Malibu is Burning, Stars Evacuated

If a pending writer’s strike in Hollywood isn’t keeping celebrities speechless, the intense brush fires in Malibu are certainly giving them something to talk about.

TMZ.com is reporting that the homes of Titanic director James Cameron and songstress Olivia Newton-John have already been evacuated. Many more stars are also finding their homes in danger along the exclusive Malibu Colony and Carbon Beach. Jennifer Aniston, Sting, Goldie Hawn, David Geffen and Tom Hanks are among the vulnerable owners of California’s most expensive real estate.

The fire allegedly began before dawn on Sunday when power lines were downed by strong Santa Ana winds and ignited dry brush. The state has been experiencing one of the worst droughts in years, leaving populated hillsides vulnerable to burshfires, especially when fanned by high wind gusts. Students at nearby Pepperdine University were also evacuated to a nearby basketball arena for safety. As of this afternoon, containment has been at zero percent.

Country music star Tanya Tucker’s home was already evacuated. The singer was in Las Vegas yesterday, but her 18-year old daughter who was home called the scene there, “ “ “very chaotic.” Firefighters have been “ dumping water on our house“ in order to save it, according to Tucker who phoned in to speak with reporters.

Los Angeles Fire Chief, P. Michael Freeman, spoke at a press conference on Sunday, noting some residences were a “total loss “ and many suffered “moderate to minor “ damage. Most fortunate in all this is there have been no injuries sustained by residents or firefighters.

Completely destroyed by the fire was Hodge Castle, a local landmark, owned by socialite Lilly Lawrence. The castle was just about to be sold and was in escrow. The asking price was estimated at $17 million and contained priceless Elvis Presley memorabilia.

Of relief to all concerned, pop mess Britney Spears, who lives in Malibu, was in no danger of being evacuated as her home was several miles from the fires. But, as always in her life, the winds may change.

Britney Wins Back Her Kids

Britney Spears has won back the right to see her sons after complying with a court order, according to reports. The troubled pop star was spotted driving her sons Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, through Studio City, California on Saturday (20Oct07) in her white Mercedes convertible decorated with pumpkins on the dashboard. An unnamed individual - presumed to be a court-appointed monitor - was seen in the front seat and the children were in the back seats reports People.com.

Spears was devastated when her visitation rights were temporarily suspended last Wednesday (17Oct07) by Los Angeles County Commissioner Scott Gordon, after she breached a court order by failing to provide the court with her contact information. But her visitation is believed to have been reinstated after the Toxic singer complied with the request. Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline are both required to appear for their next divorce hearing on October 26 (07).

Celebrity Homes Threatened By Malibu Wildfire

Seaside celebrity enclave Malibu Colony in California has been ravaged by a fast-paced wildfire, which broke out early on Sunday morning (21Oct07). The blaze has already claimed an animal hospital and landmark buildings Hodge Castle, which was reportedly once owned by Bob Dylan, and Malibu Presbyterian Church. Locals are mourning the loss of socialite Lilly Lawrence's castle home - because it included a private museum featuring letters from Grace Kelly, Princess Diana and six U.S. presidents.

More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze, but Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Sam Padilla admits the fire is far from under control. Residents of Malibu Colony were evacuated to nearby Zuma Beach as the wildfire threatened their homes.

Built in the 1930s, the cluster of luxury homes that is Malibu Colony has been a favourite of celebrities over the years. Linda Ronstadt, Larry Hagman, Jeff Bridges, Mel Brooks, Sting and Bill Murray are among the stars who reportedly own and rent homes in Malibu Colony.

In January (07), a smaller fire hit near the Colony area, and claimed the oceanfront home of actress Suzanne Somers. Malibu fires in November, 1993 destroyed Sean Penn and Ali MacGraw's homes, and came close to claiming estates owned by Mel Gibson and Richard Gere.

Students at nearby Pepperdine University have also been evacuated from their rooms to a campus cafeteria. The wildfire is expected to blaze throughout Sunday and Monday as hot weather and heavy Santa Ana winds marked the height of traditional wildfire season after one of the driest rain years in Southern California on record. Arson experts have already started to investigate the cause of the fire.

Superman Spoof Needs Famous Looking Stand-Ins

Are you an aging, awkward looking British national with a down-trodden grin and an ugly wife? How about the fourteenth incarnation of Genden Drup? Neither of these? You’re at least King Carl XVI Gustaf, right? No? Well, in that case, if you bear a strong resemblance to King Charles, the Dalai Lama, or the King of Sweden, you should continue reading.

According to our friends over at Movie Hole, David Zucker’s brand new parody Superhero! is looking for impersonators to provide cameos. Producers are currently in search of all those mentioned in the first paragraph along with people to portray Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, the Pope, and the Queen of Sweden. Apparently, executives feel world leaders falling down is always funny.

Superhero! tells the tale of a high school senior who suddenly discovers he has magical powers. Of course, dealing with his new abilities doesn’t prove easy, and all those involved hope laughter will eventually ensue. Then again, that was the rationale behind Date Movie and The Comebacks.

Along with an arsenal of celebrity look-alikes, Christopher McDonald, Leslie Nielson, Jeffrey Tambor, and Ryan Hansen will feature somewhere in the final product. Check back in six months or so for the ranting, hateful review.

Goonies 2 Casts Data And Chunk

A lot of people swear by The Goonies, babble on about how much it meant to them growing up. I don’t share those sentiments. I was seventeen the first time I saw this hogwash, and I hated it. A lot. It’s just a bunch of nosey, meddling kids running around in a cave trying to stop a golf course from being built. I love golf. How am I supposed to get behind that premise? Much to my chagrin, The Goonies has developed quite a cult following over the years. The live-action sequel seems to be D.O.A., but now producers are ready for an animated version, which they have recently begun casting.

According to Empire, Chunk actor Larry Cohen has been tapped to join Corey Feldman and Jonathan Ke Quan to provide voices for the series. Original director Richard Donner and producer Steven Spielberg will also return. When is this movie going to die? I loved The Mighty Ducks when I was a kid, but I haven’t created a petition asking more films be added to the franchise. Here’s to hoping fan support slowly starts dwindling. It would be fitting since the credibility of everyone involved is doing much the same.

See Jet Li In The Mummy 3

As a way of promoting the film, The Mummy 3 team has been running a production blog since they started production on the film a few months ago. They’re currently rolling film, and now it looks like Jet Li is on set fulfilling his duties as the movie’s ass-kicking villain, a Chinese emperor brought back from the dead.

Apparently at some point in the movie there will be a one on one fight between Brendan Fraser and Jet. If I’d been able to finish reading the script I could tell you about it, but it was so awful I gave up on reading it after about page 50. So they’ve posted the first shot we’ve seen yet of Jet in The Mummy 3 over on the production blog. It looks like Brendan is about to get kicked in the head. Lucky for Fraser it’s a movie, or he wouldn’t stand much of a chance.

Megan Fox Attached To Candy Girl's Body

People are starting to obsess over Megan Fox’s hotness the way they used to claw their way through magazines looking for Pamela Anderson. I just don’t get it. Sure she’s kind of sexy, if excessive plastic surgery is your thing. She looks like she popped out of a polystyrene mold somewhere in Hugh Heffner’s basement. It’s not for me.

For those of you who do like the six million dollar woman type here’s some good news: Fox Atomic has cast her as the lead in their new supernatural thriller Jennifer’s Body. It’s not good news because the movie will be great or anything, but because it’s Fox Atomic and they don’t really have any morals. Fox has shunted those off into their religion division over at Fox Faith. No, that’s not a joke.

So I expect exposed things from Jennifer’s Body and the things being exposed will hopefully, for all you drooling dudes, will be Megan’s. Not that you’re likely to get nudity, but expect plenty of belly shirts and bra shots. That’s just how Fox Atomic rolls.

The movie is a horror comedy being described as a cross between Heathers and Beetlejuice. It’s about a too perfect cheerleader who becomes possessed and starts killing the boys in her town. Her best friend must try to stop her hellish reign of terror. No word on whether Fox is the killer cheerleader or the uptight best friend who won’t let her get her jollies by bathing in blood.

It’s written by Diablo Cody, aka Brook Busey-Hunt, who wrote a book called “Candy Girl”. She also wrote Juno, which everyone says is quite good, but having read “Candy Girl” I have a hard time believing it. It’s not that “Candy Girl” is bad, after all it’s her recounting of the year she spent as a stripper and that can’t possibly be bad (hubba hubba), but it’s written in a way that makes me think I could have written it, and my low self-esteem tells me that thus it cannot possibly be up to snuff. I guess what I’m saying is that while the content of her strip-o-diary is fascinating her writing style comes off like the sort of thing you’d find among us lousy, second-rate entertainment journalists who are marginally talented enough to turn out a mildly readable piece of shit like this but usually aren’t talented enough to do anything more substantial like a book or a movie script. There’s probably a reason for that, the entertainment beat has been her primary gig… when she’s not stripping or selling movie scripts.

Maybe I simply have a hard time believing anyone who does what I do can have any real societal relevance, but to me the really irritating (and simultaneously sexy) thing about Diablo and her auto-bio strip-off is that she seems to have deluded herself into thinking she’s some sort of nerd, even though she’s a super-hot, heavily tattooed, skinny rock chick who hangs out with cool people and goes to all the awesome parties. Hell, people call her Diablo. Awkward nerds do not go by the name Diablo! Names like that are reserved for people like Sting and for hipster girls who engage in stripping just because they think it might be fun. I enjoyed the book Diablo, and I think I may have a crush you in some primordial way (give me Diablo Cody over Megan Fox any day), but I’m not buying the whole awkward geek thing. I hate it when cool people try to pass themselves off as shy and pathetic geeks. It only makes us real losers seem even worse. Don’t make it suck harder to be me Diablo.

Serenity 2 Not Happening

A few weeks ago the great Alan Tudyk hinted around to Moviehole that there might be a sequel to Serenity. Fans everywhere instantly stripped naked and took to the streets in celebration, but they may have revealed their bits and pieces for no reason. One of Alan’s Serenity co-stars has responded and said he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
The word comes from SciFiWire where they’ve been stalking the MySpace page of super-cute actress Jewel Staite. Staite played the horny ship’s engineer Kaylee in Serenity and Firefly and she’s currently mired on that awful syndicated spin-off show Stargate: Atlantis. I’m glad she’s working, but I kind of feel bad for her that she’s been forced to go from a quality show like Firefly to the absolute dregs of science fiction.
Anyway, speaking of Serenity 2 Jewel has this to say: “Okay, okay, okay: Lets address these Serenity 2 rumors before anything else. I have no idea what you people are talking about! Seems to me someone (with a name that starts with A and ends in LAN) said something in an interview that was misconstrued as the sequel being greenlit, which is not the case at the moment. I will never say it will never happen, because that's just blasphemy in my opinion, but it's not happening at the moment… no matter what you read on the internet. You know better than to believe everything you read, anyway! (except this blog… cuz it's all true.)” Even her blogs are cute. I think I’m in love.
So there you have it, if there’s a Serenity 2 happening it’s being kept secret from one of the film’s stars. I’m more inclined to believe Staite than Tudyk, if only because Tudyk’s character is dead and probably wouldn’t be in the sequel anyway. She’d probably be higher on creator Joss Whedon’s “call in case of sequel” list.

What Would Neil Patrick Harris Do?

I’m still somewhat baffled by the rumors that Harold & Kumar 2 will take place (at least in part) in Guantanamo Bay, a few terrorist jokes I’d expect but actually sending the boys to internment camps seems a bit heavy for a movie about two dudes who get stoned and try to buy tasty little burgers. But otherwise, I’m really looking forward to Harold & Kumar 2, even moreso now with the release of the awesome teaser poster to your right at AICN.
Neil Patrick Harris’s cameo in Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle is one of the great, genius cameos of all time. I have no idea why he’s riding a unicorn, but I absolutely approve. Forget Jesus, what would Neil Patrick Harris do?
It’s a little hard to see, but at the bottom of the poster is a web address for whatwouldnphdo.com. Unfortunately going there doesn’t take you to a video of Neil Patrick Harris snorting coke while riding a unicorn, but it does take you to the shiny, mostly empty Harold & Kumar 2 website. Click over there if you must.

What Would Neil Patrick Harris Do?

I’m still somewhat baffled by the rumors that Harold & Kumar 2 will take place (at least in part) in Guantanamo Bay, a few terrorist jokes I’d expect but actually sending the boys to internment camps seems a bit heavy for a movie about two dudes who get stoned and try to buy tasty little burgers. But otherwise, I’m really looking forward to Harold & Kumar 2, even moreso now with the release of the awesome teaser poster to your right at AICN.
Neil Patrick Harris’s cameo in Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle is one of the great, genius cameos of all time. I have no idea why he’s riding a unicorn, but I absolutely approve. Forget Jesus, what would Neil Patrick Harris do?
It’s a little hard to see, but at the bottom of the poster is a web address for whatwouldnphdo.com. Unfortunately going there doesn’t take you to a video of Neil Patrick Harris snorting coke while riding a unicorn, but it does take you to the shiny, mostly empty Harold & Kumar 2 website. Click over there if you must.

Scorsese Takes DiCaprio To Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are getting together for yet another movie. Variety says Scorsese will direct and DiCaprio will star in Shutter Island.
The movie is a period piece set in 1954 and has DiCaprio playing a U.S. Marshall named Teddy Daniels. It follows Daniels as he investigates the disappearance of a criminally insane murderess. She’s hiding in a remote place named Shutter Island. I guess there’s a big Wolf Camera there or something.
The script is based on a book by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote Mystic River. You remember Mystic River, it was that suicidally depressing Clint Eastwood movie. If Shutter Island is as fun as Mystic River I may have to bring a noose with me to the screening.
Luckily, this is Scorsese and DiCaprio and so far almost everything they’ve done together has been gold. They’ve already done three together, and Shutter Island is just one of several new film projects they have on the way. A few years ago Scorsese was on the verge of retirement, and now working with DiCaprio has re-invigorated Marty. He’s as vital as ever and we’re the winners.

The 11th Annual Hollywood Awards Recipients Took Honors

Movies of various genres and celebrated figures in Hollywood claimed their prizes yesterday, October 22, 2007 as Hollywood Film Festival organizers held the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony at Los Angeles' Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Scoring the most was musical feature "Hairspray" for it saw star John Travolta take home the Hollywood Supporting Actor of the Year title with producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron accepting the Hollywood Producers of the Year Award. As part of the flick's cast, Travolta was also granted the Hollywood Ensemble Musical Comedy of the Year honor alongside other members like Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Brittany Snow, Amanda Bynes, and Nikki Blonsky.
Meanwhile, Disney/Pixar's "Ratatouille" and robot movie "Transformers" each was given one trophy, the former being deemed the Hollywood Animation of the Year while the latter one scoring in Hollywood Visual Effects of the Year Award through visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar.
As for individuals, Richard Gere nabbed one honor as the Hollywood Actor of the Year, joined by Casey Affleck who was bestowed the Hollywood Breakthrough Actor of the Year Award. Affleck's star brother Ben Affleck, in the meantime, took the Hollywood Breakthrough Director of the Year title, likely for his helming effort in "Gone Baby Gone."
Other noted names receiving the kudos were Jennifer Connelly and Ellen Page for being Hollywood Supporting Actress of the Year and Hollywood Breakthrough Actress of the Year, respectively. Complete list of the award recipients can be seen on the official site for the Hollywood Film Festival.

The 17th Annual Gotham Awards Contenders Listed

Coming to its seventeenth anniversary in paying tribute to the innovative films and filmmakers, Independent Feature Project (IFP) came Monday morning (Oct 22) with the announcement of its 2007 Gotham Awards nominees, giving road movie "Into the Wild" and drama comedy "Margot at the Wedding" two nods each.
Both features delightfully land slot in Best Feature alongside the likes of Not "The Namesake", and "Great World of Sound", which leads the pack with three nominations, the other two being those of Breakthrough Director and Breakthrough Actor for Kene Holliday. It is the latter category that "Wild" also scores in for Emile Hirsch, who will be up against Ellen Page of "Juno", Jess Weixler of "Teeth", and Luisa Williams of "Day Night Day Night" besides Holliday.
"Margot", in the meantime, gets its other nomination in Best Ensemble Cast, alongside "The Savages", "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead", "The Last Winter", and "Talk to Me." Other notable titles taking a nod include "Sicko" for Best Documentary and "Seraphim Falls" that manages to have its maker David Von Ancken in the Breakthrough Director lot.
"2007 was an incredibly strong year for independent film," IFP executive director Michelle Byrd commented. "Ranging from the small gems produced on micro-budgets to extraordinary films from specialty divisions, the nominees all share the type of creative vision and risk-taking that are a hallmark of independent film."
Awards will be given out on November 27, 2007 at Steiner Studios in New York, chosen to mark the city's growth in film production. For complete lineup of nominees, please take a look at the organization's official site on Ifp.org.

Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem Set for Exclusive L.A. Con Presentation

Better not missed this great chance, folks, especially those of you residing in Los Angeles and are craving to know more about "Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem." 20th Century Fox as the studio producing the flick will hold an exclusive presentation on the upcoming sci-fi thriller at this year's L.A. Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention!
Held on November 4, 2007 in Shrine Hall, the event will have directors Colin and Greg Strause appeared on stage at 1:00 P.M. to preview special clips as well as to discuss the making of the film and take questions from the audience. It is also expected that the brothers will afterwards stay to sign autographs with Fox providing special give-aways from the movie, so make sure you'll be there.
The follow-up to 2004's "Alien vs. Predator", "Requiem" is slated to open in North American theaters this Christmas, December 25, 2007. Filming on the flick started on September 25, 2006 in Vancouver, Canada with Daniel Pearl as director of photography and Amalgamated Dynamics handling the special effects.

Veil Lifted from Lions for Lambs at the 51st London Film Festival

The time has finally come for political drama "Lions for Lambs" to be unveiled as it encountered its world premiere yesterday, Monday, October 22, 2007 as part of this year's London Film Festival, highlighted by the arrival of its star Tom Cruise on the red carpet.
The striking actor nicely spent over two hours prior to the screening to greet fans who had waited for him in the cold and wet weather, signing autographs and getting his pictures taken outside London's Odeon Leicester Square, where the premiere was held.
"It's really nice. I actually was surprised that there were this many people here. I thought it's raining, it's cold," he remarked to BBC News 24 upon expressing his delight of meeting the British fans.
The good-natured atmosphere, however, was slightly distracted when the crowds' bags got inspected by organizers of the event. Such action apparently was carried to prevent the occurrence of similar thing to water pistol incident that Cruise experienced at the same spot in 2005 during the London premiere for "War of the Worlds."
Meanwhile, there was no sign of the flick's leading lady Meryl Streep at the premiere. Other principal cast member Robert Redford, who also serves as the director, preferred to avoid the media and entered the theater through the back entrance instead.

Nick Cassavetes to Be Captain America Helmer?

Early buzz on possible director for Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios' "Captain America" has begun to make sound on the net by now. A tidbit coming from CHUD.com is pointing out that "Alpha Dog" maker Nick Cassavetes may be up for the director's chair in the project.
The site appeared to have been sent an email from one of its readers saying that Cassavetes' mother Gena Rowland has indicated so on the ITV Network's show "This Morning." The actress was quoted to remark her son is "now instead thinking of doing CAPTAIN AMERICA."
Cassavetes, a native of New York, is Rowland's son with late actor-filmmaker John Cassavetes, who was considered to be a pioneer of American independent film. Also an actor, he previously directed "John Q" and "The Notebook" as well while currently is carrying the same duties on drama flick "God Is a Bullet."

Harry Potter 5 Heads 2007 BAFTA Children's Awards Nomination

Just saw its star Emma Watson score a prize at the first UK Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" now is on the run to scoop up more trophies in. The fifth installment of the teen wizard film series has just been nominated for Best Feature Film at this year's BAFTA Children's Awards while also up for the Kids' Vote gong, the only public award in the ceremony.
For the event's top honor, the David Yates-directed fantasy is up against "Flushed Away", "Bridge to Terabithia", and "Happy Feet", which won Oscar's Best Animated Feature Film of the Year back in February. Challenge gets bigger in vying for most votes as it has to face a pack of other summer blockbusters like "Shrek the Third", "Transformers", and "Spider-Man 3", to name few.
In addition, game version of the movie was nominated in Best Video Game slot as well, lining up alongside those of "Crash of the Titans", "Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party", and "Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga."
Winners will be revealed at a central London ceremony, sponsored by U.S. games giant Electronic Arts, on November 25, 2007 with British TV presenter Keith Chegwin as the host. For complete list of nominees, please go directly to Bafta.org.

Spike TV's 2007 Scream Awards Winners Unveiled

An annual celebration of the best in horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and comic genres brought by Spike TV, the Scream Awards once again gave out recognitions to a series of proud titles and names on Friday, October 19 at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre.
Big winner turned out to be none other than phenomenal robot movie "Transformers" as it gloriously swept out five prizes in total, most notably Best Science Fiction Movie. Pic also won its two leading actors Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox the title of Sci-Fi Star and Siren, respectively as well as Best F/X and "Jump-from-Your-Seat" Scene of the Year.
Trailing behind was double feature "Grindhouse" which nabbed three honors of Most Memorable Mutilation, Best Director, and Best Scream-Play, the latter two went to the flick's makers Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Fellow summer blockbuster "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", in the meantime, was named Best Sequel with star Ralph Fiennes being deemed the Most Vile Villain for his performance as Voldemort.
As for other names winning apart from LaBeouf and Fox, the event delightfully awarded handfuls of notable Hollywood figures for their famous film roles. Included in the list were, among others, Tobey Maguire, Jessica Alba, and Johnny Depp for their respective appearance in "Spider-Man 3", "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End." Elsewhere, Harrison Ford was bestowed the first ever Hero Award, given to a true superstar whose body of work inspires all those with a love of the fantastic.
Following the ceremony, the 2007 Scream Awards will be aired on Spike TV this Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 10:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT to an estimated audience of one billion viewers worldwide.

American Gangster New York Premiere Full of Stars

The brilliance of New York took some higher notches of brightness when a number of famous figures in U.S. entertainment industry gathered up for the world premiere of crime saga on Friday, October 19, 2007 at the Apollo Theatre.
Bracing the heavy rain, the flick's cast members cheerfully mingled with other celebrities at the scene, cheered up by crowds as they strolled down the red carpet for the screening. Pic's leading actors Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both arrived with their wives, joined by co-stars Josh Brolin, Cuba Gooding Jr., rapper Common, Lymari Nadal, and Armand Assante.
Jay-Z, who got inspired by the movie in making his tenth studio album of the same name, also made his way to attend the glittering occasion, but minus girlfriend Beyonce Knowles. Fellow rapper Method Man turned up as well with record exec L.A. Reid spotted to flash his wide smile.
Opens in theaters November 2 this year, "Gangster" tells about real-life heroin kingpin Frank Lucas who smuggled drugs into the country in the coffins of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. In portraying the man, Washington reportedly had to undergo sixty-four different costume change during the shooting process.

Vampire Tale 30 Days of Night Claims Box Office's Top Slot

As people continue to opt for escapist fare in theaters, it's now the turn of vampire movie "30 Days of Night" to taste its initial triumph on the box office competition running over the weekend of October 19-21, 2007.
Outdistancing its fellow new releases, the Columbia Pictures fright flick successfully garnered quite an impressive amount of $15.95 million in its three-day debut to snatch the top holder of the chart from "Why Did I Get Married?". The Lionsgate release in turn had to go down one place to number two, being only able to put another $12.2 million into its feedbag.
On the third rank, there seats former champ "The Game Plan" which managed to add $8.18 million to raise its four-week total to $69.2 million, a number Tony Gilroy-directed "Michael Clayton" failed to beat as it only pulled in $6.68 million this time.
Next two positions went to newcomers "The Comebacks" and "Gone Baby Gone" with very competitive tally of $5.55 million and $5.50 million, respectively. Thriller action "We Own the Night" came behind after raking up $5.42 million, slightly above the $5.33 million the re-released "The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D" has collected.
Making up the top ten of the list were Gavin Hood's thriller "Rendition" and Paramount Pictures' rom-com flick "The Heartbreak Kid", the former garnering a fair income of $4.06 million while the latter $3.81 million. The rest rank holders up to the twentieth can be viewed on U.S. Box Office page at AceShowbiz.

Eva Longoria Toplining New Comedy Pic Lower Learning

It's another big screen role for Eva Longoria. The "Desperate Housewives" star has just been reported to land a starring slot in an elementary school comedy called "Lower Learning" for Starz Media and Ambush Entertainment.
Here the beauty, who recently adopted the last name of hubby Tony Parker behind her own, will be billed as a school inspector assigned to look into shady allegations at a school, run by an unprincipled school principal. Others submitted into the cast include Jason Biggs, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms, Kyle Gass, and Monica Potter.
Production is slated to begin later this month under the direction of Mark Lafferty who is set to perform the duty based on script penned by Shahin Chandrasoma for a theatrical release early next year. Miranda Bailey of Ambush is producing alongside Matt Leutwyler, Sim Sarna, Scott D. Greenberg, Karen Bailey, and Kent Rice of Starz.

Second Sweeney Todd Trailer Gets Darker and Bloodier

Cheer up those who expect more blood and gore in the upcoming Tim Burton-director "Sweeney Todd." A second trailer for the flick has finally arrived on the net, bringing with it a much darker tone which gives slight hint that pic will definitely be an R-rated feature.
Now can be watched via YouTube as seen below, the new piece drives out all of the fun of the first, even gives us our initial glimpse of the titular character slashing his victim's neck at the end of it. Yes folks, it's all about vengeance now.
Starring Johnny Depp in the title role, "Todd" centers on a barber who turns into serial killer upon revenge for his cruel punishment and the tragic happening to his wife and daughter. Pic marks the sixth collaboration between Depp and Burton after their fifth one in 2005's acclaimed stop-motion-animation feature, "Corpse Bride."

Superman Returns Scribes Not Doing Man of Steel

Though it may have the same leading star and director, "Superman: The Man of Steel" definitely won't get the writers of its predecessor, "Superman Returns", in it.
Report coming from Variety has just revealed that duo Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris have sadly decided not to reprise their writing duties for the project that would reunite them with helmer Bryan Singer. Following their departure, Warner Bros. Pictures reportedly is now taking pitches for the project from other writers amidst its current effort to find the proper cast for "Justice League of America."
In the meantime, Warner Bros. also confirms that pic will indeed be a sequel in its denial to words out there saying the studio would start anew on the DC Comics' beloved superhero character, just like Marvel Studios does with "The Incredible Hulk." The flick is said to pump up the action quotient as Singer promised last year at San Diego Comic-Con with Brandon Routh likely to wear the "S" on his chest again.
As for Dougherty and Harris, the twosome are said to pursue more directing gigs next in their career. The former is learned to have recently finished filming his full-length feature directorial debut "Trick 'r Treat" while the latter one is preparing to helm Daniel Craig starrer "I, Lucifer" which he also penned.

Jennifer Aniston for Harper's Bazaar 140th Anniversary Issue

The beautiful and positively radiant Jennifer Aniston takes over the cover of Harper's Bazaar November 2007 issue, celebrating the magazine's 140th year.
Opens up to the magazine about some of her personal issues, the actress among others talks about the possibility of singing and dancing in an upcoming project and what the public says about her to her advice to young starlets in the industry.
Being asked on her previous movie roles as a "checkout chick" in dramedy "The Good Girl" (2002) and a broke, pot-smoking maid in the 2006 flick "Friends with Money," she admitted to like "those roles. I feel comfortable with them. They're more real. People can say, 'Oh, I have relatives like that, I dated a guy like that, or I have a friend like that.' They're relatable."
On the possibility of singing and dancing in an upcoming project, Aniston said "I can carry a tune, and I was known to throw out a jazz hand from time to time in high school. I'm not that coordinated, unfortunately, hence the comic relief that I turned into! But I've always, at least, entertained someone."
And when it comes to what the public says about her, Jenn claimed she "used to care a hell of a lot more about what people said or thought. But that had to change when my life was under a microscope being scrutinized and my personal life was being talked about. You have to go, 'This is not acceptable in any way,' whether it's about me personally or in business, success versus failure. It's so negative. It's such bizarre negativity."
Asked to give her advice to young starlets, the single beauty simply said, "Continue doing your work. Always keep work first. Hype is second, and don't let that become part of your reality. Just stay real and do your job. Everything is just so dramatic, but you have to remember that we're the luckiest people in the world to do what we get to do and get paid for it."
Read the full article at harpersbazaar.com and got a peek at her photos inside the magazine at the LookBook part.

Sexy, Petra Nemcova Models for La Senza, the Pics

Petra Nemcova goes raunchy. The supermodel stripped down to just skimpy lingerie for a raunchy new ad campaign to promote lingerie company La Senza's new autumn/winter collection.
Enjoy some raunchy photos of her for the brand after the news.
Has been appointed to be the company's new face, replacing glamor model and actress Gemma Atkinson, Petra said on her new venture "Lingerie modeling makes you feel so sexy and good about yourself. I really enjoyed the shoot, there was a fantastic team - we had tons of fun."
She, furthermore, added "Some are sexy, some girly, some comfy and some a bit more risque, but they all make you feel great. My favorite garment was the black push-up bra, it had such great shaping but still has very thin straps."

Supermodels Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford Tapped to Host Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel

Watch out Tyra Banks, two other supermodels are coming to your way, strutting their stuff on the supermodel's runway. Cable television network Bravo, owned by NBC Universal, announced Monday October 22nd the taping of Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford to host its upcoming new reality-competition series "Make Me a Supermodel."
Based on a British series of the same name and is produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, the series will see men and women compete for a chance to launch their modeling career and win $100,000. The 14 model wannabes will live in a New York City loft together and undergo challenges over a 12-week period in order to determine who gets to stay on the catwalk.
Unlike Tyra's reality TV show "America's Next Top Model," Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel" will let viewers take part in deciding who stays and who goes and, ultimately, who the winning model will be. There will be one contestant sent home each week.
The series is scheduled to premiere in the first quarter of 2008.
Taylor began professional modeling at the age of 14. Graced the cover of Vogue magazine at the age of 17, she thus becoming the youngest model to do so. As of Beckford, he's known worldwide as the lead model for Ralph Lauren. He is also reported to be one of the highest-paid and richest African American male supermodels in the world.

Jessica Simpson and Kassie DePaiva to Co-Host The View

Good news comes in two for "The View" fans. The daytime talk show viewers are seeing two new faces joining in, they are Jessica Simpson and soap opera actress Kassie DePaiva.
Justjared.buzznet.com is reporting that Jess will be one of those guest hosts, tapped to co-host the morning talk show on dates 15th and 16th next month.
In related news, the Web also said that Kassie will be on co-host duty as well. Has filled in on the show several times before, she will be the first celebrity guest co-host "The View" to substitute for permanent co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who begins her maternity leave next week.
As of Kassie, she's scheduled to mark her fifth time guest-hosting the talk show on Wednesday October 24th, joining regular panelists Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd.
Elisabeth, according to okmagazine.com, "announced this week she will start her maternity leave earlier than expected after her quarterback-husband Tim Hasselbeck signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old intended to work right up until her Nov. 11 due date, but Tuesday will be her last day on The View for now."
"I have to take early maternity leave so that I can get there and actually introduce the doctor to my parts, before she pulls a child out of me," Elisabeth was quoted as saying. "But I'll be back, after the hiatus."

Jessica Simpson and Kassie DePaiva to Co-Host The View

Good news comes in two for "The View" fans. The daytime talk show viewers are seeing two new faces joining in, they are Jessica Simpson and soap opera actress Kassie DePaiva.
Justjared.buzznet.com is reporting that Jess will be one of those guest hosts, tapped to co-host the morning talk show on dates 15th and 16th next month.
In related news, the Web also said that Kassie will be on co-host duty as well. Has filled in on the show several times before, she will be the first celebrity guest co-host "The View" to substitute for permanent co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who begins her maternity leave next week.
As of Kassie, she's scheduled to mark her fifth time guest-hosting the talk show on Wednesday October 24th, joining regular panelists Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd.
Elisabeth, according to okmagazine.com, "announced this week she will start her maternity leave earlier than expected after her quarterback-husband Tim Hasselbeck signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old intended to work right up until her Nov. 11 due date, but Tuesday will be her last day on The View for now."
"I have to take early maternity leave so that I can get there and actually introduce the doctor to my parts, before she pulls a child out of me," Elisabeth was quoted as saying. "But I'll be back, after the hiatus."

Photos of Mena Suvari and Her Supposedly New Boyfriend

No words just yet that Mena Suvari has ended her romance with professional break-dancer boyfriend Mike "Murda" Carrasco, whom she began dating in 2005. But, the actress was spotted with a new man already.
Mena was snapped holding hands with Simone Sestito, an Italian-American dancer, while on vacation in Rome, Italy on Sunday October 21st. It appeared that the twosome quite enjoying each other companies.
Could it be true that Mena and Simone are a hot new hookup? See some pictures of them, obtained by Justjared.buzznet.com, after the news and you'll be the judge.
Not much is known about Simone, whereas Mena previously married German-born cinematographer Robert Brinkmann before then divorced and dated Mike, a member of Knuckle Head Zoo.

Hot New Hookup, Vince Vaughn and Vanessa Williams

Fresh claim has just emerged from entertainment Website mediatakeout.com that Vince Vaughn and Vanessa Williams are dating.
Citing one of its most trusted Hollywood snitches, the Web reported that the two stars have been spotted sneaking around Los Angeles together, "all in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi."
"Vanessa's really trying to keep this a secret. She feels that the press helped ruin her relationship with Rick [Fox], so she's trying to keep what she has with Vince private," the snitch was quoted as saying.
No conformation nor denial uttered by both parties concerning the much-talked speculation, maybe not now.
A singer, songwriter and actress as well, Williams received considerable media attention for her comic role as magazine creative director Wilhelmina Slater in the ABC comedy series "Ugly Betty." She and hubby, NBA basketball player Rick Fox have separated.
As of Vaughn, the actor previously dated actress Jennifer Aniston. Both are co-stars in the 2006 comedy romance "The Break-Up."

New Batch of 'Menudo' Selected Through MTV Series

Menudo, the arguably most popular Puerto Rican boy band in the 70s and 80s, may not reuniting but a new generation is set up to take over the States or perhaps the world once again. Fresh batch of members are being searched through a reality show that will premiere on MTV.
'Making Menudo' will start the phenomenon once again when five boys are selected to be the new version of the band. 15 contestants will enter a bootcamp where they receive coaching from manager Johnny Wright (NSYNC, Janet Jackson) and David Coury (Backstreet Boys, Leona Lewis).
Beside displaying their vocal ability, the finalists will also be tested on choreography and their skill in interpreting new materials. Each week, three selected finalists will be grouped together and given 72 hours to learn a surprise song, multi-part harmonies included, accompanied by a dance routine. They will then show the result in front of live audience.
Occasionally, special appearances will be made by 'Yo Momma' host Wilmer Valderrama, Backstreet Boys' Howie D, record producer Danja and Mexican singer Frankie J.
The show will be premiered by MTV on Thursday, October 25 at 10:30 P.M. ET/PT. The ten episode series will then be re-broadcast on MTV Tr3s on Saturdays at 2:00 P.M. ET/PT.
The original Menudo group took over the whole nation in early 1980s through their songs 'Subete A Mi Moto', 'Fuego' and many more. They earned themselves a legion of fans dubbed 'Menudomania' that is equalized to that of 'Beatlemania'. 'Heroes' actress Dania Ramirez recently told MTV how the band had influenced her as a person. Watch the footage of Dania's interview here and check on what's the band's latest news on the blog.

Order Now, Amy Winehouse's Double Trouble Combo

Having a quite success singing career in the industry, Amy Winehouse has her nose on yet another business. The troubled singer is selling the so-called "Double Trouble Combo" product on her official merchandise store.
The product includes Amy's new live DVD, titled "I Told You I Was Trouble," 16 oz. pint glass and 3.5 inch ashtray, which both engraved with the songbird's name.
Click amywinehouse.shop.musictoday.com to order yours.
Meanwhile, Amy has just been released from prison on Friday October 19th after being arrested the day before while on tour in Bergen, Norway with husband Blake Fielder-Civil for smoking marijuana in their room at the Radisson SAS Hotel Norge Bergen.
Let's hope the "Double Trouble Combo" will work well.

Coming Soon: Gwen Stefani's New Sweet Escape Doll Line

Saw her second solo album "The Sweet Escape," which was released by Interscope Records in December 2006, gained a massive success, Gwen Stefani is now dividing her focus to her another business, the doll line.
The Multi-platinum recording artist and fashion icon is coming out with her "Sweet Escape" Fashion Doll line.
As apparent from the left-side picture, the line consists of 5 dolls that depict Gwen in four different fashion looks from her videos and Sweet Escape concert tour as well as one of her Harajuku Girls. Each doll comes with multiple accessories including a real headband, poster and trading card.
Gwen's "Sweet Escape" Fashion Doll line will be available for purchase by late January next year.

Mr and Mrs Smith Teaming Up for Their First Producing Project for HBO

It's been quite sometime since their being on the same movie production, "Mr and Mrs Smith", that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie now eager to make their first joint producing effort, producing a new series for HBO.
The not-yet titled drama, according to hollywoodreporter.com, will explore the behind-the scenes politics of an international aid organization and chronicle the lives of humanitarian workers assigned to dangerous zones and the people in need they assist.
The series is being written by Scott Burns, who co-wrote "The Bourne Ultimatum" and produced the Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Burns will, in addition, executive produce the project alongside Pitt and Jolie. Meanwhile, the actress' longtime manager, Media Talent Group's Geyer Kosinski, serves as co-executive producer.
Rumor has it that the series has been a passion project for Jolie since she did the 2003 feature "Beyond Borders," a drama which follows a 10-year romance between a British relief worker and a socialite set against war-torn locations in Africa, Thailand and Europe.
Stay close with us to find out more details on the project.

Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson Have Signed and Sealed Their Divorce Papers

Estranged couple, Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson, is officially divorced.
The former husband-and-wife officially gained their single status again after they filed their signed divorce papers in a Los Angeles court on Monday October 22nd.
It's just a matter of time for the actress and The Black Crowes frontman to have their six-year marriage permanently ended when a judge signs off the papers.
Hudson and Robinson married on New Year's Eve 2000. The couple separated in August 2006 amid rumors that Hudson was romantically involved with her "You, Me and Dupree" co-star Owen Wilson.
Robinson filed for divorce on November 17, 2006 in L.A. Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. The couple had a prenup and Robinson did not seek spousal support. They will, in addition, share joint custody of son, Ryder Russell Robinson.

Marie Osmond Fainted Onstage During ABC's Live Broadcast of Dancing with the Stars

Marie Osmond fainted on-stage during ABC's live broadcast of "Dancing with the Stars" Monday October 22nd, but quickly recovered and apologized.
The actress and her dancing partner, dancer Jonathan Roberts, were the first performers of the evening. They had just finished a samba and were listening to comments from the show's judges when Osmond suddenly fell onto the floor, much to everyone's shock.
And while the judges had nothing to say, but stared in shock, host Tom Bergeron quickly sent the show to commercial, during which two medics and Osmond's manager rushed to her side. The ballroom was silent for more than a minute before then gave Osmond applause as soon as she could stand on her own feet.
The show then resumed and host Tom Bergeron told the studio audience and TV viewers that Osmond had fainted but was fine. Osmond herself explained her collapse, saying "once in a while that happens to me when I get winded. I stop breathing."
Was well enough to take part in the next segment, Osmond is expected to undergo a medical examination just to make sure she's okay, an ABC spokeswoman said.