Fri, Apr 24th, 2009 | Entertainment |

Jamie Foxx as a mentally ill musician takes to the streets of Los Angeles in "The Soloist." He's not performing for the public. If he has an audience in mind at all, it's the German composer -- he's placed himself in ...Read More

Pianist known for movie theme songs dies at 88

Mon, Sep 21st, 2009 | Entertainment |

Pianist Art Ferrante, who teamed with Lou Teicher to record a series of 1960s easy-listening hits based on movie theme songs, has died at his South Florida home. He was 88. The duo's longtime manager, Scott W. Smith, said Monday that ...Read More

Movie pianist Art Ferrante dies in Fla. at 88

Mon, Sep 21st, 2009 | Entertainment |

LONGBOAT KEY, Fla.—Famed 1960s-era movie pianist Art Ferrante has died at his Florida home at age 88. Ferrante's longtime manager says he died Saturday of natural causes in Longboat Key, about 60 miles south of Tampa. Along with partner Lou Teicher, ...Read More

Review: Krystian Zimerman's controversial appearance at Disney Hall

Mon, Apr 27th, 2009 | Entertainment |

In 1978, an unknown, soft-spoken, 21-year-old Polish pianist appeared as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for its newly appointed music director, Carlo Maria Giulini,  in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  The performances of Chopin’s two piano concertos were recorded by Deutsche ...Read More

Beyonce's 'Obsessed' Takes Over Box Office

Mon, Apr 27th, 2009 | Entertainment |

The Box-Office Top Five #1 "Obsessed" ($28.5 million) #2 "17 Again" ($11.7 million) #3 "Fighting" ($11.4 million) #4 "The Soloist" ($9.7 million) #5 "Earth" ($8.6 million) This weekend proved you should never underestimate Beyoncé's ability to draw a crowd. The stalker thriller "Obsessed" took the #1 ...Read More

Beyonce drama stalks way to top

Mon, Apr 27th, 2009 | Entertainment, Most Viewed |

Obsessed is released in the UK on 29 May Stalking thriller Obsessed, starring Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba, has topped the North American box office, according to early weekend figures. The film, which tells the story of a couple whose marriage ...Read More

Steve Lopez's 'The Soloist': The journey from print to film

Sun, Apr 26th, 2009 | Entertainment |

Social dramas are usually low on the Hollywood pitch list, but “The Soloist” was a story that went from one newspaper column to a series of columns, to a book, and finally to a movie that was released Friday, which ...Read More

In 'The Soloist,' Sean Daly makes his mark

Sat, Apr 25th, 2009 | Entertainment |

In the credits of " The Soloist," Sean Daly is identified as the "hand of Nathaniel Ayers." Played by Jamie Foxx in the film, the character of Ayers is based on the homeless schizophrenic musician who inspired a series of columns ...Read More

Newspaper columnist takes stage in "The Soloist"

Sat, Apr 25th, 2009 | Entertainment |

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Feature film "The Soloist" opened Friday with a story of music, schizophrenia and homelessness that newspaper columnist Steve Lopez witnessed firsthand after seeing virtuoso Nathaniel Ayers play a two string violin on the street. Lopez's series of ...Read More

Downey's role provides reality check

Thu, Apr 23rd, 2009 | Top Stories |

Back when he was filming "The Soloist" last spring, Robert Downey Jr. felt poised for something big. "Iron Man" and "Tropic Thunder" were about to be released. Buzz was building about career resurrection and massive box office potential. But now he ...Read More

'The Soloist' stars Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx

Thu, Apr 23rd, 2009 | Entertainment, Most Viewed, Top Stories |

"The Soloist" is a duet for homeless street musician and crusading columnist. Another way to put it: The film showcases a 102-piece orchestra, in which a yearning solo cello struggles, mightily, to be heard amid 101 Hollywood strings of schmaltz. You ...Read More

Foxx is no ‘Ray' of light in ‘The Soloist'

Thu, Apr 23rd, 2009 | Most Viewed |

A “Saturday Night Live” skit in the making, “The Soloist” mashes up “Rain Man,” “Shine,” “Ray” and a smoked ham named Jamie Foxx. Best Actor Academy Award-winner for “Ray” (2004), Foxx plays a Los Angeles street person who was once a ...Read More

Thoughtful Turns by Foxx and Downey Keep True 'Soloist' From Going ...

Thu, Apr 23rd, 2009 | Entertainment |

It's impossible not to be moved by "The Soloist," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. The true story of a newspaper columnist and his friendship with a schizophrenic street musician in Los Angeles, the film is suffused with heartbreak ...Read More

'Soloist' thrives on duo of stellar actors

Thu, Apr 23rd, 2009 | Entertainment |

The cello's evocative, often melancholy sound envelops The Soloist, highlighting the poignant appeal of this heartfelt film. It also is the instrument that the movie's title character began playing with fervor as a child. Its strains ideally capture the mournful tale ...Read More

Review: 'The Soloist'

Thu, Apr 23rd, 2009 | Entertainment, Most Viewed |

Remember when Lloyd Bentsen told Dan Quayle, "I knew Jack Kennedy. . . . Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy"? Well, I felt a little that way when it came to reviewing " The Soloist." I could back up and write all ...Read More