convicted on Aug. 14 of kicking and beating a 19-year-old man after an argument.
Actress Lori Loughlin waves off attorney conflict in U.S. college scam case
Actress Lori Loughlin on Tuesday waved off concerns about a potential conflict involving the lawyers who will defend the "Full House" star and her husband against charges of participating in a U.S. college admissions scam. Federal prosecutors have accused Loughlin and her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli of paying $500,000 to get their two daughters admitted to the University of Southern California through bribery as purported crew recruits.
Venice film festival pulls the stars but gender disparity casts shadow
The world's oldest film festival kicks off in Venice on Wednesday with plenty of Hollywood stars and top filmmakers expected but a lack of female directors and the inclusion of controversial names has drawn criticism. Movie fans are billing Brad Pitt's space adventure, Joaquin Phoenix's turn as the Joker, a star-studded drama based on the Panama Papers expose and a breakup story as highlights of the 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival, held on the lagoon city's Lido island.
No dirty jokes please: Comics find a new stage inside LA car wash
Los Angeles comedian Kurt Braunohler has performed stand-up sets in cargo trucks, schoolbuses and even gondolas, but his latest venture scales things down even further: a four-minute comedy show inside your car as it goes through a car wash.
In a city known for its car culture and notorious traffic, Braunohler said a show inside people's vehicles was the "most L.A. set-up" he could imagine.
Hollywood legend Olivia de Havilland's Dior outfits up for auction
A collection of 27 outfits worn by Hollywood legend Olivia de Havilland is going up for auction next month, some of which she wore on screen during her acting career more than 50 years ago. The Sept. 17 online auction at Chicago-based Hindman also includes haute couture designs by Christian Dior that de Havilland, who turned 103 in July, wore at movie premieres and galas between 1954-1989.
Swift, Cardi B and Missy Elliott bring girl power to Video Music Awards show
Taylor Swift won video of the year and Ariana Grande was voted artist of the year in a girl-powered MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) show on Monday, while rapper Cardi B won best hip-hop video and newcomer Lizzo celebrated large women. Alternative pop singer Billie Eilish, 17, beat Lizzo to be named both best new artist and best breakthrough or PUSH artist in the fan-voted awards show.
Scorsese's 'The Irishman' to get 26-day run in theaters before Netflix
Martin Scorsese's highly-anticipated new mob drama "The Irishman" may turn into a case of 'catch it if you can' as far as traditional moviegoers are concerned. Netflix Inc said on Tuesday the movie, starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino and already generating Oscar buzz, will get a limited 26-day release in independent U.S. movie theaters starting in November before arriving on the streaming platform.
A Minute With: Keira Knightley as a whistleblower in 'Official Secrets'
Actress Keira Knightley turns to the 2003 Iraq War for her latest film "Official Secrets", in which she portrays a British government employee who was fired for leaking a secret U.S. memo in the run-up to the conflict. The 34-year old plays Katharine Gun, a former translator at Britain's global spy center who was charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act for leaking a U.S. memo seeking London's help in spying on the United Nations.
