The studios want him, but, these, days Zac Efron only has eyes for indie film. After making a splash at the New York Film Festival with The Paperboy last fall , Efron is back in the Big Apple, at the Tribeca Film Festival, with At Any Price . What’s the deal? “Y’know, Dennis [Quaid] says that the only rule he sort of had for himself in his career is to do as many different types of movies as possible, and never stop stretching and trying something new,” Efron told when I talked to him about the project. I also talked to Quaid who said that he and At Any Price director Ramin Bahrani drew inspiration from Arthur Miller’s classic play: Death of a Salesman . “We talked about Death of a Salesman and the Willy Loman character a lot…[my character] is a man who’s really trying to do the best for his family but he’s corrupted himself in the process,” the actor told me. The buzz on At Any Price is that Efron will get you into the theater, but you’ll leave it talking about Quaid. Check out my full in-depth interview below: Follow Grace Randolph on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Banks Made Over $32 BILLION In Overdraft Fees Last Year Yes, BILLION! According to NBC News: Bank customers may complain about hefty overdraft fees, but they’re using the service more and paying the price. A new report from Moebs Services, a respected economic research firm, shows overdraft revenue at banks, credit unions and thrift institutions totaled $32 billion last year. That’s an increase of $400 million or 1.3 percent from 2011. “Consumers use of overdrafts shows no indication of going away, and is actually increasing,” said Michael Moebs, who wrote the study. At the current rate of growth, Moebs predicts revenue from overdraft fees will hit a new record by the end of 2016, topping the old record of $37 billion set in 2009. The Moebs study found that about a quarter of the people with a consumer checking account – that’s 38 million people – frequently overdraft. The median overdraft is about $40. More than half of the customers who frequently overdraft – 57 percent or 20 million people – go to payday lenders when they are short on funds. Why? Because a payday loan is significantly cheaper. “Payday lenders are the low-price source for short-term cash needs,” Moebs said. “You can get a cash advance for $16 as opposed to $25 at a community bank, $27 a credit union and $30 at bank or thrift. Those are median prices.” While the cost of an overdrawn account has been going up at many financial institutions, the price of borrowing from a payday lender has dropped. The median charge for a $100 cash advance dropped $1.50 from 2011 to 2012, from $17.50 to $16. Moebs firmly believes many of the people who use a payday lender would rather not, if the cost of the overdraft penalty was more in line with what the payday stores charge. He puts that price point at $20. Debit-card transactions often cause an account to be overdrawn. Remember: Your bank or credit union will deny a point-of-purchase debit-card payment or cash withdrawal from an ATM if there is not enough money in the account to cover it, unless you “opt in” to their overdraft protection plan. In that case, the transaction will go through and you’ll get hit with a fee. A recent study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that 54 percent of the customers who had overdrawn their accounts said they did not realize they had signed up for an overdraft service that cost money. Susan Weinstock, director of Pew’s Safe Checking in the Electronic Age Project, said this shows there is “a very high level of confusion” about how this overdraft protection works. Shady, shady, shady. SMH.
While he insisted the project was ‘not important’ in 2011, all eyes are on Weezy on the eve of the LP’s release. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne Photo: Hutton Supancic/ Getty Images
NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin was hospitalized overnight after being airlifted to a hospital after a hard single-car crash on final lap of Sunday’s Auto Club 400. Hamlin was awake and alert in the infield care center before being transported, but was taken to a hospital after complaining of lower back pain. A helicopter was used due to post-race traffic. Denny Hamlin Crash The scary incident happened as Hamlin was helped from his car after the hard hit and seemed to collapse outside his car after he had pulled the net down. Hamlin’s girlfriend, Jordan Fish, tweeted on Sunday night: “Thank u everyone for your messages concerning Denny. Darian is keeping us posted.” “He’s alert n awake, main concern is his back #PrayersforDH” Joey Logano and Hamlin, who have traded barbs since the season opening Daytona 500, battled side by side, bumping and passing in the closing laps. They were drag racing down the backstretch, but Logano went into the outside wall, Hamlin went into the inside wall and Kyle Busch sailed by for the win. “After what happened last week, that’s what (Hamlin) gets,” Logano said after the race. “We have nothing to hang our heads about, that’s for sure.”
Tim Tebow Movie Star? Hey, it can’t work out any worse than Tim Tebow Professional Quarterback. Tim Tebow TiVo Commercial The famous virgin has been offered David Dginguerian’s next movie, as the producer sent a letter to the signal caller this week and referred to Tebow as an “inspiration to so many on the field and off.” As a result, Dginguerian is “certain that [his] passion will also come through in films.” Dginguerian is the man behind the religious film Crossroad and although he doesn’t actually specify the type of movie for which he wants Tebow now, the executive does refer to the project as “faith-based.” With his NFL career, ironically, at a crossroads, Tebow has also been offered a job with the Arena League .
Chef Roblé has combined his love of food with his love of hip-hop to form a new rap group — the FoodTangClan. Check out their song “Grubbin’ Problems” below: Here’s some info on the project: Caterer and celebrity chef, Roblé Ali, star of Bravo TV’s hit show Chef Roblé & Co., is renowned for his culinary skill and creativity, and he is set to make his mark in the entertainment field as well. As part of the parody rap trio Food-Tang Clan, Roblé, along with Chef Roblé & Co. co-star and culinary co-conspirator Ché “Gravy” and food enthusiast Jason “J. Brew” Brewster, released their first single, “Grubbin’ Problems,” on SoundCloud.com this week. “Grubbin’ Problems,” a creative and humorous take on A$AP Rocky’s “F—–g Problems,” offers listeners a look at one of the dilemmas faced by foodies the world over: too many temptations in the kitchen, pantry, and elsewhere. Whether it is trying to resist the allure of their own creations or those of store-bought snacks, Food-Tang Clan hilariously details the many culinary delights they love in this send-up of the rap hit. The group uses clever rhymes, lyrical ability and knowledge of all things culinary to bring entertaining, light-hearted rap songs to music fans. Opening for 2 Chainz—who did the hook for the original “F—–g Problems”—Food-Tang Clan performed for the first time on Saturday, February 23 in their hometown of Poughkeepsie, New York at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. The group entertained the crowd with “Grease,” a wicked spin on Trinidad James’s “All Gold Everything.” From stuffing and gravy to the remedy for a girl who cooks “wack chicken” to a shout out to the beloved Hostess Twinkie, “Grubbin’ Problems”—which can be found on Soundcloud offers listeners a tongue-in-cheek peek into the kitchen of Food-Tang Clan. The group, which is produced by Slimmy Neutron—Ali and Aahmek Richards serve as executive producers—plans to release a series of music videos and a mixtape, Watch the Stove, in the coming months. More information on Food-Tang Clan can found at @FoodTangClanNY. We love this! Hit the flip to watch a video with more info on the group and clips as well as the full lyrics to “Grubbin Problems.”
Wow. That was quick. And pretty darn cool. Less than 11 hours after creator Rob Thomas and star Kristen Bell asked fans to donate to Kickstarter in order to fund a Veronica Mars movie , the project has reached its 30-day goal of $2 million… in under 11 hours! “My mind is blown,” Thomas tells EW of the results. “I’ve been fantasizing about this taking big and had to tell myself, ‘Stop it, Rob, you’re being silly. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment.’ “And now today has exceeded the wildest pipe dream I let myself entertain. Holy cow. We better make a good movie. These amazing fans have stepped up. We better deliver.” Veronica Mars was canceled by UPN in 2007 and starred Bell as a high school student/amateur private investigator. The film will go into production this summer and be released some time in 2014, with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution having agreed to pick up the tab for marketing, promotion and distribution.
I know I’ve always been on Isla Fisher to go out and get some sun, girl’s paler than I am, so I’m happy to see she finally listened to me. Because here’s Isla in a bikini filming scenes for the Untitled Elmore Leonard Project , and giving this lucky bastard one hell of a view. Anyway, since this movie still needs a title, how about some combination of Isla’s name and the words “bikini booty?” It always works for me. Photos: Fameflynet
First of all I just need to explain a little about me. Just so you know how much meeting Justin meant to me. Since the age of 13 I have struggled with self harm, alcohol and drugs. I had my reasons but I don’t want to broadcast them all over the internet. I was in a bad place and most days I’d wake up wishing it would be my last. I had a secret and if I told anyone, it would destroy everything and everyone I loved so I let it destroy me instead. Each day was a battle and one night, I lost. I tried to take my own life and ended up in hospital. After that I stopped going to school and got involved with drugs. I knew I’d never get better. No one could help me. Then Justin came in to my life and changed everything. His story inspired me. His music helped me and he saved me and for these past 3 years. All I have wanted to do is thank him. Thank him for changing my life and giving me the strength to change myself and get help. I wanted to thank him for being who he is and for everything he does. On February 28th 2013 I finally got to do that. When tickets went on sale for the UK, I really wanted to attend a couple of shows. My twitter friend Katie and I bought meet & greets for February 27th through the BieberFever pre-sale. We was so happy! Then I bought myself tickets for Manchester and London as well! I work full time so I had money spare. Shortly after, I set up a project called the ‘Believe Ticket Project’ that raises money to buy Believe Tickets for beliebers who can’t afford them. A lot of beliebers supported the project and wanted to help. Since then me and my friends Sayna (@JustinBibers) Emily, Tyan and Diane (@BiebsMeetTeam) have raised over $2000 and gave away 20 tickets to beliebers in America, England and Europe. Giveback. Justin inspires me every single day and ever since he came in to my life in 2010, each day got better. I was finally happy, I had a job, a great boyfriend, new friends and I was helping others! My Bieber Experience started on February 27th. I travelled down to Birmingham, we went to the arena and joined the meet and greet line. I was nervous but not as much as I thought I’d be. Kenny walked past the line and everyone was screaming his name. I saw him, nodded my head, waved and said, “Hey Kenny,” and he said hey and waved back. Then Dan Kanter and Nick Demoura came to see everyone in the meet & greet line. I talked to Nick and Dan about the Believe Ticket Project and I got pictures with them. After this, I wasn’t nervous AT ALL. I honestly don’t know why because everyone was freaking out but I didn’t want to be like that. I was just happy to finally meet Justin. Before the meet & greet started, they raffle some things off like Justin’s shoe and a signed book. They called my friend’s number and she won Justin’s gold glove! It was our turn to go in. I walked through the curtain and there he was, the boy who saved my life. I was shocked for about 0.5 seconds because seeing him in person – you kind of loose yourself for a minute. But I remember thinking it’s just Justin. At the end of the day, he’s a normal kid. I walked up to him and said, “It’s so good to finally meet you, can I have a hug? He said, “Of course” and he gave me a hug. We took the picture and before I could say anything else, we got pushed along. I couldn’t believe I didn’t get to say thank you but I was still happy I met him. It was the best feeling ever! After that we went in to the arena to our front row seats and enjoyed the show, which was incredible! Dan recognized me from the meet & greet and threw me one of his plectrums. The show finished and I couldn’t believe how fast it all went but I had the best time ever. I was so thankful and happy. I was the luckiest girl alive, but I was about to get even luckier. We were on our way home and Katie was looking at her phone and she said, “I have won meet and greets for tomorrow!!!” I was like “shut up.” So we did it all again. Stood in the meet and greet line waiting to meet him. I wasn’t nervous, I knew what I was going to do. We grouped with 2 other girls and our group was one of the last to go in. I walked through the curtain and so many people were in the room, I just stood their staring. It was all in slow motion, the security were moving people out and pushing my friends in the photo. Justin look confused. Anyways, I had to run to get in the photo. Then Dustin was shouting at everyone to go. As I walked past Justin, I turned to him and he looked at me. I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Thank you for everything.” Dustin was pushing me away so I turned to walk away but just as I did, I saw Justin walk over to me and hold his hand up. I turned back around and I high fived him! He gave me the biggest smile ever! As soon as I got out I burst in to tears. We had to keep walking but I could hardly walk. I was just so happy, after everythiny, I finally said thank you. That’s all I ever wanted to do, to look in his eyes and tell him how thankful I am and I finally did it. Justin knew I ment it and the fact that he walked over to me and high fived me proves that he does care and he does appreciate his fans. He didn’t have to do that. He could of ignored me but he didn’t and that meant the world to me. I sat down at our seats in the arena and I didn’t stop crying for about an hour. Again the show was amazing. He really does love it on stage. I have read some stories on here and most of them say, “I didn’t think I’d ever meet Justin” but it’s different with me. I knew I would meet him one day because I knew I wouldn’t give up until I did. I truly appreciate and respect Justin and I love him with all my heart. He saved my life and I am so happy I finally got to thank him. He made me happy and now all I wish for is for him to find happiness. He deserves it. Thank you for reading my story and if your reading this thinking, “wow she’s so lucky,” ..if it happened to me, it can happen to you! BELIEVE! -@Wesupport_JB Continue reading here: First of all I just need to explain a little about me. Just so…
