newsmakers

newsmakers

Corbin Bernsen wants to film again in region

AKRON

Actor and director Corbin Bernsen says he wants to make a second movie in northeast Ohio, where he recently filmed “25 Hill” about Akron’s All-American Soap Box Derby.

The co-star of TV’s “Psych” and “L.A. Law” tells the Akron Beacon Journal work on a film tentatively titled “Three Day Test” could begin in Akron as early as February. He still needs to find backing.

Bernsen says it would be another family-friendly movie, involving a man who has lost control of his family.

He received a key to the city from Akron’s mayor earlier this month when he premiered “25 Hill” at the Akron Civic Theatre. The film is now available on DVD at Akron area Acme supermarkets.

Trial won’t feature Jackson footage

LOS ANGELES

Jurors in the Michael Jackson manslaughter case will not watch previously unseen footage from the singer’s final rehearsals to determine the state of his health before his death, a judge ruled Monday.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor sided with a defense attorney for Dr. Conrad Murray who said last week that more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage that was condensed into the film “This Is It” did not show the singer in poor health.

Pasto also agreed with attorneys for Sony Pictures Entertainment that the clips have significant value and should not be publicly shown without a good reason.

The judge reviewed several hours of the footage last week then canceled plans to travel to Sony Studios over the weekend to finish watching the rest of the film that attorneys wanted to use during the upcoming trial of Murray.

Sony filed a motion Friday citing comments by defense attorney J. Michael Flanagan calling the review of the footage a “big waste of time.”

Chilean miners set for big screen

NEW YORK

The story of the Chilean miners who were trapped underground for more than two months is on its way to the big screen.

The 33 miners have sold the rights to their story to producer Mike Medavoy, according to an announcement Monday from the miners’ representatives and Medavoy. The planned film will recount the remarkable plight of the miners who were trapped for 69 days after the San Jose mine they were working in collapsed near Copiapo, Chile.

A veteran producer, Medavoy, who grew up in Chile, has produced films including “Shutter Island” and “Black Swan.” “Motorcycle Diaries” screenwriter Jose Rivera is set to write the script.

“At its heart, this is a story about the triumph of the human spirit and a testament to the courage and perseverance of the Chilean people,” Medavoy said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better story than this one to bring to the screen.”

‘Roadshow’ appraisal: cups worth a million

NEW YORK

An Oklahoma man has more than a million reasons to be happy he brought his collection of Chinese rhinoceros-horned cups to be appraised by experts with the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow.”

PBS says the collection was judged Saturday by Asian art expert Lark Mason at a taping in Tulsa, Okla., to be worth $1 million to $1.5 million. That’s easily the most valuable item brought in for appraisal in the history of “Antiques Roadshow,” which will air its 16th season next year.

Show spokeswoman Judy Matthews says the collection owner was surprised by the appraisal and quipped, “I guess I won’t have to rely on Social Security anymore.” The owner wishes to remain anonymous.

Associated Press