November 29, 1995
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From Correspondent Dennis Michael
HOLLYWOOD, California (CNN) -- Eddie Murphy is out, and Wesley Snipes is in. The Hollywood Reporter indicates the action star will earn between $9 million and $10 million to star as an ordinance specialist in "Sandblast." The action film is described as "Die Hard in the Desert." Shooting is to begin in March of next year.
"Batman Forever" has climbed into first place on the video rental charts. The Dark Knight displaced "While You Were Sleeping," which now holds second place in the weekly Billboard Magazine rental statistics, followed by "Pulp Fiction," "The Santa Clause," and "French Kiss."
Hot at the international box office: "Pocahontas" is the top ticket-seller in Italy, Spain, and Sweden. "Species" is the hot ticket in Germany, while French audiences are lining up to see "Apollo 13." In the United Kingdom, "Goldeneye" is boffo.
Kirsten Dunst, Laura Dern, Angela Lansbury, and Marlee Matlin are among the presenters added to the list of stars set for this weekend's "Cable Ace Awards." The show, set to be broadcast on TNT, will feature Mary Tyler Moore as hostess.
The subject of teen sex was explored by actor Robert Townsend at a high school in Los Angeles this week. The actor screened a topical episode of his series "The Parent Hood," and then led a free-form discussion session with students at Hollywood High School. The episode, called "Just Say Yes, No, or Maybe," is being used as a teaching tool at 1,500 junior and senior high schools around the country.
Graham Nash and the Hollies are reuniting with Buddy Holly. An original tape performance of "Peggy Sue Got Married" will be mixed with vocals from Nash and the band to create "Not Fade Away," a tribute album to the rock 'n' roll pioneer. Waylong Jennings, Los Lobos, and Mary Chapin Carpenter will also be featured on the album.
Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington are working on the same film, "Courage under Fire," but not together, apparently. Columnists Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith report Washington and Ryan have no scenes together in the film. Ryan plays a heroic soldier in Desert Storm, and Washington plays an investigating officer checking her qualifications for a congressional medal of honor, after her death. The movie is being shot in Texas.
REM is leading the pack on the concert charts. Amusement Business magazine reports the tour of REM and Luscious Jackson is not only the top moneymaking concert of the month, but holds eight out of the current top 10 spots.
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