‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ draws praise from first lady
The Oscar-nominated film “Beasts of the Southern Wild” has gotten Michelle Obama’s ringing endorsement.
The first lady played host Wednesday at a White House workshop for about 80 middle- and high-school students from the District of Columbia and New Orleans, in the state where the movie was set. Students saw the film, then questioned cast members and the director.
Mrs. Obama said she saw “Beasts” last summer and considers it one of the most powerful and important movies released in a long time.
The film tells the mythical tale of a 6-year-old girl named Hushpuppy struggling to survive in the southern Delta with her ailing father as a storm approaches. Her world consists of a small but tightly-knit shantytown community on the bayou with wild animals, both real and imagined.
Actress obtains restraining order
Alyson Hannigan has obtained a temporary restraining order against a man who she claims has repeatedly threatened her and her family.
The “How I Met Your Mother” star obtained the order Wednesday. It requires John Hobbs to stay 100 yards away and stop posting about her online.
Hannigan’s court filings state that the 43-year-old resident of Nashua, N.H., was recently released from a mental hospital.
The filing says Hobbs has threatened in online posts to kill the actress and harm her family. He admitted to police in New Hampshire that he wanted to travel to California to meet the actress.
The order covers Hannigan, her husband and their two children, ages 1 and 3.
Lady Gaga cancels rest of tour
Lady Gaga has canceled the rest of her tour dates due to a hip injury.
A Wednesday news release from Live Nation Global Touring says Lady Gaga has a tear in her right hip that will require surgery to repair, followed by a recovery period.
The pop star had 21 dates through March 20 remaining on her “Born This Way Ball” tour schedule. She postponed four dates on Tuesday after telling fans in a tweet she’d hurt herself some time ago, but hid the injury from her staff. Over the last month, the injury became worse and she said she was unable to walk following a performance Monday in Montreal.
Fans who have already bought tickets will receive a refund.
The birthday bunch
Actress-singer Florence Henderson is 79. Country singer Razzy Bailey is 74. Magician Teller (Penn and Teller) is 65. Actress Meg Tilly is 53. Actor Zach Galligan is 49. Actor Valente Rodriguez is 49. Rock musician Ricky Wolking (The Nixons) is 47. Actor Simon Pegg is 43. Actor Matt Barr is 29. Actress Tiffany Thornton is 27. Actor Freddie Highmore is 21.