Apple Most Valuable U.S. Company on Stock Market as Thursday Trading Starts

NEW YORK - Tech giant Apple opened Thursday's stock market trading session as the most valuable U.S. company after it managed to close ahead of oil conglomerate Exxon Mobile for the first time on Wednesday. Apple's market value as of Wednesday's close stood at $337.2 billion, compared with Exxon's $330.8 billion. The market capitalization of Apple, led by CEO Steve Jobs, had briefly overtaken Exxon's in Tuesday trading, but the oil company had ended that trading day ahead. Shortly after the opening of Thursday's stock market session, Apple stayed ahead of Exxon as its shares were up 2.8 percent, while the oil company's stock was up 2.5 percent. While the recent stock market turmoil has pushed the stocks of several entertainment conglomerates below their 2010 closing prices, Apple's Wednesday close of $363.69 compares to its 2010 finish of $322.56. That is up 12.8 percent. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Steve Jobs Apple

Alcon in Talks with 'Harry Brown' Director for Thriller 'Substitution' (Exclusive)

Daniel Barber, who last directed the 2009 thriller Harry Brown, is in negotiations to helm Substitution for Alcon Entertainment. The thriller is described as being in the vein of Strangers on a Train but in a high school setting. The story centers on a substitute teacher who coerces a high school student in a murders-swapping plot. Alcon's Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing, as is Kevin McCormick of Langley Park Productions and Steve Crystal. Ian Shorr wrote the script, which is still in development. Barber proved himself adept at coiling up the tension before letting loose with violence in Harry Brown, which starred Michael Caine as a pensioner who is forced to take matters into his own hands when his friend is killed by ruffians. The movie, Barber's feature directorial debut, won the for best British film prize at the Empire Awards. Barber, repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and UK-based Independent, also directed the Oscar-nominated short The Tonto Woman. Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com Twitter: @borys_kit Related Topics

E True Hollywood Story Snooki

Jersey Shore star Snooki's E! True Hollywood Story will premiere on E! tonight (Wednesday) and today the network released the first preview clip of the hour-long special. (Watch it in the left sidebar.) In it Snooki's parents, childhood friend, and cheerleading coach open up about Snooki's love for cheerleading and how her desire "to be tiny" lead her down a dangerous path. Down to 80 pounds at one point, Snooki battled an eating disorder, but according to those close to her she rescued herself before falling too deep.

Octavia Spencer of 'The Help' Says Men Should See the Movie Too (VIDEO)

If you've picked up a book over the past two years or even glanced at who's reading what during your morning commute, there's a very strong chance you're aware of Kathrynn Stockett's best-selling book, 'The Help.' Set in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, during the early civil rights movement, 'The Help' tells the story of two African American maids who secretly begin assisting a local white woman in writing a book about their lives as second-class citizens in the most racially charged city in the nation. Next Wednesday, August 10, a big-screen adaptation of 'The Help' is headed to theaters, featuring a dream cast of amazing actresses. Among them is Octavia Spencer, who, in what promises to be a breakout role, plays Minny Jackson, an outspoken maid with a devilish secret. In this original video, produced with our network cousins over at Huffington Post Culture and the newly launched Huffington Post Black Voices, reporter Paul Needham talks to Spencer about her friendship with Stockett and director Tate Taylor, her special connection with Minny, and her hope that men will see the movie too. Having both read the novel and attended a screening of the movie earlier this week, this male reporter urges movie lovers of all descriptions not to miss this movie. So are you going to see 'The Help' next week? Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures

Another Useless Hollywood Kudocast...

Dick Clark Prods. is developing the "Streamy Honours"to self-congratulateInternet programming.It is a 2-year-old franchise allegedly realizing the very best in web entertainment. The organization is presently searching for a TV home for that event, though some if not completely from the Streamys is going to be situated online. No date or location for the following Streamys continues to be set."The thing would be to create another franchise like our American Music Honours or even the Academy of New Bands Honours,"Ariel Elazar, Vice president of digital distribution and brand certification at DCP stated inside a statement.The privileges towards the Streamys are possessed by Tubefilter, a web-based publication dedicated to movie.DCP and Tubefilter want less a 1-off event and much more a multi-month interactive extravaganza that includes audience participation including voting on choose groups well prior to the express. This new partnership follows 2010 Streamys whichwere declared a disasterbecause of several technical problems. That fiasco motivated the Worldwide Academy of Web Television to disassociate itself in the Streamys after joining with Tubefilter to create that event. The Intl. Academy made the decision to produce its event together with the customer Electronics Association. The IAWTV Honours is going to be locked in Vegas in the Electronic Devices Show in The month of january. So, essentially, the Streamys will be another useless kudocast with no Industry credibility -- not unlike DCP's lengthy connection to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Golden Globes.

Showtime Touts Subscriber Growth, R-Rated Comedy

Die Schlümpfe

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.