Reese Witherspoon arrest video leaked

Amid actress Reese Witherspoon's latest bout of damage control over her recent disorderly conduct arrest, video of the heated incident with an Atlanta state trooper has emerged.

Georgia State Patrol said on Friday it would release the video after a copy of the footage was leaked by celebrity website TMZ overnight.

The video in question was captured by the dashboard camera of the state trooper who confronted Oscar-winning Walk the Line star and her Hollywood agent husband Jim Toth in the early hours of April 19 in Atlanta.

Reese Witherspoon, left, and husband James Toth are seen in this composite photo from the Atlanta Department of Corrections after the Oscar-winner was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. (City of Atlanta Department of Corrections/Associated Press)

After stopping the couple's vehicle, the no-nonsense trooper administers a field sobriety test to Toth. In the video, the actress is seen repeatedly ignoring the officer's directive to remain in their vehicle and engages with him multiple times.

At one point, she declares "Do you know my name?" before adding "You're about to find out who I am."

After the incident, Witherspoon issued a public apology for her behaviour.

On Thursday, she appeared on ABC-TV's Good Morning America to apologize again and acknowledged that after having had too much to drink that night, she had said "all kinds of crazy things."

Also on Friday, a lawyer for the actress confirmed Witherspoon has pleaded no contest to the disorderly conduct charge and paid a $100 US fine.

Canadian singer Michael Bublé, who sings a duet with Witherspoon on his latest album To Be Loved, is among those defending the actress. Earlier this week, at an event in Los Angeles, Bublé said he "adores" Witherspoon and praised her response after the arrest.

"Everyone makes mistakes," he told ET Canada. "It's just a matter of, really, how you come back from them."

Reese Witherspoon is seen speaking to ABC's George Stephanopoulos, left, on Good Morning America on Thursday. (Ida Mae Astute/ABC/Associated Press) With files from The Associated Press

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Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies of liver failure after spider bite

Guitarist Jeff Hanneman, a founder of the U.S. heavy-metal band Slayer, has died at age 49 of liver failure after battling complications reportedly linked to a spider bite.

"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM [Thursday] morning near his Southern California home," says a posting on the band's official website and Facebook page that gives cause of death as liver failure.

'Jeff Hanneman will always be a metal god.'—Rocker Andrew W.K.'s tweet

"Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest in Peace."

Slayer spokeswoman Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald said Hanneman died at a Los Angeles hospital with his wife by his side.

Hanneman had been slowly recovering from a spider bite in February 2011 that reportedly nearly cost him his arm.

Hanneman reportedly had contracted necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease, after the bite.

Bitten in hot tub by spider

In a late 2011 interview with Hanneman posted on the website Metal Injection and in other media, he said he was in a hot tub with a couple of beers when he noticed the spider bite on his arm.

"Didn't even feel it. But an hour later, I knew that I was ill." The article says that by the time he arrived to a hospital emergency room, "I was an hour away from death." The medical staff told him that the bite had caused a bacterial infection in the deeper layers of his arm's skin and tissues.

In an online letter to fans about Hanneman's 2011 medical issues, the band said recently that his recovery had been "touch-and-go." There was talk he would have to have his arm amputated, he was in a medically induced coma for a time and had several operations to remove dead and dying tissue from his arm. He also went through a long period of rehab to regain the strength in his arm.

It's unclear if his medical problems following the spider bite were related to his liver failure.

The guitarist co-founded the thrash metal band Slayer with fellow guitarist Kerry King in Huntington Park, Calif., and the group is considered a pioneer of metal music. The band entered mainstream popularity with their 1986 album Reign in Blood. Hanneman wrote two of the group's most popular songs from the album, Raining Blood and Angel of Death. Tom Araya plays bass and sings in the band.

Hanneman had recently begun writing songs with the band in anticipation of recording a new album later this year.

Considered a 'trailblazer'

Slayer was also planning an international tour, beginning June 4 in Warsaw, that was slated to end in Santiago in October, according to its website. There was no immediate word on the status of the tour.

Slayer, the thrash metal band from California, from second from left, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Tom Araya. Hanneman, a founding member, died Thursday. Former drummer Dave Lombardo is on the left. (Courtesy of Slayer, Mark Seliger/Associated Press)

"The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement.

Robinson-Fitzgerald said it's believed the spider bite contributed to the failure of Hanneman's liver, but it is unclear whether an autopsy will be scheduled. No funeral arrangements have been made.

Reaction to Hanneman's death swept social media and comments on the group's Facebook page.

"Jeff Hanneman will always be a metal god," rocker Andrew W.K. posted on Twitter.

The tens of thousands of commenters on Facebook also expressed condolences.

"Truly sad news …. Thanx for the good times and the great music — it will live on forever and so will you," said one commenter.

With files from The Associated Press

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Xavier Dolan objects to plan for censorship of his video

Quebec director Xavier Dolan is at the centre of a storm of controversy over a music video he directed for French group Indochine.

The black-and-white video for College Boy shows a teen being attacked, at first with paper missiles, but later with punches and kicks, while other students stand by with blindfolds over their eyes as the harassment continues.

It concludes with a crucifixion scene in which the boy is hoisted on a cross and shot. When the police arrive, they too start shooting at the teenager on the cross, while his attackers feign innocence.

French telecom watchdog, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel, is considering whether the video is too violent, with one board member saying she is very concerned about the content. Among its options if there are complaints about College Boy are limiting viewing of the video to after 10 p.m. and placing restrictions on whether the video can be viewed by people under age 16.

So far, no French stations have aired the video.

Xavier Dolan says censoring the video for College Boy is ridiculous. (CBC)

YouTube has put a warning on the video and, in some markets, does not show the entire violent sequence, instead switching to shots of the band playing.

Dolan told CBC News he finds the plan for censorship ridiculous, when young people see regular images of violence on TV screens and hip-hop videos with negative portrayals of women.

"I'm not surprised there is a reaction, I'm surprised we're talking about censorship because I think there is a crucial age and that is 11, 10, 13, 14, 15 – the teenage years, when things still have a strong impression on you," he said.

"This is the age you need to be educated on violence and the true consequences."

The 24-year-old Quebec filmmaker has drawn attention with films such as J'ai Tué Ma Mère (I Killed My Mother) and Laurence Anyways. The video sends an anti-bullying message and he says he wanted to illustrate how those who watch schoolyard attacks are complicit in bullying.

"I think there is an obvious message of non-violence, even though people are debating this – I don't know for what reason – in France," Dolan said.

Asked why he used such disturbing imagery to for an anti-bullying message, he said recent real-life cases of homosexual teens assaulted and killed by bullies show how violence can go too far.

"Is there really another way today in 2013 to make an impression on people so they will know if they do hurt other people they will feel the pain and the violence and how far will we go? We live in a society that allows this sort of extreme violence," he said.

Indochine lead singer Nicola Sirkis defended the video to French media, saying it was not made to shock anyone but to educate youth about the problem of bullying and harassment. The band, formed in 1981, is one of France's most high-profile alt-rock groups.

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'Always be ready,' Alan Doyle tells business audience

Musician and actor Alan Doyle had a simple message for St. John's Board of Trade members at their monthly luncheon Friday: always be ready.

"I learned the whole concept of readiness from a few people, like Russell Crowe," said Doyle. "The best actors in the world are the ones that are most prepared and I think that's true for most athletes and businesses."

Doyle said he and the other actors who played the Merry Men in Crowe's Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood a few years back, got a chance to sing a shanty in the movie because he had a song prepared and ready to go as a scene was being shot.

Doyle, the frontman for Great Big Sea, has become a frequent collaborator on music and acting projects with the Academy Award-winning actor. The two met during one of the band's gigs in Toronto several years back.

Great Big Sea recently celebrated 20 years in the music industry.

Played music at university

Doyle, along with Sean McCann, Bob Hallett and former bandmate Darrell Power, were friends who started playing music together while they were students at Memorial University.

Their energetic blend of traditional Newfoundland and pop music landed them a record deal in the early 1990s. They remain a popular concert draw across North America and Europe.

"Something I learned from Sean [McCann] and Bob [Hallett], you do whatever it takes," said Doyle.

These days, he has his hand in several areas of the entertainment industry.

"I am about 80 per cent finished writing a book and I filmed a movie called Winter's Tale, just before Christmas [2012]."

'You only work with people.'— Alan Doyle, musician and actor

Doyle said he's learned a lot about how to build a successful business.

"Nobody works for you and you don't work for anybody," said Doyle. "You only work with people."

"It's one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned."

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Rolling Stones offer lower-priced tickets as tour kicks off

It appears that Rolling Stones fans have a price limit, with the cost of tickets purportedly dropping for concerts on the iconic rock band's 50 and Counting tour.

The band kicks off its latest concert series in Los Angeles on Friday, but the priciest tickets for the Staples Center show — which have a face value of up to $600 US per person — remained available for purchase online Thursday.

Some fans have been spreading news online of deals for the top-priced Stones tickets, after some ticket resellers reportedly reduced their prices for a few upcoming shows in California by as much as $200 US per ticket.

Meanwhile, the band's decision to offer $85 tickets for a general admission "Tongue Pit" area next to the stage — a trend adopted by many artists — has proved successful, selling out in many locations.

The instant sellout of the lower-priced tickets prompted the Stones to announce on Wednesday that they'd be offering more of them — with conditions.

The new batch of $85 tickets could land fans in the stage-side pit or another area of the arena. However, the number of new tickets available at each stop will be determined the day of the concert, after the band's staging and production is loaded in. Consequently, the seat locations will only be revealed when a buyer actually picks up his or her tickets the night of the show. The tickets must be bought in pairs.

Interested fans can register for a chance at the new batch of lower-priced tickets via the band's official website or Facebook page. The tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Rolling Stones, who celebrated their 50th anniversary as a band in 2012, have been blasted for the high prices of their shows. So far, the group has announced 17 concert stops across North America for the 50 and Counting tour, followed by three in the U.K., including a stop at the Glastonbury Festival.

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FILM REVIEW: Iron Man 3

When I was 12, if I had couple of dollars to rub together, I'd pedal off to the local convenience store for my latest superhero fix (yes, it was back in the days when they still sold comics.) I was always a sucker for crossovers: Avengers versus X-Men, Crisis of Infinite Earths, Secret Wars. A dozen heroes battling each other for the low, low price of 75-cents? Sold!

Flash forward to 2012 and a legion of grown-up geeks (like me) happily shelled out for the ultimate cinematic smash-up: The Avengers. It was the culmination of five years of corporate planning, pulling together strands from Iron Man, Thor and Captain America into a Marvel-ous mega-movie. Astoundingly, director Joss Whedon managed to pull it off and, in the process, broke box office records.

Now comes Iron Man 3, which takes place in a post-Avengers universe where New York isn't just the name of a city, it's an event. It's a place holder for the inexplicable, namely the hole in the sky that opened up over Manhattan and spewed out aliens in an epic battle.

But what do you after you've saved the world? For billionaire tech genius and Iron Man inventor Tony Stark, you dive back into your work. After a brief flashback to set up Stark's past sins, we find him back in the lab and churning out more new models than IKEA.

>Robert Downey Jr., appears as Iron Man and Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts in a scene from Iron Man 3. (Disney/Marvel Studios/Associated Press)

As Tony tinkers with his suits, cracks are forming in his empire. A slick new titan of industry named Aldrich (Guy Pearce) catches the attention of Stark's partner, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). Then, there's Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). The classic foe from the Iron Man comics has become a more politically inspired bogey man: like an ultimate Osama bin Laden, he interrupts prime-time TV to taunt the president.

When the Mandarin sets off a bomb in L.A., a bit of real world horror might interrupt your summer escapism, as echoes of the Boston bombing still reverberate. In the film's devastating attack, citizens are reduced to ash shadows on the wall. In the rubble lies Stark's affable head of security, Happy Hogan (played by earlier Iron Man director Jon Favreau). Horrified and humiliated, our hero dares the Mandarin to come and get him, setting in motion a series of events that truly tests Iron Man's mettle.

Director-writer Shane Black's approach to handling the Armoured Avenger as a solo act is to break him down to basics. Stark is reduced to buggy tech, a mysterious foe and little more than his wits plus what's available at the local home improvement shop.

Robert Downey Jr., left, poses with director Shane Black while promoting their film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. (Eric Gaillard/Reuters)

While IM3 doesn't do a proper job of explaining just why Stark didn't simply call on his superfriends ("Hey Banner, could you spare five minutes?"), it does pull back on Stark's charm offensive. Overclocking his brain, skipping sleep and struggling with PTSD, the character becomes human once again.

The pace is quick and the dialogue even faster, thanks to a change of staff behind the scenes, starting with Black taking over from Favreau. The high priest of buddy-cop flicks, Black is the screenwriter behind Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The latter is somewhat of a holy relic among buddy cop aficionados and for good reason: the 2005 film may have been too snide for the mainstream, but if you want to pinpoint where Downey Jr. found his voice again, start there.

Where Favreau had a way of keeping the action within realm of the believable, Black brings a sense of authenticity to the characters. Yes, this is still a Marvel movie with the requisite giant set pieces, evil super-soldiers glowing like atomic nightlights and more flying robot limbs than you'd see at a Voltron convention. But there's also a lack of preciousness in the way the film's characters relate. Watch how Stark and his buddy, military officer Jim Rhodes, pal around. The comedy is caustic: squint and the rebellious hothead with Col. Rhodes aren't far from Lethal Weapon's Riggs and Murtaugh.

CBC's Eli Glasner talks to Don Cheadle about Iron Man 3

With Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Black deconstructed Philip Marlowe-like detective stories. Here, amidst a golden age of big-screen superheroes, he gives us Iron Man Unplugged. There's more man than machine here (not that you'd know it from the trailers). Again and again, Stark is tested and -- more often than -- not he fails.

There's a pattern here: the set-up and the payoff. Black's plots rarely go where we expect and there's a massive red herring hiding in IM3. Credit goes to the filmmaker for having the guts to mess with comic book conventions. Still, although Black helps Tony Stark find his voice again, in the end the director is overwhelmed by the action -- one final sequence with Stark jumping between multiple suits feels more Super Mario than Iron Man.

Like Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, Iron Man 3 feels like the end. It's not that there couldn't be more instalments, it simply feels like everything's been said. Though the action takes a turn for the generic, Stark's character has been rebooted. Iron Man 3 doesn't tickle my comic-consuming inner child the way The Avengers did, but it's a fitting finale for the hero who made us believe.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Don Cheadle appears as James Rhodes in a scene from Iron Man 3. (Zade Rosenthal/Disney/Marvel Studios/Associated Press)

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Jay Baruchel tackles Sherlock Holmes onstage

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Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies of liver failure after spider bite

Guitarist Jeff Hanneman, a founder of the U.S. heavy-metal band Slayer, has died at age 49 of liver failure after battling complications reportedly linked to a spider bite.

"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM [Thursday] morning near his Southern California home," says a posting on the band's official website and Facebook page that gives cause of death as liver failure.

'Jeff Hanneman will always be a metal god.'—Rocker Andrew W.K.'s tweet

"Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest in Peace."

Slayer spokeswoman Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald said Hanneman died at a Los Angeles hospital with his wife by his side.

Hanneman had been slowly recovering from a spider bite in February 2011 that reportedly nearly cost him his arm.

Hanneman reportedly had contracted necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease, after the bite.

Bitten in hot tub by spider

In a late 2011 interview with Hanneman posted on the website Metal Injection and in other media, he said he was in a hot tub with a couple of beers when he noticed the spider bite on his arm.

"Didn't even feel it. But an hour later, I knew that I was ill." The article says that by the time he arrived to a hospital emergency room, "I was an hour away from death." The medical staff told him that the bite had caused a bacterial infection in the deeper layers of his arm's skin and tissues.

In an online letter to fans about Hanneman's 2011 medical issues, the band said recently that his recovery had been "touch-and-go." There was talk he would have to have his arm amputated, he was in a medically induced coma for a time and had several operations to remove dead and dying tissue from his arm. He also went through a long period of rehab to regain the strength in his arm.

It's unclear if his medical problems following the spider bite were related to his liver failure.

The guitarist co-founded the thrash metal band Slayer with fellow guitarist Kerry King in Huntington Park, Calif., and the group is considered a pioneer of metal music. The band entered mainstream popularity with their 1986 album Reign in Blood. Hanneman wrote two of the group's most popular songs from the album, Raining Blood and Angel of Death.

Hanneman had recently begun writing songs with the band in anticipation of recording a new album later this year.

Other members of the group are:

• Tom Araya, bass and vocals.
• Dave Lombardo, drums.

Considered a 'trailblazer'

Slayer was also planning an international tour, beginning June 4 in Warsaw, that was slated to end in Santiago in October, according to its website. There was no immediate word on the status of the tour.

Slayer, the thrash metal band from California, from left, Dave Lombardo, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Tom Araya. Hanneman, a founding member, died Thursday. (Courtesy of Slayer, Mark Seliger/Associated Press)

"The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement.

Robinson-Fitzgerald said it's believed the spider bite contributed to the failure of Hanneman's liver, but it is unclear whether an autopsy will be scheduled. No funeral arrangements have been made.

Reaction to Hanneman's death swept social media and comments on the group's Facebook page.

"Jeff Hanneman will always be a metal god," rocker Andrew W.K. posted on Twitter.

The tens of thousands of commenters on Facebook also expressed condolences.

"Truly sad news …. Thanx for the good times and the great music — it will live on forever and so will you," said one commenter.

With files from The Associated Press

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Chris Kelly of rap duo Kris Kross dies at 34

Chris Kelly, half of the 1990s kid rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most memorable songs with the frenetic Jump, died at an Atlanta hospital on Wednesday of an apparent drug overdose at his home, authorities said. He was 34.

"It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose," said Cpl. Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County police.

This, Lester said, is based on statements received at the scene as well as evidence turned up at Kelly's home in south Atlanta.

According to Lester, police were called to Kelly's home at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was transported to the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center.

Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said Kelly was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 5 p.m. Wednesday.

No official cause of death has been determined, pending an autopsy.

Kelly, known as "Mac Daddy," and Chris Smith, known as "Daddy Mac," were introduced to the music world in 1992 by music producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri after he discovered the pair in an Atlanta mall. The duo wore their clothes backwards as a gimmick, but they won over fans with their raps.

Their first, and by far most successful song, was Jump. The hit, off their multiplatinum 1992 debut album Totally Krossed Out, featured the two trading verses and rapping the refrain, the song's title. The duo had surprising maturity in their rap delivery, though the song was written by Dupri. It would become a No. 1 smash in the United States and globally, and one of the most popular of that year.

Their success led to instant fame: They toured with Michael Jackson, appeared on TV shows, and even had their own video game.

The group was never able to match the tremendous success of their first song, though they had other hits like Warm It Up, and Tonite's tha Night.

In 2009, after photos surfaced that showed him with bald spots on his head, there were rumours that he had cancer. But in an interview posted on YouTube by Straight from the A TV, he said he suffered from alopecia, a condition in which people lose their hair.

"My health is good, I just got alopecia, I don't have cancer, not other sort of diseases," he said.

Earlier this year, the group performed together to celebrate the anniversary of Durpri's label, So So Def.

Watch the video for Kriss Kross's 1992 smash, Jump:

I Missed The Bus was another hit single from their 1992 album Totally Krossed Out. Watch the video below:

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Spice Girls musical Viva Forever to close in June

Viva Forever? Not as it turns out. Producers announced Thursday that the Spice Girls musical will close at London's Piccadilly Theater June 29 after a disappointing six-month run.

Producer Judy Craymer said despite tweaks since the show opened in December, "we just can't make it work."

Written by Absolutely Fabulous comedian Jennifer Saunders, the show is a modern-day tale of female friendship and mother-daughter bonds set to songs by the 1990s "Girl Power" icons.

It set out to take a timely satirical axe to our information-saturated age of Twitter and TV talent shows, but the critics were overwhelmingly hostile.

The Independent newspaper's Paul Taylor called the show "lacking in any truly original or challenging spark," while the Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer found it "tawdry, lazy and unedifying."

Others felt that aside from a few hits — Wannabe, Stop, Who Do You Think You Are? — the Spice Girls' catalog was not strong enough to support a two-and-a-half hour show.

The five-member group, known for its brash attitude and "Cool Britannia" branding, shot to fame in 1996 and sold 75 million records around the world. The Spice Girls still have many fans, but, 15 years later they were not enough to sustain a West End show.

Craymer, who produced the mega-hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia" said it was "with a heavy heart that we've had to make this very difficult decision to post closing notices for this original show."

"The show has evolved since we first opened and is now brighter, lighter and funnier, but despite the wonderful audiences and extremely positive feedback we just can't make it work," she said.

Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton tweeted that she was "totally gutted" to learn the show was closing.

In a statement, the Spice Girls thanked the show's cast and their fans.

"Although Viva Forever won't continue in the West End we are thrilled that the thousands of people who came to the show had as much fun as we did," the statement said.

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