Blackout hurts Costner's movie
HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- After a string of movies that did poorly at the box office, Kevin Costner appeared to have a more successful effort in "Open Range" -- until the blackout.
The power outages hit major film-going cities like Cleveland, Detroit, New York City and Toronto and wreaked havoc on the best-laid promotional plans for the western, The New York Times reported. The movie stars Costner who also directed.
Costner lost roughly 15 percent of his appearance on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Thursday night because of the power outage.
Some newspapers could not print full issues, leaving out movie reviews and advertisements.
Friday's opening at the Loews E-Walk in Manhattan, one of the nation's busiest movie complexes, didn't start until 7 p.m., eliminating five showings.
"It is going to be a convoluted weekend," said Chuck Viane, president of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, a unit of Walt Disney, which is distributing "Open Range" nationwide.
Nicole Kidman to get Cinematheque Award
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The 18th American Cinematheque Award will be presented to Nicole Kidman at the organization's annual benefit gala in November in Los Angeles.
The tribute will air on AMC Dec. 1.
"The American Cinematheque is extremely pleased to honor Nicole Kidman at this year's celebration," said board chairman Rick Nicita. "Her Academy Award this year reflects just one of a series of daring and demanding performances."
Kidman was the unanimous choice of the Cinematheque Board of Directors selection committee, which since 1986 has annually honored an extraordinary artist -- actor, director or writer -- in the entertainment industry, someone who is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture.
Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque is a non-profit viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the moving picture in all its forms.
Lowe to campaign for the 'Terminator'
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Rob Lowe played a political operative in NBC's "The West Wing," but now the actor will be doing it for real in California.
Lowe, a longtime Democrat, has decided to support fellow actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, for governor of California, CNN reported Saturday.
Robert Stutzman, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger's campaign, said Lowe will help recruit others in the Hollywood community.
At this time, Stutzman said, Lowe does not have any official title with the campaign and his future role seems to be still evolving. Lowe "plans on being active," Stutzman said.
Schwarzenegger has been gathering big-name advisers in much the way a Hollywood producer would assemble an all-star cast for a blockbuster movie, CNN said.
The star of the Terminator movies announced earlier that billionaire investor Warren Buffett and former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz will advise him on economic matters.
