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lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 MUSIC & MOVIES

(From left) , Larry Mullen Jr., , , Kayne West, ’s and of greet the audience during the World AIDS Day (RED) concert in Times BruceSquare in New York. Springsteen (Right) performs on stage. — AFP photos fills in at surprise U2 AIDS show ruce Springsteen and Coldplay’s shows since a 2009-2011 tour, Leaving behind his usual guitar, referring to the start of the annual Chris Martin tried to replace announced the free show in Times Springsteen cast a surprisingly similar commemoration. BBono’s legendary vocal cords Square with several hours of notice to physical appearance to as he “We are going to win this fight,” Monday in a surprise U2 concert in raise awareness and funding on World grabbed the microphone, with The Clinton said. Clinton pointed to US New York to rally support for fighting AIDS Day. But with frontman Bono Edge audibly driving the music. Also anti-AIDS efforts as an example of AIDS. U2, which has played only select injured in a bicycle incident last performing were country cooperation across political lines. His month, the Irish superstars offered the Carrie Underwood and hip hop star successor George W. Bush spearhead- microphone to two of the rare vocal- Kanye West, who energetically blend- ed the so-called PEPFAR program, ists who rival U2 in celebrity. ed hits such as “Stronger” and “Touch which now supports anti-retroviral “Dreams come true for all old and the Sky”-while noting that he had to medication for 7.7 million people, in young people alike,” a humbled condense his set for the sake of tele- large part in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, Coldplay frontman Martin said on the vision viewers. some 39 million people have died stage set up underneath Times from HIV-related causes since the Square’s famous flashing screens on a Bono-backed campaign virus that leads to AIDS emerged in rainy night. Martin, who has long cit- The concert was organized by the the 1980s. The concert heard a video ed U2 as an influence on his work, Bono-backed Red campaign to mark a message, released earlier in the day, joined The Edge and the rest of the decade since the United States dra- from President Barack Obama who band to perform “With or Without matically ramped up support for called for sustained efforts to fight You” and “A ” staying fighting AIDS. Bono appeared briefly HIV. “We’ve got to stay focused and faithful to Bono’s lyrics and style in a video at the concert in which committed. Science is on our side, while struggling to match his range. celebrities listed items-such as French Bruce Springsteen performs along with The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr and momentum is on our side. It’s up to Closing the hour-long concert, fries and lipstick-that cost the 40 US Adam Clayton of U2. us to finish the job,” Obama said. In this Oct 30, 2009 file photo, Bono, Springsteen summoned the depths cents required to provide daily treat- who explained that Bono asked him nosed with HIV. “Twenty-six years Despite the public calls to do more right, and Bruce Springsteen perform of his emotional force to sing “Where ment. to address the concert, said that 2014 ago, we could never have had an on AIDS, activists have faulted the at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Have No Name” before a “Two pills a day is what it takes to marked the first time that more peo- event like this on World AIDS Day Obama administration and Congress Hall of Fame concert at Madison more understated rendition of “I Still stay alive if you’re HIV positive,” Bono ple around the world received life- because to be diagnosed with AIDS for keeping funding levels stagnant in Square Garden, in New York. Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” said. Former US president Bill Clinton, saving drugs than were newly diag- was a death sentence,” said Clinton, recent years. — AFP ‘The Hobbit’ finale to battle for technical Oscars

he past two “Hobbit” movies earned three Academy Awards Tnominations apiece. If there’s justice in the world, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Armies” will get more that that. But there is no guar- antee of justice in the Oscar world. Peter Jackson’s third “Hobbit” film is easily the best of the three: fast, action-packed, beautiful and touch- ing. And it’s an artisans showcase, with across-the-board great work that deserves attention. But after the three “The Lord of the Rings” movies earned 30 Oscar nominations and “The Return of the (From left) Romain Dauriac, Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. — AP King” swept the ceremony with 11 wins, voters have been cooler on the “Hobbit” movies. There is a vague Scarlett Johansson sense in the industry that it’s more of the same, that it’s a kids film, or that Jackson and his team don’t weds partner Dauriac need to win awards. The first two are wrong. It’s a very different tone than the other two “Hobbit” movies, with ollywood superstar Scarlett French journalist, in Montana on October new characters, new designs, new Johansson quietly tied the knot 1, People magazine reported. everything. And kids will like it, but with her fiance Romain Dauriac, in The couple have a daughter, Rose. H it’s darker and more emotional than repeat in those categories, as well They cited “Guardians of the Galaxy” good company. Steven Spielberg, October, US media reported Monday. Johansson, considered one of Hollywood’s the earlier two. editing, cinematography, costume and “The Hunger Games: Francis Coppola and James Johansson-best known for her roles in “Lost modern sex symbols, also starred in “Girl As for the third perception, it’s design, music (Howard Shore) and Mockingjay-Part 1.” One could ask Cameron are among the filmmakers in Translation”, “The Avengers” and a string with a Pearl Earring” and Luc Besson thriller true, very few people really NEED an song (by Billy Boyd, who appeared in the same question about “Hobbit.” who won big, only to see subse- of Woody Allen films-married Dauriac, a “Lucy.” — AFP Oscar. But do the “Hobbit” makers the “LOTR” trio). But the New Line-MGM-Warner quent films under-appreciated DESERVE kudos nominations? What about best picture, director, Bros. film “doesn’t need it.” It’s noth- when the envelopes were opened. Definitely. Will they get it? Maybe. The and/or screenplay? Since the first ing personal: Jackson is liked and Awards voters should see “The two earlier “Hobbit” movies scored two “Hobbits” weren’t there, the respected. Human nature means Hobbit,” preferably on the big Creed frontman’s wife visual effects noms. The first one also odds are strongly against it. In the people are always drawn to any- screen, in Imax and in 3D. No, was nominated for makeup/hair- past week, Variety colleagues thing new, sometimes at the they don’t “need” to see it. But styling and production design; the Jenelle Riley and Ramin Setoodeh expense of the familiar-even if the after a year of heavy pieces, they seeking divorce, help second for sound mixing and sound asked why movies that are “only” familiar is better. If Jackson doesn’t deserve to see something that’s editing. The new “Hobbit” could entertaining don’t get more noms. get Oscar noms, he would be in serious but fun. — Reuters reed frontman Scott Stapp’s wife is seeking a divorce from her Cestranged husband. Jaclyn Stapp filed for divorce from the 41-year-old singer and asked a judge in Palm Beach returns, and embraces Google Play County, Florida, last month to have her husband admitted to a substance abuse ake That returned Monday with a new album of a growing slice of the streaming market. Take That in 2010 for an album and tour. In an interview with facility. She said her husband has been -style pop and, entering a more plans to tour for the first time as a trio-, Britain’s Sun newspaper, Donald voiced hope that using several drugs and threatened to kill Tcontemporary debate, snubbed streaming and -at arenas in Britain Williams and Orange would return for a reunion tour himself and harm his family. She said he giant Spotify for Google Play. “III,” ’s first stu- and Ireland starting on April 28. Williams, who now for Take That’s 25th anniversary in 2017. “We want to left their home in early October. “It is a very dio album in four years, marks the rebirth of the lives in the United States after forging a highly suc- do something with the five of us. That will be great,” painful and personal matter for the family,” boy band as a trio, with the absence of cessful solo career, left the band in 1995 but returned Donald was quoted as saying. — AFP said Jason Brodie, Jaclyn Stapp’s attorney. both - who has forged a successful “Jaclyn loves Scott very much. It is now solo career-and . For the band’s seventh apparent the seriousness of Scott’s health. album, Take That signed a deal to stream exclusively Jaclyn has taken all the necessary steps to for one month on Google Play. The search engine help him. She previously arranged for the File photo, singer Scott Stapp, of the giant’s alternative to Spotify is promoting “III” with a appropriate treatment and will continue to band Creed, performs solo in concert launch party. try and help him. Her primary concern at Soundstage, in . — AP Spotify, however, is also streaming the album’s first remains the best interest of their children. the rumors that have been spread about single “These Days,” a clean-cut pop song with a Jaclyn asks for privacy for her and her chil- me are lies,” he said in one video. dance-ready, R&B-influenced rhythm. The album dren during this difficult time.” The videos were later deleted and a entered immediately at the top of Britain’s singles The couple married eight years ago statement posted Friday said Stapp is chart, replacing the Band Aid 30th anniversary Ebola and has three children. Stapp has been “going to step back and let God control relief song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Britain’s posting rambling online videos on everything from here on.” “I should have factors in streaming for its Facebook over the past week saying he’s continued to do that before I allowed my singles ranking; the , the premier US broke. He denied he’s taking drugs or alco- hurt, frustration and emotions take control chart for albums, will begin to consider streaming in hol and said he is “as sober as can be.” and post those videos,” the statement said. its chart out on Wednesday. “When you can’t get any help from law Creed last toured together in 2012. The Spotify has witnessed rapid growth as the industry enforcement, your federal government or band was one of the most successful rock leader in streaming but has also faced criticism-most even local attorneys, what options am I left acts of the 1990s, selling more than 40 mil- notably from this year’s top-selling artist , with except to make public statements like lion albums. Creed won the Grammy for who pulled her whole catalog off the service. Swift this, and put it out on the Internet and best rock song for “” argued that Spotify’s compensation was insufficient, (From left) Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams of the hope that someone’s going to realize that in 2001. — AP charges that the Swedish company denied. Google, band ‘Take That’ perform on the stage of the Ariston Theatre in San Remo, Italy during the 61st Apple and other competitors have meanwhile sought Italian Music Festival. — AFP