AP Entertainment Digest for Monday, Aug. 3
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MONDAY, Aug. 3
UPDATES with FILM-NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL and FBO-XFL-JOHNSON
FILM-NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL — Three original films by Oscar-winner Steve McQueen will debut at the New York Film Festival this year, organizers said Monday. The “12 Years a Slave” director will get the opening night slot for the 1980s-set music romance “Lovers Rock” in addition to two other premieres for films in his anthology series. By AP Film Writer Lindsay Bahr. SENT: 320 words, photo.
MUSIC-TAYLOR SWIFT — To no one’s surprise, Taylor Swift’s surprise album “folklore” is dominating the music charts. Swift’s eighth album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s 200 albums chart this week, marking the best first-week sales of the year and giving the pop star her seventh No. 1 title on the chart. By Music Writer Mesfin Fekadu. SENT: 250 words, photos.
BOOKS-GOOD MORNING-ZOOM — A popular online spoof of the children’s favorite “Goodnight Moon,” reworked for the coronavirus, will be published by Penguin Random House this fall. SENT: 200 words, cover image.
FRANCE NOTRE DAME — Pipe by precious pipe, the organ that once thundered through Notre Dame Cathedral is being taken apart after last year’s devastating fire. SENT: 280 words, photos.
THE STREAM — This week’s new entertainment releases include a double dose of Seth Rogen, Jeff Foxworthy returns with a TV show about people and their keepsakes, while Luke Bryan is back with his first album since 2017. SENT: 700 words, photos.
FBO-XFL-JOHNSON — Former wrestling star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he has acquired the XFL. The 48-year-old Johnson made the announcement Monday on Twitter. The price reportedly is $15 million. SENT: 140 words, photo.
CELEB BIRTHDAYS — Celebrities having birthdays during the week of Aug. 9-15 include Rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot, actor Mila Kunis, singer David Crosby and actor Halle Berry. SENT: 1,500 words, photos.
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FILM REVIEW-AN AMERICAN PICKLE. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. UPCOMING: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.
FILM REVIEW-THE SECRET GARDEN. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. UPCOMING: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.
FILM REVIEW-WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS. By National Writer Jocelyn Noveck. UPCOMING: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.
BOOK REVIEW-THE FIRST TO LIE BY HANK PHILLIPP RYAN. Reviewed by Bruce DeSilva. SENT Monday: 320 words, cover image.
BOOK REVIEW-THE HOLLOW ONES BY GUILLERMO DEL TORO AND CHUCK HOGAN. Reviewed by Rob Merrill. UPCOMING Tuesday: 400 words, cover image