newsmakers

newsmakers

DreamWorks acquires Goodwin’s ‘Bully Pulpit’

NEW YORK

Steven Spielberg and Doris Kearns Goodwin are reteaming after their Oscar-winning collaboration on “Lincoln.”

DreamWorks Studios announced Wednesday that it has acquired the film rights to Goodwin’s upcoming “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft and the Golden Age of Journalism.” Spielberg, a principal partner of DreamWorks, last year released his acclaimed adaption of Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.”

Spielberg said that Goodwin has “once again given us the best seats in the house where we can watch two dynamic American personalities in a battle for power and friendship.”

The 900-page book chronicles the friendship and then political rivalry of the two Republican leaders, both American presidents of the Progressive Era.

James Blake wins UK’s Mercury prize

LONDON

Classically trained musician James Blake has won this year’s Mercury Prize, Britain’s eclectic music award.

Blake beat nominees including the band Arctic Monkeys, a previous winner, and rock icon David Bowie to the $32,000 prize with his second album, “Overgrown.”

A total of 12 acts were nominated for this year’s award, which is open to acts from Britain and Ireland.

The prize has a reputation for rewarding new talent, though bookies had made the veteran Bowie one of the favorites to take the trophy this year.

Other nominees this year included solo artists Laura Marling, Jon Hopkins and Laura Mvula, electronic duo Disclosure and bands Rudimental, Savages, Foals and Villagers.

Blake thanked his parents as he accepted the award Wednesday at the Roundhouse in London.

LeAnn Rimes’ invasion of privacy suit dismissed

LOS ANGELES

An invasion of privacy lawsuit that LeAnn Rimes filed against two Northern California women has been dismissed.

Los Angeles court records show the actress-singer’s suit against Kimberly Smiley and her daughter, Alexis Smiley, was dismissed Monday. The dismissal prevents Rimes from re-filing the case.

Rimes sued the women in August 2012 claiming they recorded a phone conversation with her and posted it online. She said the recording damaged her reputation and relationships, and caused her emotional distress.

Kimberly Smiley denied wrongdoing in an interview after the suit was filed.

Steve White, an attorney representing the Smileys, says the two sides resolved their differences, and he could not comment further.

Rimes’ lawyer, Larry Stein, was not immediately available to comment.

Associated Press