All posts containing the tag: "sony"
Posted Oct 26th 2009 1:28PM by TMZ Staff
The people behind "This Is It" are furious over reports that the Michael Jackson featured in the movie is a body double -- claiming those reports are "pure garbage."
The controversy began earlier this month after Joe Jackson claimed the media was going to "tear this movie apart" -- and insisted it was "mostly body doubles."
But a rep from Sony -- co-producers of the flick -- tells TMZ, "This story is pure garbage and there are no body doubles.
Audiences will begin to see the film tomorrow and every time they see The King of Pop they will know that every frame is unquestionably Michael as he rehearses and prepares for the London concerts that were to have begun this past summer."
Filed under: Gossip/Rumors, Movies, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: body double, BodyDouble, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, movie, sony, this is it, ThisIsIt
Posted Oct 16th 2009 8:30PM by TMZ Staff
AllGood Entertainment is now going after Michael Jackson's estate in the battle over profits from the upcoming movie "This Is It," along with revenues from the Sony catalog -- and the company wants more than $300 million!!!
AllGood previously filed suit against Michael Jackson, AEG Live and Frank Dileo for $40 million -- that's when Jackson was alive. Now AllGood filed an amended lawsuit today in federal court, which now includes the estate of Michael Jackson. The original defendants are still named in the amended suit.
AllGood sued because it claims Dileo acted as Jackson's agent and agreed to a Jackson family reunion concert and that got torpedoed when the London concerts were booked.
As for why the demand has swelled from $40 mil to $300 mil, AllGood says it never anticipated that Jackson would die and that a movie would be made, which now ups the ante.
AllGood is AlsoSuing John Branca and John McClain, co-special administrators of the estate.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: lawsuit, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, sony, this is it, ThisIsIt
Posted Oct 13th 2009 1:50PM by TMZ Staff
Sources who have heard the unreleased recordings of Michael Jackson say there are at least 2 albums worth of class A songs that will be released over time, and some of them are even better than "This Is It."
We're told many of the songs that will make the cut were written and recorded by Jackson after he left Sony in 2004.
As for "This Is It" -- we're told everyone involved liked the tune but it wasn't the best. As one source said, given the title and the tone, "It was the most appropriate song for the end of the movie."
Filed under: Music, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: album, albums, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, music, sony, this is it, ThisIsIt
Posted Oct 12th 2009 4:58PM by TMZ Staff
If you think Michael Jackson's "This Is It" sounds familiar, it's because the song is a rip-off that was released nearly two decades ago by another artist ... and the man making this claim is none other than music legend Paul Anka.
Anka tells TMZ in 1983, he wrote a song with Jackson called "I Never Heard" -- and the demo of the song was recorded in Anka's studio in Carmel, CA. Anka says he took the tape to a studio in Hollywood to put the finishing touches on it for Anka's duets album, "Walk a Fine Line." Anka claims Jackson -- who was just blowing up at the time with "Thriller" -- got a big head and "stole the tapes" from the studio.
Anka tells us he called the lawyers who repped both he and Jackson -- ironically one of them was John Branca -- and threatened them with a lawsuit if he didn't get the tapes back. Anka got them back but insists Jackson made a copy of the tapes and used the track with his voice from "I Never Heard" -- and simply retitled it, "This Is It."
Anka gave "I Never Heard" to another artist -- Safire -- who recorded it in 1990.
We called Sony Music who released "This Is It" ... no comment so far.
Anka tells us he's talking with his lawyers about his legal options.
Filed under: Music, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: i never heard, INeverHeard, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paul anka, PaulAnka, sony, sony music, SonyMusic, this is it, ThisIsIt
Posted Sep 17th 2009 5:28PM by TMZ Staff
We've learned lawyers for Michael Jackson's estate went to court today and the probate judge gave permission for them to strike a deal with Sony Music for the production and distribution of a soundtrack album in connection with the "This is It" film release.
Sources say Sony and the estate have reached an agreement.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: film, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, probate, sony, soundtrack, this is it, ThisIsIt
Posted Aug 7th 2007 3:29PM by TMZ Staff
What's an "Idol" fan to do while they wait for the glory that is Simon's soul-crushing remarks about a person's warbling? They could just hang out in creepy karaoke bars and heckle the patrons, or to keep from being beat up, they could pick up a copy of "SingStar" for their PlayStation 3.
Hitting stores November 13, SingStar gives everyone a chance to become the pop star they were destined not to be. Each game is packed with two microphones, so you and a friend can perform along with your favorites. Artists include U2, David Bowie, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, OutKast, Weezer and the TMZ's favorite train wreck, Britney Spears. For the true exhibitionist, if you have an EyeToy camera attached to your PlayStation 3, you can tape your best performance and upload it for all the world to see on My SingStar, the SingStar community.
So get your friends together, create a faux contest, and judge each other harshly for your horrible singing. It's the "American Idol" way!
Filed under: Celebritoyz
Tags: gadget, karaoke, playstation 3, Playstation3, singstar, sony, technology
Posted Jun 2nd 2007 3:01AM by TMZ Staff
Meteorologically speaking, this weekend marks the official beginning of "June gloom" in Los Angeles, a period during which each day begins with a deep fog. But some celebs chose to get an early jump on the foggy phenomenon.
Kobe Bryant: During a week when Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James logged one of the greatest playoff performances in NBA history (as well as classiest post-game press conference), KB went public with his whining and clanged one off the respectability rim not once, or twice but ... oh hell, who's counting anymore? It all ended with Lakers owner Jerry Buss making time (before his annual vacation in Italy) to assure his star that all efforts will be made to turn the team into a contender again. And sure enough, rumors were flying at press time about a possible trade involving Indiana Pacer Jermaine O'Neal. But wait ... does Kobe really want to shack up with another guy named O'Neal? Doesn't he remember what happened last time, all of this week's Shaq rift denials notwithstanding?
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: The Z List
Tags: al gore, AlGore, atv, Cannes film festival, CannesFilmFestival, Cavaliers, Ducks, eminem, june gloom, JuneGloom, kobe bryant, KobeBryant, lame, LeBron, Michael Cimino, Michael Jackson, michael moore, MichaelCimino, MichaelJackson, MichaelMoore, red wings, RedWings, sony, stewart copeland, StewartCopeland, vancouver
Posted Nov 20th 2006 3:39PM by TMZ Staff
Now that both next gen systems have hit stores, sucking hard-earned cash out of gamer wallets, let's take a look at the very different console launches.
The PS3, with its cell processor and Blu-Ray, was created and marketed for the hardcore gamer. Gamers who flocked to the release of the $600 system were a bit more tenacious than retailers expected; stabbings, shootings, robberies and mini-riots plagued campout lines. Not exactly the welcome Sony expected. Most of those waiting in line were planning to sell the system on eBay for a quick buck; some sold as high as $2500, they're now selling for more reasonable $1200 on the auction site. Still a tidy profit (if you don't mind standing in the rain for three days).
Conversely, the Wii launch was a well-oiled machine. Most who waited in lines were guaranteed a Wii for $250, with chances of bodily harm remaining slim. A virtual love fest. In order to choose console recipients, raffle tickets were handed out to people in line, instead of the lunatic PS3 race for chairs that caused one gamer to receive a dislocated jaw -- the guy hung in there and got a PS3. Seriously dude, that's hardcore.
An unscientific poll of gamers (friends) and non-gamers (the rest of the TMZ staff) has the Wii on top, citing the wireless remote and lower cost as main factors.
Filed under: Celebritoyz
Tags: console, ebay, lines, nintendo, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, riot, riots, roundup, shortage, shoting, sony, stabbing, system, video game, video games, VideoGame, VideoGames, wii
Posted Nov 15th 2006 5:25PM by TMZ Staff
With Friday's release of the PS3 finally just hours away, it's time for diehard gamers to forsake their jobs, families and all personal responsibilities to wait in a line outside of an electronics superstore.
If you happen to be one of the people who have the vacation time available to use for a chance to buy the PS3, here are a few tips from your gamer pals at TMZ.com:
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Celebritoyz
Tags: camping, friday release, FridayRelease, guide, line, nintendo ds, NintendoDs, paystation 3, Paystation3, pizza, ps3, psp, queue, sony, taco bell, TacoBell, tmz, video games, videogame, VideoGames
Posted Oct 20th 2006 5:41PM by TMZ Staff
If there is anything that can push the PS3 faithful over the edge, it was Thursday's bombshell statement from Sony Corp.
Because of shortages of Blu-ray components, the company may not reach this year's shipment target -- which means it's going to be VERY hard for you to lock down your very own PS3 anytime soon. "The honest answer is, it's more of a target" Jack Tretton co-chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment of America said, speaking about the Playstation 3 shipments. He added "clearly we've had production issues."
What does that mean for those of us who were unable to punch our ways to the front of the recent pre-order lines? Well, it could mean nothing if Sony can somehow miraculously deliver ... or it could mean that our holidays will be a lot less festive this year.
If there was ever a time for a holiday miracle, this is it.
Filed under: Celebritoyz
Tags: blu-ray, delays, holidays, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, shipment, shortage, sipment, sony
Posted Aug 22nd 2006 2:47PM by Celly
You want to buy a PSP, but black doesn't really go with your Hello Kitty Paris doll. Well, Sony and rocker P!nk have teamed up to solve your color coordination problems.
Sony Europe will release a pink PSP Oct. 27 that comes with a UMD chock full of P!nk interviews, live performances and exclusive P!nk-related items. Now you can get your funky game on while grooving to hottie P!nk.
If the pink P!nk PSP isn't your style, Sony Europe also announced they will roll out a pink PS2, available Oct. 8 (sorry P!nk fans, no P!nk goods are on this one).
Unfortunately the pink PSP and PS2 won't be released in North America. If you happen to be in Europe you can pick up the "girl empowering" hand-held for £169 which translates to about $320, while the PS2 will set you back £129.99 or about $245. Better book that British Airline tickets now before they sell out!
Filed under: Music, Celebritoyz
Tags: p!nk, pink, playstation 2, Playstation2, ps2, psp, sony, sony europe, SonyEurope
Posted Aug 8th 2006 6:57PM by TMZ Staff
You have a friend you need to IM and at the same time you need to look up directions to tonight's party, all while monitoring that auction on eBay. What's the solution? Well, you can drag your laptop around or you can buy mylo, Sony's new communication device.
The personal communicator, dubbed mylo (which stands for My Life Online) by Sony, comes with a ton of cool features. mylo offers WiFi for wireless networking, an HTML browser, an audio player that supports MP3, WMA and ATRAC audio files. It also plays video files and you can view pictures of your friends (or favorite celebrity).
Slide the 2.4 inch color LCD screen up and a full QWERTY keyboard emerges to make short order of those instant messages. For now, the device only supports Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk.
But what separates mylo from your average media player is that it allows phone calls utilizing the Skype Internet phone service over WiFi.
With the ability to communicate that much, you may never have to go home again. mylo hits the streets in September.
Filed under: Celebritoyz
Tags: mp3 player, Mp3Player, mylo, skype, sony, video player, VideoPlayer, wifi
