AM-Prep-Segue

---

Box Office

UNDATED (AP) _ Last year on the U-S Memorial Day weekend, the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” debuted with 118-million-dollars. The two top movies this weekend are not even close to that figure. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” earned 25.6-million domestically, while “The Garfield Movie” earned 24.8-million, according to studio estimates. Both movies are claiming the number-one spot, based on estimated earnings for today. They are the lowest-earning number-one movies for Memorial Day weekend in nearly three decades. It's also the weakest overall Memorial Day box office since 1998. “IF” is number three this week, followed by “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” “The Fall Guy” starring Ryan Gosling is number five.

---

Alec Baldwin's bid to dismiss the charge is rejected

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – A New Mexico judge has rejected Alec Baldwin’s argument to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge against him, clearing the way for him to go to trial in July. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected defence arguments that prosecutors diverted attention away from evidence and witnesses that could clear Baldwin during grand jury proceedings. Baldwin’s attorneys say they’re looking forward to their day in court. Baldwin is charged with the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna (huh-LEE'-nuh) Hutchins during a 2021 scene rehearsal for the movie “Rust.”

---

Prosecutors accuse Weinstein's lawyer of witness intimidation

UNDATED (AP) _ Prosecutors in New York are asking a judge to clamp down on the lead defence lawyer for former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who they say is trying to intimidate a potential witness. Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala (ay-DAL’-ah), told reporters on May 1st that he believed production assistant Miriam Haley lied to the jury during Weinstein’s 2020 trial. He planned an aggressive cross-examination --quote-- “if she dares to come and show her face here.” Aidala has declined to comment. Haley was one of the women who said Weinstein assaulted her. Weinstein’s 2020 conviction was thrown out, and his new trial could begin sometime after U-S Labour Day.

---

“Anora” wins top prize at Cannes

The top prize at the Cannes (CAN) Film Festival went to director Sean Baker’s movie “Anora,” about a sex worker who marries the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. The Indian film “All We Imagine As Light” won the second-highest honour. “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore as an actor who goes to extremes to stay young, won best screenplay. The best actress award went to not one, but four: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz as an ensemble for “Emilia Perez.” Best actor went to Jesse Plemons for Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness.” The drama “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” shot secretly in Iran, was awarded a special jury prize.

---

Kodi from “Dog on Trial” wins Palm Dog

CANNES, France (AP) – Movie buffs might know that the top prize at the Cannes (CAN) Film Festival is the Palme d’Or. Are you familiar with the Palm Dog? It’s an unofficial award decided by a jury of reporters for the favourite dog in a movie submitted to the festival. This year’s winner is Kodi, a griffon mix rescue dog who plays Cosmos in the Swiss comedy-drama “Dog on Trial.” Kodi narrowly beat Xin ('SHIN), a sighthound in the Chinese drama “Black Dog.” Last year’s winner was Messi, who played Snoop in “Anatomy of a Fall.”

---

The Canadian Press